Dense trees that completely obscure the sky sometimes move even when there is no wind. It’s as if they are conversing with each other, exchanging information about intruders.
Rocks disappear from where they were or move to another place. If one is captivated by the gradually changing terrain, they may get lost in the forest that lacks fixed markers, wandering forever within the mountain range said to be wider than three combined kingdoms.
Those who are good at finding paths and have a strong sense of direction become even more confused. It’s a place where even brave rangers have ventured and not returned, a story that’s no longer even noteworthy. Only those who are permitted can traverse these divine mountains, which also cast the unpermitted into a hellish abyss…
This was Irene’s third time entering the Sky Mountains. However, each time she did, she felt tense. In Acrand, she was called a ‘Master’ and believed nothing could scare her, but here, she was just a child, exerting all her effort not to lose her way.
Even Irene couldn’t find her way through the Sky Mountains on her own power. It was thanks to the power of a sword named Vena Esarck that she didn’t lose her sense of direction. It was one of the tokens that only a Master of Lutia could possess, a blessing from the goddess of the Sky Mountains ‘Nadiuren’, and could also be considered an entry pass to the Sky Mountains given by ‘Knadil’, the administrator of the Sky Mountains and master of the dragons.
As far as Irene knew, across all of Acrand, there were only three swords that could serve as entry passes to the Sky Mountains. One of them was Aranthia’s treasured sword, forged by the blacksmith Lergo by combining two gifts from Lutia and Carnelock. Compared to the other two, it was practically a newly-made sword.
Another one was in the possession of her friend Quain, who was currently the Queen’s Royal Guard. Until the creation of Aranthia’s treasured sword, the sword symbolizing Aranthia had been the Vena Silk, held by the Queen’s Royal Guard.
Vena Esarck and Vena Silk. That was all Irene knew about the origins of these two swords that had been passed down for a thousand years. It wasn’t particularly a secret, but Irene didn’t bother to find out more. Like not wanting to know the past of a man she’s fallen in love with.
Currently, the original owner of ‘Vena’ that Irene had was someone else. He was the best among the retired White Wolves and also a senior to the other three. More importantly, he was the one who had brought Irene into the Wolf Knights. Although her official mentor was Master Grondal, the then Royal Guard of the Queen, her true mentor in her heart was always him. He appeared 15 years ago, just as Irene was about to turn twenty.
Irene originated from a small village in Lontamon, home to a mercenary training center established by retired mercenaries. She had two parents who ran the place and was the ordinary eldest daughter of a normal family with three younger sisters.
Irene definitely had a talent for the sword compared to her three younger sisters. In fact, it wasn’t just talent; anyone who faced her sword was struck with terror. Her parents tried not to give her a sword and kept her from approaching the training center to suppress her talent, but by the time she was sixteen, there was already no one who could confront her directly.
Her parents eventually decided to cherish her heaven-sent talent and actively sought a suitable mentor for her. However, none of the teachers they brought in, utilizing all their connections, lasted a month. Whether it was a famous swordsmanship school teacher or a living legend known as a mercenary, there were no exceptions.
Irene had absorbed all of her opponents’ swordsmanship skills in a short period, and those who were called her teachers secretly fled at night, fearing they would be humiliated if they stayed longer.
“I’ve heard there’s a genius girl here looking for a master, so I came.”
The day before her twentieth birthday, a scruffy-looking man appeared. His voice was young, but his shabby clothes and unshaven beard made him look much older. At that time, the training center was bustling with people who came to learn from or challenge Irene.
“I’m not receiving any more teachings. I’ve decided to become a teacher here and make a living. So, I don’t need you.”
Irene had decided to live a normal life, just like her mother wanted. Marry a normal man and live like her sisters. It was teenage mischief to embarrass every teacher that came. Now, there were no men brave enough to propose marriage to her.
“I came here to find ‘the person looking for a teacher’, not to teach. Are you the one everyone is talking about?”
The man asked with a grin.
“So what if I am?”
“I came to test.”
Irene was about to throw him out, but there was something unusual in his tone, so she decided to spar with him and handed him a wooden sword.
“If you’re not some empty-headed noble coming for a bride test, it must be a swordsmanship test. I accept. Let’s spar.”
The mercenaries gathered around laughed loudly. The scruffy man, unaware they were laughing at him, smiled along and said,
“You don’t have to use a wooden sword. You seem to have a pretty good sword. Use that.”
Irene frowned at his suggestion. The mercenaries, thinking he was a clueless idiot, cheered with a loud “Oh!”
“You trying to make me a murderer?”
“I don’t really know how to test someone who hasn’t even drawn their sword.”
He said it as if it were the most natural thing.
“Really?”
Irene drew her real sword, one she had never used against a person before.
“Really.”
“Alright. Let’s make it light then.”
“Before we start, shall we introduce ourselves? My name is…”
He was about to speak, but Irene cut him off.
“I’d rather not know. If I hear your name and learn about your circumstances, it’ll just hurt my heart.”
“If that’s what you want.”
They drew their swords, and the people at the training center buzzed with excitement as they circled around them from a distance.
Irene lightly thrust her sword as the first attack, but the man suddenly struck, sending her sword flying. It landed upside down in a barrel near the watching mercenaries, the handle quivering, silencing the training ground.
Irene was startled, and the man’s sword was already at her neck. The mercenaries, who had been lounging around to watch the fool be humiliated, jumped up in shock.
The man shouldered his sword and stepped back.
“Fail. I’ll be going then.”
“Again!”
Irene shouted in a fit of anger.
“Again what?”
“Let’s do it again. I wasn’t ready at all just now.”
The man shook his head.
“You’re wrong.”
“About what?”
“Your attitude. The attitude when you’re defeated, when you hear you’ve failed. It’s all wrong.”
Irene was taken aback.
She hadn’t lost to anyone since she defeated her father. Therefore, she didn’t know the proper attitude to have when defeated. Irene looked around at the other mercenaries as if asking for help, but they all avoided her gaze. Of all times, her father wasn’t there.
“Then, how should I speak?”
“Speak honestly.”
The man said gently.
“I’m sorry.”
Irene apologized first. She wasn’t sure if it was her honest feeling, but she spoke without hiding anything.
“If this had been a match, then yes, I lost. I admit it. But if this was a test… please give me another chance. A test shouldn’t end in just one try.”
“That’s a bit better.”
The man nodded as he spoke. Despite looking down from a high place, he didn’t seem arrogant at all.
“Bring your sword. I’ll give you one more chance. But it’s your last, so do your best.”
Irene picked up her sword and stood in front of the man again. The opponent, who had seemed small at first, now looked very large.
‘I have to give it my all.’
Irene instinctively realized this and asked him.
“Is it really okay to stab you?”
“If you manage to stab me, I’ll declare you pass and die.”
Taking his joke-like words seriously, Irene swung her sword with all her might. The opponent didn’t dodge or counterattack, just collided directly with Irene’s strike. The moment their swords touched, Irene’s sword shattered. She screamed in pain as her palm tore and retreated. On the other hand, he just blew on his palm and then nodded.
“Your basic stance needs no teaching. Who taught you to use the sword?”
“My parents.”
Irene answered and just stared blankly at her destroyed sword. He scratched his messy hair and said,
“The sword… sorry about that.”
“It doesn’t matter about the sword! Did I pass?”
He shook his head.
“The sword was more favorable to my side, so it wasn’t a fair fight, and you are still too inexperienced to pass just like that.”
The man sheathed his sword. Irene, unable to ask for a rematch again, sadly watched his actions. The other men around were speechless. Even Irene’s father, who had arrived late, did not intervene and just watched.
The man unfastened his belt and handed her his sword, sheath and all.
“How about this? Bring this sword back to me. If you can bring this sword to Nadium in Aranthia a year from now, you pass. If you can’t, then it’s a fail.”
“If I fail, won’t you lose your sword?”
“That sword, it finds its own master. It won’t stay long in the hands of someone else. Even if someone else takes it from you, they won’t keep it for long either. Eventually, the sword will return to me. Holding that sword itself is a test.”
Irene didn’t understand the meaning of his words until she had to bring the sword to Nadium a year later.
“Please tell me your name.”
“Lofin Wolf. A member of the Aranthia Wolf Knights and a disciple of Master Grondal.”
“My name is Irene.”
“The name of this sword is Vena Esarck. Take good care of it.”
The man named Lofin left the place with a smile, empty-handed.
Irene immediately prepared for her journey. Her parents were very upset, but her father, who had observed the man named Lofin, respected Irene’s decision. The curiosity about the new world was boiling over, and her parents couldn’t stop her with their power.
On her birthday morning, the journey began.
What she thought would take a couple of months to reach Aranthia turned into half a year in Irophis and three months in Camort, indulging in the joy of wandering. She was surprised at herself for not leaving home for 20 years without knowing such delightful life existed.
During her travels, Irene learned the value of the sword given to her by Lofin. The famous knights of Irophis showed respect upon seeing the sword, and the notorious bandits coveted it the moment they saw it. Even strange monsters in weird villages couldn’t stand against the sword, and evil sorcerers couldn’t defeat her swordsmanship and the power of the sword.
Her curiosity about Lofin, who had casually given away such a precious sword, grew day by day, and she halted her journey, heading towards Aranthia.
“Where should I go to meet a man named Lofin Wolf?”
Upon entering Nadium, past the White Gate, she grabbed anyone and asked. His name was well-known enough that even the first passerby knew of him.
“Go to the small building next to Her Majesty’s castle and ask. They’ll know exactly where he is.”
“Thank you. And what does this person do?”
“He’s a White Wolf of the Wolf Knights.”
Irene didn’t know what that meant. She just thought it was a peculiar title.
☆ ☆ ☆
Fog began to envelop the Sky Mountains. Thunder occasionally struck, followed by snow, then rain within an hour. It wasn’t strange for such weather, but Irene was flustered. Vena Esarck only prevented her from losing her sense of direction within the Sky Mountains, it didn’t guide her where to go. She knew only one forest path to Nadium and getting lost in the fog would be disastrous.
Irene stopped. As urgent as her journey was, she couldn’t muster the confidence to continue through the thick fog where she couldn’t see even a step ahead. She decided to trust in the fickle weather of the place and waited for the fog to clear. However, the fog didn’t lift even by nightfall.
She worried about leaving Jaymer behind.
‘In his youthful spirit, did he attack the Black Knight? Did he try to save Captain Wolf and get killed in the process?’
She resented the captain who had put her disciple in danger.
‘If I had brought that kid along, he would confidently guide me through this fog. And he was good to hold on to…’
Truth be told, the Wolf Knights didn’t particularly need a ‘Captain’. When she first sought the Wolf Knights to meet Lofin, there was no Captain. Grondal, the Queen’s Royal Guard, oversaw the training of the Wolves without needing a leader.
Everyone followed Grondal in their hearts, so there was no need for a Captain.
Grondal, being forty-five, was getting to an age where active duty was a strain, so he was preparing to appoint the next Royal Guard. He probably had his eye on his first disciple, Lofin, the only White Wolf of the Wolf Knights at that time. However, Lofin had declared he wouldn’t rise to the position of Master until he defeated his own master, preventing Grondal from forcibly appointing him as Captain.
☆ ☆ ☆
“It’s impossible.”
Irene said bluntly. At twenty-one, she was not yet a White Wolf.
“Master Grondal is protected by the Queen’s magic. Moreover, his swordsmanship is half a step beyond the realm of humans. Even when he gets old and needs a walking stick, he could probably still beat us.”
Even the talented Wolves couldn’t stand up to their Master. But Lofin thought differently.
“I have never gone all out. Neither has the Master. A master can’t kill his disciple by going all out, and a disciple can’t kill his master by doing the same, right?”
It was tremendous confidence. Irene had confidence as well, but she thought she couldn’t even reach the heels of Lofin.
‘This guy is a genius. Soon, he’ll surpass Grondal for real.’
To Irene, Lofin was an insurmountable wall. However, her prediction did not last long.
Meylumil. He was fond of jokes and good at leading the group, securing a position akin to a captain within the knights from long ago. At some point, he began to show skills equal to Lofin’s in the training grounds, and eventually, he even managed to beat him a few times.
Lofin claimed he had gone easy, but Meylumil teased, saying, “If you go easy twice, you’ll die!” Instead of feeling discouraged by seeing two people exceed what she thought were their limits, Irene was inspired. Thus, at some point, the three of them stood as unparalleled masters within the Wolf Knights.
One day, Master Grondal called Lofin, Irene, and Meylumil to introduce them to the Queen.
“These are the talents to be appointed as White Wolves after Lofin, Your Majesty.”
Irene, surprised, blurted out in front of the Queen, rudely.
“I’m not yet qualified.”
The Queen laughed aloud and said,
“If you won’t follow your master’s judgment, then why are you under him?”
Irene couldn’t say a word and ended up being burdened with the prestigious title of a White Wolf. The Queen exchanged greetings with the three and then asked,
“Does my foresight and insight not follow Master Grondal? Shouldn’t there have been one more?”
Grondal shook his head.
“That child thinks he taints the name of the Wolves. If we give him the title of a White Wolf before he regains his confidence, he might suffocate and die. That’s why I didn’t bring him.”
At his joke, the Queen laughed heartily like a man.
“I’ll wait. But don’t take too long.”
Lofin, who had often met and conversed with the Queen, freely shared his opinion.
“Do we need more White Wolves here? I think even three is too many.”
“That’s a lot. How many knights do the Wolves have now?”
The Queen inquired.
“Thirty-eight.”
“That’s too many as well.”
Lofin, who had a hobby of gathering Wolf Knights from all over the continent, asked guiltily,
“Did I bring too many?”
“You’re doing what you should, Lofin. Keep up the good work. But this is a separate issue. Aranthia is a country that knows how to protect itself. We don’t need to bring in all the talents from Acrand to defend ourselves.”
Irene couldn’t quite understand her words but kept them in mind.
“Since the Yellow Gate turned into the Red Gate after that war a thousand years ago, the Wolves never had more than twenty knights. Sometimes, I only had one Royal Guard by my side without any Wolf Knights. But now, there are too many. However, there will be more.”
“Is there something bad that I haven’t noticed?”
Lofin, quick to catch on, asked again.
“Having three White Wolves isn’t necessarily a good thing. A thousand years ago, when there were five White Wolves, the war of the dragons broke out. A bad thing? Whatever it is, it’s good to be prepared.”
At the Queen’s words, Irene was seized with fear, forgetting the joy of being titled a White Wolf. It took her three years to understand the reality of that fear. However, Lofin, as if sensing something from the moment he heard those words, took down Vena Esarck from where it hung the next day.
“Where are you going now?”
Irene asked. Recently, she had been living in the joy of receiving swordsmanship lessons from Lofin, so his departure was unwelcome. But she knew better than to try to stop Lofin, especially when he was set on leaving.
“I’ll be back within a year. If talented ones come looking for me and mention my name, you can assume I sent them.”
“Are you going to bring them?”
“Yeah. You handle the tests, drop those who need to be dropped, and keep those who need to be kept. Oh, and about the other one Her Majesty mentioned, you’ll need to take care of him.”
“Who is this guy? From what I see, none of the current Wolves match up to Meylumil or you.”
“Quain.”
“Him?”
Irene found it hard to understand why the Queen would specifically mention Quain, who wasn’t even noticeable in training.
“I’m not sure either. But the person Master has in mind is definitely Quain. Keep an eye on him. And make him a White Wolf before I return.”
“I might as well try to make a pumpkin out of pumpkin porridge.”
Irene, following Lofin like a brother, did as he asked.
Quain was several years older than Irene but was shy and timid. Instilling confidence in him seemed more difficult than training a complete novice in swordsmanship to the level of a Wolf.
His progress was slow. By general standards, his skills were decent, but within the Wolf Knights, he wouldn’t hesitate to be ranked thirty-eighth out of thirty-eight. It was a miracle he passed two tests.
“Who picked you to be a Wolf?”
Irene almost accused Quain. Many had come through Lofin’s introduction, but not Quain.
“Just happened…”
Quain replied in a small voice. Irene, frustrated to ask further, helped him up from where he had collapsed during training.
“Just moving your body seems better. It’s Lofin’s request, but a guy who behaves like you irritates me.”
Irene trained him harshly, perhaps too harshly. Maybe she wanted to tire him out so he’d quit. After a year of tormenting him, she realized that his lack of confidence was a problem preceding his skills. Occasionally, one in ten times during a duel, he would strike accurately at her vulnerabilities. But at just those times, he seemed to hesitate.
‘Is it really okay to strike?’
It was evident in his eyes. Such hesitation in the midst of a swift exchange was fatal.
For Irene, who enjoyed creating and striking vulnerabilities, this mindset was incomprehensible. Thinking it impossible to train him alone, she asked Meylumil,
“How are we supposed to make Quain a White Wolf like this?”
Meylumil also expressed his doubts.
“To be honest, I tried teaching him a few times, but it’s hard to cure his timidity. A swordsman who hates to strike people! Does a person’s character change that easily? But try your best. He’s a Wolf after all.”
“What? So, I’m supposed to do it all by myself?”
Meylumil shrugged.
“It’s your task. Lofin picked you for a reason. At least he doesn’t give up.”
“Give up?”
Meylumil was right. And that’s when Irene realized why the Queen had picked Quain to be a White Wolf. Quain was already enduring training that even Irene or Meylumil couldn’t handle. His physical strength was certainly among the best of the Wolf Knights.
Compared to the amount of training, his skill development was remarkably slow. But he was definitely improving. Very slowly, bit by bit, but surely. However, unlike other Wolves who didn’t hesitate to compete against others as soon as they improved a bit, Quain still hesitated. It was as if something was blocking his heart. Irene, watching him train alone at night, sweating with his top off, spoke out.
“Hey, Quain.”
“Ah, Irene!”
Quain was startled to find Irene quietly watching him in the darkness. What used to be an eyesore was now unbearably cute.
“Come to my room later.”
“Why?”
“If you don’t know why I’m calling you, then don’t come.”
Looking back, it was an embarrassingly awkward thing to say, but at the time, it felt like a serious yet cautious approach. The darkness that hid their blushing faces also played a significant role.
“I thought you hated me?”
Quain asked, flustered.
“Well, I thought so too… But this doesn’t mean we are committing to anything serious. We’re Wolves, after all.”
Quain laughed awkwardly.
“I’m not sure if this is okay.”
“Whether it’s okay or not, let’s worry about that later.”
Irene was ready to give up if he refused again. But Quain silently nodded.
No one knew what happened between them that night. Quain and Irene never spoke of it again, leaving it as a cherished memory.
It wasn’t something Irene specifically aimed for. She was purely driven by her curiosity and the overpowering passion of her youth. However, from that day, Quain’s hesitation disappeared.
Irene was in a complex state. She wanted him to improve, but not to the extent of catching up to her.
Even after a year and then two, Lofin did not return. In the meantime, Meylumil became the center of everyone, and Quain finally became a White Wolf. Irene also continued to improve her skills but felt something was lacking. She wanted to stand out within the Wolf Knights!
It was not easy. She dreaded the thought of being pushed to third place as soon as Lofin returned, even if she could momentarily push Quain aside. But Meylumil was too far ahead for her to catch up quickly.
War broke out. Rumors that Lontamon had invaded Camort quickly spread into White Gate. Lofin still hadn’t returned, but some swordsmen he sent had arrived. Eventually, the number of Wolves grew to about fifty. It was only when news came that Lontamon had conquered Carnelock, that Lofin returned. He looked as disheveled as when he first met Irene.
And he was missing an arm.
No one dared to ask why he had lost his arm. Even when Irene tried to bring it up, he just laughed and didn’t answer. But one day, she overheard his conversation with the master and learned a bit about what had happened.
“Was he that strong?”
“At least as strong as the master. According to what I’ve heard, he’s one of the knights of the Excelon Knights of Lontamon, but I don’t know why he’s not the captain.”
“The strongest doesn’t have to be the captain. His name?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Don’t know or won’t tell?”
Grondal asked a bit angrily.
“Not sure.”
Lofin was evasive.
“How did you survive?”
“I also cut off his arm.”
“Two heroes set to rule the continent both lost an arm.”
Lofin shook his head at Grondal’s lament.
“That’s not it, Master. He already had comrades surpassing him, and I also have friends surpassing me.”
“No one will think that way.”
The master was deeply saddened by Lofin’s loss of an arm. However, they didn’t have the luxury of dwelling on that grief for long. Lontamon, with its massive army that had conquered Carnelock, was now marching towards Aranthia.
☆ ☆ ☆
The fog in the Sky Mountains did not thin but became denser. It seemed that even within a cloud, there couldn’t be more moisture. Her mind was on the Black Knight, who would be heading towards the Gold Gate by now, but she had to wait.
‘I’m not a child anymore. I should be able to handle this. I’ve shouldered a nation’s crisis before, I should be able to endure this too.’
She consoled herself.
‘The fog will clear. Don’t move, Irene. Moving recklessly only increases the risk of getting lost.’
Irene wrapped herself in her cloak to preserve her body heat. Water dripped from her wet hair. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against a tree.
☆ ☆ ☆
When Lontamon’s army invaded, the Wolf Knights were excited. They had no experience in war, and they had no captain to lead them. Moreover, due to their youthful energy and overflowing confidence, many were eager to rush into the battlefield.
The royal court was in a state of emergency. The three old generals of Aranthia, who had only ever strategized at a desk, the White Wolves, Master Grondal, and the Queen gathered to devise a final plan. There was talk of combining the forces offered by the High Lords of each gate with the royal forces for a total war effort.
The Queen remained silent.
One of the old generals, a former member of the Wolf Knights, said,
“Each gate has walls high and thick enough for one to hold off ten. If we lock each gate and slowly reduce the enemy’s numbers, we can break their momentum at the Gold Gate, despite being outnumbered for now.”
“What do you think?”
The Queen asked the four White Wolves. Lofin shook his head.
“I alone can take down a hundred. Together with my friends, we could topple a thousand. But we have not learned tactics to face ten thousand.”
Irene agreed.
“My expertise is one-on-one. I know nothing about battles involving hundreds.”
Meylumil immediately added,
“I agree with the general’s opinion.”
The Queen, apparently not satisfied with any of the answers, turned her gaze to Quain expressionlessly.
“What do you think?”
“I’m not sure if I should say it…”
Quain spoke. All eyes turned to him.
“Speak,” the Queen encouraged him.
“Open all gates and let them pass through, then fight them at the Gold Gate. How about that?”
The old general shouted,
“You suggest giving up three gates for free?”
“The White Wolf’s opinion is to be respected. Be silent,” the Queen sternly reprimanded, then gestured for Quain to continue.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Holding each gate is a good strategy. It could fend off a moderate invasion. But we’re facing Lontamon. If we block the Blue Gate, we could kill a thousand enemies. Then they will bring five thousand to the Grey Gate, and if they fail there, ten thousand will come to the Red Gate. The scale of the damage at that time would be unbearable for our small country.”
Quain stood up and pointed to a spot on the map of Aranthia, which had no strategy marked yet.
“We give them all the gates. They will rush towards an unresisting Aranthia, thinking they can easily conquer it. But the forces that actually reach the Gold Gate will not be many.”
“Why not?”
“The strength of Aranthia’s forces is almost unknown to the outside. Having defeated Carnelock, which possessed the strongest force, they will be tired and complacent, wanting to finish quickly with a blitz. We place all our forces in front of the Gold Gate and counterattack after stopping their advance there.”
“Don’t you think the enemy, not knowing about us, will rather attack cautiously? The possibility of a huge force, without a single loss, gathering at the Gold Gate? This is too risky.”
The old general expressed his skepticism.
“Think about the period they swept through this continent. Just a year. It’s unlikely they properly occupied each country during that time. And their target was Carnelock, not Aranthia. For some reason, they ‘suddenly’ turned their attention this way. Therefore, it’s unlikely that the entire army of Lontamon will come, nor will they put all their effort against a weaker nation. However, if we resist, their main force will turn their spears this way.”
“Not resisting so their main force won’t come… How can you be sure of that?”
“I have been receiving continuous information after the war broke out.”
“From whom?”
“Directly from Grand Master Tailed of Lutia…”
Quain trailed off.
Because Irene was glaring at him.
‘Why did Tailed tell him and not me?’
Everyone fell silent, only the Queen faintly smiling.
“I also don’t want to see my children die defending each gate. And why does everyone underestimate the power of the Wolf Knights? They are the protectors of this land and will defend it. Master Grondal. Bring the sword of Aranthia.”
It was a sword with a blade the likes of which they had never seen before.
“This sword, forged by Lergo from a stone gifted by Grand Master Tailed of Lutia and a dragon jewel sent by Carnelock, I now name as the sword of Aranthia. It is the sword that will protect this nation, and I gift it to the Wolf Knights.”
The Queen placed the sword on the table.
“End this meeting and let the White Wolves decide the Captain to lead the Wolf Knights. The knight chosen will be the owner of this sword. When held by a true hero chosen by the will of this sword, blessed by Lutia, the dragons, and myself, it will emit a holy light.”
After discussing more detailed strategies the next day, everyone dispersed. However, the White Wolves stayed up all night contemplating the sword left on the table.
The Queen and the Master did not intervene in choosing the Captain.
“I strongly propose Lofin as the senior among us.”
Meylumil insisted.
Lofin immediately refused.
“Most of the Wolf Knights already accept Meylumil as the Captain. While I may be the birth parent to most Wolves, Meylumil is the nurturing parent.”
“I agree too. Meylumil is our true Captain.”
Quain supported, and Meylumil was visibly troubled.
Lofin pressed Irene for an answer.
“What do you think, Irene?”
Irene crossed her arms and closed her eyes. The three waiting for her reply had to wait until dawn.
Finally, Irene spoke.
“Lofin. Master Lergo made your sword. Made with magical power, it won’t be inferior to Vena Esarck. And give me Vena Esarck. It’s my sword.”
“Hmm, I’ve always wanted to give you that sword, but are you sure it’s yours? Is there a reason you’re so certain?”
“I want to be the knight who defends Aranthia. I will lead in every battle. And this sword, it does not reject me.”
She took down Vena Esarck from the wall and thrust it into the table where Aranthia’s sword had been laid. Whispering an incantation, ancient characters on the blade began to emit a red light.
Lofin, the sword’s former owner, was the most surprised.
“Did this sword have such power? I didn’t know.”
“One day, this sword taught me these words, as if giving me a sign in a dream. Only then did I understand the power of Vena Esarck.”
Irene spoke cautiously, worried Lofin might feel betrayed to learn that he wasn’t the true owner of Vena Esarck. But Lofin was overjoyed and blamed her for not telling him sooner.
“Why didn’t you tell me this before? Then, of course, the sword is yours. I gladly give it to you.”
Lofin spoke cheerfully, then pulled Vena Esarck from the table and threw it on the floor.
“This damned sword dares to ignore me?”
Irene hurried to pick up the sword.
“Stop it. Are you taking your anger out on an inanimate object?”
Meylumil held Lofin back from behind.
Lofin was still fuming.
“It’s not inanimate. It sometimes spoke to me too. But it never taught me the incantation!”
Irene secured the sword before Lofin could throw it again, then turned to Meylumil.
“Meylumil. Master Lergo made a weapon for you too. A large sword and a spear. I think both would suit you well.”
Every Wolf Knight had a weapon made by Lergo. But for the White Wolves, there was an additional weapon made, which was now being distributed.
“It’s an honor.”
Meylumil smiled lightly and released Lofin.
Lofin, breathing heavily, stood by the window. He then noticed Quain.
Meylumil also turned his gaze to Quain.
Irene confidently picked up Aranthia’s sword, which no one had dared to touch.
“I believe that Aranthia’s sword will also choose its owner.”
Irene handed the sword to Quain. Ignoring his shocked expression, she said,
“Master Lergo told me. Strangely, he couldn’t forge a sword for Quain. He tried many times, but every time he reached the final stages, the blade wouldn’t take the holy essence and would break. As if something was interfering, making it an ominous matter. Then, Lergo thought that Quain’s sword had already been made.”
Irene believed in Lergo not just as a blacksmith but as an advisor and a seer next to the Queen. While the Queen read the future in the wind, moon, and stars, Lergo seemed to read it in the sparks that flew from the anvil.
“So, I want to test with this sword whether it’s an ominous matter or something else. Master Lergo has given his consent. Quain, take this sword. Whether or not you’re its owner, it’s better to ask the sword.”
“I’m not fit to be the captain. I know it better than anyone. Maybe you know it even better.”
“I don’t trust my own judgment. Can you trust yours?”
Quain did not accept the sword.
“Then at least let’s ask Lofin.”
Lofin had been tapping his chin with his fingers and then spoke. Despite having only one arm, his movements were so natural that a person seeing him for the first time would take a long time to realize he was one-armed. To Irene, Lofin did not appear as a one-armed man.
“I agree with Irene’s opinion. I thought any one of us could play the role of captain in their own way. Although I recommended Meylumil, it doesn’t mean I’m against Quain. So, letting the sword make the choice isn’t a bad idea, especially if Master Lergo said so.”
At Lofin’s words, Quain became angry.
“One should decide for themselves! It’s wrong to leave the decision to an inanimate object.”
Lofin laughed lightly.
“See for yourself if it’s really inanimate.”
Eventually, Quain took the sword but did not accept himself as the captain.
“Then at least give me some time.”
“We won’t force it on you. Whatever your decision, we will respect it. But don’t make the decision with a timid heart.”
Lofin reported the decision to Master Grondal, who respected his disciples’ judgment. There was no major upheaval in the Wolf Knights upon hearing the news. Quain was surprised at the calm reaction, contrary to his expectation of opposition.
“Believe in yourself.”
That was Irene’s last piece of advice.
This was a week before Lontamon’s invasion. However, Quain could not make a decision until the Excelon Knights reached the Gold Gate.
☆ ☆ ☆
A sound of something breaking nearby woke Irene, who had been dozing off. Droplets of water shook off her wet hair and cloak. The fog was beginning to lift, and through the misty view, something large was moving.
The Sky Mountains were home to countless animals. Some strange creatures, not seen outside these mountains, sometimes mesmerized travelers with their peculiar eyes. That’s why Irene usually avoided looking up at the trees while walking. Just as sailors are lured by the siren’s song in the sea to crash into rocks, in the Sky Mountains, creatures in the trees could lead travelers astray.
Irene’s first visit to the Sky Mountains was at the invitation of Lutia’s Grand Master. He wandered the mountains as if they were his garden.
‘Here, this is my favorite waterfall. Beautiful, isn’t it? Look over here. This is a tree house made by Sky Mountain squirrels. Don’t get too close, or the squirrels will hit you. I’ve been hit a few times, so I know not to get too close.’
With him, the place felt like a scenic forest. Even now, remembering his smile brought a smile to her lips.
But without him, the place turned into a monster’s maw where one could wander until their soul departed if they lost their way.
During that brief experience, Irene had never encountered a dangerous animal. Generally, the carnivorous animals of the Sky Mountains were more wary of humans, which they seldom saw, rather than attacking them.
Larger animals were usually docile. As the fog cleared, Irene didn’t consider the approaching animal dangerous. However, the way it broke a tree and looked her way was highly suspicious.
‘What is it? A beast? A human?’
The creature was cautious too. It dragged the broken tree slowly towards her. As the fog thinned, its shape became visible. Only when it was three steps away from Irene could she distinctly see its outline.
The animal stood on two legs, with long fur, a blunt nose, and ears that covered its cheeks. At first glance, it resembled a monkey. Its eyes were entirely red, as though blood would drip from them, lacking any pupils. Unless someone deliberately designed those eyes to appear evil, it seemed unlikely that nature would have created such a feature.
Instinctively, Irene felt threatened by the creature.
Steam puffed from the monster’s nose. Suddenly, it hurled a tree as tall as a person towards Irene. The tree grazed past her and got caught in another tree before falling to the ground.
The monster charged at Irene with a deafening scream. The sound was ear-piercing, but she did not hesitate to use her sword. The blade sliced through the creature’s flank as its claws barely grazed her shoulder. Writhing in pain, the monster screeched and disappeared into the forest.
Irene held her sword and looked around. The creature did not reappear.
“What was that?”
She waited for the creature to show itself again, but there was no sound. The fog had cleared, and soon the sun was visible.
Irene checked her shoulder. Blood was seeping from where the creature’s claws had grazed her.
‘I need to hurry. Forget about that monster.’
Irene quickened her pace once more.
–TL Notes–
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