Chapter Seventy-Seven

At dawn on his Leviathan, Emperor Andren surveys the slaughtered island and plots a new order, imagining a state-run Wolf replacing the Fox. He summons Fenn, clears the deck, and reveals his Chameleon Spell—shifting from Ruko to his true face—confessing he has ruled as Bersun for fifteen years.

Andren coerces Fenn: rebuild Samra or risk his family. He promises resources and limited family visits, flaunting his grand urban vision. Fenn masks his defiance, feigning compliance while resolving to use Andren’s arrogance against him.

Andren descends to the hold where Ruko lies chained under Gedrun’s iron mask. Speaking as himself, Andren offers a choice: resist and go mad like Gedrun, or accept comfort under captivity. He belittles Ruko’s training and reveals he engineered Yanara’s downfall, accusing Ruko of cruelty and ambition. Ruko breaks his silence only to claim the Festival victory; Andren responds with violence, threatens mutilation, and regags him.

Before leaving, Andren leaves a small cage: a chameleon from the Hidden Realm named Pink-Pink. As the Leviathan sets course for Samra, Ruko contemplates the void where his path to the throne once lay, teetering toward despair.

Ruko frees Pink-Pink and discovers a scarlet ribbon hidden in the cage—Benna’s message, "TEAM RUKO!" The absurd, heartfelt token restores Ruko’s courage, giving him a private anchor of resistance even as Andren sails home to consolidate power in Samra.