Ivan’s Road from Betrayal to Defection

This flow traces Ivan Petroff’s movement from grief-driven High Table agent to reluctant protector of Jack’s family.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Lost Friend

A Classmate Transformed Ivan once knew Jack as a fellow student and relied on Mai to restrain his impulsive humor. Mai’s death during training changes Ivan into a ruthless hunter. Revenge as Identity He begins killing Theocracy soldiers and accepts the High Table’s logic of retaliation. His grief becomes a political instrument before he recognizes the manipulation. The Unfinished Bond Ivan and Jack meet again as enemies. The old friendship survives only as guilt, recognition, and the knowledge that neither man is who he was.

Warning Selfia

A Defector’s Warning Ivan secretly warns Jack that Selfia’s enemies plan an attack. He claims remorse but refuses to reveal every secret, preserving his position within the High Table. Distrust Jack rejects the language of friendship and nearly kills him. Ivan’s warning is therefore received as intelligence rather than reconciliation. Compromised Loyalty Ivan knows the attack will cause casualties, yet he tries to limit them. His divided motives establish the path toward eventual defection.

The Severed Arm

Punishment instead of Death Jack captures Ivan but refuses to kill him because Selfia needs his intelligence. He tears off Ivan’s arm as a compromise between vengeance and utility. A Living Debt Ivan survives disfigured and humiliated. The injury makes clear that Jack’s mercy is not forgiveness. Service under Threat Ivan becomes an unwilling asset in the campaign against Michael. His knowledge is valuable, but every interaction reminds him that Jack controls his survival.

Saving Ada

Enemy inside the Palace Ivan infiltrates the High Table assault as an embedded agent. He kills attackers and extracts Ada when the palace security network collapses. Protection of Children He helps Ada, Celeste, and Ho-sook escape while pretending to serve the operation. His behavior finally demonstrates loyalty through action rather than apology. Kenichi’s Suspicion Ivan narrowly avoids recognition by Kenichi, who has every reason to kill him. The escape preserves an unstable alliance built around protecting Ada’s family.

Atonement without Absolution

The Hidden Sniper Ivan supports Jack during the Red Rook duel and stands ready to shoot if the trap fails. Jack still insists on facing Dorian Jazz directly. The Old Pattern Ivan’s role remains indirect: he enables others to act while avoiding the final moral decision. His history makes this caution understandable but never innocent. Useful to the End He contributes to the capture of the boats and the expedition. Jack never calls him a friend again, yet Ivan’s actions become part of humanity’s survival.

before Jack’s coronation

before Magna Galla Attack

after Magna Galla Attack

during Hoshido Attack

during Zanzibar Raid