Chapter 23

Cecilia put Jerryway into the washing machine and spun it for about five or six times until he was squeaky clean.

“Do I really have to go this far?”

“We need records showing that Jerryway has been visiting the Cathedral every day, praying in guilt. So repent already.”

“But does the Goddess even listen to the prayers of an alcoholic knight?”

“She’s probably a drunkard herself.”

“…Of all places to blaspheme, it has to be the Cathedral. Damn it, why didn’t I think of that?”

The powerful Cathedral washing machine did result in Jerryway becoming somewhat elongated, but it got the job done brilliantly.

This successfully reduced the charges against him.

Next, Cecilia aimed to appeal Jerryway’s achievements and internal evaluations within the Knight Order to minimize his punishment as much as possible. After all, corruption alone was a significant crime.

Thanks to that, Jerryway’s sentence was mitigated to around a 20-month suspension.

But this couldn’t end here.

Someone had leaked information to the Demon Race.

There was a need to tie up the loose ends. Someone had to take the blame for Jerryway’s crimes. It needed to be plausible and without complications.

However, no matter how much Cecilia wanted to, she couldn’t sacrifice an innocent noble. So she asked someone who would probably know best.

“Can you give me the background of a noble who has committed enough sins to die at any moment?”

“Yes.”

“That’s not a difficult request.”

It was Edward. But after calling his name about ten times, Cecilia grew somewhat exasperated.

Still, she identified the most wicked noble by her standards and headed out with five members of the Windsor Knight Order to confront him.

A true piece of human trash, he was guilty of child sexual assault, murder, and embezzlement—all classics.

“Do you know who I am and dare—!”

Charges of treason and collusion with the Demon Race. Count Handel Markheon is sentenced to death.

Cecilia recited the sentence flatly. The surrounding Windsor Knights swiftly annihilated the soldiers guarding the Count.

The knights playing in the peaceful courtyard of the Count’s estate were no match for those sealing away non-human entities.

Soon, the Count’s stiff knees buckled. He even wet himself.

“No! No! I swear to the Goddess, I— I never did such a thing!”

“I know.”

“What, what are you saying?”

“But you were involved in illegal slave trafficking. I heard you have a certain preference. You like young kids, don’t you?”

Markheon denied it until the end. Even the real sins he committed. Cecilia sighed and grabbed him by the collar.

Seeing her emotionless gaze, Markheon turned pale as a sheet.

“Just accept it.”

“You’re not having such a bad life after all.”

“Just being a common criminal allows me to be labeled a traitor to the nation.”

That day, the Markheon family crumbled down.

Nobles who had previously raised their voices about disbanding the Windsor Knight Order fell silent as if they had swallowed honey.

They were afraid that the blade heading for Windsor would turn against them.

Markheon was a notorious villain even among the nobles. Yet, he had so much wealth and power that no one dared to touch his family.

For such a prestigious line to fall within just half a day would certainly yield a meaningful silence for a while.

Exactly as Cecilia wanted.

**

“…With that, this investigation is concluded.”

Kairon pressed his hands together after hearing the details of the case.

“Perfect.”

He glanced at the documents.

“There are no defects in the report or in the procedures for correcting issues.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s too flaw-free; it’s as if it’s intended to look that way.”

“It’s part of the mission.”

Kairon studied Cecilia intently. Her uniform was as pristine as her character. Her eyes were resolute. But he couldn’t overlook the kindness hidden beneath and her ponytail.

‘Something uncomfortable must’ve happened yesterday.’

Given their history, Kairon knew more than Cecilia thought.

He knew she always tied her hair back when she needed to clear her mind, and that she had a peculiar habit of looking diagonally when trying to hide something.

“Are you hiding something again?”

“…”

Cecilia’s ponytail drooped slightly.

“Even if I ask, you won’t answer, will you?”

“…No.”

“I’ll just ask one thing.”

“Yes.”

“Is the direction you’re heading beneficial for the Windsor Knight Order?”

Cecilia answered without hesitation.

“Yes.”

“Then that’s enough. You can go.”

“Thank you.”

Cecilia quickly exited the dressing room.

Kairon leaned back deeply in his chair.

She was a competent vice-captain but also hid a lot.

However, as long as she kept getting results that were beneficial to the Order whenever she hid something, he was fine with it.

‘Edward. What about you?’

An obvious vice-captain with some hidden agendas.

He didn’t easily reveal his intentions, yet he didn’t completely hide them either.

At a glance, he resembled Cecilia, but there was something subtly different.

‘Does your sword truly exist for the good of this kingdom?’

Kairon found himself curious about that.

**

“So that kid really did that.”

“Yeah. A bit… no, quite meticulous.”

Sword Saint Ertherion squinted at the letter from Cecilia.

[While it’s right to punish Jerryway, I prioritized His Majesty’s royal command to instill trust in the nobility. But if you disagree, I’ll make corrections.]

“I’ve seen many ways of removing unsavory nobles, but using a royal command like this is a first.”

“Hmm. There’s no better trust than fear. That kid is right.”

Queen Lydia splashed her hands while speaking.

“Losing Jerryway seems like a waste. He’s not comparable to Count Markheon. I think it was a good choice.”

Ertherion sighed as he looked at the queen, who was enjoying a bath in a maid outfit. If he were to break it down, she would always laugh and say, ‘But I can’t show myself naked in front of you!’ He got it, yet why a maid outfit? It was a unique hobby, to say the least.

He returned to the conversation and pondered aloud.

“She could’ve just hidden it; how would she know we’d be watching?”

“Perhaps your sword is getting dull—it’s been a while since you stood on the battlefield.”

Ertherion flared up.

“Even so, I’m not at a level where I would lose to a junior!”

“Oh, I was just joking. Did you feel some competitive spirit toward that junior?”

“……”

Ertherion clamped his mouth shut. He didn’t want to be found out that he was worried about not rising as fast as her to the level of ‘Sword Demon.’

“Don’t worry. It’ll take a long time for her to reach the Sword Monarch.”

But the queen was always one to poke at the sore spots.

Ertherion scratched his head.

“Still, it is indeed worrisome. She’s only 16 years old but already this skilled in political maneuvering.”

“Yeah, she could do politics. She’ll reach great heights in the future.”

“This isn’t something you can just brush off. If she were my rival, I’d be trembling every night.”

“Don’t you like Cecilia?”

Ertherion shot a glance at Lydia as if to say, ‘That’s not the case.’

The queen, who was generous enough not to scold the knight gazing at her, pretended to tremble in fear.

Ertherion let out a sigh, the number of which he had lost count of.

“What I mean is, even if she stays still, the others won’t let her be. Should I bring her in for some training?”

“Kairon is a wonderful educator and a father figure. I trust him.”

“Is it because she’s a late child that you let her have everything?”

Queen Lydia supported her chin with an intrigued look.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you care about someone this much. Are you worried? Worried she might stray like someone else?”

Ertherion kept silent. He thought of Edward, who once was his disciple.

Being honest seemed the better option here. In front of the queen, lying held no significance whatsoever.

“Yes. To be honest, that’s how I feel.”

“Then shall we test her?”

Lydia smiled playfully.

“Let’s see just how much potential Sword Hero Cecilia has.”

Ertherion looked at this queen in uncertainty about what she might do next.

“By the way, the Duke of Garthan has requested support, hasn’t he?”

Ertherion’s eyes widened.

“Your Majesty, no matter how you see it, that’s…”

“What’s that?”

“…Too harsh, isn’t it?”

Currently, the western front of the Rianen Kingdom was boiling.

And on that front were four regions, one of which was Garthan.

Usually, it wasn’t the case that all four regions were busy, so they would support each other, but…

With the total offensive beginning this winter, everyone had their hands full. Usually, the Windsor Knight Order would step in during such times.

And requests for troop support of this nature usually meant deploying a large force. At least ten knights led by the Sword Emperor would head there.

You want Sword Hero to cover that by herself?

“Of course, I know she has battlefield experience, but even if she’s a Sword Hero, that’s too much…”

“Do you remember?”

Lydia smiled faintly.

“You said the same thing back then.”

“Are you referring to Prince Edward?”

“My answer remains the same.”

Ertherion’s expression hardened.

Memories of the past flooded back.

– It’s a crucial turning point. You can’t judge unless it’s now. Whether they can save this kingdom… no, this world in the future.

Lydia turned her head away from him.

“It’s a royal command. Knight Ertherion. Go convey to Cecilia that she must save the Garthan territory from danger—”

**

Cecilia was happily heading to the Windsor Knight Order training center.

‘Now there’s no one to disturb me.’

With the mission complete and the pesky nobles dealt with, all that was left was to melt away in the company of the cute apprentice knights.

‘What should I do as soon as I get there?’

First up in her plans was raising the level of the apprentices so they could join the Knight Order. She would love to just let them in right away, but unfortunately, they weren’t up to par yet.

But that’s okay. Cecilia had prepared a ‘Newbie Strategy Book’ of over 500 pages for such occasions.

It contained heaps of her golden tips from ten years of experience.

‘Oh right. But first, I need to get to know them better.’

Yes, today would be focused on building rapport. She would take everyone to the cake shop she had been eyeing and let them eat their fill.

And apologize for breaking the artifact last time, while introducing new items as well.

Grateful apprentice knights! Emotionally moved apprentice knights! Watching this, she would beam with pride and confidently place an additional order! Today, it’s on me!

……That was how it was supposed to go.

“I’m sorry. …Just so you know, I was heavily advised against it.”

Before receiving the royal command.

[Welcome aboard the Magic Engineering Train ‘Guardians.’ Today, your conductor Oz will serve you safely. Thank you, and have a pleasant time.]

Kruurung—.

“……?”

Cecilia pressed her face against the window. Her soft cheeks squished against the glass.

“????”

Moving scenery zipped by. The capital receding farther away. The newbies getting farther away.

“This, this is strange. Why am I here?”

Unfortunately, there was no one to answer her question.

Thud.

Cecilia’s travel bag fell miserably.

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