Newbies Are Coming!
"What do you think will happen?"
"They'll protest, of course."
"Yeah, I figured."
Queen Lydia let out a sigh.
"The Empire's still manageable—the Emperor's at least someone you can reason with. He's probably coming this time to snag some political gains. But the Holy Nation—"
Lydia's eyes clouded over. Of course, she had her own hand in it. But there had been no other choice from the start.
"They're the type who won't listen to a word. A group that twists God's will to run rampant."
"Why not just close and lock the borders, Your Majesty?"
Lydia had always pursued a classic isolationist policy. She had rejected all exchanges or entries from foreign nations outright. Things had loosened up only about ten years ago, and even then, it was just a slight allowance for trade.
In truth, cutting them off right now wouldn't cause much damage. The kingdom had always grown strong on its own.
"No—we're entering an era of change, my lord. It's been fine so far, but if we keep it up, we'll get left behind."
"I see."
Erterion respected Queen Lydia's decision. On issues like this, she was the ideal leader.
"But it's tricky. I never thought the Holy Nation would even deny summoning magic itself."
Yet Queen Lydia wore an incredibly relaxed expression. Erterion asked, puzzled.
"You don't seem too troubled, Your Majesty."
"Because it's different from 300 years ago, my lord."
Back then, she had to stand alone. But now, things were different.
"There's a saying: use barbarians to control barbarians. If they won't listen, we have our own on our side."
Erterion flinched and turned to Lydia.
"……Are you sure about this?"
Lydia just smiled and said,
"Pass this on to Lord Chiron. Tell him his daughter will handle the Holy Nation."
Let Sisilia give them a taste! Lydia couldn't have been more proud of how reliable Sisilia had become.
***
Tweet tweet—.
A sparrow perched on a resting spot, folding its weary wings.
'Pest detected.'
Unfortunately, that spot was Sisilia's shoulder.
Tweet tweet tweet!
Meeting those chilling silver-blue eyes, the sparrow broke out in cold sweat and flew far away.
It was utterly pointless against the strongest beautiful girl knight, Sisilia. But still.
'……Maybe I'll let it slide today.'
She smiled faintly. Sisilia decided to spare the sparrow. The sunlight was warm. The world felt cozy.
Sisilia marveled at her own generosity.
"Why is Vice-Captain Sisilia kneeling like that?"
"Morning training……?"
"In her pajamas……?"
"I dunno, but she's cute."
The golden sunlight slowly spread, caressing the green blades of grass. Dewdrops sparkled like jewels on a butterfly's wingtip. Flowers swayed in the gentle breeze, exchanging quiet greetings, while a sleepy wind brushed softly past her ears.
'Finally—.'
Today, the world felt especially beautiful. Sisilia's eyes sparkled excessively.
'Newbies are coming!'
Ten years running toward this moment. Yeah, she must have lived for this. Her chest swelled grandly. If things went well, she might even aim for a B-cup.
"Sisilia, what are you doing out here this early?"
Sisilia replied dreamily.
"I was feeling the beauty of the world and offering a prayer of thanks to the goddess."
"……Prayer?"
"Call me Holy Knight Sisilia."
"……."
Chiron watched silently for a moment, then wiped the sleep crust from her eye and said,
"Fine. Holy Knight Sisilia, did you brush your teeth?"
Sisilia answered solemnly.
"Not yet."
"Do it quick. We have to go greet the envoys."
"Yessir."
Scrub scrub. Sisilia attacked her teeth like she was trying to shatter the mirror.
It wasn't over just because newbies were being summoned. She had to pave a flower path for them, prepare a welcome, and above all—
'First impressions are half the battle. I gotta plan my entrance scene super carefully.'
The genius beautiful Sword Princess's grand entrance! She needed to envision the first meeting with the newbies.
Oh, and the tutorial too. A super cool tutorial to make their hearts race.
'What should the tutorial be? The summoning spot should be inside a dungeon, at least.'
Like a beautiful place swarming with monsters. Even a 70-year-old grandpa like Kim Cheomji, on his last legs, would get his heart pounding, right?
"Sweet."
Sisilia grinned, her face melting. Just as she was about to wash her face and roughly rinse her bangs—
Sisilia spotted something she shouldn't have and her eyes widened. She yelled urgently in a loud voice.
"Mari! Where's my cat ear headband?"
I can't wash my face without it.
***
After that light face wash and bang styling, Sisilia dressed and stood before the mirror. She was the cool beauty who tossed aside any outfit after one wear, but not this uniform. It was an artifact layered with dozens of protective spells—way too expensive.
But—Sisilia obsessed over details even in her daily uniform. Specifically, the angle of her knee socks. She wouldn't yield on this, even if the world ended tomorrow. Not even 0.1 cm off.
With them perfectly level, Sisilia checked herself from every angle.
"Perfect—."
Outfit and hair settled, next up: hair accessories. From her collection of hundreds, Sisilia pondered daily.
"Today's mood…… this one."
Sisilia picked a black ribbon and band, plus a small flower pin. Only then did the perfect Sword Princess's day truly begin. It had taken about two hours.
Outside, Chiron waited with a tired face.
"Kept you waiting?"
"……Never mind. You're not late. More importantly, do something about that."
Chiron pointed toward the stables.
-Gaaah!
The stablehand was dangling from Sisilia's horse, on the verge of being flung off.
"New stablehand. She's rejecting him 'cause he's unfamiliar. Calm her down."
"Got it."
Sisilia approached gracefully and stood before the rampaging white horse.
"Unicorn."
Calling her name and twitching an eyebrow once, the unicorn miraculously calmed. The stablehand collapsed, legs giving out.
"Th-thank you. I almost died."
The new stablehand, Pina, wiped her cold sweat. She was a small girl. Sisilia blinked. It was quite unexpected.
"W-weird. I've handled horses my whole life, never had this."
"Unicorns only carry virgins."
"……Wh-what?"
'Isn't that common knowledge?'
Sisilia tilted her head. She hopped lightly onto the horse and stroked it; her personal mount, the unicorn, let out a pleased whinny.
Chiron, watching, remarked,
"Horses take after their owners."
"Do I?"
Sisilia rolled up her sleeve, comparing her pale white wrist to the unicorn. Totally different colors.
"……No. She's just smart. Good bloodline, but you've tamed her different."
The unicorn was a divine steed. Chiron sometimes envied her—smart as could be. He'd never heard of a horse that freaked out if its owner wasn't a virgin.
Sisilia beamed roundly.
"Someday she'll fly through the skies too."
"……Sisilia, that's."
Chiron quietly closed his eyes.
'That's a pegasus.'
He couldn't shatter his daughter's innocence.
"No, nothing. Anyway, let's go."
Sisilia bowed her head.
Before mounting, she boldly demanded of Chiron,
"Pet me."
Chiron looked worried, then smiled weakly. He gently stroked her and murmured,
"You'll be an adult in a month."
"Still a baby for now."
Chiron gazed at Sisilia for a long while.
"You stopped growing at 14. You'll live 200 years like this. No regrets?"
He'd aimed for Sword Sovereign, but said it anyway.
Sisilia nodded.
'That's fully grown anyway.'
She'd checked her growth plates herself. Sadly, no more height or chest growth, not even 1 cm. So she'd just preserved her skin.
"I like it. Does Daddy Chiron hate it?"
Lately, Sisilia called him "Daddy" more. He still flinched every time.
Chiron replied belatedly.
"No. Height matters for knights. A few more years would've been good. Your only flaw is being short."
Liannen Kingdom's average woman was 165 cm. She insisted on a solid 162 cm, but she looked under 160 no matter what. He'd meant it as a gentle lament—but
"O-of course, you're plenty fine now."
Sisilia's cheeks were already puffed out. She whipped her head away and mounted. Seeing his sulking daughter, Chiron sighed.
Still, mounted, Sisilia looked quite gallant. Despite her youthful look, her aura commanded trust—like a full knight.
'Already an adult. I thought she'd stay a kid forever.'
But beyond that, Chiron felt a strange emotion lately. One he'd never known.
Hesitation.
-When the trials end, I'll tell you what I couldn't before.
He'd said and resolved it back then—but he couldn't bring himself to speak to her easily.
Why? It would be shackles for her.
"Captain."
Chiron snapped to at Sisilia's short voice.
"Didn't you say you had something to tell me last time?"
Chiron worked his mouth.
'But I have to say it.'
Not saying it would insult her too. He probably couldn't forgive himself.
He might not forgive himself even if he said it. It was, after all, Chiron's personal desire.
In the end, he couldn't say it and switched topics.
"……Vice-Captain."
"…!"
"I'm passing captaincy to Edward soon."
Sisilia's eyes widened.
"Get ready. High knight to vice-captain is worlds apart. You'll get more authority and responsibility."
'Oh yeah, our one-year promise is almost up.'
Sisilia recalled her deal with Chiron. He'd kept it silently, faithfully.
'But way too silent……!'
At least clue her in on the process. But….
"Finally, the knight order budget's in my hands."
Sisilia saluted sharply from her sun-backed mount.
"I'll double it every year."
The budget was for spending, not investing. And Sisilia only got scammed—she had no clue how to earn.
A four-person commoner's yearly living matched what she blew daily.
"……The budget stays under Edward, same as always. We agreed long ago."
"!!"
Sisilia was greatly shocked.