The Hero whispered desperately:
"That's not what they mean! This is just strategy!"
Above them, Andras continued:
"Not the world exactly — just humanity. The world would still exist, but demons would rule it."
Floralys:
"What's the difference? Our world would be over either way, even if not literally."
Christina:
"So it's clear the Hero is far more important than the Princess or the King."
The Princess's eyes filled with tears.
"I'm… I'm not important…?"
The Hero whispered, panicked:
"You are! Of course you are!"
Above them, Andras said:
"The demons will constantly hunt the Princess now — and the King too. But because of Eris, the Princess will be their primary target."
Floralys:
"So we can safely assume that if the demons attack during the royal hunt, the Princess will be the first one they go after?"
Under the bed, the Princess went pale.
"They're… going to target me…?"
The Hero whispered:
"That's why I'm here. To protect you."
Above them, Andras continued:
"That's why I want to ask you two — since you're earth‑element mage and knight — if the demons attack, your first priority shouldn't be fighting the stronger demons. It should be securing the Princess. As long as you protect her, Eris can fight freely. The Wolfwoods will handle the powerful demons and create the opening Eris needs to face Wildfire one‑on‑one."
The Princess fell silent.
The Hero whispered, her throat tight:
"See? Everyone wants to protect you. You're not weak. You're not a burden. You're… you're the one I'm fighting for."
The Princess's eyes overflowed.
"Eris…"
Under the bed lay two women — one crying, the other comforting her — while above them an entirely innocent strategic discussion continued.
And the misunderstandings were far from over.
The quiet of the bedchamber was broken only by the soft creak of chairs as the group continued their war council against the demons.
Under the bed lay two women:
Princess Anabella, who misunderstood every word, and
the Hero, who understood every word — and was suffering for it.
Above: strategy.
Below: melodrama.
Christina spoke first:
"I see. In this battle, the Princess will be the key. But if the demons' attack is this obvious, wouldn't it be wiser to cancel the hunt altogether?"
Under the bed, the Princess jerked upright.
"What do you mean I will be the key?! Why am I always the key?!"
The Hero whispered:
"That's not what she meant…"
Above them, Andras replied:
"Sure, let's all go home and leave Greenwood alone against a demon invasion?"
Floralys:
"Thank you."
Christina:
"Sorry, I didn't think it through."
Under the bed, the Princess whispered:
"They're… they're really planning a war. In the bedchamber."
The Hero:
"This is a strategic meeting."
The Princess:
"In the bedchamber!"
Above them, Andras continued:
"In a battle like this, it's better to face the demons with the strongest warriors of the Kingdom at our side. Sometimes even the first clash decides everything. If we repel their first invasion, we can break their momentum and buy time. But if the demons take Greenwood, their next step could be a full assault on the capital."
Under the bed, the Princess went pale.
"The capital…? They want to take me too…?"
The Hero whispered:
"They don't want to take you. They want the city."
The Princess:
"But I live there!"
Above them, Christina said:
"I'll prepare the Silver Knights for tomorrow. They'll be ready for battle."
Floralys:
"Should I inform the King that the demons are going to attack?"
Andras:
"And what if the demons have a spy in the castle? If they learn we're prepared, they won't attack. They'll wait until Greenwood is alone again."
Under the bed, the Princess's eyes widened.
"A spy…? In the castle…?"
Then she turned to the Hero, horrified.
"Eris… what if I'm the spy?!"
The Hero stared at her.
"What? Why would you be the spy?!"
"I don't know! Demons can control people with enchantments! Maybe I'm…!"
"You're not a spy."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"But what if I am?"
"Anabella, please…"
Above them, Floralys asked:
"Do you think there could be a demon in the castle?"
Andras:
"There doesn't have to be a demon physically here. Succubi are especially skilled with illusions and mind‑control. A simple knight or a maid under their influence would be enough. No one would know — not even the victim."
Under the bed, the Princess went pale.
"Eris… I… I talked to a maid…"
"Yes, but you only sent her away."
"What if she was the demon?! And now… now she's controlling me?!"
"No one is controlling you."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"But what if they are?!"
"Anabella, please…"
Above them, Christina burst out:
"May the Goddess smite those beasts! How are we supposed to defend against abilities like that?!"
Floralys:
"Then I must be careful what I tell my own people."
Andras:
"Just tell your knights to stay alert — that monsters or even demons might attack during the hunt. The key is not to make it obvious that you know about the invasion."
Christina:
"Yes, the knights must always be ready for unexpected attacks anyway. It won't be a problem."
Floralys:
"Then let's discuss what to do with the non‑combatants who will need protection and must be evacuated from the battlefield as soon as possible. As for the Greenwoods, there won't be such individuals among the hunting party."
Under the bed, the Princess whispered, trembling:
"I… I'm the non‑combatant…"
The Hero whispered back:
"You're not non‑combatant. You're just… less combat‑capable."
"That doesn't help!"
"But I'm here. And I'll protect you. No matter what."
The Princess's eyes filled with tears.
"Eris… I… I'm scared."
Softly, the Hero replied:
"So am I. But we'll get through it. Together."
Above them, the strategic discussion continued — completely innocent.
Below, full melodrama unfolded.
At the small round table, the group was slowly reaching the end of their discussion. The strategy against the demons was taking shape, responsibilities were clear, and the tension in the room had begun to ease.
Andras leaned back in his chair.
"From the Wolfwoods, my parents — Bandorn and Carla — and a maid, Marta."
Christina nodded.
"From the Silverwoods, my niece Amelia. Bringing her was a terrible mistake."
Floralys:
"And then there are the Redwoods."
Andras:
"The head of the Redwoods… I have no idea what his name is. And his daughter — if I remember correctly, her name is Annerose."
Christina:
"Lajos Redwood is skilled with a sword, so we don't count him among the non‑combatants."
Floralys:
"Then that leaves only the Royal Family — specifically the King and the Princess."
Andras:
"John Scarlett will take care of the King's protection."
Christina:
"Then we'll protect the Princess in Eris's place."
Under the bed, the Princess's eyes widened.
The Hero let out a quiet sigh.
Floralys:
"Alright, then that's settled. Young Wolf, don't you want to show Christina your new staff?"
Andras:
"She's not interested in staves, but I can show her the new short sword I found in the old ruins. A four‑rune dwarf blade, compatible with every element — I can use it with water and lightning."
Christina's eyes lit up.
"That's a fantastic sword! Not legendary, but still excellent craftsmanship."
Floralys:
"If you want to see a legendary sword, look at the Talonblade, the Eagle Claw. It's been gathering dust above my bed for nearly two centuries."
Christina:
"Not using a sword like that is a crime!"