After a tumultuous journey across the sea, Asta and her peacemaking team arrive on the shores of Vronox.

Before they can approach the Holgarians about returning to their island, Asta and her companions have to convince the city's beloved priestess to help. Aurora's relationship with Fitz is precarious, and the suffering of her people is still so fresh. Can she set aside her own feelings to forge a path toward long-lasting peace?

An ornery cook named Rai makes herself an asset to the traveling party...while simultaneously butting heads with Viggo and Asta at every turn. Bryn forms a tentative friendship with the newcomer in the hopes of smoothing things over, only to realize there is more to her than he thought. Unraveling Rai's closely guarded secret will break Bryn's heart, but remaining aloof soon becomes impossible.

With danger around every corner, Asta's duty as King's Defender has never been more important. Her devotion to King Torvald quickly becomes a point of contention between her and Viggo. The appearance of a new other-worldly creature only seems to promote chaos within their party while the Heavenly Masters remain mysteriously absent. With such forces working against them, can Asta and her friends succeed in their mission?