Mission Complete
“A ceasefire agreement?”
Northern Supreme Commander Faust stared at the letter in shock. It read:
The previous Demon King committed a grave mistake against the human realm.
We express our regrets and, as compensation for this incident, Demon King Cain Baltarion proposes a ceasefire of approximately one year.
What the hell? It was utterly bewildering. A demon side proactively suggesting a ceasefire was unprecedented.
“What do you make of this?”
Faust had summoned his officers. The shady mage Nemesis wore a smug I know everything lol expression as he spoke.
“This is the Windsor Knights' doing. The results of this expedition, dedicated to Her Majesty the Queen from Northern Command—no, from the northern front.”
It had all been the Windsor Knights' plan from the start—led by their representative, Sisilia. Every move had been a calculated step toward this outcome, culminating in the final punctuation mark.
Faust could scarcely believe it. Was this even within human capability?
They schemed against the demons, incited internal strife, and successfully replaced him with a more moderate Demon King...?
If true, this transcended human limits—a heavenly commander. But he couldn't deny it.
“Reporting in.”
The Windsor Knights had returned in perfect sequence, divulging select details that matched perfectly.
What a terrifying woman. Sisilia.
Faust shuddered as he gazed at Sisilia, whom he'd assumed was just a pretty face. In that moment, he deeply understood why the Queen had sent this mere Sword Princess to represent the Windsor Knights on this battlefield.
And he thought simultaneously...
Thank goodness she's on our side.
“The mission's finally over.”
“Heh, time to raid the Captain's precious booze stash?”
“But where's Lady Sisilia? We gotta go.”
The Windsor Knights glanced around. They were ready to depart, but Sisilia was missing.
“H-Here she is.”
Beatrice dug through a snowdrift and hauled Sisilia out. With her silver hair and porcelain skin, she blended in perfectly. Sisilia dangled limply in Beatrice's arms.
“What the hell were you doing in there?”
“Well... she said getting up was a hassle. Worth dismantling that snowman, huh.”
Sisilia, having depleted her mana, suffered from heavy morning drowsiness. She was still half-asleep.
“...Wouldn't crawling into the snow be even more hassle?”
If it made sense, it wouldn't be Sisilia. Anyway, once they found her, the Windsor Knights could finally leave Northern Fortress.
Sisilia barely snapped awake just in time, maintaining at least a knight's minimum dignity.
“There was a bit of a scuffle at the end, but...”
Faust snapped a crisp salute toward Sisilia.
“Well done! Northern Command will never forget your valor!”
The Northern Command troops lining both sides saluted in unison. The citizens did too—no salutes, but some tossed flower petals, others whistled.
“So moving.”
Beatrice sniffled immediately.
“Get used to it, Windsor style.”
A senior knight patted her shoulder and strode forward. Amid the massive welcome, the knights marched with immense pride.
I see.
Teary-eyed Beatrice realized it suddenly.
The Windsor Knights risk their lives for the people... for this.
Gazing at Sisilia, who trudged along with a sleepy, vacant expression, Beatrice vowed.
I won't tell a soul I joined Windsor for the higher pay...!
Beatrice's family, House Schwartzfeder, was strapped for cash.
Upon arriving at the capital-bound magic train platform, the knights were already cheering.
“Terezia's red-light district, brace yourselves! Windsor Knight Ford is taking over!”
“Tch, a knight hitting brothels? No class. Knights embrace noble ladies. Married ones are even better.”
“H-How can you say something so crude? I didn't even know the capital had those.”
“What're you talking about, Herald? You're the top regular... Gah!”
Beatrice glared coldly, arms crossed, her eyes screaming human scum. The knights bolted into the train in panic.
Beatrice sighed softly and muttered.
“This is why men...”
Compared to them, how was our Lady Sisilia so noble? She turned to Sisilia.
“Lady Sisilia. Let's board. Ignore those perverts.”
But Sisilia seemed lost in thought, her face paling, then beaming with sudden joy, then furrowing seriously as she rubbed her chin. A whirlwind of expressions in seconds.
Sharp Beatrice caught on instantly. For regular knights like them, the mission was wrapped. But for a high knight like Sisilia, no.
She still had debriefs, reports, and strategizing based on the intel.
Her mind must be churning with grand strategies right now.
Of course, Sisilia was just pondering dessert.
I want iced sugar.
No ice cream company newbies? She'd give VIP treatment, but no Aura—Sisilia would never tolerate a blessed one slacking on "life stuff," even in death.
The return of the Windsor Knights from the northern expedition.
The capital buzzed with excitement.
“Heard? Windsor Knights scored a massive victory and came back!”
“Of course! They smashed the Demon King's army, warned 'em never to set foot here again!”
“As expected of humanity's strongest order! Proud to be Liannen subjects!”
The ceasefire spread through the capital too—excellent news, no reason to hide it. Support for Queen Lydia, who foresaw it and boldly dispatched them, and the Windsor Knights soared to the heavens.
Praise for high knight and Sword Princess Sisilia, their representative, was especially thunderous.
“We're the Sword Princess's nation!”
“Liannen Kingdom forever!”
“Sisilia to the palace!”
“You lunatic!”
Some got carried away with treasonous(?) shouts, but the Royal Guard quietly dragged them off for a week in the dank dungeons.
“Hm. The world's righting itself.”
Sisilia was thrilled with the results. Everything went as planned, and since it wasn't brute force "might," her pretty Sword Princess title stayed intact.
Plus, her fame skyrocketed. From Windsor Knights' rep little sis to national little sis?
This is total luck!
Not everyone was thrilled, though.
“Fooled again.”
Edward smirked, clenching his fists white-knuckled.
“You trapped me and stole all the glory, Sisilia.”
His brow twitched. The Demon King's death was fake news. The real key was the "civil war."
Had he known, he'd never have sent Sisilia north. In civil war, they'd ignore outsiders—prime chance for big merits.
Sisilia knew all along.
Edward felt betrayed. His goal of diminishing Windsor Knights' influence by sending them into danger fizzled.
“Fine. If you fell that easily, it'd be no fun.”
His gaze turned icy, laced with killing intent.
“You'll kneel before me one day. Then I'll play with you like a toy.”
But deep down, unease sprouted. A royal who got most childhood desires, yet never the "real" ones.
“Any tails?”
“No eyes on us. I guarantee it, bearer of the Stealth Blessing.”
In front of Chiron's mansion. A few lantern-holding knights whispered with Sisilia.
She nodded slowly and stepped forward. One knight murmured.
“Is this really possible?”
“Too soon for the big event...”
Sisilia halted.
“I keep my promises.”
“Then we'll trust and wait. Return safely.”
“That might be tough.”
“...! L-Lady Sisilia, that serious...?”
She smiled faintly.
“Don't forget my sacrifice.”
“Sniff, of course.”
“We'll be at the funeral!”
The Windsor Knights tearfully saw her off.
*knock knock.*
“Come in.”
A slightly excited voice from inside. Sisilia quietly turned the knob and entered.
Chiron beamed at her adoringly.
“Report later. Rest for now.”
Sisilia never betrayed trust. But this time, even Chiron had paced nights away.
The northern expedition was that perilous. Yet she returned safe and with an invaluable ceasefire gift.
—Raised a fine daughter.
—Her honors only grow by the day.
—Damn, compared to my boy...
Even nobles who usually sniped him slyly now praised Chiron.
He was in peak spirits—could hand out allowances like candy. In fact, his vault was open.
Fancy clothes? Jewelry? Buy away! For a daughter returning with such merits, nothing was too much.
“But I have something I must say.”
“Speak freely.”
“I made a bet.”
“...”
Chiron fell silent. Unexpected. But soon smiled calmly.
“Bet my year's salary again?”
Fair reward for a daughter fresh off war heroics.
He could let it go coolly.
“No.”
Sisilia hemmed and hawed.
“Something else.”
“...What?”
“This.”
Her slender finger pointed to a display case—one of Chiron's cherished champagne bottles.
“Hm. Booze, huh. No idea why you drag me into bets.”
Chiron was still just pleased.
She knows to treat the kids after hardship. Adulthood ceremony tomorrow?
Finally growing up? He nodded generously.
“Take it. Rare stuff, but knights deserve rewards after the front lines. Take more—that and that too.”
“Okay.”
Sisilia whipped out a massive sack. No clue where it hid on her tiny frame, but Chiron grew uneasy.
“Bit big for a few bottles.”
“Huh? Not just one.”
“...?”
“I bet all of Chiron's champagne.”
Chiron took a massive hit.