Chapter 31

“Peace has found its way to the Gartahn territory.”

As Aldred wished, the residents awoke from a long dream.

While the lurking minions dissipated as the essence of ‘Deception’ died, it didn’t mean all problems had vanished.

To begin with, the mental scars inflicted upon the residents were beyond measure.

Aldred, the Duke, was the first to hold a memorial service.

“Dear residents, today we stand here to honor our heroes.”

The atmosphere of the memorial was somber.

Cecilia and Beatrice also participated.

Even the severely wounded knights of Windsor joined, forcing other injured soldiers to attend on crutches.

Cecilia felt a bit guilty, but there was no way she could skip it.

It was a matter of basic respect.

To honor those who risked their lives against the demons with the determination to protect the territory.

At the podium, Aldred read the eulogy devoid of hope or despair.

“They had the right to live ordinary lives.

To laugh in the warmth of their homes,

and to end their lives in simple happiness.

Yet they put all that aside and took up their swords to fight for us.

If it weren’t for their sacrifices, we standing here today wouldn’t exist.

It was their blood and sweat that soaked this land,

allowing us to reclaim our freedom.

Their names will whisper in the winds,

and their souls will be remembered forever in this land.

Their courage and sacrifice will be etched in our hearts,

and will be sung across generations.

We owe them a debt.

But there’s only one way to repay that debt.

To keep this land they left behind peaceful and warm.

To realize the future they dreamed of.

May their souls find eternal rest in the embrace of the Goddess.

Now we move forward, remembering them.

On this path we walk, their shining footsteps will guide us.

May the blessing of the Goddess be upon all those who have passed.”

As the speech concluded, people started to lay flowers one by one.

Some quietly wept, while others wailed.

Aldred gently brushed off the gravestone where his son lay.

Cecilia stood still for a moment before beginning her ritual as usual.

– Whoosh.

A warm breeze blew.

It swept through like a comforting gentleness, gathering the petals of the lilies laid down in honor.

As Cecilia reached out into the air, the wind swirled lightly and ascended.

It was both beautiful and sorrowful.

“Cecilia… What is this?”

“Beatrice, remember this too. If you are a knight of Windsor, you should have your own way to commemorate.”

The sadness on Cecilia’s face made Beatrice ponder deeply.

How many lives had she bid farewell to?

Suddenly, Beatrice recalled that the survival rate of new recruits in the Windsor Knight Order was around 30%.

She buried Cecilia’s words deeply in her heart.

After the memorial service.

Most people returned home, yet a few lingered.

Aldred was one of them.

Cecilia quietly stood beside him.

Aldred’s gaze remained fixed on the gravestone.

“Finally, I can pray for my son’s peace.”

Aldred looked at Cecilia.

“I truly thank you, Cecilia Windsor. If it weren’t for you, I would be tormented every night, wondering if I should take my son’s life again.”

Cecilia bowed her head silently.

Aldred gazed up at the sky.

The scene Cecilia had created earlier still flickered in his mind.

“This peace won’t last long.”

Gartahn territory, being on the western front, was a hotspot for minor demonic creatures, with significant attacks from demons happening every ten years.

This peace wouldn’t endure.

The damage inflicted by this recent Deception wasn’t just psychological.

Demon lifelines and families. Those who chose neither and ended their own lives.

Countless artifacts and potions. And the capable knights who left, feeling there was no hope here.

Rebuilding would take a long time. They might need to borrow the strength of Windsor again.

But.

“For now, we’ll sleep with our legs stretched out. Both me and the residents.”

**

Morning arrived, and Cecilia had finished preparing to leave.

“Hmm… I made a poor choice with this outfit.”

She wore a simple dress and a cute straw hat.

The knight’s clothes, sullied from Halloween festivities, were neatly tucked away in her travel bag.

Choosing not to bring a spare uniform was for the sake of revealing a twist.

‘Saying it’s war… Totally pulling a fast one.’

In an urgent situation, a miracle appeared in the form of a smiling girl.

‘I’ve come to end this war!’ she boldly proclaimed, and in an instant, the situation resolved.

The next day was a celebration. Unlike yesterday, the Sword Heroine bashfully showed up in her simple dress.

Everyone fainted from the surprising contrast!

That’s what she aimed for, but… Gartahn territory didn’t really have that kind of vibe.

“Beatrice.”

“Gah…”

As she appeared before Beatrice waiting at the door, Beatrice covered her mouth.

‘She probably thinks I look cute.’

Hehe. Cecilia placed her hands on her hips, feeling triumphant.

In truth, Beatrice found Cecilia exceptionally adorable.

Yet, the iron-hearted Cecilia wouldn’t wear such an outfit without a thought?

Isn’t it too strange? Going from such a significant event straight to a picnic attire?

Cecilia was a strategist who attributed great meaning to small actions.

The perceptive Beatrice quickly figured this out and promptly saluted.

“I’m sorry! I just realized your intention, Cecilia!”

“…?”

Intention?

Cecilia quirked her head.

“I’ll change quickly! I happen to have similar attire on the way home!”

“…Why.”

Thanks to this incident, Beatrice developed profound respect for Cecilia.

Now, she wholeheartedly wanted to join the Windsor Knight Order and serve under Cecilia.

As the top trainee at the fierce ‘Windsor Knight Order’, she was indeed exceptional.

“You’re about to embark on a secret mission, right? I understand it’s a disguise for that! I’ll be right back! Just wait 20 seconds!”

Then Beatrice dashed into her room.

‘…Oh dear.’

There was no time for panic.

“All changed!”

In an astonishingly fast change, Beatrice appeared in a snap.

While the color was different, the design was strikingly similar.

Yet, there was a glaring difference between Cecilia and Beatrice.

Cecilia stared blankly down.

While a tad protruding, it didn’t obstruct her view.

“….”

Then she looked up at Beatrice again.

Cecilia’s straw hat tumbled to the ground.

“Are you okay? I suppose your injuries from earlier are still…?”

For the first time, Cecilia felt a pang of dislike for Beatrice.

**

However, the all-conquering Sword Heroine didn’t sulk over outfit fit.

‘It’s okay. I still have plenty of demand.’

Whether to dip or pour, it wasn’t about what was good or bad.

It was a matter of preference. Humanity had an obligation to respect individual tastes.

If you deny it, just raid someone.

“So now, to return. I haven’t repaid the grace bestowed by my comrades yet.”

Expressing her intent to return to the capital, Aldred decided to come out to greet her.

Silver plate-mailed guards lined both sides.

In between stood the residents. Still thin, yet better than when she first arrived.

“I merely fulfilled my duty, and you fulfilled yours, my Count.”

“Your duty was far heavier compared to mine.”

Aldred chuckled and led the way.

“Onward. I have my remaining duties to attend to.”

Nobility from Rianen Kingdom had the right to request support from the Windsor Knight Order when something beyond their capacity occurred.

There were no strings attached. A knight of Windsor moves solely out of a sense of duty.

Traditionally, it was customary to send off these honorable knights with gratitude as much as possible after their mission.

Cecilia and Beatrice walked slowly, receiving numerous cheers and expressions of thanks.

Though Beatrice felt burdened by this first-time experience, tears welled up in her eyes; for Cecilia, it was a familiar sight.

Yet, she felt the same sense of fulfillment.

However, she absolutely loathed long assignments.

“That’s enough up to here.”

“I was thinking of walking you back.”

“Your pace is too slow.”

“Hahaha! Cut me some slack! I’m just an ordinary commander, not an超人 like you guys.”

Cecilia decided it was time to finally ask something she had meant to inquire since she first arrived here.

In truth, she had wanted to ask since yesterday but didn’t wish to disturb Aldred as he honored his son’s spirit.

“I have a question.”

“Anything, ask away.”

“It’s about the former Deputy Commander, Edward Windsor. Do you remember him?”

Upon hearing Edward’s name, Aldred’s expression stiffened.

“How could I forget? I’ll probably remember until the moment I die.”

“…What happened?”

Aldred briefly closed his eyes before starting to recount.

“Before Deception, this territory was under the influence of another demon.

That demon was Misfortune, and true to its name, it brought nothing but misfortune.

All manner of bad things happened. Naturally, there would be absolutely absurd occurrences in battles. Like swords suddenly breaking, or being injured by a comrade’s blade.

In a nutshell, it seemed to be a luck-related demon.

Cecilia calmly listened to the story.

“Edward Windsor came up with a way to counter that demon. It was….”

Aldred’s face contorted as he recalled those times.

“It was placing powerless soldiers and civilians in front. Misfortune weakens the more it’s shared.”

“He even committed the act of watching them slaughtered just to grasp the demon’s patterns.”

“Of course, it worked. There were no casualties among my knights or the Windsor knights. However, most who didn’t know how to handle the Blessing perished. Most of those hidden in the village were the victims created back then.”

Aldred’s fists clenched tightly.

“When I held him accountable afterward, he said that if he hadn’t done this, even greater damage would have ensued. Is that the words of a knight? How can someone who sees sacrifice as a given face demons?”

Cecilia came to a clear understanding of the events that transpired.

‘So that’s why the scrutiny was harsh.’

She also understood the initial uncooperative attitude.

“Thank you for the testimony.”

“Tell that scumbag this. If you use the same methods as demons to slay them, you’re no different from the demons themselves.”

Cecilia, about to bow and leave, stiffened at Aldred’s words.

Edward’s way certainly may not have been right.

Even if that was the only way left, it did present significant ethical issues.

However.

“For now, I’m also a knight of Windsor.”

Cecilia unsheathed her sword without hesitation and aimed it at Aldred.

Though there was distance, it was close enough to elicit a threat.

“Insulting my commander feels quite unpleasant.”

Aldred looked bewildered.

“No matter how evil the Deputy Commander appears, one thing remains unchanged.”

“He sincerely wishes for demons to vanish from this world and stands with humanity.”

“You don’t need to endure such insults. Please retract your statement.”

Wultan, a guard, drew his sword out, pointing it at Cecilia’s neck.

“What‘s the meaning of this!”

Cecilia remained unfazed.

Instead, she gazed intently at Aldred, seemingly demanding an answer.

“If you don’t remove it, I’ll cut you!”

“Lord Wultan. Lower your sword.”

“But, my lord…”

“Now.”

When Aldred spoke firmly, Wultan dropped his sword and stepped back, bowing his head earnestly.

“I’m sincerely sorry.”

For a noble to bow his head was to lay down all pride.

“My apologies. Then.”

Cecilia briefly apologized and sheathed her sword, pulling Beatrice along as she was still in a daze.

‘Deputy Commander Edward. I don’t know what you think, but I’ll pretend I didn’t see.’

Though she had just gotten angry, it was not because she hated Edward.

After missions, the lord evaluates the situation and writes a report.

This incident preemptively eliminated the possibility of a conflict with Edward.

After all, once Kairon retires, the commander would be Edward, and if he makes a fuss, it would significantly disrupt future plans.

But.

‘Just don’t mess with the newbies.’

If any unfortunate events arose… Cecilia had no plans to hold back.

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