Sora reels from the cascading revelations: the failed assassination of King Joon, their capture, Bay Chin’s betrayal, Tiyung imprisoned, and Aeri revealed as Joon’s daughter. She briefly shuts down, then forces herself back into action, terrified that if she fails, Daysum will be sold and Ty will remain in Idle Prison.

Escorted by palace guards through Qali Palace to the armory, Sora seethes at Mikail, Aeri, Bay Chin, Joon, and Seok, but clings to a private resolve to survive for Daysum and to free Ty. Outside the palace, a carriage awaits with Sora’s trunk already packed, confirming for Sora that Joon orchestrated events to “audition” them and prove they could steal a relic before sending them after Queen Quilimar’s ring in Khitan.

The five are unchained only at the last moment and thrown into the carriage, sitting stiffly apart with suspicion and hurt. As they head toward a ship bound for Khitan, Sora rubs her wrists and battles the feeling that she is only a pawn being thrown into danger again.

Noticing Royo’s bleeding wrists, Sora tears her dress lining to bandage him, recognizing that her capacity to care is the one thing cruelty has not stripped away. In that moment, a strategic insight clicks: King Joon is afraid of Queen Quilimar.

Sora pushes the others to see what that fear means: Joon’s elaborate manipulation signals he cannot risk failure. She argues they do not have to take the ring by force because, if Quilimar is Joon’s enemy, the group can try to make her their ally. Sora reframes their real accomplishment as learning to work together and build trust despite deception, and the others slowly agree to listen, giving Sora renewed determination to break Ty’s and Daysum’s chains and then turn her blade on Joon.