Chapter 5: I Became a Swordsman in the Middle Ages

The Royal Capital Assault Incident (2)

“This is truly troublesome.”

Edward Windsor.

A man who earned the title of Sword Emperor at the young age of 37 and was being considered as the next commander of the Windsor Knights.

“You seem to have a particular dislike for me. Have I done something to warrant your hatred?”

Cecilia felt neither fondness nor animosity toward him.

To her, he was simply a superior officer—nothing more, nothing less.

But she was well aware that Edward held a distinct disdain for her, though the reason remained unclear.

“That’s a misunderstanding.”

Edward’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Displeasure flickered across his face, unmistakable.

Where another man might have sighed, Edward instead curled his lips into a faint smile.

“Is that so? Then I’m relieved.”

His tone was gentle again—yet laced with something razor-sharp beneath the surface.

“You’ve dealt with the demons, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Efficient, as always. But still...”

His gaze shifted toward the altar, where the sacred flame burned quietly.

“It’s odd. Demons instinctively avoid the sacred flame. For them to go so far as to attack it... it doesn’t add up.”

“I agree.”

“Just in case they tampered with it... would you mind keeping watch over the flame? For a day or two.”

‘That’s excessive.’

The Sacred Flame was a divine blessing from the Goddess.

Not even a Demon God, let alone lesser demons, could lay a finger on such a holy force.

It was obvious—this was nothing more than a petty move from a superior who didn’t want to see her rise.

Even so, Cecilia responded without hesitation.

“Understood.”

“I’m counting on you. I could ask someone else, but you’re the most dependable.”

With a friendly smile, Edward gave her a pat on the shoulder and turned to leave.

“Vice-Commander.”

He paused mid-step and slowly turned his head.

“Yes?”

“Why did you go to the sewer?”

A flicker of annoyance twisted Edward’s expression.

But Cecilia stood her ground, her gaze steady and unwavering.

“…A guard was dead, so I moved the body somewhere safe. That answer your question?”

“Yes.”

Cecilia bowed her head politely.

“You really are inflexible, Cecilia. This job suits you perfectly.”

“Thank you.”

Always composed. Always cold.

She viewed every situation through a lens of pure logic—never emotion.

Not a single crack existed for sentiment to slip through.

Just like the immaculate uniform she wore, her existence itself was perfect and flawless.

Even now, her face was as calm as still water.

That was Cecilia.

To Edward, Cecilia was like a fishbone.

Not fatal, just infuriating.

“If there’s nothing else, may I take my leave?”

“Go ahead.”

Cecilia stared at Edward’s retreating back for a long moment.

Only when he had completely vanished from sight did she move, quietly seating herself on a nearby wooden bench.

The breeze played gently with her silver hair, making it shimmer in the light.

Then, almost imperceptibly, she smiled.

‘That should’ve raised his favorability… right?’

It was something she’d once heard as a recruit in the Windsor Knights—

A tale of a newcomer who had stood firm against the captain, and was eventually acknowledged for it.

If she remembered correctly, this felt like exactly that kind of situation. Probably.

“…Should I have said guarding the flame was unfair, too?”

But if she’d pushed that far, he might have seen it as insubordination.

This… this was likely the best outcome she could manage.

With a soft sigh, Cecilia turned to look at the altar.

The sacred flame burned steadily.

Having to watch this all day, for two days, was just a punishment.

After all, this flame had never wavered.

Not once in 500 years.

Cecilia was confident—confident enough to bet Kairon’s entire annual salary that the flame would remain unharmed.

That’s how certain she was.

There was absolutely no way it would suddenly waver now—

“…Eh.”

Cecilia blinked, unable to believe what was happening before her eyes.

The flame was… wobbling.

Kairon’s one-year salary… was gone.

**

The Windsor Knights' regular meeting.

A supposedly important gathering to discuss the direction of the Order.

...Which usually served as nothing more than an excuse to banter under the pretense of formality.

“Come on, don’t lie.”

But today was different.

For the first time in a while, an actual agenda had emerged—one that made the meeting feel like a real meeting.

“Why is it wavering?! Why is there a problem with the Sacred Flame now, of all times—in my twilight years?!”

Bang!

Jerriway slammed his fist on the round table, unable to contain his anger.

Cecilia, seated across from him, flinched.

‘That startled me…’

“I’m retiring in 5 years. Just 5 years left…!”

“Jerriway. Enough. You’re scaring Cecilia.”

Leoric’s voice was sharp.

Next to him sat a young-looking boy who frowned and scoffed.

“Tsk. How undignified. A knight who’s afraid of a little work. How did such a disgraceful half-breed make it into Windsor?”

The boy’s name was Rude. Despite his youthful appearance, he was already 50 years old.

He turned to Cecilia with a bright, exaggerated smile and reached out to pat her head.

“But look at our youngest. So admirable. She noticed the flame’s instability right away.”

Cecilia didn’t say a word, frozen in place with guilt.

Her posture stiffened as she tilted her head, just because of their height difference.

“Hand.”

“Huh?”

Kairon, who had been silent until now, spoke in a low, cold voice.

“Take your hand off. Before I cut it off.”

“Ah, yes.”

Death flashed accross Rude’s eyes for a moment.

“Hahaha, I’m glad everyone’s still the same. It’s been a while since I’ve seen this kind of scene,” said another knight, laughing with tears in his eyes.

His name was Heiter, easily recognizable by his rugged, roughly trimmed beard.

But then, just as suddenly, his expression shifted to anger and he shouted with frustration.

“But how can you be so relaxed even now?!”

“Calm down, Heiter.”

“Am I the only one who thinks this is insane? The Sacred Flame is acting up, and you’re all cracking jokes? Have you all lost your minds?!”

“U-Urp… stop yelling. I think I’m gonna vomit…”

“You crazy bastard! Throw up outside!”

Cecilia was dizzy.

The knights were always eccentric, but the seven high-ranking knights gathered here were truly something else.

Of course, she excluded herself from that group.

‘…I should get ready to blow it away with wind magic, just in case. Vomit is pushing it.’

Her gaze locked on the one who looked most likely to puke, just in case preemptive action was needed.

“Silence.”

Kairon’s low voice cut through the chaos like a blade.

Instantly, the room fell quiet.

“Let the meeting begin.”

At those words, the knights’ faces grew solemn.

They might ignore everything else—but not the commander.

They couldn’t.

Sword Sovereign Kairon.

The Knight of Knights.

A man whose presence commanded absolute respect from everyone in this room.

“As you all know, this meeting concerns the instability of the flame, reported by Cecilia. The Queen has entrusted the matter to the judgment of the Windsor Knights. In other words, the kingdom will move in accordance with the course we decide here.”

‘Will that really be okay…?’

Cecilia couldn’t help but wonder.

Was it truly safe to leave such an important matter in these people’s hands?

But as if to mock her doubts, the meeting proceeded in an unexpectedly... normal(?) fashion.

“First, recall everyone who hasn't returned yet. The front lines are stable for now, and if the capital falls, everything else will collapse with it.”

“As Rude suggested, we should keep the capital’s defenses in a holding pattern for now, until we learn more.”

“Knights with high mobility, like Cecilia, should scout for nearby demons. The rest of us can tighten security within the city.”

Several constructive suggestions were made in rapid succession.

Kairon, who had quietly listened to them all, finally turned to Edward.

“Vice-Commander. Your thoughts?”

“I generally agree. It’s good to see everyone serious for once, even if they’re usually all jokes and banter.”

Edward smiled warmly—then followed it with a chillier tone:

“Let’s assign Rude, the mage, to investigate the flame's instability. And as discussed, let’s reinforce the capital’s defenses. We mustn’t allow complacency in times like these.”

It was a sound plan.

Cecilia agreed—it was logical and well-reasoned.

But Kairon didn’t seem entirely convinced.

“Really? You think that’s enough?”

“...Pardon?”

“Is that truly what you believe?”

‘He’s suspicious.’

Though Kairon’s face remained composed, Cecilia—who had been close to him—could read the deeper current beneath his expression: suspicion.

What is he suspicious about?

Edward smiled again, this time with a trace of frustration.

“Commander, are you trying to say something?”

“…No, never mind. Cecilia. What’s your view?”

‘There’s a high possibility that the main story is starting.’

Cecilia knew the ‘official launch’ wasn’t far off.

Until then, major demon activity was unlikely—after all, the game couldn’t move forward if the tutorial world was destroyed by the demons before the plot began.

Which meant—

“I think it’s time to recruit new blood.”

“Oh? Continue.”

“Demonic activity will probably increase around the capital. If our manpower continues to dwindle, it could be critical. I propose we move up the entrance test scheduled for next year, before it’s too late.”

Surprisingly, Edward also supported Cecilia’s opinion.

“I agree with that too. We’ll need skilled recruits before the situation worsens.”

Kairon pondered for a moment and then spoke.

“I understand. I’ll give the matter serious consideration.”

Cecilia’s complexion brightened a little.

“Then let’s adjourn this meeting. Everyone, act with urgency. This time… it won’t be like the others.”

““Yes.””

**

Cecilia’s steps were light as she made her way home.

Of course, they were always light after work, but today, they practically floated.

‘Finally, finally…’

She felt renewed.

How long had she waited for this moment?

‘New recruits are coming!’

10 years as a knight.

She had climbed the ranks to become a high-ranking knight—but due to her originally low entry status, giving orders hadn’t been easy.

Sure, it was a Western-style Order where rank mattered more than age.

But the customs she had grown up with in the Land of Courtesy weren’t easy to shed.

So even when things were difficult, she simply endured and did the work in silence.

But now? Things were about to change.

The arrival of new recruits meant her workload would finally ease!

‘With this, I can focus more on preparing for the official launch.’

And besides, weren’t new recruits also technically newbies?

The thought alone filled Cecilia with hope.

"Welcome home, Miss."

"Yeah."

"Shall I prepare your bath?"

"A little later today."

"That won’t do. "

"…Yeah. "

She couldn’t say no.

Marie was terrifying when she’s angry.

"Is the Commander back?"

"He's been waiting for you."

"I'll bathe later."

"Yes. I’ll prepare the water in advance. "

The maid Marie bowed gracefully as Cecilia passed by and headed for the Commander’s office.

Knock knock.

She heard permission to enter and opened the door.

Kairon sat dead center at a perfectly symmetrical desk, buried in paperwork.

"I'm sorry."

Cecilia apologized right away.

"For what?"

"I lost your precious one-year salary."

Kairon looked up blankly from the mountain of documents.

"...Did you place a bet?"

"Yes."

"With whom?"

“With myself.”

Kairon bit his lip.

"Cecilia."

But by now, Kairon had also learned how to deal with Cecilia.

"That doesn't bring back your allowance."

Cecilia looked utterly devastated.

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