Chapter Sixty-Nine

Aeri narrates a tense morning audience in the Rose Palace, a day after Sora’s kidnapping and unanswered demands to Qali. Rune arrives unexpectedly alive and ceremonially greets Mikail and Aeri, eyeing Aeri’s ruby relic. Court figures Fallador and Royo flank the throne, their strained reactions underscoring recent losses and guilt.

Questioned by Mikail, Rune reports his forces are crossing the Strait of Teeth and will encamp at Charm Beach. When pressed about Qali and Seok, Rune implies Mikail has his own sources, prompting Aeri to state Hana’s death. Rune then delivers crucial intelligence: Prince Uolson of Wei met Seok and formed an alliance, and the Weian king’s guard has been summoned to Tamneki.

Aeri calculates the scale and timing of the threat, fearing an imminent assault before the full Weian host arrives. Rune challenges Mikail’s plan for handling elite Weian soldiers, whose armor Royo knows can withstand ordinary blows. Mikail answers that, if attacked, he will sink the Weian ships.

Fallador pales and Royo stiffens as Aeri realizes the implication—Mikail intends to sacrifice himself if necessary to destroy the fleet. The meeting closes with the urgency to fortify Charm Beach the same day, setting the stage for a potentially catastrophic confrontation.