Chapter Eighty Summary – Royo’s Betrayal
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary: Chaos in the King’s Arena
Royo cannot believe that Joon is still alive. The assassination attempt has unraveled into pandemonium. Spectators sense something went wrong but cannot see the details from their seats. Aeri managed to steal the crown, and Sora kissed the king, yet the ruler still breathes. Royo thinks Mikail probably destroyed the crown, and Euyn never appeared.
Then the truth hits Royo: this whole thing was a setup. Euyn is the only conspirator not present as the royal guard begins rounding everyone up. Royo curses himself for trusting Euyn, the so-called “Butcher of Westward Forest,” who pretended to want reform. Royo swears vengeance.
His first priority is Aeri. He punches a guardsmith, leaps over him, and runs from the high-noble box. He will kill every guard to reach her. But he is too late. The guards have already lifted Aeri out of the royal box. As Royo shoves people aside, she meets his eyes and shakes her head, mouthing “No.” He freezes. Then she is gone.
The pain of losing her overwhelms Royo—worse than any physical injury he has ever suffered. He screams, but the alarm drums drown out his voice. The arena dissolves into chaos: people flee, others fight, players are swept off the field. Hands grab Royo; he shoves off two palace guards. They draw swords. A posh man with snake eyes tells Royo to surrender, hinting that he knows about the failed plot. Royo realizes the man must be the western count.
The count says, “Surrender now.” Royo asks why he should. The count replies, “To fight again.” Royo understands: his best chance to reach Aeri and get answers is to let himself be taken. He stops struggling and puts up his hands. As guards drag him away, he thinks only of murdering Euyn with his bare hands.
Key Events
- Royo realizes the assassination attempt failed because Euyn never showed up and the king is still alive.
- Royo deduces that Euyn betrayed the entire plot.
- Aeri is captured by the palace guards and dragged from the royal box.
- Aeri silently mouths “No” to Royo, causing him to freeze.
- The arena descends into chaos: alarm drums, fighting, and a stampede.
- A posh noble (likely the western count) urges Royo to surrender, hinting at future resistance.
- Royo chooses to surrender, hoping to be taken to the same place as Aeri so he can free her.
Character Development
Royo shows a sharp shift from brute force to cold calculation. His initial instinct is to fight every guard to reach Aeri, but her silent “No” gives him pause. When the western count suggests surrender to fight another day, Royo accepts. This marks a rare moment of strategic patience for a character defined by impulsiveness. His vow to kill Euyn with his bare hands reinforces his vengeful nature but now tempered by a willingness to survive for Aeri’s sake.
Aeri is briefly seen through Royo’s eyes. She is captured but actively communicates with Royo, shaking her head—perhaps to stop him from sacrificing himself. Her capture raises the stakes and makes Royo’s surrender more poignant.
Euyn is absent but looms large as the traitor. Royo’s realization that the “Butcher of Westward Forest” never reformed adds depth to the idea that past identities cannot be shed.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Betrayal from within – The entire plot fails because one of its architects, Euyn, does not show up. Royo’s internal monologue frames this as a deliberate setup, making betrayal the chapter’s central theme.
Sacrifice and submission – Royo’s surrender is an act of submission for a greater cause. He willingly gives up freedom to protect Aeri, reversing his usual pattern of violent resistance.
The arena as a mirror – The King’s Arena, a site of sanctioned violence, now holds real, uncontrolled chaos. The collapse of the planned assassination mirrors the collapse of order, symbolizing how control slips away even from plotters.
The “fight again” promise – The western count’s cryptic advice becomes a motif of long-term rebellion. Royo’s acceptance implies that the fight is not over, only postponed.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter Eighty is the turning point where the assassination plot definitively fails and the conspirators are exposed. Royo’s perspective reveals the emotional and tactical aftermath of a plan gone wrong. His choice to surrender rather than attack represents significant character growth and sets up the next phase of the story: imprisonment, interrogation, or a rescue attempt. The chapter also solidifies Euyn as the primary antagonist among the conspirators, raising questions about his motives and ultimate goal.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Royo stop fighting and surrender to the palace guards?
He realizes that fighting will only get him killed or separated from Aeri permanently. By surrendering, he hopes to be taken wherever the guards are holding Aeri, giving him a chance to rescue her later. The western count’s suggestion to “fight again” also influences his decision. -
What clues lead Royo to believe Euyn betrayed the group?
Royo notes that Euyn is the only conspirator who did not appear at the arena during the attack. Combined with the king surviving and the plan falling apart, Royo concludes that Euyn never intended for the plot to succeed and set them up. -
How does the arena’s atmosphere reflect the collapse of the plot?
Instead of a controlled regicide, the arena becomes a scene of disorder: alarm drums blare, spectators either flee or start fighting each other, and players are swept off the field. The chaotic energy mirrors how the carefully orchestrated plan has completely unraveled.