Enishte observes his own funeral, noting the presence of key citizens of Istanbul and the outpouring of grief. While Enishte spots the murderer in the congregation, he is now “on a completely different plane of being” (228) and not impacted by his killer’s presence. In the afterlife, Enishte’s soul leaves his body and ascends to heaven, where he witnesses an array of vibrant colors. Nearing Allah, Enishte expresses his guilt for enjoying Venetian painting, but the Divine assures him that “East and West belong to me” (230). At peace, Enishte describes his experiences after death, which involve the ability to move in and out of time, observing his funeral while simultaneously reliving his youth.

Master Osman explains that many people have the wrong impression of painting masters. These masters are not condescending to others and dismissive of innovative art just because they are cruel; instead, Osman argues, most new styles of art are worthless and most people are unintelligent.

While working on a painting, Osman is summoned to the Sultan’s palace where he encounters the Head Treasurer and the Commander of the Imperial Guard. These agents of the Sultan explain that the Sultan is gravely upset by Enishte’s murder and has made two decrees: The book must be finished and the murderer must be found.