The dust on the battlefield settled slowly around the two female knights. For ten minutes the audience had watched their duel in breathless silence. The air vibrated around them. The world seemed to hold its breath.
The moment of the final clash had arrived.
Both warriors took their attacking stances.
The dust stilled.
Silence fell.
Then—
The Clash of Final Techniques
"Here I come! Silver Crescent Slash!" Christina shouted, her blade carving a shining arc through the air.
"Wolf Dance!" Andrea answered — and vanished from sight.
In the next instant, only a single sound echoed:
Three strikes.
Three flashes.
Three movements so fast most spectators couldn't even comprehend them.
Christina dropped to her knees.
Her sword… was cut in half.
The crowd erupted in shock.
Christina's Realization
Christina stared at the broken half of her blade in disbelief.
"You cut through my attack… and my sword?"
Then understanding dawned.
"No… it was three rapid strikes. I see."
She looked up at Andrea and smiled with genuine admiration.
"You shattered my earth‑element defense with three blows. Truly… you could have cut through even my earth‑reinforced armor."
Her voice held no anger — only respect.
"You deliberately chose not to cut me down. Thank you. I'm glad I wasn't injured… though you've dealt a deep wound to my pride. Hahaha!"
Christina stood and tossed aside the broken sword.
"Well? What now? Without a blade I'm like someone trying to punch the Blue Ogre. I admit defeat. I've lost. You win."
The Winner: Andrea Wolf
The referee raised his arm.
"The winner: Andrea Wolf, of the Wolf Knights!"
The crowd rose to their feet in thunderous applause.
The Arena roared as if the very walls were celebrating the two warrior maidens.
The Royal healers stared in disbelief.
"Not a single injury…? After a duel like that…?"
The two female knights shook hands once more.
The respect was mutual.
The camaraderie sincere.
This duel could have been a final.
The crowd was already buzzing about the finals.
Eris Scarlett vs. Andrea Wolf.
Would the Hero claim victory in the Royal Knight Tournament?
Or would the maiden of the Wolf Knights deliver the upset of the century?
The finals would take place in three days.
Until then, the fighters could rest and recover from the semifinals.
Christina left the battlefield slowly.
Her heart ached — but not because of the loss.
"I embarrassed myself in front of Young Wolf…"
Then she smiled.
"But now I understand. This entire tournament was arranged so Eris could face Andrea."
Her gaze drifted toward the royal box, where Young Wolf sat.
"Andrea Wolf is the one the Hero was meant to find."
A soft laugh escaped her.
"Hahaha… Well then. Good luck, Eris."
Her thoughts grew more serious.
"Carla told me… convincing Young Wolf and Andrea to join the Hero's party will be far harder than winning this tournament."
Christina straightened her back and walked away with pride.
Her heart still hurt — but her spirit felt lighter.
The semifinals had ended.
The Royal Knight Arena slowly emptied as the spectators left in excited chatter — everyone talking about the two legendary duels they had just witnessed.
But Eris Scarlett did not stay to celebrate.
The moment Andrea and Christina's fight ended, the Hero was already on her way to the Royal Hospital.
She had made a promise to Apollonia.
And Eris Scarlett never breaks a promise.
The Royal Hospital was quiet, the only sound the soft footsteps of healers echoing through the corridors. Eris stepped into the room where Apollonia lay — with Botond and David, the other two Knight Captains, resting in the other beds beside hers.
Apollonia's head snapped up.
"I came… just like I promised, Apollo," Eris said.
Apollonia's eyes widened.
"So? How did it go? You won, right? And what happened to your face?!"
Eris shrugged, as if it were nothing more than a scratch.
"I won the duel, but Anita broke my nose… and at the end she sliced my face too, thankfully."
"Thankfully?!" Apollonia barked.
"She was aiming for my throat. Hahaha."
Apollonia's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"And did you cut her down? She deserved it!"
Eris's expression turned serious.
"I nearly killed her. She was badly injured."
Apollonia waved a hand dismissively.
"Serves her right! Then she can join me here in the hospital bed!"
"She won't. Noelle healed her."
Apollonia sat up straight, more shocked by this than by her own wounds.
"What do you mean, healed her? Didn't you say she was badly injured?"
"Noelle is a half‑elf mage. Elves are far better healers than human mages."
Apollonia sighed.
"Then she can come heal me too."
Eris crossed her arms.
"Oh, please. You can endure two weeks. Or do you want to owe the Wolf Knights a favor over something this small?"
Apollonia turned her head away with a pout.
"You do realize I ended up here because of a Wolf Knight, right?"
Eris smiled.
"Well, I got revenge on Anita for you, so we're even."
Botond finally spoke.
"So who won the other duel?"
Eris looked at them thoughtfully.
"Hm… guess. What do you think?"
David answered immediately:
"Andrea Wolf."
Botond shook his head.
"I say Christina Silverwood."
Eris turned to Apollonia.
"What about you, Apollo?"
Apollonia studied Eris's face — especially her nose.
"I only need to look at your face. Judging by that nose, you'll be fighting the Wolf Knight in the finals."
Eris burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! It was an incredible duel. Even I watched them in awe."
Apollonia waved impatiently.
"Just tell me already — who won?"
"Andrea Wolf. She's an amazing swordswoman. The complete opposite of Anita. Not a single dirty trick."
Her voice softened with admiration.
"The way they moved… it was like watching a sword‑dance."
"I can't wait for the finals. It'll be a clash between the two strongest swordswomen in the Kingdom."
Apollonia's eyes widened.
"You mean… Andrea Wolf is even stronger than your father?"
"Yes. According to my father, he and Christina Silverwood are roughly equal."
"And Andrea Wolf surpassed them both."
Apollonia slowly leaned back.
"Then Andrea Wolf is the one worthy of joining the Hero's Party?"
Eris's eyes lit up.
"I can't wait to fight her!"
Silence settled over the room.
The three Knight Captains and the Hero all understood:
In three days, one of the greatest duels in the Kingdom's history would take place.
By the end of the day, Wolfwood's lodging was filled with life and laughter.
Noelle was busy in the kitchen, finally finishing the special dish she had been talking about for days: pizza.
The smell drifted through the entire house.
The Wolf Knights could tell from the aroma alone that something heavenly was coming.
Christina Silverwood and Floralys Greenwood had also stopped by — officially to visit Carla Wolfwood, though everyone knew curiosity and appetite played a part.
Christina froze after her first bite, staring at the slice in her hand.
"This sweetbread is incredible. And the way the cheese stretches…"
Floralys was just as stunned.
"Is this a Wolfwood dish? I've lived a hundred and eighty years and never tasted anything like it."
Anita burst out laughing as she shoved her third slice into her mouth.
"You two don't know pizza? This is the Heroes' favorite food!"
Christina's head snapped up.
"The Heroes ate this? Then why have we never heard of it?"