The volume concluded last week beginning with a chapter from Effa’s point of view. Kamil relays a message from Benno to evacuate along with Rozemyne’s other personnel. After packing luggage, they take a carriage to the Noble’s Quarter. Here Effa gets to see for the first time where Myne and the other nobles live. She is perplexed by the notion of a library being a house for books. Her expectations of being able to meet with her daughter are dashed when she finds out Myne is leading a platoon of knights on the front lines. Concerned for Gunther’s safety, Effa, Tuuli, and Kamil give their protection charms to Damuel to be given to Gunther who is defending the west gate. Effa gladly accepts Corrina’s request to help in finishing Rozemyne’s clothes.

The next chapter was from Gunther’s perspective. We find out that he has been demoted to a captain in preparation for his departure. He is tasked with preparing barrels of excrement to be dropped on the invading nobles. He and his fellow guardsmen are appalled that a noble concocted such a plan, not suspecting Myne was the source. After being informed of impending trouble, Gunther spreads word to be on the lookout for ships from Leisegang. The guardsmen question the new arrivals and soon receive orders to evacuate the commoners. After the evacuation Gunther meets with Damuel and receives his family’s protective charms. They see silver clothed individuals and prepare for a fight. Gunther swears to protect the city and his family.

The final chapter followed Ferdinand after being poisoned by Detlinde and left to die. He reflects on how Letizia was duped and the consequence it would bring. He also worries about his own retainers. Ferdinand regrets his inability to fulfill his promise to his father—that he would protect Ehrenfest—and resigns himself to his fate. Ferdinand later awakens to realize he is enveloped in Rozemyne’s mana and is given the order to live. This reminds Ferdinand of the woman he called his mother, Lady Irmhilde, who told him he could live freely to shape his own life and dreams. Ferdinand is engulfed in a flood of water from a waschen. He believes that Detlinde or Georgine has come to finish him off with an awful tasting poison only to later find out that Rozemyne was trying to help him. Ferdinand is stunned by Rozemyne’s desire to prioritize him over the entire county. Words his mother once said came back to memory: “Once you have found the things you desire, live to make them come true and protect them.”

This week begins a new volume and a return to the main story. What predictions do you have for this week’s prologue and chapters?