Contents
Chapter Seventy-Six
Overview
Aeri, Royo, and General Vikal ride the parted harbor to a parley on Quu’s black rock with Yusan and Wei. Tensions explode when Bay Chin provokes Royo and General Salosa moves to strike. Aeri wields the Golden Ring, turning both men to gold. As the waterway collapses and forces converge, Aeri unleashes a vast, drowning power, upending the balance of the looming war.
Summary
Aeri accompanies General Vikal and Royo through Wei’s parted harbor toward Quu’s black rock for a parley. On the rock stand General Salosa and Count Bay Chin for Yusan, an armored Weian general and a priest for Wei, and Luhk to witness and translate. Aeri realizes Quilimar sent her to display allegiance and the Golden Ring.
Formalities proceed without progress while the distant kings watch: Ailor Joon from his ship in the Immortal Crown and the priest king of Wei from his throne. Luhk declares no terms can be reached. As Bay Chin departs, he taunts Royo, who challenges him. Aeri intervenes to stop Royo, but General Salosa draws his sword to strike Royo from behind.
Unable to trigger time-stopping, Aeri’s Golden Ring flares on its own. In a blinding glow, both Bay Chin and Salosa are transmuted into solid gold mid-motion, saving Royo. Empowered but eerily unspent, Aeri senses the relics urging further use.
At once, the parted harbor begins to collapse as the waterway floods, cutting off escape and signaling that enemies are converging to seize the Ring. Aeri warns all present to keep their distance. She locks eyes with Joon and the priest king, rejects their power, and, fueled by fury and resolve, extends her arms.
A golden radiance sweeps the harbor as Aeri commands, “Drown.” The narrative ends with Aeri blacking out, leaving the scale and consequences of her unleashed power uncertain.
Who Appears
- AeriPOV; reveals the Golden Ring’s power, turning Bay Chin and Salosa to gold, then unleashes a drowning force.
- RoyoAeri’s lover; confronts Bay Chin but stands down. Saved from Salosa’s attack by Aeri’s intervention.
- General VikalKhitan general leading the approach to parley; observes the confrontation without intervening.
- Count Bay ChinYusan noble who taunts Royo; is transmuted into solid gold by Aeri’s Ring.
- General SalosaYusan general who attempts to strike Royo from behind; turned to gold mid-swing.
- LuhkRed-haired priest and translator; declares talks failed and relays Aeri’s threat.
- Weian generalArmored commander from Wei; halts approach when Aeri threatens with the Ring.
- Weian priestCleric accompanying the Weian general; steps back as Aeri asserts control.
- Queen QuilimarSeen sending Vikal with affection; her strategy includes showcasing Aeri’s allegiance and Ring.
- Ailor JoonAeri’s father; watches from his ship, stunned as his pawns become golden statues.
- Priest king of WeiWei’s ruler observing from his warship; rises as Aeri’s power reshapes the stakes.