Jean-François pressed Gabriel about the Grail of San Michon, prompting Gabriel to outline the legend: after the Redeemer’s torture and death, Michon captured his blood in a silver chalice, forming the first relic and marking Michon as the first Martyr. Jean-François dismissed it as children’s tales, and Gabriel admitted he initially scoffed at Chloe Sauvage’s belief as well, though he noted even the Empress Undying must take the Grail seriously.

Gabriel then described events at the Perfect Husband. Drunk on vodka, he laughed at Chloe’s claim to have found the Grail while her companions and patrons watched. An elderly Sūdhaemi priest approached with concern, and soon Bishop Alfonse Du Lac entered with militia, asserting authority and seeking the supposed silversaint he had heard was in town. Discovering that the disheveled Gabriel was the Silversaint, Du Lac tried to recruit him for parish defense and invited him to dine.

Gabriel insulted Du Lac and declared he had no mandate from Pontifex Gascoigne. Chloe interceded, explaining Gabriel intended to leave with her company in the morning, but Dior, a pale-haired youth in her group, objected and derided Gabriel. When Du Lac ordered the tavern cleared, a militiaman reached toward Dior, prompting the Ossian clanswoman to disarm and shove the soldier, and Chloe and the handsome crossbowman armed themselves. The situation teetered on violence.

To halt the escalation, Gabriel drew Ashdrinker, his black, glyf-etched sword. The room fell silent at the weapon’s reveal, and Gabriel warned all parties to let Chloe and her companions leave in peace. Du Lac tried again to enlist Gabriel, and Chloe pressed him to join her, but Gabriel rebuffed both. Dior coolly told Chloe to let Gabriel go, calling Gabriel a drunk and “a dead man walking,” which Gabriel endured, sheathing Ashdrinker.

Gabriel ended the confrontation by announcing he was going to bed, ordered a late breakfast from the publican, and departed upstairs despite Chloe’s wounded look and the bishop’s confusion. The standoff dissolved without bloodshed, leaving Chloe’s group to depart without Gabriel as he removed himself from their mission.