Night had fallen.
The streets of Aurelia were silent, save for the occasional clink of armor or barked order from the City Watch. Torches flickered along the alleys, casting long, distorted shadows. Overhead, the barrier shimmered faintly—magic pulsing like a heartbeat across the rooftops.
Two figures moved through the gloom, unseen.
Gerard and Rethrus walked side by side, cloaked in water magic that bent light and sound. The world passed by them unaware.
"Why do we have to walk so close together?" Rethrus asked quietly.
"Tsk. Because this kind of invisibility spell works like a cloak," Gerard muttered. "If I cast it separately, you wouldn't be able to see me."
"Huh. Like the first time we met," Rethrus said, smirking. "When you were spying on me."
Gerard sighed. "Yeah. The day you threatened to kill me. Still not over that, by the way."
"So how'd you know I was spying you?"
Rethrus glanced at him. "I was careful. You should have known."
"Mr. Eddie told me someone suddenly rented it right after I checked in. Figured it might be a fan, but… something felt off."
Gerard raised a brow. "Just a feeling?"
"You left behind water. A bit of mana was still in it," Rethrus said, eyes forward. "That was your mistake."
"You figured it out with just that?" Gerard asked, a bit impressed.
"I assumed," Rethrus replied. "So I brought Kaeli. Just to be sure."
They moved in silence for a beat, footsteps soundless on the cobblestone.
Then Rethrus tilted his head. "Hey… I noticed something. Even though we're basically covered in water, we're not leaving any tracks. No puddles, no damp footprints. How's that work?"
Gerard smirked. "It's not just water. It's "controlled" water. I'm directing every droplet. It never touches the ground unless I want it to."
"Like it floats?"
"Like it listens," Gerard said. "Think of it like a second skin. Every drop that brushes the ground is either lifted back up or evaporated instantly. The spell eats the evidence."
Rethrus narrowed his eyes. "Then why'd you leave a bit of water in my room?"
Gerard clicked his tongue. "That wasn't supposed to happen. I was rushing. You moved suddenly, and I panicked a little."
"You? Panicked?" Rethrus smirked.
"I didn't expect you to be that fast," Gerard muttered. "And besides, I kind of doubted you . It was my first time using it indoors on that scale."
"So you were sloppy."
"Shut up."
Rethrus chuckled under his breath, their footsteps still silent. "Guess I should thank that mistake. If not, I might not have caught you."
Gerard grumbled. "And yet here I am, walking beside you like some sidekick."
"You're not a sidekick," Rethrus said, glancing sideways. "You're bait if things go wrong."
"Tsk. Asshole."
After walking silently and cautiously past the guards and City Watch soldiers, Rethrus and Gerard finally reached Kaeli's house.
"We're here," Rethrus said in a low voice.
"Rethrus! Gerard! You're here!" Eri whispered excitedly, hurrying over and hugging them both.
Rethrus tapped her head gently. "Yeah, we're here."
His eyes shifted to Kaeli. "You alright?"
"I'm fine, Rethrus. Don't worry," Kaeli replied, brushing the hair out of his eyes.
"So… did it happen?" Rethrus asked, still keeping his voice quiet, but with that usual sharpness.
Kaeli nodded. "Yeah. The Costamado family will pay our guild tomorrow. They want our help with the Merlion family."
Gerard raised an eyebrow. "Damn… it actually went through?" he muttered under his breath.
'How smart is this kid? I thought he was just cracked with magic—but he's a damn strategist too.'
"But there's a catch," Kaeli added. "Sir Cassius found out."
"Huh?" Rethrus frowned. "What'd he say?"
Eri stepped forward. "He said it better not fail. And it can't leave any trace that links back to the guild."
"Figures," Rethrus muttered.
"Alright, break time," Gerard sighed, stretching both arms up. "You know how much mana it takes to stay invisible and walk through half a damn city?"
The three turned toward him.
"…What?" Gerard blinked. "You think this cloak spell just runs on vibes?"
"Alright, let's rest a bit," Rethrus said, exhaling as he moved toward a chair.
He leaned back, hands behind his head, eyes on the dim ceiling. "Damn it… my plan really ends here, huh?"
The others looked at him, but he wasn't really talking to them.
'That's what Coach always told me…'
Milo, don't worry if you can't plan it all until mate—every move will give you another chance.
"Every move will give another chance…" Rethrus murmured, repeating it to himself as if grounding the thought.
He closed his eyes for a moment, not to sleep—just to think. The quiet hum of the city outside mixed with the gentle ticking of an old wall clock.
'I wonder what those families are doing right now...'
In the dimly lit room of Lord Merlion, the heavy scent of incense lingered, mixing with the unspoken decadence of his surroundings. His bed was a chaotic heap of silken sheets, with the figures of several naked "young women" sprawled across it, their faces tranquil in sleep. The difference in their ages, perhaps decades apart, barely registered as Lord Merlion lay at the center, surrounded by their warmth.
Tok, tok, tok.
The sound of a knock echoed through the room, disrupting the stillness. Lord Merlion stirred, groaning softly, his eyes flickering open.
"Better be important," he muttered under his breath.
"Who's that?" he called out groggily, his voice thick with sleep.
"Father, it's me," came the answer, a calm but firm tone.
Kesca.
Lord Merlion sat up slowly, casting a glance over the room before grabbing his robe and pulling it around his shoulders. He cleared his throat, trying to shake off the remnants of his disorientation.
"Kesca, dear, what is it?"
"Father, everything is set. We ride at dawn for the Great Riverdale, the field that separates us from the Frings family."
He rubbed his eyes, stifling a yawn. "Good. Now let me get my rest, Kesca. Tomorrow will be a long day."
But his daughter hesitated before speaking again, a note of concern in her voice.
"Father, wait."
Lord Merlion glanced at her, frowning slightly. "What is it?"
Kesca paused before speaking carefully, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Do you think we can win against him?"
A small chuckle escaped Lord Merlion as he turned toward her. "Are you scared of Dante?"
Kesca hesitated, her eyes betraying a flicker of doubt. "Kinda."
Lord Merlion smiled reassuringly, though it was more out of practiced confidence than genuine belief.
"Don't worry, Kesca. Our weapon will be out of the labyrinth sooner than they expect."
Kesca's brows furrowed as she glanced toward her father. "What? You've already sent someone into the labyrinth?"
Lord Merlion nodded, an edge of pride in his voice. "Of course. The day that dwarf went missing, I knew this day was coming. I sent some of my personal fighters to conquer one of the labyrinths."
"You should have told me about this, Father," Kesca said, her voice rising slightly.
Lord Merlion waved a dismissive hand. "No need to worry. Just trust that we have it all under control. The Frings family was once the strongest in Aurelia. But that was then."
Kesca walked quickly down the corridor, her steps echoing in the silent halls.
'Tsk, I can't believe we're really at war,' she thought, her grip tightening on the hilt of her sword.
Frings had taken the strongest mercenary guild in the city. They had the best knight. What was her father thinking? He had gambled everything on their labyrinth weapon, but even that couldn't guarantee victory.
'We can't cheat our way out of this,' she thought bitterly. 'Not this time. The nobles will be watching, waiting for any sign of weakness. If we fail...'
Her footsteps quickened as she passed the servants in the halls, their heads bowed respectfully. She barely noticed them—her mind was on the battle to come.
'Can we really rely on Father?' Kesca thought, her hand pressing against the cool glass. '
With a sharp breath, she turned away from the window, her resolve hardening.
'Tomorrow, we ride. And I'll make sure the Merlion family doesn't fall.'
In the grand hall of the Frings Estate, the atmosphere was tense. Captain Garrick and Captain Brienne stood near the windows, looking out at the horizon where Riverdale lay—an open field that would soon become the battleground.
"So, we're going to meet them at Riverdale, huh?" Garrick asked, rubbing his chin. His voice was low but heavy with expectation. "From what I hear, it's going to be a showdown."
Brienne nodded grimly. "Do they really think they can win against us? Especially with Dante here?"
Garrick chuckled darkly. "Well, they're the ones who asked for war. It would be shameful for them to back out now."
The other captain gave a quiet hum of agreement. "True enough. But if they bring out their labyrinth weapon, things might change."
Just as the conversation turned to the war, Dante's voice boomed through the hall. "Captain Garrick! Captain Brienne! Come here!"
"Yes, Knight Commander!" the two captains replied in unison, hurrying to where Dante stood.
As the three walked down the corridor, Dante's sharp gaze swept over them. His face was unreadable, his mind on the upcoming battle.
"When do the Guild members arrive?" Dante asked, his tone clipped.
"Tomorrow, sir," Brienne answered, her voice steady.
"Are your men ready?"
"Yes, sir," Garrick replied without hesitation.
Dante nodded, his mind already calculating the next steps. "Good. Dismiss."
The captains turned to leave, but Dante lingered in the hall, his thoughts drifting. He paced slowly, his mind gnawing at him.
'Who would be the culprit behind this mess?' he wondered. His fingers tightened into fists as Rethrus's face flashed in his mind.
'That kid. I'm sure he has something to do with it. But it's too late now... I can't just pinpoint it. I know I shouldn't doubt Mergoth, but... it's just a feeling.'
Dante's frustration built up, and he clenched his teeth.
'Why did you fail to rescue her? Why did you let me catch you?'