Lord Valerius's Next Move
The poison mage, the water mage, Ryuzen, and Shadowbrother had all made their moves.
Now it was time for the mastermind behind everything — Lord Valerius — to take his next, far more direct step.
He would not attack openly — he never did.
First, he tightened the net around Wolf Lodge.
And this step would affect everyone.
The Imperial Palace – Valerius Is Pleased
Lord Valerius Arcturus stood over the maps, his fingers slowly tracing the streets of the merchant city.
Around Wolf Lodge, several red marks were already placed — observers, agents, informants.
His servant bowed behind him.
"My lord, our men report: a fire mage, a water mage, a warrior maiden, a shadow hunter… and the Dolermo girl have gathered at Wolf Lodge."
Valerius smiled.
"Excellent. The seeds of chaos are already there. Now… we water them."
The servant looked up.
"What are your orders?"
Valerius slowly raised his hand.
"Begin the trade blockade. Quietly. Slowly. No one must notice until it is too late."
The servant bowed.
"Yes, my lord."
Valerius's eyes gleamed.
"Wolf Lodge… will starve. And when it is weak enough… then I will act."
Wolf Lodge – The First Signs
The next morning, Noelle was checking the supplies when she noticed:
half the flour was missing,
the meat delivery was late,
the vegetable seller didn't come,
and the water carriers said: "We're out of stock."
Ersi sat on the stairs, frowning.
"This isn't normal. Yesterday everything was fine."
Kagura stood at the gate, hand on her sword.
"The merchants are afraid. Someone threatened them."
Tessa turned pale.
"This… is Valerius's method. He doesn't attack. He doesn't threaten. He just… takes away what keeps you alive."
Selene stepped out of the shadows.
"This is a blockade. One of the dirtiest tools of the imperial nobles. If Wolf Lodge gets no supplies… it collapses."
Noelle clenched her fist.
"Then I'll talk to the merchants. Someone will help."
Tessa shook her head.
"They won't. Valerius is too powerful. No one dares oppose him."
Ersi snorted.
"Then we'll oppose him."
Selene nodded slowly.
"First we need to know what he wants. Valerius never does anything without a reason. If he started a blockade… then he has already decided."
Kagura stepped forward.
"And what is his decision?"
Selene looked into the distance.
"That Wolf Lodge… is the enemy."
The Market – The Merchants Are Afraid
Noelle and Tessa went to the market to speak with the merchants.
But everyone said the same thing:
"I'm sorry, Noelle… I can't sell you anything."
"Orders from above."
"I don't want trouble."
"Valerius's men are watching."
"I can't take the risk."
Tessa grew paler with every answer.
"This is worse than I thought. Valerius didn't just start a blockade… he intimidated the entire city."
Noelle took a deep breath.
"Then we'll solve it another way."
Tessa looked up.
"What do you mean?"
Noelle smiled.
"The Wolfwood house has always followed the path of water.
If the river is blocked… it digs a new channel."
Wolf Lodge – An Unexpected Guest Arrives
In the evening, when the inn had almost quieted down, the gate opened softly.
A man stepped inside.
He was elegant.
Too elegant.
Silver embroidery ran along his clothes — the same as on Valerius's men.
Noelle and Ersi both snapped their heads up.
Selene stepped out of the shadows.
Kagura placed her hand on her sword.
Tessa turned pale.
The man bowed.
"Good evening. I have come on behalf of Lord Valerius Arcturus."
Noelle stepped forward.
"What does he want?"
The man's smile was cold.
"Only… to negotiate."
Selene's eyes narrowed.
"Valerius doesn't negotiate. Valerius dictates."
The man nodded.
"Exactly. And the dictate is as follows:
Wolf Lodge will surrender all documents, lands, and rights of the Wolfwood house…
or the blockade will become complete."
Silence fell.
Ersi snorted.
"That's blackmail."
The man's smile widened.
"No. This… is politics."
Noelle stepped forward slowly.
Her voice was quiet, but strong.
"Tell Valerius… that the Wolfwood house does not bow. Ever."
The man bowed.
"As expected. The answer… will be delivered."
He left.
Silence remained in the inn.
War Has Begun
Selene slowly sat down.
"Now it's certain. Valerius considers us enemies. And if you are an enemy… sooner or later he will try to destroy you."
Noelle nodded.
"Then we prepare. Because his next step… will not be this polite."
The air around Wolf Lodge tightened.
The storm was coming.
And Valerius was already on his way.
Noelle and the Poison Mage – Another Encounter
Night at Wolf Lodge – The Water Does Not Rest
The inn slowly quieted.
The guests were asleep, the lanterns flickered faintly, and only the sound of water echoed in the kitchen.
Noelle stood before the herb shelf, checking the fresh water supply.
Water always calmed her.
But now… something was wrong.
The surface of the water in the bucket trembled with tiny ripples.
Not from wind.
Not from movement.
From someone.
Noelle slowly raised her hand.
"You're here… aren't you?"
The water suddenly froze.
On the surface, tiny black letters appeared.
"You are late."
Noelle's eyes narrowed.
"Show yourself. I'm done with hide‑and‑seek."
The water rippled again.
"When you are ready."
Noelle clenched her fist.
"You're a coward."
The water suddenly boiled.
In the steam, a face formed — distorted, masked, serpent‑like.
The poison mage's voice was soft, like a hiss.
"Coward? No. Careful. Poison does not rush. Poison… waits."
Noelle stepped forward.
"Why are you attacking the city? Why are you poisoning people?"
The face in the steam smiled.
"Because you are the target. And the target is not attacked directly. But… everything around it is."
Noelle's heart pounded.
"Valerius sent you. Didn't he?"
The face twisted.
"Valerius? He is only a tool. A puppet. Poison… serves no one. Only itself."
Noelle froze.
"Then why choose me?"
The steam slowly wrapped around Noelle's form.
"Because you are the only one who can purify. And I… hate purity."
The water suddenly stilled.
The steam vanished.
The kitchen returned to normal.
Noelle was left alone.
The Market – Another Victim, But Different
The next morning, Tessa rushed into the inn.
"Noelle! Come quickly! Something happened at the market. But this time… it's different."
Noelle and Ersi followed her immediately.
In the middle of the market, a man stood.
He wasn't lying down.
He wasn't unconscious.
He just… stood.
Rigid.
Motionless.
His skin was pale, his eyes glassy, his pupils dilated.
Noelle knelt before him.
"This… isn't the same poison. This… paralyzes. It doesn't kill. It just… stops."
Ersi frowned.
"Why change tactics?"
Noelle slowly lifted the man's hand.
On his skin was a tiny black symbol.
A snake biting its own tail.
Tessa turned pale.
"This… is a message. For you."
Noelle nodded.
"The poison mage wants me to know he can stop anyone. Anytime. Anywhere."
Ersi clenched her fist.
"Then let's find him and stop him instead."
Noelle slowly stood.
"No. This is my fight. The fight of water and poison. And I… will not back down."
The Poison Mage Watches From Afar – And Is Pleased
On a rooftop above the market, a figure stood.
His mask was black with green lines.
In his hand, another vial turned between his fingers.
His voice was soft.
"You play well, Wolfwood girl. But you still don't understand the rules. Poison does not kill… unless it wants to. Poison… teaches."
The figure smiled.
"And you… will be a good student."
He vanished into the shadows.
Noelle's Resolve Strengthens
Noelle stood in the market beside the paralyzed man.
The water around her vibrated gently.
"If you want a fight… you'll get one. But not by your rules. By mine."
Ersi placed a hand on her shoulder.
"And we'll help if needed. All of us."
Tessa nodded.
Selene too.
Kagura as well.
Wolf Lodge was no longer just an inn.
It was a team.
A family.
A force.
And Noelle knew:
The poison mage was close.
Very close.
And their next encounter might be fatal.