Botond had been defeated, but he fell with his head held high. The crowd bowed in respect, for his courage and endurance had forever inscribed his name into the history of the Royal Knightly Tournament.
The Hero's victory was celebrated by the entire arena. The cheers of the spectators thundered against the massive stone walls, banners fluttered, horns blared, and the crowd's passion was condensed into a single name: Eris Scarlett!
In the royal box, Princess Anabella rose from her ornate seat, applauding her Hero. A proud smile shone upon her face, her eyes glittering as though she had placed all her hopes into this triumph. Beside her, Captain John Scarlett leaned forward more reservedly, yet his smile betrayed both pride and relief: his daughter had triumphed over a Knight Captain.
The royal box seemed divided into two camps. On one side stood the Princess and Captain John. On the other sat the Young Wolf, Andras Wolfwood, in the Wolfwood seats. At his right hand was his loyal maid, Noelle; at his left, Christina Silverwood; and beside Noelle sat Floralys Greenwood. For some strange reason, the representatives of House Silverwood and House Greenwood had gathered on the Wolfwood side, as though fate itself were forging an alliance among them.
After winning the first duel, Eris Scarlett returned to the Royal Knights' locker room. The air still carried the tension of battle—the scent of flames, the dust of sand. Waiting for her there was her lieutenant, Apollonia Velvett, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with respect and curiosity.
"You cut down the Redwood giant beautifully, Eris," Apollonia remarked, her voice tinged with admiration.
"He was my toughest opponent so far," Eris replied, wiping the last embers from her sword. "No one has ever endured the strikes of my flaming blade for so long."
"He was fire‑elemental," Apollonia nodded. "And naturally strong and resilient."
"Yes," Eris said, her gaze drifting for a moment. "The spirit of battle burned in his eyes."
Apollonia smiled.
"Lucky for me I didn't have to face him. I doubt I could have defeated such a powerful Knight Captain. My opponent isn't a captain, so I think I can win another round. For a Knight Lieutenant, reaching the top four is already a great honor."
Eris answered in a serious tone:
"Don't underestimate your opponent, Apollonia. Especially since she's a Wolf Knight. The Wolfwoods didn't send their captain or lieutenant to the tournament, yet two of their knights still reached the top eight. Your opponent is at least lieutenant‑level. The Young Wolf is likely already preparing the Wolf Knights for battle against the demons. Nothing proves it better than the fact he accepted a half‑elf, and even that beast‑woman, Ironclaw."
Apollonia's eyes sparkled playfully.
"Do I hear respect in your voice, Eris?"
"I think the Young Wolf's personality resembles my father's," Eris replied calmly.
Apollonia leaned closer, her tone teasing.
"So he made your heart beat faster? Don't tell me you've taken a liking to the boy. Our Eris is starting to show interest in men?"
Eris snorted, her eyes flashing like lightning.
"Don't speak nonsense. It's simply that he's my first candidate for the Hero's Party—as a mage. In this tournament, I'll hopefully find a swordsman candidate as well. We'll see who I face in the finals."
Apollonia laughed and waved her hand dismissively.
"I get it, I get it. For you it's all work, no fun."
Behind the stone walls, in the Wolf Knights' locker room, tension vibrated in the air. The roar of the battlefield seeped in faintly, as though the world outside belonged to another dimension. Anita sat on the bench, sharpening her sword, while Andrea leaned against the wall, watching her.
"What do you think of the Hero?" Anita broke the silence, her eyes flashing as she drew the blade across the whetstone.
Andrea smiled, though her voice remained serious.
"With my trump card, I could have cut down that hulking knight much faster."
"Yeah," Anita nodded. "I thought he was weaker than the Blue Ogre."
Andrea stepped closer, folding her arms.
"Are you prepared for your opponent?"
"I'm up against the Royal Knights' lieutenant," Anita replied lightly. "I'll toy with her at first. But if she proves too strong, I'll use my trump card against her."
Andrea's eyes gleamed, her tone turning warning.
"Just don't kill her. That power was developed for a monster like the Blue Ogre."
Anita answered with a half‑smile, as though the thought of death did not trouble her.
"Relax. If I use that power, I won't aim for her neck."
Andrea sighed, shaking her head.
"Sometimes I wonder if you're truly a knight—or more of an assassin."
Anita set down her sword and met Andrea's gaze.
"Against the Hero, though, I won't hold back."
Andrea's eyes darkened, though her voice stayed calm.
"The Hero doesn't need protecting. If you could kill her, then she was never worthy of defeating the Demon King in the first place."
Silence settled between the two Wolf Knights. Beyond the stone walls, the crowd's cheers grew louder, signaling that the next duel was drawing near. Anita and Andrea knew: soon their words would become reality upon the sand of the battlefield.
Meanwhile, on the eastern stands of the Royal Knightly Arena, a strange sight unfolded. Thirty children rose at once, shouting at the top of their lungs as though they wished to pour all the strength of the world into their voices. Each held a black flag emblazoned with the Wolf crest. The flags whipped wildly in the air, as if they too longed to charge into battle.
Towering above the children was a massive figure: a Beastman, Bloki, the dog‑folk resident of the southern slums. In his hands he waved an enormous Wolfwood banner, rippling through the air like a black sea. The spectators of the arena waited in silence for the second duel, yet the children's voices filled the entire space, drawing even the attention of those seated in the royal box.
Christina Silverwood leaned forward, her eyes flashing with curiosity.
"Did you bring all those children from Wolfwood, Young Wolf?"
Andras Wolfwood smiled, his voice calm.
"Not at all. I recruited them from the southern outskirts of the capital, from the slums, to work for me during the final matches."
"I see, from the slums," Christina nodded, thoughtful.
Noelle, the maid, spoke with a playful smile.
"Their bellies are full, so their energy is overflowing."
Andras nodded.
"Yes, as long as they work for me, they'll eat and drink well. Plus, they get pocket money. Not a single child needed convincing."
Christina smiled, almost envious.
"A personal cheering squad, huh? Why didn't I think of that?"
Andras shrugged, though his eyes gleamed seriously.
"Since they're only children, I can't guarantee they'll cheer in a sportsmanlike manner."
Noelle laughed.
"In the slums, they may have picked up a few rude words."
Those in the royal box watched the children's enthusiasm with smiles, while the arena slowly fell silent, awaiting the start of the second duel. Yet the Wolf Knights' supporters had already proven: their voices were stronger than any horn or drumbeat.
The air of the Royal Knightly Arena vibrated with tension. The sound of horns slowly faded, and the crowd held its breath, awaiting the next clash. The participants of the second quarterfinal duel: Apollonia Velvett, lieutenant of the Royal Knights, and Anita the Whirlwind, proud representative of House Wolfwood.
Apollonia was the first to step out from the arena's left gate. Her armor gleamed in the sunlight, her stride carrying the weight of discipline and duty. Yet no sooner had she appeared than a great chorus of boos erupted from the eastern stands. The Wolf Knights' supporters—thirty children, each holding a black flag—shouted at the top of their lungs, their voices filling the entire arena.
"Boo, boo, Royal Knight, boo! Soil yourself, Royal Knight! Iron‑sucker! Suck the iron! Go home and suck all the iron!" they cried in unison, and laughter and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Apollonia's face tightened, but her eyes flashed with determination.
"That damned Young Wolf! He deliberately brought children to insult me. Since they're only children, the Wolfwoods will escape with the smallest punishment. Wonderful—now the entire eastern stand is laughing at me. Not pleasant, but it won't shake me. I'll win this duel, and then there will be no reason left to boo!" she thought, gripping her sword more firmly.
Then the right gate of the arena opened, and Anita the Whirlwind emerged. The Wolf Knight seemed to soar above the sand, her light steps carrying the force of a storm. The children in the eastern stands erupted in cheers, their voices thundering across the arena.
"Go, Wolf Knight! Give it your all, Anita! Defeat that iron‑sucker! You will win, Anita! She‑Wolf! She‑Wolf!" they shouted, their flags whipping wildly in the air.