Lysander arrives in New Sparta, meeting Ajax au Grimmus on the tarmac. Their barbed exchange reveals Ajax’s resentment toward Atlas and Atalantia. Atlas appears, coldly dismisses Ajax, and orders Lysander to carry a golden bowl containing Tharsus’s head to Atalantia’s hunt, signaling Atalantia’s control and that she knows of Lysander’s maneuvering.

During Atalantia’s African hunt, she boasts of remaking Africa and consolidating power, naming Scipio au Falthe ArchGovernor and aligning Bellona assets. She announces a plan to invade Luna in six months with Falthe legions and places Lysander at the vanguard to elevate his auctoritas. When Lysander argues for Mars, Atlas explains the prohibitive costs and casualties, and Atalantia refuses to expend her core strength to benefit Rim ambitions.

Atalantia then pivots to discipline: Atlas presents a brutalized, captive Glirastes. Atalantia accuses Lysander of duplicity with Apollonius, slaps and presses him until he kneels. Lysander adopts a contrite persona, claiming jealousy and hunger for glory. Atalantia accepts the performance but demands a public demonstration of fidelity at the summit and threatens Glirastes if Lysander contradicts her.

She reframes their partnership, insisting she is the Conqueror and wanting “Lysander the Peacemaker,” while warning against his ambitions. With Glirastes returned to a cage, Lysander leaves under the weight of her leverage and the impending summit.

That night at his villa, Ajax visits after a bloody action. Over food and wine, they discuss seasons of Atalantia’s favor and the metaphor of noble creatures caged. Lysander confides that Atalantia killed his parents; Ajax, wary and conditioned by divided loyalties, departs unconvinced, leaving Lysander isolated between duty, coercion, and conscience.