Chapter 2 opens with a description of camps at night during wartime; they are well ordered, and all sentries and commanders have orders to follow. Although the other paladins had taken off their armor and gone to bed, Agilulf, still in his armor, is unable to sleep, thinking about the various duties he should accomplish. He walks through the camp, envying the other knights’ ability to sleep (as a nonexistent knight, he has never slept) but feeling a sense of superiority over their corporeal forms. After interacting with a tired sentry, Agilulf feels the need to inspect the camp, looking for negligence and imperfection. He feels conflicted, realizing that it is not his station to engage in these inspections, but feeling duty-bound to do so. He feels a longing for human contact.

Agilulf looks to the sky and, seeing bats swooping overhead, becomes angry at their physical bodies. He begins swinging his sword at them but is interrupted by a young man, Raimbaut, who wants to practice with him in preparation for the impending battle. The young man describes his desire for vengeance over Isohar the Argalif, the man who killed his father, and would like advice on how to maintain composure in battle. Agilulf suggests he share his story with the Superintendency for Duels, Feuds, and Besmirched Honor. 

The young man leaves and finds two other paladins sitting with paperwork. He introduces himself as Raimbaut and asks them to direct him to the Superintendency, as Agilulf advised him to go there. The two paladins are annoyed by Agilulf’s meddling, and they explain to Raimbaut that Agilulf does not exist. 

Raimbaut then goes to the Superintendency, where, to his dismay, they suggest he kill three majors or four captains to make up for his father, which they claim is the equivalent of his father. Another official says that nothing needs to be done, because earlier, someone had claimed a vendetta for two murdered uncles, but the uncles were later found drunk and alive. The official reason is that two living uncles equals one father, and thus there is no need for revenge. 

Raimbaut is about to complain, but then he hears the call for battle. He seeks out Agilulf and finds him under a tree arranging pinecones, as arranging and counting helped Agilulf to stay focused. Raimbaut begins to cry, and Agilulf asks what has brought him to tears. Raimbaut suggests that it may be sleep deprivation and asks how Agilulf can stay awake for so long, to which Agilulf replies he would be lost forever if he did fall asleep. He places his gloved hand on Raimbaut’s head, and Raimbaut notices how lifeless the hand feels.