Chapter Twenty-Eight

Aeri and Royo rush to the terrace paths where Fallador restrains Sora after Sora’s sudden attack on Mikail. Sora is distraught; Mikail is injured but lucid. When pressed, Sora admits she heard that Tiyung is dead from a courtesan she knows. Mikail swears he was told Tiyung was alive and promises to send word to confirm the truth.

Pressed about Gambria, Mikail reveals she enabled the assassins to find them and that he let her return to Khitan. The admission deepens distrust. Sora asserts they must leave Rahway that night, proposing they tell Rune to meet in Tamneki and leave Fallador with Rune to report on the western count’s maneuvers.

Outwardly, Sora names Oosant as their destination to investigate the laoli-smuggling warehouse owners, possibly Seok or Rune. Mikail accepts and gives them a bell to prepare. Once away from Mikail and Fallador, Sora confides the Oosant plan was a ruse made because Fallador was present.

Privately, Sora directs Aeri and Royo to arm up and reveals the true plan: flee far from Rahway to the Temple of Knowledge in Gaya to learn what happens if the relics unite. She fears Rune will use Fallador to kill Aeri and Mikail and deliver the relics to King Joon. Because Yusan’s temples may be compromised by Joon’s spies, Sora insists on returning to Gaya, likely traveling via Mikail and the Water Scepter.

The chapter closes with Sora noting that even Mikail does not trust Fallador, underscoring the group’s fractured alliances and the urgency to move before Rune acts.