Chapter Forty-Nine

Tiyung recounts his captivity in detail, emphasizing conversations with Ailor and delivering Ailor’s final message of love to Mikail. Hana then narrates her path from being purchased by Seok with Nayo, to faking her death and relying on Rune, through Idle Prison, the Khitanese border, and back to Qali, while Tiyung explains finding Hana in Tamneki and their decision to come to Gaya.

Aeri and Royo describe their assignment to Khitan, Prince Euyn’s death, and their flight since Quu Harbor. The room falls into heavy silence as everyone absorbs the revelations.

Servants bring food; Hana swiftly warns Mikail not to eat. After testing, Hana and Sora confirm only Mikail’s wine and figs are laced with xitcia, a euphoria-inducing fatal poison. Mikail, masking pain and anger, leaves to deal with disloyal staff.

In his absence, Sora confronts Hana about her faked death and years of silence, accusing Hana of not caring enough to send any sign. Hana accepts the accusation but insists she returned because the king still lives and the stakes have escalated.

Hana and Tiyung report sighting Weian warships near the Coastal Road—one flying a Yusanian flag and another a Khitanese flag—implying King Joon is alive and moving on Tamneki within days. The looming threat suggests disaster for Yusan. As the group processes this, a sharp scream sounds from the direction Mikail went, and they rush toward it with weapons drawn.