Linus and the team's coordinated efforts saved the miners trapped inside, though some sections of the mine remained blocked. Fortunately, no one was left behind the remaining debris. While productivity had dropped to eighty percent, this was a vast improvement from the earlier disastrous situation.

The remaining obstructions would be cleared within a day or two.

Exhausted but relieved, Linus made his way toward Mara, who was overseeing the final stages of the operation. Her face was streaked with soot, and her eyes were heavy with fatigue but still burning with determination.

"Princess," Linus called softly, his voice calm yet purposeful, cutting through the distant echoes of activity in the mine. His steps were measured as he approached, his expression carefully composed, a mask of quiet concern. "I heard some details when I reached here," he continued, his voice low, almost intimate, "but what exactly happened down there?"

Mara faced him, tension radiating from her poised figure. She took a deep breath to calm herself, her chest rising and falling as she steadied her emotions. Her eyes met his, showing a flash of frustration.

"We were tracking the spies," she began, her voice steady but laced with bitterness. "Just as you suggested." Her hand drifted to her sword hilt, gripping it tightly as though to anchor herself. "They were trying to plant explosives... they almost succeeded. We stopped two of them, but a third..." Her words faltered, and she turned her gaze away, the memory burning raw in her mind. "He was like a ghost, cloaked in shadows. And then—everything came crashing down."

Her voice cut through the air, growing more intense with each word, the raw edge of her emotions breaking free. "The tremor caused a partial cave-in, and we had no choice but to switch focus. Saving the miners took everything we had. He knew exactly how to force our hand."

Linus inclined his head, his expression contemplative as though piecing the situation together for the first time. He let his brow furrow, a subtle crease of concern as though something had just dawned on him. He stepped closer, his voice dropping as he asked, "A third member? We hadn't accounted for that... this complicates things. Did you get a look at him?"

Mara let out a frustrated sigh, shaking her head as regret and exhaustion weighed heavily on her voice. "Not much. He was cloaked in shadows, moved with precision, and used... dark magic. Unchanneled." Her lips pressed tightly together, forming a narrow line that betrayed her internal struggle. The gravity of her admission hung heavily in the air, creating an undeniable tension between them.

Linus's mind buzzed with a tumult of emotions as he fought to maintain his facade. Beneath the surface, a smirk of satisfaction lingered, tempting him to betray his calm exterior. "Dark magic," he murmured, his tone grave yet with a flicker of calculated curiosity. "Rare in these parts, especially unchanneled. Whoever he was, he must be connected to something much larger than just a mining sabotage."

Mara's gaze locked onto his, and the weariness that had weighed her down melted away, replaced by a sudden flash of alarmed realization. "That's what concerns me," she said, her words clipped and deliberate. "We expected two spies—not a third. And Unchanneled on top of that? I would have to let the Capital know."

Linus watched her, carefully maintaining the facade of shared frustration while his mind churned with the possibilities. He knew he had to tread carefully—one misstep, one slip of the tongue, and his true identity could be laid bare.

"Whoever he was, this is more serious than we anticipated," Linus said, his voice steady, layered with just the right amount of urgency to mirror her concern. "If this third operative is unchanneled, the implications are... dangerous."

He moved closer to Mara, speaking in a hushed tone, each word tinged with seriousness. "We need to act quickly, Princess. If they have operatives like him, we can't afford to hesitate. The mayor's involvement might be deeper than we thought. If he has answers, we need them now."

Mara matched his resolve, her tone sharp and authoritative. "I'll have my men bring the mayor in for questioning," she turned sharply to her guard, her voice ringing out. "Assemble a team and bring the mayor in. I don't care if he protests or pleads. Take him straight to the dungeon." Her gaze burned into the guard's as she stepped closer, her tone dropping to a deadly whisper. "If he resists, you will make him comply. Is that clear?" The guard saluted, his face pale, before hurrying off.

As Mara gave the order, Linus watched the scene unfold in silence. He kept a neutral expression, but inside, he felt satisfied. The trap was closing in on the mayor, just as he had planned. This moment was part of his strategy, but he had hoped to delay it. He wanted to learn more about the Phoenix Blade and have stronger cards when the time came. Unfortunately, things were moving too quickly, and he had to act sooner than he wanted.

Still, Linus wasn't one to brood over lost opportunities. Even now, ideas flashed in his mind, potential angles to exploit this sudden turn of events. If he played this right, this setback might yet work in his favor.

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. "If fate is reshuffling the deck," he thought grimly, "then I'll just have to make sure I'm still holding the winning hand when it's done."

Linus briefly glanced at the mine. A small smile nearly appeared on his face, but it was quickly replaced by a serious look of concern, which he wore well.

Meanwhile, Marcus approached Linus with his usual stoic expression, waiting for instructions. Linus leaned in and whispered to Marcus, who gave a subtle nod. His countenance was unreadable, but his eyes glinted with understanding. Marcus then joined the team that was heading to arrest the mayor.

Turning back to Mara, Linus leaned in close as he spoke softly in her ear. "I've sent Marcus to raid the mayor's house. Anything incriminating we find will be handled discreetly."

Mara's expression softened slightly as she met Linus's gaze. She appreciated his foresight, knowing that control of the narrative was crucial in situations like this. With a nod, she acknowledged his efforts before they turned their attention back to the scene at hand.

Together, they meticulously managed the remaining rescue operations. The air was thick with urgency and hope as they coordinated efforts to help those in need. Once satisfied that everything was under control, they set off towards the dungeon, where the mayor and his wife were being held captive.

The journey to the dungeon was tense. The streets were lined with anxious townspeople, their whispers and furtive glances intensifying the situation. Linus and Mara moved with purpose, their guards ensuring no delays. Every step closer to the dungeon deepened the sense of impending confrontation.

Upon entering the cold, dank dungeon, the atmosphere grew heavier. The stone walls loomed around them, the iron bars casting long shadows under the dim torchlight. Their footsteps echoed ominously through the corridor as they approached the cells where the mayor was being held.

In the main cell, the mayor sat shackled to a chair, his hair disheveled, his face flushed with fury and fear. His eyes darted around the room, and panic started to set in. In the corner cell, his wife Eliza sat trembling, pale with confusion, her hands clenching her dress as if it were the only thing tethering her to reality.

"What is the meaning of this?" the mayor roared, his voice ricocheting off the cold stone walls. He strained against the shackles binding him to the heavy wooden chair, his face a mask of anger tinged with panic. "You have no right to detain me like this!"

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Linus stepped forward, his boots echoing with purpose on the stone floor. He wore a calm expression, yet his voice had an unsettling chill as he spoke. "On the contrary, Mayor. We have every right." He stopped just short of the man, his shadow looming over him. "You’ve been conspiring with spies from Sorenputhra, undermining the security of Thornfield and endangering the people here."

The mayor froze, his fury faltering as shock rippled across his face. He recovered quickly, forcing a sneer that barely hid the tremor in his voice. "Lies," he spat, leaning forward as far as his restraints would allow. "I haven’t done anything wrong!"

Linus's lips curved into a cold smile. "Actually, as we speak, Mara's men are searching your house." He watched as the color drained from the mayor's face. "Every drawer, every floorboard, every hidden compartment. I wonder what they'll find?"

The mayor's eyes darted frantically to his wife's cell. Eliza had gone even paler, her hands pressed against her mouth.

"You can't do this!" the mayor shouted, pulling against his restraints. "This is illegal!"

Linus didn’t flinch. His gaze bore into the mayor, unyielding. "We know about the Phoenix Blade, Mayor. We know you’ve been aiding Sorenputhra’s spies in their search for it. Greed or fear—it doesn’t matter. Your choices put this town at risk."

The mayor’s face drained of color, and for a moment, his mask slipped. Panic flickered in his eyes before he let out a harsh, shaky laugh. "You don’t understand," he muttered, his voice cracking. "They threatened my family! I had no choice!"

"You had a choice," Linus said sharply. "You could have come to us. We could have protected your family. But instead, you made a deal with devils." His voice dropped, low and deliberate. "And now, it’s too late for excuses."

The mayor slumped against the chair, his defiance bleeding away with every word. His head bowed, his hands trembling as they gripped the wooden armrests. "I never wanted it to go this far," he mumbled.

Linus exchanged a glance with Mara, who stood to the side, her arms crossed, her face hard and unreadable. They had him cornered, but they needed more.

The mayor's facade crumbled. His shoulders sagged, and sweat beaded on his forehead. "Please," he croaked, his voice breaking. "Please... stop the search. I'll... I'll tell you everything."

"Too late," Linus said coldly. "The search continues. But your cooperation now might still help your case."

Linus leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper yet filled with urgency. "It doesn’t have to go further. You still have a chance to fix this. Tell us everything—who the spies are, their plan, and where the Phoenix Blade is. Your cooperation could save you and your family."

The mayor looked up, his eyes warring with desperation and fear. His hands clenched the chair, his knuckles white, as he struggled to speak. "I... I can’t," he stammered. His voice cracked as he shook his head violently. You don’t know what they’ll do if I talk."

Linus’s jaw tightened. He stepped closer, his face inches from the mayor’s, his tone a quiet threat. "If you don’t talk, you won’t have to worry about them. The Capital won’t be so forgiving."

The mayor shuddered as he squeezed his eyes shut, his breath hitching. After a long, tense silence, he finally spoke, his voice trembling. "Two men from Sorenputhra approached me months ago. At first, they said they were archaeologists, but it was clear they were looking for something else: The Phoenix Blade." He swallowed hard, his voice growing weaker. "They had maps and documents... They promised wealth, power—anything I wanted."

"They also have backing from the Royal Family," the mayor added, his voice dropping to a whisper. "They showed me the Royal emblem to prove it."

Linus glanced at Mara, fighting to keep his expression neutral despite the shock that rippled through him. The revelation made no sense. No ruler would share the power of the Phoenix Blade with another kingdom, even an ally like Sorenputhra. Unless... the thought nagged at him... unless it was someone who wasn't in line for the throne. But who?

Maintaining her composed facade, Mara stepped forward. "Did they mention which member of the Royal Family was supporting them?" she asked, her voice carefully measured.

The mayor shook his head. "No, they never said. They just showed me the emblem and made it clear they had powerful friends."

"What else?" Linus pressed. The mayor shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "We haven't made much progress. They're growing frustrated because we can't find the second half of the map or the Phoenix Heart. And time is running out." He licked his dry lips. "They said if they don't find it soon, they'll have to wait another four years. The place will only open during the Year of the Phoenix."

Linus's eyes narrowed at this new information. He had already known about this from Eliza. "What else?".

"That's all," the mayor insisted, slumping in his chair. "I've told you everything I know."

Linus studied him, his eyes searching for any sign of deceit. Finally, he nodded, his tone measured. "And the third spy? Who is he?"

The mayor blinked, confusion and fear mingling on his face. "The third spy?" he repeated, his voice barely audible. "I... I don’t know. They never mentioned anyone else. I thought there were only two."

Linus’s expression hardened, though his mind churned with satisfaction inside. "Then they didn’t trust you as much as you thought," he said coldly. And you’ve been played."

Linus watched him closely, assessing his actions and the tremble in his voice. He then asked the most crucial question. "Where can we find the Phoenix Blade?"

The mayor sagged further, his voice growing hoarse as he continued. "They mentioned a ruin in the forest... north of here. They think it’s the key to finding the blade. But you have to understand these men are dangerous. They won’t stop, no matter the cost.."

Linus's eyes darkened as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. "What else do we need to find the blade?

"The mayor swallowed hard, his voice quivering as he spoke. "A map split into two pieces. And a key... something they called the Phoenix’s Heart. They already had one part of the map."

"And their hideout?" Linus pressed.

"There’s an inn..." the mayor muttered, his words faltering. "The Stay Fresh Inn by the docks. That’s where they met me. Beyond that, I swear, I don’t know."

Linus’s eyes narrowed, his voice sharp. "And the mine collapse? Were you involved in that?"

The mayor’s head jerked up, his eyes wide with alarm. "No!" he exclaimed, his voice raw with panic. "I swear I didn’t know! That was them. I had no idea they’d go that far."

Linus straightened, his expression grim. He exchanged a glance with Mara, who gave a slight nod. Turning back to the mayor, Linus’s voice was low and firm. "We’ll verify everything you’ve told us. If you’ve lied, there won’t be another chance."

The mayor slumped in defeat, his head dropping to his chest. Linus stepped back, his mind already shifting to the next move. Mara watched him, her eyes sharp, her presence unshaken. Together, they turned toward the exit, leaving the broken man in the hands of the guards.

Linus drew Mara aside, their voices barely above whispers. "Someone from your family working with Sorenputhra..." He shook his head, his expression moody. "We must be extremely careful about what we say and to whom. If word gets back to the wrong person..."

"I know," Mara's face was a mask of calm, but her thoughts were churning beneath the surface. Who in her family would risk everything to work with foreign spies? The implications were disturbing. "We can't trust anyone with this information, not until we know more."

"The spies who escaped might have headed to the ruins," Linus mused. "You must go there and see if there's anything we can leverage. Perhaps they left traces or clues about their next move."

Mara nodded thoughtfully. "And there might be markings or symbols that could tell us more about the blade itself."

"Princess, take your guards and investigate the ruins," Linus said, his voice quiet but urgent. "We can't afford to let them reach the blade first."

Mara's eyes were filled with unwavering determination. "And you?"

"I'll search the mayor's house again. There might be something we missed." Linus's voice was steady, but his mind was racing with the possibilities inside.

Mara's guards stood at attention as she barked swift, precise orders. Before leaving, she hesitated, searching Linus's face one last time as if trying to read something hidden there.

He watched her retreating figure, allowing himself a moment to savor the delicious tension building in his chest. Then, with practiced calm, he turned toward the cells, each step bringing him closer to his true objective. The Phoenix blade could shift the balance of control within the city's walls, but Linus knew Mara would not be able to find it today.

For Linus, a tempting prize awaited him, one that sparked excitement and stirred his personal desire. Anticipation surged through him, his heart pounding with the thrill of what would happen tonight.

Soon, he would be on a different kind of battlefield conducting a very different kind of search. His fingers twitched with anticipation, and he imagined the pleasure that awaited him.

A slow smile crept across his face, sharp and predatory.

Tonight, he will claim his first prize.

Eliza.