The Enemy Within
Stepping out of the vice-captain's office, Sisilia found the headquarters in a bit of an uproar. Some knight was hounding the finance officer for more budget, while most others were packing up and preparing for their missions.
"Oh, Sisilia. Back from your mission already?"
"Heading out?"
"Emergency's lifted, so time to get back to business as usual."
Leo Ric was no exception, sporting a massive backpack slung over his shoulder. He'd only stopped by briefly for the regular meeting—high knights had packed schedules as it was.
"Kinda sucks leaving such a cute little sister behind, though."
Leo Ric grinned and ruffled Sisilia's hair.
"Have a safe trip."
"Wanna come along?"
"Nah. Gonna stick around the capital for a bit."
"Capital must've been a real mess... Not that you'd pass up demon-slaying anyway."
Leo Ric shrugged and started walking, waving three curvaceous women clinging tightly to his sides. Nine wives, was it? With so many women around him, she could barely keep track anymore.
Time to go check on Beatrice.
Sisilia strode purposefully out of headquarters. Clear blue skies, a cool breeze blowing. Ah, perfect weather for some coaching.
"Sisilia."
A low, firm voice. Sisilia didn't even glance back as she quickened her pace.
"You should report to the captain first after a mission."
Her legs kicked at empty air. Chiron had grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and hoisted her up.
"......"
As memories from when she was six bubbled up, Chiron plopped her down on the bench right beside him. Sisilia sat primly, as if it were the most natural thing.
"Sorry."
"Didn't even report on your way out."
"Vice-Captain Edward Windsor's orders."
Chiron sighed. Sisilia stubbornly avoided meeting his eyes.
"Where were you off to?"
"For an important mission..."
"To see the kids, right?"
"......"
"Taking interest in the young sprouts is proper knight behavior. But don't you have a more important role?"
Only then did Sisilia cautiously glance at Chiron. Flanking him were his adjutant and a few stern-faced intelligence staffers. If all the Windsor Knights' administrators were out here, it meant political trouble. In other words, a massive pain—the kind Sisilia absolutely despised: the Central Nobles' Conference.
"Anyway, perfect timing, Sisilia. The Central Nobles—"
Whoosh—Sisilia vanished.
All that lingered where she'd been was the faint scent of spring breeze.
"This must be the Aura of Wind I've only heard about! Who knew it could be used like that."
"First time seeing it with my own eyes. She really disappeared like the wind... Heh."
The staffers exchanged surprised jokes. But Chiron didn't blink, simply extending his hand to the side.
"Ah."
"Still running from what you hate, huh?"
Caught in Chiron's grip once more, Sisilia went limp.
Cheater.
Chiron was one of the few Sisilia acknowledged as a true cheater. He was a swordsman who touched space itself—an acquired Aura earned through enlightenment, not innate talent. He'd claimed the title of Sword Sovereign on pure swordsmanship alone.
Without her own Aura, Sisilia was just another mortal before him.
"That's a bad habit. Fix it."
"......Yessir."
Chiron carried the limp Sisilia toward the carriage and stuffed her inside.
"I'm not a kid anymore."
"You're still a child to me."
He shut the door firmly. The carriage lurched into motion.
"What's on the agenda this time?"
"Seems the royal knights' captain's claims went over well with the nobles."
"Over command authority?"
"Yeah. They must really covet the Windsor Knights."
Come to think of it, the queen had mentioned needing to secure trust before the mission. Sisilia had totally forgotten to pass it on to Chiron.
"Needed a solid achievement. Was gonna hand you that mission, but you went and played right into Edward Windsor's hands."
Sisilia flinched. Chiron was echoing the queen's exact words. Speaking up now would mean certain scolding.
She gauged his mood. "Couldn't disobey the vice-captain's orders."
"That's your excuse...? Fine."
Chiron let out a deep sigh.
"You've always been like that. Can't stand seeing potential go to waste. Edward must've banked on it."
Sisilia stared out the window and whistled innocently. Well, she butchered it—more air hissing out than actual tune.
Chiron clutched his forehead. His head suddenly hurt.
"Still, that mindset's not wrong."
"Right?"
"Not praising you. Learn to read the room more."
Sisilia pouted, her lips jutting out.
"......But."
Chiron spoke with a slightly bitter expression.
"I'm glad you skipped that mission. Guess it's really time to retire."
"......What happened?"
"One high knight got seriously hurt."
"How bad?"
"Needs six months' recovery."
"Just bruises, then."
"......"
Chiron pondered gravely. Was there a flaw in her upbringing? Sisilia's sense of normal was always off the charts.
"So we're off to get chewed out?"
"Yeah. Just take the yelling and come back."
"Don't wanna."
"Me neither."
"......"
Sisilia briefly questioned Chiron's qualifications as her guardian.
"Jerryway said something odd, though."
So Jerryway's the one hurt. Probably got wrecked mid-drunk gamble again.
Sisilia brushed it off.
"Thinks there's a mole inside the Windsor Knights."
Sisilia's gut twisted inwardly.
"......Really?"
Chiron crooked a finger. Come here.
Sisilia approached reluctantly. Chiron pinched her soft cheek and stretched it long.
"You knew."
"Nuh-uh!"
"You knew."
"I'm inno-sen!"
Chiron released her. Sisilia straightened her clothes and faced him perfectly again—cheeks still rosy.
"Suspecting the vice-captain?"
"Situation points to Edward Windsor, but my gut says no."
Chiron's eyes narrowed.
"He wouldn't act so blatantly."
I don't think it's the vice-captain either.
To Sisilia, Edward was a good boss who cared for his subordinates. He'd hooked them up with a solid dungeon of moderate difficulty, let her train cute apprentices, and even approved the budget without fuss. The epitome of separating work and play...
"Sisilia, I've got homework for you."
"Yes, sir."
"Find the mole. I'll look on my own too."
"Got it."
Chiron spoke worriedly.
"You need to work on judging people. You're too pure—blind to others' malice."
"I'm confident."
"Confident kids don't get kidnapped as easily."
"......"
Sisilia flushed red. Her black history.
"Heard you followed some creep 'cause he promised candy. Lost my mind hearing that. What if you'd been weak?"
"I-I was little then."
But it was prime medieval life vibes.
Even tied in that weirdo's trunk, Sisilia had grinned. A kidnapping event? Pure romance.
"Five months ago, you got scammed out of everything. Eighth time—I half-gave up. Then you cried in your room for days..."
"O-okay, stop!"
Sisilia was crimson to her neck.
"Pfft."
Even the coachman snickered. Sisilia seriously considered jumping out.
But it was a once-in-ten-years sale—how could I resist?
Aww, these deals don't come every day! Miss this, and ten years till the next! Cheapest in the kingdom—no, the world!
She still couldn't forget that kindly uncle's face. Thought he was an angel back then. Heart shattered learning the artifact cost ten times market price.
Huh? That's...
Lost in gloomy memories, she spotted the training grounds ahead. Familiar faces awaited.
Sisilia pressed her face to the window.
"Another orphanage?"
Chiron shook his head, assuming routine orphan sponsorship.
"Hold off this time. We'll visit on the way back."
"No, it's the apprentices from our mission."
Chiron finally peered out. It was the apprentice knights' training area.
Quick peek won't hurt.
"Stop the carriage."
"Yes, sir."
Neigh! The moment it halted, Sisilia leaped out the window.
"Use the door!"
Chiron grumbled, stepping down after her. Sisilia watched from afar, hands behind her back, then headed over.
"C-Captain! What brings you here...? I'll fetch the instructor."
"No, just observing quietly."
Chiron patted the tense guard's shoulder.
The apprentices were deep in training. Wooden swords clashed across the field, Aura clashes booming through the air.
Heard this batch was nothing special.
Still rough around the edges, but plenty of potential. Their eyes especially—burning with ambition to grow. It stirred Chiron's heart.
"Not bad."
"Specs are fine. But... still a ways to go."
"In what way?"
"Sword handling's immature. That last one should've thrust—win easy—instead slashed and lost balance."
In this Aura-obsessed world, few valued swordplay like Sisilia. Probably unique in the Windsor Knights.
Chiron smiled faintly, pleased.
"Others think you only got there thanks to overwhelming Aura talent."
"Not wrong. Personally confident, though."
"No. You'd have reached it Aura-free. Sisilia, you have innate sword genius."
Urgent footsteps approached—the adjutant, no doubt. Carriage idling too long.
Time to go.
Chiron looked down to tell her. But Sisilia was higher than expected.
"Look there. That trio's working so hard—their desperation to grow hits even here."
The kid who'd barely reached her waist now met her eye level. Grown this much already?
Still petite, not quite to his shoulder—left her uneasy leaving her alone.
"Especially that blonde knight. She's got real promise—sure to pass the tests."
Chiron's eyes crinkled at Sisilia's sparkling gaze.
"C-Captain?"
"We'll be fashionably late."
"But... those guys are already itching to chew us out."
Chiron gently brushed hair from Sisilia's lips, shaking his head quietly.
"You always get like this."
He smiled faintly.
"Protagonists show up late, after all."