Ibarra finds himself in a tense situation. One evening, as he finishes changing clothes, a servant informs him that a countryman is asking to see him. Expecting it to be one of his workers, Ibarra asks for the man to be brought into his study, a room that serves as both his library and chemical lab. But when the door opens, he is shocked to see Elias, a mysterious and intense figure, standing before him.

Elias, in a serious tone, reminds Ibarra that he had once saved his life. Now, Elias wants to repay the favor by asking something in return. He warns Ibarra, "Do not speak to anyone about the warning I gave you in church." Ibarra, puzzled, reassures Elias that he’s no informer, but Elias insists that the warning isn’t for his sake—it's for Ibarra’s safety. Elias explains that everyone has enemies, from the smallest insect to the most powerful person, and that Ibarra, like his father and grandfather before him, has attracted enemies because of his actions and ideals. Elias knows this because he’s heard of a plot against Ibarra. Someone had said, "The fish will not eat him as they did his father; you’ll see tomorrow."

Elias's warning causes Ibarra to reflect on his life. He realizes that his past actions have put him in danger, and his enemies are not just in the shadows—they are real and dangerous. Elias’s warning also reveals a deeper philosophical divide between the two men. Ibarra believes in human justice, but Elias rejects it, saying it is flawed. He doesn’t trust people to make the right judgments, only God.

Ibarra, though initially skeptical, begins to understand Elias’s perspective. Elias’s rejection of human justice stems from his belief that only God should be the ultimate judge. He shares a personal story about a time when he caught a criminal who had tried to escape the consequences of his actions. He chose to let God’s will be done, rather than taking the law into his own hands.

Before leaving, Elias gives Ibarra one last warning: "Brx kdyh hqhplhv. Wdnh fduh ri brxuvhoi iru wkh jrrg ri rxu frxqwub." As he leaves, Ibarra is left with more questions than answers. Who are these enemies? What is the right course of action? Elias has shown him the complexities of justice and made him realize how dangerous his position is in the fight for reform.