After leaving Military's hidden Necropolis, Emissa tells Vis that she knows he had already guessed what the Anguis prisoner would reveal. Vis realizes that this was exactly why Emissa wanted him to come: seeing the prison and its methods for himself confirms her earlier story about the Iudicium more strongly than words could. Emissa then explains how she learned of the Necropolis after the Senate's fighting over Solivagus, when her father had her sign a Silencium, gave one to Veridius, and sent her back as Military's closest link to Religion; later, Governance and Religion allowed Military one recovered body only if their Dimidii joined the interrogation.

The conversation shifts to recent events in Caten. Vis thanks Emissa for being right about the blood test and says Eidhin helped him, while Emissa notes that everyone heard about Vis's exam success and chariot race. Their mood darkens when Emissa says Iro is still in a Vitaerium and has not woken up, making his recovery doubtful. She assures Vis that no one important believes he hurt Iro deliberately, but she agrees with Tertius Ericius that Vis may need permanent protection because he has defected from Military, become popular with lower ranks, backed land reform, and is investigating treachery in a city close to civil war.

Vis then raises the real reason he wanted to speak plainly with her. He explains that if he can obtain names and proof showing that Military leaders helped organize the Solivagus attack, the evidence cannot be released by Governance or Religion without risking open war. Instead, someone inside Military must expose the guilty so the institution can distance itself, replace its leadership lawfully, punish the traitors, and possibly calm the wider crisis. Emissa understands immediately and agrees to speak to her father; Vis says he does not believe her father was involved, and Emissa replies that while he is not a good man, he would never endanger her that way.

As the tension eases, they briefly return to older wounds. Vis mentions that Ulciscor once suspected Emissa had drugged him after the attack on his Transvect, and Emissa laughs at the absurdity. She admits that Veridius had been convinced Vis was cheating and thought her feelings were preventing her from discovering how he advanced so quickly at the Academy. Emissa says she should have hated Vis after preparing for years while he overtook others in months, but quietly insists that her feelings for him had been genuine.

At the Transvect platform, the emotional cost of their history becomes unavoidable. Vis realizes that he does believe Emissa now and does forgive her, yet he also knows he can never fully trust her again, because Callidus died and that loss cannot be undone. When Vis says he could have saved Callidus, Emissa acknowledges the pain, and they share a long, bittersweet embrace before parting. Vis rejoins his companions, boards the Transvect for Solivagus, and leaves Emissa behind with forgiveness granted but the relationship permanently broken.