Chapter 84: The King's True Offer
⚠️ 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
Mikail opens the chapter in shock, finally realizing that Aeri is King Joon’s daughter and that his own hubris blinded him to the manipulation. He reflects on how Joon allowed him to think he had orchestrated the plot, feeding his desire for revenge. Now completely at the king’s mercy, the group learns the true condition for their survival: they must steal the Ring of Khitan from Joon’s sister Quilimar, the ruler of Khitan. Joon reveals that he already possesses the real Immortal Crown (which saved his life) and the Flaming Sword; he now seeks the third relic.
Joon offers each assassin a tailored reward: Euyn will be reinstated as crown prince; Sora will receive land and freedom for her sister and Tiyung; Mikail will become regent of Tamneki, the eastern county; Royo will get a pardon for a man who went to prison for a crime Royo committed — the murder of a girl named Allora; and Aeri will be acknowledged as a princess of Yusan, with her mother posthumously honored as the first queen. The revelation about Royo destroys the trust between him and Aeri. After a tense silence, Aeri agrees to the mission, setting the stage for a dangerous heist in Khitan.
Key Events
- Mikail admits his hubris in failing to see Aeri’s true identity and Joon’s manipulation.
- Joon explains that he survived the assassination attempt because the real Immortal Crown was on his arm.
- Joon reveals the true mission: steal the Ring of Khitan from Quilimar.
- Joon offers each assassin a personalized reward: Euyn (crown prince), Sora (land, sister’s freedom, Tiyung’s release), Mikail (regency of Tamneki), Royo (pardon for Allora’s killer), and Aeri (princess acknowledgment).
- Bay Chin’s intelligence exposes Royo’s past: he killed a girl and let another man take the blame.
- Aeri is shattered by Royo’s secret but ultimately agrees to the king’s terms.
Character Development
- Mikail: Experiences a painful moment of self-awareness, blaming hubris for his downfall. He recognizes the offered regency as a dream but dismisses it as foolish, showing his cynicism.
- Joon: Demonstrates masterful psychological manipulation, tailoring each offer to the deepest desires of his captives. He also shows practical ruthlessness, shrugging off attempted murder as politics.
- Royo: His moral high ground collapses when his secret is exposed. The revelation that he caused a girl’s death and allowed another to take the punishment leaves him gutted and vulnerable.
- Aeri: Torn between her growing feelings for Royo and her desperate need for legitimacy, her shattered reaction and eventual agreement highlight her internal conflict.
- Sora: Shown as hopeful yet cautious when land and freedom are offered. She presses for Tiyung’s release, revealing her priorities.
- Euyn: Remains calm and analytical, visibly following Joon’s logic while showing slight resentment at being used.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Hubris: Mikail directly names his flaw, a classic tragic element that drives his poor decisions.
- Manipulation and Control: Joon embodies the theme of power through tailored rewards, bending each assassin to his will.
- The Cost of Revenge: The single-minded pursuit of revenge blinded Mikail to the larger plot.
- Relics as Power Symbols: The Ring of Khitan, Immortal Crown, and Flaming Sword represent ultimate authority. Joon’s quest for all three underscores his ambition.
- Secrets and Betrayal: The exposure of Royo’s past parallels the lies already present in the group, highlighting hypocrisy.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter transforms the story’s objective from survival to a high-stakes heist. Joon’s true plan is revealed, and the group’s fractured dynamics — especially between Aeri and Royo — are exposed. The character-specific rewards deepen our understanding of each person’s motives and vulnerabilities. The chapter also sets up the next geographical and political challenge: infiltrating Khitan to steal a legendary relic from Joon’s ruthless sister.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What mistake does Mikail admit to at the beginning of the chapter, and what does he blame for it?
Mikail admits that he failed to realize Aeri was Joon’s daughter and that he was manipulated into thinking the plan was his own. He blames his hubris and impatience for revenge.
2. What is Joon’s condition for letting the assassins live, and what reward does he offer each of them?
Joon demands the five steal the Ring of Khitan from Quilimar. In return: Euyn becomes crown prince; Sora gets land, her sister’s freedom, and Tiyung’s release; Mikail becomes regent of Tamneki; Royo gets a pardon for the man who took his crime; Aeri is acknowledged as a princess with her mother honored as first queen.
3. How does the revelation about Royo’s past affect his relationship with Aeri in this chapter?
Aeri is shattered and looks at Royo with betrayed shock when Joon reveals Royo killed a girl named Allora and let another man take the blame. Royo is gutted, and the trust between them is severely damaged, highlighting the hypocrisy among the group.