The Capital Raid Incident (1)
Ding-dong-dang—!
The clamor of bells rang out as Sisilia sprinted forward. True to her bearer of the Wind Blessing, her speed was tremendous.
“Hurry!”
Up ahead, she spotted guards running. They froze as Sisilia popped into view right in front of them, staring silently. One recoiled in shock.
“Wh-what is it, ma'am?”
“Briefing.”
“A small-scale monster incursion! They likely entered through the sewers...”
“Thanks.”
With her cape fluttering, Sisilia vanished. The guard blinked at his comrade.
“What... was that?”
His partner stared blankly. “Whoa, she's really pretty.”
“...Is that what matters right now?”
Meanwhile, leaving the stunned guards behind, Sisilia leaped across rooftops, eyes fixed on one spot.
Terezia's central square. Atop a towering circular altar piercing the sky stood a symbol in the likeness of an archangel, ringed by sacred flames burning pale gray. Behind the fire, a crowd gathered with worried faces.
Those flames were the sign that the city still stood safe. No monster could cross them. They also served as an alarm, flaring at any demonic intrusion into Terezia.
The problem? The flames were flickering.
“Small incursion, but the fire's wavering? Weird.”
Doubt fleeting, Sisilia locked onto her target. A goblin swung a club at a guard from a blind spot.
Sisilia accelerated, kicking off the ground and charging.
“Watch out.”
Shwick! Her blade sliced the air, severing the goblin's neck. Debris flew skyward.
“Lady Sisilia!”
Ecstatic guards swarmed her.
“Status?”
“Y-you just took out the last ones.”
“That all?”
Sisilia tilted her head.
“Oh, Sisilia.”
Nearby stood Windsor Knights, monster corpses littering the ground around them—they'd just finished up.
Good. Made it in time.
Sisilia eyed the three goblins she'd slain with a hazy gaze. Mobs, sure, but she'd contributed—no awkwardness there.
“Where've you been? We missed you.”
“...Spilled tea. Had to change.”
The man sauntering over, spear slung over his shoulder, was Leo Ric—one of the Windsor Knights' seven high knights.
“Then take it easy. Busy night anyway, right?”
Fall for that, and she'd be the fool. If she hadn't shown, it'd be “Slacker” or “I'm busting my ass as senior, and the junior's slacking? Back in my day, we'd beat 'em senseless.” Guaranteed.
“People were worried...”
“Ah, so you wrapped up early to clock out? Efficient as ever.”
Sisilia pivoted. “You didn't need to come, Leo Ric.”
“If we all thought that, no one would. Anyway...”
Leo Ric scanned sharply. “Just small fry.”
“Yeah.”
Sisilia agreed it was off. The flames weren't omnipotent—couldn't cover all Terezia. But goblins, the weakest demons, should've been no issue.
“And on regular meeting night, no less.”
Leo Ric shrugged. “Demons being dumb isn't new.”
Sisilia desperately averted her eyes. Please, anything but that.
“I'll head out. Cleanup's yours.”
“...Sure.”
As Leo Ric walked off, Sisilia squeezed her eyes shut. Shift aligned after all.
Aftermath was always the worst. Investigate causes, file reports...
“Um... Lady Sisilia. What about us?”
No choice. Couldn't half-ass a capital raid. And for her “perfectionist beauty Sword Princess NPC” vibe, dumping it on others was out. Had to handle it herself.
“I'll probe the incursion's origin. Guards, patrol for hidden demons. Signal if you spot any—no hesitation. I'll be right there.”
“Yes, ma'am!”
The guards saluted briskly. Gazing at the 16-year-old Sisilia, their eyes shone with unwavering respect.
*
Shuffling along, shoulders slumped, Sisilia trudged on.
“Our team's on duty again this week? Wish someone'd swap shifts.”
“Fat chance?”
Spotting people, she squared up, posture perfect again.
“Great work!”
“No anomalies on duty!”
“Yeah.”
Salutes received, she passed; no one around, shoulders drooped once more.
Hate working...
Acting the perfectionist when you're not—exhausting. She'd felt it lately.
Wanna go home, flop in bed. Missed that fluffy quilt. Burnout?
Ten nonstop years. Weekends others rested? Dungeon farming with her sword. Hunting top demons. Sword drills, socializing. Now? Everything felt meh.
Just a bit longer.
Her guess: one year till official launch. Summit in sight.
Launch hits, newbies summoned to this world... In peril, a beautiful knight heroine appears like the wind. Drops some simpthot support. Grateful rookies! Satisfaction surges!
Yeah! Power through for that!
Sisilia's fire roared.
Then a chill wind slipped under her skirt.
Whooo—.
Her spark died in three seconds.
“Cold.”
Custom half-armor—cute, but freezing.
“Just get it done.”
She trudged on. Destination close.
“...Probably entered here.”
A massive stone sewer tunnel. Reeked awfully. Amid the stench—
Mana residue.
Standing mid-sewer, she drew her sword, pointing.
“Tempest.”
Irresistible gusts erupted from her blade-tip. Black filth cleared instantly, exposing the floor. Mana traces glowed blue under her guidance.
Footprints. Goblin at first, then human from some point.
Disguised infiltrator. Demons only. Smart to task guards with human checks.
Nothing more here. Sisilia lightly exited.
Scaling the tallest nearby building, she pondered the demon's path.
Small incursion: bluff to blend in.
Could impersonate humans—better kill a merchant, steal the body.
But crawled through sewers...
Not aiming huge. Windsor Knights would spot a fake quick.
So, infiltrator demon's goal?
Decision made, Sisilia's eyes snapped open.
“Prioritize the key asset.”
She dropped vertically from the roof. Toward the square. Precisely: the Sacred Flame.
*
A man.
“Lady Sisilia slew the monsters.”
“How's she always so fast protecting us?”
The man stared at something. The altar. Gray flames burning there. Rooted like a tree, soul-snatched, he gazed endlessly.
“Hey? It's Lady Sisilia.”
“The Sword Princess!”
He reached out. Blocked by something, couldn't grasp the flame.
So close. Only look. No touch, no hold.
This flame was wrong.
Rage. Fury at blocked desires. Fury at injustice witnessed.
If only this— this alone—were gone.
The world would be prettier.
“Hey.”
He didn't want interruption. Pure violation. He had a right to this flame.
But the slender woman's voice compelled obedience.
“What?”
“What color is it?”
He looked again. Answered naturally.
“Gray.”
Shing—.
Sisilia's sword cleared its sheath. Cold steel kissed his neck; he turned right.
Shlick—.
Blade bit flesh. Crimson soaked the sword.
No flinch, no pain.
“How'd you know?”
“Colorblindness is classic demon trait.”
“I see.”
“No regrets?”
“Got what I wanted.”
“What was that?”
“See this flame. Witness the irrational barrier holding us back.”
“Testimony noted. Thanks.”
Slash—!
Man's head cleanly severed.
The square's stunned silence shattered.
Sisilia pondered. Something's off.
Not super strong demon. But mastermind? Undeniable.
Why? Die just to see flames? Demons clung to life. No way for curiosity.
“Kyaaaah—!”
Piercing scream. Sisilia's eyes widened, hunting the source. The beheaded demon's head morphed to a spike, hurtling at a child.
Too late.
Even rushing now, demon was faster.
Then.
Sisilia summoned wind. Child's tiny body swept airborne.
Thud. Sisilia launched, cradling the kid. Grabbed the spike, murmured.
“Shatter.”
Whirr! Wind shredded it to particles. Demon traces gone.
“Lina!”
Parents rushed up. Sisilia gently handed her over.
“Th-thank you so much, Lady Sisilia.”
Tears flowed with gratitude.
Close call... Razor-thin. Any delay, kid dead. Reprimand... reputation ruined...
Sisilia exhaled relief.
Clap clap.
She turned. Familiar face. Golden-haired hunk. Not thrilled to see him.
“Splendid, Sisilia.”
Windsor Knights vice-captain, the holy Edward Windsor.
“Insight to spot the demon. Execution flawless. Perfect, beautiful.”
Sisilia dipped her head slightly.
“Long time.”
“Haha, yeah. Year-ish?”
Edward smiled softly, approaching.
“Captain well?”
Vice-captain Edward had great rep. Handsome, kind smile, considerate. Only Chiron eyed him warily.
“Yes.”
“Back and straight into chaos. Capital's same—flawless yet sloppy.”
Sisilia eyed the ground. His boots, specifically. Sticky mud clung.
Sewer trip. Fresh, ten minutes ago.
She looked up. Edward loomed a head taller, gazing down.
He reached, gripped her chin, tilted it up.
Sisilia stared blankly, unmoved.
“Like you, suspecting me even in this.”
Seemed her rapport with the next captain candidate would suck.
...Life.