Since the war against the Empire, this was the first joint mission between the Wolf Knights and the Silver Knights. For that reason, the Young Wolf gave the undertaking a special name: The Silver Wolf Mission. In the years to come, the people of Silverwood and Wolfwood would remember it by that name, retelling the story over mugs of beer in the taverns.
The united monster‑hunting company set out at dawn, marching until sunset when they reached the borderlands of the two noble houses. Just beyond Silverwood's frontier they arrived at the first inn, as darkness fell upon them. The warm lights of the friendly village inn beckoned, and the Silver Forest lay only half a day's journey further.
The company decided to lodge at the inn, resting from the fatigue of the long day's march. The knights quickly retired, for outside it was already deep night. They knew that early in the morning they would have to set out again, to face the Blue Ogre lurking in the depths of the Silver Forest.
The next morning, before the rooster's crow announced the day's beginning, the company was already prepared to depart. Their horses were left in the inn's stable, where the innkeeper's son personally promised to watch over the steeds of both the Silver Knights and the Wolf Knights.
Thus the monster hunters continued their journey by wagon. By midday they reached the southern entrance of the Silver Forest. The canopy of trees cast dark shadows upon them, as though the forest itself sought to test the brave knights before allowing them to enter its depths.
The company stopped beneath the shade of a cherry tree to take their midday meal before facing the monster with full strength. The branches sagged under the weight of ripe fruit, crimson orbs glistening among the leaves as though the forest itself offered its gift to the travelers.
The innkeeper's wife had risen at dawn to prepare lunch for the knights. She cooked a rich stew of peppers, sausage, and fresh eggs—so plentiful it could have fed twenty knights. Our company numbered only eleven, but Ironclaw's appetite rivaled that of three men: she devoured her portion with ease, then finished the leftovers of others as well.
The woman had packed the stew into a thin‑walled pot with a tight lid, placing it carefully into one knight's backpack prepared especially for provisions. Another pack was filled with freshly baked rolls, along with eleven wooden plates and as many carved spoons for the journey.
By noon the stew had cooled, having been prepared early in the morning, yet even cold it was delicious. The knights ate heartily, the rolls crunching between their teeth, and at the end of the meal they plucked cherries from the tree to sweeten their mouths.
Once everyone was satisfied, the company gathered their gear and set out with determination toward the Blue Ogre's lair. The silence of the forest seemed to foretell the coming clash: the birds had fallen quiet, the air grew tense, and with every step they drew closer to their fateful encounter.
The company moved slowly along the forest path, the canopy above casting dark shadows upon them. In the air, the tension of the coming clash could already be felt.
"How far is the Blue Ogre's territory from here?" Andras asked, his eyes fixed on the distance.
"About three hours on foot," Christina replied. "It has nested in a cave. Above the cave stands a great silver oak. You can see it clearly even from afar. Let's hope the Ogre is at home."
"A great silver oak? How old could it be?" Andras wondered.
"From the thickness of its trunk I'll be able to tell once we see it closer," Christina explained. "Such trees are usually at least three hundred years old, but some may be over five hundred."
Andras nodded thoughtfully.
"If it has truly grown for more than five centuries, then it was already standing in the age when the previous Heroes' Company roamed the Kingdom, protecting the people from demons."
"I hadn't thought of that," Christina smiled. "Indeed, such ancient trees are living memories of the past five hundred years."
Noelle's violet eyes sparkled with excitement.
"How thrilling! Do you think the Heroes ever came to the Silver Forest?"
"I believe at least once," Christina answered. "They were present in Silverwood when demons prowled across the Kingdom."
"Perhaps the demons themselves once dwelled in the very cave where the Blue Ogre now lives," Andras remarked grimly.
"Maybe the Heroes stood beneath that silver oak too!" Noelle said eagerly.
Christina laughed.
"Hahaha! That would be wonderful! And why not?"
Andrea joined in, her voice tinged with playful imagination.
"Perhaps the Heroes even took their lunch beneath that silver oak before marching to battle against the demons!"
Christina's tone grew more serious.
"Do you think the Demon King will awaken soon?"
Andras's eyes darkened, his voice rang with certainty.
"The Demon King already awakened twelve years ago."
Christina stared at him in shock.
"And how do you know that?"
As the company walked along the forest path, their conversation slowly turned to heavier matters. The light filtering through the canopy seemed to weigh down their words.
"Call it Wolf's instinct, or a mage's gift," Andras said grimly. "I can feel the presence of its immense power."
Christina looked at him in surprise.
"You're serious about this?!"
"If there is one thing I will not joke about, it is the Demon King," Andras replied firmly.
Christina fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"I… believe you. I know how strong you are. If you say the Demon King has already awakened, then I believe you—and I will prepare Silverwood for the worst."
"The Hero has already received the Power of Light from the Goddess Neptune," Andras continued. "If I am right, within a year they will announce the birth of the Hero in the Kingdom."
"You can sense the Hero's presence too?" Christina asked.
"Once, I felt the Light's power coming from the Royal Capital," Andras answered.
"So the Hero is in Royal Whitefort? Do you know who it might be?"
"I have no idea," Andras shook his head. "I have not yet been to the capital. All I know is that the Hero is the same age as Noelle and me. I don't know what they look like, or what their name is."
"I see," Christina nodded. "Then, if all is true, we will find out within a year anyway."
"Exactly," Andras said. "Most likely the Royal Knights will send word to all five regions of the Kingdom."
Christina's eyes lit up.
"This is incredible news before facing the Blue Ogre. I'm completely fired up!"
"But your element is earth," Andras remarked playfully.
Noelle burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!"
Christina frowned.
"Is that supposed to be a mage's joke? Pretty lame."
"Well, Noelle is usually the only one who laughs at those," Andras smiled.
"Because it is funny!" Noelle protested. "Earth‑element knights can't use fire magic, don't you get it?"
"Yeah, we get it," Anita cut in. "But that doesn't make it funny. Want me to tell you something that was funny?"
Christina leaned closer, curious.
"Go on, tell me!"
"When Ironclaw marked the Young Wolf's bed as her territory," Anita began, laughing. "Noelle got so furious she grabbed the sheet off the bed and threw it out the castle window. Then she shouted at Ironclaw: How many times have I told you not to pee on the bed on purpose!"
Christina burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! That really happened?"
"Yeah," Anita nodded. "That was the first time I ever saw Noelle angry."
"I didn't pee on the bed!" Ironclaw protested. "I just marked my territory!"
"We call that peeing!" Noelle snapped angrily.
"But the master is mine!" Ironclaw replied, sulking.
Christina shook her head, laughing.
"Hahaha! I could use a hound like that too! In Silverwood, not a single bandit would remain!"
"At the very least," Noelle smiled, "you're good at sniffing out bandits, Ironclaw."
The company's laughter filled the forest, and for a moment they forgot the danger that awaited them.