The next day, the Wolf Knights returned home to Wolfwood under the leadership of the Young Wolf. The first bandit‑hunting mission had ended in success, yet the war was far from over. Over the following three months, thanks to Andras's magical eye and Ironclaw's keen sense of smell, every bandit within Wolfwood's lands was hunted down. None remained: those who managed to escape Ironclaw's nose fled as far as they could, never to return.
After three months, the bandit‑hunting campaign was complete. The special unit was temporarily disbanded—at least until raiders rose again. The knights returned to their former duties, and peace was restored to Wolfwood.
Ironclaw, who not long ago had stood as a bandit leader at the head of her own clan, now found herself in a new role. She exchanged the position of bandit‑hunter's hound for that of maidservant. And so it came to pass that Andras gained a new battle‑maid alongside Noelle: the female earth‑wolf beastfolk, Ironclaw.
In a roadside inn in the Wolfwood region, people gathered around a wandering bard.
"Hear me, good sirs and noble ladies, who have gathered here in the warmth of this inn! Let me tell you of the Kingdom of Riel, that land held together by five counties like five strong pillars, whose history is filled with heroism, blood, and glory.
At the heart of the Kingdom rises Royal Whitefort, the shining capital, where the Royal Family dwells and the Royal Knights guard the throne. There the palace towers gleam like the first rays of dawn, and there are born the decisions that shape the fate of the entire realm.
To the southeast, among wild forests and rocky mountains, stands the city of Wolfwood, home of the Wolf Knights. Their hearts are as fierce as the forest wolves, and their swords sharper than blades flashing in moonlight. The name of Wolfwood strikes terror into bandits, for where the Wolf Knights march, there is no escape.
To the northeast shines Silverwood, the city of the Silver Knights. There weapons and armor gleam as though forged by the heavens themselves. The fame of the Silver Knights is known far and wide: they are guardians of honor and purity, whose word is like an oath never broken.
In the northwest rises Redwood, home of the Knights of the Red Wild Rose. They are knights of passion and courage, whose banner bears the red rose, and whose swords always flash in defense of the weak. The red rose signifies not only beauty, but blood and sacrifice—and they wear this symbol proudly.
To the southwest lies Greenwood, the city of the Green Eagle Knights. They are guardians of freedom, with eyes as sharp as the eagle's, and wings that soar far beyond the borders of the Kingdom. The Green Eagle Knights always strike where justice must be defended.
Thus stands the Kingdom of Riel with its five cities, five orders, five strengths—like five fingers of a hand: each strong on its own, but together invincible.
And hear this, good people! Another year has passed, and in Wolfwood a youth, already preparing for heroic deeds, has reached his twelfth year. He is none other than Andras Wolfwood, the boy whom the people call the Young Wolf. Though still a child, his heart is already wild and brave, and who knows—perhaps one day his name will resound in the farthest inns, just as I now proclaim to you the tale of the Kingdom."
Arc 5 – The Silver Knight
On the Sky Island, twelve years after the Demon King's rebirth, three figures gathered in the sacred grove. Sakura Dry, Eli, and Uriel spoke together, their words carrying a weight far beyond the present: threads of past and future wove themselves between them.
Sakura Dry broke the silence.
"Andras has gained a new battle‑maid, Ironclaw."
Eli snorted mockingly.
"To me she looks more like a pet than a maid."
Sakura Dry turned to her curiously.
"Was there no Beastfolk in your Hero Party?"
"No," Eli replied. "But one of the Demon Generals was Beastfolk."
"There was one in mine," Sakura Dry noted. "A snow‑tiger halfbreed."
"Female or male?" Eli asked.
"Male," Sakura Dry answered. "He too came from the Empire."
Uriel then spoke, her voice solemn, as though lifting the veil of time itself.
"The current Hero Party will also have a Beastfolk member. Or rather, not yet—for in our timeline it has not formed. But in the Evil Future, a snow‑wolf halfbreed joins them. Female, her name is Iceclaw."
"And does she resemble Ironclaw?" Eli asked.
"Not really," Uriel replied. "The only thing they share is that both are wolf‑types. Iceclaw is a snow‑wolf, Ironclaw an earth‑wolf. The former hails from the Empire, the latter from the Kingdom."
"And both are female," Sakura Dry added.
"True," Uriel nodded. "They are the same age as well, but their fighting styles are completely different."
Eli leaned forward, her eyes flashing with curiosity.
"So, since Ironclaw was mentioned—what was her fate in the Evil Future?"
Uriel's face grew grim.
"She became the most dangerous bandit leader of Wolfwood. Her name was known throughout the Kingdom, and the highest bounty was placed upon her head. The Hero hunted her down before pursuing the White Witch. The rest, you already know."
Sakura Dry smiled, but her words were sharp.
"Our Andras, however, managed to turn a dangerous bandit leader into a maid."
"There are no bandits left in Wolfwood," Eli cut in. "That's our agent at work!"
Sakura Dry continued, troubled.
"What worries me is that Ironclaw also sleeps in Andras's bed. She claimed the fourth spot, much to Anita's dismay—since she was only allowed to sleep with them once a week. She even threw a tantrum over it."
"Oh, please," Eli waved dismissively. "If Anita sleeps there, then Ironclaw lies down on the rug beside the bed. Problem solved."
"How could that possibly be solved?!" Sakura Dry burst out. "Andras is already twelve, not far from adulthood. Anita is twenty‑two, Andrea fourteen, Ironclaw fourteen, and Noelle twelve. None of them are children anymore!"
Eli answered calmly.
"Andras is a man of culture. To Ironclaw, he's more like a master to a pet. A loyal animal, you understand?"
Sakura Dry sighed and shook her head.
"Well, I'm still not reassured."
The three figures sat in the sacred grove of the Sky Island, where the mysterious power of time always vibrated in the air. Sakura Dry, Eli, and Uriel spoke together, their conversation far from ordinary: every word carried weight, as they sought truth among the threads of past and future.
Eli smirked mockingly as she looked at Sakura Dry's face.
"Don't tell me you're jealous of the girls?"
Sakura Dry shot back immediately, her voice firm.
"Of course not! I just don't want some foolish distraction pulling Andras away from his mission, that's all!"
Uriel calmly raised her hand, as if to bring peace between them.
"Everything has gone perfectly so far," she said evenly. "But now there will be a minor matter with the Silverwoods."
Eli arched her brow.
"Didn't you say nothing important would happen until he turned fifteen?"
Uriel nodded slowly, then answered in a serious tone.
"I said nothing would happen that would affect the White Witch. In the Evil Future, Ironclaw had nothing to do with the demons. Nor did the Silverwoods. But events still unfolded."
Sakura Dry sighed, then remarked with a playful smile.
"Well, you do love to keep people in suspense."
Uriel's eyes gleamed as she gazed beyond the veil of time.
"Then let us see how, in this timeline, the bond between the Wolfwoods and the Silverwoods will take shape."
The words fell heavy into the silence of the grove. All three knew that the relationship between the two knightly orders would not merely be a matter of politics—it would shape Andras's future as well.