Mission Accomplished
In Terezia, two pieces of major news spread like wildfire.
Though it was a state secret, Lydia often used such proud classified matters for propaganda.
"The Windsor Knights did it again!"
"I heard it was a massive battle that nearly wiped out several cities!"
The kingdom's citizens raised their glasses in celebration, and every tavern buzzed with tales of Gluttony.
Capturing demons alive happened occasionally. But that was usually low- or mid-tier demons at best. No one had ever brought back one of the Seven Deadly Sins intact.
This was a historic first.
"I'd love to get a look at that guy's face."
"Wonder what he even looks like."
"They'll let us throw stones at him, right?"
Above all, Gluttony's reputation was fearsome. For years, he'd been a symbol of terror to the kingdom's people. The fact that such a being wasn't just killed but captured alive skyrocketed morale like nothing else.
"...Daddy?"
"Oh, Goddess above—thank you! Thank you!"
Moreover, this mission yielded an unexpected bonus even Sisilia hadn't anticipated. Souls stolen across the territory began returning to their bodies, one by one. The numbers were significant enough to matter. Those reuniting with loved ones shed tears of joy.
"Sisilia Windsor, reporting back."
Sisilia saluted crisply before the queen. Lydia rested her chin on her hand, greeting her with a rare regal poise.
"The heroes of reversal have returned. Sisilia, the Gluttony you brought back is a most delightful gift."
"It was only possible thanks to Beatrice and Leo Ric."
Lydia smirked.
"That Leo Ric claims you did it."
Sisilia's expression turned ambiguous as she glanced toward the far corner.
'This got way bigger than I expected.'
It had started with a black letter, this little outing. They'd returned laden with surprises. Especially the live capture of Gluttony.
'...I just wanted Severus to suffer at least half of what he deserved. That was my pure intention.'
The Windsor Knights had a torture mage on staff. Naturally, for a knight order dealing with demons, their victims were demons too. Rumor had it they started by cutting out the demon's tongue—too much screaming otherwise. Then they kept at it until they got what they wanted.
Sisilia suddenly wondered: So how do they even extract useful info from demons like that?
"Even so, you'll be credited with the mission's greatest achievement."
"...Pardon?"
"We need to solidify Vice-Captain Sisilia-nyang's position."
The Windsor Knights—undisputed strongest knight order in the world. The vice-captaincy of that.
Sisilia held a decent spot, but not a great one.
"The vice-captain's just too young, after all."
The biggest issue was the order's atmosphere treating her like a little sister. They followed her, sure—but they doted on her more. Outsiders saw it the same way. Among nobles, the "Edward solo system" perception was already taking root.
That wasn't good.
Lydia's ideal Windsor Knights structure: captain and vice-captain balancing power precariously from opposite sides, neither yielding.
Right now, Sisilia lacked the grip to match Edward Windsor.
The only way to break that was for her to rack up more feats.
"...But I'm a knight."
Sisilia bit her small lip, clenched her fists, and looked up at Lydia boldly.
"I can't steal my comrades' credit."
"...".
"Hah."
'How is she so shrewd?'
Erterion dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief. Those clear blue eyes brimmed with respect for comrades—and unyielding pride against even the highest authority. The epitome of a knight, daughter of Chiron.
"Please withdraw it. The greatest credit goes to Knight Leo Ric, who executed Severus."
Sisilia was on high alert, wary of any weird new titles.
'If anything happens to my pretty Sword Princess title...'
Then the palace folk would witness a Sword Princess deep in depression.
"...You're refusing the award?"
"I'll gratefully accept the praise."
"...".
Lydia stared, stone-faced, at Sisilia's sparkling "praise me more" expression.
...What does she even want?
Even a 300-year-old queen found Sisilia baffling. But as a fine queen, Lydia quickly grasped her knight's intent.
"Honor yes, but no tangible rewards? Hmm, not a bad play."
Lydia's view of Edward had softened after recent events, but she knew her son's nature inside out. He'd never relinquish the "full authority over the Windsor Knights" he'd finally grasped—not even on his deathbed.
But meddle rashly, and she'd just stoke his wariness.
"I was planning to retire that outdated Sword Princess title anyway—"
Silver-haired Sisilia. Lydia chuckled imagining "Silver Princess". It fit perfectly.
"In these changing times, we can keep it for now... Sisilia?"
Tears welled in Sisilia's eyes.
Erterion eyed his queen like she'd dumped trash on the floor.
"Your Majesty. How can you mock a title that's the flower of knighthood, the pinnacle of knightly honor? Especially one you bestowed."
"...!"
"Apologize. These are not words for an honorable knight returned safely from duty."
"S-sorry."
Lydia awkwardly watched teary-eyed Sisilia, scratched her cheek, then blinked at her shoulder.
"By the way, where's your cape?"
Sisilia's near-tears vanished; she flashed a shadowy smile, knelt on one knee, and spoke meaningfully.
"I left it as a gift for the new era."
"...?"
Erterion translated.
"Before heading to Londinium, she saved a user and gave her the cape since she worried about the journey."
The Windsor Knights' cape—Liannen's Kingdom's most precious artifact. It resisted most magic, granted status resistances, and shrugged off all but the mightiest sword auras. A normal person wearing it wouldn't die easily.
"...You gave a Windsor cape to a user."
"Yes. The one from the recent report."
"Ruby, was it."
Erterion admired Sisilia's deed. Even Windsors cherished their capes—not just for cost, but pride. Keeping the pristine white spotless was their honor.
'With the black letter, she had no time to escort the user to arrive swiftly. Ignoring the queen's order wasn't an option, so the cape was best. Humans won't dare attack seeing it, and it'd shield from most monsters.'
Sacrificing her treasure to fulfill her duty—that was a true knight. Erterion fully endorsed it.
But Lydia's face was coldly set, no "good girl!" or "cute!" warmth.
"Sisilia."
"Yes."
"Windsor capes are for Windsors only."
"...".
"Only Windsors may be guarded by them."
The secret of the Windsor Knights' cape: its protective magic circle, undecipherable by any mage, packed impossibly complex formulas into thin cloth. Its origin? Lydia, wishing her children less harm.
"Without it, what if you'd gotten hurt even a little?"
One user's life versus one Windsor's. Harsh, but from the queen's view, incomparable.
"I'd have been heartbroken."
Chided, Sisilia drooped.
"Never do that again."
"...Yes."
Lydia beamed at her thoroughly deflated knight. Impossible not to adore.
"Very well. I grant Sisilia Windsor's request by royal decree. The title of Sword Princess (劍姬) is frozen; instead, publicize the 'Gluttony capture' widely for morale."
Erterion nodded at the tidy resolution. Heaping feats yet humbly yielding credit, saving a stranger with her cape, honoring comrades—these virtues would live forever in his heart.
"Um."
Then Sisilia piped up mosquito-soft.
"...Could I still get some incentive?"
"Y-you want...? How much?"
"A ton."
"...".
Erterion's romance shattered.
***
Sisilia's heart pounded as she tiptoed, peeking over the mansion wall. Beyond, a squishy newbie gripped a wooden sword, solemnly slashing at empty air.
'She must've found my cape, and Chiron picked it up. Daddy's invincible as ever.'
Sisilia's hips wiggled faintly. A tail would've thrashed wildly.
"Sisilia."
A large hand settled on her head. She looked up. Chiron stood there.
"Hello."
"Another grand feat this time."
"'Cause I'm pretty and strong."
"Yes, you are."
Chiron eyed her gazing beyond the wall, then murmured low.
"Care for tea after so long? I'd like to hear the tale."
Sisilia hopped lightly from the box.
"Me too. Just a month, but so much has changed. You've gotten even more teacher-like."
Chiron's face stayed stoic, but he seemed faintly pleased.
"This'll be a long story."
Meanwhile, at the palace garden's edge. Queen Lydia walked a sunlit path in silence. Her steps were unhurried, unwavering. A gentle breeze rippled her white hair coolly.
At the path's end lay the Windsor Knights' cemetery. Impeccably orderly—stones and trees perfectly aligned. The final rest for those who'd given their lives for the Windsor name.
"Severus Windsor has returned to my side."
In her small hands rested a neatly folded white cape.
"I should hold a grand welcome, but forgive me."
Knight Severus's cape. Even as a demon, he'd kept it dear. Thanks to that, Sisilia handling postmortem had recovered it intact.
"Outwardly, you're branded a traitor—no toasts for you. You'll remain one forever."
Lydia set the cape down. She looked up. Countless folded white capes rested at precise intervals.
"...Yet the lives you saved outnumber the innocents you took by dozens. Thus, you may rest here."
Queen Lydia bowed in respect.
"Sword Emperor (劍帝) Severus Windsor. Rest easy there."
As if answering her words, the stained white cape's breath stilled.