After hours in the triage center, Rin is released for only six hours of rest. On the way back to the Cike quarters, Unegen and Baji tell Rin that the city is under martial law and that the Warlords are too frightened to retaliate. Rin reports the casualties from the bombing: six hundred dead and a thousand wounded, mostly civilians.

At headquarters, Qara emerges from Altan’s office looking shaken and smelling of smoke, and says Altan is indisposed. The Federation’s retaliation continues: agents manipulate starving fishermen in Zhabei into gathering stray animals, then soldiers set the animals on fire and release them through the town. Zhabei burns for three days, creating thousands of refugees and worsening overcrowding, disease, and unrest in Khurdalain.

As civilian anger turns against the Militia, the Warlords blame Altan for the disaster and use the failed aftermath of his earlier victory to undermine him. When Altan returns, he acts manic rather than defeated, planning more operations than the Cike can realistically execute. Baji openly challenges one proposed mission as suicidal, pointing out that the Cike are exhausted, understrength, and missing Chaghan, and he walks out after accusing Altan of delusion.

The Cike continue guerrilla operations, but Rin sees that their sabotage barely slows the massive Federation buildup. Rin is overworked between missions, patrols, and training with Altan. Although Rin improves with the sword, Rin cannot call the Phoenix again because Rin is afraid the god will consume her, and the Speerly Woman warns Rin that resisting the Phoenix requires more courage than yielding to it.

Khurdalain deteriorates further under paranoia, executions, vigilante searches, and rumors of poison. Altan grows increasingly exhausted, sleepless, and haggard. When Rin finds Altan asleep over war plans and touches his shoulder, Altan wakes in panic with a dagger and flame, then admits that he does not know what he is doing.

A signal gong interrupts them: an army has arrived at the gates. Altan suspects a trap, but Rin sees Nikara armor, the imperial banner, and Nezha walking among the soldiers, alive and healed. Rin realizes the Dragon Warlord has answered the call and the Seventh Division has reached Khurdalain.