Xinatta
Xinatta has been looking for the lone tree the "hint" spoke of. She spent all her free time researching while also trying not to appear suspicious. As of now, she managed to search the whole royal palace. For sure it isn't here. So her final plan is to sneak out and explore what's outside the border walls.
She can't help but think it's odd the Immortal Clan's ancestors didn't decide to locate their treasury room within the palace ground. Well, to be fair creatures naturally assume that. Perhaps they think putting it outdoors will be much safer.
Xinatta put on comfortable pants underneath a black cloak and jumped out her window. The room she was staying in is at the 2nd floor. She kept leaping until she reached the back wall. Guardians here leave at lunch time to be replaced by another— basically a shift. It takes about five minutes. So since no one's going to restrict her, she'll grab the chance and slip away.
By doing this, Xinatta is committing treason. She disobeyed the first rule written in the scroll the Queen and King gave her. However, it's the safest method she could think of. She knew damn well that if she asks for permission like they ordered, they'll send spies to look after her private "activities".
After she successfully got out, she took out her stolen map. Its from one of the library books. Smells old, looks antique. Xinatta thinks it's probably accurate. Anyway it doesn't matter. No harm bringing it as guide. As they say, better than nothing.
The map shows a lot of fine details. Including the river that surrounds the royal palace. It's one of the few things that captured her interest. Apparently it has a name. Gyakubu River. What a strange yet unique label.
Moving on, the map also displays towns, villages, forests, different kinds of land structures— mainly mountains, and bodies of water. It's impressive. Whoever made this is definitely an expert at their field. The thickness, the drawings, the letters and the accuracy. The only problem left is where to start?
Xinatta thought, "If I am Immortal Clan's supreme, where would I place the treasury room?" Not in towns, too many creatures to watch out for. Not in villages either, it's too far from the royal palace. Forests— maybe? But it can also be on a mountain. It took her a few minutes to finally make a decision, "Forget it, I'll start with Qul Forest, since it's the nearest."
Finn
Eurenox nodded her head, the other mermaids took out their weapons and was about to strike Finn's troops. They all closed their eyes— except Haoyu, waiting for the attack's blow. However, nothing happened. They slowly opened their eyes again and saw that the mermaids' weapons stopped mid-air.
The troop members searched their surroundings, looking for an explanation of what happened. They found Finn standing with his glowing palms held out, somehow managing to escape the rope's constraint. He sung a song— performing another spell, then particles of light appeared, destroying the other ropes. After being freed, the troop members quickly stood up. They each have their own posture, preparing to fend off the mermaids.
"I won't be able to hold them for long, get ready." Finn said while visibly struggling. Seconds later, the mermaids were able to move again. They exchanged blows with Finn's troops. "Impressive crown prince! I should have known." Eurenox muttered while facing Finn. He smirked, "There's one thing that you forgot. Royalties from Immortal Clan have to study poisons and drugs starting at age 4. In short, we specialise in it. Do you really think I won't know that there was something in that meal?"
Like the others, Finn and Eurenox casted spells, countering each other, singing their lungs out. "If you figured it out long ago, then why?" She asked confused while still blocking Finn's attacks. He answered, catching his breath, "To stop you. I had to know what you were up to."
Those were the last spoken words heard. Finn sung a spell that made all corals around come crashing down at Eurenox. She avoided it by producing a shield above her head. What she didn't notice was Haoyu at her back. He used a stolen mermaid's weapon— a sword and pierced her heart. She was bleeding badly. This caused her to lose control of her spells, including the shield. The corals proceeded to crush her and Haoyu.
"Supreme!" Drew called out. He knocked out the mermaid he was fighting and stumbled to Haoyu. He attempted to free him but there were too many corals. "Move." Finn ordered Drew. He nodded and obeyed. Finn then held out his glowing palms while singing a song. The corals flew up and floated. It revealed the unconscious Haoyu and Eurenox.
"Go get Aliyah, let her heal Haoyu immediately. I'll handle the mermaid Queen." Drew nodded and obeyed Finn once again.
When Aliyah got there, she witnessed Finn tying up Eurenox and Haoyu on the sand not moving. She checked his pulse and breathe a sigh of relief, "Thank the goddess, supreme is still alive." She then took out a healing kit full of herbs. After confirming that Haoyu's condition is stable, Drew wiped his forehead sweats, "Thankfully, we weren't too late."
"Yeah, or you would have cried for me." Haoyu jokingly said faintly while slowly opening his eyes. Drew panicked and quickly defended himself, "Of-ofcourse not! Who would cry for a playboy corny jester supreme like you!?" Haoyu touched his chest and pretended to be hurt by Drew's words, "Don't you think that was an overkill?" He then giggled and Aliyah laughed, "Drew is so much like a sensitive younger brother."
Drew pouted and denied, "No way!" The three of them ended up bursting into laughter. Finn shouted as a reminder, "Just because we defeated the leader, doesn't mean it's over. Others are still fighting, assist them." Aliyah apologized immediately, "Sorry your highness, we were just overwhelmed." She then dragged Drew to help those in the battlefield.
Haoyu wanted to follow them but Finn stopped him from standing up, "Rest, you're injured." Haoyu smiled and looked up, "I knew your highness had a trick up your sleeve." After a while of silence, Haoyu asked, "Is Eurenox dead?"
"No. We will bring her back home for judgement."
"I think we should just ki-"
"No. The king is the one who should decide."
Xinatta
Qul forest seems pretty normal, nothing out of the ordinary. Animals, trees and grasses. It's also very peaceful, only the echo of the tweeting birds can be heard. A perfect place for clean up. She halted and waited for the arrow to get past her cheek. This assassin had one job and couldn't even get it right. There's clearly a lack of training. Whoever hired this murderer really underestimated her capability.
Xinatta leaped on a tree branch, large enough to hold her weight. She looked down at the masked assassin and spoke callously, "Who sent you?" The  assassin didn't expect that and jerked back a little. After a few seconds of realization, the assassin released another arrow, "Ask the goddess after you're death!"
She dodged it and leaped to another tree branch, this time much closer to the ground. The agitated assassin quickly reached for another arrow and aimed. But it wasn't release because Xinatta had struck the assassin's eyes— by a hidden dagger she threw.
The lifeless assassin dropped onto the ground, just next to the bow and arrow. Xinatta then approached the body and took off the impaled mask. It's a boy. Probably a year or two older than her. He could have had a bright future. Just what does the employer want?
Xinatta sighed and took the dagger off him, later proceeding to swiftly close both his terrified wide-open eyes. She looked up at the sky. It's almost dusk, better head to the royal palace before she gets caught.
When Xinatta got back in, she was panting. It only took her a few minutes but it also absorbed a lot of her energy. She leaned onto a dead tree trunk, almost out of breath. Then suddenly she heard a metal-like door open— what awaits is a big surprise.