"I assume you've heard the report from the Wolf Knights."
"Andrea Wolf defeated a Fire Demon," Apollonia said, as if stating a simple fact — though respect flickered in her eyes.
"According to the report, that Fire Demon was at the level of a knight‑captain," Eris continued. "And it was only a scout, hiding with twenty imps among some old ruins. The Wolf Knights are already building a military outpost there. It will become a defensive bastion against the demons."
Apollonia's expression darkened.
"The demons are already within the Kingdom's borders.
If they tried to hide in Wolfwood, the Forest of Wolves, then there's a good chance a smaller group is lurking in Greenwood as well. And that's exactly where we're going for the Royal Hunt."
Eris sighed, her gaze shadowed.
"My father doesn't like it either, but the King believes that slaying the Golden Stag will be a symbol of victory against the demon armies. Important for morale."
Apollonia shrugged.
"Well, the hunt will have the Kingdom's two Heroes present — and Captain John as well. A small demon group isn't much to worry about."
Eris smiled, though uncertainty lingered beneath it.
"Two Heroes, huh?
I'd feel much safer if Andrea and Young Wolf had accepted my invitation to join the Heroes' team."
Apollonia laughed and playfully nudged Eris's shoulder.
"They turned you down once and you're already giving up?
You'll have another chance to convince them at the Royal Hunt.
If I were you, I'd keep trying until they say yes."
"Wouldn't that be… almost harassment?" Eris asked, a bit embarrassed.
"What kind of harassment?" Apollonia spread her arms. "Others would kill for the chance to join the Heroes' team. Besides, this is about saving the world. What's more important — Wolfwood, or the entire world?"
Eris slowly nodded, a new spark of determination lighting her eyes.
"You're right. I gave up too quickly. I just need to make them see my point."
In the quiet of the training grounds, the figure of the Hero stood firm — ready not only to hunt beasts at the Royal Hunt, but to hunt for allies as well.
The training grounds slowly emptied, the knights leaving only fading shadows on the dusty earth. Eris and Apollonia remained at the edge of the field, sunlight glinting off their armor as their conversation drifted deeper toward the coming hunt and the growing threat of demons.
Apollonia leaned on her sword, tilting her head as she looked at Eris.
"Honestly, you only need to convince Young Wolf," she said confidently. "If he joins your team, Andrea Wolf will follow anyway. But let's assume he's stubborn — all nobles are — and even the Goddess couldn't sway him. Then if they won't join your team, you simply join theirs."
Eris almost froze.
"I should join their team?!" she asked in disbelief. "What do you mean by that?"
Apollonia shrugged, as if it were the most obvious idea in the world.
"The result is the same. You'll be in one team together."
Her voice grew more enthusiastic.
"Just think about it: you, the Hero. Andrea Wolf — the strongest knight in the Kingdom besides the Hero. Young Wolf — the strongest mage in the Kingdom. And that half‑elf healer… the best healer I've ever seen. I was bedridden for two weeks, and she healed Anita instantly. A healer like that is indispensable for your team."
Eris listened intently, and Apollonia only grew more animated.
"And if that's not enough, there's that hunting hound… Ironclaw."
Her voice nearly sparkled with excitement.
"If she can be trained to sniff out bandits, she'll sense demons even better. Just imagine her detecting them from afar. I'd bet my life that's how they found that Fire Demon too!"
Eris nodded slowly, the idea taking shape in her mind.
"I see what you're getting at."
Her eyes lit up.
"I knew Young Wolf chose his team specifically for fighting demons. Using that team as the foundation and expanding it with two or three new members during our travels… this plan is almost perfect."
Apollonia grinned with satisfaction.
"See? And here you are wasting time with me."
Her tone shifted to playful.
"Honestly… if I had faced that Fire Demon, it would've gutted me. Roasted my flesh and eaten it happily, then sipped my blood and said there's nothing tastier than a virgin knight's blood."
Eris burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! You wouldn't be Apollo if you didn't exaggerate."
"Hey!" Apollonia slapped her breastplate indignantly. "I didn't exaggerate anything — I really am a virgin!"
"That's not what I meant," Eris replied, still smiling. "And a Fire Demon wouldn't defeat you that easily."
But Apollonia's expression darkened.
"If even a single Fire Demon is at knight‑captain level… I don't even want to imagine how strong the Demon Generals must be."
Eris's gaze hardened with resolve.
"It doesn't matter how strong they are. I have to become stronger than them. Otherwise humanity is finished."
Then she looked at Apollonia and smiled.
"Thank you, Apollo. That was a very good piece of advice… even coming from you."
Apollonia straightened proudly.
"Yeah, I picked up a bit of sneakiness from Anita."
Her eyes gleamed mischievously.
"In the end it'll be thanks to me that the Heroes' Team is formed, and legends will be told about me."
Eris laughed.
"The legend of the virgin knight?"
"Bite me!" Apollonia shot back — though a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
Eris's laughter filled the training grounds.
Royal Whitefort – The "Honey Pear" Brothel
In the dimly lit room of the Honey Pear, the sweet scent of perfume mingled with the warm glow of candlelight. Among the silk cushions sat a royal knight, still half in armor as if he might be summoned back to duty at any moment. Across from him lounged one of the courtesans, idly twirling a lock of her hair.
The knight let out a heavy sigh.
"I won't be able to come for a while."
The courtesan raised an eyebrow and slid a little closer.
"Oh? And why not?"
"In a week, the Royal Hunt will be held in Greenwood," the knight explained as he removed his gloves. "The King and the members of the four great noble houses will all be there. It's a major event. I was chosen to accompany the Royal Family."
The courtesan's eyes sparkled.
"Will the Hero be there?"
"Yeah. Both of them."
The girl blinked in amazement.
"There really are two Heroes?"
The knight laughed, though there was a nervous tremor beneath the sound.
"I took part in the knight tournament," he began, and even recalling it weighed down his voice. "When I faced Andrea Wolf, I nearly shit myself just from her gaze. I surrendered instantly."
The courtesan giggled, but the knight continued, growing more serious.
"At first everyone mocked me for being a coward. But you know what? I was right! Before you can even blink, she cuts off your arm. She cut off every opponent's arm. I avoided that. That's not cowardice… I just immediately understood the enormous difference in our strength."
He leaned back and stared at the ceiling, as if reliving the moment.
"I saw the final duel too. You couldn't follow their blades with the naked eye. It was like watching two Goddesses dance."
Then he grinned.
"So yes! The demons should be afraid. This time they'll have to face two Heroes. Hahaha!"
The courtesan smiled and gently ran her fingers along his arm.
"That does sound reassuring. I almost feel sorry for the demons."
The knight laughed, forgetting for a moment all the weight of the upcoming hunt.