Chapter 6: I Became a Swordsman in the Middle Ages

The Rival Behind the Mask

Early morning.

Cecilia slipped into a white blouse and skirt, then draped a loose-fit cardigan over her shoulders.

The key was to let the cardigan hang halfway—just enough to look like it might fall off at any moment.

Her side hair was boldly braided, while the other side was left long, cascading naturally to partially veil her face.

For the final touch, she pinned in a lily-shaped hairpin and strapped on a simple short sword with a clean design.

This was Cecilia's going-out look.

"Hmm. Not bad."

Cecilia studied her reflection in the mirror with a critical eye.

Though she lived frugally, fashion was non-negotiable.

The outfit she was wearing now, including the hairpin, had set her back a whopping 30 gold coins—roughly 30 million won in Earth money.

But hey, most of it was custom-made to suit her taste. Art costs.

"How much do I have left?"

Opening her coin pouch with dread, Cecilia peeked inside.

1 gold, 2 silver.

A humiliating sum for someone bearing the title Sword Princess of the kingdom’s most elite knight order.

She refused to accept the reality.

"Someone must have stolen it."

Her monthly income—including allowance—was 50 gold. Even after last week's shopping spree of 30 gold for these clothes, she should still have had more left.

"...This is a disaster."

And of all days—today was the day she had been eagerly waiting for.

The day ‘that item’ went up for auction.

Originally, she’d planned to take her time and grind for it herself.

But the situation had changed. She had to get it now, even if it meant throwing money—no, an entire fortune—at the problem.

Cecilia estimated the price would go up to 500 gold.

Impossible. Absolutely impossible amount.

Sure, she didn’t need to pay it all upfront since it was an auction, but the problem was the down payment.

If she won the bid, she had to be able to pay 30% as a deposit on the spot.

'…I need to make money. But first... I have to get out of this mansion.'

**

Cecilia tiptoed down the hallway like a thief, eyes darting left and right.

"Miss! Where are you going? Oh my, you look adorable today!"

"...Where's the Commander?"

She would rather avoid Kairon if at all possible.

The moment he saw her like this, it was guaranteed he’d start nagging her.

"If you mean the head of the house, I believe he went to greet Marquis Viaton?"

"Thanks."

'Now’s my chance.'

Without wasting another second, Cecilia hurried toward the main entrance.

She was descending the stairs at a brisk pace when she suddenly heard voices.

With no time to think, she immediately ducked behind a pillar.

"I don’t know what to say. I’m honored you came to greet me like this."

"It’s only proper to greet the kingdom’s greatest mage."

Cecilia shut her eyes tightly and whispered under her breath:

'Don’t notice me. Don’t notice me. Don’t notice me.'

But of course, as if to mock her hopes, Kairon spoke in his usual calm voice:

"Cecilia. You’re a bit too old to be playing hide-and-seek."

"…"

'I'm caught.'

Cecilia reluctantly stepped out from behind the pillar.

"Ah, so you’re the famous Cecilia I've heard so much about. As expected of the one called the Sword Princess—truly the embodiment of beauty."

"Hello. Thank you."

Kairon’s expression stiffened slightly.

"Marquis Viaton. Would you mind waiting in the reception room for a moment? There’s something I need to speak with this child about."

"Haha, of course. Take your time."

As soon as Marquis Viaton was out of earshot, Kairon wasted no time launching into his lecture—as if he had been waiting for this exact moment.

"What’s with that robe? If you’re going to wear it, wear it properly. If not, take it off."

"It’s supposed to look like this."

"And that skirt. Far too short. You’re a knight of Windsor. Show some dignity."

"The uniform is shorter."

"...The hairpin suits you, though."

"I thought so too."

Kairon sighed quietly.

Cecilia could be a little absurd at times, but for the most part, she was obedient.

She’d listened to him since she was young.

But oddly enough, when it came to fashion, she wouldn’t budge an inch.

He really wished she would dress just a little more properly...

Thanks to that, the dresses he had gifted her over the years were now collecting dust in the corner of the storage room.

"Where are you going?"

"To buy supplies for tomorrow’s duty. I think I’ll need quite a lot."

The Windsor Knights had recently entered a state of 24-hour emergency readiness.

Cecilia was off today—her shift wouldn’t begin until tomorrow.

In other words, her excuse was perfect.

"...So, um, could I maybe get a little allowance?"

Kairon closed his eyes slowly... and reopened them even more slowly.

"How much was that outfit again?"

"3 gold."

Cecilia lied without batting an eye.

Kairon brought a hand to his forehead as if he had a headache.

"I saw the receipt. It was 30 gold. That’s ten times what you said. Spending excessively like that... an upright knight would never do such a thing. So, your allowance is suspended until you learn the value of money."

"...!!"

***

Well, it wasn’t like she expected it to work anyway.

'Kairon never changes his mind once he makes a decision.'

Still, it was worth a try. Just in case.

But Cecilia wasn’t discouraged. There were always other ways to make money.

"Huh? Isn't that the rookie?"

"Hello."

She found her target for today, Jerriway.

He looked surprisingly normal—none of the drama he usually showed in meetings.

"What brings you here? If I were you, I’d avoid patrol zones like the plague."

"Just passing by on my way to do some shopping. You’re retiring soon, right? Yet working hard as always."

"Sniff... rookie, you’re the only one in this entire order who understands me."

"Then, would you mind lending me a lit—"

"Ah! I just remembered something urgent!"

Jerriway spun around, preparing his escape.

"Damn it, gotta go! Have fun shopping, Cecilia!"

"Astel Champagne, '52."

"……!"

Jerriway froze mid-step.

He turned around mechanically, like a puppet whose strings had been yanked.

Slowly, he walked back and placed a trembling hand on Cecilia’s shoulder.

"You... you... how do you know that?"

"I saw you took it from the shelf and drink it in the office, then refill the bottle with water. I was on night duty that day."

Jerriway's face was filled with despair.

He staggered and slumped against the wall like a man condemned.

He muttered pessimistically.

"If the Commander finds out… I’m done for. Actually, if you know, I’m probably already done..."

"Drinking on duty is—"

"I get it! Fine! I’ll pay! How much?!"

Panting heavily, Jerriway pulled out his coin pouch.

"All of it."

"…You’re even worse than the demons."

He handed her the entire pouch in a fit of pique.

Cecilia accepted it with a polite bow.

"B-But... promise me. You’ll never tell the Commander. Ever. Okay?"

"Of course."

Jerriway looked like a man who had just lost his country.

He was... almost pitiful.

Out of respect for the fallen, Cecilia promised herself she’d spend the money wisely.

***

On her way to the auction, Cecilia checked the inside of her pouch.

Was it because he was a full-grown knight?

The amount inside was enough to make even her eyes widen with surprise.

'20 platinum coins!'

Each platinum coin was worth 10 gold—meaning Jerriway had casually handed over a pouch containing 200 gold.

Come to think of it, she vaguely remembered something about Jerriway being the son of a wealthy merchant from the south.

Even so… this was on another level.

'Hmm… more than I expected. I should probably only use half and return the rest.'

Even the poor Cecilia, who had spent the past week practically broke, was intimidated by the weight of the wealth she now carried!

Suddenly, the pouch felt 20 times heavier.

Since it was so precious, she hugged it tightly to her chest.

"Welcome to the Ervain Auction House, Lady Cecilia Windsor. What kind of mask would you like?"

"…A rabbit."

Cecilia had arrived safely.

A staff member handed her a small, elegant rabbit mask, which she put on before stepping inside.

The auction house was grand—lined with white marble columns and a luxurious red carpet stretching down the center aisle.

The 2nd and 3rd floors were reserved for VIPs, while the 1st floor was general seating.

Cecilia took a seat in the general section, her posture prim and proper.

'I'm a little late.'

The hall was buzzing with tension and anticipation.

On the red-carpeted platform, the auctioneer struck the gavel and shouted:

"Sold! Congratulations! This 'Tears of Seria' goes to the majestic lion mask over there!"

The item Cecilia had come for was scheduled as one of the main pieces.

That meant it would be auctioned near the end. She would have to wait.

"Now then, on to the next item!”

The auction continued.

Occasionally, several items caught Cecilia’s eye, but she bit her lip and resisted the temptation.

She needed every coin for that item.

'That earlier one would’ve been amazing for newbies… I really do need to make more money.'

She was just smacking her lips and watching while silently lamenting her poverty.

At last, the moment she had been waiting for arrived.

"Next up: the Elathia Pendant!"

A brilliant blue gem dangled from a silver chain, glowing like a living star.

The intricate craftsmanship and the mysterious shimmer in the jewel took her breath away.

'Found it.'

This was it. The item she had come for.

"Starting bid: 500 gold!"

Cecilia’s brow twitched behind the rabbit mask.

‘What? That’s the starting price? That’s ridiculous. The pendant is definitely pretty, but—!’

Bidders began raising their hands one by one.

"500!"

"550!"

"600!"

The tension in the room spiked. The auctioneer’s voice climbed in pitch as the bids flew from all directions.

Cecilia was a bit flustered. The price had already surpassed her expectations by a wide margin.

It wasn’t some ancient relic or legendary artifact—it was just a pretty accessory!

She didn't know the price could be this high!

'…Not yet. I can't jump in now.'

But she couldn’t let it go, either.

Cecilia watched carefully, gauging the timing to jump in.

"600! 600 gold has been bid! Going once—anyone else?"

In the moment of silence, Cecilia's hand shot up.

"700."

Gasps rippled across the room.

Though her identity was hidden, her petite frame and confident voice drew every gaze.

"700 gold! Ah, today's highest bid! Can anyone top that?!"

‘…Surely they won’t go higher than that, right?’

Cecilia's heart was pounding.

Just then, the auctioneer shouted with a voice full of excitement.

"800 gold!"

"……!"

A man wearing a snake mask, seated on the 2nd floor, raised his hand.

'I'm screwed.'

In fact, 700 gold was already reckless. But 800? That meant a 250 gold down payment.

That was way over her limit.

"Amazing! Is there truly no one who can top this bid?"

The auctioneer was practically glowing with delight.

Truth be told, he’d been hesitant to announce such a high starting price—but the fervor of the bidding had far exceeded his expectations.

"Well then—! If there are no more bids, I will close the—"

A languid gesture came from the 2nd floor.

"O-One thousand gold!"

A collective gasp swept through the hall.

The bid had come from the man in the lion mask.

Two beautiful women draped themselves around him, whining and giggling like they were in some kind of theater performance.

'Who even is that...?'

The man in the snake mask, who had been competing until just now, shrugged while swirling a wine glass in hand—completely defeated.

"Just how rich is he? No matter how much I had, I never had a chance."

Cecilia sulked in silence, staring glumly at the floor.

She stayed in her seat, hoping for a miracle, but—

The item Cecilia wanted never appeared again for the rest of the auction.

***

Cecilia trudged down the road, looking utterly dejected.

‘If only I had that… I could know for sure when the ‘official launch’ will begin.’

She had been estimating it would begin sometime within a year—but an estimate was just that. A guess.

What she needed was certainty.

But now that she had missed this chance, all hope was lost…

"Hey, Rabbit."

She turned her head at the voice calling from behind.

"Who is it—"

Thwack.

She instinctively caught something flying at her with lightning reflexes.

While keeping her eyes on the man in the lion mask leaning against the wall, Cecilia stole a glance at the object in her hand.

It was the Elathia Pendant.

"I knew it was you."

With deliberate slowness, he lifted the mask from his face.

"Leoric?"

He flashed a grin, all teeth and no shame.

Cecilia stared, completely at a loss.

"How did you know?"

"You really think I wouldn’t recognize you just because you wore a mask?"

"But this—"

"I figured something interesting might happen if I bought it. Never seen you want something that badly before."

"I'll pay you back."

"Don’t bother."

With a lazy wave, he turned and walked away—cool as ever.

Cecilia stood frozen, clutching the pendant, long after Leoric disappeared from view.

'Interesting...? What kind of interesting thing? Should I put on a skit or something?'

…Maybe she should buy a clown mask tomorrow.

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