"Victory to the righteous!"

Cheers clashed with the clink of goblets, echoing through the grand hall.

Three banners hung on the hall's walls: the black-and-white *Night Watch Banner, the golden Ten Swords Unity Banner, and the crimson Mandrake Flower Banner*.

Beneath the banners, Golden Knight Schneider sipped white wine. He listened to the bard strumming Divine Glory, but the cool liquor sliding down his throat couldn't douse the restlessness in his chest.

Too noisy!

The rain poured outside, and the hall's air was thick and warm. The hearth roared with flames, and torches on the wall's iron racks belched wispy black smoke. More heat came from the packed crowd—so many guests filled the hall that every toast meant brushing elbows with neighbors.

Schneider had sat across from Fito and Shana all night, fed up with the couple's affectionate antics.

That pretty boy's got some nerve—he even hooked up with the witch!

The guard and the witch shared plates, drank from the same cup, nuzzled each other, and kissed repeatedly. To make it worse, they even fed each other bites of food.

Do they have no shame in front of everyone!

Schneider's Adam's apple twitched as he caught a glimpse of Shana's cleavage when she leaned forward. He watched Fito's hand wander her waist, and the witch smiled like honey—their actions felt like a declaration to the entire hall.

This is torture for a single guy!

I can't take this anymore!

Schneider was about to stand when a hand pressed down on his shoulder.

"Hey! Schneider!"

He turned, and his eyes lit up.

The newcomer wore tan leather armor, with large, bright eyes and a curvy figure that exuded sexiness and wildness.

Hunter Mera.

Mera was a female hunter in Awakening City's Musketeer Corps. Schneider had noticed her long ago; every time he saw her, he couldn't look away. She carried a faint scent of pine resin.

"Let's have a drink!"

Schneider's heart raced when the hunter approached him on her own. He quickly filled a goblet.

"I've heard all about Awakening City's female marksman—you never hesitate when facing prey. It's an honor to drink with you, eh."

They clinked cups and drained them in one go.

"Word is you're heading to the Frostwall soon?"

"Eh?"

"I overheard the Seer talking to Lady Ray when I toasted him. Lady Ray's taking over as Frostwall Commander. She'll lead you and the Legion to Fort Shield."

Schneider glanced at Ray's figure. She stood beside Orek at the front of the hall, whispering frequently.

Didn't Boss and the Seer fight the other day? Now they're this close—are they making up? Schneider rubbed his sore nose and muttered to himself: I'll never understand Boss's taste.

"Uh… yeah, Lady Ray's got the command badge now, eh." He cleared his throat. "We'll leave for the Frostwall in a couple days to repair the towers and walls damaged in the war. We'll garrison there until the Capital's Privy Council issues new orders."

"Oh, I see…" Mera bit her lip and blinked. "Actually, I've been in the Northern Marches for two years, and I've never seen the Frostwall…"

Just then, a tall, lanky man pushed through the crowd and grabbed the hunter's arm. "Mera! Finally found you! C'mon, let's have a drink!"

Schneider frowned. The Golden Bat Knight's move was incredibly rude.

This guy never knows how to respect people!

Schneider wanted to punch the Golden Bat in the face, but on this celebratory night, he forced down the urge.

As Mera was pulled away by her companion, Schneider's chest tightened. Glancing back at Fito and Shana nuzzling each other, he felt even more empty.

Are they laughing at me?

Schneider stood up abruptly and walked straight out of the hall.

Outside, in the courtyard, rain poured in sheets.

Schneider leaned against a porch pillar, watching the curtain of rain fall from the eaves. His restlessness eased a little.

Raindrops splashed on the bluestone tiles like shattered jade.

He caught that faint pine resin scent again.

"Hey! Why'd you come out here!"

He turned, and sure enough, it was Mera.

Schneider was surprised. "I thought you went to drink with them, eh?"

"I don't want to drink with them. I want to drink with you!"

The knight's heart soared. I've got charm too!

"You still haven't answered my question!"

"Eh? What question?"

"Can you take me to see the Frostwall?" Mera's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Schneider's heart skipped a beat. He could hear the unspoken meaning in her words.

"You… want to go to the Frostwall?" His Adam's apple bobbed. "Aren't you part of Awakening City's Musketeer Corps, eh?"

"Wilder's been arrested by the Seer. Until the Silver Knights take over Awakening City, this place is lawless. I can go wherever I want—no one can stop me." Mera pouted.

That's perfect!

Schneider was about to agree when the courtyard gate swung open, and a tall figure stepped in.

"Big Guy" Basru!

Behind him followed a small, hunched man in a gray robe, leaning on a cane.

Gravedigger Old Mu!

Why are they here!

Schneider's eyes widened. Basru had his hands clasped in front of him, wrists bound tightly with rope.

He suddenly remembered Fito mentioning that after the Blood Moon Battle, Basru had deserted in the Snowwood Forest.

Looks like the deserter's been caught.

Schneider was impressed by Old Mu. He'd fought Basru before, and even as a Golden Knight, he'd only managed a draw.

I thought the gravedigger's job was just guarding tombs and listening to the dead. I never knew he had this kind of strength. I underestimated him!

Schneider saw Orek and Ray walk out of the hall. Basru knelt before them. Ray talked with the gravedigger, while Orek sighed repeatedly.

Schneider understood the Seer's helplessness.

Basru had been a famous warrior in the Frostwall Legion, almost equal in status to Fito. But his wrong choice at the critical moment had put him in a world of difference compared to Fito.

"Come with me!"

Schneider was about to see what would happen to "Big Guy" when the hunter suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him to a corner of the courtyard.

"Hey! Stop getting distracted! You still haven't answered me! Will you take me to the Frostwall or not?" Mera stared at Schneider, her voice earnest.

"With pleasure, eh." Schneider grinned. "I'll take you on my warhorse, show you every corner of the Frostwall. I promise you've never seen anything like it—you'll be amazed, eh."

"Great!" Mera cheered and threw herself into his arms, planting a flurry of kisses on his cheek.

Schneider hadn't expected the hunter to be so bold. He couldn't hold back his desire any longer. He cupped the back of her neck and leaned down to kiss her.

The moment their lips met, surprise flashed in Mera's eyes, then ignited into fire. She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him back fiercely.

Night mist rolled in. The bright moon, seemingly touched by the romance, shyly slipped into the depths of the clouds.

The moon hung veiled in mist, its silver glow soft and hazy.

Snow Valley Wolfhold.

The white wolf cub stood beneath the giant wolf head statue, staring in silence.

Wolf stood quietly in the shadow behind him.

"Fox Witch brought the master's head back." Aken walked over and bowed to Wolf.

"Send her in." Wolf said.

"The Fox Witch left after dropping off the master's head. She said her mission is done, and she's returning to the Dark River Black Market. She wants nothing more to do with the wolf clan." Aken replied.

"Hmm…" Wolf frowned, then waved Aken away. Once Aken was gone, he said to the white wolf cub, "Ash, this is the moment you need to make a critical decision."

"From a prisoner to Wolf King in one stroke…" The white wolf cub's lips curled into a cold smile. "The White Wolf Clan is weak now, yet you want me to take the throne… will the Black Wolves obey me?"

"I will support you fully." Wolf said.

The white wolf cub's gaze shifted to the thousand-year-old Wolfhold in the valley. Its broken walls were covered in icicles, and the wind chimes at the eaves swayed precariously in the cold wind.

"You'll make me a puppet king, then pull the strings from behind in your red robes?" The white wolf cub said calmly.

"Watch your words." Wolf snorted, his eyes suddenly sharp.

The white wolf cub turned slowly. His silver fur fluttered in the wind, and his amber eyes stared straight into Wolf's.

"I've decided. I'll take the throne and start a new era for the Wolf Kings. Wolf, I need your help."

The cold light in Wolf's eyes faded. He knelt on one knee and said in a deep voice, "Yes, my lord."

(The End)