Mission Accomplished – Hail the Empress!
With the Demon King's appearance, the Empire Dungeon had been cleared. The gimmick's defeat came down to pure brute force.
...I should've looked into it back when I cleared Wind Shear before.
But it wasn't enough to disrupt her contract with the Demon God. That had worked because it was an "unfair contract"—one that was invalid from the start, thus earning legitimacy. Of course, easier said than done. Not just anyone could pull it off.
Sisilia trembled, convinced she'd lost.
"The Demon King's army is retreating!"
"Should we pursue?"
"No. It's Vice-Captain Sisilia's order to let them go."
But she was the only one who saw it as a 'loss.' A mere thousand humans had held off 100,000 Demon King troops. Zero casualties on their side. Roughly 60,000 enemy losses.
"Victory for humanity—!!"
"Hooray!!"
The crowds roared in cheers, hurling their belongings into the air. A resounding triumph.
Liannen Kingdom Capital. Terezia.
"Mom, what's this parade?"
Endless throngs of people lined the streets. Amid them marched soldiers to the swell of grand music. The mother hoisted her child onto her shoulders for a better view.
"They're great heroes returning from a huge feat. Remember every one of their faces."
"Okay!"
From on high, the child's eyes sparkled with pure wonder. A dream was born.
Meanwhile, the soldiers—faces flushed with emotion—struggled to hold back grins.
"The heroes of reversal return!"
"Our respects for your dedication!"
Flowers in every color rained down amid cheers and applause. This moment was surely why they risked life on the battlefield.
"There—the Windsor Knights!"
"Vice-Captain Sisilia!"
"Heard she racked up insane merits again—"
"Maybe even Sword Princess will get promoted?"
All eyes locked on them. The Windsor Knights strode forward, white capes billowing. Undisputed world's strongest—and this victory proved it once more.
At their head: expressionless Sisilia.
What the heck.
Her mind fixated on one thing.
How'd my newbies multiply like that?
Did Ruby step up? Or was there growth potion from Another World here too?
Sisilia was baffled. In the cheering crowds, dazed faces stood out everywhere—all East Asian.
"Vi-Vice-Captain Sisilia. The wind, the wind."
"Sorry."
Sisilia's tail whipped like a motor. Without Beatrice behind her to intervene, the welcome parade might've turned into chaos.
Wanna lick every single one right now.
But pride—the image of Windsor Knights' haughty Sword Princess vice-captain—held her back.
Sorry, guys. Licks later.
Sisilia clenched her fist in resolve.
"Your merits defy words."
Sisilia bowed silently. Lydia beamed. In her 300+ years, no knight had ever been this adorable. She'd proven worthy of the queen's favor yet again.
"You ventured to foreign lands, leading just a thousand soldiers and ten knights, and extracted what the Empire demanded. And you annihilated more than half the Demon King's army—humanity's eternal foe."
Long years of isolationism had bred massive info gaps. Lydia had longed to shatter them publicly. In that instant, Liannen Kingdom would outshine any nation.
Sisilia had executed that mission flawlessly. World powers were surely racking their brains now: what to offer for Liannen's goodwill?
"No gift could surpass your feats. Name your desire. Anything..."
Lydia smiled softly at Sisilia—
Until her expression soured.
She couldn't hold back.
"What is that...?"
Flanking Sisilia, flat on the floor: Liliana and Freya. Heterogeneously demonic at a glance.
(Note: Both wore iron-chain collars linked to Sisilia.)
Sisilia said casually,
"Stray doggos I picked up."
"...Bit big for puppies."
"This is all I want."
Sisilia was at prime age for pet demons as gifts.
Lydia eyed the pair thoughtfully. Unprecedented. But so was Sisilia's feat.
Decision was swift. A true sovereign grants her vassal's wish.
"Granted. But never let go of those leashes. Should your pets cause trouble—"
She made it crystal clear.
"Their owner bears the blame."
Queen Lydia decreed a week-long festival for all to revel in victory.
Commoners popped champagne in joy. Nobles hosted grand banquets—not their usual affairs, but a true hero's feast.
"Sisilia's the star even without that."
"...Not even close."
Sisilia mimicked Beatrice's impression while sipping orange juice. Beatrice pouted at the stolen line.
"...Oh yeah."
Sisilia suddenly realized something and wandered off.
To Jerryway's bar, chuckling as he poured champagne.
"What, Sisilia? Here to rub it in? Don't know 'bout duke's daughters, but us commoners gotta hustle side gigs to survive."
(Windsor Knights' pay outstripped most lords' monthly income. Jerryway's broke because Jerryway.)
But Sisilia skipped the jab, striking a cool pose.
"Bartender. Strongest you've got."
I'm a grown-up now.
Her eyes sparkled. Booze clashed with becoming a fine Sword Princess, so no real drinking—but adulthood demanded one sip, right?
"Kid wants booze?"
"I'm a full adult."
Sisilia flashed ID. Jerryway, skeptical, snatched it, wiped it roughly, then blinked.
"Call a lady 'kid' now, and it's poison for you."
"...?"
Beatrice wondered if she'd misheard.
...First drink should've been with Dad, though.
Beatrice was about to intervene—former captain's depression was no joke—when Jerryway dropped a bomb.
"Born in '83, huh. Still a kid."
"?"
"You didn't know? Makes sense—Empire trip and all. Kingdom law changed a bit."
Jerryway returned the ID with a smirk.
"Liannen: adult at 20. Can't have adults in academy."
Adults here prized fierce independence. Leaving home was baseline; parents stepped back post-upbringing. New academy created gray areas—embarrassing for adults (especially nobles) to study under others.
Lydia seized the chance: raised the age.
"...Ah."
"Even old standard: birthday not passed. Juice over there, kid."
"Yes, sir."
"Th-that was close. Huge disaster."
Beatrice thrust her wineglass forward, agitated.
"M-minor me almost drank wine."
Jerryway blinked.
"Nah, you'd be fine. No one's judging."
Beatrice's eyes gleamed maniacally.
"Irresponsible talk! Birthday's three months off. Want death for underage drinking enticement?"
"I'll go nuts."
Sisilia beamed innocently; Jerryway felt real mortal peril. She meant it.
"Everyone here's."
"Captain."
Beatrice snapped normal, mid-threat.
Edward approached, smiling.
"Sisilia, booze is premature for you. Age aside."
He neared, addressed Beatrice.
"Well done. Your adjutant role let Sisilia shine."
"N-no. Vice-Captain did it all."
"No need for humility here."
Beatrice swallowed hard. She had soloed it...
"Sisilia."
"Yes."
"Heard you brought demons to tame. True?"
Edward smiled, eyes steely.
"To bolster our forces."
"...You know how absurd that is."
"I'll take responsibility. Tell me if issues arise."
"After issues is too late..."
Edward whispered privately, then clicked his tongue at approaching nobles.
"Later. Enjoy today. ...Good work on the mission."
Minor hiccup aside.
"Her Majesty the Queen arrives. Sisilia Windsor and Beatrice Windsor, step forward."
Queen entered; nobles rose in unison, bowing.
Sisilia advanced with Beatrice, pondering.
Lots changed while I was gone.
Second underage loop was one—but biggest: second large-scale newbie summon.
Massive this time. Same method, more numbers, more finds.
Other changes too, but Sisilia cared only for newbies.
Wanna newbie-hunt ASAP.
What kinds this batch? Tons came—idols too?
(Sisilia unaware Ruby was one.)
Thrilled to dash off, but Sisilia was diligent: business first.
(Chiron terrified her.)
"Rise. Kneel less—your uniforms are worn; knees'll chafe."
Hahaha! Gentle jest drew smiles.
"No dull speeches. Surely no one here forgets what these two achieved?"
Laughter filled the hall nonstop. Lydia smiled softly till quiet fell.
"Sisilia. Star of this war. Say something cool."
"Then, one pretty line from me."
"S-sure."
Lydia chuckled awkwardly at Sisilia's odd phrasing.
Until her next words froze the smile.
"Step down from the throne already."
"!"
Before gasps faded:
"And ascend the imperial seat."
"—!"
Dead silence blanketed the hall.
In it, Sisilia declared clearly:
"Your Imperial Majesty."
Lydia was stunned, then smiled.
"Always I bestow titles. Never dreamed a knight would upgrade mine."
Empress. Heavy title. Heavier now, within reach.
Lydia tabled it—tonight honored Sisilia's feats. A year-planned act, finally here: joy swelled early.
"Rulers can't just receive. Sword Princess Sisilia Windsor—promoted to White Silver—"
Sisilia bolted, clapping hand over queen's mouth.
"N-no, can't do that."
"......"
Familiar sight drew longer silence. Chaos erupted.
"Still not housebroken?!"
"Lord Chiron! Lord Chiron where?!"
Chiron flushed crimson, slipping out quietly.