Sword Princess Sisilia
“Captain, what do you plan to do with that child?”
On the day of that series of incidents, Knight Order Captain Chiron carefully set Sisilia down in a corner of the barracks before heading to his office.
“What do you think?”
“I’m against it. What kind of six-year-old causes that much chaos just to join the knights? He doesn’t look right in the head.”
Cold analysis, advice from a subordinate, objective assessment of the situation. Chiron was a knight who valued such things highly.
But this time, for some reason, his heart was urging him otherwise. Instinct. For the first time in his life, he felt guided by some profound intuition.
“He sensed his Aura and came straight to the knight order.”
“To the strongest knight order in the world, no less.”
“The kid’s got good instincts.”
“Make him a uniform.”
Chiron snapped out of his reverie and returned to the present. Opening his eyes, he saw his office, little changed from ten years ago.
But there was one striking difference from back then. Right in front of him sat a girl on the cusp of losing her baby fat.
It was Sisilia.
“It’s been ten years already since you joined this knight order.”
Chiron’s low, firm voice shattered the office’s silence.
The girl sitting across the desk—no, now a seasoned knight—lifted her head. Her silver hair cascaded softly, and her crisp uniform accentuated her maturing figure.
Time really flies.
To sum it up, Chiron never regretted that decision. Not for a single moment in those ten years. If he’d made one perfect choice in his life, it was that one.
Sisilia had racked up major achievements. Even her personality, which had worried him, proved no issue.
She’d once collapsed an entire front line single-handedly to rescue an isolated comrade—at just nine years old.
A knight who understood the value of her fellows. The ideal Chiron sought.
“You’ve become a knight who can stand on her own now.”
Sisilia puzzled seriously over why the stoic captain, who wouldn’t bleed if pricked, was saying such things.
She quickly guessed the reason, and her expression hardened slightly.
“It’s still too cold out.”
“……?”
“Even for a tenant who doesn’t pay rent, kicking me out so suddenly is hardly proper.”
“…….”
“The contract still guarantees room and board.”
Chiron suppressed his bewilderment. He’d lived a life of restraint, but since becoming Sisilia’s guardian, his composure often cracked.
“……I’m not kicking you out.”
“That’s a relief.”
Sisilia reverted to her listless face, sipping the green tea before her.
Chiron sighed once, then drifted back to old memories.
“You’ve always been like that. Showing up out of nowhere, turning the knight order upside down, then calmly demanding room and board. Did you know you’d pass?”
“I was cute and strong. It was a given.”
Any normal person would’ve nitpicked the “cute and strong” part—but
“Fair enough.”
Chiron was no small pushover when it came to her. Ten years raising her. She was like a daughter now.
He caressed the rim of his teacup, a soft smile forming.
“It’s amazing. That innocent child knew nothing of the world, and now she’s revered as the Sword Princess.”
Sword Princess (Geom-hui). A moniker born from her swordplay resembling a work of art. Now uniquely hers in the Liannen Kingdom.
“……Why Sword Princess, though? My style isn’t flashy.”
“Don’t like the title?”
“No, I love it. Just… don’t get it. I just swing practically.”
Sisilia tilted her head innocently, genuinely puzzled.
Chiron chuckled, downing his tea. Probably only Sisilia in the world didn’t see it.
“Swordplay isn’t everything. The one wielding it matters too.”
A silver-haired girl butchering demons at the battlefield’s forefront. Anyone seeing it once would be captivated. Noble. Beautiful. Thus, Sword Princess. No other descriptors needed.
“You’re the only one with that title in this knight order—no, the kingdom. Not proud?”
“More like a sigh…… Still far from the next rank up.”
Sword titles for knights fell into five major categories: Sword Demon, Sword Emperor, Sword King, Sword Saint, Sword God.
Sword Princess derived from Sword Demon. Four walls left for Sisilia to climb.
But Chiron wasn’t worried. Most knights died without ever reaching Sword Demon.
“You’ll be fine. Now and always.”
Sisilia will grow stronger for sure. At this rate, she could aim for Sword King at her peak.
One concern lingered, though. Chiron lifted his tea slowly to his lips. Not a tremor in his fingers—the mark of one who’d swallowed years and burdens.
“I’ll retire soon.”
He set the cup down as he announced it.
Even unflappable Sisilia’s pupils widened in surprise.
“Already?”
“Already? I was old enough to retire when we met.”
Chiron was 93 now. Far past a knight’s prime.
“You haven’t even lived half your life.”
For a Sword King, it was early. They often lived near 200.
“The Windsor Knights value generational turnover. Time to pass it on.”
Sisilia shot up, face full of dissatisfaction. Her abrupt rise spilled her green tea, staining her pristine white uniform.
Sisilia wouldn’t blink if a city vanished before her. Such a reaction from the emotionally reserved girl startled Chiron—eyebrow twitching, at least.
“I don’t want you to.”
“……Sisilia.”
He hadn’t expected such a strong response to his retirement. It touched him.
“I haven’t saved enough for a capital mansion yet.”
“…….”
Chiron’s face turned ashen in an instant.
“Mansion prices these days are……”
“Sisilia.”
“Yes.”
“No allowance for a while.”
“Sorry.”
Sisilia sat demurely again. Chiron sighed countless times before speaking.
“Retirement doesn’t mean leaving the capital right away. I’ve got about twenty years.”
A Sword King held legion-level power. As high-value assets, they commanded key fortresses—one per cardinal direction in Liannen.
“……Then retire in twenty years.”
“No. Then I couldn’t help you if needed.”
“You said I was all grown up.”
“You can handle your share. But as vice-captain, it’s different.”
Sisilia thought she misheard.
“……Me, vice-captain?”
“Yes. When I retire, the captaincy goes to the current vice-captain. The empty vice spot? You. I’ll recommend you.”
Sisilia blinked at the sudden promotion news.
“Don’t make that clueless face. Few in the order outmatch you. And those who do are nearing retirement anyway.”
And—here was Chiron’s worry.
“You know Edward Windsor. He’s dangerous.”
Vice-Captain Edward Windsor. Royal-born, supremely skilled. Freshly Sword King, whispers said he could reach Sword Saint.
But his nature was the issue. Dangerously radical beliefs.
Used ordinary soldiers without Aura as bait in operations.
Windsor Knights suffered no losses, but regular troops were annihilated.
Battle evaluation: Extremely inhumane.
When questioned, he questioned the order’s current policy instead.
Destructive. Violent. Contemptuous.
“He hides his ambitions while I’m here. Without me, he’ll seize the order first. Sisilia, build your strength. Personal power and influence within the knights.”
He wanted to hand her the captaincy. She wielded her mighty Aura honorably. And she was incredibly strong.
But bypassing a potential Sword Saint for her was impossible. Even vice-captain was precocious for her age.
But without that rank, she’ll be devoured.
Chiron eyed her coolly. Reading his sincerity, Sisilia grew solemn.
“So don’t refuse……”
“Yes. I think I’m qualified.”
“……You snapped it up like you were waiting.”
Seeing her casual face, Chiron wondered if he’d worried needlessly.
**
Screee—
Sisilia closed the office door and glanced sideways.
Did I fool him okay?
No sign he’d noticed.
Can’t let on I’m parking at Sword Princess.
Yes. She’d hidden her true realm for quite a while.
Simple reason.
When the newbies arrive soon, Sword Princess feels like the cooler NPC.
Pretty name. Perfect for custom tweaks. A cool moniker.
Absolutely couldn’t get caught! Chiron would slap on some lame title.
“Ah.”
Sisilia glanced at the green stain on her skirt and abdomen. Spilled tea from startling at his retirement news.
Need a change.
Unexpected promotion. But she hoped Chiron delayed retirement as long as possible.
Parachute hires via CEO connections had it better than the CEO herself.
And nothing sadder than a parachute with cut strings.
“Look, it’s the Sword Princess.”
“For real…… Reaching that rank at her age? Incredible.”
“Unbelievable. Legendary. She joined at six and survived this long.”
“Survived? She collapsed the demons’ main force in the south alone, rumor has it.”
“Exaggerated, probably. Even the Sword Princess, solo?”
“Eyewitnesses said insane speed. Not even human.”
Passing the barracks, whispers reached her. About her. Yet Sisilia kept her usual blank expression.
Lie. Her lips curved 1mm upward.
Praise…… Always feels good.
Today, too, she entered her changing room in high spirits. Windsor Knights were male-dominated, so solo use of this vast space was a perk.
Swish—
Sisilia changed into fresh uniform, stood before the mirror. Her necktie slightly askew—she straightened it sternly, then smoothed her skirt.
“Hmm…… After work, trim the bangs a bit more.”
She checked her expressionless face from angles, nodding solemnly in satisfaction.
Perfect. Her motto.
The perfectionist beauty NPC called Sword Princess. As newbie-friendly as it got.
“Newbies. Can’t wait to meet you.”
Nom nom.
Sisilia licked her lips, then turned at an ominous mana surge.
Ding-ding-ding—!
The monster invasion bell.
“Don’t wanna work.”
She slumped her shoulders, grabbed a sword from the rack beside the hangers, and trudged out.
But the moment she exited the changing room, Sisilia bolted full speed.