98. The Dawn of a New Era
The end of one's years holds no time. Such was Sisilia's day as vice-captain.
"Betty. I'm bored."
"...Please don't touch my chest."
Ten long years of waiting. Yet the final ten days of those ten years dragged on unbearably slow. All the more so in this medieval world with nothing to do.
"Wonder if there's anything to kill time with."
As she spent that dull, dreary morning—Edward burst into Sisilia's office.
"Left me a nice gift, huh? Right in front of my office."
"Betty did it."
"...Vice-Captain Sisilia?"
For reference, Edward was fuming over the pile of paperwork Sisilia had dumped on him, right up to the tips of his hair.
"Sisilia, when I become captain of the knights, I'll definitely fix that habit of yours."
Declaring he'd take over her workload someday, Edward flashed an exceedingly kind smile.
And so the peaceful time flowed on until, before they knew it, Chiron's retirement ceremony arrived.
A quiet night. Blue moonlight bathed the entire garden. A season when not even flowers bloomed. Leaves had fallen, and snow had yet to come. Thus, this empty garden suited both endings and beginnings.
"I figured the retirement ceremony would be in some grand hall."
Beatrice continued, a touch of melancholy in her voice.
"After all, it's the retirement of the captain of the kingdom's finest knight order—the knight of knights I've admired since childhood, Chiron Windsor."
Jerryway replied to Beatrice with a pitiful look.
"For Chiron Windsor, this ceremony marks a period. But for Sword Sovereign Chiron, it's the start of a new life. No need for such a gloomy vibe."
"Still..."
Beatrice's golden blonde hair scattered in the moonlight. She placed her right hand on her ample chest and gripped it tight. She drew a deep breath into her abdomen and spat out what she'd been dying to say.
"Gambling is a bit much, isn't it?!"
The Windsor Knights, huddled together playing cards, stared blankly at Beatrice.
"But you're playing too."
"..."
Still, sitting out felt like being left out. And Beatrice, only a year into the order, could hardly refuse. Jerryway, still wearing that pitiful expression, said to her,
"So, you're betting big, huh?"
"...Yeah, I guess."
Beatrice glanced at her hand and mumbled vaguely.
"Looks pretty strong, anyway."
Two knight cards... gotta be good, right?
Beatrice knew nothing about poker. And Jerryway knew that. It was the classic thief's ploy to fleece a clueless newbie.
"I see."
Even so, Jerryway felt a pang of conscience. He only fleeced snot-nosed kids, except for Sisilia...
"But Beatrice, let me warn you—I've got the strongest hand."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah. I wouldn't recommend folding."
"...But then Sisilia would really kill me."
"...Mind if I ask what you're talking about? It's just poker—why would Sisilia murder you over it?"
"Sisilia doesn't think that far ahead."
Fair point. Jerryway oddly found himself agreeing.
"Well, can't be helped. I call."
"Me too."
Beatrice looked glum.
Jerryway's just a gambling addict Sisilia called a human scum who does nothing but play cards all day. He's gotta be better than me.
Less money to send home. But nothing was more precious than her life. No regrets...
"Show your hands?"
"Sure."
The Windsors, already folded and spectating, crowded around to peek at Beatrice's cards.
"Hmm."
"O-Oh no, is it bad?"
"Yep. I'd be dead if it were me."
Figures. Beatrice slumped her shoulders and laid her cards on the ground. Jerryway's pupils shook violently at the sight. Hyter peeked and burst out laughing, clutching his belly.
"?"
Jerryway had a one pair.
"Damn it, lost to two pair!"
Jerryway vented his frustration. Beatrice, still not grasping the situation, looked around.
"You won."
"D-Does that mean..."
"The 60 gold pot is yours."
"...!"
Beatrice stared blankly at the heap of gold. It was six months' pay for her.
Gambling... maybe not so bad?
As Beatrice entertained dangerous thoughts, the Windsor Knights started another game. Erterion approached, having checked for any procedural risks.
"...Even at the captain's retirement, you're gambling?"
"Wanna join, Erterion?"
Lude asked, mid-cast of their infamous "no backing out" betting spell. Erterion glanced toward the palace. The queen hadn't arrived yet.
"...I'll hear it out."
"Betting if Sisilia falls asleep during the captain's ceremony or not."
Erterion chuckled and pulled out a gold coin.
"Easy bet. A righteous knight like Sisilia won't doze off. I pick yes—she stays awake."
"Innocent young master, eh?"
The Windsors snickered vilely at him. Erterion pondered seriously.
Is this country really okay?
"You might be underestimating her since you've known her since she was little. She's a flawless, perfect knight. For her to doze off..."
"Oh, Captain."
And right on cue, today's star, Chiron, strolled in... with Sisilia snoozing peacefully in his arms.
"Told ya? Money's better taken from outsiders than circulating inside."
"Man, if you retire, how about becoming a merchant?"
Jerryway snorted.
"Nah? I'm gonna go rob some places."
"..."
Erterion, who should've called foul, was too stunned by his lost gold to speak. Regaining his wits, he shouted,
"Th-This is cheating! The ceremony hasn't even started!"
The Windsors looked annoyed.
"So stingy over one gold."
"Don't you know?"
"What."
"The queen's guardian is an honorary position—no salary. And no knight earns more than us anyway."
The Windsor Knights' pay was up to ten times other orders'. Overwhelming compensation!
We risk our lives daily—gotta have some spending money, right?
That was why the Windsors showed absolute loyalty to the queen.
"Enough. Mocking another's poverty ill suits a knight."
"...Captain sometimes rips out hearts with a straight face like that."
At Lude's words, Erterion drooped gloomily. Chiron commanded,
"Her Majesty arrives soon. Prepare yourselves."
"Line up in advance."
The Windsors shuffled into formation. Beatrice was tasked with waking Sisilia, who wouldn't stir, leaving her flustered.
"Is she unwell or something..."
"Nah, Betty. That's Sisilia's average. She crashes right after 11."
What is she, Sleeping Beauty?!
One Windsor waved his hand at the still-snoring Sisilia.
"Someone stab Sisilia with a sword."
"Yeah, was gonna anyway."
"Wh-What?!"
Hyter approached, drew his sword, and swung at Sisilia without hesitation. As Beatrice gasped in horror, Sisilia's form blurred.
"Awake now?"
"Thanks for waking me."
Beatrice slowly turned her head like she'd seen a ghost. Sisilia, now up, was crouched by the pond lapping water.
What the hell is this girl?
"Her Majesty arrives."
At Erterion's words, Beatrice tensed and lined up. Spotting the dozing Sisilia, she hurriedly dragged her over.
"...Hang in there."
"..."
Tears streamed down Beatrice's face amid her comrades' consolations.
Chiron stood in the garden's center, holding an ancient sword. Facing him, Queen Lydia spoke in a voice neither loud nor soft.
"Sword Sovereign Chiron Windsor."
The gathering fell silent.
"For over a decade, you have stood at the helm of the kingdom's knights, safeguarding its people and foundations."
The queen's tone was playful, yet carried dignified weight.
"You now merit laying down your sword. The traces you leave shall never fade, and the name Sword Sovereign Chiron will echo eternally in Liannen's history."
Chiron knelt wordlessly and offered the sword to the queen with both hands.
"I miss it. Thirty years ago, when you first took this sword, you looked ready to devour the world. Now you seem at peace."
"Your Majesty still smiles as ever."
"Ahaha, such is the throne. A queen must smile lightly, while a Windsor captain bears the burden."
Lydia held the sword to the moonlight. The silver holy sword, infused with her mystery, slowly faded to nothingness.
For 500 years of the kingdom's existence, it symbolized the Windsor Knights. A sword that shifted infinitely with its wielder, performing miracles—a blade forged by the goddess to slay the Demon God.
Thus, Lydia named it Untitled. No name at all.
A name is weight. Its bearer constantly changes. The sword has no weight. Thus, no glory of a name.
It's just a sword. A lump of steel.
A Demon God-slaying blade? Laughable. If such existed, Lydia would've wielded it herself.
That's why she'd hated this sword before it was even born. What matters is the person, not the blade. Only then does mere metal gain meaning.
But... Lydia smiled faintly. It had improved since 300 years ago.
"Well done."
Lydia returned the sword to Chiron.
"Chiron, you are a fine knight. I almost wish to keep you wielding this blade."
"I cannot."
Chiron bowed politely.
"Without closing one era, a new cannot open."
"As you wish."
Chiron turned his back to Lydia and walked to the rigid Edward, handing over the sword.
"Edward Windsor."
"Yes."
"Take the sword."
Sisilia, standing motionless, flicked only her eyes to Edward beside her. It was curious. Edward wore no fake smile. More solemn and careful than ever, he received the sword as if upholding the world.
And the blade slowly turned ashen.
"...!"
Sisilia, observing intuitively, couldn't hide her shock.
Style points off the charts!
Personally cooler than Chiron's silver.
"My era ends here. I entrust this sword to you."
Edward asked flatly,
"Not surprised?"
Untitled reflects its wielder's heart. Yet Edward's sword was neither his fire blessing's hue nor Windsor's silver. Ashen—the color of demons.
But Chiron slowly shook his head.
"When I first received it, it was pitch black."
"..."
"The sword doesn't mirror the heart. At least no knight here will blame yours."
But someday, change that color. I hope.
No. Apologies, but no. I have no intent or reason to change my color.
Edward replied inwardly. But he saluted Chiron with utmost sincerity and final respect.
Chiron eyed Edward briefly, then addressed all.
"You've suffered under a poor captain. Much to say, but now nothing comes to mind. Still, this I must."
Chiron closed his eyes slowly. He recalled the day he first gripped this sword. Trembling hands. Cold blade tip. Countless nights vowing to fight.
He folded all those days without regret.
"From my heart, thank you."
A brief silence. Jerryway broke it first.
"Damn it, Captain! Don't go!"
"Still spry as ever!"
"Your Majesty, this is too cruel!"
"How can you be so heartless?!"
Lydia awkwardly waved her hands at the Windsors' stone-throwing fury.
"Anyone'd think you'd never see him again."
Jerryway was outright sobbing. Lydia sighed.
Idiots who only know demons.
...No wonder I favor the Windsors.
Three hundred years of special treatment had reasons.
"It's over."
Chiron approached Sisilia with a relieved face. She'd stood stock-still; now she clasped her hands and stepped gracefully before him.
"...You've worked hard, Cap—Father."
"You rascal."
Sisilia hugged Chiron and patted his back. Amused, he chuckled and stroked her hair. The unusually bright moonlight illuminated them.
The onlookers smiled warmly, applauding. Lydia clapped loudest.
A wind blew. Warm, despite the late hour.
Thus—Chiron's retirement ended in blessings and warmth.
"Forgot something?"
Edward tossed the scabbard to Sisilia. She caught it one-handed and tilted her head.
"This is."
"Untitled's scabbard. Cherish it."
The Untitled scabbard. Given when a captain truly acknowledges the vice-captain—a symbolic rite. It took Chiron five years to give his to Edward.
Edward grumbled past, somewhat begrudgingly.
"Vice-Captain Sisilia."