An assassination attempt throws the Ottoman headquarters into turmoil, gravely wounding Grand Vizier Mahmud Pasha and prompting Sultan Mehmed to vow silence until the traitor is exposed. As tensions rise with the murder of Karaman ambassadors and suspicions swirl around Vlad, Molla Lütfi’s investigation reveals deeper conspiracies. Internal strife escalates as Janissaries and Solaks clash, threatening military unity, until Mahmud Pasha’s recovery stabilizes the ranks. Meanwhile, an unseen enemy stirs unrest across the empire, alliances blur, and a secret meeting in Danishmend lands reshapes the campaign’s course. Amid whispered plots and shifting power, the state prepares to rise from unexpected quarters—heralding the beginning of a decisive victory march.