Newbie Hope Arc (6)
“The second summoning will happen once this batch of Users has adapted. They’ll make wonderful guides.”
Lydia ran the meeting smoothly without a hitch.
“The key is adaptation, right? I said that, but honestly, we’re in trouble if they don’t fight properly.”
Even Sisilia, who couldn’t tolerate civilian Users, nodded vigorously.
“The goddess’s Aura is already shining on us, after all.”
The people in the meeting hall wore grave expressions. It was the result already announced by the Magic Tower.
Since January, not a single person had awakened a new Blessing.
The goddess’s grace had truly vanished.
If not for Queen Lydia, who had foreseen and prepared for all this, the chaos would have been unimaginable.
“So, motivating them is crucial. We’ve left the training to Duke Chiron afterward, but without the will, it’s pointless.”
You couldn’t teach magic or swordsmanship to someone who didn’t want to learn.
But a question arose for many: How? How do you instill motivation in people dragged from a strange world?
“I want Edward Windsor, captain of the Windsor Knights, to handle this.”
Lydia smiled coolly.
In truth, this was a carefully laid trap by Queen Lydia.
‘It’s important, so I can’t entrust it to just anyone. But it offers no merits.’
To Edward, who was steadily consolidating his grip on the Windsor Knights, it was practically exile.
“Since this is urgent, hand over your current duties to Sisilia as-is.”
And in that gap, elevate Sisilia’s power.
By the time it was done, the two would be equals.
A single move yielding two gains—a brilliant stroke. Lydia was confident it would balance their relationship.
“I refuse.”
Before Sisilia could speak.
“……?”
Lydia stared blankly at Sisilia.
Why was her Kitty speaking up? This was for your benefit.
“Captain Edward has a notoriously cruel personality. Forget motivation—they’ll rupture their organs.”
“Was he like that?”
“Sir Edward is famously kind……”
“But if the Sword Princess says so, it sounds plausible.”
Edward felt deeply wronged, but since it benefited him, he stayed quiet.
Sisilia broke into a cold sweat and began her self-PR.
“This job needs someone kind, cute, and exceptionally handsome……”
“Ahaha, that perfectly describes Edward. Must take after his mother—such a handsome face.”
Lydia cut her off.
“Hmm, indeed.”
“Looking at the Users, most are half-grown.”
“Women, at least, will definitely side with Sir Edward.”
Sisilia trembled with rage as they nodded along.
‘Favoring her own son?’
Discussing national affairs while nepotism? As the upright Sword Princess who forgave no corruption, she couldn’t tolerate it.
“Above all, the captain is busy. He has no time for this.”
‘……Since when has she worried about me?’
Edward was quite confused. Of all people, it was Sisilia.
She knew what was gain and loss in this situation……
‘Oh? Avoiding a direct clash with me again?’
Edward found her behavior rather cute and chimed in.
“Your Majesty, it seems he wants it too. Why not leave it to Sisilia?”
In short: He doesn’t want the power struggle, so just give up?
“I can’t. Sisilia has her own request.”
This meant: Even if you hate it, I won’t give you full authority.
Edward looked at her coldly and said, “Would you tell us what that request is?”
The ball was back in Lydia’s court: Can you say it to his face?
“The subjugation of Nameless.”
“!”
Those listening gasped in shock.
The Four Great Beasts. Colossal entities that shifted the atmosphere just by appearing. Apostles fallen so low they couldn’t even become demons, rejected by the goddess.
One of them: Nameless.
No one had ever faced it, nor knew its name.
Because no survivors remained.
‘If Sisilia subjugates Nameless, her influence surpasses mine in an instant.’
Edward ground his teeth at the queen’s plan, beyond imagination.
An absurd scheme. No mere Sword Princess could fell one of the Four Great Beasts, where all had failed.
Yet strangely, Edward couldn’t picture Sisilia failing.
“Before war breaks out, it’s best to thin the enemy as much as possible.”
Lydia smiled gently.
Edward stated firmly, “I exercise my veto.”
“Reason?”
“I can’t send my precious Sisilia into the jaws of death.”
Murmurs rippled.
The ambiguous answer stirred the room. Lydia, caught off-guard by Edward’s words, faltered slightly.
“……You two have grown close while I wasn’t looking. Last I saw, you were at each other’s throats.”
She addressed Sisilia, who sat demurely with eyes closed.
“But the choice is yours, Sisilia.”
She was half-certain. A knight like Sisilia preferred the strong.
Nameless would appeal to her. The goddess’s intuition said so.
“I……”
All focused on Sisilia’s words.
Sisilia slowly opened her eyes and said, “I believe a splendid, wonderful knight like Captain Edward can subjugate Nameless.”
“!”
“I’ll handle motivating the Users.”
Lydia turned to stone. Edward’s lips curved up.
“My goodness.”
“What a perfect pair.”
The nobles were moved by Edward and Sisilia’s attitudes.
Of course, some weren’t pleased.
“You don’t seem to value your life.”
“…….”
A noble met Chiron’s murderous glare and silently zipped his lips.
At the end of the first meeting, the mood was ‘Do we really need to go that far?’
From this world’s perspective, the queen’s speech had been inspiring enough.
The otherworlders probably changed their minds upon hearing it.
And what other choice was there besides fighting?
No need for the Windsor Knights’ most reputable Sword Princess to step up for motivation.
“Sisilia. Their world…… They say it had no wars. Can you imagine?”
But they overlooked it.
The gulf between modern minds and medieval ones was immeasurable—likely eternal.
One side born into a world ruled by queens deciding all; the other, where anyone could be king.
The queen’s words had swayed them enough to accept the quest, but not to eagerly grab swords and charge.
“Her Majesty’s insight proves right again. Motivation is essential. Forcing lessons on the unwilling is futile.”
Initially, some had wanted to fight.
But all fled after witnessing beasts firsthand.
And never returned.
Now, aside from a proactive few, they holed up indoors.
Some even crafted and sold Earth items to ‘survive,’ ignoring levels.
Gazes turned to Sisilia.
Could the Sword Princess draw them out?
A week later, Sisilia quietly told Beatrice, “Gather everyone. Right now.”
Beatrice assembled the Users as ordered and followed nervously.
‘Make them motivated…… Is that even possible? Hard to imagine.’
But Sisilia showed no worry. She seemed pleased, despite the tricky task.
Unable to hold back, Beatrice asked, “Um, Lady Sisilia.”
“Yeah.”
“……Do you have a plan?”
“Plan?”
“Yes. A way to turn despair into motivation.”
The newbie dungeon remained deserted, they said. Some trained at the Adventurer Guild for retries, but most cowered in fear.
What words could change that?
Yet Sisilia might pull it off.
“For now, doing nothing is fine.”
“……Pardon?”
“They’re newbies. Just being here is enough.”
Sisilia smiled faintly.
“Existence alone gives people value.”
“……I didn’t know you said things like that, Lady Sisilia.”
“?”
Sisilia pondered her image deeply once more as she took the podium.
A crucial moment, but no tension—she’d never felt it, even in her past life.
“Vice-Captain of the Windsor Knights. Sisilia Windsor.”
Sisilia gazed at the adorable, dazed newbies.
‘How many will stay?’
Lately, dreams showed that scene: ashen hill, lonely figure atop it—herself.
Sad in the game. In reality, devastating.
She hated being alone.
The epilogue cinematic shocked her not by people appearing, but by their survival.
Humanity mostly perished against the Demon God.
That future loomed.
This path led to 100% Sisilia saving the world—alone again.
She wanted company. Shared clear joy.
To that end, motivate these people.
She’d do anything.
This time, Sisilia was sincere.
“In seven months, when the truce ends, war begins.”
No whispers this time; all eyes on Sisilia.
“Many have died. More may die now. War means far more. Without the goddess’s grace, Liannen Kingdom lasts ten years at best.”
It took Sisilia a week to stand before them—long for her quick decider.
Time to organize thoughts, yes.
And calculated.
To let them learn the world themselves—specifically, the Windsor Knights’ Sisilia’s place as an NPC.
“I know it sounds selfish—”
Sisilia placed a hand on her chest, bowed slowly.
“Please.”
No grand words needed. Sincerity mattered.
She believed heartfelt pleas touched any race, world.
From the vice-captain of the strongest order.
The admired, pretty, cute, perfect, unrivaled Sword Princess—it would work.
“Help us.”
A clear droplet fell on her pale cheek.
“You alone are the heroes who can save the world.”
Thoughts varied.
But in this moment, Sisilia’s words stirred hearts.
“Don’t cry.”
“If I can help—”
“What first?”
Many Users gathered around the quietly sobbing Sisilia, including worried Ruby.
Sisilia wiped her tears, said poignantly, “Then…… shall we head to the dungeon?”