Vilest Things by Chole Gong

Here is a summary with spoilers for Vilest Things

Anton Makusa narrowly survives the king's deadly arena, only to awaken in the body of Prince August Shenzhi, the royal who once offered him help. Overcome by the strange power of August’s body and conflicting memories, Anton must navigate his new role in the palace. From a balcony, he watches Princess Calla Tuoleimi, the one who killed him, crowned victor of the brutal tournament. Though Anton has succeeded in using forbidden qi to leap into August’s body, he’s not yet secure. In the palace war room, Anton uncovers a chilling truth: his entire noble family, the Makusas, was exterminated by King Kasa to prevent a rebellion. Anger and betrayal consume Anton as he contemplates using his stolen power for vengeance or surrendering to the corrupt kingdom.

In the province of Rincun, Princess Calla, now a palace advisor, returns as part of a royal delegation. The province, decimated by years of occupation, is teeming with unrest. General Poinin’s contempt for the locals and his role in the kingdom's oppression stirs Calla’s bitterness. When word spreads that General Poinin has been found dead, Calla sets out on a perilous journey through the province, determined to uncover the truth behind his death and confront the remnants of her past.

Galipei Weisanna, August’s loyal shadow, finds himself increasingly disconnected from the prince he once knew. The reforms Anton, inhabiting August’s body, enacts are reckless, alienating Galipei further. Meanwhile, rumors of a blood-vomiting noblewoman surface, signaling something sinister within the palace. Galipei struggles with doubt about his allegiance and becomes entangled in a mystery involving ancient rituals, forbidden qi, and the dark forces at play.

At the edge of San-Er, preparations to expand the city’s walls signal the impending displacement of civilians. Among the migrants is Bibi, a woman with a hidden past. Her entry into the city raises alarm, but the palace has no idea that her return may threaten everything. As the city grows more tense, Calla begins to reconnect with old allies and form plans to challenge Anton's rule from within.

Anton, now in August’s body, discovers his comatose sister Otta has inexplicably awoken. Despite her strange behavior, Anton clings to the hope that she is truly back. However, tensions arise when Calla reveals Anton’s death in the king’s arena and claims responsibility for killing him. The confrontation shakes Anton, and Otta’s eerie reaction hints that something far more dangerous is at play. As Anton grapples with his new identity, he faces mounting threats from within the palace and beyond.

The palace descends into chaos as Calla and Otta clash over the kingdom’s dark secrets. Calla accuses Otta of possessing forbidden knowledge that could destabilize the throne. Meanwhile, Bibi and her allies infiltrate the palace, signaling an impending rebellion. As unrest spreads, Galipei seeks answers about the dangerous cinnabar substance tied to August’s past assassination attempts, uncovering the kingdom’s deepest secrets.

Amidst this turmoil, Otta reveals a shocking truth: the divine crown worn by monarchs for centuries is a fake, and the throne has been illegitimate since the war. This revelation sends shockwaves through the capital, sparking protests and unrest. As the people demand a true monarch, the palace scrambles to maintain control. Calla is pulled into a mission to recover the real crown, though she remains conflicted about her role. As alliances fracture and rebellion stirs, the kingdom’s fate hangs in the balance, and Calla is forced to confront the political and personal loyalties that define her path.

Calla convenes a tense council meeting, where she presents evidence linking Leida Miliu’s supernatural abilities to a larger conspiracy involving the Dovetail group. Her discovery includes a sigil that connects the group to Ayden Junmen, whose mysterious death suggests hidden manipulations. As she confronts the council with her suspicions, the room grows hostile, with Councilmember Mugo accusing her of personal bias against Otta Avia, who may be plotting to seize the throne. Despite the council's resistance, Calla remains determined, but the meeting ends with unresolved tension, and the weight of the sigil and her growing paranoia begin to take a toll on her mental stability.

Later, Calla and Anton share a quiet moment in a secluded arcade. Calla vents her frustrations about the council’s dismissiveness, and Anton hints at his suspicions about Otta’s role in the unrest. As they play a game of “Chutes and Ladders,” their conversation turns to their shared history and complex feelings for each other, amid the looming political crises. Anton expresses his desire to uncover the truth behind the attacks, while Calla’s sharp remarks reveal her growing distrust of everyone, including Otta. The conversation leaves both characters unsettled, and their path forward remains uncertain.

Calla continues her journey through Talin's provinces, but hears little gossip about the surge in adventurer activity she was expecting. As the caravan moves through dense forests, she grows restless, and the throbbing pain from the sigil on her chest serves as a constant reminder of her increasing magical power. The tension escalates when Calla senses an ambush, and her instincts lead her to halt the caravan, identifying an enemy scout. A battle ensues, where Calla fights with brutal precision, but is caught off guard by a hidden attacker. Otta Avia intervenes, stepping in to protect her and Anton, leaving Calla and Anton to reflect on the bizarre turn of events.

Following a surprise attack, Anton and Otta travel through Leysa Province toward Lankil. Anton, filled with guilt over his inaction during the attack, contemplates his failure to protect Calla. Otta, injured, insists that Anton needs her guidance to combat his enemies, but Anton resists, still harboring resentment for her past abandonment. Their camp discussions turn to suspicions about Calla’s possible involvement in the attack. Calla denies it but starts to recognize Otta’s manipulative nature. Meanwhile, Anton faces growing tensions within his camp, particularly with Galipei, who confronts him about possible hidden motives in their mission.

Calla sneaks into a decaying city, desperate to end the voices tormenting her. As she navigates the ruined streets, she uncovers a temple with a disturbing inlay of her own face and a sigil marking her as something more than human. She receives a mysterious map from Otta, leading her toward a divine crown in the borderlands. Upon returning to camp, Calla’s body is mistaken for someone else’s, and Anton finds her, alarmed that she is still alive. Meanwhile, Venus Hailira enforces a period of confinement in Rincun, creating confusion among local authorities. She notices a strange light in the sky, hinting that someone has entered the borderlands.

Calla begins to question her true identity as the sigils on her body suggest a connection to a royal bloodline. She and Anton continue their journey toward Otta and the crown, but tensions rise as they uncover signs of rebellion. The mysterious forces at play grow more complicated, and Calla's transformation becomes central to the unfolding conflict. Meanwhile, Yilas receives a cryptic message linked to the Crescent Societies, an underground group that might be involved in the growing unrest. Though skeptical, Yilas and her girlfriend, Chami, investigate further, suspecting that the societies want to involve Calla in their plans.

The political climate becomes more volatile as Calla’s council delegation faces yet another crisis with the murder of Councilmember Naurilus. Despite the murder, Calla insists on staying focused on their mission, but when the carriage is attacked and she is injured, the tension escalates further. As the chaos spreads, the Crescent Societies make a public move, further destabilizing the region. Meanwhile, Councilmember Aliha encounters a member of the Crescent Societies, signaling the increasing threat they pose.

Anton wakes to find himself trapped in an overturned carriage after an attack. Galipei warns of an impending assault by the Dovetail group, and they plan an escape. However, the situation worsens as Dovetail forces close in. Calla, blindfolded and bound, is interrogated by the attackers, revealing a dangerous agreement between Galipei and the Dovetail. As the confrontation spirals, Calla and Anton use their powers to escape, leading to a tense standoff with August, who begins to realize the extent of the betrayal and manipulation around him.

In the midst of rising tensions, the divine crown stirs, and the kingdom of San-Er descends into chaos. The Crescent Societies’ violence escalates, and Yilas and Chami find themselves in a fraught alliance with the group, seeking to relay information to Calla. Meanwhile, August, driven by his desire for power, ascends to the throne by orchestrating the deaths of key figures, including his Aunt Carneli. His plans for the kingdom grow darker as he manipulates key players, including his half-sister Otta. As Calla and Anton continue their struggle against August, they encounter unforeseen dangers and secrets.

As Calla and Anton prepare to leave Actia Province, they discuss the mysterious Sinoa Tuoleimi and its connection to a destroyed book. They encounter a delegation of frostbitten riders led by Venus Hailira, who reveals that Rincun has been frozen over by an unnatural cold. Investigating the situation, Calla and Anton uncover cryptic references to the "junndi," hinting at hidden truths behind the supernatural events. Their investigation grows increasingly tense, and they sense they are on the cusp of a larger, more dangerous conflict.

August arrives at the yamen to discover that Calla and Anton have already left. Despite the harsh conditions and the mythical cold, August remains determined to pursue them. Calla and Anton, struggling through the freezing weather, eventually discover a palace hidden in the mountains, where they uncover murals that suggest a deeper connection to the past and the war with Sica. As they venture deeper into the palace, they prepare to uncover the secrets within, unaware of the peril they face.

Back in San-Er, Venus Hailira reflects on the changes in the region as she faces the growing discomfort of displaced people and the recent attack that left Councilmember Rehanou dead. When Venus is confronted by masked figures, she’s forced into a precarious deal to declare Rincun an independent province in exchange for her survival. Meanwhile, Anton and Calla, imprisoned and facing a grim future, find themselves pawns in August’s plans for a public trial. As tensions rise, Anton vows to seek vengeance, while Calla contemplates her role in the coming war.

Calla, imprisoned and awaiting her punishment, reflects on the irreversible steps she can take to escape. Despite the looming threat of August’s revenge, she isn’t afraid of the immediate consequences. Anton visits her, having freed himself, and the two discuss their next move. Anton plans to force entry into San-Er and overthrow August, and in an emotional moment, they form an unspoken alliance. As Calla prepares to act, she is filled with fury, resolve, and uncertainty, knowing that the coming conflict will change everything.

In a diner, Bibi shares a tense conversation with Yilas and Chami before the city trembles, and the windows shatter, and destruction overtakes the area as the divine crown is seized by Calla. She confronts August with a fierce anger over the deaths of innocent children, unleashing her newfound power and causing devastation. Galipei is gravely injured in the chaos, and August orders Calla's capture, unaware of the immense threat she now poses with the crown.

Calla and Anton make a daring escape, using the crown's power to subdue guards as they approach the walls of San-Er. They encounter August, who demands Calla return the crown, but she refuses and challenges his rule. In a powerful confrontation, Calla invokes her divine right to the throne, unleashing devastating force that kills August's guards. With Anton by her side, she forces August to surrender and leads him into the heart of San-Er, where they discover the Palace of Union in ruins, the source of which remains unclear. As they prepare to infiltrate the palace, Calla considers a stealthy approach, knowing the risks and pressures on her from the Crescent Societies.

Later, August reflects on the shift in power dynamics after Calla's successful coup. Though Calla now controls the capital, August recognizes that without control over the provinces, she cannot fully claim Talin. Chaos grows in San-Er, with weapons flooding the market and Crescent moons appearing, signaling increasing unrest. August begins to understand how much of the current crisis was influenced by unseen forces, especially after Otta Avia, his half-sister, enters and reveals her tumultuous past. Otta shares how her body was overtaken by a girl from Rincun, under the protection of the old gods, and how she lost her birthright to the throne. She proposes that they work together to restore the dual thrones of San-Er. Despite his initial doubts, August agrees, recognizing Otta’s power and the potential for victory, setting the stage for further conflict and power struggles to come.