Terrosa's Plan

When I opened my eyes, I felt warmth around me. Riri’s large body was wrapped around me protectively, his fur soft against my skin. He hadn’t disappeared while I was unconscious. Even now, he stayed by my side, his steady breathing comforting me. His power still amazed me—especially how he first appeared. I never summoned him; he came on his own when I was in danger. Even without my mana, he remained, real and strong.

I slowly moved and looked around. The battlefield was a mess—scorched ground, broken weapons, and the smell of blood in the air. The men and assassins who had attacked us were now tied up, captured by the crown prince’s guards.

“They didn’t escape?” I whispered, my voice dry and weak.

Before I could think further, something heavy crashed into me.

“Valkyrie!”

Alexander.

The crown prince hugged me tightly, his arms shaking slightly. It was rare to see him this worried.

“When I heard the explosion, we ran to you right away,” he said, relief clear in his voice. “When we arrived, you had already cast a powerful healing spell. You healed everyone—even the old scars my guards had from past battles.”

I frowned, trying to remember. My thoughts were blurry, memories tangled with pain and magic. I had used all my mana. Every bit of it.

No wonder I felt so weak.

As the voices of gratitude continued, another figure stepped forward—the assassin with twin blades. He had been one of the most skilled among them, his movements swift and precise, nearly impossible to predict. Now, he stood before me, his sharp eyes studying me with an unreadable expression.

He knelt without hesitation, lowering his head. “We were ready to kill you,” he admitted, his voice steady. “… but in the end, you spared me. More than that, you healed me.” He lifted his gaze, something uncertain flickering in his usually cold eyes. “I don’t understand why, but… I owe you my life.”

"I can never forgive you for killing the innocent," I said, my voice quiet but firm. "But not everyone deserves to die."

His expression remained unreadable, but something in his eyes shifted—something almost like regret. He bowed his head slightly, acknowledging my words.

“I do not ask for forgiveness,” he said. “Only that I repay the life you have given me.”

The assassin let out a slow breath, his gaze still fixed on the broken remains of his blades. "I wasn’t serving Count Terrosa for long," he admitted. "He employed us just a month ago… before he gave me those twin blades."

I studied him for a moment before speaking. "Those blades were crafted using mana," I explained. "They were likely unstable from the start. The explosion wasn’t just from the impact—it was the result of the mana within them collapsing."

His eyes darkened as realization sank in. “Then… he knew.” His jaw clenched. "Terrosa gave me weapons that would destroy me the moment they failed. He never intended for us to survive."

Betrayal twisted in his voice, raw and bitter. He had been a pawn in Terrosa’s game, discarded without a second thought.

I sighed. "You were meant to die in that battle, just like the others. Whatever Terrosa’s real plan was, you were never a part of it."

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Tch. I trusted the wrong man.”

Alexander crossed his arms. “You did. But you’re still alive. The question is, what will you do now?”

The assassin looked at him, then at me. His fingers twitched at his sides, as if reaching for blades that were no longer there. Finally, he let out a quiet chuckle—empty, but accepting.

"I don’t know," he admitted. "But I won’t die for a man who saw me as nothing more than a disposable weapon." Then, he exhaled sharply before looking me in the eye.

"What do you want to know?" he asked, his voice measured but weary.

"Everything," I said firmly. "Count Terrosa’s plans. His connections. Why he hired assassins only to throw them away."

He scoffed. "You think he tells assassins like us his true intentions?" His expression hardened. "All I know is that he wanted you dead. He was desperate, willing to spend a fortune just to make sure you didn’t leave this battlefield alive."

Alexander tensed beside me. "Why? What does he gain from Valkyrie’s death?"

The assassin shook his head. "That, I don’t know. But he wasn’t just after you. He mentioned something about… fairies and elves." His eyes narrowed. "Something about needing them for a ritual."

A chill ran down my spine. I exchanged a glance with Alexander.

Fairies and elves… They were being taken but for what purpose?

The assassin continued, his voice grim. "Terrosa has powerful allies. People willing to get their hands dirty for him. If you think taking us down was enough to stop whatever he’s planning, you’re wrong."

I clenched my fists, my exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Then I’ll stop him myself."

The assassin studied me for a long moment before letting out a low chuckle. "You’re bold, I’ll give you that. But Terrosa isn’t just some noble with a grudge. He has influence, resources, and people who would kill for him without question." His gaze flickered to the restraints around his wrists, his smirk fading. "And if he was willing to throw away skilled assassins like us, then whatever he’s after… it’s bigger than we realize."

Alexander’s expression darkened. "Do you have any idea where he is now?"

The assassin shook his head. "No. After our contract was sealed, all communication was handled through intermediaries. We never met him in person, only received orders through a masked messenger." He hesitated. "But there was something odd. Before this mission, one of my men overheard a conversation about a hidden stronghold. A place where prisoners were being taken—elves and fairies specifically."

I tensed. "Where?"

"West of here, beyond the Blackwood Marshes. Deep within the ruins of an old fortress." His lips pressed into a thin line. "If Terrosa is behind this, that’s where you’ll find answers."

Alexander exchanged a glance with me before nodding to his guards. "Take him into custody for now. We’ll verify what he’s said."

The assassin didn’t resist as the guards moved to secure him, but before they led him away, he met my eyes again. "If you truly mean to stop Terrosa," he said, his voice lower now, almost unreadable, "then be careful. You’ve already made yourself his target. Next time, he won’t send people like me. He’ll send monsters."

His words lingered in my mind long after he was gone.

I exhaled, turning to Alexander. "We don’t have time to waste. If what he says is true, we need to move before more lives are lost."

Alexander nodded. "Agreed. We’ll gather our best trackers and head for the Blackwood Marshes at first light."

***

As the assassins were taken away, I turned back to the battlefield, the weight of his words pressing on me. If Terrosa was targeting fairies and elves for a ritual, then time was running out.

Riri nudged me gently, his mismatched eyes filled with silent concern. I ran a hand through his fur, grounding myself. I couldn't afford to hesitate.

Alexander placed a hand on my shoulder. "You need rest, Valkyrie."

I shook my head. "First, I must save Elara and Magnus."