The comic miniseries Star Wars: The High Republic — The Blade, which is part of the official canon, concludes with its fourth and last installment: The High Republic — The Blade 4. Marvel Comics released this issue on March 29, 2023, featuring writing by Charles Soule and illustrations by Jethro Morales and Jim Campbell.
Jedi Master Porter Engle is compelled to engage in one of the most remarkable lightsaber battles ever documented in the Chronicles, all in an effort to protect the innocent, rescue his sister, and secure his own survival. This encounter will have a lasting impact on both him and Barash.
General Abediah Viess informs Jedi Knight Porter Engle outside of Firevale that she has previously engaged and eliminated members of the Jedi Order. She further states that everyone in her army is aware of this and will be observing her battle with Engle. Engle responds by stating that he will remember her name and will not be intimidated. Viess retorts by mentioning her beskar armor and spear.
Viess attacks him with her spear, but the Jedi successfully defends against her assault. Engle, reluctant to kill, offers her a final opportunity to halt her attack. Viess, unwilling to admit defeat, throws a grenade at Engle. Several soldiers belonging to Field Marshal Torven are caught nearby and react with surprise and bewilderment. However, Engle employs the Force to redirect the grenade into the air.
At Firevale's royal palace, Prince Colden urges Queen Keraan to open the city gates for negotiation. Keraan opposes the idea, considering it equivalent to surrendering the city. Colden argues that resistance will lead to looting and murder by the mercenaries. He suggests negotiating with the Bethunians, but Keraan fears forced abdication. Jedi Knight Barash Silvain assures them that Engle will prevent the mercenaries from entering the city and destroying their heavy cannons, believing he will dissuade them from remaining on Firevale due to lack of profit.
General Viess then suggests turning the heavy cannons towards the city. When Torven objects, citing the potential destruction of the city, Viess reveals her plan to level Firevale to facilitate its sacking. Torven refuses to support her plan, emphasizing the need to capture Firevale's infrastructure intact. Exploiting Gansevor's isolation from the galactic communications network, Viess decides to falsely accuse Torven of destroying Firevale, instructing her mercenaries to kill him and his officers.
Meanwhile, Queen Keraan permits Colden and her courtiers to evacuate the city's population into the mines. Princess Sicatra is distressed by the devastation caused by her people. Using his droid Sevens, Tozen contacts Sicatra, warning her about Viess's betrayal and intention to destroy and plunder Firevale. Sicatra is upset that their plan to use the mercenaries as a show of force is failing. She asks Tozen for guidance, but the field marshal dies. Seven informs Sicatra about her death.
A devastated and guilt-ridden Sicatra tells Silvain that she and Colden orchestrated the conflict between Firevale and Bethune to help Colden ascend to Firevale's throne. Silvain is angered by Sicatra's deception and seeks an audience with Queen Keraan. Together with Sicatra, Silvain informs Keraan and Colden about the truth behind the conflict. Queen Keraan, enraged by her son's collusion with Sicatra to overthrow her, attempts to kill Sicatra with a dagger. Silvain manages to restrain the Queen and mentions Sicatra's alleged pregnancy. Colden is shocked to learn about his wife's alleged pregnancy since they had been waiting until the solstice to consummate their marriage. Sicatra admits that she lied to Silvain about being pregnant in order to curry the Jedi's sympathy.
Engle then uses one of his lightsabers to destroy one of the mercenaries' artillery pieces. Seeking to atone, Sicatra addresses the Bethunian army and commands them to cease the assault on Firevale. She informs them that General Viess ordered the latest attack on Firevale and that destroying the city is not in Bethune's interest. Sicatra tells the Bethunian army that Viess' mercenaries murdered Field Marshal Tozen and seek to plunder Firevale for themselves. Despite their differences with the people of Firevale, she reassures them that they are all from the same planet. She urges them to attack and kill the mercenaries, turning the tide of the battle.
In private, Silvain remarks that the mercenaries will soon choose to leave in the face of opposition from Engle, the Bethunians and Firevale's defenses. When Sicatra says that she did the right thing in in urging the Bethunians to halt their attack on Firevale and attack the mercenaries, Silvain chastises her for lying and blames her and Colden for causing the deaths of numerous people. Silvain also blames herself for being manipulated by Sicatra and Colden.
Engle joins the fight against the mercenaries, disarming some Bethunians in the process. With their plan to sack Firevale ruined, Viess orders her mercenaries to retreat but allows them to kill as many of their enemies. While an exhausted Engle kneels, Viess attempts to kill him with a laser cannon. However, the Jedi Knight uses the Force and his remaining lightsaber to deflect the laser bolt. Viess vows to kill Engle the next time they cross paths.
Following the battle, Silvain speaks with Engle. She explains that Prince Colden and Princess Sicatra had conspired to force Queen Keraan to abdicate. At that point, Colden would intervene to negotiate a pre-planned truce with Bethune. His plan was to take the throne from his mother and open Firevale to trade. However, Colden and Sicatra did not expect the envoys in Horatio to contact the Jedi for assistance, which caused the conflict to escalate out of control. Silvain describes the situation as ugly.
Engle reassures Silvain that they did their job in ending the siege of Firevale and protected the light side of the Force as best as they could. He hopes that the people of Firevale and Bethune can resolve the conflict on their own. When he suggests they should return to the capital Horatio to rendezvous with the Pathfinders, Silvain tells him that she is not returning with Porter. When Engle asks what she is talking about, Silvain blames herself for telling Engle to confront the mercenaries based on Sicatra's disinformation. She blames herself for not listening to the Force and instead letting her personal history cloud her vision.
Silvain says she is wrong and blames herself for causing the deaths of many civilians and combatants. Believing that she is unfit to lead other Jedi, Silvain decides to go. When Engle asks if she is leaving the Jedi Order, Silvain explains that she does not intend to leave the Order but has decided not to take any action of behalf of the Order. When Engle says that the two of them can't work when they are apart, she reassures him that he can operate independently and reiterates that he is not alone.
Returning to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, Engle tells the Jedi High Council about Silvain's vow. He explains that while she remains in the Jedi Order, she has chosen to remove herself from their work until she is certain she understands what the Force wants her to do. A Mikkian Council member expresses surprise due to Silvain's strong connection to the Force while a Pantoran Council member asks about Silvain's whereabouts. Engle is unaware about Silvain's whereabouts and says that Silvain is a special person who has become uncertain. Jedi Master Yoda thanks Engle for his report and dispatches Engle to deal with a situation on Bardotta. Following the meeting, he meditates at the base of the Great Tree.