The snow grew heavier, large flakes swirling through the forest. Tall coniferous trees swayed as if trembling, while the wind howled through the woods, echoing with eerie sounds, like the roars of devils from hell, or their wails.
A vision appeared, with snowy flakes swirling around Laine, and white Divine Fire manifested within the forest.
A great will descended, full of ferocity, anger, savagery, and brutality, yet imbued with strength, courage, honor, and faith.
"Not a bad offering." A rough yet hearty voice emerged in Laine’s mind from the void, "Really huge, a rare mutated wild boar?"
"Yes, I offer it to you, Great Wolf God," Laine whispered in his heart, knowing the White Wolf War God could hear him.
"..." A sense of satisfaction emanated from the void. The massive mutated creature of several hundred pounds intrigued the Wolf God greatly. Yurik enjoyed this; he loved battles, drinking, and showcasing his courage and strength.
Laine had single-handedly killed this extraordinarily powerful mutated wild boar using only close combat methods. The Wolf God appreciated this; he liked followers demonstrating courage and strength, using the most primitive and straightforward methods to take down their prey.
The white Divine Fire gathered in the sky, opening a gate to the otherworld. A giant white wolf, as large as a water buffalo, leapt from the gate, devouring the wild boar’s corpse in a few bites. It then circled around, grabbed the remaining parts, and leapt back into the teleportation gate.
Afterwards, all returned to silence, with only the white flames lingering in the air as evidence that the Messenger of God had once descended.
"Alright, not even a pig leg left for me!" The White Wolf Knight complained casually.
"A White Wolf Knight may not always be a White Wolf Knight, but a White Wolf Knight is most certainly a White Wolf Knight."
— White Wolf Church Archbishop Maras-Beardhoffen
The former refers to a title, while the latter to an advanced profession. Like Laine, his title is White Wolf Knight, but his advanced profession isn’t White Wolf Knight. Any knight, as long as they perform exceptionally, has the chance to earn the title of White Wolf Knight and become a member of the White Wolf Knight Order. If a knight chooses White Wolf Knight as their advanced profession, they must become a member of the White Wolf Knight Order.
Theoretically, the White Wolf Knight Order is not actually under the jurisdiction of the Nord Kingdom. The headquarters of the White Wolf Knight Order is in Wolf’s City (White Wolf City) of the imperial Wolrich Territory, also the capital of this territory, governed by the Imperial Prince-Elector "Iron Wheel" Manfred-Adalbert. This territory adjoins the Nord Kingdom, sharing similar barren land and harsh weather. The land here is covered by almost impenetrable dense Black Forest, so the valiant White Wolf War God is the faith of many here. The White Wolf Divine Hall is also established on the cliff of White Wolf City, guarded by numerous White Wolf Knights. The Nord’s White Wolf Knight Order is actually just two of the contingents in the White Wolf Knight Order.
The White Wolf War God Yurik’s presence is ancient; he appeared on the Continent when humans were still primitively surviving, displaying miracles. Even the founding Emperor of the Empire, Charlemagne, is said to have received considerable help from him. However, this War God’s character is elusive. He rarely responds to the prayers of followers, the Church offers little welfare or relief, and the rituals and trials that could please the White Wolf War God are too dangerous. This caused the White Wolf Church, after more than a thousand years since the Empire’s founding, to shrink significantly compared to the then all-encompassing worship.
Brushing off the snow and mud, Laine quickly descended the mountain. Fortune favored the Kingdom Knight again as he used a throwing knife to hit a rabbit.
Coming out of the forest, the abandoned village had already lit campfires and smoke rose. Estelle, standing on the wall on sentry duty, immediately noticed the returning Kingdom Knight and signaled the guards to open the gate: "Mr. Laine? A tree fell in the forest ahead, and there was firelight. Was that your doing?"
"Indeed, any other circumstances?" Laine exhaled deeply as he entered the abandoned village.
"No, most people are cooking in the large central house, and we haven’t detected any attacks," Estelle leapt lightly down from the wall: "Care to join?"
"No, I’ve taken care of the bandits and the giant creature, the rest is up to you." Laine shook his head, knowing if he went to the large house gathering, he’d end up as a Minstrel.
Reaching the appointed small house’s door, Laine reached out to push it, finding it bolted: "Teresa?"
"Laine?" The door opened, revealing the female sorcerer in a fur coat, a purple silk dress underneath. She confirmed it was Laine before letting him in, then bolting the door again: "You took a while. I’ve already heated the water."
The room was fitted with a Magic Lamp, its soft yellow light illuminating the interior. The large hole in the wall had been sealed with wooden planks using a Spell by the female sorcerer. The fireplace was restored, and inside bubbled a pot of hot water.
"Ah, after a hard-fought return, there’s a woman to heat a pot of hot water for me, not bad at all." Laine removed his chain armor and sat cross-legged on the prepared carpet: "By the way, why not a hearty soup?"
"Tsk, you," Teresa’s beautiful face flushed pink from the cold, she sat down and wrapped a blanket around herself: "Alright, the ingredients are ready, get cooking."
Laine said nothing, using corn, ham, and vegetables delivered by the caravan to cook a pot of corn vegetable ham soup. He then took out a small knife to skin and prep the rabbit, hanging it in the fireplace to roast.