Before the Newbie Cools Off (1)
“Two injured, handed over safely.”
Beatrice saluted and reported the moment Sisilia arrived. The two royal knights were critically wounded but still alive. Fortunately, the capital was close; with treatment, they'd pull through.
“But... where's your cape?”
“Gave it to a user.”
“You finally met one? Congratulations!”
As Beatrice congratulated her, Sisilia thought to herself.
That newbie I'd been dying to meet. Such a pretty face, and the cutest name. Actually, I knew the second I caught her scent. Ah, this is my precious attachment newbie I've been hunting for ten years.
In Sisilia's mind, she was already holding hands with her attachment newbie, storming demon lairs.
“Vice-Captain Sisilia?”
“......”
Sisilia snapped back to reality at Beatrice's voice.
...Not the time to be thinking about that.
She shoved her newbie thoughts deep down. There were more urgent matters.
“Sorry. Let's move.”
Sisilia pushed herself to the limit. Normally she'd nod off at the slightest delay, but this time she hadn't slept a single minute. No time for rest. Even that felt like a luxury.
-Hing.
Overworking her precious unicorn, she raced toward Londinium, where Leo Ric was.
Can't lose Leo Ric here.
She didn't know what had happened to him. But every minute, every second was critical.
-A kid joining the knights? Hey, want some parfaits?
-What do you want for your birthday? A mansion?
-Clothes are easy. ...500 gold? You're kidding, right? Fine, fine.
-It's nothing, just pocket money. Keep it from Sir Chiron.
Leo Ric was precious to Sisilia. She really liked him. He was always kind and gentle, like a big brother.
It absolutely wasn't because he showered her with expensive gifts.
Above all—
-Hey, bunny. Take this.
-Something told me you wanted this pendant.
...I still owe him 1,000 gold.
The black letter. Sending it meant betrayal was imminent. Two possibilities: his own change of heart, or mental manipulation by demons.
The first was impossible, given Leo Ric's character. That left the second—but if his mind was fully corrupted, even Sisilia couldn't save him. Killing the demon wouldn't undo a declared brainwashing.
Just hold on a little longer.
Sisilia gripped the unicorn's reins with desperate resolve.
-Hing.
Hearing the unicorn's whinny, she prayed. Please, don't let us be too late.
**
Liannen Kingdom's southern region, the trade hub Londinium. A rare major city, but it hid a darker side.
A city of criminals. Where vast capital flowed, assassins lurked and thieves roamed free. No wonder it felt so gloomy. The weather was perpetually overcast, shrouded in fog.
Sisilia arrived at such a place.
“Long time no see, Sisilia. Heard you made vice-captain.”
“Yes. Long time, Leo Ric.”
They stood atop a cliff. A cold wind blew between them.
After a long silence—
Sisilia slowly drew her sword.
“I'll ask.”
“Sure.”
“Are you on humanity's side... or the demons'?”
Her blade tip pointed precisely at Leo Ric's throat.
Leo Ric smirked.
“Obviously humanity's.”
Worst-case scenario.
The black letter was a kill request. Conversely, sending it meant he wasn't fully compromised yet.
But that reaction suggested he might have already turned.
Sisilia's nightmare had come true.
“Prove it.”
“...Prove? How?”
“Cry... and prove your purity—”
Beatrice swallowed hard.
First time seeing a black letter response. She'd heard of it: only humans could cry. Sisilia was testing if he was a demon.
To Beatrice, he looked human no matter how she stared. As expected of Sisilia—she might have caught some subtle wrongness Beatrice missed.
Leo Ric backed away, visibly flustered.
“You...”
“......”
“How does crying prove purity? That's not even a Windsor Knights rule.”
He sounded baffled. Sisilia blinked and exchanged glances with Beatrice.
Leo Ric pointed at Sisilia's head.
“Red ribbon. Right?”
Sisilia's hair accessory changed daily with her mood. He'd just proved he wasn't a demon—the surest way.
“Not a demon...?”
“Why ask the obvious?”
“Mental corruption.”
“Think I'd fall for that?”
“Then... why the letter?”
“Emergency. Had to send the black letter to get you here fast.”
Leo Ric grinned, hands in pockets.
Sisilia bowed her head and approached. Beatrice gasped at what followed.
“...Gasp.”
Pow pow.
“That's mean.”
Sisilia sniffled, punching Leo Ric's arm.
Leo Ric chuckled, patting her head.
So cute...
Beatrice covered her mouth. Sisilia hitting like a spoiled kid was pure adorableness.
Pow— Pow—.
But the hits were getting harder; Leo Ric's shoulder was going numb.
“Vi-Vice-Captain Sisilia?”
“Ah—fine. I was prepared.”
Leo Ric kept smiling. But sweat beaded on his brow.
Bam! Bam!
Sisilia's accelerating fists tore the air. Too strong for playfulness now!
“Vice-Captain, stop! You'll kill him!”
Beatrice panicked. Sisilia's punches were sharpening—now targeting his gut, chaining into liver shots. Perfect combos!
Beatrice clutched her side instinctively; she'd taken those before. Pain beyond human endurance, stealing your breath.
“Guh.”
But Knight Leo Ric.
“...Good... punch.”
A man's man. Hands still in pockets, he spat blood without a groan.
Why endure that much?
As Beatrice wondered, Sisilia drew her sword again. Still mad.
“Wave Severing—”
“Vice-Captain! He's not a demon!”
**
Londinium—city center, priciest dessert shop.
“Should be fine for now. Until the candy and desserts run out, anyway.”
Beatrice sighed in relief, having calmed Sisilia with sweets. That mana surge could've leveled the district.
Leo Ric, bandaged from the shock, admired Beatrice.
“Adjutant? Your Sisilia-handling skills are art.”
“Hehe.”
Beatrice beamed proudly. Just a year in, but she'd mastered the Sisilia arts.
“A female newbie, huh.”
She tensed. Windsor Knights were mostly old. Edward and Sisilia were the young outliers; most were over fifty—old-school thinkers!
“Thought Sisilia was the last woman in Windsor Knights.”
Leo Ric leaned back, leg crossed.
“Must be skilled. Don't know her, but Sisilia's eye is trustworthy.”
Old-fashioned, as expected. But his trust in Sisilia shone brighter.
“N-not that skilled. Barely pulls her weight...”
“No, that's impressive. Controlling Sisilia Windsor? Huge.”
“...Zero control.”
“...That's decent.”
Strangers, yet Leo Ric and Beatrice bonded deeply.
“She's quiet with dessert, but she'll rage when it's gone. She was worried sick. Why the black letter?”
Leo Ric poured wine into Beatrice's glass. He started for Sisilia's, paused, then orange juice.
“No choice.”
He sighed.
“Requested aid fifteen times. No reply. What happened in the capital?”
“Pardon—but when?”
“Five months ago. Once a month ago too.”
A month ago... I was handling Sisilia's paperwork. No request docs.
Odd. Beatrice was meticulous.
Where'd it vanish? She glanced at Sisilia—who was sweatily picking at cake.
Classic guilty Sisilia.
The culprit's Sisilia!
Culprit Sisilia munched cake, looking away.
But a newbie's coming soon; can't go on long missions.
Wait, doesn't that mean Sisilia has no right to complain?
Karma, plain and simple.
“Anyway, needed Sisilia specifically. Sorry for the black letter; I'll apologize properly later.”
Leo Ric was earnest. Beatrice sensed the sincerity.
“Mission details tomorrow. Rest. No sleep coming here, right?”
He nodded at Sisilia, who was dozing off.
Tension released, Beatrice yawned too. Nearly a week sleepless.
“Might not match your level, but best mansion nearby. Crash here.”
Leo Ric handed a note with address and key, then stood coolly. Waved and left.
Beatrice watched him go.
...Mansion. Sisilia only springs for 1-silver dives.
But he radiated goodness.
Nice guy.
Beatrice smiled warmly.
**
That thought lasted twelve minutes.
“Thanks for rushing here. I'm Leo Ric's eleventh wife, Serena.”
“...Eleventh? How many total?”
“Husband's wives hit fourteen this week.”
Dazed, Beatrice entered the room with Sisilia. Drew her sword immediately.
“Vice-Captain. He's trash. Enemy of women.”
“Jerryway called him enemy of men too.”
“Ironclad proof. Fold him and trash him.”
Beatrice, scary.
But Sisilia smiled brightly.
Good thing. Leo Ric's safe.
Shed almost gone full Extreme Art knowing she'd been tricked—but picked up a newbie en route, and Leo Ric was fine.
Ruby was so cute and pretty.
Total idol vibe! Back home, make her sing five trending girl group songs.
Wanna go back, lick her again. Take her to good dessert spots, tons of training. And—
Pass on the Newbie Guidebook to Beatrice too. Packed with tips; she'd love it.
“Betty.”
High on euphoria, Sisilia stepped to the balcony, gazing at the moon to express it.
Beatrice, prepping the bath, grabbed Sisilia's tied hair at the sudden move.
“Vice-Captain. Bath time.”
But poetic Sisilia was invincible; words fell on deaf ears.
“Finish the mission quick, head back.”
Beatrice, used to it, didn't blink at the pose. Stared, entranced.
Sisilia, backlit by moonlight, smiled radiantly and reached out.
“Before the newbie cools off.”