Newbie Gacha (2)
“Beatrice Windsor! I’ve been commissioned!”
Beatrice saluted Sisilia with a booming voice. Seeing her in the official Windsor Knights uniform sent waves of emotion crashing through Sisilia.
I figured the first female newbie wouldn’t show up for another year…
All the hardships flashed before her eyes. How much had she squeezed the capital’s designers to create that uniform? And how many hunger strikes had she waged to make it the standard issue?
But…
Beatrice kept fiddling awkwardly with the hem of her skirt. Sisilia asked with a pounding heart.
“Do you like the uniform?”
“It’s super pretty! I mean, it is pretty, but…”
Beatrice glanced at Sisilia’s face and murmured softly.
“I’ve only worn pants for so long…”
That was only natural. No female knight except Sisilia would do something as foolish as wear a skirt. There was no need to explain how fatal exposing bare skin could be in battle.
“Hmm.”
Sisilia’s lips twitched up just a fraction. Then she poked Beatrice’s cheek.
By the time bewilderment colored Beatrice’s eyes, Sisilia was flipping up her skirt at blinding speed.
“S-Sisilia?”
Beatrice hurriedly grabbed Sisilia’s wrist. Sisilia stepped back a couple paces and said proudly.
“Feel that difference in reaction speed?”
“……?”
“You didn’t even react when I poked your cheek. But down there? Instant response.”
Beatrice was baffled. But Sisilia was dead serious.
“See, wearing a skirt gives you a +15 correction to lower-body reaction speed. The pressure of exposed skin makes you pay more attention.”
“……!”
But hearing Sisilia’s explanation shifted Beatrice’s thinking. It… kinda made sense?
“Alright, time to explain all about the Windsor Knights. Have you unpacked?”
“Not yet…”
“We’ll assign your quarters first. You’ve got a ton to do today.”
Sisilia looked especially delighted as she said it.
**
“I’ll start with the most important: the Windsor Knights’ discipline. That is, our unique code of chivalry.”
On the way to the knights’ quarters, Beatrice whipped out a notepad.
“First, the Windsors strictly uphold the standard code of chivalry. You know it, right?”
“Yes! Of course.”
No one aspiring to knighthood could be ignorant of the code. It was the foundational value for knights—and nobles in general.
Code of Chivalry
1. Believe in and obey Her Majesty the Queen's teachings.
2. Protect Her Majesty the Queen.
3. Respect and protect the weak.
4. Love your homeland.
5. Never retreat before the enemy.
6. Fight unbelievers without mercy or respite.
7. Speak no lies; make your oaths trustworthy.
8. Be merciful and give freely to all.
9. Wherever and whenever, stand as a champion of justice and goodness against injustice and evil.
“Second, Windsors prioritize Article 6 above all.”
“Third, to uphold the second, we ignore the first if needed.”
That meant nothing was off-limits to slay demons—not even the Queen’s orders. Beatrice had heard rumors, but she was stunned to learn the Windsor Knights’ rules truly existed.
“So if someone interferes with demon extermination…”
“The Windsor Knights are the only ones with a license to kill.”
“……!”
“That’s why joining is rigorous. If someone with major personality issues got in, it’d be a disaster.”
The Windsors valued ‘mission’ above raw power. No matter the skill, unclear origins or any criminal record meant rejection. Exceptions existed for those with deep hatred for demons, even with iffy backgrounds—like Sisilia and Jerryway. Jerryway had theft priors; Sisilia’s origins were a bit vague.
“You barely scraped the cutoff line, Beatrice.”
“Cutoff line?”
“Yeah. You’re the last under the current rules. New admits after will follow different ones.”
Mass recruitment was coming. To pull it off, the Windsors had lowered standards—a huge decision. With looser criteria came curtailed authority. The backlash was fierce, and vetting masses would inevitably be sloppy.
“Oh, Sisilia! Is this the new recruit?”
“Yeah.”
A knight approached familiarly in the hall. Beatrice moved to salute, but Sisilia stopped her.
“No need unless it’s a high knight.”
“Ah… Yes. H-Hello.”
“Man, a newbie after so long? Where you from?”
“From the Schwarzfeder Territory on the western border.”
“Oh, I’m from the south. House of Baron Veron.”
“Whoa.”
Beatrice, a baron’s daughter, started to bow low—but Sisilia stopped her again.
“No external titles inside the Windsor Knights. That’s why we grant the Windsor name.”
“Haha! Still in training, huh? Sisilia, want me to show her around? You must be busy.”
Sisilia glared daggers. The knight flinched. She hid Beatrice behind her with wary eyes—though Sisilia’s petite frame couldn’t fully conceal her.
“Router, got time? I can make some. Got plenty of spare dungeons.”
“S-Sorry! I’ll go.”
The knight bolted. Sisilia scanned surroundings warily, ready for Wind Shear if needed.
Simple reason: Mine to lick only.
Sisilia wanted to ‘monopolize’ Beatrice completely.
**
Beatrice kept replaying the earlier scene.
I thought she always used formal speech… guess not.
Glancing aside, Sisilia walked silently. No words since the knight left—probably pondering grave matters.
She’d decided on the near-impossible enlistment for Sisilia. Inspired by her feats in Gartan Territory, Beatrice wanted to stand by her side, emulate even a fraction.
Back, she’d trained swordsmanship like mad, graduating apprenticeship soon after.
“Um…”
“Yes.”
“Th-That is.”
But saying it brought a flush of shyness. Steel yourself, Beatrice.
“Feel free to drop formalities with me too…”
Sisilia’s eyes widened; she backed three steps. Fidgeting, her face burned red. She murmured to Beatrice.
“……Okay.”
C-Cute.
Irreverent thought, but her lofty superior looked utterly adorable now. No wonder the Windsor Knights mascot.
Beatrice’s brain cells soaked in bliss. One day commissioned, job satisfaction max!
“Here’s your room from now on.”
Sisilia asked cautiously before opening the door.
“And… can I call you by a nickname?”
Embodiment of loveliness! No trace of prior menace in her shy plea.
“Of course! Try it?”
“Be-Beaty.”
“Yes!”
“Beaty.”
“Yes!”
Beatrice beamed. Moved, Sisilia opened the door.
“Good thing I prepped.”
Gifts for me too? How thoughtful.
Beatrice stifled the urge to hug her, peering inside.
“……?”
But she couldn’t see. Books towered, blocking the way.
What’s this?
“Newbie—no, rookie knight required reading: 172 volumes. You’re great, Beaty, so you’ll master ’em quick, right?”
“……Pardon?”
“One month. Though ace Beaty’ll finish sooner.”
Beatrice’s mentality shattered.
**
“You want Beatrice in your division?”
“Yes.”
Sisilia dabbed tears with a rabbit-embroidered handkerchief upon hearing of her selection officer appointment. Hardship ends in spring—good news galore lately.
“Mass recruitment needs staff, sure. But she’s a fresh newbie, unadapted.”
“She’s more than qualified.”
“……If you say so that firmly, she must’ve impressed you.”
“Yes.”
Sisilia replied proudly. First direct subordinate. She’d give darling Beaty ‘intensive care.’ Tonight after work: special manual just for her.
“Divisions are high knights’ prerogative. Even the captain can’t infringe. But one’s not enough for all that paperwork.”
“Beaty can handle it.”
“……I’ll lend some from my line. Use ’em.”
“Yessir.”
Chiron sighed. No stubborn refusal meant careful selection.
Too cautious isn’t good.
Less than a year to retirement. He could support her now, but retired influence was nil. Needed to build her base—yet she seemed disinterested. Worrysome.
Still, adjutant’s right. Hires under her won’t oppose her.
“Captain.”
“Opinion?”
“My authority limited to newbies?”
“What do you want?”
Chiron asked seriously. Sisilia didn’t hesitate.
“Minor reorganization.”
“Submit a report. You doing it’ll spark backlash. I’ll push with full authority.”
“Yes.”
“More?”
“No.”
“Then go execute. Urgently.”
“Yessir.”
Sisilia bowed and left. True to his words, she dove in fast. First: nationwide recruitment posters.
“Sir Leo Ric, this real? Windsor Knights opening their iron gates?”
On southern mission, Leo Ric read the poster at the count’s words.
“……Arrogant poster. As if the Windsor name alone is honor enough.”
No flowery words, no details. Yet it oozed confidence that one line sufficed.
“I know who wrote it. Capital’s gonna burst soon.”
Leo Ric chuckled.