After the Cike destroy the Federation supply fleet in the marsh, the Ram and Ox Warlords quickly align themselves with Altan and allow civilians to believe the victory was a joint military achievement. Altan accepts the stolen credit because the win gives him credibility, brings the Warlords into cooperation, and makes Cike intelligence useful to the broader defense of Khurdalain.

Jun alone challenges Altan, arguing that the marsh victory has humiliated and angered the stranded Federation soldiers and will invite retaliation. When Qara’s birds spot three unarmed Federation delegates approaching under a white flag with a wagon, Jun insists they should be shot, while the Warlords debate whether to accept possible peace talks. The Ram Warlord deflects responsibility by suggesting Altan handle the negotiations, and Altan agrees because he hopes the war might end before Khurdalain is destroyed.

The delegates arrive with chests they claim contain salt and sugar as a goodwill offering. Altan prevents the Warlords from taking the supplies for the army and orders them distributed to civilians, avoiding conflict over rations. In private negotiations, the head delegate reveals the offer is not Federation surrender but a demand that Khurdalain submit to Emperor Ryohai, accept occupation, and swear allegiance in exchange for survival.

Altan and Jun reject the terms, and the delegate taunts Altan about the genocide of Speer. Ramsa bursts in and realizes too late that the supposed salt is actually saltpeter. The wagon explodes in the town square, knocking Rin senseless and wounding her, while the Warlords and Cike in the office survive. The Ox Warlord kills the delegate despite Altan’s attempt to stop him.

Rin emerges into a devastated Khurdalain: the square is flattened, buildings are torn open, civilians are pinned, burned, crushed, or dying, and the smell of blood, charcoal, flesh, and caramelized sugar fills the air. Rin sees soldiers rescue injured children and watches helplessly as a man falls from a shattered inn, realizing that the Cike’s gods and powers can destroy but cannot protect, heal, or undo consequences.

The city braces for an immediate Federation assault, but none comes. Ramsa concludes the Federation is weakening Khurdalain through fear, hunger, and exhaustion. Civilians recover their dead and send them to sea on a funeral bier, while the divisions establish triage; Enki puts Rin to work tying tourniquets. A wounded young woman tells Rin that civilians had nowhere to flee, forcing Rin to confront the human cost of the military decisions around her.