Sophia leaves the Silvana in order to return to the Imperial Capital, which stirs mixed emotions for the crew of the Silvana. The Emperor places Marius under house arrest, after the latter pleads to spare the Disith who have lost their homes. Alexander finally considers launching a strike at the Guild. When Sophia arrives at the Imperial Capital, she is imprisoned in the tower by the Emperor for her actions aboard the Silvana against the Urbanus. She is visited by Marius, who raised her after his daughter Euris died in the Grand Stream, and he asks her to remain in the tower until after his plans for her to become the Empress of Anatoray is completed. Claus reveals to Lavie that their vanship belonged to Alexander. That evening, Commander Nestor Messina leads the Disith fleet into invading the Imperial Capital, whose defense forces are stretched thin. In the confusion, Marius assassinates the Emperor but is fatally wounded himself. Vincent heads to the tower to prevent one of the Emperor's guards from killing Sophia and takes her to safety onboard the Urbanus, taking command of the ship once again.