With the assassins’ preparations nearly complete, only one major obstacle remained—the troops stationed below. Rather than risk direct confrontation, the group chose a more devastating approach, releasing the magma elementals to carve a fiery path through their foes.
With the way partially cleared, the assassins took position in the banquet hall, the site of previous infighting. Markuss, ever the master of deception, assumed the guise of one of the key players in the ongoing territorial dispute. As Ordulf entered the hall, Markuss twisted the tale of his victory in the contest for control over the lands. He then challenged Ordulf for control. Eager to prove his dominance, Ordulf agreed to the duel. But Markuss had no intention of fighting alone—his companions emerged from the shadows, and the battle commenced.
True to the intel they had gathered, Ordulf’s pride was his greatest weakness. Every insult chipped away at his composure, turning his once-flawless combat form into an erratic mess. But as blades struck true, and Ordulf fell, his corpse twisted unnaturally before rising once more. His stubborn refusal to stay dead proved to be a frustrating obstacle, but after several relentless strikes, the assassins finally managed to end him.
Yet their victory was short-lived. The fortress trembled as a new threat materialized. Ordulf’s spectral form emerged, accompanied by four valkyries and a warrior who called himself the First Blade. Though the valkyries had come for Ordulf, the First Blade had his sights set on the assassins.
The fight erupted anew. Markuss, unwilling to let Ordulf’s spirit escape, lashed out at one of the valkyries, triggering a full-scale battle. Just as the tide seemed uncertain, Vatum teleported into the fray, lending his deadly expertise to the fight. Together, the assassins fought with lethal precision, cutting down the valkyries and finally besting the First Blade.
With the dust settling, the Red Mantis Assassins stood victorious. Ordulf’s reign had crumbled, his spirit vanquished, and his fortress was theirs to claim. But as the echoes of battle faded, one thought lingered—what new enemies would rise in the wake of this carnage?