The protagonist pretends to be ill to stay behind from a sparring session and listen in on a secret meeting.
He manages to stay undisturbed for the entire day, eavesdropping on the sessions from the hidden slot on the wall of the Lesser Hall.
The sessions involve senators arguing and discussing politics, but he doesn't find any useful information during the daytime session.
He makes a public appearance looking weak and drained before dinner to maintain the lie about his alleged sickness before retreating to his room to listen in on the evening session.
The evening session reveals important names and secrets about those in the Senate, which he carefully notes down.
The conversations also reveal that Military assisted in an attack on the naumachia, and they plan to provide the Anguis with weapons, designs, and a ship.
The protagonist is shaken when he understands the extent of their plans, which run counter to official laws, and realizes the danger he would be in if discovered.
After the session ends, he heads back to his room but finds Fadrique waiting for him near his room's entrance.