Royal Council: Shadows of Intrusion
Shortly after the demon vanished, the Windsor Knights assembled. Chiron arrived first. Sisilia exchanged just two words with him.
"The situation."
"At least Demon King-class. He got away."
"Where to?"
"Main gate."
Chiron led a few knights to pursue. Sisilia didn't stop him. Cain's presence had already faded. No magical residue remained either, suggesting he wielded a space-based Authority. Tracking him was impossible.
A few knights passed Sisilia with worried looks. Realizing there were no casualties, they all sighed in relief. But their expressions remained grim. This was the second breach already. No victims was just luck.
"...I'll ask. Sisilia Windsor."
Edward didn't wear his usual fake smile. To Sisilia, it felt more comfortable than his normal act.
"Yes."
"Was that your doing?"
He pointed to the shattered wall and Hyter, barely pulling himself together.
Sisilia answered flatly. "Yes."
"I can guess the situation without asking. You tried to save Hyter."
"It was dangerous."
"Is that so? But."
Edward stared her down directly. "If we'd gathered the king's full forces, we could've eliminated that threat for sure. Didn't that cross your mind? You could've managed it with your Extreme Art."
"I put up a barrier, but it was impossible."
Grab. Edward seized Sisilia's collar tightly.
"Then you should've captured him even if it cost your life."
Edward's eyes blazed. He ground his teeth so hard his face twisted. After steadying his breath, he roughly released her.
"Forget it. I can never get along with you. I'm heading to the palace. Your punishment will be decided then."
Around 4 a.m. In the dead of night when most slept, Lumiere Palace in the Liannen Kingdom buzzed with activity. Maids just roused from bed lined up, royal knights secured the area, and an emergency royal council convened.
"You all know why we're gathered. Three hours ago, a demon identified as a demon duke appeared before the Sacred Flame..."
Everyone assembled except Erterion, the queen's guardian knight and the kingdom's strongest, Sword Saint, who was absent for unavoidable reasons.
"What the hell were the Windsor Knights doing?!"
Royal Knights Captain Draven erupted before the report even finished.
"A demon strolling through the palace—!"
Bang! He slammed the table and shot to his feet, unable to contain his rage.
"Not once, but twice! What do you even exist for?!"
His roar filled the chamber.
"From the start."
Draven's finger jabbed toward Sisilia. "Picking someone with unclear origins is why we have these problems!"
"Watch your words."
Chiron's heavy voice blanketed the room, making Draven flinch.
"Are you interfering with Windsor's rules now?"
"...Those vaunted Windsor rules. Fine. Say demon intrusions are unavoidable. Then explain this."
Draven strode from his seat to Sisilia.
"Why are you unscratched after facing a duke-level demon?"
Sisilia subtly averted her gaze. She felt the round bead in her mouth with her tongue.
...Now?
"Scared of dying, so you avoided fighting?"
Now it is.
Drip. Red liquid trickled from Sisilia's mouth.
"...!"
Sisilia bowed her head mournfully. "I'm... sorry..."
Her silver hair cascaded sadly. Draven, who'd been raging nonstop, clamped his mouth shut. Come to think of it, she looked utterly wrecked compared to her usual poised self. Dark circles under her eyes, hair disheveled.
"Ahem."
Draven thought of his daughter, about Sisilia's age, probably snoring away at home, and returned to his seat.
"Sisilia."
But Chiron's breathing grew slightly ragged. Alarm bells rang in Sisilia's head.
Busted? It's just tomato sauce.
"You pushed your domain to the brink, risking death."
"..."
"I told you never to use it against someone stronger. Especially then—you should've bought time by running."
"But..."
Sisilia added a tremor to her voice with wind aura. "There were... people there."
Finishing, she hurriedly covered her mouth with her sleeve and coughed. Her white uniform stained red.
"..."
Heavy silence fell over the chamber. Draven broke it.
"The Windsor Knights must be disbanded. That's my conclusion on this incident."
Can't have that.
She wanted to speak up, but her image wasn't helping.
"Right? A demon duke storms in, and we hear about it here."
Draven's face flushed red. "Even with the flame's anomaly, Windsor acted alone without reports. Does that make sense?"
"Politics in a demon fight means it's already too late."
"You had time this time!"
"Best judgment."
"If best, no intrusion! Disband or follow normal procedures like other orders!"
Bad spot. This was already controversial; this blows it up.
Windsor Knights were unique. Formed solely against demons, allowed autonomous action—even ignoring the queen if illogical. Logically, they couldn't exist. No such group anywhere.
Chiron needs to win. Losing authority complicates newbie prep.
As she watched tensely, a maid approached with refreshments.
"Care for some?"
Already playing dejected, no way she'd eat. As she moved to refuse, she froze at the maid's face.
"...Your Majesty?"
"...!"
All heads whipped around. And froze solid.
"Mm."
The maid munched cookies, then addressed Sisilia again. "Nah."
"Really...?"
Sisilia, half-risen to kneel, plopped back awkwardly. Everyone stared like they'd seen a ghost. Understandably—the maid was the queen. Obvious in hindsight.
"No cookie, really?"
But she couldn't call it out. Medieval style: king's word is law. Sisilia still wanted to live.
"Too bad. Tasty."
What're you doing?
No cookie!
Want execution?
Their eyes screamed at Sisilia.
"Then... just one."
Sisilia timidly took a cookie. ...It was delicious.
"Oh? Why's everyone staring? Continue."
"Ahem! W-where were we?"
"Urgent, so unite our strength..."
They sweated, avoiding the queen's gaze—but eyes drifted inevitably.
"Mm mm."
Meanwhile, the queen happily munched.
Bang! The door flew open. A panting man entered: Queen Guardian Knight, Sword Saint Erterion. He scanned, grasped the situation, lips twitching as he approached the queen.
"...Your Majesty. Sneaking out like this is problematic. What will other leaders think?"
"Shouldn't a king understand subjects up close?"
"This is too close."
"Eek! Maid kidnapper!"
The queen dangled like luggage over the Sword Saint's shoulder, thrashing wildly. Erterion sighed deeply, as if the world ended, and exited.
"Kids! No fighting!"
"Quiet...! Undignified!"
Slam. Silence lingered after the door shut.
"...Same as ever."
Sisilia recalled her long-standing worry. Is this country okay?
But the queen earned respect. She'd ruled peacefully for 300 years.
"Everyone, focus. Time for proper council. Not for this."
Marquis Viaton smiled gently. But his words cut deep.
"Beyond imagination—the demon duke's power is immense."
"Our Tower of Truth calculations: that intruder was Demon King-class."
"More investigation needed, but... even the city's full forces might not have killed him."
Now constructive talk flowed. Draven's eyes widened at the mages' shock.
"...True?"
"We need countermeasures. Problem: none exist. Rely on the flame."
"Damn it."
Draven truly cared for the kingdom. He crumpled his papers viciously.
"First, why did a demon duke come to the capital? Lady Sisilia. Your thoughts, having faced him?"
"...Said he came to check if the goddess's power weakened."
"As feared."
Viaton groaned. Worst pattern.
"But."
Sisilia narrowed her eyes. Couldn't let Draven pivot to disbandment.
Shut him down somehow.
"Even so, odd. He revealed his goal fully, left without killing anyone."
"That."
Gulp. All held breath for her answer—kingdom's fate possibly hinging.
"Probably 'cause I'm cute."
The room deflated.
"Edward. Still mad?"
Hyter scratched his head, approaching. Outside the palace, Edward glanced at the moonlight.
"How's your body, Hyter."
"Eh... fine. Heart hurts more. Embarrassing."
"Ambushed by a trusted comrade. Normal. Don't hold it in."
Hyter sighed at Edward. "Honestly, Captain."
Using rank meant serious talk. Edward turned.
"I don't resent Sisilia."
"No one's saying resent. But get properly angry this time. Proves how much she usually undervalues you."
"Won't even get angry."
"...Why?"
"Felt it when I thrust my sword."
Bitterness crossed Hyter's face. "Death."
"..."
"My future: dead without resistance. That strong. Even now, inescapable."
"Even so."
Edward stated firmly. "We Windsors oppose demons. Even slim odds—we bet everything. That's Windsor."
"Dunno. Best call: don't provoke, stay quiet."
"Hyter!"
Seeing Edward's anger-mixed face, Hyter smiled faintly. "Don't be too harsh on Sisilia. I saw her face right before you arrived. Who knew our cute Sisilia could make that expression."
He chuckled. But the memory didn't fade.
"Never felt killing intent like that. Honestly, maybe even that demon fled in fear."