Chapter 28

After claiming the throne room, Carl negotiates with Toyotomi, a Sai mercenary leader he defeated, and assigns him to Shanty Town for defense. Carl receives a cryptic warning from Zev about avoiding contact with Agatha, a mysterious residual alien being who has arrived in the territory, and learns that various factions are making moves regarding the residuals' endgame. Carl then sets traps throughout the castle and strategically leaves a Madness mercenary in the throne room to create conflict among rival leaders before departing to address threats on the northern border.

Carl and Donut exit the throne room discussing stat mechanics, where they encounter Rend attempting to eat Toyotomi, a Sai mercenary sergeant. Carl learns from examining Toyotomi's status that he is a broken, honor-bound creature haunted by his squad's deaths at the Desperado Club during the Minge incident. When Carl asks whether Toyotomi wants to help fight orcs or protect the castle, Toyotomi reveals he maintained an exhausting shield spell over the castle that failed when Carl arrived, shaming him. Carl reassigns Toyotomi to Shanty Town via message with Li Jun, who reports that a level 23 classless woman named Agatha has been looking for Carl and is currently at the bar with Lucia Mar. Zev then urgently messages Carl with a direct order from Prime Minister Glory: do not interact with Agatha under any circumstances. Zev cannot explain why but emphasizes the warning's importance. Carl reflects on residuals being hyperspatial aliens with unclear motivations—some attempting to end the crawl by communicating with the system AI. He notes that multiple factions are now making moves and that Agatha specifically asked about him by name, creating uncertainty about his next course of action. Carl continues setting traps around the castle while Mongo and Rend emerge covered in gore. A notification warns that the throne room will be ceded to the Dream in six hours if unclaimed. Carl strategically leaves Lockjaw, a Madness mercenary, inside with orders to hold position, hoping to create discord between rival Bloc leaders. Carl then prepares to depart for the northern border conflict with Donut.