Chapter 28

“I killed him right away at first.”

Aldred, the Duke, who had told me to follow him because he had something to show me, suddenly started talking.

“It was a knight returning after five years.”

Cecilia remained silent, just listening.

“My son.”

“……”

“He acted as if he had really come back to life. And of all places, he appeared right on the central staircase. At first, I thought I was hallucinating.”

‘……Did the Demon Race suddenly spawn?’

Under normal circumstances, that doesn’t make any sense.

Even Cecilia’s ‘Beginner’s Essential Reading 17: Encyclopedia of Demon Races’ didn’t mention that fact.

Cecilia decided on the spot that she would need to start writing as soon as she got back.

“But not everyone can make the same choice as me. At first, I tried to root him out and kill him no matter what.”

Count Aldred stopped walking.

“It wasn’t easy. More than anything, I soon realized it was meaningless.”

But Cecilia knew even if he didn’t stop walking that this was their destination.

She understood why they had come all the way out here at this late hour.

“No matter how many times you kill them, they come back to life. Even the demon you killed will probably be back in the fruit shop by tomorrow.”

Inside the underground prison, there was one person imprisoned.

He was a young man who bore some resemblance to Aldred.

Wearing ragged clothes, he rushed to the bars as soon as Aldred arrived.

“Father—!”

“……Are you managing well?”

“How could you do this to me?!”

‘For sure, I’d be at a loss if I found out.’

Demons express emotions very little.

However, the person in the cell had a deep sense of grievance in his voice.

His son, who keeps coming back to life no matter how many times he dies.

Even knowing that he was a Demon, the mental stress of killing him every time was beyond what a human could endure.

“I’ve decided to accept your proposal…”

“Really, really? Thank you! I’m sure if you just meet Priscilla, you will think differently!”

At this point, it almost seemed like the demon was imitating a human rather than a human returning as a demon.

“We don’t need to fight the demons! They are beings with whom we can communicate! If we establish a peace treaty, no one will have to lose their life!”

“That’s a lie.”

But regardless, it’s a demon.

They can’t help but be on edge no matter what.

Cecilia quickly moved up to the bars and grabbed the demon by the collar, looking down with disgust.

“You guys don’t even know what peace is. You’ve never felt it or even hoped for it.”

The demon rolled his eyes and looked at Aldred.

“Who is this person?”

“You don’t need to worry about that. It’s a newly appointed knight, but it seems he has some preconceived notions.”

Did he say Deceiver Priscilla?

Whoever came up with that name really nailed it.

Cecilia released her grip and stepped back.

“Do we have to keep witnessing this scene?”

“……There’s no need.”

“I’m going to take my leave now.”

“No, just hear this.”

Duke Aldred opened the prison door.

The terrified demon stepped outside with a bright face.

“Tomorrow at 2 PM. Tell that person right away. I will accept all proposals, so let’s have a conversation.”

“Yes! Of course!”

The demon ran off with a bright smile. Aldred lingered for a moment before his legs gave way.

Cecilia, who was beside him, supported him.

“Are you okay?”

“……I’m fine. I showed a disgraceful scene again. It never gets easier, no matter how many times I see it.”

“How many times have you killed them?”

“Seventeen times. After the tenth time, it became difficult. I thought I’d get used to it.”

‘Once I return to the capital, I’ll have to select a few priests to send.’

Even after the mission ends, the mental anguish of the people in this territory will not end.

**

Morning broke in the Gartam territory.

They were living in a false hope, but for a moment, their faces radiated with authenticity.

However, even among them, some did not look bright. One of them was Beatrice.

Having heard the “I’m sorry” about fifty times already, Cecilia said simply while eating a breakfast roll.

“It’s okay.”

“But, but… how dare I question your judgment.”

“It technically counts as insubordination, but since you’re still an apprentice…”

Beatrice’s lips turned pale.

‘Just now, I must have looked like an understanding superior.’

Cecilia felt satisfied with her own generosity and looked around.

“The duke has something to say to the residents! Please gather quickly in the square!”

The knights were running around gathering people. The residents gathered instantly upon hearing the announcement.

Maybe it was because it was a borderland, but they were quick to act. If it were the capital, it probably would have taken half a day to gather people.

“Beatrice.”

“Yes, yes!”

For some reason, Beatrice suddenly seemed more disciplined than usual.

Cecilia sat on an appropriate wall and swung her legs.

“My Wind Sphere can drop the target wherever I want the moment it’s released. The duration is two minutes.”

‘To defeat a high-level demon alone, I need to become a Sword Emperor.’

A proper scenario was required. Cecilia absolutely had the duty (maybe?) to defend her title of Sword Heroine.

“So when the Wind Sphere is released, concentrate all your power in one spot. The output will be maximum. Please inform everyone as soon as the Wind Sphere is deployed.”

Of course, the demon would be killed by Cecilia. But she needed the title of “barely managed to kill.”

Cecilia turned her head slightly to see if Beatrice was following.

Beatrice looked shocked and asked.

“Why… are you telling me this?”

“It’s a high-level demon. A capable mage who has successfully invaded this much territory. There’s a high probability that I will lose.”

“But, but there’s still a chance to win, right?”

“Even if I succeed in killing it, I will be in a critical state.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Beatrice said urgently.

“If your firepower is lacking, with my buffs, I can somehow manage. Just place me within your territory…”

Cecilia pressed Beatrice’s lips down with her finger.

“Only the dead and the living can exist within the Wind Sphere. The result is determined the moment the territory is released.”

…Technically, that was the setting, though.

‘……A cute Sword Heroine with an Excalibur-like mood oddity is just perfect.’

That was the only blemish in Cecilia’s life.

Cecilia’s ‘real’ mood oddity was her inability to control her power. So she intended to craft a false mood oddity to boast about as soon as the right timing came.

At one point, she encountered a demon far too dangerous for Windsor’s forces to handle.

Determined not to let go of her title as Sword Heroine, Cecilia quickly created a ‘barrier’ and wiped it out.

And the barrier created at that time ended up being misunderstood as a ‘mood oddity’ and became a sad legend passed down through the ages…

“I’ll kill the demon.”

“……?”

“That’s exactly why deceit is so strong, right? If you reduce the number of followers, you can win, right?”

Beatrice, tears streaming down her face, exuded a strong aura. It was an intensity that couldn’t be described as just sorrowful.

‘Huh.’

Cecilia blinked.

Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?

“Leave that to the duke, and just focus on the battle.”

-Father!

‘Looks like it’s about to begin.’

Cecilia popped the last piece of bread into her mouth and chewed while looking toward the square.

Aldred was on the platform, gathering the people.

A man rushed to him. It was Aldred’s son.

He animatedly explained something to Aldred. Cecilia could hear his voice but intentionally blocked it out.

She didn’t want to hear the demon’s voice. Personally, she preferred when they were silent.

Aldred nodded once before starting his speech to the people.

“Thank you for your hard work. Because of having such a incompetent lord, you have endured unnecessary hardships.”

Aldred paused for a moment, closing his eyes. Then he opened them again and spoke.

“Were the dreams you’ve had happy?”

“For some, they will become children, for others parents or siblings. They are the warriors sacrificed for a better life for those here. But…”

Aldred spoke with a slightly heavy voice.

“Now, it’s time to wake from the dream.”

Creeeak—!

Aldred drew his sword and instantly slashed at his son beside him.

The son’s face was one of disbelief as he died. Aldred didn’t look away, staring intently at his son.

“Leave the past behind. We must move forward. I will end this long nightmare today.”

The residents quietly shed tears.

A guard approached with a rope in hand, looking at them with a rueful expression.

Some smiled awkwardly at the watching children.

Some accepted the ropes and tied them directly.

They were moved by their lord’s heartfelt speech.

“It’s okay, mom.”

Surprisingly, there were no rebellious demons.

Cecilia suddenly thought.

What is the criterion for distinguishing between humans and demons?

If there exists a creature sharing the same memories that looks identical, is that creature a demon or a human?

Cecilia would answer without hesitation that it was a demon. However, wasn’t it possibly real for them?

‘What choice would I have made?’

She detested demons.

If it were Cecilia, she would have killed every single one she saw. That level of slaughter would have become familiar to the residents.

But…

She felt like she was starting to understand Aldred’s thoughts a little.

Perhaps the duke was merely feeling endlessly sorry.

For waking the sweet dreams of the residents.

Surely, it would have been a dream he could never dream himself.

**

Before commanding the sortie, Duke Aldred came to find Cecilia.

“Knight Cecilia.”

“Yes.”

“All preparations are complete.”

“I’m the same.”

“Would you like to entrust me with command? I would offer it if you wanted.”

Cecilia shook her head.

“They would want to hear your orders rather than mine.”

“……You mean, you won’t shy away from it? Understood.”

Duke Aldred looked at Cecilia with firm belief.

“I will create the situation. Even if my body and soul shatter, I will surely do it.”

From a common-sense perspective, it would be hard to trust Cecilia.

He knew her by the title of Sword Heroine.

A knight of the same caliber as a Sword Demon could never go up against a high-level demon by any means.

If it were a territory type, there’d be a small chance, but that was at best a 0% to 10% possibility.

He wholly believed in that small chance. So, Cecilia chose to trust him as well.

“I’ll end Deceiver Priscilla. That’s my mission.”

“The Windsor Knight Order, tasked with a mission, is more terrifying than demons.”

Duke Gartam chuckled. But that smile vanished as soon as he turned away.

Wandering through the soldiers, standing at the forefront, he raised his sword high to the sky.

“Everyone, listen.”

“We are now going to end this bitter nightmare.”

“Yes!”

“Our strength is lacking. In addition to the high-level demon, there are also thousands of monsters. So—”

Creeeak—.

The castle gates opened.

Seeing the monsters in between the gaps, the soldiers steeled their resolve.

“Give your lives!”

Waaahhhh—!

Amidst countless roars, Duke Gartam’s army surged forward in unison.

The knights deploying under the mounted duke were orderly and relentless, as if they had been waiting for this moment.

Cecilia watched them from atop the castle wall.

“Cecilia.”

“Yes.”

“If I kill all those monsters, would it help you even a little?”

Beatrice was precariously balancing on the castle wall.

The cool breeze blew, causing her blonde hair to flutter.

Cecilia responded a little hesitantly.

“Well, yes.”

“Then, I’ll do my best. So, you must definitely…”

Beatrice’s body began to lean forward.

“You have to praise me after it’s over.”

Watching Beatrice run off, Cecilia blinked.

She was endearing, but why was she acting so dramatic…?

By the way.

‘……Praise. What should I say?’

Cecilia seriously pondered.

---