Arc 7 – The Hero, the Princess, and the Wolf
With the qualifiers concluded, the long‑awaited day arrived: the Royal celebration, the grand ball held in honor of the Hero, within the King's castle itself. Since the war against the Empire, this was the greatest event in Royal Whitefort, for alongside the Royal Family, all four great Noble Houses appeared. The ball gathered the most powerful figures of the Kingdom, united in festivity.
Representing House Wolfwood at the Hero's Ball were:
Lord Bandorn Wolfwood, accompanied by two retainers and his mage:
Arpad Wolf, Captain of the Wolf Knights
Janos Wolf, Lieutenant of the Wolf Knights
Master Florian, the Wolf Mage
Lady Carla Wolfwood, with her two knights, Xaba and Jula, and her personal bard, Alexander Loverchild.
And finally, though not least:
Young Lord Andras Wolfwood, feared by his epithet, the Young Wolf. At his side were his personal maid and three guardians:
Noelle Wolffood, the personal maid
Andrea Wolf, Wolf Knight
Anita, the Whirlwind, Wolf Knight
Ironclaw, the Hound, the Wolf Hunter
Thus, House Wolfwood was represented by thirteen members at the Hero's Ball.
The ball officially began at six in the evening, though etiquette demanded guests arrive half an hour earlier. The Wolfwoods did so, entering on time into the King's vast hall, bathed in light.
Within the chamber stood five great tables. The largest belonged to the Royal Family, while the other four were reserved for the four Noble Houses. At the Royal table, in the center, upon the most ornate chair, sat King Matyas Julius Riel. At his right hand sat the Princess, Anabella Augusta Riel, and beside her, the Hero, Eris Scarlett. To the King's left, in the first seat, was the Royal Archmage, Master Albert. Behind the King stood two guardians: John Scarlett, Captain of the Royal Knights—and father of Eris—and Apollonia Velvett, Lieutenant of the Royal Knights.
All guests had arrived, all seats were taken. The Hero's Ball was not merely a celebration, but a grand opportunity: the most influential figures of the Kingdom gathered in one hall, where every word, every gesture, every glance carried the weight of politics, alliances, and destinies yet to unfold.
Some guests arrived at the ball with secret plans, others sought to build connections with the four great Noble Houses. Some longed for marriage prospects, while others hoped to reunite with old acquaintances and indulge in nostalgia.
At the Silverwood table, Christina Silverwood leaned closer to her niece, Amelia. Her voice was firm, her eyes flashing with resolve.
"When the dance begins, you must be the first to ask the Young Wolf. You must do it before the Princess, understood?"
Amelia nodded, determination reflected on her face.
"I know, Aunt. I'll give it my all."
At the Redwood table, Lady Annerose smiled arrogantly as she swirled the wine in her glass.
"Since the Hero is unfortunately a girl," she began loudly, "I believe the most suitable dance partner for me will be the Young Wolf of House Wolfwood. I shall grant him the honor of dancing with me."
Botond, the Giant, laughed boisterously, then added grimly:
"There is no man who could resist your beauty, my Lady. And if there were, I would crush him myself with my mace."
At the Greenwood table, Lady Floralys Greenwood, the elf noblewoman, spoke calmly.
"I think I shall ask Carla's son to be my dance partner. Since he is a mage as well, at least we will have something to talk about, and he will not bore me."
David, the Twinblade, bowed respectfully.
"An excellent choice, my Lady."
At the Wolfwood table, however, the atmosphere was entirely different. Andras, the Young Wolf, leaned closer to Noelle, speaking softly but firmly.
"The royal dance lasts for one hour. Our magical technique's duration is exactly one hour. This will be the perfect time to carry out our secret plan. During that hour, we will take each other's form, Noelle. You will dance in my guise, so everyone will see that I was present and I'll have an alibi. Meanwhile, I will take your form and slip away. Disguised, masked, I will retrieve the Magic Book from Albert's chamber. Can you do it?"
Noelle's eyes gleamed with determination.
"Leave it to me, Young Wolf. I can handle an hour easily."
Andras then turned to Master Florian.
"You know your part, don't you?"
The mage grinned and nodded.
"There will be no problem. Albert will be so drunk he wouldn't notice even if a Lust Demon stripped before him."
"Good," Andras concluded. "We'll begin the secret operation at my signal."
"Understood," Noelle replied curtly.
Florian rubbed his hands together with satisfaction.
"This will be the best ball I've ever attended."
The King slowly rose from his table, lifting his golden chalice high, and his voice filled the vast hall.
"Honored guests, may I have your attention!" he began solemnly. "First, I wish to congratulate the four great noble houses, for each of your knights has advanced into the final group stage, among the top thirty‑two. Nothing proves more clearly that you are worthy of serving the Royal Family, and that you defend the Kingdom with excellence. You have raised knights who stand as guardians of humanity."
The guests listened intently as the King's words grew darker in tone.
"As you all know, dark times approach. The darkest of times, which returns every five hundred years to test humanity once more. The Demon King has awakened from his long slumber, and with the Demon Army seeks again to destroy our world. But do not fear! The Hero has risen, blessed by the Goddess Neptune and armed with the power of Light, to defeat the wicked Demon King and drive the demons from the Kingdom. Allow me proudly to present to you the Hero: Eris Scarlett!"
Eris rose gracefully from her seat and bowed, as the hall erupted in thunderous applause. The Princess, Anabella Augusta Riel, clapped with fervor, her voice rising above the crowd. The Young Wolf, Andras Wolfwood, joined in more reservedly, though in the storm of applause no one noticed.
The King continued:
"As a consequence of the Demon King's awakening, powerful monsters have appeared across the Kingdom. The most dangerous among them was a magical beast: the Blue Ogre. This creature was heroically defeated by the combined strength of House Wolfwood and House Silverwood, with the aid of their Wolf and Silver Knights. I now call before me two of our champions: Andras Wolfwood, young lord and mage of House Wolfwood, and Christina Silverwood, Captain of the Silver Knights. Step forward, brave champions!"
The hall fell silent as the Young Wolf and Christina Silverwood walked with dignity before the King. His eyes shone with pride as he looked upon them.
"Congratulations on defeating the Blue Ogre," he declared solemnly. "On behalf of the Royal Family, I thank you for protecting the people of the Kingdom from this monster. A great round of applause for Andras and Christina!"
The guests once again broke into thunderous applause, celebrating the two honored champions, who now stood before the King as heroes of the Kingdom.
The King stood before the guests with a solemn face, his voice resounding with dignity throughout the hall.
"For your brave deeds, you deserve a reward," he declared. "Speak, if you have any request. If it lies within my power, I shall grant it."
The Young Wolf and Christina Silverwood exchanged glances. Christina made a subtle gesture, urging Andras to speak first. The young lord nodded, then stepped forward to address the King.
"As for me, I have already received my reward in the Blue Ogre's head," he said firmly. "None of my men fell to the monster. Not a single child was devoured alive, not a single village attacked by that blue beast. What greater reward could a Wolfwood ask for?"
Christina then stepped forward as well, her voice calm and steady.
"I agree with the Young Wolf. We did only what was our duty. We ask no reward for it."
The King's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"Remarkable! Your courage and humility please me greatly. Yet I have prepared a small gift for you both. A token, which I hope will delight you."
He gestured, and servants brought forth two gifts.
"For Andras, a magic staff, crafted personally by the Royal Magi. Its crystal core was forged from the heart of a water‑element Naga, and its body carved from the Golden Oak of the forest near Whitefort."
Andras accepted the staff and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for this gift! A beautiful and powerful staff. I swear I shall send countless demons to their doom with it."
"So be it!" the King replied, then turned to Christina.
"And for you, a longsword, forged by the finest smith of Whitefort. It is not as peerless as your legendary blade, Silver Strike, but I trust you will find great use for it."
Christina bowed respectfully, gripping the hilt of her new sword.
"Thank you most sincerely! I swear upon this blade that it shall be drenched in demon blood."
"Excellent," the King nodded. "This sword has found a worthy wielder. But there is yet another matter."