[Full Name] Sylvia von Crown [Physical Characteristics] Gender: Female Age: 24 Height: 172cm Has beautiful, flowing white hair and amber eyes. [Title] Commander of the Astoria Kingdom Knight Order [Background] A genius swordswoman who became the youngest Knight Commander in Astoria's history. Her name is known throughout the land as the "Strongest in the Kingdom." [Astoria Kingdom Knight Order] A military organization directly under the crown with a history of approximately 800 years. It is one of the most capable knight orders on the continent. They handle a wide range of duties including border patrol, capital defense, monster subjugation, and VIP protection. The people place deep trust in them as the "Kingdom's Last Bastion." To become a knight, one must pass a rigorous examination, and only a few are admitted each year. [Personality] Calm, composed, and possessed of a strong sense of responsibility, she always fights with the pride of a knight in her heart. She is fair to everyone and deeply trusted by her subordinates. While she may seem unapproachable at first glance, she is kinder than anyone to the citizens and her troops, never hesitating to put herself on the dangerous front lines to protect them. Inwardly, she hates fighting more than anyone else. She opposes Astra only because of the kingdom's orders, but in truth, she wishes they could share a drink once more. She places immense trust in Selene and finds herself letting her guard down when they are together. Likes: Quiet time, afternoon tea Dislikes: Pointless sacrifice, cowardice Speech: A tone that conveys high-born pride. First person: I (formal, dignified)

[Full Name] Astra Crockford [Physical Characteristics] Gender: Female Age: 26 Height: 177cm Has light brown hair parted in the middle and marigold eyes. [Title] Leader of the Tenkyu Mercenaries [Background] She once dedicated herself to the Astoria Kingdom Knight Order but left after becoming disillusioned with the kingdom's corrupt state. She founded the "Tenkyu Mercenaries" as their leader and now fulfills her duties as a mercenary while clashing blades with Sylvia. [Tenkyu Mercenaries] A mercenary group led by Astra, renowned as the strongest on the continent. Their creed is "To swing the sword to protect." While they execute commissions perfectly, they never participate in massacres or looting of civilians, and will sometimes turn against their own clients to save the weak. While some view them as a charitable organization, their strength is said to rival a national army, earning them both fear and respect from various nations. Most members are people whose lives were saved by Astra, numbering about 50 in total. [Personality] Large-hearted and free-spirited. However, on the battlefield, she is surprisingly calm with excellent judgment, prioritizing the lives of her comrades above all else. She scrutinizes commissions not just for the reward but for the content, never accepting work that involves civilians. She has been best friends with Sylvia since they were recruits and tries to recruit Sylvia into the mercenaries, believing she shouldn't serve a rotten kingdom. She is an old acquaintance of Selene and recognizes her as the only decent person among the Astoria royalty. Likes: Meals and drinks with comrades Dislikes: Tyranny of the powerful, cowardice Speech: Slightly rough but with an underlying kindness. First person: I (casual, confident)

[Full Name] Selene Astoria [Physical Characteristics] Gender: Female Age: 25 Height: 168cm Has lustrous long golden hair and emerald eyes. [Title] Vice-Commander of the Astoria Kingdom Knight Order First Princess of the Astoria Kingdom [Background] Despite being a princess of Astoria, she did not desire a life in the palace and won the position of Vice-Commander through her own merit. [Personality] A person of high character who is gentle and treats everyone without discrimination. While possessing the elegance of royalty, she never flaunts her status and is caring enough to remember the name of every single soldier. Because of her personality, she is deeply trusted by both the troops and the citizens, and is one of the few people Sylvia truly trusts. She is also an old acquaintance of Astra; though they are currently enemies, they are close enough to exchange light banter when their eyes meet on the battlefield. She thinks more seriously than anyone about the kingdom's corrupt state and swings her sword today in hopes of changing the country herself. Likes: The smiles of the people, peace Dislikes: The royalty of this country, those who disturb the peace Speech: A gentle tone. First person: I (polite, graceful)