Chapter LVI

Summary

• The protagonist pretends to be ill to stay behind from a sparring session and listen in on a secret meeting.
• He manages to stay undisturbed for the entire day, eavesdropping on the sessions from the hidden slot on the wall of the Lesser Hall.
• The sessions involve senators arguing and discussing politics, but he doesn't find any useful information during the daytime session.
• He makes a public appearance looking weak and drained before dinner to maintain the lie about his alleged sickness before retreating to his room to listen in on the evening session.
• The evening session reveals important names and secrets about those in the Senate, which he carefully notes down.
• The conversations also reveal that Military assisted in an attack on the naumachia, and they plan to provide the Anguis with weapons, designs, and a ship.
• The protagonist is shaken when he understands the extent of their plans, which run counter to official laws, and realizes the danger he would be in if discovered.
• After the session ends, he heads back to his room but finds Fadrique waiting for him near his room's entrance.