I Became a Swordsman in the Middle Ages.

“Captain, what do you plan to do with that child?”

On the day of that series of events.

Knight Captain Cairon carefully laid Sisilia down in a corner of the quarters and headed to his office.

“What do you think?”

“I’m against it. What kind of 6-year-old would cause such a ruckus saying they want to join the knights? She’s clearly not in her right mind.”

Cold judgment, advice from subordinates, and objective assessment of the situation.

Cairon was a knight who valued such things.

But for this matter alone, his heart was guiding him for some reason.

Intuition. He felt like some kind of intuition, which he was feeling for the first time since birth, was guiding him.

“She sought out the knights as soon as she awakened to Divine Protection.”

“And at that, the strongest order of knights in the world.”

“She’s a child with good sense.”

“Make her a uniform.”

Cairon stopped his thoughts and returned to reality.

Opening his eyes, he saw his office, not much different from 10 years ago.

However, there was one remarkably different point compared to 10 years ago.

It was the girl in front of him, whose baby fat was just starting to disappear.

Sisilia.

“It’s already been 10 years since you came to this order.”

Cairon’s low, firm voice broke the silence of the office. The girl sitting across the desk—no, Sisilia, who had now grown into a skilled knight, lifted her head.

Silver hair flowed softly, and the neat knight’s uniform made her mature appearance stand out even more.

‘Time really flies.’

In conclusion, Cairon did not regret his decision at that time.

For 10 years, not even for a single moment.

Rather, if there was the best decision in his life, wouldn’t it be that?

Sisilia had accomplished many great deeds. There were no issues with her personality, which had been a concern.

In the past, she had even collapsed the front lines alone and rescued an isolated comrade.

At the mere age of 9, at that.

An upright knight who knows the value of comrades. It was the ideal image of a knight that Cairon most desired.

“You’ve now become a knight who can stand on their own.”

Sisilia seriously pondered why the stoic knight captain, who seemed like he wouldn’t bleed a single drop of blood even if stabbed, was saying such things.

Soon guessing the reason, her expression stiffened slightly.

“The weather is still cold.”

“…?”

“No matter how much of a non-rent-paying tenant I am, I think it’s not right to suddenly kick me out like this.”

“……”

“The room and board provision specified in the contract is still valid.”

Cairon suppressed the sigh threatening to leave him.

Although Cairon had lived a disciplined life all his life, his composure cracked many times after he became Sisilia’s guardian.

“… I’m not kicking you out.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

Sisilia returned to her listless face and sipped the green tea in front of her.

After sighing once, Cairon recalled memories of the past again.

“You have been like that for a long time. Suddenly coming and turning the order into a mess, then calmly demanding room and board. Did you know you would pass?”

“Because I was cute and strong. I think it was a set path.”

Ordinary people would have objected to the part about being ‘cute and strong’-

“That’s true.”

But Cairon was no ordinary person.

10 years. It was the time he had spent raising Sisilia.

Now, he almost considered her like a daughter.

Cairon gently stroked the edge of the teacup and smiled softly.

“It’s amazing. That young child who knew nothing of the ways of the world is now called the Sword Maiden and revered by people.”

Sword Maiden.

This is a title given because her swordsmanship was like a work of art.

Currently, it referred to Sisilia.

It was also a unique title in the Lianen Kingdom.

“…Why is my title Sword Maiden? I don’t use particularly flashy swordsmanship.”

“Do you dislike the title Sword Maiden?”

“No. I like it. But… I just don’t understand. I simply swing my sword practically.”

Sisilia tilted her head purely as if she really didn’t know.

Cairon laughed and gulped down his tea. Perhaps Sisilia was the only one in the world who didn’t know.

“Swordsmanship isn’t the only important thing. The person wielding the sword is also important.”

The silver-haired girl slaughtered demons at the forefront of the battlefield.

Anyone would have their heart stolen just by seeing her once.

Noble and beautiful. That’s why she’s the Sword Maiden. No other modifiers were needed.

“In this order right now—no, in this kingdom—you are the only one with the title of Sword Maiden. Aren’t you proud?”

“Rather than proud… It makes me sigh. Because there’s still a long way to go to the higher ranks.”

The titles of knights who wield swords are largely divided into five.

Sword Demon, Sword Emperor, Sword King, Sword Saint, Sword God.

Sword Maiden was a title derived from ‘Sword Demon’.

There were still four walls Sisilia had to overcome.

However, Cairon wasn’t very worried.

Because most knights die without ever attaining the title of Sword Demon anyway.

“You will definitely be fine. Until now, and from now on.”

‘Sisilia will surely become stronger. At this rate, she could aim for the position of Sword King in her prime.’

However, there was one concerning point.

Cairon slowly brought the tea to his mouth. His appearance, not even a fingertip trembling, revealed the traces of one who had faced countless trials in their life.

“I’m retiring soon.”

He announced while putting down the tea.

Even Sisilia, who usually showed no change in emotion, seemed surprised by this, her pupils slightly widening.

“Already?”

“Already, you say. When I first met you, I was already at an age where retiring wouldn’t be strange.”

Cairon’s current age is 93.

As a knight, it was an age well past his prime.

“You haven’t even lived half your life yet.”

But as a Sword King, it was also a bit early.

Usually, those who reach the level of Sword King live close to 200 years.

“The Windsor Knights place importance on generational change. It’s about time to pass it on to the next generation.”

Sisilia stood up from her seat, her face full of dissatisfaction. Getting up roughly, the green tea she was drinking spilled and stained her pure white uniform.

Sisilia was someone who wouldn’t bat an eye even if a big city flew away in front of her.

Seeing her show this much of a reaction when she rarely showed emotional changes, Cairon was quite surprised.

Although surprised, it just meant his eyebrows rose slightly.

“I don’t like it.”

“…Sisilia.”

He never thought she would show such a big reaction to the news of his retirement.

Cairon was a little touched.

“I haven’t saved enough money to buy a mansion in the capital yet.”

“……”

Cairon’s face turned ashen in an instant though.

“These days, the price of a mansion is…”

“Sisilia.”

“Yes.”

“Know that you won’t have an allowance for the time being.”

“I’m sorry.”

Sisilia sat back down in her seat meekly.

Sighing for who knows how many times, Cairon spoke.

“Even if I retire, it doesn’t mean I’m leaving the capital right away. I estimate 20 more years.”

A Sword King had the strength of a single army.

As high-level personnel, they are assigned as commanders of major fortresses.

There was one in each of the east, west, south, and north of the Lianen Kingdom.

“…Then you can just retire in 20 years.”

“No. Then, in case of an emergency, I won’t be able to help you.”

“Was it an empty promise when you said I was all grown up earlier?”

“You can handle one person’s share. However, the story is different as vice-captain.”

Hearing this for the first time, Sisilia thought she had misheard.

“…Me, the vice-captain?”

“Yes. If I retire, the position of knight captain will go to the current vice-captain. And for the vacant vice-captain position, Sisilia. I plan to recommend you.”

At the sudden news of a high-speed promotion, Sisilia blinked.

“Don’t make that puzzled expression. There are few within the order stronger than you. Even if there are, they are also at an age where they will have to retire soon. And-”

This was also the part Cairon was worried about.

“You know too. Edward… He is dangerous.”

Vice-Captain, Edward Windsor.

Born into the royal family, his skills were also outstanding.

Having just reached the level of Sword King, there was even talk that he could get the position of Sword Saint.

But the problem was his temperament.

He held an extremely dangerous ideology.

-Report: Subject / Edward Windsor / Used soldiers without Divine Protection as bait for a strategy / Ended in victory for the Windsor Knights without damage, but the damage to regular soldiers was devastating / Evaluated as very inhumane / When questioned about this, he instead reacted with incomprehension towards the current policy of the knights.

Destructive and violent. Also contemptuous.

“While I’m here, he won’t reveal his ambitions, but he’ll try to take over the order once I’m gone. Sisilia. During that time, build your strength. Both your own force and your control within the order.”

If it were up to him, he wanted to pass the position of knight captain to Sisilia.

Sisilia was an upright child who could use the powerful Divine Protection given to her correctly.

She was also very strong.

However, it was impossible to ignore someone who might rise to the level of Sword Saint and immediately pass the position of knight captain to Sisilia.

In fact, even the position of vice-captain was excessive considering her age.

‘But if I don’t give her a position as high as vice-captain, she’ll be devoured.’

Cairon looked at Sisilia with cold eyes.

Reading the sincerity in his gaze, Sisilia also became serious.

“So, don’t think about refusing…”

“Yes. I believe I am qualified.”

“…You took it in stride as if you were waiting for it.”

Seeing Sisilia’s carefree expression anew, he thought that perhaps there was no need for great concern.

***

Creak-

Sisilia closed the office door and glanced around her.

‘Did I fool him well?’

It seemed there were no signs of him noticing.

‘I can’t get caught being stuck at Sword Maiden.’

That’s right.

Sisilia had been hiding her true level for quite some time.

The reason was simple.

‘When the newbies that will come soon arrive, doesn’t Sword Maiden seem more like a cool NPC?’

Because the name is pretty.

Sword Maiden.

Doesn’t it perfectly fit the cool title for her?

Absolutely cannot get caught!

If Cairon finds out, he’ll mercilessly give her a lame title.

“Ah.”

Sisilia glared at the green stains on her abdomen and skirt hem.

It was the green tea she spilled earlier when she was startled by Cairon saying he was retiring.

‘I’ll have to change.’

Unexpected news of a promotion.

But Sisilia hoped Cairon wouldn’t retire for a long time if possible.

Because it’s usually better to work at a company through the connections of the CEO rather than the CEO himself.

And there was nothing sadder than a connection that had run out.

“Look, it’s the Sword Maiden.”

“Really… isn’t it amazing to reach that position at her age?”

“It’s unbelievable. Legendary even. She entered at the age of 6 and survived until now.”

“It’s not just surviving. Did you hear the rumor that she single-handedly collapsed the main force of the demons on the southern front?”

“That’s probably an exaggeration. No matter how much of a Sword Maiden she is, alone?”

“Those who saw it said her speed was unbelievable. She didn’t even seem human.”

Whispers of people could be heard while passing the knights’ quarters.

Even though they were talking about her, Sisilia had her usual indifferent expression.

Actually, that wasn’t the case.

The corners of her mouth were raised about 1 millimeter.

‘Praise… feels good no matter how often I hear it.’

Sisilia, who entered her changing room, was also in a good mood today.

The Windsor Knights were an extremely male-dominated profession, so using this spacious changing room alone was nice.

Swish-.

Sisilia changed into a fluffy new uniform and stood in front of the mirror.

The position of her knee-highs seemed a bit crooked, so she aligned the lines with a strict face and patted the skirt to smooth out the wrinkles.

“Hmm… I’ll trim my bangs a bit after work.”

After checking her appearance with an expressionless face for a while, Sisilia solemnly nodded a couple of times as if satisfied.

Perfect. It was the motto Sisilia pursued.

A perfectionist, beautiful girl NPC called the Sword Maiden.

Nothing could be more newbie-friendly than this.

“Newbies. I want to see you soon.”

Nom nom. Sisilia, licking her lips, turned her head at the ominous presence of mana.

Ding ding ding-!

And then she heard the demon invasion signal bells.

“I don’t want to go to work.”

Sisilia drooped her shoulders, pulled out a sword next to the coat hanger, and trudged along.

However, as soon as she left the locker room, Sisilia ran diligently.