Saworoide

In Jogbo, a priest prophesies that the citizens and their kings will be bound by a pact ritual involving a brass bell. The ritual is presented as an enduring tradition that will govern every succeeding king's legitimacy and power.

Lapite is elected as the new king of Jogbo. Balogun reveals that the old rituals constrain kings from wealth and influence, setting him on a perilous path to challenge tradition.

The elder who first told Balogun warns that cheating the process will cost Lapite control, possibly sharing kingship with another. He cautions that hearing the Saworoide could bring a fatal headache.

Lapite orders the killing of Adebomi's family and the capture of Ayangalu, the custodian of Saworoide, along with his drum. The family’s child is spared, but the tragedy signals the king's ruthless grip on power.

Ayangalu escapes with Adeboro's son, leaving Saworoide in enemy hands. The escape marks a crack in Lapite's hold over the ritual and foreshadows further resistance.

Lapite takes a new wife, Tinuola, who is secretly pregnant by her lover. He partners with modern investors to kickstart logging and exploit Jogbo's resources, while crops are damaged and the press is silenced.

Citizens stage protests as the king ignores them, and farm owners' militancy rises. Workers go on strike in response to the rulers' greed and neglect.

Lapite becomes more tyrannical, arresting cabinet members. Chiefs and farm owners consult Amawomaro, who says the Adé idẹ must be absent from the palace for 15 days. Militants seek external support and plot to hijack a ceremony to steal the crown. The crown is recovered after a bribe from logging firms.

Aresejabata befriends Araparegangan, Lapite's supposed daughter, and confesses that he is the son of Adebomi, killed earlier. Lapite orders Aresejabata's assassination, while Tinuola overhears and urges Arese to flee with her. They escape from the gathering and the village.

A military coup erupts, killing Lapite and placing Officer Lagata in power. Balogun and Seriki begin liaising with the new government to stabilize the city.

The remaining militants plan to force Ayangalu to play Saworoide to influence the new king. Ayangalu, though exiled, is arrested before he can enact the plan.

Before his arrest, Ayangalu uses his drum to call his son Ayanniyi, who returns and performs Saworoide just after Lagata is crowned, dying of migraine. The soldiers are hypnotized to side with the people, paving the way for Aresejabata to receive initiation as king.