Contents
Chapter Ten
Overview
Mikail interrogates Ambassador Zeolin, confirming General Salosa ordered attempts on both Mikail and Queen Quilimar, and that Joon has left Qali. Access to Quilimar is locked through General Vikal, with the Sky King banquet as a rare chance. Zeolin also reveals Count Seok’s presence in Khitan and a murdered Yoksa of Knowledge with a massive bounty.
Summary
In rain above Quu, Mikail hangs Ambassador Zeolin out his office window to force cooperation. After nearly dropping him, Mikail hauls Zeolin inside, keeps him gagged, and uses fear and sudden shifts in tone to break his resistance.
Pressed, Zeolin admits General Salosa ordered him to eliminate Mikail as a traitor and to move against Queen Quilimar. He confesses he was promised regency over Tamneki in exchange for helping secure the Golden Ring, confirming overlapping recruitment schemes from King Joon. Zeolin also shares a rumor that Joon left Qali, though he does not know where.
On access to the throne, Zeolin explains Quilimar has granted no audiences since the failed assassination; only General Vikal sees her. However, the Banquet of the Sky King tomorrow will draw Vikal, and perhaps Quilimar. Mikail seizes on this as a potential entry point.
Under further pressure, Zeolin divulges a rumor that Count Seok is in Khitan, recently arrived, and confesses ignorance about Oosant. Asked about the Temple of Knowledge, he reveals a Yoksa priest was murdered in Trialga Square; all realms deny involvement, and Quilimar has ordered piteua and posted a hundred-thousand-mark bounty.
Concluding, Mikail orders Zeolin to bring two guests to the banquet, securing their cover. He leaves with confirmation of Salosa’s complicity, a narrow path toward Quilimar via Vikal and the banquet, the volatile presence of Count Seok, and a troubling new thread in the murdered Yoksa.
Who Appears
- MikailInterrogates Zeolin by force, extracts links to Salosa’s orders, secures banquet access, and learns of Seok and a murdered Yoksa.
- Ambassador ZeolinCowardly diplomat coerced by Mikail; admits Salosa’s orders, outlines access via Vikal, confirms banquet, rumors Joon left and Seok arrived.
- General SalosaHead of Qali’s palace guard; ordered moves against Mikail and Queen Quilimar, implying Yusan’s involvement.
- Queen QuilimarSecluded after an assassination attempt; meets only Vikal; posts vast bounty for a murdered Yoksa’s killer.
- General VikalOnly conduit to Quilimar; expected at the Sky King banquet, presenting Mikail’s best access point.
- King JoonRumored to have left Qali; implicated through Salosa’s orders and recruitment promises.
- Count SeokRumored to be in Khitan; his presence could destabilize plans and distract Sora.
- Yoksa of the Temple of KnowledgeSecret priest reportedly murdered in Trialga Square; case triggers piteua and a huge bounty.