**「The ones who took the girl were Shadow Rakshasas?」**
A chilling voice leaked from behind the mask.
“Yes, that’s what the report says.”
**「There seems to be no end to that man’s interference.」**
Arct frowned as he received the report from the commander of the Azure Crane Corps.
**Shadow Rakshasas.**
Anything related to Theo Ragnar was already a high-priority subject for Troivan’s operatives.
He was the one who had shattered Ed’s ambition to swallow Ragnar whole.
The thief who had stolen the *Dragon Slayer Blade Balmung*.
The meddler who had dismantled their influence in the Autonomous Islands and taken Kriemhild’s secret.
And now... the *Chosen One*.
Merely the fact that he could unlock the ancient relics of the Primeval Dragons was enough to keep everyone on edge, and he continued to thwart Troivan’s schemes at every turn.
This time was no different.
Anger simmered within Arct.
He wanted nothing more than to lead the Azure Crane Corps over the walls and tear everything down.
---
**「But it’s the others present there that pose the real problem.」**
The presence of Deungryong—the one who had taken Arct’s arm—complicated matters. On top of that, Lezé and her Reaper Division were also there.
A direct confrontation would make extracting Kassandra far too difficult.
**「Must we really call on *them*? What a nuisance.」**
Fortunately, reinforcements were stationed nearby, ready to mobilize at Arct’s command.
He had avoided relying on them so far, unwilling to deal with their arrogant behavior, but it seemed inevitable now.
Arct sighed, knowing that personal feelings must not interfere with the greater cause.
---
“Still, given the location, they won’t act recklessly, will they?”
**「You believe they won’t dare to draw their swords in a mausoleum?」**
“The Ragnars hold their history sacred, even if they’ve forgotten their true essence.”
Laughter oozed mockery from behind the mask.
**「How ironic. They prattle about history and tradition, yet they’ve lost their true spirit.」**
The disdain in Arct’s voice was unmistakable.
---
“Besides, this mausoleum is something we’ll need to claim eventually. Why not make it a joint operation now?”
**「Indeed. If we’re going to play this game, let’s make it a grand one.」**
The glint in Arct’s eyes grew sinister.
**「But first, we must ensure the child is not caught in the chaos. Secure her immediately.」**
He issued a series of precise commands, and the commander of the Azure Crane Corps bowed before vanishing silently into the night.
---
**Meanwhile, inside the guild’s quarters...**
Kassandra sat quietly, lost in thought.
*“Tomorrow... Theo will leave too, won’t he?”*
She was a bright child and understood her situation better than anyone.
She knew the value of her ability and the weight it carried.
Her visions of the future had cost her everything—her mother, her village, her innocence.
Those in power would always find her valuable, and it was only a matter of time before Theo entrusted her to these people.
At least, she found some solace in the fact that these were Theo’s companions.
Theo had reassured her that these people were not like the terrifying men from before.
He was someone she trusted—someone who shared her secret.
*“Before we part ways, I want to help him. Why won’t my power work when it comes to him?”*
Her visions, often fleeting and fragmented, always revealed something. But whenever she tried to see Theo’s future, it felt blocked—like a door she couldn’t open.
*“Yet, Lezé’s future was clear...”*
She could still vividly recall Lezé sitting upon a throne, commanding a legion of otherworldly beings.
Her power wasn’t failing—it was selective.
*“It’s like Theo... doesn’t belong here.”*
The thought troubled her deeply, making her wonder if Theo was even human.
---
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
“Kassandra, I’ve brought some refreshments. May I come in?”
The voice belonged to one of the maids she had grown familiar with.
The mention of snacks immediately lifted Kassandra’s spirits.
“Please, come in!”
The door creaked open, and the maid entered, her steps echoing on the wooden floor.
Kassandra tilted her head.
“Um... did something happen?”
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The maid’s gait seemed slightly off.
“I twisted my ankle while carrying some items earlier. Is it bothering you?”
“Oh, no, not at all! I was just worried you might be in pain.”
“I’ll just set the tray on the table then.”
Kassandra’s brow furrowed. Usually, the maid placed the tray on the bed table for her convenience.
Something wasn’t right.
---
*Flash!*
Suddenly, a vision flooded Kassandra’s mind.
The maid—still in uniform—placed the tray on the table. But beneath it, a small needle gleamed.
The needle pierced her neck, and everything went dark.
Kassandra instinctively stepped back, her voice trembling.
“You’re not...!”
The maid’s expression shifted, a sinister smile spreading across her face.
“Clever little girl. Was it your ‘gift’ that gave me away?”
Kassandra wanted to scream for help, but the assassin moved swiftly.
Before she could react, a shadow surged upward.
---
*Keaaaak!*
A grotesque, ash-gray creature erupted from the darkness, roaring menacingly.
Umbra.
Theo had left it with Kassandra as a precautionary measure. It had been meant as a subtle guard, but now it proved invaluable.
The needle aimed at Kassandra’s neck clattered to the floor, deflected by Umbra’s tough hide.
Umbra lunged at the assassin with its jagged teeth, forcing them to retreat.
“Damn it!” the assassin spat, realizing their plan to quietly abduct Kassandra had failed.
---
The commotion alerted the guild’s guards and the Reaper Division.
“An intruder!”
“Protect the girl!”
As the assassin prepared to fight their way out, they pulled a signal flare from their pouch.
*Whoosh—BOOM!*
A crimson flare lit up the sky.
The alarm bells rang.
The Azure Crane Corps stormed the guild, their arrival accompanied by chaos.
---
Amid the confusion, Theo and Wellington burst into the room.
Theo’s blade clashed with the assassin’s weapon, and Wellington delivered a precise strike from the side.
*Shk!*
The assassin’s head flew through the air, their body collapsing lifelessly.
Even so, Theo and Wellington remained on guard.
More enemies were closing in, their presence growing stronger by the moment.
---
On the roof, a masked man stood, surrounded by dozens of figures.
**「Theo Ragnar. Once again, it’s you.」**
“Arct,” Theo muttered, recognizing the voice beneath the mask.
**「You won’t escape this time.」**
“Escape? I think you’ll find I’m not the one in trouble.”
**「We’ll see who stands victorious by the end of this night.」**
Before the confrontation could escalate further, Deungryong’s voice thundered across the guild.
---
“You dare defile this sacred ground!”
Deungryong descended like a storm, landing opposite Arct.
Their clash sent shockwaves through the mausoleum, shaking its very foundations.
Amid the chaos, Wellington turned to Theo.
**「Take Kassandra and go. I’ll hold them here.」**
“Where?”
**「The White Tower ruins. It’s the safest place. Go now!”**
Theo nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
As Theo moved toward Kassandra, another figure stepped forward to block his path.
Lezé.
---
“What is the meaning of this, sister?” Theo demanded.
Lezé smirked, her hand resting on the hilt of the *Grim Reaper*.
“I’m just doing what I must, dear brother.”