Sword Emperor, Becoming the Young Lady of a Viscount House

Chapter 12

The Cenci family was in turmoil.

A sudden summons had been issued.

For those who had believed there was still quite some time left, this was nothing short of a disaster.

“Lilith! Pack quickly.”

“Yes, yes, ma’am!”

No matter how discarded a card she might be to the family head, she was still the daughter of the great Cenci family.

From the family head’s perspective, neglecting her would be an affront to their dignity.

Let alone dignity, it could even lead to charges of disrespect against the state.

In a war for the nation, they had sent a single useless young lady.

If they also sent an insufficient number of troops, it would cross the line entirely.

Thus, they had to take care.

“Attention! Presenting to the Family Head!”

The knights stood in formation in front of Francesco.

Francesco, with his hands clasped behind his back, scanned the well-ordered knights.

Knights were the greatest treasures, assets, and power of this era.

The prestige of a family was determined by the skill of its knights.

Being a family of bureaucrats already subject to disdain, the Cenci family had poured every effort into raising this knight order well.

Even so, these knights…

Some of them would lose their lives in this matter.

A knight who lost their lord on the battlefield could not continue living.

“You must all already know about this matter.”

“Yes, we do!”

The knights shouted in unison.

The very purpose of a knight’s existence was for war.

None here feared it.

“We must join the war. However, I will not send everyone.”

“Yes!”

“The king’s order has been issued. I will select a minimal escort for Beatrice, who will head to the capital.”

The royal order demanded a “minimal” force.

That meant they wouldn’t join the war immediately.

Francesco planned to fulfill this minimal requirement with just one knight.

“I’ll accept volunteers. Raise your hand if you wish to serve as her escort.”

Francesco thought to himself.

No one would raise their hand here.

The knights knew what it meant to send themselves with Beatrice to the battlefield.

Even if they were knights who did not value their lives, none would willingly choose a pointless death.

Serving as Beatrice’s escort essentially meant participating in the war.

For that reason, Francesco intended to select the lowest-ranking knight among them.

But then—

—Rustle.

All the gathered knights, without exception, raised their hands high into the air.

* * *

Beatrice held another sword retrieved from the vault and aimed it at the empty space.

A faint light began to gather around her sword.

It was an incredibly weak light.

“It’s faint, but it’s enough.”

Beatrice murmured as she sheathed the sword again.

Every day without fail, she had accumulated mana.

Through her relentless efforts, she had gathered enough mana to wield a faint sword aura three times.

Though it could only produce a single powerful strike at best, it was sufficient.

‘I’ve heard we won’t immediately head to the battlefield, so this should suffice to handle most crises.’

A summons at an unexpected time.

Heinrich had said they were likely gathering the nobles in advance to hold a preliminary meeting before the war.

[Young Beatrice, how splendid. You’ve already achieved that level of accomplishment.]

The voice resounded in her mind.

Solid, who usually adhered to Beatrice’s demand for silence, had surprisingly kept his promise.

Because of this, Beatrice had eased up on him somewhat.

Occasionally, she didn’t coldly ignore the words he initiated.

An unspoken rule seemed to have formed between them.

He didn’t interfere during her training or when she was dealing with others.

However, when it was necessary information or moments like these when she was alone, they conversed freely.

This was one such instance.

Beatrice asked a question she had been curious about.

“At this level, how would you rank my achievement in this world?”

[Hmm, it’s hard to pinpoint precisely. But if you can manifest a faint sword aura, you’d be considered a high-level mana user among knights.]

“Mana user?”

[Young Beatrice, you lack common knowledge.]

“…Just explain it already. Times like this are for teaching.”

[There are three major stages, and each stage is further divided into three levels. A total of nine levels exist.]

“What are they?”

[The stages are Mana User, Expert, and Master.]

“You just split it into upper, middle, and lower last time.”

[That’s because it’s tedious to specify them all. Simplified terms like low-rank knight, mid-rank knight, or even commander-level are often used instead.]

“Why bother naming them at all?”

[Such distinctions motivate knights to diligently hone their skills.]

“If that’s the case, they should standardize the names. This is unnecessarily complex.”

[It’s complicated because spirits are involved. It wasn’t like this in the past. And Young Beatrice, it’s not that complicated. All you need to remember is Master.]

“Why?”

[Because everything below that is trivial.]

Though it was a crude comment for a divine being,

the ever-cool Beatrice didn’t pay it any mind.

—Knock, knock.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

“Who is it?”

“My lady, the family head wishes to see you.”

‘…This will be our final meeting.’

Beatrice tidied her outfit.

Meeting her father by title, a relationship still awkward and unlikable,

she decided to view this as a relief since she wouldn’t have to endure these uncomfortable encounters for a while.

She stepped outside.

* * *

“Family Head. The young lady has arrived.”

Beatrice stood lazily in front of the office.

Only after the door opened did she enter casually.

She bowed slightly and sat on the sofa in front of Francesco.

“Are your preparations complete?”

“Yes.”

In truth, as a noble, Beatrice had little to prepare.

The servants had packed everything for her.

All she held in her hand was a single sword.

“Things have come to this, and there’s no turning back. I want you to understand that regret will do you no good.”

“I won’t regret it.”

“Good to hear.”

Francesco raised his head.

His gaze was chillingly cold.

“I will assign you one escort knight.”

“I don’t…”

Beatrice started to say she didn’t need one,

but she corrected herself.

“Yes.”

‘You never know what might happen.’

Who knew what dangers lay ahead?

The road to the capital was said to be treacherous.

Even borrowing a cat’s paw could be better than nothing.

Beatrice nodded.

“Do you have someone in mind?”

“I’d prefer a quiet knight who follows orders well.”

“Knights aren’t typically talkative.”

“…Then may I personally observe and choose the knight myself?”

Since she would have to spend a long time with them, she wanted to select someone reasonable.

“That’s exactly what I intended. Surprisingly, there are many who wish to be your escort.”

“Is that so?”

It wasn’t surprising.

She had shown her capabilities.

“I’ve informed them in advance. Go to the knight order and select whomever you wish. As long as they do not hold a special position, anyone is acceptable.”

This implied that high-ranking officers, such as the knight commander, were off-limits.

‘How petty.’

Understanding the subtle meaning behind Francesco’s words, Beatrice cast him a brief, disdainful glance.

Of course, it was a fleeting moment, and Francesco didn’t notice.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

He was someone she didn’t want to face for long.

She rose from her seat.

“I have one last piece of advice.”

“What is it?”

“…When you arrive in the capital, you’ll meet your uncle.”

“…Uncle?”

“He’s Count Rockefeller. Remember his name. As a central noble, he holds considerable power. It’s customary to greet him, so do so at least once. He may even offer assistance.”

“Understood.”

“However, do not expect too much. Our relationship with him is not good.”

Beatrice casually acknowledged his words but made a mental note of the name Rockefeller.

“I’ll be going then.”

“Go on.”

Beatrice gave Francesco one last look.

He had buried his head in his desk as if to signal their business was over.

No matter how she looked at him, he didn’t resemble a father sending his daughter to war.

‘It’s fortunate he’s a piece of trash.’

It would be easier to handle her responsibilities.

After all, that place would soon become hers.

* * *

“I’m Bersenn! Sixth in the knight order and capable of drinking three barrels of dark beer!”

“Woo-! You idiot, it’s only two barrels!”

“Who’s barking like a dog?”

Bersenn swung his fists wildly in the air.

-Bang!

The sound of air being torn apart echoed.

He had literally torn through the air with raw physical strength.

Beatrice watched this and thought,

‘What a brute.’

He had the intelligence of a mere orangutan.

Naturally, he was disqualified as an escort.

Moreover, he was far too loud.

“Next.”

Beatrice spoke irritably.

Bersenn slumped his massive shoulders and exited.

“I’m Fraikanolfsenoanlu…”

“Why is your name so long?”

“Oh, I’m from the North…”

“Next.”

Beatrice was merciless.

And so it continued.

“I swear my undying loyalty…”

“You have a big mouth. People with large mouths are prone to betrayal. Next.”

“Young lady, I…”

“You have a greedy-looking nose. Next.”

“Ahem.”

“Do you have a cold? At least carry a handkerchief. Next.”

None of the candidates appealed to Beatrice.

Even when she found someone halfway decent,

“You’re acceptable.”

“Lady! Do you know how terrible that guy smells? It’s like hell itself! He also has athlete’s foot!”

“Get out immediately.”

Her interest evaporated due to someone’s tattling.

‘I’m not that picky.’

But no suitable candidate appeared.

Eventually, only the last person remained.

Beatrice sighed.

If she didn’t like this one, she would simply choose the strongest candidate.

“…I’m Chris.”

-Bow.

‘Scrawny.’

His small frame stood out immediately.

While the others were too large, this one was too small—a mere twig.

“Lady! That guy is the weakest in the order! He’s uselessly weak!”

As expected, he was unimpressive.

Still, since he was the last one, Beatrice decided to ask further questions.

“What’s your strength?”

‘At least his eyes look decent.’

Though Chris was small, his gaze was intense, filled with determination.

“Unlike those guys…”

Despite the ridicule from others, Chris replied firmly.

“I don’t smell, Lady.”

“……”

Small-framed individuals sweat less than larger ones.

This meant they emitted less odor.

Beatrice understood this well.

In war, enduring the stench of a companion was sheer torture.

Above all,

Although his first impression wasn’t great, his ability to speak confidently and unapologetically made an impression.

“You’re hired.”

It was an absolute advantage.

Beatrice immediately declared her decision.

“Pack your things right away. We’re leaving immediately.”

The other knights erupted in protests.

* * *

“Are you not coming along?”

Beatrice asked Heinrich.

Dressed in formal attire, Heinrich knelt on one knee, his hand respectfully over his chest.

“I wish to accompany you immediately, but I’ll follow as part of the main unit. There’s much to organize. It’s better for me to handle these matters personally.”

‘Of course. That Francesco isn’t likely to handle anything properly. He seems to dislike me, after all.’

It made sense for Heinrich to remain behind to sort things out.

The current group was an advance unit, while the main force would join later to engage in the war.

It would be troublesome if the main group was filled with incompetents.

“Do as you must.”

“Young Lady.”

Heinrich looked at her with a low voice.

“What should we do about Tyrfing?”

“Bring it just in case.”

‘War isn’t a game.’

Hoarding a resource would be foolish.

It was best to use it when needed.

That was why they had retrieved it.

As a symbolic weapon, it would be invaluable in critical moments.

“Understood. May you be safe until we meet again.”

It was a temporary farewell.

Beatrice raised her head to look at those who had come to see her off.

Most were unfamiliar faces.

They wore various expressions: apathy, pity, and sympathy.

Some even wiped away tears.

Beatrice made a mental note to remember all their faces.

“Young Lady! Everything’s ready!”

Lilith, already seated in the carriage, waved at her.

Beatrice turned and walked toward the carriage.

For now, it was goodbye.

When she returned later,

Much would have changed.

-Neigh!

With the rough cry of the horses, the carriage set off.

* * *

“Young Lady, I believe in you.”

Even after Beatrice had disappeared from view, Heinrich stood in place, staring silently.

Both his future,

And the future of the Cenci family,

Were in her hands.

“Butler, the family head is calling for you.”

“…Understood.”

Beatrice would face hardship.

Though he didn’t know why she had been summoned to the capital, it was clear that her journey would be challenging.

Still, Heinrich believed she would overcome any adversity.

‘Now it’s my turn.’

Heinrich had to focus on his duties.

He needed to prepare the best possible force to join the battlefield.

With a determined heart, he headed toward the mansion.