Greedy Sisilia
When Sisilia faced an important decision, Lydia was always alone. Staring at the vast map spread out before her, she swept her hand broadly over the empire's territory.
"If the battlefield expands."
Lydia's gaze drifted toward a distant future. But it was a near future that would inevitably arrive.
"The only variable is the users."
If the territory expanded, the forces needed to cover it would grow accordingly. Yet in this era when the goddess's blessings had halted, bolstering troops was impossible. The only possibility was the users.
Could they truly grow strong enough to stand against the demon race?
"It's worth betting the kingdom's future on."
Lydia judged there was ample potential. Their overall quality was lacking. They had no spirit. But some were already showing promise—
And for the rest, it was a matter of mindset, not talent. Their growth rate was unnaturally swift.
"But—"
Would the grown users alone suffice? Was the kingdom truly right to stake its future on that uncertainty?
This time, Lydia recalled a definitive value.
"Not ideal for Sisilia Windsor to shine."
Sisilia, whom she was certain would one day ascend to Sword God.
"She's our sharpest spear."
She had forsaken humanity's agent. But that didn't diminish her value. Sisilia was an exceptionally capable knight. A commander worth ten thousand. The embodiment of Lydia's ideal, encompassing all.
The only human who could reach divinity.
"But that spear can only pierce so far."
Even the most perfect transcendent had flaws. She was but one person.
Let's shift perspective.
Strictly from Sisilia's viewpoint, Lydia eyed the map. The current geography of the Liannen Kingdom was ideal. In the worst case, they could cede the north and fight a siege in the narrow passes. The only bypass was through the empire.
But even a weakened empire had vast lands and resources that couldn't be ignored. They could hold out for a while. In that time, strike the Demon King Castle in turn.
"......In no scenario does the Liannen Kingdom fall."
Lydia closed her eyes.
"Considering everything."
She opened them and concluded.
"Negotiations are off. The truce ends here."
But.
'Who'd have thought we'd take a hit from the demon race like this.'
The situation couldn't be called improved. The Demon King wasn't targeting the empire, after all.
Division. That's what they aimed for—humanity's division.
Lydia had royal authority enough to push her view. But doing so would split the kingdom in two. Rejecting the demons' proposal meant war.
......No nation could wage war disunited.
"What a headache. ......I want to retire. Tend a quiet estate, farm in peace."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The Liannen Kingdom was plunged into chaos. Lydia hadn't announced it, but rumors spread by word of mouth.
And those rumors were quite accurate.
"Heard about the demons' proposal?"
"......They went to Her Majesty the Queen offering an alliance."
"What?! The nerve of those bastards!"
"Just open the path, and they'll hand over half the empire."
Hatred for the demon race. But no less hatred for the empire.
"While we've fought for 500 years, what have those empire scum done?"
The Liannen Kingdom fought for humanity. That was the people's great pride.
But it bred questions too. Why must only Liannen fight? Why must they alone bear the losses?
"If we don't clear the path, the truce is over, they say."
"......Just when life was getting a bit easier."
Above all, the peace from halting the "natural" war with demons had been sweeter than expected. And now it ended so soon.
For the sake of protecting the empire, no less.
"Tough luck for the empire, but they can handle themselves this time."
"Why should we take the hit again?"
Public sentiment gradually tilted toward "open the path." Partly due to agitation by certain nobles.
But also a wish deep in every heart. No one wanted war right now, naturally.
Thus, for the first time in 500 years, anti-war sentiment—something they couldn't even lift their heads for—swept the Liannen Kingdom.
"You think that makes sense?"
Meanwhile, in the Windsor Knights' meeting room.
Leo Ric ground his teeth and stood.
"Ally with demons to doom the empire? ......I'll take that as a joke, Edward Windsor."
The knights fell silent. Only Edward wore a faint smile.
"Leo Ric. Calm down first and hear me out."
"Hear you out? You're the Windsor Knights' captain—the one not anyone else—telling us to ally with demons?!"
No matter public opinion, the Windsor Knights' was unanimous. Allying with demons was unthinkable.
Even for any grand cause.
But the strongest captain in history, who held all Windsor power—Edward thought differently.
"Not allying with demons. Just a strategic retreat for now."
War wasn't child's play. On a national scale, all directions were set for seven months out. Edward, commanding the kingdom's core force, the Windsor Knights, knew it well.
"Break the pact, and demons could invade tomorrow. No surprise there."
The absolute truce with the Demon God. Unbreakable, confirmed.
The kingdom was recovering wounds for maximum efficiency. Assume war within a month—
Destruction.
A blatant loss.
"Liannen has no future. Listen. This is the demons' proposal. Empire or kingdom—which to abandon?"
If Lydia saw the future, Edward saw the present. No present, no future.
And even that future didn't look hopeless to him.
'The kingdom's current strength makes Liannen's territory too small, even.'
"What are you? Knights guarding humanity? No—knights guarding Liannen from demons. Who's misjudging what to protect?"
Edward's sharp question silenced the high knights. They wanted to retort instinctively, but non-combat skills lagged.
But one had that skill, didn't she?
All eyes turned to Sisilia.
She sipped tea calmly, set it down, and said,
"I want cake."
"......"
A splendid rebuff to Edward. Or rather, knights expecting stirring rhetoric faceplanted onto the table.
Soon, excited arrows of blame flew at Sisilia.
"Joking in this situation?!"
"Who said Sisilia was fixed? Still broken!"
"And late too! Vice-captain, no less!"
"Right! No dessert for you!"
Sisilia, unfazed till the last, flinched and straightened her clothes. Timing for proper words.
"......"
As Sisilia opened to speak, blame paused. Windsor eyes fixed on her small mouth.
With a serious face, she said,
"......What's the agenda?"
"Sisilia."
Jerryway pointed at shocked Sisilia.
"You're hopeless."
"......!"
That she couldn't ignore. No one more hopeless than gambler drunk Jerryway.
Windsors shot him "that's too much" looks.
Jerryway took a huge hit, sank into depression.
"Um, Lady Sisilia."
Fortunately, Beatrice—as expected—lightly explained and asked.
"Everyone's curious about your thoughts."
Sisilia answered blankly. No need to hesitate.
"No negotiations with demons."
Thus, sturdy ally Sisilia joined! Windsors cowardly left it to the 17-year-old girl and spectated.
"You've always had that oddly stuffy side."
Edward chuckled casually. But hid unease poorly.
"Fine. Let's talk. On this matter."
"I'll talk with captain anytime. But."
Sisilia was playfully mischievous above all, firm in principles above all.
"No talking with demons."
"Feels like I'm oddly defending demons, but can't not ask. Why? They're intelligent beings. Talk's a weapon too."
"What'd you have for lunch, captain?"
At the nonsense, Edward answered, absurd but.
"Steak."
"Talked to the steak while slicing?"
"......What?"
"Weird."
Sisilia sipped tea, deeming it a masterstroke.
'......What?'
Of course, Windsors didn't get it. But Edward did.
"Not even worth compromising with?"
Sisilia nodded, obvious.
Compromise, negotiation—for people with people. Now, like grabbing a cockroach antenna in your home: "Mind leaving?"
"But Sisilia."
Edward smiled.
"No compromise only if overwhelmingly superior."
His face hardened coldly.
"No choices. War now, unprepared Liannen ends. We need time."
Windsors knew the implication. Indeed, avoid immediate war. Refusing just 'cause can't overlook demons was tantrum-like.
"He's right."
Hyter agreed.
"Bend when needed. Rigid swords snap easy."
And ultimately, Edward decided. Knight order hierarchy firm.
This meeting just Edward swaying hearts.
"Windsor Knights accept the delegation's demand. That sets direction? Speak if unhappy."
"Damn it."
Leo Ric slammed table, stormed up.
Other knights unhappy but accepted inevitability.
"But."
Sisilia said quietly. Leo Ric halted.
"If demons don't crush empire, then what?"
"......Think empire beats demons?"
"Just enough threat to not die."
"What?"
'If I were Demon King, that's it.'
Open path, demons invade empire. Show power, no heavy damage, withdraw.
Empire rages. Not at invading demons, at path-openers Liannen.
"Liannen wars demons and humans now. Demons profit from both."
Edward faltered briefly. Hadn't considered.
Leo Ric caught the timing. Grinned, hand on Sisilia's shoulder.
"Sisilia. You're one hell of a woman."
"I know."
"......Lucky. Anyway."
Leo Ric grinned.
"Captain. Thoughts? Vice-captain's got more sense to me."
Edward, sour-faced,
"......Meeting ends here."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Lady Sisilia's something else. Amazing at the end. Even I went 'oh'."
Sisilia rubbed chin, groaning. Her silver-blue eyes darted left-right.
Chocolate cake and strawberry cake on display.
'Betty said one only.'
Which? Epic dilemma. If handsome noble here, sell Nyxaks for both.
"Um, Lady Sisilia."
Beatrice wilted at awkward clerks, rowdy customers behind.
"Pick quick. You're bothering."
Sisilia decided.
"This, swap for strawberry cake."
"That's an adamantium sword?!"
Beatrice barely stopped Sisilia drawing sheathed.
"Hopeless, really."
Beatrice bought both cakes inevitably.
Before strawberry and chocolate, Sisilia beamed, savoring.
"Jealous. Wish I had your convenient personality."
Beatrice sighed deeply, worried face.
Sisilia chewed, swallowed cake, said,
"Everyone overthinks."
"......It's complex. War now, or dance to demons' tune. No clue what's best. What looks better to you?"
Sisilia sliced chocolate, forked strawberry atop, smiled contentedly.
Chocolate or strawberry? Sisilia always both.
This time too.
"Both."
"Pardon?"
"Empire and demons—eat 'em both."
Munching cake, Sisilia smiled happily.
"I'm greedy, after all."