In the flower garden, the shadows of statues stretched quietly across the stone pavement as Christina and Carla spoke. Their voices rang softly in the peace of the courtyard, as though the heavy memories of the past were slowly beginning to fade.
"You honor the Goddess Neptune greatly here in Wolfwood," Christina remarked. "I see you've even raised statues to her and to the Heroes."
Carla smiled proudly.
"The statues were made at my son's request. Wolfwood's finest stone‑ and woodcarvers, sculptors all, worked with him to design them so they would resemble the originals as closely as possible."
"And how do you know the true identities of the Heroes?" Christina asked.
"That's a secret!" Carla replied playfully. "All I know is that my husband didn't mind us raising statues in their honor here in the castle square, because Bandorn is already certain our son will be chosen for the Heroes' Company."
"I see," Christina nodded. "As talented a leader and mage as he already is at twelve, he does have a chance to join them."
But Carla grew solemn.
"That is only my husband's dream. My son himself has no interest in becoming a member of the Heroes' Company."
"What do you mean?" Christina asked.
"Noelle and I speak of everything. She is like a daughter to me. Once, she told me she asked my son if he would marry the Princess."
"And what did the Young Wolf answer?" Christina asked curiously.
Carla laughed aloud.
"That he would sooner marry a female dragon than a spoiled Princess who doesn't even know how to bake scones, nor has ever held a sword in her life. Hahaha!"
Christina laughed.
"Hahaha! Then we're alike in that!"
"Really?" Carla asked.
"My dream was always to marry a swordsman stronger than myself. But I never met anyone who could defeat me," Christina admitted.
Carla nodded with a smile.
"So that's why you broke off the engagement? Bandorn was never the gallant knightly type. Hahaha!"
Christina glanced around, then spoke softly.
"Won't it be a problem, saying that aloud in front of the Wolf Knights?"
"Oh, them? They are my son's warriors. He personally chose them to guard me," Carla replied calmly.
"I see. Good to know," Christina nodded.
Carla closed her book and rose with a friendly air.
"Come up to my room later. I think the two of us still have much to talk about."
Christina hesitated slightly.
"Wouldn't that be improper?"
"Nonsense! It's not as though you visit us often. Since you're here, let's enjoy a good talk. With some fine pastries. And if you like, I'll fetch some beer too?"
Christina smiled.
"Beer? I don't know…"
Carla waved playfully.
"It's settled—come along!"
The two women slowly made their way into the castle's interior. Behind them, the fragrance of the garden and the silence of the statues lingered, while before them something new and unexpected began to blossom—a friendship.
Christina Silverwood could not bring herself to refuse Carla's invitation. From the very first moment, she had found the Lady of the Wolves sympathetic, and she felt this evening might give her the chance to learn more about Wolfwood and the Young Wolf. Before going up to Carla's chamber, she returned to her own quarters to inform her five female Silver Knights not to wait for her—she would be away for most of the night.
Carla's room was in the highest tower of the castle, and the maids had already prepared the secret feast. Fifty bottles of beer had been smuggled into the noble lady's chamber, carefully divided so that everyone could share. Xaba and Jula's daytime watch had ended, and Carla tucked six bottles into a bundle for them to enjoy once they returned home. The night guards, chosen personally by the Young Wolf, could not drink until dawn, but they knew their reward awaited them at sunrise. Thus, the four Wolf Knight sentries received twelve bottles in total.
In secret, fifteen bottles were also sent to the Silver Knights, giving each of the five women three bottles. Of the fifty, twenty‑three remained for Carla and Christina to enjoy through the evening—or for the maids to claim later.
On the other side of the castle, Lord Bandorn Wolfwood was long asleep, while Andras, Noelle, Ironclaw, Anita, and Andrea played cards by candlelight in the kitchen. Anita, at twenty‑two, was already on her third beer, while the others drank only mead, which contained barely any alcohol.
In Carla's chamber, however, everything was ready: cold beer, pastries, and scones lined the table. The two thirty‑year‑old noblewomen sat facing each other, and the evening began—an evening that brought relief to them both. For the first time, they could speak openly, freely, as equals.
Christina, daughter of a high noble who had renounced her rank to take up the sword and become Captain of the Silver Knights, now felt truly understood. Carla, daughter of a wealthy imperial merchant, married into a noble house by her father's fortune, was equally grateful for this night.
Laughter, secrets, and heartfelt confessions filled the chamber. They enjoyed themselves so much that Christina did not return to her quarters until four in the morning, and slept peacefully until noon—as though the fragrance of the flower garden and Carla's friendship still embraced her even in her dreams.
Around four in the morning, Christina Silverwood—her head heavy with the effects of several bottles of beer—managed to reach the Silver Knights' guest quarters with the help of a maid. With clumsy movements, she crawled into the bed prepared for her, the faint glow of candles illuminating her face.
One knight, still awake, turned to her in surprise.
"Captain, dawn is nearly upon us. Where have you been all this time?"
Christina, eyes half‑closed and voice a little hazy, replied:
"Just having some fun with my friend."
"You mean Carla Wolfwood?" the knight asked in disbelief.
"Yeah," Christina nodded. "Bandorn's a shithead, but I like Carla and the Young Wolf."
"What did you drink?" the knight pressed.
"Beer!" Christina shot back, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"How much?" the knight asked, eyes widening.
"One less than Carla," Christina answered, then chuckled softly.
"And how many was that?" the knight tried to clarify.
"I don't know… after six we stopped counting," Christina admitted with a shrug.
The Silver Knight sighed, though a smile tugged at her lips.
"I never expected this from you, Captain. But it's fine—you deserve a little relaxation. Just lie down and try to sleep."
Before she had even finished speaking, Christina was already asleep, slipping instantly into deep slumber. She breathed peacefully in her bed as the first light of dawn crept through the window. She did not stir until noon, while her knights kept quiet watch over her, knowing that for their captain this night had been both a release from burdens and a strange, new experience.
In the morning, the council gathered once more in the knight's hall. The torchlight cast a faint glow upon the stone walls, and around the long table sat the representatives of Wolfwood and Silverwood in solemn silence. In Christina's absence, two Silver Knights represented House Silverwood, sitting somewhat uneasily in their places.
"Where is Christina?" Lord Bandorn Wolfwood asked, his eyes flashing with suspicion.
One Silver Knight answered awkwardly,
"The Captain is…"
Andras calmly interjected, his voice filling the hall with firm authority.
"Last night our discussion of the plan against the Blue Ogre ran long. Much had to be prepared in advance, and it was nearly dawn before we completed the thorough planning of our noble cause. Thus Christina has only now the time to rest."
"Y‑Yes, that is what happened," the Silver Knight confirmed, visibly relieved.
Bandorn turned to his son.
"I see. But then, my son, you too did not sleep last night. Do you not wish to rest?"
Andras shook his head with a smile.
"Father, I am a mage. When I devise a new technique, I stay awake all night to test it."
Master Florian nodded vigorously.
"That is true! Just the other day he kept me from sleeping when he developed Lightning Step and Water Leap. Though I must admit, I was so impressed by the technique. Never before has a mage in this world thought to—"
"That's enough, Master Florian," Andras cut in, his eyes flashing. "This is one of my trump cards, so it would be best to keep it secret."
"You are right. Forgive the foolishness of my old head!" Florian bowed, somewhat embarrassed.
Bandorn folded his arms grimly.
"Then, if I understand correctly, you will wait another day to rest properly before setting out to hunt the monster?"
"Yes," Andras replied firmly. "We rest today. Tomorrow at dawn, we depart."
"Prepare thoroughly," Bandorn commanded. "This will be your first mission beyond the borders of Wolfwood."
Andras's eyes gleamed with determination.
"I can hardly wait to see Silverwood's Silver Forest."
Silence settled over the hall after his words. Everyone knew this mission was not merely about slaying a monster: it was the first time the Young Wolf would step beyond Wolfwood's borders and show the world what he was truly capable of.