The Rianen Kingdom was basking in the peace brought about by the ceasefire arrangement that Cecilia had negotiated, as if it were a moment to celebrate with a drink.
“Did you say a mine was found in your territory? Congratulations, Lord Belmont.”
“Haha! It must all be the blessing of the Goddess, wouldn’t you agree?”
Without exaggeration, it felt as if an entire nation had fallen into a barrel of ale.
The nobles were indulging in pleasures, and the common folk were playing to their heart’s content.
In contrast, the Royal Knight Order was worn out by overwork, as the number of troublemakers had increased.
The reason for this situation was rather simple.
Even though technically at war with the Demon Race for over 300 years, the actual impact of the conflict was minimal.
For one, the knights of the Rianen Kingdom were exceptionally powerful, and it was extremely rare to encounter demons near the kingdom, protected as it was by the Divine Flame.
Yet a ceasefire?
In truth, many of the nobles interpreted it as the end of the war.
Certainly, the resilience of the Rianen Kingdom over the past 300 years must have intimidated the demons.
Thus, amidst this euphoric atmosphere, it was inevitable that their ambitions would rise.
“Hmm, isn’t it time we formally embrace the national religion?”
“It’s embarrassing that we don’t even have a proper cathedral.”
“Believing in and promoting the Goddess Saint Michael is only natural. Ignorant commoners scarcely even know of Her existence!”
“You’re right! Moreover, the power of the monarchy has grown too strong! For the good of the country, the royal family must relinquish their armed forces. As the old sages have said, the balance of yin and yang is of utmost importance, no?”
The adorable Queen Lydia of the Rianen Kingdom had a history of ruthlessly purging the ‘Cult of Michael’ while she wore a smile on her face.
Moreover, under the pretense of resisting the Demon Race, she had dismantled the limbs of powerful nobles, incorporating them into her own strength.
Though justifiable at the time, considering the peril to the nation’s foundation,
isn’t the present different?
“The kingdom requires normalization.”
“True. The balance of power is only truly effective when maintained.”
Meanwhile, at the Headquarters of the Windsor Knight Order.
Hiter, still slightly hungover, noticed something peculiar as he walked down the corridor.
A massive pile of documents appeared to be moving.
“What’s that walking paper?”
“Cecilia.”
“Yikes!”
Upon seeing Cecilia’s face peeking out from the stack of papers, Hiter nearly fainted.
“Make more noise while walking! You’re like a ghost.”
“You look like a stray puppy in the training ground.”
“A foreboding feeling wells up, but let me ask—why do you call me a puppy plant?”
“I haven’t thought about the meaning yet.”
“…Sorry I asked.”
Hiter sighed as he took half the stack of documents.
“Are you heading to the office? I’ll help.”
Recently, it was well-known within the Windsor Knight Order that Cecilia, while usually bustling about aimlessly, had been glued to the office.
Cecilia nodded slightly and ascended to the third floor.
“But why are you so busy during this peaceful time?”
“I don’t work in a rush.”
“Working in a rush? Surely, you can’t do that, Cecilia?”
“…”
Cecilia’s expression grew vague.
Regardless, it was undeniable that it was the busiest period recently.
‘Since my plan requires confronting every member of the noble faction…’
In order to welcome new members, institutional reforms were essential. Of course, one might ask why she didn’t simply consult the queen, but in the Rianen Kingdom, that was not so simple.
Without considering the reporting system, Queen Lydia usually only makes decisions. To achieve that, a motion must pass through a meeting of the nobility.
The problem was that this matter stood no chance of passing smoothly.
“This, Miss Cecilia, isn’t it reaching its limit…? How much more work can you put on yourself?”
Thus, it became necessary to adjust the proposals realistically, so they would be comprehensible to the nobles.
Naturally, this complicated the situation further. Fortunately for Cecilia, Beatrice, the authority on paperwork, was there, which offered some relief.
Without Beatrice, it would have been impossible to dream of such progress. Clearly, storming into a noble faction leader’s bedroom wielding a longsword would have been more feasible.
Wait, now that I think about it, that does sound easier.
“So, when did you start thinking about all of this, Miss Cecilia?”
“Perhaps when I was six?”
“…”
Beatrice gazed at her, her face expressing that of someone looking at a monster.
Yet, somehow, it felt understandable coming from Cecilia.
“To be honest, personally, this feels very reasonable. It certainly feels like it could lead to a better world. The question is—”
Beatrice became slightly tense.
“Can this even be realized? Surely, there will be many who oppose it. First, the cost— the kingdom’s budget for an entire year is already committed, isn’t it?”
“Our Queen is rich.”
“…”
“We’ve had her for 300 years.”
Cecilia concluded with a faint smile.
The ‘revision proposal’ which had been repeatedly revised countless times was finally completed.
Now, all she needed to do was submit this to the council of nobility.
“Still, even if you’re Cecilia, isn’t it too ambitious to present this as a full Windsor Knight Order’s resolution? Everyone dislikes being entangled in politics…”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Cecilia summoned every member of the Windsor Knight Order available to her.
“Why have we been called?”
Confused, the rookie knights wondered aloud.
As Cecilia observed the rookies, once green but now showing their mettle, she was satisfied.
“Do you trust me?”
“Of course, we do.”
“Meeting dismissed.”
“Wha?”
And just like that, she left, leaving them bewildered.
Although they could have raised objections, they decided against it.
“Because it’s Miss Cecilia.”
“Senior knights said we shouldn’t question Miss Cecilia’s actions, and now I understand why.”
“It’s pointless to argue with her.”
“Still, short meetings are nice.”
“Agreed.”
This was due to the impression Cecilia had consistently cultivated.
More importantly, it was characteristic of the Windsor Knights — they did not care much about internal affairs within the order.
Cecilia turned to Beatrice with a satisfied expression.
“I’ve garnered support from 21 people. Everyone currently away from the palace aside, including the captains, it’s already a majority.”
“Can this really be achieved in ten minutes?”
“It’s me.”
Cecilia smiled proudly. In her hand lay the document:
‘Proposal for New Beginners – Revision 13th.’
The first subheading read:
‘The Dawn of a New Era.’
To him who does not work, let him not eat.
To Cecilia, it seemed to say:
“You’ve worked, so eat to your heart’s content!”
“Kyee…”
However, Cecilia could not enjoy her usual dessert time.
‘The taste has changed.’
She was deeply troubled. The shop ‘Golden Honeycomb,’ which had previously provided heavenly cakes, had now become nothing more than an ordinary store after being taken over solely for profit.
The new owner had transformed the Golden Honeycomb into a characterless establishment.
“Are you alright? It tastes fine to me.”
“One gram less sugar. That cake isn’t supposed to be made like that.”
“…you must be very good at cooking.”
“The previous owner was a chef of the century, possessing a maniacal level of technique. Not knowing this…”
Cecilia’s voice trembled.
Would she never again taste that heavenly flavor?
But there was no law against trying.
“Your expression doesn’t look too good, Cecilia.”
“Ah, Sir Edward, Vice Captain.”
Beatrice immediately stood up and saluted. Laughing, Edward gestured her to sit and took his place in front of Cecilia.
“Why would the Vice Captain come to a shop only women are supposed to visit…?”
Beatrice quietly suppressed her rising doubts and sat down.
“Did something unpleasant happen?”
“…”
Cecilia sipped her orange juice tightly, her lips sealed.
Edward smirked cruelly.
‘So, he’s heard. Surprising, though, if he already suspected it.’
The plan to reduce Edward’s influence by using a noble’s daughter.
However, fitting for a maiden knight who had spent her life within the order?
It was utterly clumsy.
“Stop beating yourself down, Cecilia. You did fairly well this time.”
‘What nonsense is this again? This lecherous prince.’
Though Cecilia glared at Edward with a heavy heart,
her inner thoughts would change completely, in less than a minute.
Tink.
“You…you!”
“Who gave you permission to take over my shop?”
“Reina! Surely, you were supposed to be sentenced to life! Why are you still alive?!”
“A small misunderstanding, I hear. One must overlook such things when dealing with busy nobles.”
A minor commotion soon erupted.
Cecilia’s eyes widened in shock upon recognizing Reina.
The smirk widening on Edward’s face clearly reveled his satisfaction with Cecilia’s reaction.
“Just an unfortunate opponent this time.”
The idea of cutting off his own limbs through a third party was a clever move.
However, if he truly believed that passing the matter to the Royal Knight Order would suffice, it was too lenient an approach.
Direct action was required.
After all, Edward was a prince before anything else.
Rescuing a single criminal from prison was an easy and simple task.
‘Too soon to be discouraged, Cecilia. Time to have you feel the gradual taste of withering.’
Did she know?
That this was merely the beginning.
“…Vice Captain.”
“Speak. Cecilia.”
Edward’s casual response.
Deeply bowed, Cecilia’s shadow was obscured by her hair.
A despair this deep? Even beyond expectation, Edward smiled, the smile of a victor.
Then Cecilia jerked her head upward, her eyes gleaming.
Edward’s face twisted as the unexpected brightness dazzled him.
“Truly, thank you.”
“?”
“From now on, I won’t bite when you pat my head.”
‘The Vice Captain is a god!’
Cecilia resolved that night to offer a gratitude prayer to Edward before bed.
That night when Cecilia completely forgot to recite her gratitude prayers and fell asleep,
a late-convened mage who had finished his meeting witnessed a drunk noble wandering in the streets and frowned.
“d*mn fools. Is this really the time?”
Even amidst the generally carefree atmosphere, scholars worried.
Because they knew the strength of the Goddess had weakened.
Because they were about to walk a path never before tread, the future of Rianen Kingdom.
It felt as though they were walking into pitch-black darkness.
“Take a look at this! It’s the document written by the swordswoman of the Windsor Knights…”
At such a time, a single document was revealed. Its content was enough to stir the hearts of scholars.
[Proposal for New Beginners – 13th Revision, Volume 7.]
“This is it! This is the light in the vast ocean drowning Rianen!”
“Why is it Volume 7? Where’s Volume 1?”
The scholars were thrilled.
The document’s content was nothing short of a revelation.
Scratching their anxiety, this was their kind of pornography.
The document’s contents were as follows:
– A group, independent from all, who are not bound by anyone, is necessary. Members can choose missions, which they may accept or decline based on their free will.
– Name this group ‘Guild.’ Benefactors of the blessing must immediately register after gaining enlightenment, and it shall be systematized through hierarchical quantification.
– These registered benefactors of the Guild have the right to not associate with any group and remain free, akin to freelancers or ‘free lances.’ However, unlike the true freelancers, they cannot be bound by nobles or even the queen.
This was further justified by emphasizing:
‘Humans only truly unleash their initiative and abilities when they are free. This freedom is the only way for humans to defeat demons.’
On the other hand, Edward also received Cecilia’s report.
For a long while, he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
“This…”
Edward laughed wryly.
In contrast to the jubilation he felt after merely rescuing a criminal from a back-alley gaol, Cecilia had her eyes on the key matter.
Caught in self-blame for not conceiving this himself,
Edward dismissed this idea in this manner:
“An innovation.”
*
“Did you say a mine was found in your territory? Congratulations, Lord Belmont.” I though they meant a land mine for a second, because mines aren’t usually found, they’re made.