Arc 6 – The Royal Knight Tournament
On the Celestial Island, fifteen years after the Demon King's resurrection.
The Valkyrie Knight, Sakura Dry, had just finished her daily training. She washed herself in the river, then headed toward the workshop of the Valkyrie Mage, Elisabeth. As usual, Eli was absorbed in researching a magical device.
"What are you tinkering with this time?" Sakura asked.
"Oh, this?" Eli held up the crystal in her hand. "I'm trying to create a magical device that will let me connect to the Young Wolf through his Magic Eyes."
"So we'll be able to talk to him?" Sakura's eyes lit up.
"Voice messages are still far off," Eli replied. "For now, I'm developing a method through writing."
"So we'll be able to write to each other?"
"Yeah, in theory it'll be like 'chatting.'"
"Chatting? What's that supposed to be?" Sakura raised an eyebrow.
"A method from the Earth World for correspondence," Eli explained. "As soon as you write your message, the recipient can read it instantly."
"Is that some kind of mage technique?"
"Well… let's call it that," Eli smiled.
"I just want to talk to him already," Sakura sighed. "By now my dear student is fifteen years old. Practically grown."
"And quite a handsome young man, too," Eli teased.
"Don't even say that!" Sakura grew serious. "And he's still sleeping in the same room as the girls! It's really time they had separate beds—better yet, separate rooms."
"Hahaha!" Eli laughed. "It's almost impressive how he restrains himself, surrounded by such beautiful girls!"
At that moment, Uriel entered the workshop.
"I see you're enjoying yourselves. How's the magical chatbox coming along, Eli?"
"It still needs time," Eli replied. "Maybe a month, maybe three. I'm working as fast as I can!"
"Good, I won't rush you," Uriel said calmly. "We still have at least five years until the final battle against the Demon King. So don't hurry—better to take it slow and make sure everything works, rather than risk a flaw later."
"I know!" Eli snapped, a little offended. "You don't have to tell me a thousand times. I know what I'm doing, okay?"
"Since you're here, Uriel," Sakura spoke up, "tell me—what was the outcome of the Blue Ogre and Silverwood battle in the Evil Future?"
"In the Evil Future, Bandorn Wolfwood rejected Christina Silverwood's request for a joint monster hunt," Uriel began gravely. "By then, relations between the Wolf Knights and the Silver Knights had completely deteriorated. Among the Wolf Knights, division reigned ever since the death of the young warrior Andrea Wolf. The Silverwood house eventually forged a close alliance with the Greenwoods. Floralys Greenwood, with her Earth Golem, supported Christina in the battle against the Blue Ogre. Though they did manage to defeat the monster, three of the five Silver Knights fell in the fight."
"In our Andras's timeline, however, the Wolf Knights formed a strong alliance with the Silver Knights," Sakura Dry replied firmly. "The Young Wolf fought alongside Christina to defeat the beast, and none of the five Silver Knights perished."
"As expected of our agent!" Eli remarked with satisfaction.
"Indeed," Uriel nodded. "In the Evil Future, the Dark Andras Wolfwood never lived to see his fifteenth birthday. By then, Noelle had already become the White Witch, and the Wolfwood house was completely extinct. Wolfwood Castle was nothing but ruins."
"So we can now say for certain that the White Witch will not exist in our timeline?" Sakura Dry asked hopefully.
"At present, it seems unlikely," Uriel answered. "Our Noelle is the complete opposite of the mad White Witch of the Evil Future."
"Then the Demon King will surely face the Hero with one fewer Demon General," Eli said.
"The other Demon Generals are still very powerful," Sakura Dry warned.
"Yes, but with the White Witch out of the picture, the Hero can fight them with her full strength," Eli replied. "So for now, we're in a good position!"
"What events come next, Uriel?" Sakura Dry asked.
"The Kingdom will soon hold the Knight Tournament in honor of the Hero," Uriel answered.
"A combat tournament? That sounds exciting," Sakura Dry said enthusiastically.
"Yes," Uriel nodded. "But in our timeline, the Young Wolf has completely reshaped the balance of power within the Kingdom. Even for me, the outcome of this tournament promises to be thrilling."
"Then let's prepare a few barrels of ale!" Sakura Dry laughed. "I'll be cheering for the Young Wolf and the other Wolf Knights!"
"Let's see what this Knight Tournament will bring!" Eli concluded, as all three of them felt that another great trial was drawing near.
Wolfwood Castle
Fifteen years after the Demon King's resurrection
Andras, age 15
The Silver Knights arrived at Wolfwood Castle. Christina led them, with her five female knights lined up behind her. In the courtyard, the Young Wolf was training alongside the other Wolf Knights.
The moment Andras caught sight of the visitors, he immediately halted his practice and stepped toward them. A few of the Wolf Knights also stopped, their eyes fixed on Christina, as though her mere presence had enchanted them.
Arpad, however, would not tolerate idleness. His voice thundered across the courtyard:
"No slacking! Continue your training—at once!"
The knights flinched, then quickly raised their weapons again, while Andras was already speaking with Christina and the Silver Knights.
Christina approached the Young Wolf with a smile.
"Greetings, Young Wolf! I haven't come at a bad time, have I?"
"Hello, Christina! Not at all," Andras replied, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I train every day. Most of today's practice is already done. This will be enough for now."
"I see you've grown into a handsome young man," Christina remarked, her eyes sparkling playfully.
"And you're still a beautiful woman, even at thirty‑three," Andras answered.
"And still untouched," Christina said, half serious, half teasing.
"Well, against demons we need a warrior maiden, not a pregnant woman," Andras shot back.
"You always know how to turn down a woman," Christina laughed.
"There will be time for love once the Demon King's head is no longer on his shoulders, but lying in the dust," Andras said grimly.
"Yes, you're right," Christina sighed. "But by then I'll already be an old hag."
"There's no guarantee we'll even survive the battle against the Demon King," Andras noted.
"Then all the more reason to think about love now!" Christina teased.
"Love would only hinder me against the demons," Andras replied firmly.
"Perhaps you're right," Christina nodded. "But maybe you'd draw even greater strength from it."
"But if I'm not mistaken, you didn't come here to talk about love, did you?" Andras asked.
"Indeed not," Christina grew serious. "Did you also receive a letter from the King?"
"An invitation to the Royal Knight Tournament, held in honor of the Hero," Andras replied.
"What do you think of this tournament?" Christina asked.
"It's clearly being held so the Hero can choose warriors for his Company," Andras explained.
"So you think the same?" Christina asked.
"Obviously the King also wants to showcase the Hero's power, to stir the people of the Kingdom and rally the four great Noble Houses to his side," Andras answered.
"My people have investigated the Hero's identity," Christina said. "The Hero is none other than Eris Scarlett, daughter of John Scarlett, Captain of the Royal Knights. They say the Kingdom has never seen such a powerful swordswoman."
"That's good," Andras nodded. "To defeat the Demon King, we truly need a strong Hero. If she's even half as strong as Sakura Dry, we'll be fine."
"I no longer believe I could join the Hero's Company," Christina admitted. "But you have every chance."
"Don't be so sure," Andras replied. "Even if I were the greatest mage in the Kingdom, there may be sorcerers in the Elven Kingdom stronger than me. Just take Noelle for example. She's half‑elf, yet her magic power is twice mine."
"Yes, but you wield two elements," Christina reminded him.
"I'm certain there are Elven Mages with two elements as well," Andras answered. "You can bet on it."
"Perhaps," Christina smiled. "Magic is the elves' specialty after all."
Arpad stepped forward with a serious expression.
"Greetings, Christina! You've come about the Knight Tournament, haven't you?"
"Hello, Arpad!" Christina smiled. "Is it that obvious?"
"The Royal Knight Tournament is such a monumental event," Arpad replied.
"Will you take part yourself, Captain of the Wolf Knights?" Christina asked curiously.
"I'm too old for heroics now," Arpad laughed. "But my granddaughter is already stronger than me. She will represent the Wolf Knights in my stead."
"The last time I saw her, she was only at Lieutenant level," Christina recalled. "You're saying she's reached the strength of a Captain now?"
"All I'll say is that she's already stronger than me," Arpad replied proudly.
"But she's still so young," Christina shook her head.
"Andrea is seventeen, while the Hero is fifteen," Andras interjected.
"Compared to them, I'm already a spinster…" Christina sighed.
"Hahaha! You're still young—at least compared to me," Arpad laughed.
"Thanks, that doesn't make me feel any younger," Christina muttered.
"Hahaha!" Arpad roared with good humor.