Sections XXI-XXXII

Ganelon rejects Roland's mockery and vows to obey Charlemagne's command to travel to Sarraguce, claiming he will work 'trickery' against Marsilie. This establishes Ganelon's resentment and his commitment to the dangerous mission.

Roland laughs at Ganelon's boast, which throws Ganelon into such a rage that he nearly loses his mind and accuses Roland of bearing false judgment against him. This escalates the personal animosity between the two men.

Before leaving, Ganelon mentions his wife (Charlemagne's sister), his son Baldwin, and his lands, implying he may not return from this mission. Charlemagne dismisses his emotional hesitation and orders immediate departure.

Charlemagne commands Ganelon to stand before him and receives the glove and wand as symbols of his authority to carry the royal message. Ganelon refuses to extend love to Roland, Oliver, or the twelve peers.

When Charlemagne extends the glove to Ganelon, it falls to the ground rather than being received, which the Franks interpret as a bad omen foretelling loss and calamity. Ganelon dismisses their concern, claiming they will soon have news.

Ganelon gathers his finest garments, armor, spurs, and sword Murgles, and mounts his charger Tachebrun. The assembled knights weep and lament that Charlemagne has sent him on this dangerous mission through Roland's influence.

Ganelon halts beneath a tree where he meets Blancandrins and other Saracen envoys. Blancandrins praises Charlemagne's conquests while questioning his intentions toward their country.

Blancandrins suggests that the Frankish nobles, particularly the dukes and counts, do themselves and their lord wrong through their pride and rivalry. This plants the seed for discord that Ganelon will exploit.

Ganelon recounts an incident where Roland arrogantly presented captured crowns to Charlemagne, declaring him supreme over all earthly kings. Ganelon predicts Roland's pride will lead to his downfall and that his death will bring peace.

In response to Blancandrins' question, Ganelon portrays Roland as wielding immense power, commanding absolute loyalty from the Frankish nobles and exercising unprecedented control over the distribution of wealth and territorial conquest.

As they travel together through valleys and plains toward Sarraguce, Ganelon and Blancandrins make a covenant and devise a plan to slay Roland, establishing their treasonous alliance.

Blancandrins presents Ganelon to Marsilie, calling him Charlemagne's noblest and wealthiest baron sent from France to discuss whether peace or continued war will prevail. Marsilie welcomes Ganelon's words.