Lord Valerius's Brutal Move
Valerius feels that Wolf Lodge still stands, still resists, still has not broken.
For him, this is unacceptable.
For the first time, he crosses a line he had only circled before: open, brutal violence.
Not a full attack — not yet.
But a strike that will shake everyone.
The Imperial Palace – Valerius Has Lost His Patience
Lord Valerius Arcturus stood before the window, watching the city.
His eyes were cold as the blade at his side.
His servant bowed behind him.
"My lord… Shadowbrother reports that Selene survived."
Valerius nodded slowly.
"Of course she survived. Hope is always stubborn. But hope… is fragile."
The servant looked up.
"What are your orders?"
Valerius smiled.
"Begin the third phase. Fear is already in place. Now… we need pain."
The servant bowed.
"Yes, my lord."
Valerius pointed at the map.
A new mark appeared around Wolf Lodge.
Not red.
Not blue.
But black.
"The Black Legion. Send them. But not to the inn. Not yet. First… to the city."
The City – The Attack Begins
The night was deep when sudden screams echoed from the city square.
Noelle ran to the window.
"What's happening?!"
In the distance, figures in black armor marched.
On their helmets, Valerius's symbol: a sword embraced by a crown.
Ersi shouted:
"That's… the Black Legion!"
Tessa turned pale.
"They're… not soldiers. They're… executioners."
Selene stepped out of the shadows.
"Valerius isn't attacking the inn. He's attacking the city. To turn them against us."
Kagura placed her hand on her sword.
"Then we protect them."
Noelle nodded.
"Yes. Because if the city fears… Valerius wins."
The Square – The Black Legion Wants Blood
The Wolf Lodge team rushed to the square.
The Black Legion was already there.
Ten warriors.
Black armor.
Black helmets.
Black banner.
Their leader stepped forward.
"The city has not paid its taxes. Order has collapsed. Punishment… is necessary."
Noelle stepped forward.
"The city is not at fault! They can't pay because of the blockade!"
The leader turned toward her.
"The empire does not recognize excuses. Only order."
Ersi flared up.
"Order my ass! You're just Valerius's dogs!"
The leader raised his hand.
"Begin."
The Black Legion stepped forward.
And the city began to scream.
Wolf Lodge Intervenes
Selene moved instantly.
With a single leap she threw herself among the legionnaires, her dagger flashing as she disarmed two of them.
Kagura attacked from the other side, her sword clashing against armor.
Ersi hurled fireballs that exploded among the legionnaires.
Noelle protected the wounded, raising a water shield around the civilians.
Tessa stood trembling behind them, clutching her books — and magic slowly gathered around her.
The leader of the Black Legion stepped forward.
"Wolf Lodge… is the enemy."
He turned toward Selene.
"Then come."
The Battle – Brutal, Fast, Merciless
The warriors of the Black Legion were not mages.
Not shadow hunters.
Not specialists.
But they were ruthless.
Disciplined.
And they followed Valerius's command.
Selene's dagger clashed against armor.
Kagura's sword sparked.
Ersi's flames hissed on the black metal.
Noelle's water shield trembled under the blows.
The people of the city screamed.
The Wolf Lodge team fought.
And the Black Legion… did not retreat.
The Turning Point – Valerius's Message Arrives
In the middle of the battle, the leader of the Black Legion suddenly stopped.
A cold voice spoke from behind his helmet.
"Enough. The order is fulfilled."
Selene frowned.
"What order?"
The leader slowly raised his hand.
In his palm was a black seal.
Valerius's seal.
"A message for Wolf Lodge."
Noelle stepped forward.
"What is the message?"
The leader spoke slowly, deliberately:
"'The suffering of the city is only the beginning. The next step… will be you.'"
The Black Legion stepped back.
In formation.
Disciplined.
And disappeared into the night.
The City – In Ruins, But Alive
Silence fell over the square.
The people cried.
The houses were damaged.
The ground was wet with blood.
Noelle fell to her knees.
"Valerius… has started a war."
Selene nodded.
"And now he doesn't want the city. He wants us."
Ersi clenched her fist.
"Then let him come. I'm waiting."
Kagura leaned on her sword.
"Wolf Lodge will not fall."
Tessa slowly stood.
Her voice trembled, but it was strong.
"We're not alone. The city… is with us."
Noelle looked up.
Her eyes darkened.
"Then we prepare. Because Valerius's next move… won't be this 'gentle.'"
Noelle vs. the Poison Mage – Part 1
The first act of the final battle — the path of poison begins
Night at Wolf Lodge – The Silence Is Too Deep
A strange silence settled over the city around the inn.
Not natural.
Not peaceful.
But expectant.
Tiny black dust motes floated in the air.
The water in the barrels trembled.
The scent of herbs turned bitter.
Noelle stood in the center of the courtyard.
Dark circles under her eyes, her movements tense, her gaze sharp.
She knew the time had come.
"Come. I know you're here."
The darkness shifted.
The Poison Mage Appears – For the First Time in Full Power
Before the gate of the inn, black fog gathered.
The fog slowly took shape.
The Poison Mage stepped out of it.
Behind his mask, green light flickered, as if snakes writhed beneath his skin.
His clothes were tattered, as if the poison had eaten the fabric itself.
His voice was soft, like a hiss.
"Wolfwood girl. The time has come."
Noelle stepped forward.
"Yes. To end this."
The Poison Mage smiled.
"Oh no. To begin it."
The Attack – Poison Strikes First
The Poison Mage lunged forward with a single motion.
From his cloak, tiny black needles shot out — far faster than before.
Noelle reflexively raised a water shield.
The needles pierced the water…
and instantly turned it black.
The poison spread.
It was alive.
It pulsed.
Noelle paled.
"This… is new."
The Poison Mage stepped closer.
"I evolve. As you do. But I… evolve faster."
Noelle clenched her teeth.
"Water… always purifies."
The Poison Mage laughed.
"Poison… always returns."
The First Clash of Water and Poison – Noelle Falls Back
Noelle closed her eyes and channeled the strength of water into the shield.
The poison began to hiss.
The water glowed.
The two forces collided.
Hissing.
Steam.
Light.
Sound.
The Poison Mage stepped back — but only for a moment.
The poison suddenly exploded inside the water, sending black steam outward.
Noelle was thrown back.
She hit the ground.
Her hand trembled.
The water around her vibrated.
The Poison Mage approached slowly.
"You are weak. Too pure. Too innocent. The world is not like that. The world… is filthy. And I… am its true face."
Noelle looked up.
Her eyes darkened.
"The world is not filthy. Only you are."
The Poison Mage's Second Attack – Noelle Nearly Dies
The Poison Mage raised his hand.
Black light flickered in his palm.
"This… is the beginning of the end."
The light shot forward.
Not needles.
Not gas.
Not liquid.
Pure poison energy.
Noelle dove aside, but the attack grazed her shoulder.
Her skin darkened instantly.
The poison entered.
Noelle cried out.
The Poison Mage approached slowly.
"Feel it? This does not kill instantly. It… teaches."
Noelle fell to her knees.
The water around her trembled.
The poison spread through her arm.
"You… won't… kill me…"
The Poison Mage leaned down.
"Oh, but I will. Slowly. So you feel it. So you learn. So you suffer."
Noelle looked up.
Her eyes filled with tears — but not fear.
Rage.
The Turning Point – Noelle Stands
Water suddenly flared around her.
Not blue.
Not clear.
Not calm.
But white.
The Poison Mage stepped back.
"What is this…?"
Noelle slowly stood.
Her voice was quiet, but strong.
"Water does not only purify. It heals. And I… am not alone."
The poison in her arm receded.
Her skin cleared.
The water around her began to shine.
For the first time, the Poison Mage stepped back.
"This… is impossible."
Noelle stepped forward.
"No. This… is Wolfwood."
The Battle Truly Begins Now
The Poison Mage stepped back.
Water flared.
Poison vibrated.
The two forces pushed against each other.
And Noelle knew:
This was only the first act.
In the next part, she would no longer defend.
She would attack.