Chapter Fifty-Five

In the king’s bedroom at the Rose Palace, Tiyung stands first watch while Mikail and Sora prepare to sleep after the night’s upheavals. Before resting, Mikail thanks Tiyung for reminding him of his ideals, admitting Tiyung served as his moral compass when vengeance threatened to overtake him.

As the room settles into quiet, Tiyung keeps vigil by the window, reflecting uneasily on Hana’s absence and concluding Mikail likely let her go after she proved useful. Mikail’s restless sleep subsides, and the chamber grows dark and still.

About a bell later, Tiyung notices distant flames and lowers the lamp to see better. He wakes Mikail and Sora just as Royo and Aeri burst in with a spyglass, reporting approaching soldiers. Mikail confirms through the glass that around three hundred troops are marching toward the palace and estimates they will reach Jeul in a bell.

While Tiyung fears they are vastly outnumbered, Mikail remains calm, dresses, and decides to meet the force by the sea, intending also to cast Governor Yong’s head into the water. Sora, Royo, Tiyung, and Aeri refuse to let Mikail go alone, arguing an ambush would be too easy.

Accepting their resolve, Mikail abandons the idea of facing the threat solo. Armed with the Water Scepter and his sword, he leads the group out to confront the Yusanian king’s guard together.