Discipline and the Sword Emperor's Oath
Sisilia's obsession with the Sword Princess title was adorable in itself, but there was a bigger reason. It marked the lowest rung of High Knight status. The perks were endless if you listed them out, but the workload difference was overwhelming to start with. Once you hit Sword Emperor, you could handle most missions solo, leading to more and more lonely days. Especially once newbies showed up—if you were on another level entirely, wouldn't there be a distance? People are drawn to trees they think they can climb. Sword Demon level was perfect for newbies to idolize and set as a goal. And above all...
'Why is a person's name an element symbol?'
Baek-eun (白銀). It means "silver." In English, Ag. Element number 47!
But the Liannen Kingdom wasn't ready to accept Sisilia yet.
"Hmm... She needs to reflect, right?"
The queen wasn't particularly angry, but she wasn't letting it slide either. The result?
Thwack-.
Sisilia stood in the knight order corridor with her hands raised, her face utterly blank. This was her punishment: kneeling and holding her hands up! It seemed trivial, but surprisingly, it ranked number one in the Windsor Knights' end-of-year survey for "the punishment I least want to receive"—a brutally humiliating penalty.
Knights lived and died by honor. To them, kneeling and exposing their armpits was an enormous disgrace.
But Sisilia was unfazed. For the title, she'd kneel until her knees turned red!
'I got careless this time. Overconfident in my parking skills, maybe.'
Not even a scratch on her sky-high self-esteem.
"Why's she doing that?"
"Heard she covered the queen's mouth during the medal ceremony."
"Whoa."
Passing knights whispered. Some even teased openly. Sisilia's face flushed with shame. Truth be told, it was embarrassing—a lot.
"I swear it's true. Go ask her yourself."
Then Hyter and Lude appeared. Lude waddled over on his short legs and asked,
"Ria, did you really cover the queen's mouth?"
Sisilia gazed at distant mountains and nodded slightly. Lude, figuring there must be extenuating circumstances, cracked a frozen smile.
"Sometimes Sisilia does things that are just... incomprehensible. Haha."
"...Sometimes?"
"......"
Lude couldn't cover for her. Sisilia looked dejected.
"B-But hey, ending with just this punishment is lucky. If it were you, Hyter, it'd be execution."
"?"
"What're you staring at? A guy like you touching the queen's face? Decapitation on the spot. Ria's cute, so she gets off light."
"Damn, it's true, but did you have to say it like that?"
Hyter was deeply hurt. Ignoring him, Lude beamed.
"Anyway, there's a company briefing today. Wanna come, Ria?"
"Can I...?"
"Of course. It's important—can't have a High Knight like you missing it."
Lude offered his hand. To Sisilia, he looked like an angel. She hesitated, then took it and stood.
"Finish the punishment after the meeting."
Sisilia desperately hoped the meeting would drag on.
**
The meeting room was sparsely attended. With the emergency lifted, most were out on missions. Sisilia eyed Chiron warily and slipped into a seat diagonally in front of him.
"Sisilia."
"Yes......"
"That's not your seat."
Scrape.
Sisilia stood, shuffled to the corner with slumped steps, knelt, and raised her hands. The surrounding knights burst out laughing.
"Pfft."
"Cough, cough."
Chiron said coldly,
"You find this amusing?"
"......No, sir."
The room fell silent again.
"Then let's begin."
Chiron spoke sternly.
"Urk, heh."
Jerryway couldn't hold it in. He clamped his mouth shut too late—Chiron was glaring. Jerryway's laughter vanished.
"This is the analysis from Lude and Court Mage Viaton over the past week. Read the documents."
Adjutant Michael handed out papers one by one. Some knights were still on the verge of laughter, but most grew serious—this was no ordinary matter. Especially Edward; his pupils trembled faintly.
"As you can see, fewer people have received new Blessings lately."
While Sisilia was on mission, the kingdom had poured all resources into investigations. The result: far fewer new Blessings this quarter.
"Additionally, compared to before, the flames' effects are definitely weaker. More research is needed, but we'll proceed assuming the goddess's power is waning. Speak if you disagree."
No one did. Lude's dark circles proved the rigorous cross-verification.
But all eyes turned to Edward. Everyone knew about his bet with Chiron.
Edward smiled casually. "So Sisilia's hunch was right. Lucky to catch such crucial info early."
Then, with steely eyes: "Now comes the real test. Fail to prepare properly, and we'll lose much to the demons."
Focus on the bigger picture over a mere bet. Classic vice-captain talk, setting aside personal feelings.
But inside, Edward was burning black. 'Your words come true again, Sisilia.'
The bet meant little to him. He'd never truly opposed her promotion—even if he'd won, he'd have played magnanimous and appointed her anyway.
Except. It stung his pride. Gartan Territory, now this flame crisis—everything screamed she was more capable than him.
"Captain, what's the plan?"
"The Windsor Knights will scout talent aggressively. Even if not top-tier, fill ranks now and build strength."
It echoed Sisilia's long-held stance. Her eyes sparkled.
"By order of the captain: Every existing High Knight, find three talents each. As soon as possible."
"Yes, sir."
As knights filed out, Chiron felt an itch on his nape and sighed softly.
"You too. But tonight, early to—"
He turned. Sisilia was gone. Only a cute rabbit-blanket lay abandoned.
"......Spoiled her too much."
Whoosh. Fire lit Chiron's eyes. This time, he'd break her habits, come hell or high water.
**
Sisilia strode the streets triumphantly. She felt great.
Her "promotion" was canceled, but not the medal.
'Another great accessory.'
She was proud. The gleaming silver medal was pretty and honestly brag-worthy.
"Punishment lifted?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, that's the new medal."
"Yeah."
Clink-. Sisilia rested a hand on her hip, proudly displaying it. The knight eyed the sparkling badge on her uniform's chest and smiled awkwardly.
"I-It really suits you."
"Yeah. I think so too."
She blocked a few more knights, showing off repeatedly. Then, spotting Jerryway napping under a massive old tree, she remembered something.
"What, Sisilia? I'm not slacking. Just figuring how to find decent recruits..."
"This."
Sisilia pulled an item from her bosom and offered it. Jerryway, pondering excuses, froze at the sight.
"......Where'd you get it."
"From a demon in Gartan Territory. Name: Priscilla of Deception."
A flower-shaped brooch. Jerryway took it carefully. Worn from use. The first and last gift he'd given his sister.
"Priscilla was my sister's name. She started using it sometime. Probably thought I'd protect her if she did."
Jerryway's vision blurred. After much lip-smacking, he rasped,
"......Thanks. It's all I can say right now."
Sisilia shook her head. "Just did my mission."
"Damn, getting comforted by a kid forty years younger."
He wiped his eyes, staggered up, and dropped to one knee.
"I pledge eternal loyalty, Sisilia."
"Even if all turn from you, I shall stand by your side unto death."
Sisilia panicked. '...That serious?'
Facing a knight's loyalty oath left two choices: accept or kill.
'What do I do? Forgot the etiquette.'
As a knight herself, she hadn't memorized receiving oaths.
'Right. Issue a fitting first command. But what?'
She desperately recalled and said,
"There's an orphanage I've sponsored. Bring kids from everywhere in tough spots. Teach swordsmanship or Blessings when you have time."
"......!"
Jerryway's eyes widened. Sisilia tilted her head. 'Doesn't like it? Why so shocked...?'
"I don't fully get your goal yet, but I know what you want."
Jerryway smiled enigmatically. Sisilia cocked her head.
"Need some prep. Ordinary talent won't cut it for your standards."
"?"
By then, Sisilia realized Jerryway had a huge misunderstanding. But correcting him seemed bothersome, so she nodded faintly.