I Became a Swordsman in the Middle Ages – Chapter 8

“Wearing a coat makes me look a bit cold, but spring colors feel too warm. Hmm.”

She piled up clothes on the bed and kept pondering.

How should I dress to make a good impression on the newbies?

I can’t look too scary, but I also can’t look too insignificant.

It’s a delicate balance to find.

“Something this important won’t be decided in a day. Let’s take my time and coordinate slowly.”

Cecilia nodded and organized the clothes she bought yesterday.

She hung them neatly on hangers and draped a cloak over her shoulders.

“Today’s mood is… performance.”

Finally, choosing her sword, she was ready for work.

Knock knock knock.

“Miss. The lord wants you to accompany him today.”

“Okay. I’ll be right out.”

Tap tap.

Cecilia patted her cheeks a couple of times in front of the mirror, steeling herself.

‘Get it together.’

The fact that the official opening date was confirmed was enough to refresh her.

What Cecilia had to do was ensure the tower of effort she’d built didn’t crumble.

Today, she’d show the perfect image of the Sword Heroine.

**

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Staring blankly out the carriage window, thinking, ‘I still don’t want to go to work,’ Kairon spoke up.

“Even if we lose the bet, we can just head south together.”

‘I really don’t want that.’

The south was a battlefield.

If I get stuck there, only worn-out newbies will come.

That’s absolutely not happening.

I prefer fresh, fluffy newbies.

Cecilia thought this as she casually glanced at Kairon.

“Are you worried?”

“……Yeah.”

Cecilia honestly found it hard to understand.

She felt Kairon was being overly cautious about Edward.

Sure, he’s a bit intense, but not to that extent.

“I don’t think the vice-captain is that bad of a person. You don’t need to worry so much…”

“Cecilia.”

Kairon spoke firmly.

“Don’t fall in love. You have no eye for men.”

“……I don’t have time for that anyway, since I have to hunt demons.”

Kairon felt a bit better but was still concerned.

“Do you still hold a deep grudge against the demons?”

At Kairon’s serious words, Cecilia lightly recalled.

‘That’s why I made up that backstory.’

She remembered making up a lie because a 6-year-old wielding a sword didn’t seem plausible.

Probably, it was a story about losing her parents to demons while they were out gathering food, fueling her hatred.

This fabricated tutorial setting was solid enough that Kairon never doubted it.

“It’s my parents’ grudge.”

Kairon tightened his grip on his knees.

He wanted to fill that void, even just a little.

How much space did he occupy in Cecilia’s heart?

How much of her emotional space had she given him?

She was always so reserved. Even Kairon, who’d been through it all, found it hard to read her.

“But Cecilia, those who hold deep grudges against demons…”

“Die quickly.”

Cecilia spoke without hesitation.

“They lose their composure easily, and demons never miss those openings.”

“You know well.”

“I’ve seen enough over the past 10 years.”

Outside the window, Terezia looked surprisingly peaceful. After all, the sacred flames were protecting it.

But Cecilia knew how hellish the world outside the flames was.

Just look at the Windsor Knight Order. The survival rate of new recruits is less than 30%.

‘I’ve rested enough. Time to go farming.’

Once the official opening begins, work will naturally increase.

I’d love to spend the whole day with newbies, but that’s not possible.

I need to hunt demons to keep my sword sharp.

“We’ve arrived.”

The carriage stopped in front of the Windsor Knight Order headquarters.

Kairon adjusted his attire. Cecilia suddenly remembered something important she needed to say.

“Have you decided on your retirement date?”

“I’m thinking about six months from now. The Queen probably won’t allow more…”

“Make it a year.”

“Pushing it back a year is a bit…”

“A year.”

“…….”

Cecilia’s lips were stubbornly sealed.

In times like this, she’d stick to her guns even if the sky split.

And there was always a reason she had to.

Kairon nodded as the carriage door opened.

“I’ll try.”

**

“Good morning, Lia.”

Nodding off.

Rude, dozing off while greeting her, was kind of cute.

Cecilia bent slightly and said.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Mhm. I’m going to sleep. I used too much magic.”

Yawning, Rude patted Cecilia’s head as if suddenly remembering something.

“…?”

“It’s a compliment. I noticed the subtle fluctuations in the sacred flames too. You’re truly outstanding, Lia.”

“Thank you.”

“Take care. Wake me if anyone bothers you.”

Rude waved and disappeared into the alley.

Cecilia sat quietly on a nearby bench.

Whoosh.

‘……What now?’

Cecilia was seriously pondering.

She had to be on duty for the next 24 hours.

The problem was, it was going to be boring.

“Oh, is it your shift today, Lady Cecilia?”

“Yes.”

A knight from Windsor came over, acting familiar.

“Isn’t it a bit early?”

“Rude was bound to be sleepy.”

“Ah… because of the flames. So, you’re guarding the sacred flames today?”

Ricart, the knight with striking red hair.

As Cecilia nodded slightly, he gave her a pitiful look.

“Must be boring.”

“……Yeah.”

“Well, aside from Rude, the mage, you’re the only one sensitive to magic.”

“What about you, Ricart?”

“I’m on outer perimeter duty. I heard we’re heading out far today.”

“You’re going on a subjugation mission…”

‘Jealous.’

Being able to level up while working.

“Well, take care then.”

Cecilia waved cheerfully.

After he left, she sighed.

‘I want to ask to switch shifts now… but the captain would get mad. He’d say I’m neglecting my duty. Maybe even cut my allowance again.’

She was feeling a bit down, tapping her feet.

“Waaah! It’s the Sword Heroine!”

A lively little girl came running towards Cecilia.

“Kyaa!”

Cecilia gently hugged her.

“Hi.”

“Hehe! Thank you for saving the cat last time!”

‘Ah, that kid.’

She remembered the child crying over a cat stuck in a tree while she was shopping.

She happened to pass by and saved it.

“Sis! Here!”

“…For me?”

“Yes! It suits you!”

The girl placed a flower crown on Cecilia’s head.

“Oh my, Lena! Don’t bother Lady Cecilia.”

A kind-looking woman followed, apologizing.

“Sorry, Lady Cecilia. You must be busy with work.”

“It’s fine.”

Cecilia handed the squirming Lena back to her.

“I love you, sis! Marry me!”

“Okay. But you have to listen to your mom.”

“Oh my, hohoho.”

The mother and daughter left happily, and Cecilia carefully took off the flower crown.

‘……It’s pretty.’

Cecilia smiled quietly.

The crown fit her heart perfectly.

And then—

“Haha! With our Sword Heroine protecting us, we feel safe. It’s not much, but have this while you work.”

A bread shop owner’s gift.

“Thank you so much from the other day. Who would’ve thought such a normal-looking person was a demon? But with you knights around, we feel safe. You’ll catch them again, right? Ohoho.”

A chatty market lady’s gift.

“Um, um, the, the… crown suits you.”

A shy little kid’s gift.

All sorts of heartwarming support poured in.

Before she knew it, the bench Cecilia was sitting on was piled with gifts from people.

‘I’m… so full.’

Cecilia, who ate everything given to her, was stuffed.

“Still.”

Cecilia muttered while watching the flames.

“Time passed quicker than I thought.”

Night had fallen.

All the people had gone home, and the lights of the capital turned off one by one.

But a bright flame still burned in a corner of Cecilia’s heart.

‘Time to start patrolling. The subjugation team should be back soon.’

Helping those people sleep peacefully was Cecilia’s duty.

“Lady Cecilia!”

In the distance, four or five Windsor knights came running, panting.

The cute dog badge on them stood out.

‘Must be Rude’s squad.’

Even the Windsor Knight Order couldn’t escape office politics.

Officially, there were factions, and high-ranking knights had the authority to form their own teams.

Cecilia, being the lone wolf Sword Heroine, didn’t bother with such things.

“Ru, Rude said, huff.”

“Here, have some wine.”

“Th, thank you.”

The panting knight gulped down the wine. Cecilia just savored the taste. Alcohol was strictly forbidden for her, as she wasn’t yet an adult.

“Pwah-! This is good! Where’s it from?”

“The Wind’s Rest Inn.”

“The inn you stay at? Hahaha… sorry.”

‘Almost froze to death.’

“Rude’s message?”

“Yes! Rude asked for your opinion. Has there been any change in the sacred flames since then?”

“No, but… just in case, I’ll check again now.”

“Thank you!”

Cecilia got up lazily and headed towards the flames.

Even though she looked like she was spacing out, she’d been keeping an eye on them, so she knew there were no changes—

But to look competent, she had to pretend to work hard.

“Lady Cecilia is amazing. Even I, a mage, can’t see any fluctuations.”

“Look closely inside.”

Cecilia pointed out the fluctuating spot with her hand.

“Hmm, I still can’t see it. How are you more sensitive to magic than most mages?”

‘……I just see it.’

It was a tricky question for Cecilia.

It was like asking, “How do you move your right arm?”

But saying “I just see it” would be too socially awkward.

She had to maintain her image while answering appropriately.

“Work hard.”

“I, I see.”

The knight, who was hoping for a growth hint, slumped his shoulders.

Meanwhile, Cecilia felt a strange sensation.

‘Maybe I’ve been staring too long.’

The flames were calm as usual, but something felt off.

‘Must be my imagination.’

After a moment of observation, Cecilia spoke.

“No major changes for now.”

“It’s strange. We defeated the demon causing it, but the flames are still fluctuating. Yet, there’s no major issue.”

Cecilia was curious about that too.

The weakening of the Goddess’s power was just natural, but what was the identity of the demon that coincidentally invaded?

“Haha, maybe the Demon King will show up?”

It was a lame joke, but she decided to play along this time.

“Yeah. That makes sense. If the Demon King suppressed his presence to the extreme, this could happen.”

It was fun to see the knight’s scared face.

The knight beside her stiffened and turned his head.

“Yo, you’re joking, right?”

“Does it… seem like a joke?”

“Gasp.”

But it might lead to a mental breakdown, so she stopped there.

If her year-end evaluation turned negative, her salary might get cut.

“Just kidding. No matter how suppressed, it’s impossible. The sacred flames are invincible and divine.”

“R, right? I learned that in the academy. As long as the flames are white, we’re safe… huh?”

A heavy silence fell between Cecilia and the knight.

For a while, neither spoke.

Just now, the color of the flames changed.

Not white, but a dark crimson.

At that moment—

Whoosh!

The flames shook violently, as if screaming.

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