Open Preparations (1)
"Why do you want to get so strong?"
Edward Windsor. She remembered the words he'd spoken in the past. Back then, they hadn't been on bad terms. Sisilia had quite admired Edward. But after he returned from the western front with that hollow expression, his question had puzzled her.
"......To protect people."
Sisilia answered honestly. Ultimately, her life's purpose was to earn praise from newbies, but protecting newbies was protecting people, right?
"I used to think the same."
Edward looked like he'd been through a lot.
"A trivial reason."
Looking back now, that seemed to be when Edward started changing. His kind smiles turned fake, and the words he'd always lavished on her grew sharp.
"Why am I suddenly thinking of that now?"
Sisilia tilted her head slightly in front of the mirror.
Was it because the 10 years of waiting were finally about to bear fruit? Random thoughts kept popping up.
"......"
Sisilia impassively checked herself over.
"Weather: OK."
"Face: OK."
"Reputation outfit: OK."
"Attachment lady: OK."
Oh, and—
"Lunchbox: OK."
It was granola, of course.
"Alright, let's do this. Open preparations."
Today was the day to check the results of the past 10 years.
"Hah!"
Clang—!
A sharp sword strike flashed past. Edward pressed Hyter relentlessly with his utterly domineering swordsmanship.
Hyter's improved a lot too. Especially the vice-captain—he's got more than enough skill to protect newbies.
This was the Windsor Knights' training ground. An open space in front of headquarters where anyone could freely spar.
"What do you think?"
Chiron, standing beside her, asked as he watched the bout.
Sisilia gave a simple reply.
"Both are good."
"Could you win? Pure swordsmanship only."
"Hyter's sloppy, but I'd lose to Vice-Captain Edward. I'm still a baby, after all."
"......"
Sisilia stood demurely, watching the match. It ended quickly. Edward's merciless thrust grazed above Hyter's shoulder.
Whoosh!
Faint flickering flames. Hyter belatedly summoned his aura, but it was too late. Even perfect timing wouldn't have saved him—in real combat, he'd be dead.
Edward's infamous for wrecking the environment.
Hyter wielded the aura of the forest. A perfect counter to Edward's fire aura. The smell of burning wood had been in the air for a while now.
Too much.
"Wasn't that a bit too intense, Vice-Captain?"
"You can't hold back against a Sword Emperor."
They sheathed their swords. Edward smirked, satisfied with the spar. Several knights rushed to his side.
"Vice-Captain, me next."
"Wanna bet? I think I can win for real this time."
The knights' eyes sparkled. The Windsor Knights never shied from sparring the strong. They knew it was the fastest path to growth. High knights' matches drawing crowds was practically daily routine.
"It's about lunchtime, so later for all of you."
"You promised."
"Don't forget I'm first in line."
"Of course."
Man, the lecherous prince is popular. Wonder why?
She knew the answer, even if she said that. Edward had a great reputation. As much as Sisilia—or more. If she was just the cute mascot, Edward was the ace representing the Windsor Knights. Love it or hate it, the gap between Sword Demon and Sword King was huge.
Of course, Sisilia preferred mascot over ace.
"Hyter, let's grab lunch."
"Found an amazing spot in the capital."
"Looking forward to it."
Now's the time.
Sisilia enjoyed watching spars. But today, she wasn't here just for that. She had a more important errand.
"That won't do."
Right after sweating it out. With everyone watching. That's when the beautiful Sword Princess appeared.
Heh.
A man's romance. She'd waited for this moment. Sisilia held out the bundle containing her splendid granola lunchbox with both hands.
"Brought your lunchbox."
"...!"
"Whoa!"
The surrounding knights were so shocked some collapsed. Not figuratively— a few literally crumpled, legs giving out.
"L-Lunchbox?"
"From Sisilia?"
"She can do that too?"
Murmurs rippled through the Windsor Knights. They could see it happening live, yet couldn't believe it.
The verdict came swiftly.
"Kill him."
"Declare the vice-captain an enemy of the Windsor Knights."
The knights gripped their training spears, murderous intent rising. Exposed to it, Edward seriously pondered.
Are they assassinating me?
But thankfully, it didn't happen. Thanks to one person.
"......"
"C-Captain!"
"You okay?!"
Chiron gaped. His dilated pupils shook violently, denying reality. And then—
"The captain's acting weird!"
"You'll die if you pass out here—!"
He turned to stone. Sisilia, admiring her own wise-wife maneuver regardless,
How am I so cute and lovable??
But outwardly perfect, she said,
"A promise is a promise."
"R-Right."
Edward was uncharacteristically flustered. He'd never expected her to hand it over in front of everyone. Or rather,
The promise clearly said to keep it secret from the captain.
...Hadn't she blatantly broken the promise?
"Enjoy it."
"......Thanks. Sisilia."
Edward smiled brightly. On second thought, this wasn't bad. He'd worried about a mob rushing him, but Chiron was still petrified from shock. One poke and he'd shatter. Edward deliberately spoke loudly for Chiron to hear.
"Wow, Sisilia made a whole lunchbox. Wonder if I can even stomach it."
"Please eat it."
"Of course."
"Right here."
"......Here?"
"Yes."
Sisilia nodded firmly. The ideal would be a picnic blanket on lush grass, feeding him daintily. But that was reserved for newbies. For Edward, standing in the training yard eating was the limit.
"Curious about your reaction."
"We can do reactions anywhere quiet..."
Sisilia placed a hand on her hip, feigning anger. Edward sighed, reluctantly unwrapping the cloth. A cute bunny-shaped lunchbox greeted him. His expression soured.
"Your tastes haven't changed since you were 6."
"Respect my tastes."
"...Fine."
Either way, this is great. Never dreamed I'd legally troll the captain so spectacularly.
Sisilia's usual zero tact came in handy sometimes. If he could poke at Chiron legally like this, he'd welcome standing lunch anytime.
"Feels jiggly—stew? What's on the menu, Sisilia?"
"Open it and see."
"Very exciting."
The entire Windsor Knights stared at the lunchbox, faces full of curiosity. Just how good was the Sword Princess's cooking?
"What the?!"
"What's in there?!"
Unlike the fussing knights, Edward's face hardened.
"......"
Nearby knights mirrored his reaction. The envy of receiving tribute from the cute knight-sis had vanished.
"What is this, Sisilia?"
Edward eyed the granola, soggy and mushy in milk.
"Granola."
"I... can see that."
"Try it. Tastes good."
"......"
Edward skeptically scooped a spoonful of the mush and ate cautiously.
Impressive.
Exactly as expected—no deviation.
"......Soggy."
"That's the point."
Sisilia beamed proudly. But then, she realized something she'd completely forgotten.
Oh no, what a blunder.
She'd ignored Chiron. Watching his daughter tribute another man on-site...
Good thing he noticed late.
No need to worry. Not too late yet.
"Captain, I have one for you too."
Sisilia thought of Beatrice's lunchbox as she spoke. A gift for her hard work, but unavoidable this time.
"I..."
Chiron snapped out of it.
"I'm fine."
Relieved, even.
Vice-Captain Edward's face means my affinity shot through the roof for sure.
Sisilia confidently climbed the stairs.
Open prep condition one cleared: 'Make the lecherous prince an ally.'
Edward stayed out of politics, but his influence was undeniable. Enough to easily sabotage Sisilia's perfect open prep plan. Plus, he countered her attachment lady. Repairing ties was lucky.
"Knock knock. Can I come in, Betty?"
Sisilia knocked politely. A limp Beatrice opened the door.
"This is your office to begin with..."
Beatrice looked haggard since last they'd met. But her cuteness? Sisilia vouched for it.
Sisilia smiled, offering the lunchbox.
"Good work. This is your reward. You did great, Betty."
Beatrice paled. She'd even used Light Blessing from the window to peek inside. She'd seen it: countless granola corpses screaming in milk!
"I-I'm fine. I ate breakfast."
A lie. Beatrice had pulled an all-nighter since yesterday, stomach empty.
"Really?"
Sisilia sat at the table without hesitation and opened the container.
"Huh?"
Beatrice, peering sleepily, was genuinely shocked.
"A normal lunchbox...?"
"Normal? Rude."
"No, I mean... Mmph."
No questions asked. Sisilia speared a sausage and popped it in Beatrice's mouth. Instinct kicked in as food hit her tongue. Beatrice's eyes widened.
"And it's delicious? Sisilia, didn't you suck at cooking?"
Sisilia munched on rolled omelet.
"Huh? I'm good at it."
"......Pardon?"
Beatrice was sincerely puzzled.
Then why make granola lunchboxes...?