The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War, #2)

Content Warning: This section discusses genocide, wartime violence, racism and scientific racism, colorism, rape, sexual assault, self-harm, physical abuse, and substance use disorder.

Eight years before the action of the main story, a young Yin Nezha (who is Vaisra’s son and Rin’s classmate at Sinegard) and his six-year-old brother Mingzha are wading in a grotto near their home city, Arlong, though they’re forbidden from being there. They are both magically sucked underwater. Nezha hears Mingzha screaming. When he surfaces, the grotto is shallow again and Mingzha is gone. A mysterious voice greets Nezha.

After Fang Runin, called Rin, destroyed the Federation of Mugen and its people with her powers, she and her squad of shamanic assassins, the Cike, became wanted by Empress Su Daji. They have been in the employ of the pirate queen Moag ever since, who agreed to help them assassinate Daji if they assassinate 30 targets for her. Their final target is in a port city that was ruined by the Third Poppy War between the Federation and Nikan. They expected the city to be deserted, but there is a large festival and parade.

Rin is going through opium withdrawal.