Newbie Gacha (6)
Thankfully, Dick was still alive. Sisilia basked in the cheers, feeling immensely proud, then declared boldly.
Nobles were treated at least as quasi-nobles no matter what, and there were many scions from prestigious families with real skill, so her speech was long-winded. But its meaning was incredibly simple.
If you really want to become a true knight, come to Windsor.
In other words, it was outright tampering. Blatant poaching.
** "The Windsor Knights have no business ethics!" **
The Windsor Knights' administrative officers stared in disbelief at Edward, who spread his arms wide with exaggerated gestures.
Was the vice-captain always like this?
He looks ridiculously excited.
"Yeah, he'll make a huge fuss saying stuff like that. Talent isn't just needed by Windsor, after all."
Edward looked in high spirits. It was a far cry from his usual royal composure.
"We'll crush those complaints cleanly."
Edward smirked, curling the corner of his mouth.
"When our Sword Princess has made such a bold move, it's only natural to back it up with force, right?"
The officers nodded reluctantly, though uneasy. Among the knights who'd witnessed the duel, quite a few belonged to lords from other regions. The problem was that Sisilia's speech had been a masterpiece—eloquent, and backed by her overwhelming skill, which made it all the more persuasive. Many knights had been swayed. A lord's power lay in the number of knights they commanded. There would be significant backlash.
"But how exactly..."
"Isn't ignoring it the best policy in cases like this?"
Frankly, complaints were inevitable. They lacked the moral high ground. In truth, if not for Sisilia's cuteness, it would have been a complete breach of ethics.
"Crush them with force."
"...!"
Edward smiled coldly.
"If any complaints arise or a lord tries to block knights from leaving, just give me their names."
It wasn't an order for official pressure. This meant—
It's time to use that.
The Windsor Knights' unofficial power. More precisely, an order to deploy the administrative officers' unofficial influence.
"You mean that, right?"
"Yes, that."
"Got it. We'll use that."
"Since we're using it anyway, you know?"
"No mercy."
Edward chuckled and gave a perfunctory pep talk before leaving. Most of the officers understood, but a few young ones looked baffled and turned to their neighbors.
"What is that?"
"It means using what's hidden behind Windsor Castle."
The officers were knights too. They favored pens over swords, but wielding Windsor Castle's influence was the same.
"Ah, the families..."
And they were at minimum sons or collaterals of grand dukes. Windsor primarily selected those among grand dukes' children lacking great martial talent. Which meant...
"A gift?"
"......This is it."
A messenger arrived at an earldom that had barred its gates to prevent knight desertions. The earl's face hardened at the wooden box delivered whole as a 'gift.' Blood stained the wood.
He hurriedly opened it.
"Damn... this is insane."
Inside lay a freshly severed chicken head. This was a common declaration of war used in territorial skirmishes. But the Windsor Knights, formally under the royal family, wouldn't issue a war declaration—there had to be another meaning...
The earl read the enclosed letter. It contained nothing else, just:
— Howard Windsor —
"Fuck."
"What does it say that's got you swearing?"
The subordinate's eyes widened at the letter the earl thrust over, clutching his head.
It was the name of the youngest son of the Pembroke Marquisate, a grand duchy in the area.
"......Open the gates. Tell the knights they can stay or leave as they please."
"I-Is that okay?"
"You wanna go to war with Pembroke? Huh?!"
"Opening the gates right away, my lord."
This happened frequently in other regions too. Mostly territories criticizing Windsor or blocking their knights. Nobles with stiff necks even grand dukes couldn't bend received ledgers full of their corruption. Or Edward's name. Thanks to that, they tearfully released their knights.
**
Sisilia, having secured her new recruits, was greatly satisfied with their quality.
Stertin and 14 others!
You have been officially commissioned!
Having passed the knighthood registry, Sisilia was overjoyed. It was a shame they weren't total fresh newbies, but she'd intentionally selected younger knights. She even exceeded the quota, tempted to recruit more, but cleanly gave up. Too many people were hard to manage.
Yeah. This is just for welcoming newbies—can't forget that.
After all, there needed to be spots open when the actual newbies arrived, right?
"Well done."
Chiron nodded.
"This wraps up newbie recruitment."
With Chiron's approval, Sisilia's face lit up. Now only time tangled with newbies remained!
Wait a year like that... time will fly!
But it was too early to wag her tail. Sisilia maintained her killer poker face and saluted.
"It was all thanks to Vice-Captain Edward."
"Edward? Ah... he was quite active this time."
Even Chiron found it surprising. The Edward he knew would sabotage Sisilia's efforts, not help.
"He still upholds the line, it seems."
Chiron nodded deeply. No matter his personal feelings, Edward was a Windsor knight. With newbie issues practically running the order, he'd lent a hand.
"But stay wary of the vice-captain. He helped this time, but next could be different. He might even demand payment for this."
"Understood."
Chiron eyed the meekly responding Sisilia suspiciously. She'd won the duel and filled her newbie quota. Normally she'd be giving 'praise me more' eyes, but she was unusually docile. Chiron sighed.
"What do you want?"
"Entrust beginner training to me."
Sisilia loved killing demons. Partly because it was fun, but mostly anticipation. Anticipation that newbies would come someday! For that, they needed strength—a sense of mission! And now, she'd reached her original goal.
People from the modern world dropped into an unfamiliar one. So much to fix.
Conscript them? Foolish. Suddenly isekai'd was bad enough—forcing confinement and training? Inefficient, with clear limits. 'Those who work hard can't catch those who enjoy it.' But Sisilia thought differently. If you can't enjoy it, you won't work hard. So make it natural, voluntary—want to grow stronger.
Learn from Another World, perfect the prototype.
In short, she needed lots of free time. And she had little teaching experience. This mission would be perfect practice.
"At least a year, until something comes up."
"......A year."
Coincidentally, it matched Chiron's wishes. He wanted to protect Sisilia until adulthood. But it wasn't easy.
A Sword Demon skipping all missions is a big loss. And her blade would dull.
Liannen Kingdom faced endless demon incidents. Other Windsors would dislike it too. Sisilia's skills were too valuable.
"Beginner training approved. But a year is too long."
Chiron offered compromise.
"Three months. Train the newbies to survive real combat, then take them on missions."
Sisilia saluted with sparkling eyes.
"Instructor Sisilia, launching!"
**
She'd never expected a full year off anyway. As long as no damn long-term missions, it was fine. This negotiation was a success.
Great. Prep for newbies without long hauls.
Taking newbies on missions was already in her curriculum.
Chance! Test on these recruits first!
Sisilia planned to experiment her Sisilia Guide on them, record growth rates, optimize. To aim for Demon God later, she was swamped!
"Lady Sisilia, that outfit...?"
"Everyone else is in armor?"
Sisilia gathered her 20 new knights, Beatrice included. They eyed her tensely. She wore a checkered dress.
......The epitome of innocent fragility.
"Uh, aren't we going training?"
The culprit... Betty. Sharp kids are hard to handle.
Beatrice's flustered words explained their readiness. Sisilia smiled faintly, showing the basket.
"Picnic."
"Picnic......"
Demon-slaying picnic for sure! Beatrice thought. But the newbies relaxed.
"All that tension for nothing."
"No way Sisilia would throw us into a dungeon day one."
"Right."
Sisilia nodded. Then beamed.
"So leave your fancy swords, artifacts, potions behind? No need for picnic stuff."
Beatrice flinched. Sisilia extended a hand to her.
"Hand it over."
Beatrice, like a wet puppy, yanked off her pendant.
"Hm... warp magic on it."
How does she know without emotion?!
Beatrice looked defeated. Others nodded, left promising to stash gear, returned in uniforms only. (Beatrice was dragged to changing room for thorough search.)
**
"A place like this in the capital?"
Windsor Knights Training Ground 72. Class 3 restricted. Vast plain ringed by mountains on all sides.
Cover! Find cover!
Beatrice paled, flailing. Then spotted the lone basket. She rushed to it. Inside: a small trowel.
"......!"
Beatrice dug frantically.
"What's she doing?"
"No idea..."
"Where's Lady Sisilia anyway?"
Meanwhile—Sisilia, who'd vanished for 'business,' overlooked the plain with Lude.
"Ria. Really doing this?"
"Yes."
"......Hmm. Isn't it too harsh?"
"Please."
"Well... for Ria's request, anytime. But kinda pity them."
Lude scratched his head, extended his small hand. Dozens of magic circles bloomed from it, covering the entire 'plain.'
"Freeze."
In that instant, the vast plain became a snowfield.