This arc is really the downfall of akatsuki no yona, so many have ended up dropping this manga just bc of this specific arc (me included but decided to pick it up again fsr)
The thing that really peeves me about this arc isn't how unbearably irritating it is, it isnt how everyone is just going along with this stupid "alliance" thing (which in actuality they're just prisoners atp) it's how everything happens just for the sake of happening. Because the plot needs it to happen they make it happen but in the dumbest ways that totally disregard some of the characters (yona) development. There is no actual valid reason as to why certain things are happening and why certain characters are acting in certain ways that are so uncharacteristically of them.Why has yona suddenly turned into this helpless character with no backbone who literally can't stand up for herself and keep on making stupid decisions. I don't believe that she is now in love with soo-won again, i do think she is conflicted with the knowledge of his inevitable death due to their past friendship but i dont think it's anything that should garner such a reaction. The way she readily helps soo won (when he collapsed) and would rather protect his secret by secluding herself and going along with their orders is so unlike of her. Like I've said she's basically just agreed to become their prisoner by going along with them. Her older characterisation wasnt that of someone who would just sit around and just take it, even if it was dangerous and could've endangered herself or the others (not bc she's doesn't care for their safety but bc she trusts them eg moments where she would stray from the plans to save other people even though it wouldve been dangerous at the time) she never failed to come off as strong willed and determined. The yona now is incredibly weak and powerless and it is the most annoying part of reading this arc