Chapter Seventy-One: Royo's Apology and the Mysterious Rose Columns
⚠️ 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
Royo leads a group of locals on Charm Beach, driving wooden spikes into the sand to create shelters for crossbow archers. The work is exhausting, but Royo finds it preferable to worrying about Sora at Rose Palace. From the beach, the Weian fleet is visible in the harbor, though Rune’s arriving troops make the coming fight seem more balanced. Royo’s thoughts constantly return to Aeri, who is with Duval on a nearby overlook. Since Sora’s capture, tension has grown among the group, and Royo feels guilty for his protective actions on the warship—actions that led to deaths, including Hana’s. That evening, Royo returns to Rose Palace and notices large red rose circles around two columns, which were not there that morning. Mikail, Teo, and Fallador immediately kneel and speak of “the goddess.” Aeri marvels at the roses. Later, Royo apologizes to Aeri for his overprotective behavior; she forgives him, saying she was upset at herself. They walk into the palace hand in hand. Mikail announces a midnight supper before they depart.
Key Events
- Royo supervises the construction of beach fortifications at Charm Beach, with many locals helping.
- He reflects on the strain in his relationship with Aeri following Sora’s capture.
- At sunset, he returns to Rose Palace and discovers huge red rose columns on the entrance pillars.
- Mikail, Teo, and Fallador kneel and declare the roses a sign from the goddess.
- Aeri touches the roses with wonder, and Royo apologizes for trying to keep her safe.
- Aeri forgives Royo, and they reconcile, holding hands as they enter the palace.
- Mikail informs them of a midnight supper before leaving for battle.
Character Development
Royo’s internal conflict—his desire to protect Aeri versus her need for autonomy—drives this chapter. He grapples with guilt, feeling he did nothing wrong yet still apologizes. This act shows his growth in recognizing Aeri’s agency. Aeri, in turn, acknowledges her own frustration was misdirected, demonstrating self-awareness. Their reconciliation deepens their bond without fully defining its nature. Mikail, Teo, and Fallador’s reaction to the rose columns reveals their religious convictions; they treat the phenomenon as a divine omen, suggesting that the goddess’s favor—or presence—may be a factor in the coming conflict.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Reconciliation and Forgiveness: Royo’s apology and Aeri’s acceptance show that strained relationships can heal when both parties acknowledge their own roles.
Divine Presence: The appearance of the rose columns, identified as the goddess’s work, introduces a supernatural layer. The roses symbolize beauty, transience, and perhaps the goddess’s blessing on their cause.
Duty vs. Personal Desire: Royo’s struggle to balance his protective instincts with respect for Aeri’s choices mirrors the larger tension between group loyalty and individual agency.
Preparation for Sacrifice: The midnight supper and the looming battle suggest that this moment of peace and reconciliation is both a reward and a farewell before potential loss.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter Seventy-One resolves a key interpersonal conflict just before the battle, allowing Royo and Aeri to face danger united. The mysterious appearance of the rose columns injects a spiritual dimension into the narrative, raising the stakes beyond the mortal conflict. This chapter also sets the emotional tone for the upcoming confrontation with the Weian fleet, emphasizing that personal bonds and faith may be as important as military strategy.
Study Questions and Answers
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What causes Royo to feel guilty toward Aeri?
Royo feels guilty because he acted on his instinct to protect Aeri during a previous combat situation, which resulted in the deaths of some of their people, including Hana. Though he believes he was right to protect her, he recognizes that his actions contributed to the rift between them. -
What miraculous event occurs at Rose Palace, and how do the characters react?
Large red rose columns appear on two pillars at the palace entrance, although they were not there earlier that day. Mikail, Teo, and Fallador immediately kneel and speak of the goddess, interpreting the phenomenon as a divine sign. Aeri touches the roses with wonder, and Royo is startled into apologizing. -
How does the relationship between Royo and Aeri evolve by the end of the chapter?
After Royo apologizes, Aeri reveals that her anger was directed at herself, not him. She takes his hand, ignoring his protests about being dirty, and they walk into the palace together. This moment of physical connection and mutual understanding marks a turning point in their relationship, strengthening their partnership ahead of the battle.