Father Abel and Duchess Astha head to the imperial palace to attend a conference during which they may have a chance to appeal to Empress Vradica directly and clear Ion's name. There, they encounter Sir Süleyman, who explains that the murder of Duchess Fortuna may become an international issue, given that it is believed that Vatican officials are responsible for her death. Meanwhile, Ion and Sister Esther travel through the city in search of Mimal, a former servant of Duchess Fortuna; when they become lost, they request aid from a young girl named Seth Nightroad. When Ion and Esther reach their destination, however, they find an Auto-Jäger hovering over a severely wounded Mimal. Ion is able to defeat the Auto-Jäger and attends to Mimal, who reveals that it is Radu who had murdered Duchess Fortuna before he passes away from his injuries. The Auto-Jäger which was thought to be dead attacks again, wounding Esther before being taken out by her. Seth reappears and begins to treat Esther's injuries.