Contents
Chapter Sixty-One
Overview
Hana infiltrates Idle Prison to extract Tiyung after assassins mistakenly killed Ailor. Disguised as a guard, Tiyung follows Hana through brutal torture halls toward a palace exit. They nearly pass the gate, but a palace captain questions Tiyung’s name, sensing the ruse and threatening the escape.
Summary
Tiyung prepares to die in Idle Prison, expecting assassins to correct their mistake after killing Ailor. Instead, Hana bursts in with a torch and a plan, revealing that everyone believes Tiyung is dead. She outfits him in a spare guard uniform, masks his scent, and arms him, urging him to act natural.
They leave the cell, with Hana distracting guards by drawing attention to herself. As they navigate the dungeon’s horrific torture chambers, Tiyung fights nausea and focuses on the floor to avoid recognition. The pair wind through cramped corridors, passing guards without incident as Hana’s confidence and appearance deflect scrutiny.
After a grueling ascent, they reach a heavy iron door guarded by palace soldiers. Hana attempts to charm their way through; one guard, Jimi, demands identification, which Tiyung lacks. Hana pressures them to expedite the exit, prompting the guards to begin the unlocking process and summon their captain.
The palace captain arrives, initially willing to overlook the missing papers for Hana—whom the guards call “Zahara.” However, when the captain fixes on Tiyung and asks for his name, Tiyung freezes without an alias. The captain’s suspicion spikes, and he prepares to raise the alarm, placing Hana and Tiyung’s escape on a knife’s edge.
Who Appears
- TiyungImprisoned and presumed dead; disguises himself as a guard to escape with Hana; nearly exposed by a captain.
- HanaRescuer and infiltrator; equips Tiyung with a uniform and guides him through the dungeon; addressed as “Zahara” by guards.
- Palace CaptainSenior guard at the palace exit; initially lenient but becomes suspicious when Tiyung cannot give a name.
- JimiPalace guard at the door; follows protocol, demands identification, and summons the captain.
- RalPalace guard assisting with the locks; distracted by Hana during the attempted exit.