[quote=Silver Fox]
I find it amusing that Ares says he will ensure their protection when he just ditched his party by themselves in the middle of the forest xD 
[/quote]

After the quest once he saw they were capable. Besides he assumed (erroneously so I do blame him there) that they would head back as a group and would take potions to heal. Hah. It's also a test for Prince, Lilith, SV and Vick.