The bears feast in the enemy camp, where they meet Professor De Ambrosiis, the Grand Duke's sorcerer and ex-astrologer who he sacked for having predicted the fall of his kingdom.

Leonzio and some of his followers break into the Excelsior theater, where the Grand Duke, kept by his collaborators unaware of the real situation, is witnessing the final show of the evening: Tonio, forced to perform as an acrobat.

Leonzio's companions kill the Grand Duke, while Professor De Ambrosiis, though with extreme reluctance, uses the second and final spell of his magic wand to heal Tonio.

On his deathbed King Leonzio asks the bears to leave the city and the riches that have corrupted them and to return to the mountains, where they will find peace of mind; animals respect his will, abandoning men forever.

Publishers Weekly wrote in 2004: "Buzzati's drawings retain a fun, retro-European feel, while his occasional full-color illustrations emphasize the town's red rooftops and celebrated architecture.