Silverwood – Twelve Years After the Demon King's Rebirth
Near the border of Silverwood and Wolfwood, six Silver Knights thundered down the forest road. The hooves of their horses pounded against the earth, while shafts of light filtering through the trees gleamed upon their silver‑adorned armor. At their head rode Christina Silverwood, captain of the Silver Knights, followed by her five finest female knights—the elite squad she could always rely upon.
Their mission was urgent: a powerful monster was rampaging within Silverwood's territory, and Christina had resolved to call upon the Wolf Knights for aid as quickly as possible. With the border so close, the threat could easily spill into Wolfwood, making joint action between the two knightly orders unavoidable.
"Captain, do you think the Wolfwoods will truly help us?" one knight asked, pulling up beside Christina as they galloped.
Christina's eyes flashed with determination.
"When the Empire attacked, the Silver Knights and the Wolf Knights fought side by side to defend the Kingdom."
"Yes, but this isn't war with the Empire," the knight replied. "This time it's a dangerous monster."
"The creature lurks near the border," Christina said firmly. "It threatens Wolfwood's lands just as much as ours. Even the Wolfwoods must understand that. Whatever has happened between our houses."
Another knight spoke up then, curiosity ringing in her voice.
"I heard that the youngest Wolfwood, Andras, drove the bandits out of Wolfwood's lands."
"I heard it too," her companion nodded. "They call him the Young Wolf, and rumor says he's a very talented mage. He commands two elements, you hear? Two!"
"As far as I know, no one else in the entire Kingdom has two elements," whispered another knight, as though sharing a secret.
Christina, however, answered coolly.
"These are only rumors. The King has not confirmed the fact. Perhaps the Wolfwoods are exaggerating. I don't know. We'll see when we arrive and witness it with our own eyes."
The thunder of hooves continued along the forest path, while the knights' thoughts turned more and more toward the coming encounter and the threat of the unknown monster.
"Captain, what kind of boy do you think this Young Wolf will be?" one Silver Knight asked, urging her horse closer to Christina.
Christina Silverwood's eyes darkened, her voice ringing with resolve.
"The less he resembles his father, the better it will be for the Kingdom."
"They say he takes after his grandfather instead," another knight remarked.
Christina nodded thoughtfully.
"If I recall correctly, he's only twelve years old. As a child, it's impossible to know what kind of man he will become."
A third knight spoke with a playful smile.
"If you're all so curious, why don't we stop at the first inn we find in Wolfwood? Surely we'll hear stories there about the Wolfwood boy."
Christina finally relented.
"The horses will need rest anyway. Very well, we'll stop at the first inn we come across in Wolfwood's lands."
The six Silver Knights crossed the border between the two lands and soon caught sight of the first inn. The sky was already darkening, the last rays of the sun painting the forest in hues of red and gold. Not only the horses, but the knights themselves needed rest. After tying their steeds beside the inn, they stepped through the door.
Inside, warm light and merriment greeted them. The fire crackled in the hearth, the air was thick with the scent of roasted meat and spiced wine. Locals spoke loudly, some even dancing to the sound of a lute played in the corner. The knights' armor gleamed in the candlelight as they entered, and the inn's patrons turned curiously toward them.
The six Silver Knights sat down at a large oak table, the metallic clink of their armor blending into the tavern's lively noise. Christina gestured to the innkeeper.
"Hey, innkeeper! Six ales for this table. And something for supper."
The innkeeper, a stocky man with a thick mustache, squinted as he looked them over.
"Silverwood folk, are you?"
Christina's eyes flashed.
"Is that a problem?"
"Could be beastfolk for all I care," the innkeeper replied with a shrug. "As long as you behave and pay for what you eat."
Christina nodded calmly.
"We don't want trouble, only to rest before heading to Wolfwood on important business."
The innkeeper's mouth stretched into a wide grin.
"Then give my regards to the Young Wolf. Glory to the Goddess Neptune!"
Christina's head snapped up.
"You've met the Young Wolf?"
"Nearly a year ago now," the innkeeper replied, his voice filled with nostalgia. "I'll never forget that day. He came into the inn, and his hound caught a scent immediately."
Christina frowned.
"His hound?"
"She's called Ironclaw," the innkeeper explained. "A female wolf, beastfolk."
Christina looked at him in surprise.
"The Wolfwoods employ beastfolk?"
"As far as I know, only one," the innkeeper nodded. "And they've got a half‑elf too."
Christina's eyes lit up.
"A half‑elf as well? Now that is interesting."
The innkeeper leaned closer, as though sharing a secret.
"So, when Ironclaw caught the scent, she pointed straight at four bandits. Right there, at that table."
Christina asked with keen interest.
"She could tell they were bandits just from their smell?"
"Oh, indeed!" the innkeeper laughed. "Ironclaw's nose is so sharp she could sniff out bandits even if they hid in the privy and jumped neck‑deep into the muck."
Christina smiled faintly, though her eyes gleamed with seriousness.
"I see. And what happened then?"
The tavern grew quieter, as if everyone was waiting for the continuation of the tale. Candlelight glinted off the Silver Knights' armor, and in the air hung the sense that the next words would reveal a heavy secret.
Silence fell over the tavern tables as the innkeeper began his tale. His voice was deep, and every word dropped heavy upon the listeners.
"After Ironclaw pointed them out, her master, the Young Wolf, shouted at the bandits," he began. "'My greetings to you, gentlemen bandits!' he said loud enough for the whole tavern to hear. The bandits leapt up at once, ready to flee in every direction. But the Young Wolf pointed at one of them, and—boom—his head exploded. I've never seen anything like it. A mage's work, a mage's work."
Christina nodded grimly.
"Yes, I've heard the Young Wolfwood is a talented mage. But what became of the others?"
The innkeeper's eyes gleamed as he continued.
"Ironclaw chased them down. Tore all three apart. The Wolf Knights didn't get a single one. One of them even complained to Ironclaw, asking why she hadn't left her at least one. A female knight, just like you, milady. Since that day, not a single bandit has dared set foot in this village. In fact, I've heard the whole Kingdom knows now—there's no escaping Ironclaw's nose in Wolfwood. So these days, we've run out of bandits in Wolfwood." The innkeeper burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha!"
"Good for you," Christina remarked coolly.
"Glory to the Goddess Neptune!" the innkeeper cried, crossing himself in the air.
Christina's head snapped up.
"You've mentioned the Goddess Neptune twice now. Is this village religious?"
"We weren't, not until recently," the innkeeper replied. "But then the Young Wolf opened our eyes. He stood upon one of the tables and spoke to us of the Goddess."
"And what did he say?" Christina asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"He said that darkness would soon come. The demons would come for us. But do not fear, people—so he spoke—for the Goddess Neptune will always protect the world. The Hero will come with the sword of justice and strike down the demons!"
Christina smiled faintly.
"The Young Wolf must love the legends of the Heroes."
"He even brought us carved wooden statues," the innkeeper continued. "He had a small temple built, a shrine. For all three statues."
"There are three statues? And whom do they depict?" Christina asked.
"The central one is the Goddess Neptune, protector of our world. The other two are her greatest warriors, heroes of our land. One is Sakura Dry, Hero Knight of the Empire. The other is Elisabeth, Hero Mage of the Kingdom."
Christina shook her head in surprise.
"I've never heard of them. In truth, I don't know the names of the earlier heroes."
"The shrine is in the center of the village," the innkeeper said. "See it for yourself, if you're interested."
Christina nodded, her eyes flashing with seriousness.
"Thank you for the information. I'll look at it tomorrow, when it's light."
The Silver Knights, well‑fed and weary, retired to rest in the inn. The night passed peacefully, and the next morning all six set out for the village center to see the shrine the villagers had raised in honor of the Goddess Neptune—at the command of the Young Wolf.