Arc 4 – Ironclaw
On the Celestial Island, eleven years after the Demon King's rebirth, three figures sat around a stone table. The wind gently stirred their white cloaks as their conversation dissected the fate of the future.
"What was it you said, Saku?" Eli spoke, her eyes sparkling with mockery. "That the Young Wolf would defeat the monster and save the girl?"
Sakura Dry answered calmly.
"Well, in essence, he did save the girl."
"Yeah, and he fed the bear monster gingerbread instead!" Eli laughed boisterously. "Hahaha!"
Uriel nodded with a serious face.
"That surprised even me, but it's better this way. No one was harmed, and their bond has only grown stronger since."
"Unlike in the Evil Future timeline, in our Andras's timeline Andrea Wolf did not die," Eli continued. "In fact, the Wolf Knights stand by the Wolfwoods more firmly than ever."
"Indeed," Uriel confirmed. "In the Evil Future timeline, by this point a great rift had already opened between the noble Wolfwood house and the Wolf Knights. By contrast, our agent has succeeded in ensuring that the Wolf Knights serve the Wolfwoods with greater pride and loyalty than ever before."
Sakura Dry narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Andras has done fine work. What bothers me, however, is that Andrea now also sleeps in the same bed with Andras and Noelle."
"Oh, come now," Eli waved dismissively. "They're still just children. Besides, the Young Wolf is in control of the situation. He only allows Anita to sleep with them once a week. And even then, he doesn't let her lie next to him."
"Indeed," Sakura Dry nodded. "Anita is permitted only between Noelle and Andrea, so there is no danger to Andras."
"So, what events come next, Uriel?" Eli asked.
Uriel slowly lifted her gaze.
"In the Evil Future timeline, from this point onward there were no major events that influenced the White Witch. In our timeline, however, Noelle is happy and a talented mage. Moreover, the Wolf Knights are united, and without exception they all stand firmly by the Wolfwood house."
"But if you look at it this way," Eli spoke again, "the Young Wolf has managed to win over one of the Demon Generals—none other than the White Witch, Noelle. In our timeline, Noelle is so deeply in love with Andras that it's impossible for the Demon King ever to sway her in the future."
"And she does not hate humankind either," Uriel added. "On the contrary, she has found many friends in Wolfwood, which makes a great difference."
Sakura Dry nodded slowly.
"Not only will the Demon King be short one General, but in Andrea Wolf, Andras has gained a swordfighter of Hero‑party caliber."
Eli leaned forward, a playful edge in her voice.
"Let's not forget about Anita. Her swordsmanship may not be as exceptional as Andrea's, but she's picked up every sly trick and magical gambit from the Young Wolf. Andras developed those precisely to balance the gap between himself as an average swordsman and the more gifted fighters."
Uriel nodded slowly, her expression turning grave.
"In short: the White Witch and the Wolf Knights are in good standing for now. What is troubling, however, is that from this point forward we cannot foresee which direction events will take."
"Exactly," Eli replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Our timeline has already diverged completely from the Evil Future. But let's stay positive! So far, we're moving in the right direction toward saving the world!"
Sakura Dry slowly raised her hand, as if to close the discussion.
"Then let us see how this story continues."
The wind swept across the white stones of the Celestial Island, as though time itself waited curiously to see which way the wheel of fate would turn.
Wolfwood Castle, 11 years after the Demon King's rebirth
In the knightly hall of the Wolfwoods, the most important figures of the house had gathered. Beneath the high ceiling, lit by torches, Lord Bandorn Wolfwood sat upon the noble seat, his gaze sternly sweeping over those present. Summoned to the council stood in line before him: Florian, Master of the Wolf Mages; Arpad, Captain of the Wolf Knights; Janos, the Lieutenant; Andras, the Young Lord; Andrea, the young Wolf Knight; Anita, known among the knights as the Whirlwind; and Noelle, the half‑elf maid and mage apprentice.
Bandorn spoke slowly, his voice filling the hall:
"I have summoned you all here because there is an urgent matter we must discuss, one that cannot be delayed. But first, let us address the matter of Wolf Knight Anita and Mage apprentice Noelle."
The Lord's eyes fixed on Anita.
"Captain Arpad of the Wolf Knights has informed me that you have reached the level of a Knight Lieutenant. According to the Royal Knightly Codex, you have the right to challenge the current Lieutenant, Janos, to a duel. Among the Wolf Knights you are known as Anita the Whirlwind. Well then, Anita, will you exercise your right to duel?"
Anita bowed respectfully.
"With your permission, my Lord, the Young Wolf has other plans for me, and so I will not exercise my right to duel."
Bandorn's brow rose.
"Interesting. And what plan would that be?"
"My father," Andras spoke firmly, "that plan belongs to the other, more important matter. When we reach it, I will explain the details."
Arpad stepped forward and added in a serious tone:
"I too support the Young Wolf's idea."
"Very well," Bandorn concluded. "Then we shall discuss this later. Let us continue with Noelle's matter."
Florian stepped forward, his eyes shining with pride.
"Noelle is an astonishingly talented mage apprentice. Thanks to her elven blood, her magical power is currently twice that of Andras."
Florian's voice rose proudly, filling the knightly hall.
"And I say this knowing that Andras already possesses far greater magical power than an average Royal Mage. And they are only eleven years old. The best thing about Noelle is that her element is water, just like the Wolfwoods. Her magic pairs perfectly with Andras's. For this reason, from the very beginning we have trained her as a supportive type of mage. Over the past three years, Noelle has grown immensely as an apprentice. Even now, at eleven, she is stronger than an average Royal Mage. The water element is exceptional for attack, support, and healing. Therefore I, Florian, Wolf Mage Master, proudly declare that my apprentice Noelle will be my worthy successor in the future—after I retire… or kick the bucket, hahaha!"
Andras then stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with seriousness.
"I would like to add something to this. As you know, Father, Noelle is a half‑elf. That means she will live far longer than we humans. If I had to put it in numbers, I would say she could serve and support the Wolfwood house for centuries. A good example of this is Floralys, the wood elf of Greenwood."
Bandorn nodded thoughtfully.
"Indeed. Thanks to Noelle, the Wolfwoods' position of Wolf Mage may be secured for centuries once Florian retires."
"Exactly," Florian confirmed. "If Noelle succeeds me as Wolf Mage, then the Wolfwoods will not need to search for another mage for centuries."
"That sounds excellent!" Bandorn declared. "Noelle, in gratitude you deserve a reward!"
"I have already thought of one," Andras spoke up.
"And what would that be?" Bandorn asked curiously.