"I almost defeated the Goblin Chief myself," Andrea began, her voice eager yet tinged with regret. "I nearly had him—almost knocked the mace from his hand—when the Young Wolf blasted his head apart with a lightning shot!"
"If he hadn't," Anita cut in, "that shield of his would have shoved you aside even without the mace. Then he'd have leapt on you… and I'll leave the rest to your imagination."
"I agree," Noelle nodded. "The Goblin Chief's arms were so thick he could easily push aside even a grown Wolf Knight with that spiked shield."
Andrea lowered her head.
"I… still have much to learn."
"Ha! He wouldn't have pushed me aside!" Ironclaw boasted proudly, twitching her wolf ears.
"That's why I envy your tough defense, Ironclaw," Andrea admitted sincerely.
"Exactly—envy me all you like!" Ironclaw replied. "The master is mine! Not yours!"
"He's not yours either!" Andrea protested, and the company burst into laughter.
"It's true," Anita remarked. "Ironclaw alone has torn apart more bandits and goblins than Andrea and I together."
Christina's voice then grew serious, her eyes gleaming with determination.
"Now, hopefully, a Blue Ogre's head will join our trophies. Young Wolf, will you share your plan with us?"
The company fell silent, every gaze fixed on Andras. The Young Wolf slowly rose to his feet, and as the wind stirred the leaves above, a solemn atmosphere seemed to envelop the moment.
Around the company, the silence of the forest pressed down with tense anticipation. The light filtering through the leaves seemed to foretell that something great was about to happen. Andras slowly rose to his feet and spoke in a solemn voice:
"Yes, I will tell you how I planned the battle against the Blue Ogre. As you know, this monster is not just a simple target. And I say this not because it is strong, but because it is of a very rare kind. The Blue Ogre is lightning‑elemental—a rarity even among monsters. This may be the first and perhaps the last time in my life that I face another wielder of lightning. That is why I must seize this opportunity, no matter the cost."
Christina raised her eyebrows, her eyes gleaming seriously.
"So you mean your goal is not simply to finish it quickly, but also to learn from it?"
"Exactly," Andras nodded. "I want to know everything about this creature: how it uses lightning, what attacks and defenses it is capable of. From the beginning, I have not seen it as a mere target, but as a perfect test subject—one that can help me strengthen my lightning techniques. This is crucial, because against the demons we will need every possible advantage if we are to prevent them from destroying our world. If, by learning from this Blue Ogre, I can develop a lightning attack strong enough to be effective even against a Demon General, then the sacrifice will have been worth it."
Christina nodded slowly, her voice filled with respect and determination.
"I understand you. Yes, you are right. Defeating this monster is important for our lands, but you look even further ahead. The demons will be far stronger than this beast. We too have much to learn from battles against such foes. Of course, it would be simpler to kill it quickly and avoid casualties. But fear not—my company is made of strong warriors."
Christina gestured toward the five female Silver Knights, who listened intently with resolute expressions.
"These women I personally trained and selected for this mission. Each of them is a fine Silver Knight. They will not fall easily to the Ogre's blows."
The weight of her words settled over the company. They knew they were not preparing for a mere monster hunt: this battle would be a trial, one from which they would all learn—and perhaps take one step closer to the coming war against the demons.
The silence of the forest pressed down on the company with tense anticipation. The light filtering through the leaves seemed to foretell that a great clash was about to begin. Andras spoke with a firm voice, his expression grave:
"Stay calm. Even if anyone is injured, Noelle will cover them. I don't want to see a single casualty from either of our companies. The Blue Ogre is a powerful monster, but we are strong as well! And Ironclaw is the worst possible opponent for that blue brute. We will carry out this experiment, and today only the monster will lose its life. All of us will return alive to the inn for a fine dinner!"
Christina nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination.
"So be it! Then in what formation shall we attack the beast?"
"For that," Andras continued, "I ask one hour from you. During that hour, only Ironclaw and I will engage the Ogre."
Christina stared at him in shock.
"Just the two of you?! And the rest of us simply watch?"
"That is correct," Andras replied calmly. "You Silver Knights will observe from a safe distance, remaining hidden so the Ogre does not notice you. I don't want it turning toward you and attacking. Noelle, you will also remain concealed, and if Ironclaw is injured, you must immediately pull him to safety and heal her."
"I won't get hurt!" Ironclaw interrupted, twitching her wolf ears.
"I hope not," Andras smiled. "But I said it for safety's sake."
"Understood!" Noelle answered firmly.
Andras's voice grew more solemn as he continued:
"Then, after the hour has passed—when the Blue Ogre has hopefully revealed its abilities and is well exhausted—Noelle, you will emerge, and together we will strike with our strongest combined magical attack. By then the monster will be weakened. At that moment, the five Silver Knights will confuse the brute from every direction, serving only as distraction. Meanwhile, from three sides, Anita, Andrea, and Christina will strike with your strongest sword blows at the Ogre's weak point."
"The neck, then?" Christina asked.
"Yes," Andras nodded. "Cut deep into its neck with your blades. You may also stab, but if you drive your swords too far in, it will be difficult to pull them free."
"And if it guards its neck with both hands?" Christina pressed.
"That will be clear if it tries to defend," Andras explained. "In that case, Ironclaw will attack its stomach with his rock‑sharp claws. Once wounded in the belly, the Ogre will instinctively move its hands there, leaving its neck exposed for you to strike."
Christina smiled, her eyes shining with approval.
"You've prepared for every possibility. I like that."
Around the company, the silence of the forest pressed down with tense anticipation. The light filtering through the leaves seemed itself to hold its breath, watching the monster hunters.
"Does anyone have any more questions?" asked Andras, the Young Wolf, his voice grave.
"What's for dinner?" Ironclaw asked, twitching her wolf ears.
"Hopefully not Ogre meat," Andras replied, and the company burst into laughter.
"Hehehe!" Anita, Andrea, Noelle, and Christina laughed together, the momentary cheer easing the tension.
Andras then straightened, his eyes gleaming with resolve, his voice ringing solemnly through the forest:
"Very well, then let us depart! The Silver Wolf Mission, whose sacred purpose is to defeat the Blue Ogre so that the people of Silverwood and Wolfwood may live in peace, begins now!"
"Yes! Forward!" the company roared as one, their voices echoing through the trees of the Silver Forest.
The monster hunters set out, each step carrying them closer to the cave where the Blue Ogre awaited. The mission had begun, and everyone knew: this day would be remembered, whether it ended in triumph or in sacrifice.
The company was now only half an hour away from the Blue Ogre's cave. After twenty minutes of walking, the great Silver Oak emerged from the canopy, and beneath its hill lay the dark mouth of the cave—the monster's lair.
"I smell the beast," Ironclaw growled, twitching her wolf ears. "Strong! Stronger with every step!"
"Fortune is with us," Andras replied grimly. "The Blue Ogre is at home."
"Thanks to the sacrifice of our Silver Knights, it was well supplied with human flesh," Christina said bitterly. "It had no need to leave its cave in search of food."
"As we expected," Andras nodded. "Good. Then we proceed according to plan."
As agreed, the Young Wolf and Ironclaw approached the cave, while the others remained at a safe distance, hidden in the shadows of the silver trees. The Blue Ogre was inside: Ironclaw's nose caught its stench, and Andras's magical sight revealed the monster.