Five years after the Emperor of Marmo dies in the War of Heroes, Parn has become the Free Knight of Lodoss, and he and his old allies are now renowned throughout the land. Yet the emperor’s right‑hand man, Ashram, seeks the scepter of domination in order to reunite Lodoss under his former leader’s banner. Beneath Ashram’s conquest lies a more sinister force that is beginning to set the stage for the resurrection of the goddess of death and destruction.