Mission Complete
The Windsor Knights, having accomplished their monumental task, returned home enveloped in throngs of cheering crowds.
"This year brings nothing but good news."
"They took down Ashumar without a single casualty!"
The history between demons and humanity had always been one of defeat. Yet in the year 500 of the Saint Michael Calendar, every day brimmed with hope. The kingdom had ascended to empire, and they'd achieved an unprecedented demon subjugation. Perhaps— just perhaps— they could finally etch the perfect end to the demons they'd dreamed of for so long.
"We're writing a new history!"
Amid the grand festival that erupted in celebration, a few outliers lingered on the fringes, unable to join the revelry. They were the freshly summoned Users.
"Told you, didn't I? The Windsor Knights are total frauds."
"......I didn't expect this."
The dubious newbie spoke with evident unease.
"Another World's genre was definitely dark fantasy."
He was one of those who'd predicted some horrific catastrophe during the Four Heavenly Kings subjugation. Not out of hatred for Liannen or distrust of the Windsor Knights, but because he knew that's how the game was supposed to play out.
"......At the very least, it was never supposed to have this warm a backdrop."
But contrary to expectations, the Windsor Knights had notched an unparalleled victory. His predictions had been spectacularly wrong.
"You must've skimmed it. Admit it— you don't really know. No one stuck around till the end of that trash game anyway."
"......No, I was ranking 2nd. I hung in there until service ended. Whatever."
The dubious newbie cracked a smile.
"Good's good, right?"
And in the imperial palace of the Liannen Empire, a heated debate raged on.
"Vice-Captain Sisilia Windsor's operation this time will go down as the most outstanding subjugation in history."
The question at hand: how best to honor Sisilia.
"Therefore, I propose elevating Sisilia Windsor to the rank of Sword Sovereign."
Mage Commander Nemesis's statement drew murmurs from the nobles.
—Nemesis had become Sisilia's fan after reviewing past demon king army subjugation reports—
"That's unprecedented, isn't it? A 17-year-old Sword Sovereign?"
"She more than qualifies. Which of the four existing Sword Sovereigns do you think could have captured Ashumar without casualties?"
"Hrrm. Her strategy was brilliant, I'll grant you, but Sword Sovereign? That's a stretch."
"Pfft— strategy schmattegy! Without raw power, you can't even attempt it!"
Nemesis slammed the table in frustration and shot to her feet.
Lydia wore a disdainful look amid the grave atmosphere. But in Liannen, sparks flew even at the empress.
"Your Majesty! I beseech you!"
"Uh, um..."
"Elevate Sisilia Windsor's epithet to War God!"
Crafting magnificent epithets was one of the empress's key duties. But Lydia didn't decide everything alone. If a figure already had a fitting nickname, she adopted it outright. Take Edward, for instance— he'd been hailed as "Divine" since childhood for his myriad talents. In short, if a renowned moniker already existed, she went with it.
"Th-that War God epithet... isn't it just your pet project?"
"Lady Sisilia is the god of battle, the god of the battlefield, the god of strategy, Your Majesty!! How can you not see it?!"
Lydia slumped and muttered dismissively to Erterion.
"Drag out this superfan of mine."
"Your Majesty—! Have mercy!"
Only after Nemesis was hauled away did peace return to the chamber.
......Is this country gonna be okay?
Lydia felt a twinge of worry, but the gains from this subjugation were immense.
She's such a good girl.
She resolved to shower Sisilia with praise.
"Well then, shall we go greet them? Our heroes. You did prepare my bouquet, right?"
But Erterion and the attendants looked apologetic.
"......Why do you all look so disloyal?"
"Well... every flower in Terezia is currently sold out."
With the national celebration, florists were wiped clean. No one had been able to fulfill the empress's order for a single bouquet. Of course, Lydia was the only one without one— no noble here wanted to be the fool who couldn't even offer flowers to the reversal heroes.
Lydia was utterly shocked. The empress of the empire couldn't procure a single bouquet...?
"......I'm the empress, you guys. You haven't forgotten, have you?"
**
"Windsor Knight Order, full complement of 60, mission complete and returned safely."
In the grand banquet hall, Sisilia led the knights who'd participated in the subjugation, all kneeling on one knee.
Vice-Captain Sisilia raised her head and declared proudly.
"Four Heavenly King Ashumar has entered eternal slumber."
Everyone knew already, but hearing it from the vice-captain who'd commanded at the front made it hit different. Some shed tears as gentle applause rippled through the hall.
"Well done."
Lydia gazed at Sisilia with immense pride, then at each knight in turn.
"I cannot put into words my gratitude for your efforts. It must have been a grueling battle, yet not a single cloak returned to my bosom. Thank you for your devotion."
This time, she addressed them all.
"Ashumar's death— after reigning over the east for over a millennium— will drastically shift the landscape. Never let your guard down. Stay vigilant for any demon movements."
"Yes!"
Lydia smiled brightly and extended a hand to the maid behind her. A thick scroll was placed in her grasp.
She began the commendations, reciting each Windsor knight's name one by one. The rewards were staggeringly valuable across the board, yet not a single noble objected. Sure, central nobles existed to check the empress's power and nitpick, but who would risk their life in battle without proper recognition for their feats? Liannen Empire had no such fools.
"Beatrice Windsor. Step forward."
"Yes."
Beatrice advanced with a tense expression.
"You earned the second-highest merits after Vice-Captain Sisilia. You've sorted the chaotic east, aided many, and your fame echoes there."
Really...? Beatrice's face said exactly that.
Lydia especially loved that look on her. Sisilia never showed surprise when praised for doing well— it spoiled the fun.
......Well, Sisilia always looked confident, even without doing much.
"Indeed. Tales of you resurrecting lives have become exemplars not just in the east, but in the capital too."
And Beatrice's rising fame wasn't mere flattery. She'd genuinely gained immense renown from this eastern campaign— enough to spare Lydia the agony of inventing an epithet.
Beatrice already had a perfect, famous one.
"You'll receive the same rewards as the others, plus a special one."
Lydia smiled quietly and closed the scroll.
"Beatrice Windsor. I bestow upon you the epithet Saintess. This is a unique title; no other Saintess shall grace Liannen's history."
"—!!!"
The Windsor Knights' pupils dilated massively.
An epithet was honor incarnate, a knight's very worth. Among them, those bearing "Holy" commanded the highest value.
It's... pretty! And way cooler than mine!
Unlike Sisilia— whose composure crumbled in real-time— the attending nobles nodded approvingly. They'd all known Beatrice's epithet would be Saintess.
Thanks to Sisilia.
Beatrice, clueless, had been thrust into playing priestess. But being the diligent type, she'd twisted her body with Light Blessing and nailed the act. Saving lives was undeniable fact. Especially the fame from "curing" the Dragon Knight's Village plague.
In truth, no plague— just rotting dragon corpse fumes. And Sisilia's potion did the healing. But publicly, Beatrice had halted the village plague.
"A fitting epithet, I think. Your Extreme Art suits Saintess even more. Are you pleased?"
"Y-yes! Very much so!!"
Beatrice shouted.
Lydia beamed contentedly. Her adjutant had snagged such a stellar epithet; her superior Sisilia must be thrilled...
......She's not thrilled?
Sisilia's face screamed "pouting"— cheeks puffed like a chipmunk.
Lydia panicked. What had set her off?
"M-my nagging might kill the banquet vibe. I'll wrap up and bow out so you can enjoy this rare victory feast. And..."
Lydia flashed a meaningful smile.
"Lady Sisilia, I have words for you alone. Follow me."
**
Truth be told, the thorniest part of deciding rewards had been Sisilia's.
No denying it: Sisilia was the top contributor. Even setting tangible feats aside, she was the vice-captain in overall command.
This Ashumar subjugation had tipped the war decisively toward Liannen. Especially what Lydia fixated on: Sisilia had proven her command prowess beyond imagination.
The Windsor Knights now rivaled Edward's grip— through her own power alone. It was profoundly admirable.
Hence, the reward deliberations grew trickier.
Sisilia already had everything. Chiron’s adoptive daughter meant princess status; her secret inheritance from the knight captain was vast.
In the end, Lydia decided to ask directly. The recipient's wish mattered most.
"Thus, Lady Sisilia. Name your desire. One thing only— whatever it is, I, Empress Lydia, swear on my name to grant it."
(Note: Lydia had miscalculated. Sisilia was blinded by envy over her adjutant's fab epithet. She aimed to score something exorbitantly valuable.)
Sisilia showed no mercy in such moments.
"Then, financial authority over the Windsor Knights..."
"Ahem."
Lydia broke into cold sweat with a fake cough. She trusted Sisilia in all else, but her money sense was a humanity-wide disaster.
Plus, Edward's political flair had just ballooned the order's budget to historic highs. At this juncture... hand her the purse strings?
"Lady Sisilia."
That, she had to block.
Lydia spoke with unwonted gravity.
"You've returned from feats beyond imagining. So speak knowing your words here carry immense weight toward reality."
Sisilia was sharp. She knew her lacks, her strengths.
Lydia trusted her wisdom. In this delicate era for Liannen Empire— nay, humanity— she'd never choose something harmful.
"I want financial authority over the Windsor Knights. Full authority, naturally."
"......"
Sisilia shattered the empress's hopes, parroting like a mynah.
......Right. Sisilia doesn't care about that stuff.
Empress Lydia had no choice but to approve the financial authority.
Sisilia's feats were simply too monumental to ignore.