In the midst of the battle, Balthazar enters. He is overjoyed to see that his master is alive. He asks what the matter is with the town. He says that he knows that the town is in ruins, but he does not know what to do about it. He tells his servant that he will destroy all signs of the town's destruction. He also tells him that he is the one who is responsible for the destruction of the holy place. He explains that he has a master, but his plans are his own. He reminds his servant of the Sabbath's prohibition against desecrating the land, and reminds him that the people who have desecrated the land are the same people who are destroying the holy places. He adds that he plans to destroy them all. He then tells him to put his name at the top of the list of those who are to be consecrated to the altar of sacrifice.