Contents
CHAPTER 30: Heroes Day
Overview
Shae ends her pregnancy with Wen’s support, reaffirming her duty to No Peak. A flashback to Lan underscores her struggle to define herself. On Heroes Day, Ayt publicly attacks Shae’s loyalty and character. Shae interrupts the ceremony and challenges Ayt Mada to a clean blade, forcing a decisive confrontation.
Summary
At dawn, Wen quietly drives Shae to a clinic. Shae, having forged Hilo’s consent, undergoes an abortion while Wen stays beside her. On the ride home, Shae wrestles with guilt over Maro, but Wen bluntly affirms that Shae’s choice protects No Peak and enables both women to serve the clan in their own ways.
A memory surfaces: before leaving for Espenia, Shae shared a final meal with Lan. He warned that others would try to define her, urging her to remember who she is even abroad. The counsel lingers as a measure of identity and resolve.
On Heroes Day, Hilo fulfills public duties: honoring the dead, kneeling before Prince Ioan III, and attending the unveiling of a statue of Kaul Seningtun and Ayt Yugontin. Under intensifying anti-foreigner sentiment and a smear against Shae, Hilo worries about her standing and weighs the damage to No Peak as Ayt Mada takes the stage.
Ayt turns a commemorative speech into a condemnation of Shae, framing ruthless leadership as patriotic necessity and accusing No Peak’s Weather Man of foreign corruption. As Hilo simmers and Kehn urges withdrawal, Shae arrives unexpectedly, strides past Hilo, and halts Ayt’s attack. In front of the crowd, Shae names the insults and publicly offers Ayt Mada a clean blade, transforming the humiliation into a formal, decisive challenge.
Who Appears
- Kaul Shaelinsan (Shae)Undergoes an abortion, recalls Lan’s counsel, then publicly confronts Ayt and offers a clean blade on Heroes Day.
- Maik WenAccompanies and supports Shae at the clinic; asserts clan-first pragmatism while pregnant and caring for her family.
- Kaul Hiloshudon (Hilo)Endures Heroes Day duties, defends Shae in media, weighs clan reputation as Ayt attacks, surprised by Shae’s intervention.
- Ayt MadaUses a public memorial speech to indict Shae’s loyalty; is challenged by Shae to a clean blade.
- Kaul Lanshinwan (Lan)In flashback, advises Shae to define herself; his words shape her resolve and choices.
- KehnHilo’s Horn; urges withdrawal during Ayt’s public attack, reflecting concern over optics and escalation.
- Prince Ioan IIICeremonial monarch presiding over Heroes Day rituals, including clan fealty and statue unveiling.