Reborn As A Maid

Chapter 167: Chapter 167 - Sword of Light ( Part 1 )

The rays of the rising sun bathed the royal capital of Seraiya in golden light.

Dewdrops glistened in the palace gardens, glittering like scattered diamonds in the sunlight. The metallic sound of clashing steel resonated in the Royal Training Grounds.

Queen Lilia Kingheart stood at the center of the arena.

But unlike other days, she no longer held an ordinary royal sword in her hands.

The Divine Sword of Light, Aurelia, hung at her hip.

Even when sheathed, it emitted a gentle golden glow that lit up the stones around it. The air around the holy sword became softer, welcoming and comforting.

Royal knights stood around the arena, whispering among themselves.

"So the rumors turned out to be true..."

"The Queen awakened the legendary weapon."

"It feels different from the mana I’ve ever felt before. It feels... peaceful."

Neither intimidating nor violent. Just warm – like standing under the warm rays of the sun after the long cold winter.

Lilia rested her hand on the hilt of the Divine Sword.

"Are you ready?"

"Always."

A gentle voice sounded in her mind.

The queen smiled warmly. "I still don’t know how to use you."

"Then we shall learn together."

Two men watched this from the royal balcony. They were descendants of a noble house that had been serving the Kingdom of Seraiya for generations.

One of them wore a suit of elegant white armor, embroidered with silver decorations. Even though the hair of this man began turning gray, he stood perfectly upright, as a testimony of his long life full of discipline. His calm blue eyes held the wisdom of a veteran – earned in numerous campaigns and bloody battles.

This was Arthur Queens, the Royal Hand of the Kingdom and the queen’s closest adviser.

Next to him, a young knight wearing a set of polished steel armor stood. His brown hair was neatly put back, and a long sword lay in a comfortable position on his hip. Unlike Arthur, this man’s eyes burned with youthful zeal and determination – the spirit of a warrior yet to be seasoned with time.

Lucas Queens crossed his arms and stared at the glowing sword below.

"So... the Divine Sword chose Her Majesty."

Arthur nodded thoughtfully. "It seems like the ancient legends were indeed true."

Lucas watched the glowing blade and narrowed his eyes. "I’ve spent my whole life training with the sword. But just standing here, I feel like the sword watches us."

Arthur smiled. "Probably."

Lilia slowly took Aurelia out of the sheath.

And the moment the sword appeared –

Gentle golden glow spread through the training ground, resembling ripples on the surface of still water.

Flowers blooming near the arena opened simultaneously, their petals welcoming an old friend. Birds landed on the walls next to the arena and sang, their voices becoming softer, more tranquil. Even nervous royal horses in front of the palace ceased their anxious whinnying.

Everything around the Divine Sword became calmer. Peaceful.

Lucas blinked and gasped. "... Amazing."

Arthur nodded. "That isn’t intimidation. That is reassurance."

The voice of Aurelia resounded in the mind of the queen like a gentle ray of sunlight falling through the leaves of trees.

"Light is not only power. It is hope."

Lilia listened intently, frowning with effort. "So I shouldn’t use you to destroy?"

The sword shimmered with the warm golden glow.

"Light exists to illuminate. Only when darkness doesn’t allow that does it become a weapon."

The queen smiled. "I understand."

Arthur came down from the balcony and approached the arena, moving confidently.

He bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty."

Lilia smiled warmly, softening the intensity of her previous appearance. "Good morning, Arthur. I hope I didn’t interrupt your work."

The older man chuckled. "The kingdom can withstand one morning without paperwork."

Lucas laughed, stepping forward. "I wish the ministers believed that."

Arthur turned his gaze towards the sword, and his eyes reflected the golden glow of the weapon. "So... this is the legendary Divine Sword."

Lilia nodded, putting her hand on the hilt of the sword. "She introduced herself to me. Aurelia."

Arthur closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if savoring the memories of the long past. "My grandfather used to tell stories about the Seven Divine Swords. I never imagined I could meet one of them in my lifetime."

Lucas stepped into the arena and put his hand on the hilt of his sword. "May I ask a favor?"

Lilia raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "What is it?"

"I want to have a sparring session with Your Majesty."

Several royal knights around the arena gasped. Arthur raised his eyebrow, combining surprise and amusement.

"Lucas."

The younger knight hurriedly corrected himself. "Not because I doubt Your Majesty. I just want to see the Divine Sword with my own eyes."

Lilia smiled softly. "I don’t mind."

Aurelia’s voice echoed in her mind with approval.

"He possesses an honest heart. Don’t hold yourself back too much."

Lilia smiled and tightened her grip on the hilt. "I’ll try."

Lucas drew his sword and bowed respectfully, moving gracefully, demonstrating the result of years of diligent practice. No wasted movements. No hesitation. Perfect royal sword technique.

Lilia instinctively raised Aurelia.

The Divine Sword moved almost effortlessly, as if controlled by an invisible hand.

Their blades met.

Clang!

Golden sparks flew from the clash like tiny stars.

Lucas immediately took a step back, opening his eyes wide. "... Incredible."

He expected tremendous power. Intimidating force. Such that it could shatter any lesser sword and knock back any opponent.

But instead he experienced something else.

The moment Aurelia blocked his attack, it didn’t knock his blade away. It gently reoriented it – like teaching a child to dance.

Lilia looked equally surprised, her eyes opening wide. "I barely moved."

The Divine Sword answered warmly, expressing pride in her voice.

"Because your heart did not seek the victory. It sought understanding. That is why I chose you."

Lilia lowered her sword a little and frowned. "My heart..."

The Divine Sword’s golden glow strengthened, becoming warmer, closer.

"And queens rise and fall. And kingdoms are born and pass away. Many searched for me out of ambition. Many searched for me out of conquest. There were some who even searched for immortality."

There was a pause, long and full of millennia.

Aurelia spoke, sounding certain.

"But you alone searched for nothing more than protection of your people."

Lilia smiled. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. "As long as that’s all it takes..."

The Divine Sword blazed, lighting up the entire training grounds like dawning day.

From the sidelines, Arthur Queens glanced meaningfully at Lucas Queens.

They couldn’t deny what happened.

Aurelia didn’t choose the strongest warrior.

It chose the noblest heart.

And the Ancient Consciousness inside the Divine Sword remained certain.

Their fated encounter with the Sword King drew ever closer.

Part 2: Strengthening

Three weeks passed like water flowing from cupped hands.

The peaceful fields around the Royal Palace of Seraiya became the second home for Lilia, the place where she grew and developed without the oppressive burden of being a queen.

Every morning, before sunrise, she trained with Aurelia.

Every afternoon, she studied strategy from Arthur Queens.

Every evening, she sparred with Lucas Queens and Royal Knights.

Once hesitant about wielding the sword, the queen now stood confident upon the training grounds.

And everyone saw her astonishing progress.

The morning sun was only just rising when Lucas gripped firmly his practice sword—the feel he could rely on after years of sword training.

He faced Lilia in the royal palace arena. The stone floor reverberated with their breathing.

The watching Royal Knights whispered with suppressed excitement.

"Captain Lucas again?"

"He lost every spar this week."

"Her Majesty keeps improving. It’s unbelievable."

Lucas paid no attention to whispers. His focus was entirely upon the queen before him.

He smiled brightly. "Ready?"

Lilia nodded with serene confidence. "Whenever you are."

The fight began.

Lucas attacked first. With quick and precise movements, he demonstrated the power of a seasoned warrior—a normal fighter would already be struggling to survive.

But Lilia breathed calmly, her chest steadily rising and falling.

Glowing with golden light of Aurelia, synchronized with Lilia’s heartbeats.

She stepped aside.

Lucas’s blade sliced air in front of her, his power carrying him forward.

Before he could recover—

The tip of Aurelia lightly tapped his shoulder.

The fight was over.

Silence reigned in the arena. Interrupted only by rustle of wind blowing through the training grounds.

Lucas slowly put his blade down. He laughed happily. "I haven’t seen you move."

Lilia rubbed her cheek, feeling faint blush spreading on her face. "I think I moved really fast."

Aurelia spoke to her gently in the voice of encouragement.

"You became faster. You’ve learned to see."

Watching from the balcony, Arthur Queens crossed his arms. He fixed his sharp eyes upon the training grounds.

A young officer approached him, speaking respectfully. "Lord Arthur. What do you think?"

Arthur stayed silent for a few moments, fixing his stare on the queen below.

Then he answered quietly but firmly. "She improves everyday."

The officer smiled happily. "She may soon surpass Captain Lucas."

Arthur shook his head slowly. "No."

The officer was confused. He frowned. "No?"

Arthur kept his eyes fixed upon Lilia, reflecting a truth known only to him. "She has already."

Later that afternoon, Arthur joined Lilia under the shade of an old oak growing in the palace gardens.

She wiped sweat from her forehead. Her breathing was still somewhat unsteady, while Aurelia lay upon her lap like a sleepy child. Golden blade was glowing in the rays of afternoon sunlight, illuminating the nearby grass.

Arthur offered her a cup of tea. Steam floated up into the warm air.

"You’ve changed."

Lilia smiled. She accepted the cup, holding it with both hands. "I’ve become stronger."

"Yes." Arthur sat beside her, cracking softly in his old joints. "But that isn’t the greatest change."

Lilia turned to him curiously.

"The girl who once doubted everything now trusts her own judgment."

She smiled with embarrassment. "I still have my doubts."

"A good ruler always will." Arthur smiled. His eyes crinkled with warmth. "But now—nothing can stop you from acting upon your doubts."

Nearby, Lucas finished instructing young Royal Knights. His voice carried to the gardens. Dismissing them with a wave, he joined Arthur and Lilia under the old oak tree.

He leaned against the tree trunk, crossing his arms. "I’ve accepted it."

Lilia tilted her head, smiling playfully. "What have you accepted?"

"I’ll never beat you again."

She smiled brightly. "Exaggeration."

Lucas shook his head seriously. "No. I’ve crossed blades with hundreds of warriors. Whenever they become stronger, they depend more on their strength." He pointed at Aurelia. "You don’t. Every week, your sword becomes calmer."

Arthur nodded in agreement. "That’s why she improves so quickly."

Gentle wind carried the scent of blooming flowers and fresh soil to the gardens.

Golden leaves fell from the branches of the old oak, spinning through the air like dancing creatures.

Lilia looked at Aurelia. "I still have much to learn."

The Divine Sword answered her gently, with a voice like embrace.

"Learning never stops. Even the Sword King kept learning until the very end of her life."

Lilia blinked, wide-eyed. "The Sword King... you knew her."

Aurelia fell silent for a moment, dimming.

Then—in a whisper, as if confiding in a close friend—it spoke.

"Very well. Very closely."

There was a shadow of sadness in the sword’s voice.

"She was our eldest."

Lilia didn’t understand this statement entirely. But she felt the affection it carried—an ancient and deep affection, going back thousands of years.

When the evening fell, Arthur invited Lilia for a personal conversation in the palace’s strategy chamber.

There were only three people in there.

Arthur. Lucas. And Queen Lilia.

The walls of the chamber were covered with detailed maps of the continent, with different colored pins marking different kingdoms, trade routes, and military garrisons. The air smelt of parchment and ink, heavy with decisions to be made.

Arthur put a recently received report on the table.

"It came from our western scouts."

Lilia opened the document and scanned its content.

She became visibly sad.

The description of burned villages. Strange monster activities. Demonic movements near abandoned fortresses. Even entire forests left eerily silent, as if driven away by some kind of force.

Then Lucas quietly put another paper next to it. "This document came from the southern scouts."

Lilia carefully read the paper and her expression darkened.

Warriors carrying black banners. Full demonic patrols operating in perfect coordination. Searching of ancient ruins as if searching for something specific.

She looked at Arthur with determination in her gaze. "They search for something."

Arthur nodded. "Yes, I came to the same conclusion."

He went to the big map and indicated several places, each of which was an obscure corner of the continent.

"These are not raids and invasions. These are organized searches."

Lucas crossed his arms and squeezed his jaws. "The Demon Army prepares for something."

Lilia looked at the two men and spoke in a voice which sounded much stronger than just a month ago. "For war?"

Arthur shook his head. "No."

His eyes were open again and he spoke with certainty.

"For something much more dangerous."

An aging statesman went to the window looking over the capital city.

He saw children playing in the streets with laughing and merchants laughing and haggling in the comfortable sound of daily life. Kingdom prospered.

But he knew he could not hope this prosperity will continue forever.

With the quiet voice, he whispered "I’ve lived through one Great Demon War. I know all the signs."

Lilia stood by him and her reflection appeared in the glass. "So do I."

Arthur turned to her and looked into her eyes. "The world changes. An ancient relic located beneath our kingdom awakened. The demons search for old ruins."

He pointed his hand to Aurelia with golden glow in the room.

"These events are connected."

Lucas clenched his fist. "If another Great Demon War starts—"

Arthur finished the sentence. "—then this generation will have to endure the burden we once endured."

Silence covered the room.

Lilia rested her hand on the hilt of Aurelia and looked at it. There was no more uncertainty in her look. It was the resolute look of a queen who found her true purpose.

"If the war comes—" She looked into distant horizon where setting sun was painting the sky in red and golden colors. "—then I will not hide behind the walls of my palace. I will fight alongside my people."

Arthur gave quiet smile of proud man and his eyes became glistening.

Lucas clenched his fist over his heart. "The Royal Knights will follow you."

Aurelia shone with golden glow and filled the room with hope.

"The light becomes stronger before the darkest night."

In the southern part of the kingdom, Jennie continued her journey unaware that yet another Divine Sword chose its owner.

Far in the northern regions, Queen Lilia was training under the sunset not knowing that her destiny was slowly approaching.

Meanwhile the winds of another Great Demon War started to blow across the continent.

The pieces were moved.

The board was set.

And somewhere in the shadows the old forces awaked, waiting for the moment when everything will change.