Chapter 31

Carl and Donut observe from a distance as Signet's amphibious assault team launches a coordinated attack on Fort Freedom's castle, with Samantha serving as a distraction at the front gate. The assault quickly turns catastrophic when explosions and massive casualties suggest the castle's defenders were prepared for the attack, forcing Carl to abandon his position and prepare to enter the fray despite Signet's instructions to remain behind.

Carl and Donut watch from a hilltop as Signet's mixed force of paper monsters, elves, naiads, and other creatures approaches Fort Freedom castle across the river. Samantha, transformed into a minor goddess of unrequited love and currently a sex-doll-headed water entity, breaches the castle first as planned, creating a distraction by activating the alarm system and wedging the castle's song trap into the ventilation system. The initial assault proceeds with Signet and her battle squad moving into the castle while paper monsters and other forces enter the water and castle via multiple routes. However, the situation rapidly deteriorates when lightning strikes from the water, the castle's alarm stops abruptly, and explosions begin occurring. Bodies float downstream—dead naiads, dissolved paper soldiers, and what appear to be members of Signet's team, including what looks like a bush elf torn in half. Miss Nadine the caterpillar panics and breaks toward the water despite Areson's warnings. Samantha reports fighting and blood in the water, then claims it was a trap and that she has "almost" gotten someone. Carl, realizing the assault has gone wrong and ignoring Signet's orders to wait, equips a water-breathing ring and prepares to dive in, while Donut objects. As Carl removes his xistera extension to prepare for entry, another explosion rocks the castle, sending bloody water and more bodies upward.