The Sovereign unveils her Oracles, living lie detectors, and binds one to Darrow and one to herself after a shared oath. Under their scrutiny, Darrow begins answering as they trade questions. He confirms he would not assassinate her that night, and the device remains still, setting the stakes.

They exchange sensitive information. Darrow reveals Augustus’s hidden weapon caches; the Sovereign rattles off her own, confident no one walks free from her game. She admits aiding Karnus at the Academy and explains why she drew Virginia into her circle. She presses Fitchner, and Darrow acknowledges he cheated as a Proctor; the Sovereign reveals she holds recordings and financial proofs as leverage.

The questioning broadens: Lorn’s nickname and training, the number of Peerless Scarred, and the locations of Deep Space Command Centers. The Sovereign probes the Sons of Ares, suspecting they are more dangerous than believed. Darrow steadies himself, denies knowing Ares, and clarifies that Augustus is not Ares, keeping the Oracle calm.

Mustang enters in Lune livery with a status report: dozens dead, two unrelated Earthborn families erased, hundreds wounded, a no-fly zone and revoked warrants pushing family fleets beyond the Rubicon, and Cassius alive with an arm replacement planned. The Sovereign weighs keeping Darrow; Mustang labels him an unsolvable puzzle.

As the game closes, Darrow asks if the Sovereign planned to allow the Bellona to assassinate Augustus during the gala’s sixth course. The Sovereign answers no, but the Oracle strikes her, proving the lie. In an instant, Darrow exposes her complicity, turning her wager against her.