Andrea's fingers tightened slowly around the hilt of her sword. In the dim half‑light of the gate, the memories of the past returned with such clarity it felt as if she were once again standing before the Earthstone Bear.
"When I saw that monster, when I heard its roar, I couldn't even move from fear. Not a sound came out of my throat. I didn't even have the strength to lift my sword."
The shame still pulsed in her chest.
"I was so arrogant… I thought I was Young Wolf's true knight. But when danger came, I couldn't protect my lord."
A sliver of light glinted on the stone wall as Andrea lowered her head.
"I should have protected him… but instead, he was the one who protected me."
Her thoughts were silent, yet powerful enough to feel spoken aloud.
"I should have been his sword, standing at the front. Instead, I was the one cowering at the back like a coward."
Her heart tightened as the images of Noelle and Anita appeared before her.
"I looked down on Noelle and Anita… but they were far braver than I was. They were afraid too, yet they kept their minds clear and followed Young Wolf's instructions."
Andrea clenched her free hand into a fist.
"And what did I do? The great knight? Anita had to grab my hand just to make me move."
The shame washed over her again.
"I'll never forget that feeling. Not the fear… but the overwhelming shame that followed."
And yet — no one blamed her.
"Young Wolf never scolded me for that day. Noelle and Anita never mocked me, even though I deserved it."
Andrea straightened slowly. Her gaze was steady, her breathing calm.
"That was when I realized how pathetic I had been. As a knight, as a protector, as a person."
Her fingers brushed along the hilt of her sword.
"This cannot continue."
From the depths of her heart, the memory of her oath rose.
"I swore on my soul that I would change. That I would become a true knight — a woman who fears nothing and no one."
The light in the gate grew stronger — the duel was about to begin.
"A true protecting blade, one who defends those who matter. Not because the Wolf knightly family demands it… but because I choose it."
A soft smile touched her lips.
"I like Noelle. I like Anita. They are true friends and true comrades."
Then her smile grew gentler.
"And I love my lord. Not because he is a Wolfwood… but because he is worthy of being served."
Her heartbeat quickened.
"Young Wolf… you are my destiny. My fate."
The gate began to move.
"Let the Hero come. Let the Demon King come. Let Demon Generals rain from the sky."
Andrea raised her sword.
"I will protect the ones I love most in this world."
Light flooded the gate completely.
"I am the true blade that protects — not the Hero's sword."
Her heart thundered, her steps confident.
"There is nothing left to fear."
The gate swung open.
"As long as this heart beats, the strongest protecting blade will strike down evil."
Andrea stepped into the light.
"This is what it means to be a true Wolf Knight."
In the dim half‑light of the western gate, Christina Silverwood stood alone, leaning on her sword. The roar of the crowd felt distant, as if echoing from another world. But before the gate of the battlefield, her thoughts rang crystal clear.
"Since I was fifteen, they've called me the strongest female Knight in the Kingdom."
A faint, bittersweet smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Now I'm thirty‑three. How quickly time has passed…"
Her armor tightened on her shoulders as she drew a deep breath.
"Perhaps it really is time for the Hero to take that title from me."
There was no jealousy in her — only honest recognition.
"This generation is full of incredibly talented warriors. I wish I belonged to their generation too."
Her thoughts drifted, inevitably, toward a certain boy.
"If I could be fifteen again… then I could fight for Young Wolf's heart as well."
Her chest tightened as she whispered his name in her mind.
"Young Wolf…"
His image appeared before her as clearly as if he were standing beside her.
"Ever since I met you, everything has changed for the better. The Silver and Wolf Knights are comrades again — no more rivalry between our houses."
Christina smiled.
"At first I thought Bandorn was exaggerating his son's strength to impress the King."
Then she remembered that day.
The day the boy stood alone against the Blue Ogre.
"But when I saw you fight that Blue Ogre… I understood everything."
Her eyes sparkled.
"At twelve years old, you fought a magical beast like a true Hero."
Her heart pounded faster.
"And I thought I would never fall in love."
The thought was both painful and sweet.
"But whenever I think of you, my heart races."
She leaned back against the wall of the gate and closed her eyes.
"How cruel fate is… If only we were the same age. I would give anything for that."
Then she straightened slowly. Determination hardened her gaze.
"This is my last chance."
She raised her sword, the blade catching the light.
"I know I can't join the Hero's party anymore. But I stopped caring about that long ago."
Her heart thundered.
"Young Wolf will be watching me now."
Her smile was confident, feminine — and dangerously alluring.
"I'll show you what a true warrior maiden looks like."
Her thoughts turned toward Andrea and Eris.
"Andrea and Eris are still young and inexperienced. I have a chance to defeat them."
The gate began to move.
"If I win this tournament, Young Wolf will see only me."
Her heartbeat quickened.
"And then… and then…"
A soft, excited laugh escaped her lips.
"Hahaha… I've never been this motivated!"
She lifted her sword high.
"My defense is the strongest! Even the Hero's blade will break against me!"
The gate opened fully.
"Forward, Christina! Just two more sword dances… and then comes the duel of hearts!"
Christina stepped into the light — and the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.
The moment had arrived.
The Arena's sunlit battlefield came alive once more. The spectators returned to their seats, the rumbling chatter slowly faded, and the entire space condensed into a single, tense anticipation.
The bell rang:
The second semifinal was about to begin.
The announcer's voice thundered across the Arena:
"On the eastern side: the female warrior of the Wolf Knights — Andrea Wolf!
On the western side: Captain of the Silver Knights, the strongest female swordswoman of the Kingdom — Christina Silverwood!"
The crowd roared.
The eastern gate opened, and Andrea Wolf stepped into the light.