Chapter 12: I Became a Swordsman in the Middle Ages

A Suitable Dungeon (2)

“I don’t wanna work…”

Cecilia left the Knights’ headquarters with a sorrowful look on her face.

But as someone committed to maintaining her perfectionist persona, refusal wasn't an option.

‘…If only it were an unresolved dungeon instead.’

She sighed, glancing down at the mission brief Edward had handed her.

Unresolved dungeons were akin to cold cases in the modern world—

Dungeons that had never been cleared.

Not because they were impossible by force, but because brute-forcing them would result in too many casualties.

So instead, they were left alone—labeled unresolved.

On the flip side, clearing such a dungeon with minimal resources and without loss could earn one substantial recognition.

Even the Queen had mentioned the importance of building solid achievements.

That’s why Cecilia had volunteered for an unresolved dungeon.

But Edward had flatly rejected the idea.

He claimed it was too dangerous to take trainees there.

‘Well, this one isn’t bad either…’

============

[The Tomb of the Skilled]

Difficulty: Moderate.

Discovered: Year 483 of the Lianen Kingdom

Discoverer: Edward Windsor

All rights to this dungeon are assigned to the Windsor Knights.

Clears to Date: 3

Mortality Rate: 8%

※ Caution! Insufficient data accumulated.

Recommended Guide: One Sword Demon Knight or higher rank.

Clearing records appended on next page.

=============

“High chance it’s a hidden dungeon.”

The reason it had stayed in the “suitable” difficulty range was because the dungeon’s core had intentionally not been destroyed.

That allowed it to be cleared multiple times.

However, demons weren’t stupid.

Repeat clearing caused lingering “fear” to accumulate, which could empower the monsters inside.

Some demons would even lie in wait, purposely suppressing their strength, hoping to evolve in secret.

Such dungeons were known as hidden dungeons.

And this dungeon had all the signs.

Only 3 clears in nearly 20 years? That was a red flag.

And more unsettling—

‘483 is the year I was born.’

That little detail irked her more than she’d admit.

“Here’s hoping the demon’s aged nicely.”

Muttering softly, Cecilia made her way to where the trainees were waiting.

***

Theresia, East Wing — Windsor Apprentice Training Ground.

Those who hadn’t yet earned the Windsor cloak were resting after a grueling drill.

“Sigh. You think we’ll ever make it in?”

“No idea. Just gotta give it everything we’ve got.”

“With the recent pass rate? It’s hopeless. How has no one made it in for five years straight?”

There were two main paths to becoming a Windsor Knight.

One: the formal recruitment test, held once every ten years.

Passing it meant direct admission into the order.

Two: becoming an apprentice, like these trainees.

If one proved their skill through persistent effort, they’d eventually earn the title of Knight.

There was a third, rarer path—

Scouting. Exceptional individuals could be recruited on the spot, bypassing the test entirely.

But it was almost unheard of.

In fact, the only one in the last 10 years to enter that way was Cecilia herself.

“She’s definitely getting in.”

“You mean Betty?”

While most were resting, one girl stood out, swinging her sword with fierce determination.

Her name was Beatrice Schwarzfeder, the top trainee among Windsor’s apprentices.

“She’s definitely going to make it. She’s the strongest, and I heard Lady Cecilia has a soft spot for cute girls.”

Apprentice knight Dessen narrowed his eyes, watching Beatrice.

Panting heavily and collapsing to the ground from exhaustion—

She was undeniably cute.

“Hmm... But doesn’t Lady Cecilia avoid forming factions?”

“Are you even serious right now?”

He shook his head in disbelief.

How could someone dreaming of joining Windsor be so clueless?

“Most people only get into a faction if they’re a similar ‘type’ to the high-ranking knight. Sir Mage Rude only takes in those with some magic ability. Sir Leoric only accepts good-looking ones. Sir Jerriway? If you’re not an alcoholic, you’re not getting in. Now, pop quiz: What kind of people would be in Cecilia’s group?”

Dessen frowned, pressing a hand to his forehead.

Even now, there were over 10 knights in Windsor with no faction, waiting in vain to be chosen by Cecilia.

But to this day, she hadn’t taken a single one.

She remained noble and aloof, above it all.

Ironically, that only made her more popular.

“No clue.”

“Beautiful girls, obviously!”

The explaining apprentice practically shouted, as if personally insulted.

“...Do you really have to grab my collar over that?”

“Of course I do! I can’t believe someone I might entrust my life to has such poor judgment! It’s disgraceful!”

“Okay, okay, calm down. I get it. Makes sense. Lady Cecilia’s the only woman among the senior knights in Windsor. No wonder she hasn’t formed a faction.”

“Still, our class does have a record number of girls. Probably because of her.”

I worship her daily.

The other apprentice muttered this solemnly—

Just as their instructor appeared at the training ground.

“Congratulations, maggots!”

Everyone tensed, worried about what torment he might announce next.

“It’s your first deployment!”

The trainees’ eyes widened.

“A-A mission?! We’re finally getting a shot?”

“Damn right. If you impress during the raid, you might just get promoted to full knight status.”

It was the most hopeful news they’d heard in ages.

“W-Who’s leading us, sir? Can you tell us?”

The instructor grinned.

He was clearly savoring the moment.

“One of the most popular knights in all of Windsor.”

“Y-You don’t mean…”

“That’s right. Cecilia Windsor. The Sword Princess herself will personally escort you all to the brink of death.”

UWOOOOOHHH!

The training ground instantly erupted in deafening cheers.

***

“It’s been a while, Instructor.”

Cecilia stood in front of a small cottage, holding a basket full of fruit.

Inside, the bald-headed instructor Marcus was polishing his sword.

Upon seeing his visitor, a warm smile spread across his face.

“Cecilia, you’ve come.”

“Yes. I’m glad to see you looking well.”

“I may be retired, but I was Windsor once. I’ve got at least 10 more good years in me.”

Setting down the sword, Marcus chuckled as he saw the fruit basket.

He accepted it with care, then went to brew tea.

“You know, I’ve been an instructor for over 50 years, but you’re the only one who still brings something every time you visit.”

“I’m your student, after all.”

“Student? Please. You ended your test in 5 seconds flat.”

‘Well, I was in a bit of a hurry then.’

Cecilia thought back to those days—now distant memories.

It wasn’t as if she’d become a full knight right after storming headquarters.

She had started as an apprentice.

Of course, Marcus had insisted on testing her first—

And she had crushed him in just 5 seconds, earning immediate promotion.

“You were only 6 years old back then. 10 years ago… my wrist was still fine. Didn’t expect to lose in two moves.”

“Your wrist still hurts?”

Cecilia’s eyes filled with concern.

Marcus smiled, deep wrinkles forming on his weathered face.

“Yeah. Can’t beat time, no matter how sharp your sword is.”

“You really need to take care of your health.”

“Haha! Don’t worry. Even if my sword’s getting rusty, I’ll never be too old to test those kids.”

From the cottage window, the silhouettes of several knights-in-training could be seen lining up.

Oddly enough, they looked fired up.

“Any of them good enough to pass the test?”

Marcus waved his hand dismissively, telling her not to even mention it.

“Not a single one. This batch is hopeless.”

“Really?”

“Compared to you? It’s laughable. I doubt we’ll see another pass in the next 5 years.”

If Marcus was this firm, then that must be the truth.

“The test isn’t easy, sure, but it’s not that hard either.”

“Bah, they’re too thick-headed to even realize they’re being tested. Honestly, I’m getting tired of playing along.”

Cecilia blinked.

‘How could they not notice?’

In Windsor, there was only one way to become a full knight:

Defeat the sword instructor in a duel.

And even that wasn’t the real test.

Noticing that was part of the test itself.

Marcus still held back to this day, masking his strength—

His rank was the Sword Emperor, after all.

Anyone perceptive should have sensed something off.

She was a little surprised that no one had realized this yet.

‘So that’s why Edward sent me.’

Cecilia nodded inwardly.

If new recruits stopped coming altogether, it would become a real issue.

“So, I need you to play along a bit,” Marcus said.

“Got it.”

“Although…” He sipped his tea with a smirk.

“There was one who figured it out. Didn’t make a move since they lacked the skill, though.”

“Who?”

Marcus only grinned.

“Isn’t that part of the fun? Figuring it out yourself.”

“Yeesh…”

Cecilia stood up and bowed politely.

“I should get going now. I’d feel bad keeping them standing too long.”

“They’re still half-baked brats. You could keep them standing all day.”

“You’re too harsh.”

Marcus chuckled aloud—it had been a while since he laughed so heartily.

“Is that coming from you?”

“??”

Cecilia tilted her head in confusion.

Wasn’t she the kindest boss around? Who could possibly be softer than the adorable Sword Princess?

***

“Hello.”

Cecilia approached the nervous apprentices.

While she was treated like the cute younger sibling within the Knight Order, here, she had the chance to act a little more haughty.

Standing atop the platform, she blinked slowly, surveying the crowd.

‘Smells green.’

They were a bit rough around the edges, but just barely within the bounds of newbies.

Their tightly disciplined postures were adorable in their own way.

‘Let’s do this seriously and give it our all.’

“I’m Cecilia, and I’ll be leading you all. Our goal is for everyone to return safely—so let’s do our best together.”

Clap clap clap—

The apprentices applauded, thinking:

‘She’s an angel.’

‘No doubt. An actual angel.’

‘Cute, beautiful, kind, and even skilled. How can someone be this perfect?’

“First, let’s check everyone’s equipment. Please line up with your bags.”

As soon as Cecilia gave the instruction, the apprentices answered with loud voices and marched forward in single file, carrying their packs.

She carefully inspected each of them.

The moment they saw her up close, several of the apprentices flushed and swallowed hard.

“Is this a potion?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“And that sword?”

“It’s an enchanted weapon from my household! It ignites when activated!”

“I see. Please place it on my right.”

The tension was palpable.

She could sense how much effort they had put into preparing—potions that could heal a lost arm, artifacts worth a small mansion…

Cecilia sorted everything one by one, checking thoroughly.

“That should do it.”

She stood and casually drew her sword, then slowly extended it to the right.

The next moment—

Bang!

“……!”

A massive gust of wind smashed down on the pile of gear.

When the dust cleared, there was no trace of any of it.

“Water.”

Cecilia sheathed her sword and stepped off the platform.

“Bread.”

The apprentices’ eyes trembled uncontrollably.

“Sword.”

Step.

Cecilia stopped walking.

“A knight needs nothing else.”

Other than her quiet voice, the training field was dead silent.

“Now, I’ll explain the mission.”

She pulled out the mission briefing and read aloud.

“Difficulty: Moderate. Cleared 3 times. Mortality rate: 8%.”

The apprentices were too frozen to hear her words properly.

But a few of them strained to catch every syllable she spoke—thinking she’d now explain the strategy.

However—

“The strategy is a secret.”

Cecilia’s lips curled into a faint smile.

At the same time, the strategy guide in her hand was torn to shreds.

“It’ll be more fun that way.”

And at that moment, every apprentice understood—

Their future...

‘We’re screwed.’

…Was completely doomed.

Next Chapter