Mikail wakes with a splitting headache, realizing guards have dragged him to Qali Palace’s throne room. He keeps his eyes closed at first to listen and assess: he is chained with his hands behind his back and held upright by guards. He replays the last moments—he destroyed the crown after Sora kissed King Joon, yet Joon was still breathing—and briefly suspects Sora may have betrayed them.

When Mikail looks up, he discovers all the conspirators are present and chained together: Royo beside him, then Sora, Ty, Aeri in her valet uniform, Bay Chin, and Euyn. Mikail tries to orient himself around the cover story he previously gave the palace—that he was playing along to capture the others after the tuhko game—while fearing he can no longer protect the group. Euyn glares at Mikail, likely aware Mikail destroyed what he believed was the crown, even as Mikail feels relieved Euyn is alive.

King Joon enters from the royal chambers, and the guards force everyone to their knees. Mikail is stunned to see the Dragon Lord’s crown on Joon’s head, pristine and unmarked, even though Mikail is certain he cut the crown down the middle and watched it break apart.

Joon confirms the truth: the “real crown” is as brittle as Yusan’s throne, revealing Mikail destroyed a decoy. Joon greets Euyn as “brother,” then turns to Bay Chin and publicly rewards him for his “admirable performance,” announcing Umbria’s sanctions are lifted and Bay Chin may return north.

Mikail realizes Bay Chin was never truly bound and has been working with Joon all along—the traitor who approached Mikail at the start and delivered the assassins in exchange for financial relief for Umbria. When Bay Chin tries to ask for more, Joon orders him out, showing that payment is not favor. After Bay Chin leaves, Joon congratulates the group on the assassination’s “success,” and Mikail understands the final, devastating reveal: Joon orchestrated the entire assassination plot himself, leaving Mikail convinced there is now no way to save any of them.