The Second Day — At the Wolfwoods' Lodgings
The light of dawn crept slowly across the streets of Whitefort as Floralys Greenwood arrived at the Wolfwoods' quarters. Yet someone was already waiting at the gate: Christina Silverwood, Captain of the Silver Knights. The moment their eyes met, tension filled the air.
"I thought I was at the right place," Floralys spoke, her tone tinged with suspicion. "Isn't this the Wolfwoods' lodging?"
"Yes, the Wolf Knights are staying here," Christina answered calmly, though a faint trace of unease flickered in her eyes.
"Then what is a Silver Knight doing here?" Floralys asked, her gaze piercing into Christina's.
Christina turned her head for a moment, then replied firmly:
"I only… came to see Carla, yes."
A faint smile touched Floralys's lips, though her voice remained sharp.
"Really? Then you'll be spending the day in the city with Carla, I suppose—and not staying here all day at this lodging by any chance?"
Christina's eyes darkened.
"Carla… wishes to spend the day here at the quarters."
Floralys shrugged lightly, then moved toward the gate with ease.
"Well, no matter. Since you're here, let's go in together."
The two women stepped through the gate of the lodgings. They walked toward the house beside the barracks, where the members of the Wolfwood household resided. Their footsteps echoed across the stone courtyard, and though their words had fallen silent, the unspoken question lingered in the air: was Christina truly here to visit Carla—or was there another purpose guiding her?
The two women advanced slowly toward the house beside the barracks. The courtyard was quiet: no guards, no watching eyes. Yet something vibrated in the air—the invisible protection the Wolf Knights had woven by their own methods.
Floralys's eyes swept the surroundings suspiciously.
"No guards anywhere? The defense seems rather loose."
Christina answered calmly, her voice carrying the weight of experience.
"They're probably trying to lure a few ruffians straight into Ironclaw's nose—so she'll have someone to play with."
Floralys's eyes gleamed.
"I see. Then Ironclaw has already caught our scent and informed the Young Wolf?"
"Obviously," Christina nodded. "When we were on the mission against the Blue Ogre, we didn't even need to keep watch at camp. Ironclaw sensed the monsters' smell long before you could have seen them with your eyes."
Floralys sighed, then smiled playfully.
"I need an Ironclaw of my own!"
Christina's eyes darkened.
"The Young Wolf said that in the Empire you can buy Beast‑kin slaves, if you truly want one."
"And do you plan to buy such a slave?" Floralys asked, her tone curious, with a hint of provocation.
"If I ever reach the Empire, I might consider it," Christina replied evenly.
Floralys gazed thoughtfully at the gate.
"Well, now that the Hero has appeared, I think there will be peace between the Kingdom and the Empire for quite some time."
"Yes, I believe so too," Christina nodded. "Against the Demon King, the Kingdoms and Nations of men have always united."
Floralys stopped before the gate, raising her hand, then turned to Christina.
"We've arrived. Will you knock, or shall I?"
In the silence, it felt as though even the walls of the house were listening. The decision of who would knock first seemed trivial—yet in the tension between the two women, it carried almost symbolic weight.
Floralys and Christina were still debating who should knock when the door suddenly burst open. On the threshold stood Noelle, arms crossed, eyes flashing like lightning, her voice ringing with strict authority.
"You're late!" she barked. "That means punishment for maids. Inside, both of you—change into maid uniforms!"
Floralys instinctively snapped to attention.
"Yes, uh… maid boss!"
Noelle's eyes gleamed, her tone growing even harsher.
"Call me Head Maid. And yes, today I am your superior!"
"Understood, Head Maid!" Floralys replied, a little flustered but with a playful smile.
Christina stepped forward, frowning.
"How did you know I'd be here? Wait… do I have to change into a maid outfit too?"
Noelle lifted her chin triumphantly.
"This is the maid recruitment hall. You're standing here, which means you've accepted the position. You'll work as a maid for a full day. No arguments!"
Christina stared at her in shock.
"Seriously?"
Noelle's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Besides, Carla wants to see you in a maid outfit as well."
Christina's face flushed red, her voice hurried.
"But only for Carla's sake! It has nothing to do with the Young Wolf—I'm not wearing it for him!"
Noelle stepped forward sternly, her voice booming like thunder.
"Talking back to your superior? Another punishment!"
"No, of course not, I just…" Christina tried to defend herself, but her words faltered under Noelle's gaze.
"I said inside!" Noelle snapped. "What are you waiting for—should I clap my hands?"
Floralys quickly grabbed Christina's arm and answered hastily.
"We're going, we're going."
The two women entered the house, while Noelle smiled in satisfaction. The maids' day had officially begun.
Noelle led Floralys and Christina into the designated room with firm steps. The chamber was simple, yet every detail radiated military order: the beds neatly made, not a speck of dust on the floor, and on the table lay two carefully folded maid uniforms.
Christina stared at the garments in shock before speaking indignantly.
"There's one prepared for me too? Seriously, how did you know?"
Noelle crossed her arms sternly.
"Change. Do you even know how to put on a maid's uniform?"
Floralys laughed, her voice light and playful.
"I've never worn one in my life—and I'm already 180 years old."
Noelle's eyes flashed like lightning.
"You can't even dress yourselves in a maid's outfit? Another punishment! You haven't even started working yet, and you're already at three penalties! When I began, it took me a whole week to rack up that many. And I was eight years old, got it?"
Christina sighed, her voice tinged with bitterness.
"So we're really not cut out to be maids?"
Floralys turned to her with a mischievous smile.
"Hahaha! Shall we compete to see who's the better maid today, Christina?"
Christina's eyes darkened.
"Better to focus on not earning more punishments."
Noelle nodded in satisfaction, then strode decisively toward the uniforms.
"Well, nothing to be done. I'll help you put on these magnificent outfits."
The two novice maids already knew: their day would not begin with sword strikes, but with disciplined service—and under Noelle's strict gaze, every movement would be tested.