Noelle nodded, still channeling healing energy.
"I'll stay with you anyway—Andrea will need healing too."
Silence settled over the locker room, broken only by the soft ripple of water magic. All three knew: the next duel would not be just another fight—Anita would face the Hero, and one of the greatest battles in the arena's history was approaching.
The arena's healers worked tirelessly. Faint light from healing sigils shimmered in the air, wounds were bandaged, blood wiped away. Apollonia Velvett, lieutenant of the Royal Knights, lay on one of the beds, consciousness returned. Though her face was pale, her eyes still burned with stubborn will to live.
Then the door slowly opened, and Eris Scarlett, the Hero, stepped inside. Her stride was firm, yet her gaze softer than on the battlefield.
"You holding up?" she asked briefly, concern in her voice.
Apollonia answered with a faint smile.
"I'm still alive. What happened?"
"You got beaten badly, that's what," Eris said plainly, without sugarcoating.
Apollonia sighed.
"I'm sorry, Eris. We won't be able to fight each other in the semifinals."
"I wasn't interested in testing your strength anyway," Eris replied calmly.
Apollonia smiled bitterly.
"Right. I'm too weak for the Hero's Party."
Eris stepped closer, her voice ringing firm.
"You are a fine Royal Knight."
Apollonia's eyes darkened as she recalled the Whirlwind's rampage.
"She‑Wolf, huh? The Young Wolf's hounds are terrifying."
"That Anita used an interesting technique," Eris said, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "It will be good experience to fight her."
"And what do you think? Is she worthy of your party?" Apollonia asked, weary curiosity in her tone.
"The Princess said Anita is only the second‑best Wolf Knight the Young Wolf has," Eris answered.
Apollonia sat up slightly, stunned.
"You're joking, right? With that technique, Anita could have cut down even that hulking Knight Captain. And you're telling me there's another Wolf Knight stronger than her?"
Eris replied with a faint smile.
"This tournament is more entertaining than I expected."
Apollonia smiled too, old memories flickering in her mind.
"It's been a long time since I saw you smile like that."
"Indeed," Eris nodded. "Other than my father, I've never had to fight anyone with my full strength."
Apollonia's voice grew serious.
"Just try not to kill them. It wouldn't be good if the Young Wolf grew angry with you—then he wouldn't want to join your party."
Eris's eyes flashed with resolve, though her voice remained calm.
"I know. It won't be a problem."
In the royal box, the tension slowly flared anew. Christina Silverwood rose from her seat, her eyes gleaming with determination: her duel was next. The nobles around her fixed their gaze upon her, as though weighing every movement.
"It's my turn now," she declared firmly. "Will the children cheer for me too?"
Andras Wolfwood answered calmly, his eyes flashing with seriousness.
"Their hearts beat for the female Wolf Knights."
Christina arched a brow with a mocking smile.
"Or maybe just for the sweet pastries they get for cheering."
Andras leaned forward slightly, his tone turning cautionary.
"You'll be fighting an adventurer. Beware his dirty tricks."
"I know," Christina nodded. "I saw Anita fight. That adventurer won't surprise me with anything new. Still, I'll stay alert. You're not worried about me, are you?"
Andras's eyes darkened, though his voice remained steady.
"I just don't want Andrea to be saddened. She wants to face you in the semifinals."
Floralys Greenwood interjected then, her voice carrying playful challenge.
"You do realize Andrea still has to fight my Knight Captain first?"
Andras smiled, his eyes glinting mischievously.
"Well then, Floralys, care to wager on that match?"
Floralys leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"And what would be the stakes?"
"If Andrea wins, you'll serve as my maid for a day. But if your knight wins, then I'll belong to you for a day," Andras replied, his tone mixing challenge and playfulness.
Floralys's eyes lit up.
"And you'll fulfill all my requests?"
"As long as they don't cross a certain line, yes," Andras nodded.
"I accept the wager!" Floralys declared, her smile triumphant.
Christina laughed then, shaking her head playfully.
"Seriously? Will you wager with me too?"
Andras's eyes flashed with seriousness, though his voice stayed light.
"If I win this bet, and you win your own match, then yes, we can talk about it."
Christina's eyes gleamed with resolve.
"I'm in! Well then, I'm off!" she said, striding firmly toward the exit of the box to step onto the arena's sand.
The arena held a half‑hour break before the third duel would begin. The spectators thus had time to drink a few mugs of beer or a couple of shots, which lifted their spirits even higher. The air was filled with loud laughter, cheerful chatter, and the scent of roasted meat mingling with the dust.
In the royal box, however, the mood was somewhat different. Only Floralys Greenwood drank a mug of beer, while Andras Wolfwood sipped fruit juice. The Princess had been brought an entire tray of pastries, despite asking for only a single piece—the tray nearly overflowed with honeyed and fruity sweets.
"Noelle isn't coming back?" Floralys asked, tilting her head playfully to the side.
"No," Andras replied calmly. "She stayed with Anita and Andrea, since after Andrea's duel she may still be needed for healing."
"So we're left alone together?" Floralys smiled, her eyes flashing with a teasing light.
The Princess interjected then, gesturing toward the tray.
"Would you like some pastries? I ordered just one, but they brought me a whole tray."
"Princess Anabella," Floralys leaned closer, her tone sweet. "How kind of you. I was just… craving a pastry."
"Take some, there's plenty," the Princess answered with a smile.
Captain John Scarlett turned to Andras Wolfwood.
"Congratulations on your Wolf Knight's victory, Young Wolf."
"It would have been better if your lieutenant hadn't been so strong," Andras replied grimly. "Then Anita could have saved her trump card for Eris. Now the element of surprise is gone."
John laughed.
"Hahaha! Thank you for the compliment. I'll tell Apollonia too—maybe it will cheer her up a little. She must be downhearted after losing."
The Princess then looked at Andras.
"Would you like some, Young Wolf?"
"Pastry—or your panties?" Andras shot back with a mischievous smile.
"If you're not careful, this tray of pastries will land on your head," the Princess retorted, her eyes flashing.
Floralys interjected, her tone playful and challenging.
"If you'd like, Young Wolf, I'll gladly give you mine."
"I see you're having fun with Floralys behind Christina's back," the Princess remarked with a hint of mockery.
"Are you jealous, Princess?" Andras asked, his eyes sparking.
"Don't flatter yourself," Anabella shot back, though a faint blush crossed her face.
Andras shifted the topic to the upcoming duel.
"Christina's match is about to begin. Who are you cheering for, Princess?"
"For Eris, of course!" she answered firmly.
"I mean, in this duel—who do you want to win?" Andras pressed, then turned to Captain John. "Do you know this adventurer?"
"Adventurers usually work for merchants," John explained. "Or they hunt weaker monsters and sell their magic stones."
"Then adventurers can't be weak, if one of them reached the top eight," Andras noted.
"They're more skilled than bandits, and far braver," John nodded.
"Then Christina's match may be entertaining as well," Andras said, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
The Princess leaned forward.
"May we sit here with you? Sitting alone in the box is boring."
"Sure, sit down," Andras replied lightly. "Don't worry, Princess. I'll keep an eye on you—so no one steals your panties again, hahaha!"
"You'll never let go of that topic, will you?" Anabella sighed, though playful light shimmered in her eyes.