Chapter 38 Summary: Mikail – Hidden Plans at the Thousand Year Festival
Spoiler Warning: This summary contains major plot points for Chapter 38 of Five Broken Blades.
Summary
Mikail reflects on the revelation that Sora is a trained poisoner from a secret school in Yusan, funded by Prince Seok. He acknowledges her deadly potential—she can kill without leaving a trace and is underestimated because of her gender and youth. He estimates she may be no older than twenty-one.
Hidden in a closet with Euyn in Rahway, Mikail proposes that the assassination strike must happen at the Thousand Year Festival in Tamneki, fifteen days away. He argues that King Joon leaves the palace only for this event, making it the only feasible window. Sneaking Euyn into the palace itself would be impossible because the guards know him. Mikail introduces Aeri as a master thief from the common class, capable of stealing the crown.
Euyn is skeptical, unable to trust the mission to two women and a street child. Mikail defends Sora and Aeri, pointing out Euyn’s ingrained sexism and class prejudice. He persuades Euyn to give Aeri a chance the next morning before they depart for Tamneki.
Later, the tension between them dissolves into intimacy. Mikail finds solace in Euyn’s touch, aware that their time may be short. He admits to himself that he has not told Euyn everything—he has private reasons for wanting Joon dead and his own plans for the crown. He resolves to savor every moment of pleasure before the likely fatal conclusion.
Key Events
- Mikail deduces Prince Seok’s decade‑long secret poison school in Yusan and Sora’s role as a hidden assassin.
- Mikail and Euyn discuss strategy in a closet; Mikail insists on striking at the Thousand Year Festival.
- Euyn expresses distrust in relying on Sora and Aeri because of their gender and low birth.
- Mikail defends the two women and convinces Euyn to meet Aeri the following morning.
- Mikail and Euyn have sex; Mikail privately acknowledges he is withholding his true agenda.
- Mikail reflects on his own mortality and the slim chance of survival beyond the festival.
Character Development
Mikail reveals a layer of manipulation: he flatters and charms Euyn while deliberately keeping his ultimate goals secret. He is pragmatic, willing to use any asset (Sora’s poison, Aeri’s thievery) but also deeply sensual, using physical pleasure as both a bond and a distraction. His fatalism grows stronger as he contemplates an early death.
Euyn remains cautious and bound by royal prejudice. He struggles to overcome a worldview that devalues women and commoners, even when their skills are essential. His trust in Mikail is real but fragile, and he needs proof before he can believe in the plan.
Sora and Aeri are discussed but not seen; their abilities are established through Mikail’s analysis. Sora is framed as an invisible weapon, Aeri as an improbable but necessary savior.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Trust and Secrecy – The entire chapter revolves around what characters reveal and conceal. Mikail hides his personal vendetta; Euyn hides his doubts; the plan itself depends on keeping certain details hidden from the king.
Class and Gender Barriers – Euyn’s skepticism mirrors the broader society’s contempt for women and commoners. Mikail openly challenges this, arguing that skill matters more than status.
The Body as a Site of Pleasure and Danger – The sex scene in the closet is both a release and a symbol of the characters’ awareness of mortality. Mikail deliberately puts on a show for possible spies, weaponizing intimacy.
Fatalism – Mikail expects to die; he views the upcoming mission as a suicide run. This awareness pushes him to seize joy in the present.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter solidifies the core plan of the novel: the assassination attempt at the Thousand Year Festival. It also deepens the character of Mikail, revealing that he is not just a charming spy but a man with a hidden agenda. The emotional and physical bond between Mikail and Euyn raises the stakes—if Euyn learns the truth, the fragile alliance could shatter. The chapter also exposes the systemic biases the team must overcome, highlighting how prejudice threatens the mission as much as the king’s guards.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Mikail insist on striking at the Thousand Year Festival rather than infiltrating the palace?
Answer: Mikail believes it is impossible to smuggle Euyn into the palace because the guards know him. The festival is the only time King Joon leaves the palace, making it a more manageable target. Infiltrating the palace would also require the women to navigate unknown territory with no safe escape. -
How does Mikail respond to Euyn’s distrust of Sora and Aeri?
Answer: Mikail directly challenges Euyn’s sexism and class prejudice. He reminds Euyn that Sora’s gender makes her unsuspicious, and he argues that Aeri’s street skills are unprecedented. He persuades Euyn to judge Aeri by her abilities after meeting her, rather than by her background. -
What information does Mikail deliberately withhold from Euyn, and why?
Answer: Mikail does not reveal his personal motives for wanting King Joon dead nor his own plans for the crown. He fears that if Euyn knew the full truth, he would recoil and the entire plan would fall apart. Mikail also suspects that he may not survive the mission, so he keeps his secrets to maintain Euyn’s cooperation.
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