I Became a Swordsman in the Middle Ages – Chapter 12

“I don’t wanna work…”

Cecilia left the Knight Order headquarters with a gloomy face.

But as someone who had to maintain a perfect facade, she couldn’t refuse.

‘…I wish it was an unsolved dungeon instead.’

She sighed while looking at the mission document Edward had given her.

An unsolved dungeon was like an “unsolved case” in modern terms.

A dungeon that no one had ever cleared.

But pushing through with brute force would cause too many casualties, so it was left as “unsolved.”

On the flip side, clearing it with minimal manpower and no losses would be a significant achievement.

It would also help with the results the Queen had mentioned.

So she had asked Edward to assign her an unsolved dungeon, but he immediately refused.

The reason was that it was too dangerous to bring along trainees.

‘Well, this isn’t bad either…’

============

[Grave of the Skilled]

Rank: Moderate

Discovered in the Rianen Kingdom, year 483. First discovered by Edward Windsor. All rights to this dungeon have been entrusted to the Windsor Knight Order.

: Cleared – 3 times so far.

: Death probability – 8%

Warning! Insufficient data has been collected yet.

It is recommended to have at least one Sword Demon-level guide.

Strategy records are attached on the back page.

============

“There’s a chance it’s a hidden one.”

Dungeons with moderate difficulty like this are intentionally left with their cores intact and cleared multiple times.

But since the Demon Race isn’t stupid, there’s a limit to how many times you can clear it. If you keep repeating it indefinitely, the demons will eventually grow stronger by feeding on “fear.”

Many demons hide their strength for this purpose. Dungeons set up by such demons are called “hidden.”

This dungeon had a high chance of being a hidden one.

It’s been around for almost 20 years, yet it’s only been cleared three times.

And…

‘483 is the year I was born.’

There was something oddly unsettling about that.

“…I hope it’s a well-aged demon.”

Cecilia muttered softly as she headed toward where the trainee knights were.

**

“Sigh, when will we ever get promoted?”

East of Terezia, at the Windsor trainee training grounds.

Those who hadn’t yet earned the Windsor cloak were taking a short break after grueling training.

“I don’t know. We just have to do our best.”

“Looking at the recent pass rates, it’s just depressing. How could no one pass in five years?”

There were two main ways to join the Windsor Knight Order.

One was through formal recruitment. Every ten years, the Windsor Knight Order held a test. Passing it would make you a full-fledged knight.

The other was becoming a trainee knight, like these guys. If your skills were recognized as a trainee, you could become a Windsor knight.

Of course, there were exceptions. That was scouting. Even if it wasn’t recruitment season, if your skills stood out, you could join without taking the test.

But that was extremely rare. In the last ten years, Cecilia was the only one who had joined through scouting.

“She’s definitely going to make it, right?”

“Are you talking about Betty?”

While everyone was resting, a girl diligently swinging her sword caught their attention.

Her name was Beatrice Schwarzwälder.

She was currently the top trainee in Windsor.

“Of course she’ll make it. She’s the strongest, and among the high-ranking knights, Lady Cecilia likes cute things, right?”

Trainee knight Dsen narrowed his eyes as he looked at Beatrice.

Exhausted, she sat down, breathing heavily… and yes, she was cute.

“Hmm… but Lady Cecilia doesn’t have a faction, does she?”

“Are you seriously saying that?”

He shook his head vigorously. How could someone dreaming of joining Windsor be so clueless?

“Most factions require you to be of a similar ‘type’ to the high-ranking knights. Lord Rude only picks those who can use a bit of magic, Lord Leoric only picks good-looking people, and Lord Jerryway only picks alcoholics. So here’s the question: what type is Lady Cecilia?”

Dsen frowned and placed a hand on his forehead.

He had heard that even now, over ten Windsor knights wanted to join Cecilia’s faction but remained unaffiliated.

However, to this day, Cecilia had not recruited a single knight. She simply existed alone, aloof. That was part of her charm, though.

“I don’t know?”

“She’s obviously a beauty!”

The trainee knight explaining this shouted as if insulted.

“…Is that really something to grab someone by the collar over?”

“Of course! How can a comrade I’d entrust my life to have such poor judgment? It’s truly lamentable!”

“Calm down first. Anyway, I get it. That makes sense. Lady Cecilia is the only female knight in Windsor, so it makes sense she hasn’t formed a faction.”

“Still, our batch has more women than ever. Probably because of Lady Cecilia.”

I worship her every day.

As the trainee knight finished his serious rant, the instructor appeared at the training grounds.

“Congratulations, you maggots!”

They stared at him, worried about what he might make them do this time.

“Your first mission!”

The trainees’ eyes widened.

“A-a mission? Are we finally getting a chance?”

“That’s right! If you stand out during the mission, you could become full-fledged knights.”

It was the most hopeful news they’d heard in a while.

“W-who’s leading us? Can you tell us?”

The instructor grinned. He couldn’t help but look forward to their reaction.

“It’s the most popular member of the Windsor Knight Order.”

“T-then, could it be?”

“That’s right. Cecilia Windsor. The Sword Heroine herself will guide you to the brink of death.”

Woooooah!

Soon, the training grounds were filled with deafening cheers.

**

“It’s been a while, Instructor.”

Cecilia stood in front of a hut, holding a basket full of fruit.

Inside, the bald instructor Marcus was polishing his sword. He brightened upon seeing his visitor.

“Cecilia, you’re here.”

“Yes. I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”

“Even though I retired, I was once a Windsor knight. I can still handle ten years easily.”

Marcus, who had put down his sword, laughed heartily at the sight of Cecilia’s fruit basket.

After gratefully accepting the basket, he brewed some tea.

“It’s been over 50 years since I became an instructor, and you’re the only one who brings something every time you visit.”

“I’m your student, after all.”

“Student? You finished the test in five seconds, didn’t you?”

‘Well, I was in a bit of a hurry back then.’

Cecilia recalled what had now become a distant memory.

She hadn’t become a full-fledged knight just by causing a ruckus at headquarters.

At first, she was a trainee. Of course, she had demolished Marcus, who wanted to test her skills, in five seconds and became a full-fledged knight immediately.

“You were only six years old back then. Ten years ago, your wrists were still fine, but I never thought I’d lose in two rounds.”

“Are your wrists hurting?”

Cecilia’s eyes filled with concern. Marcus smiled with his wrinkled face.

“Yeah. Time is undefeated.”

“Take care of yourself.”

“Haha! Don’t worry. No matter how old my sword gets, those kids will never reach the age to take the test.”

The figures of the knights lined up by the hut’s window caught a glimpse.

For some reason, they seemed unusually motivated.

“Is there anyone who might pass the test?”

Marcus shook his head as if to say, “Don’t even ask.”

“No. This batch is hopeless.”

“Really?”

“Compared to you, they’re just sigh-inducing. It’ll be another five years before anyone decent shows up.”

Marcus declared. If he said so, it must be true.

“The test isn’t that easy, but it’s not that hard either.”

“Hmph, they’re so clueless they don’t even realize they’re being tested. I’m getting tired of acting for them.”

‘How could they not notice?’

Cecilia was genuinely puzzled.

Windsor Knight Order trainees. There was only one way for them to be recognized as full-fledged knights.

Defeating the swordsmanship instructor. Of course, realizing that was part of the test.

That’s why Marcus was still holding back. He was known as the Sword Emperor. It was only natural to sense something was off.

It was surprising that no one had caught on yet.

‘So that’s why Edward sent me.’

It would indeed be problematic if the new recruits went extinct.

“So, I have a favor to ask of you. Play along.”

“Understood.”

“Oh, by the way, there is one who’s caught on. He just doesn’t have the skills to act on it yet.”

“Who is it?”

Marcus grinned and sipped his tea.

“Figuring that out is part of the fun of this mission, isn’t it?”

“Right…”

Cecilia stood up and bowed her head.

“Then I’ll be going. I don’t want to keep them waiting too long.”

“Those half-baked kids can stand there all day.”

“That’s too harsh.”

Marcus let out a small laugh. It had been a while since he laughed so heartily.

“You’re saying that?”

“??”

Cecilia tilted her head, not understanding.

Where else would you find a boss as kind as the beautiful Sword Heroine?

**

“Hello.”

Cecilia walked up to the nervous trainee knights.

Though she was treated like a cute younger sister within the Knight Order, here she could afford to act a bit more authoritative.

Standing on the podium, she blinked and looked around.

‘They’re a bit green.’

Though slightly disappointed, they still fell within the range of beginners.

The disciplined knights were also kind of cute.

‘Let’s teach them with all our heart.’

“I’ll be leading you from now on. My name is Cecilia. Let’s do our best to come back safely.”

Clap clap clap-

The knights applauded, thinking:

‘She’s an angel.’

‘She must be an angel.’

‘Cute, beautiful, kind, and even skilled. How can someone be so perfect?’

“First, let’s check your gear. Everyone, line up with your bags.”

At Cecilia’s words, the knights responded loudly and lined up one by one with their bags.

She meticulously checked each item. The knights who got close to Cecilia blushed and swallowed dryly.

“Is this a potion?”

“Yes!”

“What’s that sword?”

“It’s an enchanted weapon from our family head! It shoots fire when used!”

“I see. Place it on my right.”

The trainees were full of energy.

From potions that could reattach limbs to artifacts worth a small mansion.

Cecilia sorted through each item carefully.

“That should do it.”

Cecilia straightened up from her crouch. Then, she leisurely drew her sword and pointed it to the right.

At that moment—

Boom!

“……!”

A massive gust of wind crushed the gear.

The items were obliterated without a trace.

“Water.”

Cecilia sheathed her sword and stepped down from the podium.

“Bread.”

The knights’ pupils were shaking uncontrollably.

“Sword.”

Thud.

Cecilia stopped.

“A knight doesn’t need anything else.”

Except for Cecilia’s monotone voice, the training grounds were dead silent.

“Now, let me explain the mission.”

Cecilia took out the mission document and read it.

“Rank: Moderate. Cleared 3 times. Death rate: 8%.”

The frozen knights seemed unable to hear Cecilia’s voice.

But a few of them desperately focused on her lips.

The strategy would come next. They had to memorize every word.

However—

“The strategy is a secret.”

The corner of Cecilia’s mouth twitched upward.

At the same time, the strategy document in her hand was torn to shreds.

“It’s more fun that way.”

The trainees realized at that moment.

Their future.

‘We’re screwed.’

Was looking pretty bleak.

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