“A ceasefire agreement?”
General Faust of the Northern Headquarters looked shocked as he read the letter.
It said the following:
– The previous Demon King made a grave mistake in the human realm. To express our regret, Demon King Kain Valtazalion proposes a ceasefire of about 1 year as compensation for this incident.
Why now, all of a sudden?
It was utterly confusing. Moreover, it was unprecedented for the Demon Race to suggest a ceasefire.
“What do you make of this?”
Faust gathered his officers.
The suspicious magician Nemesis wore an expression saying ‘I know it all, haha’ and spoke:
“This is the doing of the Windsor Knight Order. This is the result of the expedition to be offered to the Northern Headquarters – no, Her Majesty the Queen.”
This had been the intent of the Windsor Knight Order from the start – specifically of its representative Cecilia Windsor.
Every move had been a calculated step leading to this result, with the final touch completing it.
Faust had a hard time believing it. Could a human possibly achieve something like this?
“To provoke internal strife among the Demons and replace the Demon King with a more moderate one… Is this truly possible?”
If true, Cecilia had surpassed the realm of humans and become something akin to a celestial officer.
But he couldn’t help but believe it.
“I report.”
The Windsor Knight Order returned as if by a predetermined order, revealing some information that matched the facts.
‘Truly a terrifying person, Cecilia Windsor.’
Faust shuddered as he looked at Cecilia, whom he had thought of as merely a pale girl all along.
He finally understood why the Queen had sent her, a mere Sword Heroine, to represent the Windsor Knight Order in this battlefield.
And simultaneously, he thought…
“Thankfully, she’s on our side.”
—
“Finally, the mission is done.”
“Haha, time to raid the wine collection carefully preserved by our captain.”
“Where’s Cecilia? We’re leaving now.”
The Windsor Knight Order looked around. Having finished their return preparations, Cecilia was nowhere to be seen.
“Here, I found her.”
Beatrice found Cecilia half-buried in a snowdrift.
With her silver hair and pale skin, she had blended in perfectly.
Cecilia, who seemed to have used up all her mana, lay drowsily in Beatrice’s arms.
“Why is she like that?”
“She says she doesn’t feel like getting up. It was worth breaking snowmen though.”
Cecilia, who had used up all her magic power, was a heavy sleeper in the mornings. She was still half-asleep.
“Isn’t going into the snow more troublesome?”
If it were something Cecilia would do, it wouldn’t be common sense.
Anyway, only after finding Cecilia could the Windsor Knight Order depart from the Northern Fortress.
Cecilia finally managed to collect herself at the last moment, maintaining the minimum dignity expected of a knight.
“There were some minor disputes at the end, but…”
Faust saluted Cecilia sharply.
“Your efforts won’t be forgotten by the Northern Headquarters! Thank you!”
The armies of the Northern Headquarters on both sides saluted in unison.
The citizens did the same. They didn’t salute, but someone scattered flower petals, and another whistled.
“It’s touching.”
Beatrice immediately began to sniffle.
“Windsor knights, get used to it.”
A senior knight tapped Beatrice on the shoulder and moved forward.
The knights walking confidently amidst the people’s welcome inspired great pride.
‘That’s right.’
Beatrice suddenly realized through her teary eyes.
‘The reason the Windsor Knights willingly risk their lives for the people is this.’
Beatrice glanced at Cecilia, who was walking sleepily with a silly expression, and made a vow.
‘I mustn’t tell. That I joined Windsor because of the higher pay than other knight orders…!’
The Beatrice family of Schwarzs Feder was a house struggling with financial difficulties.
Thus, the knights arriving at the royal capital’s magical engineering station were already jubilant.
“Attention, Teresa’s brothel! The Windsor knights of Porto are here!”
“Tsk, are you so lacking in dignity? As a knight, you should aim for noble maidens. Widows are even better.”
“Wh- How can you say such undignified things? I didn’t even know there was such a place in the capital.”
“What are you talking about, Herald? You’re the biggest regular there… Huh!”
Beatrice stood with her arms crossed, giving a cold glare.
Her gaze was almost that of someone looking at the last of humanity’s trash.
The knights were thoroughly terrified and dashed into the train.
Beatrice sighed softly.
“This is why men are… Our Lady Cecilia, on the other hand, is so noble.”
Beatrice said to Cecilia.
“Lady Cecilia, let’s go inside. Don’t mind those perverts.”
But Cecilia seemed to be deep in thought.
Her face went pale, then she broke into an incredibly happy smile, and finally returned to a serious expression, stroking her chin.
She made a variety of expressions in a short time.
The perceptive Beatrice immediately realized.
For knights of regular rank like themselves, the mission had ended here.
But for high-ranking knight Cecilia, it was different. She still had reports to write upon returning and had to consider the strategies based on the information obtained.
‘Right now, brilliant strategies must be flowing through her mind.’
Of course, Cecilia was merely pondering desserts.
‘I want ice cream.’
Is there anyone from an ice cream company among the rookies?
If so, I could give them top rookie treatment.
Of course, Lady Cecilia would have to give up Blessing. She would never let its owner be ‘downgraded’ just because of dust in the eyes.
—
The return of the Windsor Knight Order from the Northern Expedition set the capital abuzz.
“Did you hear? The Windsor Knight Order returned victorious this time!”
“Of course! They completely crushed the Demon King’s forces and issued a stern warning never to come to our land again!”
“Indeed, worthy of the strongest knight order of humanity!”
“Long live the Rianen Kingdom!”
The news of the ceasefire also reached the capital without being hidden, as it was a splendid piece of news.
Thanks to this, the support for Queen Lydia, who had foreseen the situation and boldly dispatched the forces, and the Windsor Knight Order reached astronomical levels.
In particular, there was great praise for the high-ranking knight Cecilia, the Sword Heroine who had represented this expedition.
“We are a nation that possesses a Sword Heroine!”
“May the Rianen Kingdom be eternal!”
“Cecilia to the palace!”
“You’re insane!”
Some became so excited that they committed great sins (?).
Such people were quietly taken away by the royal guards to experience a one-week “damp basement” course.
“Hmm. The world order is correct.”
On the other hand, Cecilia was very pleased with the outcome.
Everything went according to plan, especially since nothing was shown ‘forcefully’ externally, allowing her to keep her beautiful title as a Sword Heroine.
Moreover, her prestige skyrocketed. Where she was once the representative little sister of the Windsor Knight Order, she now felt like the national little sister.
‘This is completely a lucky break, isn’t it?’
However, not everyone was happy.
“Fooled again.”
Edward smirked but clenched his fists until they turned white.
“That information about the Demon King’s d*ath was fake.”
The real important crux was ‘civil war.’
Had he known that beforehand, he would never have let Cecilia go to the North.
In a civil war situation, there’s no time to focus on external matters, making it likely for great achievements.
‘Cecilia knew all along.’
Edward thought that Cecilia had deceived him.
Thus, his plan to send Cecilia on the Northern Expedition during the ‘most dangerous period’ to weaken her influence over the Windsor Knight Order had failed.
“Hmph. If you were so easy to beat, it wouldn’t be fun.”
Edward’s eyes turned cold with an abundance of malice.
“You will kneel before me one day. Then, I’ll play with you like a toy.”
However, deep inside, Edward felt a growing sense of unease.
The royal family, who had managed to obtain most of what they wanted since childhood…
He realized that he had never obtained what he genuinely desired even once.
“Surveillance?”
“There is no watching eye. I, the bearer of the Blessing of Secret Operations, guarantee it.”
In front of Kairon’s mansion.
A few knights with lanterns were having a private conversation with Cecilia.
Cecilia slowly nodded and moved her steps.
One of the knights muttered quietly.
“Is it really possible?”
“The timing for the coup isn’t…”
Cecilia stopped walking.
“I always keep my promises.”
“Then, I believe and will wait. Please return safely.”
“That might be a bit difficult.”
“…! Lady Cecilia, are you saying you’ll go that far?”
Cecilia wore a faint smile.
“Don’t forget my sacrifice.”
“Huhuh, of course.”
“We will definitely attend your funeral!”
All of Windsor Knights sent Cecilia off with tears streaming down their faces.
– knock, knock.
“Enter.”
A slightly excited voice came from inside, and Cecilia quietly turned the doorknob and walked in.
Kairon looked at Cecilia with a faint smile.
He looked extremely handsome.
“You can report later. Rest for now.”
Cecilia had never betrayed trust, but even Kairon couldn’t help but spend sleepless nights this time. The Northern Expedition was a dangerous mission.
However, Cecilia returned not only safe but also bringing back the invaluable gift of “ceasefire,” a prize beyond monetary value.
– You’ve raised a good daughter.
– Her reputation, already high, grows day by day.
– d*mn it, compared to her, my son is…
Even the nobles who usually only gave subtle hints in the royal council would praise Kairon.
Thus, Kairon was in a very good mood. He could easily give her a huge sum if she asked for pocket money.
He was even opening the safe.
Luxurious clothes? Accessories?
Buy them freely! How could he begrudge anything from a daughter who had won such great merit?
“However, there is something I must say.”
“Speak freely.”
“I made a bet.”
“…?”
Kairon fell silent for a moment.
This was unexpected.
But soon, he smiled gently again.
“You bet my entire year’s salary again, didn’t you.”
‘This is an appropriate reward for a daughter who returns after achieving great merit on the battlefield.’
Kairon could handle this gracefully.
“Nope.”
Cecilia hesitated and spoke slowly.
“I bet something else.”
“…What?”
“This.”
Cecilia’s delicate finger pointed to a display.
One of the champagne collections that Kairon cherished.
“Hmm. So you’ve bet the liquor. Honestly, I don’t know why you’ve involved me in this bet.”
But Kairon still felt pleasant at this point.
‘She knows how to treat the knights after their hard work. She’s ready for the coming-of-age ceremony.’
Has Cecilia finally grown up?
Kairon nodded generously.
“Take it. Though it’s a bit hard to find, the knights who worked hard in the battlefield deserve this much reward. Take this one too. And that one.”
“Yes.”
Cecilia suddenly pulled out an incredibly large bundle.
Exactly where this came from her small body was a mystery, but Kairon was growing uneasy.
“A bit too large a bundle for a few bottles of liquor.”
“Huh? Not just one.”
“…?”
“I bet all of Kairon’s champagne collection.”
Kairon received a great shock.
