Chapter 278, "Selling Essence Cores", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is Arielle's eyes sparkled at this new information., but the pressure keeps building through She hadn't expected to even sell the extra cores to the merchant and.... Once the chapter lands on You'll eat whatever I pick," she declared., the chapter closes with Arielle smirked.

Chapter 264, "Elder Alfred.", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 513, "Damien's Blood Manipulation (2).", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 561, "Blades DNA vs Sorin's DNA (1+).", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 564, "The End Of A Bout.", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 878, "Way Out.", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 553, "Second Round.", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 694, "Another Gordons.", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 512, "Damien's Blood Manipulation (1).", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 569, "a major turning point", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 461, "Different Answers", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is The scent of roasted meat still lingered in the air long after the..., but the pressure keeps building through The clinking of silverware faded, leaving only the low murmur of.... Once the chapter lands on And you'll have both, as long as I draw breath., the chapter closes with Damien said nothing.
Chapter 408, "Hindsight Activated", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is The walk to the military grounds was a quiet one., but the pressure keeps building through Damien, Arielle, and Lyone followed Captain Apnoch past the rising....