Alexander Loverchild — The Bard's Song of the Semifinal Knights
Hear, good people, the heroes' song,
The Arena awaits the mighty throng!
Eris Scarlett, the Hero, shines in light,
Anita the Gale, strikes swift as lightning's might.
Christina Silverwood, silver shield aglow,
Andrea Wolf, with a heart that beats like a wolf.
Blades clash, shields resound,
Before the King, the heroes battle proud.
Refrain:
Long live the Tournament, let the song resound,
The heroes' hearts now blaze unbound,
Who shall triumph, who shall stand,
Who shall reach the finals, who shall be crowned?
The Gale runs like a storm in the sky,
The Hero stands firm, in hope and light.
The Silver shines like the moon at night,
The Wolf howls strong, in blood and might.
Refrain:
Long live the Tournament, let the song resound,
The heroes' hearts now blaze unbound,
Who shall triumph, who shall stand,
Who shall reach the finals, who shall be crowned?
Hear, good people, the heroes' song,
The Arena awaits the mighty throng!
The King watches, the heavens quake,
In the Semifinals, heroes battle for fate!
From the Next Volume
After the close of the first book, three figures stepped forward to give readers a taste of what was to come. Uriel, with a serious face but playful intent, addressed her companions:
"We've read the first volume. Girls, tell the readers something about the next one!"
Eli answered, a little flustered.
"What? We're the ones who have to talk about it?"
Uriel nodded, explaining:
"We didn't have much screen time in the first book, so I volunteered to handle the preview."
Sakura Dry squinted suspiciously.
"Don't they usually do these kinds of previews only in anime?"
Uriel waved with a smile.
"Don't get hung up on details. Just be glad you get another page of spotlight."
Eli stepped forward then, speaking seriously.
"Alright, I'll start. In the next volume, the Knightly Tournament comes to its conclusion."
Sakura Dry laughed.
"No kidding? Of course it ends—there are only three duels left."
"But all three will be exciting," Eli continued, "and some secrets about the characters will be revealed."
Sakura Dry's eyes gleamed.
"A bit of backstory… now that sounds properly anime‑like."
Eli nodded, turning more serious.
"Then the first demon enemy appears. Very strong."
"Who fights whom?" Sakura Dry asked curiously.
"You'll see," Eli replied mysteriously. "And not just a demon… a dragon will appear too."
"More battles?" Sakura Dry raised an eyebrow.
"More adventures," Eli smiled. "Though yes, battles as well."
Sakura Dry nudged her playfully.
"And I suppose more maids and female knights will show up too?"
"How did you know?" Eli was surprised.
"He's my disciple," Sakura Dry said proudly.
"And mine," Eli shot back. "But let's not argue now. Anyway, we'll travel to the Empire. New adventures and complications await in a merchant city."
"If it's the Empire, then slaves," Sakura Dry remarked.
"Exactly," Eli nodded. "The Young Wolf may even acquire one."
Sakura Dry cried out indignantly.
"He's not actually going to buy a sxx—slave, is he?!"
"Where did you learn that word?" Eli exclaimed. "Relax, not exactly."
"What do you mean, not exactly?!" Sakura Dry pressed.
"You'll find out when you read the second volume," Eli answered mysteriously.
Uriel stepped in to calm them.
"Easy, girls. The mischief will be saved for the mischievous version."
"What's the mischievous version?" Sakura Dry asked suspiciously.
Uriel explained with a smile.
"If this series ever became a manga, we'd plan an official mischievous spin‑off. A second artist would draw it alongside the main one."
Eli laughed, adding:
"Yeah, because maids and female knights have plenty of mischief to get up to."
"Don't even start… once I saw—" Sakura Dry began, but Eli quickly cut her off.
"Shut it! Don't say more!"
Uriel closed the preview with a grin.
"So that's the deal. See you in the next volume!"
Noelle's Maid Jokes
The mood in the main hall was already cheerful when Noelle suddenly jumped up from her armchair, turning to the others with a wide smile.
"Now, listen up!" she began. "A maid doesn't just clean, feed, and gossip—sometimes she tells jokes too. Let me entertain you with a few true maid‑style tricks!"
The group watched curiously, Christina a little suspicious, while Floralys was already laughing in anticipation.
"First joke," Noelle said. "Why can't a maid keep a secret?"
"Because even if you shut her mouth, the gossip escapes like steam from a pot!"
The group burst into laughter, even Andras shook his head with a smile.
"Second joke," Noelle continued. "Why is it a bad idea to hide a maid in the closet?"
"Because by the time you open the door, she's already cleaned the whole thing—and told you who kissed whom last week!"
Master Florian laughed loudly, while Anita nodded as she chewed her scone.
"Third joke," Noelle's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Why does the Young Wolf like having a maid at his side?"
"Because if he loses his sword, the maid will find it… and shove a scone into his mouth at the same time!"
By now the hall was roaring with laughter, and even Christina had to admit:
"Alright, Noelle, those were actually funny."
Noelle bowed with satisfaction before sitting back down.
"See? Maids don't just keep the house in order—they keep the good mood alive too."
Maid Anecdotes
1. Noelle and the Sword
Once Noelle was cleaning in such a rush that she polished Andras's sword, mistaking it for cutlery. When her master drew it in battle, the blade gleamed as if it were a freshly polished fork.
2. Ironclaw and the Scones
Ironclaw was once so hungry that she began chewing raw dough in the kitchen. By the time Noelle noticed, three "half‑finished" scones were missing from the tray. Since then, Ironclaw always gets her own portion of raw dough so she won't steal from the oven.
3. Christina and the Armor
Christina, far more at home in knightly armor, once tried serving in a maid's dress. Instead of handing over the glass, she instinctively raised her arms in a shield stance, as if under attack. Since then, the Young Wolf has nicknamed her "Shielded Maid."
4. Floralys and the Broom
Floralys, the wood elf, once mistook a broom for a magic wand. When she tried to cast a spell with it, all she managed was a cloud of dust covering the hall. Ever since, she's been called "Dust Witch" whenever cleaning is mentioned.
5. Marta and Eavesdropping
Marta, the personal maid of the Wolfwoods' mistress, once caught herself listening too long at the door. When she entered, everyone knew she had overheard the gossip, but she simply said: "For maids it's duty—for me, it's entertainment."
6. Noelle and the Juice
Once Noelle hurried so much that she brought orange juice to Andras without a straw. When her master asked how he was supposed to drink it, Noelle replied: "Master, maids always find a solution!"—then began blowing the juice herself as if she were the straw.
7. Christina and Knightly Reflexes
Even as a maid, Christina lived by knightly reflexes. Once in the kitchen, hearing a clatter of pots, she instantly drew a weapon—though it was only a wooden spoon—and heroically defended the scones from an imaginary foe. Since then, the Young Wolf calls her "Spoon Knight."
8. Anita and the Broom
Anita once got so carried away with cleaning that she wielded the broom like a weapon. In the end the dust was gone, but the room looked as though a training session had taken place inside.
9. Floralys and the Mirror
The first time Floralys wore a maid's dress, she stared at herself in the mirror for minutes. Finally she said: "This dress must be enchanted, because even I look more beautiful in it." Since then, everyone jokes that the maid's outfit "magically enhances" elven beauty.
10. Marta and the Art of Eavesdropping
Marta once became so absorbed in listening at the door that when she entered the room, she reflexively answered a question she officially couldn't have heard. The others laughed: "A maid doesn't need to stand behind the door—she is the door."