Long-Term Business Trip (1)
Sisilia tossed Jerryway into the church's washing machine and ran it five or six times until he was spotless.
"D-Do I really have to go this far?"
"We need records of Jerryway visiting the cathedral every day, wracked with guilt and praying for penance. So repent."
"But does the goddess even listen to prayers from an alcoholic knight?"
"She probably is one herself."
"......Blasphemy in a cathedral of all places. Damn, why didn't I think of that?"
The high-performance cathedral washing machine left Jerryway a bit elongated, but it did the job splendidly. She'd successfully reduced the charges against him.
Next, she highlighted Jerryway's contributions and the knighthood's internal evaluations to minimize his sentence as much as possible. Corruption alone was a serious crime, after all. Thanks to her efforts, his punishment was mitigated to a 20-month pay cut.
But she couldn't leave it at that. Someone had leaked information to the demons, after all. Loose ends needed tying up.
Someone had to take the fall for Jerryway's crimes. It would make the story plausible, without any loose threads.
Even Sisilia couldn't sacrifice an innocent noble for that, though. So she turned to the one person who seemed to know best.
"Tell me about a noble so guilty he could drop dead tomorrow?"
"Sure."
It was Edward. He rattled off at least ten names, leaving her a bit nonplussed. Still, she picked the worst one by her standards and took five Windsor Knights to pay him a visit. A child rapist with murder and embezzlement as bonuses—a true human scum.
"Do you even know who I am, you dare—!"
Crime: treason and collusion with demons. The Earl Handel Markeon is hereby sentenced to death.
Sisilia recited it flatly. The Windsor Knights around her swiftly massacred the earl's guards. The knights playing peacefully in the earl's inner courtyard were no match for inhuman foes.
The earl's stiff knees buckled. He even pissed himself.
"No! No! I swear by the goddess, I-I've never done such things!"
"I know."
"W-What?"
"But you were involved in illegal slave exports. I know your tastes. You like them young."
Markeon denied it to the end—even his real crimes. Sisilia sighed and grabbed his collar.
Staring into her emotionless silver eyes, Markeon went pale as a ghost.
"Just accept it."
"It won't be such a bad end for you."
"A mere crook, remembered as a major traitor to the nation."
House Markeon fell that day. Nobles who had been clamoring to disband the Windsor Knights the day before went silent as mice. They feared the Windsors' blades might turn on them next.
Markeon was infamous even among nobles. But his wealth and power had made him untouchable. For such a prominent house to crumble in half a day would ensure meaningful silence for a while.
Exactly as Sisilia wanted.
"......And with that, this investigation is concluded."
Chiron clasped his hands after hearing the full story.
"Perfect."
He glanced at the report.
"No flaws in the documentation or the corrective measures."
"Thank you."
"Too perfect. As if you're deliberately making it seem that way."
"It's my mission."
Chiron took Sisilia in. Her uniform was impeccably crisp, like her personality. Her resolute eyes. Yet her inherent kindness and ponytail were unmistakable.
'Something troubled her yesterday.'
With his years of experience, Chiron knew more than Sisilia thought. She always tied her hair when she needed a mood shift, and looked off at a diagonal when hiding something.
"What are you hiding this time?"
"......"
Sisilia's ponytail drooped slightly.
"You won't answer if I ask."
"...Yes."
"Just one question."
"Yes."
"Does your path benefit the Windsor Knights?"
Sisilia answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
"Then that's enough. Go."
"Thank you."
Sisilia slipped out of the commander's office briskly. Chiron leaned back in his chair, musing.
She was a capable vice-captain, but also a secretive daughter. He let it slide because whenever she hid something, it always led to results that benefited the knighthood.
'Edward. What about you?'
A vice-captain with clear ambitions. He didn't reveal his intentions easily, yet didn't hide them completely. He seemed similar to Sisilia at a glance, but felt subtly different.
'Does your sword truly exist for this kingdom?'
That was what Chiron wondered.
"So that's what she did."
"Yes. She's...... no, extremely meticulous."
Sword Saint Erterion narrowed his eyes at the letter from Sisilia.
Strictly speaking, punishing Jerryway would be just. However, I prioritized His Majesty's royal command to instill trust in the nobles. If this displeases you, I shall correct it.
"I've seen nobles removed in many ways to 'displease' them, but using a royal decree like this? First time."
"Hmm. Nothing builds trust like fear, though. She's right."
Queen Lydia clapped delightedly.
"Losing Jerryway would be a shame anyway. Can't compare to Earl Markeon. Good call."
Erterion sighed, watching the queen enjoy her half-bath in a maid outfit. She'd always say, "I can't go naked in front of you, can I?" with a grin. He understood, but why a maid outfit of all things? Her tastes were peculiar.
He refocused.
"She could've just hidden it. How'd she know we'd be watching?"
"Has your sword dulled? You haven't seen battle in ages."
Erterion bristled.
"Even so, I'm not losing to some distant junior."
"Oh? Touchy. Feeling competitive with that 'distant junior'?"
"......"
Erterion clamped his mouth shut. He didn't want to admit her reaching Sword Demon rank at her age irked him, slower than his own ascent.
"Don't worry. She'll take longer to reach Sword Sovereign than you."
But the queen always hit sore spots.
Erterion scratched his head.
"Still uneasy. At just 16, so adept at intrigue."
"Yeah. She could do politics. Bright future ahead."
"This isn't something to brush off. If I were her enemy, I'd tremble every night."
"Don't you like Sisilia?"
Erterion shot Lydia a look that said, that's not it. She pretended to shiver in mock fear at her guardian knight's glare—too magnanimous to get angry.
He sighed for the umpteenth time.
"I mean, even if she stays put, others won't let her. Shall we bring her here for some education?"
"Chiron is an excellent teacher and parent. I trust him."
"You spoil your late blessing."
Lydia propped her chin, intrigued.
"First time you're this concerned for someone. Worried she'll go astray like someone?"
Erterion fell silent. Edward, once his disciple, came to mind. Honesty was best here—lies meant nothing before the queen.
"Yes. Frankly."
"Then, shall we test her?"
Lydia grinned mischievously.
"Just how far her potential as Sword Princess Sisilia goes."
Erterion eyed her warily, anxious about her next scheme.
"Count Gartan of the borderlands requested support, right?"
Erterion's eyes widened.
"Y-Your Majesty, even so, that's......"
"What?"
"......Too harsh, isn't it?"
The western front of Liannen Kingdom was in fierce combat. Four territories held it, one being Gartan. Normally, they covered shortages mutually, but this winter's full demon assault left no spares.
Usually, the Windsor Knights stepped in. Such requests meant large deployments—at least ten knights led by a Sword Emperor.
Asking the Sword Princess to cover that alone?
"She has battlefield experience, but even as Sword Princess, that's impossible......"
"Remember?"
Lydia smiled wistfully.
"You said the exact same thing back then."
"Prince Edward?"
"My answer's the same."
Erterion's face hardened, memories surfacing.
—It's a crucial turning point. We can't judge now if he'll save this kingdom—no, this world—later. Hero or not.
Lydia turned from him.
"Royal command. Knight Erterion, relay this to Sisilia: Save the embattled Gartan Territory—"
Sisilia skipped happily toward the Windsor Knights' training grounds.
'No one left to bother me now.'
Mission done, pesky nobles swept away. All that remained was melting in the arms of her cute apprentices.
'What to play first?'
Plan one: Raise the apprentices' levels to join the knighthood. She wanted to induct them immediately, but they weren't ready yet.
No problem. She'd prepared a Newbie Guidebook over 500 pages thick for this—packed with her decade of premium tips.
'Right, befriend them first.'
Today: Boost affinity. Take them to that cake shop she'd eyed, let them eat freely. Apologize for breaking the artifact last time, hand out new items as gifts.
Grateful apprentices! Touched apprentices! She'd beam proudly and order more. My treat today!
......That's how it should've gone.
"Sorry. ......I tried to dissuade them, for what it's worth."
Before receiving the royal command.
Welcome aboard the magitech train Guardians. This is your engineer Oz. I'll ensure your safe journey today. Thank you, and have a pleasant trip.
Rumble—.
"......?"
Sisilia pressed her face to the window. Her soft cheek squished flat.
"????"
Scenery whipped by. The capital road receded. Newbies farther still.
"Th-This is weird. Why am I here?"
Unfortunately, no one was there to answer.
Thud.
Sisilia's travel bag dropped forlornly.