Chapter 27

Kitay arms Rin with a pamphlet of delay tactics, warning her to avoid risky strikes and focus on buying time for Arlong. Before departing, Rin orders her Speerly trident melted and asks for a sword, severing ties with her past weapon. She sails upriver with Captain Dalain, while Nezha races ahead to garrison Shayang.

Dalain’s force implements Kitay’s plan: dams, stakes, hidden cables, and staggered riverbank garrisons. They scuttle Jinzha’s unfinished warship at a chokepoint, then Ramsa’s charges tear it apart, creating a deep-water obstruction the Imperial Navy cannot easily blast clear.

That night, the bombardment of Shayang shakes the countryside. Rin, anxious for Nezha, speaks with Baji, who admits the Cike’s need for battle to sate their gods. Through a spyglass they glimpse the oncoming fleet—anchored by a three-tier floating fortress—and, worse, several Snake Province banners, implying Tsolin’s ships sail with Daji.

Dalain orders an immediate retreat to warn Arlong. Signals at dawn confirm Shayang’s fall and the Harrier’s survivors withdrawing. The warship obstruction buys only limited time; once the Militia shifts to divers, the advance will resume.

Back in Arlong, Kitay and Eriden update Rin: Tsolin has defected. On the strategy map, red pieces replace the lost allies, and the balance becomes hopeless. Tsolin’s letter claims he chose defection to spare his people further bloodshed, accepting the death of the Republic’s dream to protect lives now, leaving Arlong facing an overwhelming siege.