TDSFE 49

chapter 49

Tessia, who had deliberately let Viktor go, immediately set her next plan into motion.
She divided her forces into two teams — one group of knights used a magic scroll to follow Viktor’s teleportation trail, while she and the others hid near the merchant guild’s headquarters. The goal was to trap the enemy between both groups, surrounding them from front and rear.

The Spring Festival kidnapping incident had been large-scale and meticulously organized. Viktor was merely the field commander; there was no doubt a much larger force was backing him. Tessia had intentionally hinted to Viktor that she had discovered his true identity. Believing he’d been exposed, Viktor would surely try to cut ties and flee — taking with him the bodies of victims who were still missing.

Redford, who had been tracking Viktor’s movements, frowned.

“The signal’s stopped.”

He pointed to the map. The small red dot that had been moving about was now fixed at the center. The location was shown as an empty clearing — nothing there at all. Alex muttered with uncertainty.

“…He only had his pants on when he ran.”

“Then we can add public indecency to his list of crimes.”

“Hardly that, Tessia. There’s likely an underground passage there. He wouldn’t meet anyone out in the open.”

Rowenhart drew a line on the map — from where Viktor had first appeared to their hideout near the academy. The last signal was stopped about two-thirds along that line. Redford clicked his tongue.

“No good. His magic signature’s gone too. The tracking array’s dead.”

“Seems they’ve got a capable mage on their side as well, Tessia.”

Rowenhart hated to admit it, but Redford’s ability to construct magic circles was respectable. During their preparations, they’d never once been hindered by his skill. Yet now, someone had successfully broken through his circle and concealed Viktor’s magic from detection. Tessia’s expression turned grave.

“The decoy doll we swapped in — it won’t be discovered, will it?”

“No matter how skilled they are, they won’t notice that.”

To make sure the substitution wouldn’t be exposed, Rowenhart had used healing magic to infuse the doll with a faint trace of life energy. It would hold up long enough for the enemy to carry it back to their base. Still, no one yet knew why they were collecting the victims’ bodies. They had to stay cautious. But the tracking spell had been severed faster than expected.

The knights chasing after Viktor might already be compromised, given that a strong magician was likely among the enemy. Tessia had to make a decision.

“We’ll have to hide among the dolls and wait for Viktor.”

“What?”

“Tessia, that’s far too dangerous!”

Redford and Alex tried to stop her, but Tessia’s mind was already made up.

“If we leave it like this, we’ll lose them without gaining anything. I’ll hide among the swapped dolls myself and see where they take the victims.”

“Tessia! You may be strong, but alone you can’t—”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take Hart with me.”

She grabbed Rowenhart’s arm and pulled him along before he could react. His eyes blinked in confusion as Tessia smiled faintly.

“If they’ve got a powerful mage on their side… well, so do we, don’t we?”

Redford and Alex had opposed her plan, but in the end, they had no choice but to agree. With the tracking magic broken, letting the enemy escape now would mean losing Viktor for good.

It was risky, yes — but Tessia, unmatched in combat and swordsmanship, was going with Rowenhart, a genius magician. Meanwhile, Redford set up a defensive magic circle around the guild area, and Alex commanded the Valkyrie Knights. Together, they could completely crush the enemy once they appeared.

Still, Rowenhart couldn’t help but think:

“This is… a little too close.”

He shifted slightly, trying to make some room in the cramped space they were hiding in. But his movement rustled noisily, and Tessia quickly grabbed his arm with a glare.

“Hart! You’ll get us caught — stay still.”

Impossible, Tessia, he thought bitterly.

They were crammed inside a small wooden crate, waiting for the enemy to arrive. The enemy’s methods were similar to before — except this time, they were hiding the victims among real goods for transport. The victims were concealed beneath expensive wine bottles and cushioning material.

Tessia and Rowenhart had emptied one crate and climbed inside. The boxes were originally made to hold bodies, so they weren’t too small — but still, it was a tight fit for two adults. Especially when one of them was the person you had feelings for.

This is madness.

The confined space was filled with Tessia’s scent. No matter how hard he tried, Rowenhart couldn’t stop noticing it. Their thighs kept brushing. Blood that had been rushing to his head was now moving distinctly… elsewhere. His heartbeat thundered like that of a runner in full sprint.

Just a few days ago, he had confessed to Tessia. And now, here they were, pressed together in a box.

And Tessia…

He glanced down. She was completely focused on peering through a crack in the crate, scanning the outside. So I don’t even register, huh? It made sense — she had a mission to complete, and Viktor to capture. But Rowenhart couldn’t help feeling a pang of frustration.

He wanted to fluster her — to make that calm, lake-like heart ripple in sync with his.

“Tessia.”

“Mm?”

“Have you given it any thought?”

“What?”

“My confession.”

Her head snapped up. Her green eyes widened, startled by his sudden question. So she did remember — he had half expected she’d forgotten. Pleased, he continued in a teasing tone.

“It’s been a few days since then, after all.”

“W-we agreed you’d get your answer after this mission!”

“So I still have to wait?”

“Of course! A Valkyrie knight should know how to be patient!”

She tried to sound firm, but she was clearly flustered. To Tessia, Rowenhart was still… a problem she hadn’t figured out yet. Did she see him as a man? Not exactly. But he wasn’t just family, either. And if she imagined actually becoming lovers with him—

‘You’re just pent-up, Tessia!’

Eldora’s teasing voice echoed in her head, and Tessia suddenly became acutely aware of just how close their bodies were. Their legs were tangled together—

Startled, she reflexively pushed him away.

“Ugh!”

“Ah! Sorry — did I hit you?”

“I’m fine.”

Rowenhart swallowed his groan. He’d probably bumped his head against the crate, but the sight of Tessia’s flustered face made it worth it.

“Understood,” he said with a soft smile. “If you say it’s not time yet, I’ll wait.”

“Mm.”

“After all, when you like someone, you have to let them win sometimes.”

The way he said ‘like someone’ made her glance sideways at him, cheeks faintly pink. He only shrugged, casual. He’d already confessed once — what harm was there in repeating it? And every time he said it, she blushed, though she never seemed to notice herself doing it.

Thump. Thump.
Whose heart was it that beat so loudly in the cramped dark? He hoped it wasn’t his.

“Then, Tessia,” Rowenhart said quietly. “If I can’t get that answer yet… can I at least ask one thing?”

She nodded hesitantly, swallowing hard. She seemed nervous about what he might say. Rowenhart couldn’t help chuckling softly — she was cute like this.

“What? What is it?” she whispered, poking him lightly when he hesitated.

“Ahem. It’s nothing serious.”

“Tch. Then what were you going to ask?”

“Earlier, in front of Viktor — or rather, his imposter…”

“Yeah?”

“Why did you—”

But he never got to finish.

Thud, thud. Footsteps approached. Someone opened the door to the warehouse.

Bang!
The heavy wooden door slammed against the stone wall.

Tessia and Rowenhart froze inside the crate. Quietly, she rested her hand on her sword hilt. The ice blade resonated faintly, responding to her will. Rowenhart hardened his expression, ready to assist her at any moment.

“So how do you plan to deal with this mess?”

A distorted voice spoke beyond the crates — magically altered, but still sharp with anger. Then another voice answered, one they both recognized all too well.

“We cut the tail and run.”

“You already cut one tail last time. You think creating another phantom company is easy?”

“You think I want this?”

“This happened because your cover got blown!”

A loud slam shook the air — someone had pounded the table.

“How incompetent do you have to be to get exposed?”

“Watch your mouth.”

“Did I say something wrong? You plastered every spell under the sun on yourself, and now our offerings to Him are delayed because of it!”

Him?

At that word, Tessia’s green eyes sharpened, flashing with cold fire.