The Female Knight of Doom - TFKOD 63: Happy Birthday

When Alice returned to the mansion with her prisoner, the duchess had already been there for some time.

She seemed somewhat shaken, but not injured. It wasn’t the first time she’d gone through something like this, so she was relatively calm. She returned to her room to rest and drank herbal tea to calm her nerves.

The prisoners were locked in the dungeons, while Alice was reprimanded by the other two knights, “How could you let Her Grace return alone? What if other assassins are on her trail?”

Alice knew that the duchess was actually in no danger with Cecilion’s presence. But she couldn’t tell her colleagues the reason, so she could only pretend to be deeply guilty.

Fortunately, the duchess was unharmed, and the other two knights didn’t blame Alice too much.

Seeing her guilty look, they instead comforted her and patted her shoulder, “Thankfully, nothing happened. Be more careful in the future!”

After exchanging a few more words, Arnold and Bennett resumed their respective tasks, leaving Alice to undertake her new assignment. They explained that she needed to document the details of the recent attack, so she could better understand and prepare for future defenses.

After some time, a servant entered to deliver a message: the duchess wished to see her.

Alice proceeded to the duchess’ study, where she found her seated at the table, looking entirely recovered.

The duchess greeted her with a warm smile and invited her to sit. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Alice for risking her life to safeguard her, and returned the chainmail Alice had previously donned. After offering these words, along with several others of a similar tone, the duchess paused, and Alice regarded her with a hint of doubt.

“I noticed that the horse which had brought me back earlier seemed quite familiar—it was the same horse you had ridden in the previous competition.” Alice nodded politely, mindful of the duchess’ authority, and refrained from contradicting her.

“I instructed the stableman to treat it with utmost care, yet just moments ago, I was informed that the horse had vanished.”

Maintaining Cecilion within the stables was simply unfeasible, as doing so risked exposing his true nature. He once confided in her that a horse’s body was an uncomfortable vessel for a god, since their minds lack the complexity to contain such a vast spirit. Though He now possesses the ability to transform into an animal at will, He prefers not to remain in animal form indefinitely.

Alice has employed a similar strategy before; after each race, she would discreetly take the horse to a secluded place so He could be liberated from its form. Fortunately, most people believed her concern was for the horse’s safety, thus she kept its disappearance discreet. As a result, the fact that her horse vanished after each race rarely caused suspicion.

However, this time, it may prove challenging to offer any convincing explanation.

Alice’s mind began to work.

She tried to think of a good excuse and was quite surprised to find that the duchess’s knee was pressing so tightly against her that she could barely breathe, “Although it’s a bit strange, I’ve always felt you should give me an explanation. In my opinion, that wasn’t a horse, was it?”

Alice knew the duchess was very clever and quick, but she didn’t think the duchess would guess so quickly.

Her expression betrayed her, and the duchess saw immediately that she was right.

“I thought so,” she said after a pause. “In our country, almost everyone believes in gods, and gods influence all aspects of society as a whole. Although I’m not a religious person and don’t allow myself to become one, I can understand why people say all kinds of prayers to the gods. Life is too difficult, and everyone hopes to find a simple solution to everything they encounter. Even if that doesn’t work out, it can at least give people a little comfort and hope.”

At this point, the duchess paused, then said, “But I’m also thinking, would the world be a better place if we worshipped a different god?”

Her words seemed to be asking, but her tone seemed to already have the answer. At least, the duchess herself believed that this was not a problem that could be solved by changing gods.

Alice had never thought about this question, and she didn’t know how to start. The duchess’ tone seemed too simple compared to her own understanding of god.

She could only stammer, “Cecilion is different.”

“Maybe,” the duchess said generously, “As the person who was saved, I really have no right to say anything. Although many people want me to die, I still like to live for the time being and don’t intend to do what they want. In short, please thank your god on my behalf. Although I won’t be his believer, I will do my best to help him when he needs it.”

The duchess was a woman of her word, never to break it. Cecilion was truly fortunate to have received such a promise from her.

Alice bowed, and the duchess gestured for her departure.

It wasn’t until she had returned to her room that Cecilion’s voice suddenly rang out, “The duchess is truly an interesting person.”

“Interesting?”

It seemed a bit inappropriate to describe the duchess, but the gods’ definition of interesting was clearly different from that of ordinary people.

“She didn’t believe in gods, and couldn’t. In this world, the existence of gods was undeniable, making it easy for humans to gain their faith. Most people would be convinced by witnessing the miracle of a god’s visit to the world. But for someone as strong-willed as her, the existence of gods was irrelevant. From another perspective, perhaps people like her were the true masters of this world, and everyone else was just slaves.”

“I am not a slave,” Alice said immediately. “If I ever became your slave, I would do anything to break off contact between us.”

“Certainly not,” responded Cecilion. “When you entrusted me with your name, I reciprocated by sharing mine with you. This mutual exchange is what forges our unique harmony—allowing you to access my divine strength and enabling me to perceive humanity through your eyes. I must admit, throughout our time together, I have gained profound insights into the nature of humans that I had not previously understood.”

“Oh? What understanding?”

“Humans have a variety of emotions. They can give their lives for what they believe is right, and shed tears over the death of their fellow humans. Humans are also very strong. Even if their hearts are broken, they still try to live on. The way humans try to live… I really like it.”

Although he used the word “human,” Alice knew that He was actually talking about her.

His voice sounded right next to her ear, giving her a strange feeling that was hard to describe.

“Do you like humans?” She had expected hi. to reply “I do,” but she never expected him to say, “I can’t explain it well, but… I really do like you.”

Her cheeks flushed slightly, yet Cecilion appeared either oblivious or unable to grasp her embarrassment.

He pressed on thoughtfully, “Transforming into a horse left me feeling quite unsettled. As a horse in the flesh, I became aware of physiological needs I had never experienced before. These new sensations both irritated and intrigued me, fueling a desire to regain my human form once I possess enough strength—so I might re-experience the world through a human body, and truly connect with the human experience.” After sharing these words, Cecilion paused briefly, allowing his meaning to settle.

“Would you like me to appear before you as a man in the future?”

Alice sensed instinctively that his question carried more complexity than it appeared, concealing deeper and more challenging inquiries beneath its surface.

Now that the power rested in her hands, a delicate tremor coursed through her. Did she truly desire for him to manifest as a man?

Closing her eyes, she sought only to listen to the truths within her heart.

After a moment of reflection, she responded softly, “If that were the case, I would be very happy.”

Cecilion’s voice responded with a cheerful tone, “Then it’s settled.” An air of joy infused his words, “This is a significant decision; we should formalize it with a contract.”

Her lips brushed against his briefly, reminiscent of the moment when she first became his follower. Though it was merely a gentle peck, she felt a blush of shyness.

At eighteen, she was more perceptive and sensitive to intimacy than she had been at seventeen. While Cecilion’s kiss might have been simply a symbolic gesture to seal their agreement, she was acutely aware that she might desire something more, which only deepened her sense of shyness.

Was it because she didn’t celebrate her eighteenth birthday that made her feel empty? Cecilion, who saw through her heart, didn’t seem to notice her shyness at this moment.

He just made a promise in a solemn tone, “When I have enough divine power to materialize, I will appear in the form of a human male. At that time, the rule of the God of Light will collapse, and you will rule the world in my name and become the new ruler of this world.”

Alice was a little surprised when she heard the second half of the sentence, “I thought it was just an agreement about your gender.”

“Everything in the world is connected, and from the perspective of gods, this connection is closer than you think.”

“Will that new world be better than this one?”

“I don’t know,” Cecilion admitted frankly. “Various legends and stories always try to describe the power of gods. But in reality, gods always change according to the wishes of mankind. What the future will be like is related only to you and your present.”

“I don’t know how to be the master of the world. I’m still young, I’ve seen little, I know nothing.”

“It doesn’t matter. You’ll grow up, and one day you’ll know what to do and how everything will change… But today, happy birthday, Alice.”

The first birthday greeting she’d received on her eighteenth birthday was a surprise. She’d grown another year older, a little more mature, a little closer to the future Cecilion had described.

“I had to give you a present. But I’m ashamed to say I have nothing to offer you at this moment.”

“There’s no need to give me anything else, you’ve already given me so much… If you’re still worried, please hug me again.”

“Then please close your eyes.”

Alice closed her eyes and opened her arms, then felt herself enveloped in a warm embrace.

His voice was in her ear, blessing her once more, “Happy birthday, Alice.”

She closed her eyes, savoring the tender embrace of Cecilion. If only time could stand still, she would have gladly lingered in this moment forever; yet, she knew such a wish was likely beyond reach.

At length, she opened her eyes, watching as the gentle deity dissolved into the air, silent once more.

Her birthday had been a truly delightful day, leaving her with a sense of fulfillment—yet, it seemed that the enchantment of birthdays was destined to fade at midnight.

Later, in the quiet darkness of the night, a knock at her door from her servant roused her from sleep, bringing unwelcome news: despite the utmost vigilance, the prisoner she had taken had managed to take his own life in the dungeon.