Interlude: Cecily – Part 01
Hugo Housman, the mayor of the Independent Trade City, and Hannibal Quasar, captain of the Third District Knight Guard, had known each other for years. Hugo was elected mayor three years ago, but before that, he’d worked as a regular city official. Their friendship stretched back to those earlier days, and over the years, they’d come to understand each other well.
That’s why Hugo could predict exactly how Hannibal would react in most situations.
On this particular day, he summoned Hannibal to his office with a specific directive.
“A vice-captain?” Hannibal asked.
“Yes, a vice-captain for the Third District,” Hugo confirmed.
As expected, the broad-shouldered man with a shaved head, frowned. The reason for his grimace was simple: he found the idea a hassle. At over sixty, Hannibal was still as hot-blooded as ever. As the captain—he had been in his position for nearly thirty years—he was responsible for leading his troops, but he was the type to charge into battle himself, not stay at the rear and manage the command structure.
Hugo let out a sigh. “The vice-captains for each district’s Knight Guard are selected based on the captain’s recommendation,” he explained. “The Third District is the only one still without one.”
“Do we really need a vice-captain?” Hannibal grumbled.
Just as Hugo had anticipated, a dull response. So he gave it to him straight.
“You’ll definitely need one.”
Hannibal narrowed his eyes.
Hugo nodded gravely. “The Imperial Federation… the challenges we face are no longer just about the Valbanill Campaign.”
The Empire’s union with the Crowd Powers had shaken the power structure of the entire continent. No one was naïve enough to think the alliance was forged purely for peace.
If this new Imperial Federation decided to attack the Independent Trade City, they wouldn’t stand a chance. The city had recently established a pipeline with the Militant Nation through a technical exchange, but the Militant Nation was far away. Even if they called for reinforcements, help wouldn’t come in time.
Of course, this was just a hypothetical. There was no real reason to occupy the city at this time. It would only destabilize the continent and throw a wrench into the coming Valbanill Campaign.
Nevertheless, the threat was very real. They needed to be prepared.
“There’s also the possibility—however remote—that you might not be able to fight. In that case, we’ll need someone who can take over command of the Third District Knight Guard in your place.”
“You’re saying we should prepare for a scenario where I can’t handle everything myself?” Hannibal asked.
“In the worst case, this could escalate into a continent-wide war.”
There was no exaggeration in his statement. The continent was on the brink, a powder keg waiting to explode.
Hannibal stroked his chin thoughtfully, then sniffed audibly. “Very well. I’ll pick someone.”
“Thanks. By the way, do you have anyone in mind? Just off the top of your head.”
“Actually, there is someone I would trust in a pinch. Wait. Hold on, this might just be the perfect opportunity.” He clapped his hands together as if he had just had an epiphany. “This is perfect. Yes, this is a good idea. I like it.”
Hannibal seemed thoroughly pleased with whatever plan had just formed in his mind, nodding with satisfaction.
Hugo, however, grew uneasy. “Hannibal? What exactly is this good idea of yours?”
“I’ve just figured out how I’m going to pick the vice-captain.” Hannibal’s grin spread even wider, his cheerfulness resembling that of an old man in a great mood. “The people under me need to be strong. Otherwise, I can’t trust them with my back. And I’ve been meaning to get a better sense of the Knight Guard’s overall abilities. This is the perfect chance. Hugo, I thank you.”
A knot formed in Hugo’s stomach. “Please, no. No way,” he muttered. He had a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling.
“I’m sure you already know, but the vice-captain should be chosen primarily for their leadership skills,” Hugo explained.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Hannibal interrupted with a hearty laugh. “The vice-captain will be chosen by brute strength!”
Hugo buried his face in his hands, groaning. He should have known. They understood each other too well for this to have been a surprise.
Hugo Housman, a young powerhouse in his late thirties, served as mayor of the Independent Trade City, a key hub of commerce on the continent. Among city officials, it was well-known that he had overcome considerable hardships to reach his position.
“And so, we’ll be holding a mock battle to choose the vice-captain of the Third District Knight Guard!” Hannibal announced from the podium.
The members gathered in the assembly hall stirred. Their reaction, however, leaned less toward shock and more toward anticipation.
“You don’t look too surprised,” Aria said.
They were standing off to the side, a little distance from the crowd. After a particular incident, Cecily had developed a strong aversion to being around men. She knew she had to do something about it soon.
“Yeah.” Cecily nodded. “This has been the subject of rumors among the knights for a while.”
Out of the seven districts, the Third District was the only one still without a vice-captain. The other districts had long been concerned about the vacancy, but Hannibal, the captain, didn’t seem in any rush to choose anyone, so the position had remained unfilled for a while.
However, with the formation of the Imperial Federation and the rising tensions across the continent, it was becoming clear that the Third District would soon need someone in charge when Hannibal wasn’t around. Whispers had been circulating in the Knight Guard for a while now.
So, it was no surprise Hannibal would choose this moment to make the selection.
“But… a mock battle?” Cecily frowned.
The vice-captain position was typically filled by recommendation from the captain. It was strange for Hannibal to suddenly arrange a battle instead of simply picking someone himself. Cecily glanced up at the stage dubiously.
Hannibal surveyed the knights gathered before him. “The one condition I have for the vice-captain is simple,” he went on. “I need to know if I can trust them to watch my back. Even if they’re good at commanding, if they’re weak, it won’t work. And I doubt anyone would follow a weak leader. Of course, the winner of this mock battle won’t automatically become the vice-captain, but for now, I intend to find the right candidate through this trial.”
One of the members raised a hand. “Captain!”
Hannibal turned toward the voice. “Reginald?”
A sharp-featured man with tanned skin, Reginald Drummond was a senior to Cecily.
“I have a question… or rather, a suggestion.” Reginald said, his voice carrying through the entire hall. “Would it be possible to prohibit the use of an Infernal Blade in the mock battle?”
Cecily and Aria both flinched, instinctively stepping back. Not because they disagreed with Reginald’s request. But because, upon understanding the implications, the other members all turned to look at them. The sudden attention was unnerving.
Cecily was the only one in the Knight Guard who wielded an Infernal Blade, and Aria had been by her side ever since. In other words, Reginald had essentially singled her out.
“That’s a reasonable request,” Hannibal said, nodding. “An Infernal Blade is practically cheating in hand-to-hand combat. I was already planning to ban it anyway. Is that all right, Cecily? It’s not out of the question that you might find yourself in a situation where you can’t use the sword.”
Cecily nodded quietly, agreeing to the terms, while Aria puffed her cheeks and pouted at Hannibal.
“But I’m Cecily’s partner!” she protested.
“I understand how you fell, but you’ll have to hold back this time.”
“Tch.” Aria huffed, puffing her cheeks even further.
“Now, now.” Cecily gently tried to calm her down, but she was sweating on the inside.
Aria’s behavior sometimes made Cecily uneasy. Hannibal might be a good-natured man, but as members of the Guard, they needed to show him a certain level of formality and respect.
Aria, however, was incredibly casual. While Hannibal responded with an apologetic laugh, saying, “Sorry, sorry,” this would not have flown in the Fifth District Knight Guard, known for their strict discipline.
But then again, it made sense. Aria was born on the battlefield of the Valbanill War. A simple math would put her at more than forty years old, closer to Hannibal’s age, though the captain was reportedly over sixty. No wonder she wasn’t easily intimidated, especially considering she wasn’t even fully a knight herself.
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