Even Now, No Newbies?
The night of trials was long. The flow of time within the temple differed from the outside world, but to Knight Commander Chiron, it felt even longer still.
"Even the Commander can feel impatience, it seems."
His adjutant Michael stood beside Chiron and spoke.
"...Is the trial over?"
"Yes."
This trial's vote had been open to any major figure in the kingdom. Chiron had been one of them, but he hadn't watched it. The same went for Michael. He'd simply waited near the royal palace, used his connections to learn the result, and rushed back to report it.
"They wouldn't tell me the contents of the trial, though. Not Edward's, nor Sisilia's. 'It's better if the Commander doesn't know,' they said."
"What nonsense is that?"
"Who knows. I wouldn't know either."
Michael bowed his head politely.
"I'll report the result."
"Go ahead."
Chiron gazed impassively at the temple. The blue light that had leaked out after Edward and Sisilia entered had just gone dark.
"Sisilia Windsor is appointed as Humanity's Proxy."
"..."
"By Her Majesty's command. The moment they emerge from the trial, they are to head to the palace for the appointment."
Chiron closed his eyes.
As expected.
Even though his daughter had claimed the honor of becoming Humanity's Proxy, Chiron felt no joy. How heavy that burden would be. The thought of Sisilia—precious enough to hold in the apple of his eye—having to bear it twisted his heart.
"All I could do was watch."
"...Commander."
"But if Sisilia doesn't want it."
Chiron glanced at Michael.
"Would you still follow me then?"
Michael had heard of the commotion Chiron had caused before. He wore a meaningful smile.
"Commander, I am your adjutant. Shouldn't an adjutant always stand by your side, no matter what?"
"I see."
As Chiron cracked a faint smile—
Footsteps echoed. They turned their attention that way.
Edward emerged first.
"Sorry if I'm not the one you were hoping for."
Edward flashed a relaxed smile—one rarely seen these days.
Chiron's eyebrow twitched.
"...Did something good happen in the trial?"
Edward flinched mid-step.
"Nothing like that."
"I see. And Sisilia?"
Edward smiled again, almost a sneer.
"She was sitting there looking like she'd lost the world."
"...!"
"Must've seen something less than amusing."
Chiron's gaze wavered slightly.
"...What was the trial?"
"Correct the greatest regret of your life."
Edward murmured as he brushed past Chiron.
"Quite a banal trial, isn't it?"
After he left, Michael asked thoughtfully.
"Sisilia's regret... what could it be?"
"...The moment she lost her parents."
"!"
—Why had she come to the Windsor Knights at age six, sword in hand?
A memory over ten years old. Yet to Chiron, it flickered right before his eyes, achingly close.
He could never forget that moment.
—My mom was killed by demons.
—...Here for revenge?
—No. I avenged her with my own hands. But...
The moment he'd decided to adopt Sisilia as his daughter—the moment he'd resolved to take full responsibility and raise her.
—Isn't one child who's gone through that enough?
"Sisilia was special. Even at six, she was a sword genius who could slay lesser demons alone."
"...I never imagined she'd still carry that in her heart."
"Could you erase the moment you lost your parents?"
"Sisilia's so innocent, I never noticed."
Michael bowed his head sadly.
"That's why she never spoke of the trial's content, even when it seemed to trouble her."
"But she passed."
"Which means..."
"Sisilia didn't correct her regret. If she had, all the lives she's saved would cease to exist."
Michael's nose stung; he looked up at the sky.
Sisilia was still so young. Joining the Windsor Knights at her age would make her the youngest ever.
How must that child have felt, choosing the greater good over her parents? It was hard to fathom.
"Sisilia."
Lost in their thoughts, they saw the silver-haired girl appear.
Sisilia staggered forward. Chiron hurried over and supported her.
"You alright?"
"..."
She said nothing. Clearly, she'd seen something horrific in the trial.
As Chiron's heart sank, royal knights arrived.
"Sisilia Windsor. Her Majesty commands you to the palace at once."
Lydia had summoned her to officially confirm her as Humanity's Proxy.
"...Sisilia. What will you do?"
Chiron didn't even glance at the approaching royal knights. His eyes were only on Sisilia.
Clinging to him, she murmured softly.
"...I wanna go to bed."
Without hesitation, Chiron replied.
"That might be best."
"That's a problem. Sir Chiron."
The royal knights spoke coldly.
"Will you defy Her Majesty's command?"
Chiron said quietly.
"Go. Sisilia won't be going to the palace today. Tell Her Majesty that."
"Sir! This violates decorum!"
"Even you, Sir Chiron, can't ignore Her Majesty's orders..."
Chiron scooped Sisilia up and walked away. The knights, flustered, reached for their swords—but Chiron's steps halted.
"Draw that sword if you want."
He looked like a lion protecting its cub.
"If you can beat me."
The royal knights couldn't draw.
**
Word that Sisilia had been chosen as Humanity's Proxy spread throughout the capital.
"Lady Sisilia will guide us right—"
The citizens accepted it readily. Sisilia's reputation wasn't built on lies. Above all, her title as the youngest Sword Demon forbade any doubt.
"But the Sword Princess is nowhere to be seen. No date set for the ceremony either."
"She's refusing it. Heard she's taken to her bed."
"...Well, becoming Humanity's Proxy is huge. Can't blame her if it takes time to accept. I'd faint."
"Hah, good one. As if you'd ever be Humanity's Proxy. Dream on."
"Who said I would? Just saying!"
But another rumor swirled in the capital.
That the Sword Princess, overwhelmed by the immense burden, had fallen ill. That she considered herself too inexperienced, demanding reconsideration through a hunger strike.
"Kahaha! I said I'd become Sisilia!"
"Damn! Didn't expect Sisilia's talent to beat Jerryway's bad luck."
And the rumor reached the Windsor Knights too.
"Heard the latest? Sisilia's depressed."
"Nah, probably fake."
Jerryway counted his gold coins with a carefree face.
"Dunno. Heard she hasn't touched dessert in a week."
"...That's serious."
Jerryway grasped the gravity. Beside him, Beatrice was worried sick.
I thought Lady Sisilia didn't feel pressure... Turns out she's human after all.
"I'll go check on her."
"Beatrice, right? While you're there, pass on a message."
Jerryway grinned.
"Mission accomplished. It's a masterpiece."
Beatrice didn't know what it meant but followed orders.
"Yes."
"Sisilia."
Meanwhile, at the Chiron estate. Chiron knocked worriedly on Sisilia's door.
"I'm coming in."
The room was dark. Chiron sighed softly and drew the curtains.
Sisilia huddled on the bed, looking smaller than ever. She'd been like this since returning from the trial.
Chiron set down porridge by her bedside and spoke sadly.
"Eat something, even a little."
Sisilia, pale and haggard, nodded faintly.
Chiron sat on the chair beside her, silent for a long time. He seemed about to speak but only stroked her hair gently.
"Rest."
After Chiron left.
Sisilia sat up with a sniffle. She staggered to the mirror.
"..."
Her face was ghostly pale. Her drooping eyes made her look obedient, almost pitiful.
"Makeup's on point."
She looked like a tragic novel heroine—and she liked it.
Sisilia blinked.
The supreme Sword Princess doesn't wallow in despair.
...Of course, honestly, she was a bit down. Newbies might not come at all.
But Sisilia recovered fast. Max level perks.
"Anyway, I'm hungry. Time to eat."
Sisilia pulled out the chocolate cake hidden under the bed.
Eating dessert at night wasn't ladylike. 'Golden Honeycomb' had started a delivery service for just such noble ladies.
Safe cake delivery over the estate walls, unseen by all!
—What're you staring at? First knight with a side gig?
…Don't tell the Commander.
…Though the delivery boy being Jerryway was a shock.
Nom nom.
Sisilia devoured the cake, thinking.
Plan's perfect.
Sisilia had chosen her final gambit to welcome newbies: the 'What Can Ya Do?' Sisilia.
Nothing fancy—just pure stubbornness. Refuse the queen's command outright, and even she couldn't force it. What can ya do?
Of course, like debt collection turning to seizure, the queen could enforce it.
Then, no choice.
Have to abandon Sword Princess.
Sisilia's eyes turned cold. But the cake was tasty, so she softened again.
Thud.
A presence. Sisilia moved like the wind. She repackaged the cake, shoved it under the bed, and lay still as a corpse.
All in under two seconds.
The door creaked open. Beatrice entered.
"Lady Sisilia..."
Beatrice was speechless at the sight. Sisilia lay with half-dead eyes.
A Sisilia she'd never seen—utterly listless.
Lady Sisilia's human too.
Beatrice sat quietly in the chair.
"Are you... alright?"
Sisilia gazed out the window with a detached expression.
"When that last leaf falls, so does my life."
That bad?!
Beatrice looked out in shock. The tree was dense; the last leaf was far off.
"..."
Beatrice pondered if she should be relieved. But her worry was genuine.
It's been a week with no food.
She knew how Sisilia loved desserts. For her to eat nothing...
"...Lady Sisilia. There's something on your cheek."
Something clung to Sisilia's cheek. Stark against her white skin.
Beatrice gently removed it and examined.
"...Huh."
She sniffed.
"Choco...?"
Chocolate.
Beatrice stared with cold, dead eyes.
Sisilia, silent for a while, finally spoke.
"Betty. Sometimes... pretending not to see is the key to a long life."
Sisilia looked so wistful saying it.
Beatrice, moved to tears.
"My memory's like a goldfish..."