Noah was startled when she first met that Craftsman Cat.
While she had seen Ancients who maintained beastly forms, it was rare to encounter one as peculiar as this one-eyed craftsman.
The Craftsman Cat was highly skilled at making intricate weapons, and the weapon models he produced were also quite massive.
According to him, these weapons were originally used to fight giant beasts, beings like natural disasters that only true hunters could master.
A large part of the reason he made weapons for Kielanlet was because Kielanlet's ancestors helped him set up a workshop after he mysteriously appeared in the wilderness.
Because of his predecessors, Noah was now also regarded highly by him.
After Noah made her request, he quickly began making the weapon with enthusiasm, even telling her stories about his life before he came to Kazimierz.
Noah had actually heard it many times, but she still felt a sense of awe and wonder towards the fire dragons soaring in the sky, the Flame King Dragons that would explode for no reason, and the Old Mountain Dragons that were like mountains, as described by him.
After all, she had never heard of such magical creatures existing on Terra, but the Craftsman Cat was actually just reminiscing.
He had been in Kazimierz for decades, and perhaps if he didn't talk about his stories more often, he would forget them himself.
Although Noah didn't know what the 'hunters' in the Craftsman Cat's stories were, nor how those hunters wielding these weapons fought against the ancient dragons, which were like natural disasters, the world described by the Craftsman Cat still made Noah quite yearn for it.
And the [Dragon Heat Engine · Xia Guang Charge Axe] in front of her was his work, specially crafted for Maria Nearl—according to him, hunters at the time praised this weapon endlessly, with incomprehensible phrases like "offense and defense in one," "release!", "release the TMD!", constantly heard.
Anyway, no matter what, Noah could at least believe that the weapons made by the Craftsman Cat possessed extremely high craftsmanship.
Even if used simply as a sword and shield, it would be much better than Maria's previous two.
Anyway, Noah rushed to deliver the weapon before Maria went on stage; as for how Maria would use it later, that was her business; she had done everything she could.
When Noah returned to the spectator seats, someone sat down next to her.
Noah knew who it was from the sound of their movement.
"...Why are you here too?"
"My work finally has a chance to be seen; I came to watch." Sitting next to her was a cat about a meter tall, one-eyed, with a pipe dangling from its mouth.
After sitting on the seat, its feet couldn't reach the ground.
According to the Craftsman Cat, its species name should be Ailuro, not Filin.
"The item has been delivered, but I don't know if Maria will use it." Noah was still a bit worried.
It was supposed to be ready a day earlier, but it was only completed today.
Although it had been delivered as quickly as possible to prevent Maria from having to use a training sword, she was still a bit uneasy.
"Don't worry, even if she doesn't know how to use my stuff, it's still much better than ordinary weapons.
There aren't many people in all of Terra who can compare with my craftsmanship." Craftsman Cat stroked his whiskers and said with a smile, "If your description is accurate, she should learn to use it very quickly, after all, she's a craftsman herself.
She can always see the structure, and besides, didn't I include an instruction manual?"
Craftsman Cat boasted, "At least those hunters never gave me a bad review."
"..." Noah thought to herself, if the hunters you're talking about are fighting opponents comparable to natural disasters, and if your weapon malfunctions...they probably wouldn't have a chance to give you a bad review either.
But these words obviously couldn't be said lightly, so she could only swallow them back down.
Soon, with an upbeat BGM, The Left-Hand Knight and Maria entered the arena one after another.
It must be said that, compared to before, Maria's expression had indeed begun to resemble that of a warrior.
She held the sword and shield; although it was heavier than her previous one, the feel had improved significantly, and the effect of conducting Stone source art was much smoother.
At least it wouldn't shatter the sword like Repentance Sword did before.
The weapons Noah prepared for Maria were naturally made from the best materials.
To allow Maria to fully utilize her advantages, she even specifically requested Craftsman Cat to design the length according to Maria's physique as much as possible during the crafting process.
Therefore, Maria now felt quite comfortable holding the sword.
The Left-Hand Knight looked at the Xia Guang Knight in front of him.
Carrying a long spear, he was a head taller than Maria.
Just standing in front of Maria, he exuded a feeling like an Astartes standing before the Astra Militarum.
Maria couldn't discern his expression through the mask, but the aura he emanated was indeed incomparable to her previous opponents.
Maria took a deep breath, forcing herself to raise her head, unyielding despite his imposing presence.
The two stared at each other for a moment, then The Left-Hand Knight snorted coldly, turned, and returned to his starting position.
At this point, more words were meaningless; only battle could explain everything.
Maria gripped the [Dragon Heat Engine · Xia Guang Charge Axe] in her hand, feeling the weapon's weight while also sensing the care Noah had for her embedded within it.
She would absolutely not lose!
"Both Knights are ready!
Ladies and gentlemen!
This match is undoubtedly a high-level confrontation!
Will Shining Knight's younger sister, Maria Nearl, display the strength a wild horse should possess!
Or will the true official gatekeeper, The Left-Hand Knight, once again defend his honor!
We shall wait and see!
This match is brought to you by—"
Once again ignoring Big Mouth Mobu's rap-like recitation of advertisements, the cheers from the stands rose in waves.
Before the betting closed, Maria's odds had soared to one to four.
Undoubtedly, everyone favored The Left-Hand Knight, and now was the time to see the outcome.
The match! Begins!
Maria did not rush out immediately.
As usual, her primary tactic was still defensive counterattack.
She needed to first observe how The Left-Hand Knight planned to attack, then figure out how to break the situation.
Sure enough, The Left-Hand Knight was the first to attack.
He stepped forward, swinging his long spear towards Maria—he did it so effortlessly that Maria felt she could easily block it, but she was mistaken...
Bang!
Eh?
Maria blocked the strike with her shield, but an impact force penetrated the shield, directly transmitting to Maria's arm.
The shield was fine—but, his strength was actually greater than Rust Copper's!
The shield was directly knocked aside, leaving Maria's front wide open—
With just one strike, she had already exposed a weakness sufficient to be defeated?
Is this...an official Knight?
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