Trial for the Newbies (1)
In the year 499 of the Saint Michael Calendar, November. Queen Lydia made her proclamation.
"I accept Sisilia Windsor's objection. I hereby impose a trial upon the candidates, Edward and Sisilia."
A trial from the queen who had lived for over 300 years. Everything about Queen Lydia was shrouded in secrecy. In one era, she was called a sage; in another, a wizard; in yet another, a prophet. Her trial sparked curiosity among countless people.
"A trial from Her Majesty the Queen."
"A test from the queen, who is half-divine... Do you think you can overcome it?"
"No, I have no confidence. But I'd like to witness it at least once."
The wizards of the Magic Tower, who had been virtually confined for so long, emerged to bask in the sunlight after ages. The nobles, who believed missing such an important event meant a fall from power, scrambled desperately to attend.
"They say the outcome of this trial won't be decided solely by the queen's judgment—it'll involve a vote."
"...If we can read Her Majesty's intentions."
"There's no surer path to advancement."
In the basement of the Windsor Knights headquarters, the knights grew solemn upon hearing that one of the two would become the "Proxy of Humanity."
"...Any signs of pursuit?"
"None. I'm certain."
"Then let's begin."
All members of the Windsor Knights who could be summoned had gathered, setting up a table in the basement. They sat in a circle with grave expressions.
"Anyone got some gold to lend me?"
"......"
Hyter reacted to Jerryway's words, delivered with unprecedented seriousness.
"Where the hell have you been? Now you're spouting nonsense like that?"
"What about you, Hyter? You confident?"
"Of course."
"This isn't an easy choice."
The knights nodded in unison. Then, almost simultaneously, they declared:
"I'm betting on Sisilia."
"Edward."
"Vice-Captain!"
"Edward Windsor!"
"Obviously Sisilia."
"I'm betting against Jerryway."
Jerryway glared at Hyter.
"You'll regret that, Hyter."
"You all bet against Jerryway too. That's the sure way to make gold."
Indeed. The Windsor Knights had huddled together to start a gambling den!
They all turned to Beatrice, the only one who hadn't spoken yet.
"Beatrice, who are you betting on?"
"Think carefully."
"Sisilia can be petty about these things."
"......"
Beatrice imagined it.
'Lady Sisilia... as the Proxy of Humanity?'
Would that... be okay? An impure doubt crept in. But the answer was set.
"...I'll bet on Lady Sisilia."
She was confident, after all.
'I can't imagine a future where Lady Sisilia fails the trial.'
A trial to decide humanity's proxy. How immense the pressure must be. Just thinking about it made Beatrice's stomach churn. But she knew Sisilia... wasn't the type to buckle under such expectations.
She probably didn't even know what "pressure" felt like.
Suddenly, Beatrice wondered,
'What about Vice-Captain Edward, then?'
Would he feel the pressure? Tucking away her trivial curiosity, Beatrice pulled gold from her pocket.
The table piled high with gold. Just then, Jerryway snatched a few coins and bolted, sending the knights into a frenzy chasing him down.
"...I understand your intentions."
Edward had grasped the full story of the incident. He knew the decision had originally favored Sisilia, but her proposal had led to this "trial."
He closed his eyes and murmured,
"I know you don't particularly want to oppose me."
To Edward, it felt like Sisilia's consideration. A way to avoid friction, a minimal show of respect for the vice-captain. Despite her tough exterior, Sisilia had a soft heart deep down. She wouldn't want to clash with him.
However.
"If fate demands it."
Edward opened his eyes.
"Then I shall do so."
He resolved to oppose Sisilia. To pass this trial.
It would be holiness, not the Sword Princess.
Sisilia often thought to herself.
"Life is a series of choices, Sisilia."
Picking the better option was never easy.
'Black bean noodles or spicy seafood noodles.'
The dilemma of the ages. When torn between black bean noodles and spicy seafood, Sisilia always ordered both. And skipped dinner.
This time was no different.
'Can't give up Sword Princess or newbie. Both are mine.'
"Sisilia Windsor. My daughter, the Sword Princess."
Chiron saw her off at the threshold of the trial. Sisilia and Edward stood before a temple exuding an eerie aura, unused for nearly 200 years.
"Whatever you choose, give it your all. Leave no regrets."
Sisilia nodded solemnly. Chiron stroked her hair with worried eyes.
"If you're so concerned, why not tell me to forfeit?"
Edward, watching the scene, said calmly,
"I'll shoulder the heavy burden of humanity's proxy for you."
"......"
Chiron said nothing. Sisilia stared blankly at Edward, then grabbed his hand with both of hers.
"Vice-Captain."
"......"
"Do your best. Give it everything."
Edward smiled bitterly and shook off her arm.
"Worry about yourself."
Sisilia blinked at her brushed-off hand. It wasn't from a newbie, so no real impact.
"No need for chit-chat. I'll go first."
Edward shoved his hands in his pockets and entered the dark temple.
Fighting...! Sisilia cheered inwardly while sensing the unnatural flow of mana within.
'Structure similar to a demon dungeon.'
'Strange pattern. No malice detected.'
'Clear condition... Destroy the core at the center?'
'But something's off.'
'This is a space created by the queen. Why does it mimic a demon dungeon's mana structure?'
'Inspired by demon dungeons? Or... the opposite?'
Instinctual analysis. Either way, she had no intention of clearing it.
Sisilia brushed aside her doubts and said,
"I'll enter now."
"When you return..."
Chiron said gruffly,
"I'll tell you the story I couldn't before."
Sisilia tilted her head, then bowed gracefully.
"I'll be back."
"Go."
Sisilia stepped into the dark temple.
The temple interior was mostly dim, making Sisilia miss Beatrice.
'If I carried Betty around, I'd see better.'
But object identification was no issue. Sisilia had silver eyes—irises that absorbed ambient light exceptionally well.
'They said it's live-streamed from here. Feels like being a YouTuber—kinda thrilling.'
At her request, influential nobles and wizards were likely watching. What a great system. She'd definitely use it for newbies later. Watching their first dungeon raid live? Too hype.
For the sake of humanity's mission, offer up your most precious possession.
Sisilia halted. The voice resonated not in her ears, but throughout her head. Its owner was Queen Lydia.
The surroundings brightened. The temple's dark form revealed itself—still just a narrow corridor, same as before.
Sisilia gazed expressionlessly at one figure.
'My most precious person... it's the Captain.'
He stood there in his usual attire—no, exactly as she'd seen him earlier with Chiron, perfect match.
"Hello."
"...Sisilia."
"Yes."
"No last words?"
Sisilia touched her lips thoughtfully.
"What was it you wanted to tell me after the trial?"
"Hear it from me yourself."
"......"
Sisilia judged it a bit stingy. This was an illusion crafted flawlessly from her memories. Texture, form, aura—everything matched reality perfectly. Queen Lydia's magic wasn't half bad.
"If you're done."
The fake Chiron said flatly,
"Kill me."
Wind blade aura instantly swirled around Sisilia's sword.
'Yeah, the Captain would say that.'
This was a test she had to deliberately fail. In other words, prove her incompetence.
'Wrong answer is probably slashing the Captain like this.'
A trial for humanity's proxy. A personality scandal meant instant disqualification. Beyond that, knowing it was fake made killing too easy an option. Likely a trap.
She was certain. Slashing this Chiron would let things proceed as she wanted.
But.
"Before that, one question."
"Speak."
"Are the choices just 'kill' or 'don't kill'?"
"Yes."
Sisilia's pupils drifted diagonally upward.
"But today, I want fried rice."
Thwack—
Sisilia swung without hesitation. But not at Chiron.
The faint mana flow manifesting the fake Chiron. She severed that 'flow.'
"Sisilia, why didn't you kill me?"
The reason was simple. Even as a mere duplicate, Sisilia didn't want to strike Chiron.
"Just felt like it."
The fake Chiron closed his eyes. A faint smile played on his lips.
"I see."
The fake Chiron dissolved into motes of light and vanished.
Achieved nirvana.
Edward heard Queen Lydia's voice, just like Sisilia.
For the sake of humanity's mission, offer up your most precious possession.
Not difficult at all. From the start—Edward had nothing precious to him.
Whatever appeared would surely be pathetically insignificant. He knew himself best.
Yet.
"...Why."
Edward couldn't help but falter.
He had nothing precious. It should be that way.
"You're here."
Edward bit his lip.
"Sisilia."
It was even Sisilia from her childhood.
Maybe someone similar? Edward desperately denied it—but
"Lolicon."
"......"
The inexplicable nonsense upon appearance confirmed it: Sisilia.