Chapter 33: I Became a Swordsman in the Middle Ages

Disciplinary Action

The reason Cecilia was so obsessed with the title “Sword Princess” wasn’t just because it sounded cute — though it definitely did — but because it served a very specific, strategic purpose.

That title represented the lowest official rank among high-ranking knights.

The list of benefits was long, but the most obvious was this:

Her workload was drastically lighter.

Once you reached the level of Sword Sovereign, you were expected to handle most missions solo. Which meant more time spent alone.

And when newbies eventually arrived?

If you were too far ahead in skill, they’d only feel intimidated, not inspired.

People always paid more attention to trees that looked climbable.

Being around the Sword Demon tier made Cecilia a relatable aspirational figure — something for the newbies to aim toward. It was perfect.

And most of all...

‘What kind of title sounds like a chemical element?!’

“Baek-eun” (白銀) literally meant “Silver.”

In English, that’s Ag — atomic number 47 on the periodic table!

...But clearly, the Lianen Kingdom still wasn’t ready for someone like Cecilia.

“Hmm… I suppose a bit of reflection is in order?”

The Queen didn’t yell.

But she didn’t let it slide either.

And so…

Blank stare…

Cecilia now stood in the Knights’ corridor, arms raised in the air like a statue, face totally empty of thought.

That was her official punishment.

Kneeling while holding your arms up!

It sounded stupid. But this was actually ranked #1 Most Dreaded Disciplinary Action in the Windsor Knights’ annual year-end survey.

Knights live and die by their honor.

To kneel, to expose your underarms in public — it was the ultimate humiliation.

Still, Cecilia was unshaken.

‘If that’s what it takes to protect my title, I’ll kneel until my knees go numb and red!’

Her self-esteem remained sky-high.

‘This one’s on me. I overestimated my camping skills.’

This level of punishment wouldn't even leave a scratch on Cecilia's pride.

“Why is she doing that?”

“They say she slapped her hand over the Queen’s mouth during a medal ceremony.”

“No way.”

Passing knights whispered among themselves. Some even teased her openly.

Cecilia’s face flushed red with shame.

Actually, she was a little, no, very embarrassed.

"Seriously, I'm telling you. Go ask her."

Just then, Heiter and Rude showed up.

Rude trotted over with his short legs and asked:

“Lia, did you really cover Her Majesty’s mouth?”

Cecilia didn’t say anything.

She just looked off into the distant mountains and gave a tiny, solemn nod.

Rude, who had wanted to believe she had a good reason, felt his forced smile crack.

Still, he tried.

“Sometimes… you do things that make no sense. Haha…”

“...Sometimes?”

“……”

Even Rude could no longer cover for her.

And so, Cecilia drooped her head in quiet gloom.

“W-Well, still, the fact that you got off with just that punishment is pretty lucky. I mean, if it were Heiter, he’d be executed on the spot.”

“?”

“What’re you staring at? If some middle-aged guy like you touched Her Majesty’s face, you’d be beheaded right then and there. Lia’s just cute, so they let it slide.”

“Tch… I mean, you’re not wrong, but damn… Did you have to say it like that?”

Heiter looked genuinely hurt.

Not that Rude cared. He just smiled brightly and added:

“Anyway, we’ve got an important announcement today. Wanna come with us, Lia?”

“Am I… allowed to?”

“Of course. It’s a major meeting — how could a high-ranking knight like you miss it?”

Rude offered her his hand.

To Cecilia, Rude looked like an angel.

After a brief moment of hesitation, she reached out and took his hand.

“I can always resume my punishment after the meeting.”

For now, Cecilia desperately wished that today’s meeting would go on forever.

***

Inside the meeting hall, there weren’t many people.

Most had been sent out on missions after the emergency was lifted.

Cecilia glanced at Kairon and cautiously sat down in a diagonal seat near him.

“Cecilia.”

“...Yes?”

“That’s not your seat, is it?”

Scrape.

She got up in silence, walked toward the corner of the room with drooping steps, and knelt down.

Then, she raised her arms straight up.

Around her, some knights immediately burst out laughing.

“Pfft.”

“Ahem, ahem.”

Kairon’s voice cut through the noise like ice:

“You find this funny?”

“...No, sir.”

Silence fell again.

“Then let us begin the meeting.”

Kairon said sternly.

“Kugh, guk.”

In the end, Jerriway couldn’t hold it in and had to cover his mouth, but it was too late.

Kairon was already staring daggers at him.

His laughter vanished immediately.

“Rude and Court Mage Viaton have compiled results from their last week of analysis. Read the reports.”

Aide Michael passed the files around.

Some knights still looked like they were holding back laughter, but the content clearly wasn’t light.

The mood quickly sobered.

Especially Edward, his pupils twitched subtly.

“As you can see, the number of individuals receiving new divine blessings has been decreasing.”

While Cecilia had been away on her mission, the kingdom had mobilized every resource to run a large-scale investigation in various fields.

The result?

This quarter showed a sharp decline in the number of new Blessings manifesting.

“Additionally, the Sacred Flame has noticeably weakened compared to past levels. We’ll need further research, of course — but for now, we must proceed on the assumption that the Goddess’s power is waning. Speak now if you object.”

No one did.

The thoroughness of their data — not to mention Rude’s panda-like dark circles — said it all.

But all eyes slowly turned to Edward.

After all, everyone knew about his bet with Kairon.

Edward smiled calmly and said:

“So Cecilia’s intuition was right all along. We were lucky to have someone from our side pick up on it early.”

Then, with firm conviction in his eyes:

“What happens next is critical. If we fail to prepare properly, the demons will take everything from us.”

More important than winning some bet… is focusing on what really matters.

Putting personal feelings aside, that was exactly the kind of remark a vice commander of the Windsor Knights should make.

But inside, Edward was burning black.

‘So it goes your way again, Cecilia…’

The bet itself wasn’t that important to him.

Truthfully, Edward didn’t even oppose Cecilia becoming vice commander.

Even if he had won, he would’ve pretended to be generous and still given her the position.

But there was one thing he couldn’t stand:

His pride had taken a hit.

The Gartane incident, the Sacred Flame situation — everything kept sending the same message:

That Cecilia was more capable than he was.

“Commander, what measures are you planning to take?”

“From now on, the Windsor Knights will focus entirely on recruitment. Even if they aren’t up to standard yet, we’ll fill the ranks and hone their skills as fast as possible.”

It was exactly what Cecilia had been suggesting all along.

Her eyes sparkled.

“By the authority of the Knight Commander, I order this: Every high-ranking knight must find three gifted recruits, as quickly as possible.”

“Understood.”

As the knights exited the room to begin their search, Kairon felt a tickle on the back of his head and sighed softly.

“You too, get going. But tonight, make sure to return home early—”

He turned around.

Cecilia was already gone.

Only a cute bunny-print blanket was left where she’d been.

“…I spoiled her too much.”

Whoosh.

Fire ignited in Kairon's eyes.

This time, no matter what it took, he was going to correct her bratty habits.

***

Cecilia strode down the street triumphantly.

She was in a fantastic mood.

Though her promotion had been canceled, the medal hadn’t.

‘One more cool cosmetic item acquired.’

She was proud.

The silver medal sparkled on her chest. It was both pretty and something she could honestly take pride in.

“Is your punishment over now?”

“Yup.”

“Oh, that must be the new medal you received.”

“Yup.”

Ta-da!

Cecilia proudly placed her hands on her hips and posed for admiration.

The medal gleamed brilliantly on her uniform, and the knight across from her gave an awkward smile.

“I-It really suits you.”

“Yup. I think so too.”

She strutted around a few more knights, even blocked the way of some knights, flashing her medal in front of their faces like it was a badge of honor.

Then, under the shade of a large old tree, she spotted Jerriway napping and suddenly remembered something she’d forgotten.

“What is it, Cecilia? I’m not slacking off. I’m just brainstorming ways to scout talented rookies…”

“Here.”

Cecilia pulled out something from her coat and held it out to Jerriway.

Just moments before, he’d been trying to make excuses about why he wasn’t just slacking off.

But the moment he saw that something, his expression hardened.

“...Where did you get this?”

“From a demon in Gartane Territory. Its name was ‘Priscilla the Deception.’”

It was a flower-shaped hair clip.

Jerriway carefully took it in his hands.

It showed faint signs of wear — a hair clip he’d given his sister. The first and last gift he'd ever managed.

“Priscilla… was my sister’s name. That demon must’ve started using it at some point. Maybe it thought I’d protect it if it used her name.”

Jerriway’s vision grew blurry.

After opening and closing his mouth a few times, he finally managed to speak.

“...Thank you. I can’t think of anything else to say right now.”

Cecilia shook her head.

“I was just doing my duty.”

“Damn… getting comforted by someone 40 years younger than me.”

He wiped his eyes. Then, staggering to his feet, he knelt on one knee.

“Did you know, Cecilia? I’ve never pledged my loyalty to anyone, not even Her Majesty the Queen.”

It wasn’t because he had some noble reason. Quite the opposite.

Jerriway just couldn't accept that someone like him has the right to be called a knight.

More than anything.

"I was born a commoner in the slums, so I can't possibly have the noble heart to protect anyone."

The idea of nobly protecting others never sat right with him.

But at this moment, Jerriway's values changed.

“I swear eternal loyalty to you, Cecilia. Even if the world turns against you, I’ll stand by your side until death.”

Cecilia was taken aback.

‘...Is he that serious?’

When faced with a knight offers an oath of loyalty, you only have two options:

Either accept it — or kill them.

‘Wait, what was the protocol again? I don’t remember…’

Cecilia became serious. As a knight herself, she had never felt the need to memorize how to receive such an oath.

But after thinking hard, she remembered.

'That's right. I was supposed to give a meaningful first order. Then what should I order?'

After a moment, she spoke carefully:

“There’s an orphanage I’ve been sponsoring. If you come across children with unfortunate circumstances from various places, please bring them there. It’d be great if you could also teach them swordsmanship or guide them in blessings whenever you have time.”

“...!”

Jerriway’s eyes widened. Cecilia was puzzled.

‘Does he not like it? Why is he so surprised…?’

“I’m still not sure what your goal is, but I do understand what it is you’re aiming for.”

He gave her a smile she couldn’t quite interpret.

Cecilia tilted her head, confused.

“I’ll need to make some preparations. If I want to match your standards, ordinary talent won’t be enough.”

“?”

It was around that point that Cecilia realized:

Jerriway was completely misunderstanding something.

But correcting him felt too much of a bother, so she simply nodded… very slightly.

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