Sakhubai, Lacho and Jankibai discuss how their pawn would soon poison the tip of the sword that Laxmibai would use in the fight against Gangadhar. Meanwhile, Laxmibai notices footmarks of mud in her room. Interestingly, Raghunath too had washed his feet earlier because they were soiled in mud. When Sunder comes in, Laxmibai notices that her feet too are soiled. Laxmibai and Gangadhar begin their sword fight. However, Sunder interrupts and says that an ascetic at the palace door was willing to accept donations only from the queen. Laxmibai rushes to the palace gate and asks the ascetic what she wants. The ascetic demands the royal sword that Gangadhar had gifted her. She suggests that Laxmibai first purify the sword in milk before giving it away. However, Laxmibai is horrified to see the milk turn black after the sword is immersed in it. Sunder says that the sword must have been laced with poison.