On the Eastern Road in Yusan, Royo reflects on the recent ambush and admits he misjudged Ty. Ty’s willingness to kill to protect Aeri, alongside Euyn’s help, leaves Royo feeling indebted and newly respectful.

Royo struggles to stop watching Aeri after she unexpectedly killed to save him during the warehouse fight. He insists to himself that his concern is practical—Aeri must survive until Tamneki—but the near loss unsettles him and exposes deeper fear and attachment.

Royo then fixates on Mikail’s terrifying efficiency in combat, comparing it to his own slower kills despite wielding an axe. When Royo asks Euyn if the king’s guard teaches skills like Mikail’s, Euyn says it cannot really be taught and reveals that enemies call Mikail a demon.

As the women laugh nearby, Euyn remarks on how strange it is that Sora and Aeri can kill grown men. Royo recounts Sora’s explanation that she is a poison maiden—trained to seduce and kill—using poisoned lipstick potent enough to kill three men, and he connects her existence to a country breaking apart while King Joon distracts the public with a tuhko championship.

Royo presses Euyn about whether he would be a good king; Euyn admits he does not know but promises to try to be fair if he becomes king. Thinking ahead to meeting the eastern count tomorrow for more information, Royo also grows certain someone is hiding a major secret: he remembers fresh blood at The Mine’s back entrance and concludes someone outside the coach killed guards and may be working with outside allies. Royo vows to uncover the traitor’s goal and kill them.