Andras smiled as well, then leaned forward.
"And when is Jack Goldfred's visit due?"
"In a month," Bandorn said, placing the letter on the desk. "Naturally, we'll keep his visit secret from the King. Until then, however, we must attend the Royal Hunt in Greenwood. It begins in a week, but the journey takes four days, so we depart in three."
Andras nodded, Noelle still working diligently on his shoulder.
"Since demons have already appeared, we can't take all our strongest fighters with us. Someone must remain in the castle to defend Wolfwood if necessary."
"You're right." Bandorn stroked his beard thoughtfully. "How should we divide our forces?"
"My elite squad will all come with me," Andras said with confidence. "Let them enjoy themselves — I mean, gain experience. Master Florian will insist on coming anyway because of Floralys. So how about leaving Arpad and Janos to guard the castle?"
Bandorn's head snapped up.
"Janos is my personal bodyguard. He will come with me.
But Arpad can stay. The Captain of the Wolf Knights is strong enough to defend the castle."
He paused, then added, "Besides, we're only taking a hundred Wolf Knights with us. The main army will remain here in Wolfwood."
"We'll need about twenty Wolf Hunters in addition to the hundred knights," Andras noted.
Bandorn nodded.
"The only question is whether it will be a joint hunt, or if the King will devise some sort of competition between the noble houses."
Andras grinned.
"Not that it matters. Thanks to Ironclaw's nose, we'd have a massive advantage in any contest."
Bandorn finally rose to his feet, ending the discussion with a decisive gesture.
"Very well. Prepare yourselves. We leave for Greenwood in three days."
In the quiet of the room, only Noelle's soft, satisfied humming could be heard as she continued massaging Andras's shoulder.
Riel Kingdom – Castle Silverwood
Since the Royal Knight Tournament, Christina Silverwood and her elite unit of six female knights had been training relentlessly every single day. On the Silverwood training grounds, swords clashed, shields rang, and the knights gasped for breath as they struggled to reach the level that Young Wolf's warriors already displayed so naturally.
Christina stood in the middle of the field, drenched in sweat, panting, yet her eyes burned with determination. She tapped the tip of her sword against the ground, muttering to herself.
"I can't figure it out!" she burst out at last. "There has to be some trick to activating Feral Mode… but what is it?"
One of the Silver Knights, the older member of the group, stepped closer with caution.
"Could it be that only the Wolf Knights are capable of it?" she asked hesitantly.
Christina shot back almost instantly:
"That's impossible!
If only Andrea Wolf could do it, I'd understand. But Anita — a blacksmith's daughter — can use it just as well.
It's obvious that anyone can learn it… with the right training."
Another Silver Knight, younger and far more outspoken, leaned on her sword as she spoke.
"Wouldn't it be easier to just ask Young Wolf to teach you?"
Christina flushed red and quickly turned her head away.
"I want to surprise him.
I want him to see that I mastered it… on my own."
At that moment, Amelia came running onto the training field, nearly out of breath.
"Aunt Christina!" she called from afar. "A messenger arrived from Royal Whitefort! The King is holding a Royal Hunt in Greenwood, and he's invited all members of the noble houses!"
Christina's eyes lit up instantly, as if she had been waiting for exactly this news.
"A joint hunt with Young Wolf?" she asked, already smiling. "We're going! I hope Carla comes too. If it's in Greenwood, Floralys will be the host."
The knights exchanged glances. Christina's enthusiasm was always contagious — but this time it was especially intense. The air around them vibrated with anticipation… and the thrill of competition.
Riel Kingdom – Castle Redwood
Botond hurried toward the great hall, the King's sealed letter clutched in his hand. The moment he spotted Lady Annerose, he bowed deeply.
"Lady Annerose," he addressed her respectfully. "A letter has arrived from the King. There will be a Royal Hunt in Greenwood."
Annerose didn't even lift her eyes from her book.
"I'm not interested. I'm not going," she declared coolly, as if the very idea of a hunt exhausted her.
But Botond didn't give up. He knew exactly how to spark his lady's imagination.
"In the forests of Greenwood lives a famous pheasant species," he began slowly, carefully choosing his words, "the pink‑feathered pheasant. Also known as the Love Pheasant. Legend says that if two young people share its two most beautiful tail feathers, their love will last forever."
Annerose's hand froze above the page. She slowly looked up.
Seeing he had struck the right chord, Botond continued:
"I believe that while the other noble houses are busy with boars and stags, our hunters could capture the pink‑feathered pheasant."
Annerose's eyes lit up, her cheeks flushing with excitement.
"Gather Redwood's best hunters!" she commanded sharply. "The Love Pheasant's tail feather will be mine. And the other feather…"
She smiled.
"…I will gift it to Young Wolf."
"As you command, my lady!" Botond bowed again and hurried off to make preparations.
Riel Kingdom – Castle Greenwood
Floralys stood on the balcony of the castle, gazing out over the rolling green waves of the forest. David stepped beside her, folding his arms.
"Young Wolf has already clashed with demons in Wolfwood," Floralys remarked with a hint of irritation. "And now the King suddenly feels like announcing a hunt."
David shrugged.
"The Golden Stag was sighted in Greenwood Forest."
His tone was calm, as if discussing the weather. "It was only a matter of time before the Royal Family took notice."
Floralys nodded.
"According to legend, if a King manages to slay the legendary beast — the Golden Stag — and holds a feast from its meat, shared with the leaders of the great noble houses… his reign will be long and glorious."
A mischievous glint appeared in David's eyes as he smiled.
"And what if I hunt down the Golden Stag myself?"
Floralys turned toward him, hands on her hips.
"You think that would make me Queen?" she asked with a mocking smile. "We would have to offer it to the King, and he would claim the glory."
David sighed, as if all motivation had suddenly drained from him.
"Then I won't lift a finger during the hunt."
He waved dismissively.
"Or I'll simply ignore the Golden Stag and go after the Behemoth Boar instead."
Floralys looked out toward the depths of the forest.
"I only hope this Royal Hunt proceeds smoothly… and that we avoid drawing the demons' attention."
A breeze swept through the treetops, as if the forest itself wished to answer her.
Royal Whitefort – Training Grounds of the Royal Knights
The dust of the training grounds slowly settled in the air as the knights finished their morning drills. Sunlight glinted along the edges of their weapons, and from the distance a few lingering echoes of clashing steel could still be heard. Eris Scarlett stood at the edge of the field, arms crossed, watching as Apollonia stretched her shoulder before stepping closer.
"How are your injuries, Apollo?" she asked, genuine concern in her voice.
Apollonia spun lightly, as if to prove she was perfectly fine.
"I'm good as new," she replied with a confident smile. "I'll be at full strength for the hunt… not that I care about the hunt itself. We'll only be there as bodyguards anyway."
Eris nodded, then stepped a little closer.