Andras nodded.
"These are the times when we must stand together."
Christina looked around grimly.
"I agree. The demons caused far too much damage in the very first battle."
Floralys lowered her head.
"We cannot even bury the dead. Nothing remains of their bones—only dust and ash."
The Princess spoke then, her voice trembling though she tried to remain composed.
"Captain John found my father's… the King's crown. Bloodied. Stained."
For a few moments, silence was the only voice in the room.
At last, Andras spoke.
"The Empire will respond to the King's death and the demon threat. We lost many knights, but we destroyed a great number of demons as well. Wildfire may not have been a Demon General… but the Imperial court doesn't know that. We must announce that we defeated one of the Demon Generals, and that the King fell a heroic death."
Christina nodded.
"It is time to formally form an alliance with the Empire against the demon army."
The Princess looked around anxiously.
"What if the demons attack again?"
"They won't, not for a while," Andras replied. "Wildfire held significant authority on the demon island. They had four targets, and failed to kill any of them. But he fell. Both Heroes remain unharmed. Currently, two Demon Generals are known by name: Salamander, leader of the Fire Demons, and Quelenna, the Succubus Princess. As for the Demon King… I found no information. No one has seen him. No one knows what he looks like."
Floralys nodded slowly.
"For now, this information is more than enough."
The Empire's Shadow
The council meeting continued, the air growing heavier with uncertainty and the weight of responsibility. It was the Princess who broke the silence.
"How will we establish contact with the Empire?"
Andras answered with calm confidence.
"I'll handle that. I'll start by working with my relatives who live in the Empire. If I gain enough influence there, the Emperor himself will approach us."
Christina frowned.
"And what if the Emperor proposes marriage to the Princess?"
Botond nodded grimly.
"That would mean the end of the Kingdom."
Floralys sighed softly.
"The King's death is the perfect opportunity for the Emperor to claim the Kingdom through the Princess."
But Andras did not seem shaken.
"We currently have two Heroes. The Empire won't dare act aggressively. They'll approach the situation patiently, especially since the Princess is still only fifteen and has no suitors."
Christina nodded.
"So we still have time."
Floralys added,
"Because of the two Heroes, it's also possible the demons will attack the Dwarves' or the Elves' lands first, rather than the Kingdom."
"This will be a long war," Andras said. "Neither side will rush their moves."
The Princess straightened, her voice firmer than before.
"Very well. Then while you handle matters in the Empire, I will strengthen my position in the capital. If you intend to set foot in Imperial territory, please inform me first."
Floralys nodded.
"The surviving members of the Royal Family and House Redwood will be escorted home by my knights."
Botond leaned forward.
"We would like to depart tomorrow, if that's acceptable."
"We will also leave tomorrow," the Princess said.
Christina spoke next.
"We won't require an escort. With the elite members of House Wolfwood, we'll reach Wolfwood safely, and from there the Wolf Knights will accompany us home."
Andras smiled.
"As for us, I'd like to stay in Greenwood for three more days and explore the city."
Floralys offered,
"If you'd like, I can show you around."
"Spend that time with Carla and Christina instead," Andras replied. "I want to discover the city on my own—and everything it has to offer."
The council discussed a few remaining details, then slowly everyone rose and departed to attend to their own duties. The decisions had been made, but the shadow of war still loomed over them all.
The Demonflame Throne
On the Demon Island, a council had gathered as well—though here, the members were far fewer, and the scent of blood far stronger. In the Hall of the Demonflame Throne, two figures faced one another: Salamander, leader of the Fire Demons, and Quelenna, Princess of the Succubi. The flames running along the walls echoed every word they spoke.
Salamander slammed a clawed hand against the armrest of his throne.
"That useless Wildfire! He could have at least killed one target!"
Quelenna delicately adjusted her hair, as if she were standing in a ballroom rather than a demonic throne hall.
"How old was little Wildfire again?"
"Ninety‑nine. Why?"
"Then he never reached a hundred in the end."
Salamander burst into harsh laughter.
"Hahaha! Indeed. As weak as he was, that cursed necklace drove him completely insane."
But Quelenna did not laugh.
"You lost four clans. A third of your army is gone."
"I couldn't wait any longer," Salamander growled. "If Wildfire had gone fully mad, he would have slaughtered everyone. At least I tried to turn his madness against the Hero. It didn't work."
Quelenna folded her arms.
"As long as the Demon King does not appear, you cannot afford to lose more warriors. Stay put and keep your demons in line."
"I know, I'm not a fool," Salamander hissed. "But where in the abyss is the Demon King? He's certainly not on this island."
"If he appeared in human territory, my spies would inform me," Quelenna replied. "Besides, the Demon King is the last person who needs protection. He could wipe out humanity alone."
"Don't forget, this time there are two Heroes," Salamander warned.
"But only one of them wields the power of light," Quelenna said with a cold smile. "And even that is not enough against the Demon King."
Salamander crushed the armrest slightly between his fingers.
"I wonder which one of them killed Wildfire."
"I'll try to find out," Quelenna said. "But I'll need time. I won't be coming here for a while. Unless I discover something truly extraordinary, you won't see me again until the Demon King appears."
Salamander smirked mockingly.
"Won't you miss me?"
"The Demon King is the only one worthy of being my husband," Quelenna replied coolly.
"Well, while you pine for the Demon King, I'll let the female Fire Demons entertain me. Hahaha!"
"As long as you don't harass the succubi, do whatever you want with your fire demon females. I don't care," Quelenna said, ending the conversation.
The Demon King's whereabouts were unknown—even to the demons themselves.
Only one thing was certain:
If the Hero had appeared, then the Demon King had been reborn as well.
And when the Demon King returned…
the world would burn once more.
Greenwood Awakens
The next day, the great departure from Greenwood Castle began.
The first to leave were the survivors of House Redwood. Amelia Redwood and her loyal knight, Botond the Giant, departed with fifty Green Hawk Knights escorting them back to Redwood. A few hours later, the remaining members of the Royal Family set out toward Royal Whitefort: Princess Anabella, Eris Scarlett, John Scarlett, Apollonia Velvett, and Master Albert. They too were protected by fifty Green Hawk Knights.
Both groups reached their destinations safely.
The demons did not attack this time.
Meanwhile, Young Wolf's party enjoyed Greenwood's hospitality.