Tessa Returns to Wolf Lodge – The Truth She Carried for Five Years
The Evening Lights of Wolf Lodge – An Old Friend Arrives
The sun had already dipped behind the rooftops of the merchant city when the door of Wolf Lodge opened and a young woman stepped inside.
Her long chestnut hair fell over her shoulders, and in her eyes shone the same quiet, bookish sharpness she'd had five years earlier.
Only now… she was more mature.
More confident.
And far more tired.
Tessa Dolermo.
The new leader of the Dolermo Merchant Guild.
Now nineteen years old.
Noelle and Ersi recognized her instantly.
Both girls jumped up from behind the counter at the same time.
"Tessa!" Noelle cried, almost running toward her.
"Hey, careful, you'll run her over!" Ersi laughed, but followed her anyway.
Tessa welcomed the embrace with a smile.
"I'm glad to see you. It's been so long… too long."
Over a Glass of Wine – The Truth No One Had Spoken Until Now
The three girls sat in an upstairs room of Wolf Lodge, with a bottle of red wine and three glasses.
Candlelight cast warm shadows on the walls.
Tessa took a slow sip, then set her glass down.
"There's something I need to tell you. Something I've carried for five years."
Noelle and Ersi immediately focused on her.
Tessa took a deep breath.
"Vanessa… never existed."
The room fell silent.
Noelle's eyes widened.
"What do you mean?"
Tessa traced her finger along the rim of her glass.
"She was an illusion created by the succubus demon. Quelenna. She created Vanessa — her personality, her memories, her presence. She manipulated everyone. Even me."
Ersi nodded slowly.
"So… you were always the daughter of the Dolermo house."
"Yes," Tessa answered quietly. "I was the heir. Not Vanessa. Young Wolf saved my father at the bathhouse… but Umbra's assassins killed him at home anyway."
Noelle clenched her fist.
"I'm sorry, Tessa…"
Tessa shook her head.
"No need. I've moved past it. It took five years, but the Dolermo Guild is standing again. We're strong once more."
But her voice betrayed that the wound was still there.
A New Crisis in the Empire – The Emperor Is Dying
Tessa poured herself another sip of wine.
"But now a new problem is coming. Much bigger than Umbra or the Demon King."
Ersi raised an eyebrow.
"What could be bigger than that?"
Tessa answered grimly:
"The Emperor is old. Very old. And he has no heir."
Noelle's eyes widened.
"Then… for the Imperial title…"
"…many noble families will compete," Tessa finished. "The merchant guilds too. The empire may soon fall into chaos."
Ersi whistled softly.
"That… doesn't sound good."
Tessa nodded.
"No. And that's why I came. In the merchant city, shadows are already moving. Someone… or something… is stirring the surface."
The Threat Arrives – Selene Veyra Enters
The door of the room suddenly opened.
A tall, black‑haired woman stepped inside.
Her movements were silent, her gaze cold as moonlight.
Her dark‑blue clothes with silver embroidery marked her as one of the Imperial Investigators.
Selene Veyra.
One of the best of the Imperial Shadow Hunters.
Her presence silenced the room instantly.
"Tessa Dolermo. Noelle. Ersebeth," she said quietly. "I need your help."
Ersi raised an eyebrow.
"What happened?"
Selene slowly looked around, then spoke:
"A new threat has appeared in the merchant city. Something that wants to strike before the Emperor dies. And if we don't stop it… the empire will fall apart."
The candlelight flickered.
The air froze.
And the three girls knew:
The peace brought by Young Wolf's death… was about to end.
The City That Never Sleeps
The night lights of the merchant city shimmered like stars dancing on the surface of the sea.
In the courtyard of Wolf Lodge, lanterns were already lit, guests were slowly leaving, and the air carried the scent of fresh bread and spices.
Noelle stood behind the counter, writing down the end‑of‑day inventory.
Ersi sat on the stairs, swinging her legs, while Kagura stood guard at the gate, sword at her side, gaze alert.
Wolf Lodge was no longer just an inn.
It was a meeting place.
A refuge.
An information hub.
And slowly… one of the most important locations in the empire.
Tessa Dolermo and Selene Veyra were still upstairs, talking over maps and documents.
Something moved in the city.
Something only the sensitive could sense.
The First Scent of Poison
Noelle was arranging the herb shelf when a strange smell hit her nose.
Bitter.
Metallic.
Cold.
Water mages had especially sharp senses for impurities — and this smell…
was not natural.
Noelle froze.
"Ersi… do you smell that?"
Ersi sniffed.
"I only smell that Kagura ate too much spicy sauce again."
"No, this is different. This is… poison," Noelle whispered.
Ersi's head snapped up.
"Poison? In the inn?"
Noelle nodded.
"Someone… is watching us."
Her eyes darkened.
The water element vibrated around her like an invisible mist.
This was the first sign.
The poison mage had not revealed himself — but he was already at work.
Kagura's Encounter With the Stranger
Kagura stood at the gate when a man approached her.
He was tall, muscular, his clothes simple — but his movements…
too light. Too precise.
Kagura instinctively placed her hand on her sword.
"May I help you?" she asked politely.
The man smiled.
"Just curious. Is this Wolf Lodge?"
"Yes. If you're looking for a room, you can book inside."
"I'm not looking for a room," the man said, his gaze sliding over Kagura's sword. "I'm looking for someone. A warrior."
Kagura's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
The man's smile widened.
"You."
Kagura tensed.
There was something familiar in the man's movements.
Something taught only on the Island of Warrior Maidens.
But before she could speak, the man bowed.
"My name is Ryuzen. And we will meet again."
Then he vanished into the crowd.
Kagura's throat went dry.
"This… will be trouble. Big trouble."
The Meeting of Water and Fire
Ersi went into the kitchen to check the stove when suddenly the lamps dimmed.
The air grew cold.
Moisture settled on the walls.
Ersi shivered.
"This… is water magic. But not Noelle. This is… colder. Harsher."
In the corner of the kitchen, a tiny ice crystal appeared in the air, then slowly fell to the floor.
Ersi clenched her fist.
"Someone is playing with me."
The water mage had not revealed himself — but he had sent a message.
Selene's Investigation
Selene Veyra stood on the roof of the inn, watching the city.
Something moved among the shadows.
Someone.
Another shadow hunter.
An old acquaintance.
An old enemy.
Selene whispered softly:
"You're here too… Shadowbrother."
A new game had begun beneath the city.
And Selene knew:
this was no longer just about the Emperor's death.
The First Move of the Final Boss
In one of the merchant city's palaces, a man stood over maps.
Elegant, refined, his movements slow and measured.
His gaze cold as the blade at his side.
Lord Valerius Arcturus.
One of the most influential nobles of the empire.
And the coming lord of chaos.
The man smiled.
"Wolf Lodge… is getting too much attention lately. Time… to visit them."
The candlelight flickered.
The fate of the empire began to shift.
The City's Breath Changes
The next morning, the merchant city felt unusually tense.
Vendors spoke more quietly, mercenaries looked over their shoulders more often, and merchants clutched their coin pouches as if someone might snatch them at any moment.
In the courtyard of Wolf Lodge, Noelle was arranging herbs when Tessa stepped out of the inn with a stack of documents.
"The city… is acting strange," Noelle noted.
Tessa nodded.
"Rumors are spreading faster than ever. The Emperor's condition is worsening. Everyone is preparing for something, but no one says it aloud."
Ersi sat on the stairs, watching Kagura clean her sword.
"The city is like a cauldron about to boil. It's only a matter of time before the steam bursts out."
Tessa smiled faintly.
"Exactly. And someone is already stirring the fire beneath it."
The Poison Mage's First Message
In the kitchen of Wolf Lodge, Noelle was pouring fresh water into mugs when something hit her senses.
Bitter.
Cold.
Metallic.
On the surface of the water, a faint greenish shimmer flickered — barely noticeable, but to a water mage, it was a screaming warning.
Noelle's eyes narrowed.
"This… is not natural."
There was poison in the water.
Not lethal — more like a warning.
A signature.
The poison mage had sent a message.
Ersi entered the kitchen and immediately sensed the tension.
"What happened?"
Noelle lifted the bottle.
"Someone tried to contaminate our water. But they failed. Too weak. They're just… testing us."
Ersi's eyes flashed.
"Then let's play too."
Noelle shook her head.
"No. This one is my opponent. Water purifies, poison corrupts. This… is personal."
Ersi nodded.
She understood.
Kagura and the Shadow of the Past
Kagura was training in the courtyard of the inn when a shadow slipped across the rooftops.
The girl instinctively reached for her sword.
Yesterday's man — Ryuzen — would not leave her mind.
His movements, his gaze, his voice…
too familiar.
On the Island of Warrior Maidens, only a few learned the style he used.
And even fewer ever left the island.
Kagura clenched her fist.
"Why did you come here, Ryuzen? What do you want from me?"
The wind did not answer.
But Kagura knew:
this encounter was only the beginning.
The Water Mage's Sign
Ersi was rummaging in the kitchen when the air suddenly grew cold.
Moisture settled on the walls, the lamps dimmed.
In the corner of the kitchen, a tiny ice crystal appeared in the air, then slowly fell to the floor.
Ersi snapped her head up.
"Oh no… not again."
On the ice crystal was a tiny blue seal.
A droplet‑shaped mark.
Ersi picked it up and held it in her palm.
"Someone is playing with me. A water mage. But not Noelle. This is… colder. Harsher."
The crystal suddenly crumbled to dust.
Ersi's eyes flashed.
"Fine. If you want to play… we'll play."
Selene and the Shadow
Selene Veyra stood on the roof of the inn, watching the city.
Moonlight drew silver lines across the rooftops.
Then she sensed it.
A shadow moved in the distance.
Not human.
Not natural.
Selene closed her eyes.
"You're here too… Shadowbrother."
The air trembled.
Between the rooftops, a figure darted — fast, silent, like a black blade.
Selene's hand slid to her dagger.
"If you want a fight… you'll get one. But not tonight."
The shadow vanished.
Selene knew:
this game was only just beginning.
Lord Valerius's First Move
In one of the merchant city's palaces, Lord Valerius Arcturus stood over maps.
Elegant, refined, his movements slow and measured.
His gaze cold as the blade at his side.
His servant bowed beside him.
"My lord, Wolf Lodge… is stirring. New players have appeared. The Dolermo girl has returned."
Valerius smiled.
"Excellent. Chaos always begins where hope is plentiful."
The man slowly lifted his sword and pointed at the map.
"Let us begin. The imperial throne… no longer belongs to the Emperor."
The candlelight flickered.
The fate of the empire shifted.