A reply from Ehrenfest arrived the following morning regarding the letter about Traok. The letter sent in the evening had been answered first thing in the morning. It was clear they were taking the matter quite seriously.
"
"It says to leave the talking to the Aub since communication with the royalty is his responsibility, and I shouldn't do anything unnecessary. There's also the risk that even letters could be censored, or worse, anyone who's used a Traok could have their information leaked. And on top of that, they can't trust people like them to decide how much of Ehrenfest's internal affairs to expose…" Wilfried read aloud.
I couldn't help but nod in understanding. Even some of Ehrenfest's own officials had guessed at the Traok, so officials of the same generation in the central aristocracy would likely know even more about it.
"More importantly, it says that if a Traok has truly been used against a central knight, then there's a dangerous element either within the Central Knight Order or among central figures close enough to access it. They don't want any further danger to fall on you lot, apparently. As for the matter of
After nodding along to the contents of Wilfried's letter, I decided to leave the Traok matter to
"In any case, it says multiple times to not do anything unnecessary. Be careful, Rozemyne."
"I understand. Today I'm heading to
"Mm. I'll be helping with the joint research with
I brought a letter for Ferdinand along with me and headed to Hirschur's laboratory. The ones accompanying me today were Liesereta, Gretea, and my guard knights
Everyone else was swamped with preparations for the Interduchy Tournament.
"Today,
"Is Hirschur-sensei available?"
When Liesereta announced our visit and called out, it seemed that Laimunt—who had probably been holed up in the laboratory working on his presentation for the Interduchy Tournament—rushed to greet us, hurriedly smoothing down his disheveled black hair.
"I'm terribly sorry, but could you please wait just a moment? I'm currently tidying up so as to present myself in a less unsightly manner."
Laimunt's gaze as he spoke was glued to the wagon behind me. He looked completely well-fed, like a pet that had been fully trained. When Laimunt closed the door, Liesereta let out a soft chuckle.
"When I told him Rozemyne-sama had said we'd be coming, I sent ordonnances last night and this morning, but it seems he still hasn't tidied up."
He must have been prioritizing his research and only started frantically cleaning up after this morning's ordonnance.
When the door opened again, both of them were presentable. I stepped inside and immediately asked Laimunt about his progress.
"I received a letter from Ferdinand-sama. Is your research going well, Laimunt?"
"I've been given permission to present on the recording Magical Tool and the library Magical Tools. If possible, I would like Rozemyne-sama to create these for me."
In addition to the Magical Tool that lights up at a set time, it seems that as part of Schwartz and the others' research, he had developed a Magical Tool for searching books and documents. Unlike Schwartz and the others, it didn't need to walk or talk, so it apparently saved a considerable amount of Magic Power.
"This is partly my own research as well, but Ehrenfest has been very busy with research this year," Hirschur said.
Normally, Hirschur conducted research presentations at Ehrenfest, but this year there were so many joint research projects that she had decided to hitch a ride with Laimunt's presentation.
"These are certainly valuable pieces of research, but they are somewhat plain. Compared to research aimed at obtaining divine blessings or new Magical Tools using Ehrenfest paper, they lack the ability to draw people in. And even if you make Magical Tools that are useful in a library, there aren't that many libraries to begin with."
Hirschur said that since libraries themselves were few and the management wasn't all that demanding, a Magical Tool for searching books and documents would only interest researchers. I was very happy about it, but apparently it wasn't eye-catching enough to serve as a headline research piece.
"In other words, I just need to increase the number of libraries. From now on, I shall—"
"Leave the increase in libraries to the natural course of times. Rather than that, please create the prototypes quickly."
…Saying "rather than that" was just cruel.
My library expansion plan was cut off by Hirschur before I could even voice it, and with drooping shoulders, I turned to Laimunt.
"Laimunt, in Ehrenfest we're thinking of creating books that automatically return to the book chest as part of the joint research with Drewanchel. I'd like to use the magic circle I created before that you refined—would that be alright?"
"Since we'd be using Ehrenfest paper and Rozemyne-sama's magic circle, I don't think I need to give my permission…"
Laimunt blinked his blue eyes, apparently genuinely thinking so. I explained to him that he had simplified the circle, and that not everyone possessed that kind of technical skill.
"I'll make sure to clearly note that the magic circle improvement was done by Laimunt. If you don't sell your name like this, you won't attract a good patron and you won't flourish as a researcher."
Laimunt was a mid-level noble who had a poor relationship with his birth family, and despite claiming to have no money, he was remarkably indifferent to the value of his own skills and talent.
"I've heard that Ferdinand-sama sold the research and Magical Tools he developed at the
"…I'll be careful."
"Rozemyne-sama, that's enough about money. Like Ferdinand-sama and I do, you can obtain research funding by selling the results of your research. There aren't many days left until the Interduchy Tournament, so please focus on that."
I thought Hirschur was impressive enough to be able to gather the necessary funds when she needed them, given that she had enough research results to do so. I was quite curious about the fact that she seemed to be selling at a steep discount, but it wasn't my place to interfere further.
"How should I report to Fraulem-sensei?"
"I've already shown her the prototypes, so there's nothing in particular left to report. …The other day, when I reported to Fraulem-sensei as a final confirmation, it was quite a ordeal."
Laimunt had apparently said that since Ferdinand—who was his master—was the one verifying the research, it didn't need to be a joint project with Ehrenfest. And since I wasn't contributing that much to the research, he had suggested changing it from a joint project to simply a collaboration.
But I had appealed that without my cooperation the prototypes couldn't have been made, and lightly threatened that I would consult with
"It's really helpful that Detlinde-sama is on my side, saying it's a research presentation being conducted under my fiancé's name."
After the cousin meeting, Detlinde had apparently been angry at Fraulem, saying, "It's because proper reports weren't delivered that I, the next Aub, was humiliated." Perhaps that was why she had hurriedly sent a report to Ferdinand as well.
"Hey, Laimunt. What's Fraulem-sensei's standing like in the dormitory? When she says such overbearing things, do the others in Ahrensbach just accept it?"
"As long as Ehrenfest and Rozemyne-sama aren't involved, she's not that nagging. Apparently, Ehrenfest and Rozemyne-sama schemed against her, causing her sister to suffer greatly. I hear she was punished as part of Viscount Bindewald's collective punishment."
And then, Georgine—who hailed from Ehrenfest—was apparently providing various favors to Fraulem as a form of atonement.
…I was thinking, "Who was Viscount Bindewald again?" but right—he was that toad-like noble who caused a ruckus in the
Once I knew the reason for being targeted, it became clear why keeping my distance was wise, and it also made it easier to avoid them on my end.
"Because of that, she gets along very well with students who harbor hostility toward Ehrenfest. Students who were blocked by Rozemyne-sama's Shield of
Not all of Ahrensbach's apprentice officials had been barred, but two of them had been. Laimunt looked uncomfortable as he averted his gaze and told me.
"The two who were blocked spoke very ill of Rozemyne-sama. They were originally nobles from the former
On top of that, they were furious about being humiliated in front of the royalty this time. Fraulem was apparently consoling them with insults directed at me included, and this was solidifying a peculiar bond between them.
"Of course, the apprentice officials who had been allowed in reported on what happened during the ceremony, its usefulness in obtaining divine blessings, and so on, so it's not as though all of Ahrensbach thinks that way. The value of Ferdinand-sama—the former Chief Priest of Ehrenfest who knows all about religious rites—has risen dramatically."
"Is that so? Then I was able to be of some use to Ferdinand-sama after all."
Feeling a little pleased, I turned my gaze to Liesereta. She swiftly moved forward and handed Laimunt a letter.
"Please deliver this to Ferdinand-sama. It also includes a request for him to bring certain items to the Interduchy Tournament, so I would be grateful if you could deliver it as quickly as possible."
Laimunt accepted it, saying, "Understood. I'll return to the dormitory once while Rozemyne-sama is compounding." Unlike me, who was relieved, Hirschur blinked in puzzlement.
"Oh my, Ferdinand-sama is attending the Interduchy Tournament? Not just the graduation ceremony to escort his fiancée? There aren't any lord candidates in Ahrensbach who can stay behind, are there? Can he really be away for several days?"
Ahrensbach's lord candidates were Detlinde and
…Or could it be that the Aub's condition was worse than expected, and Georgine-sama and Ferdinand-sama were both coming?
Even then, leaving the ailing Aub—who was too unwell to attend social functions—in charge while going out would be a problem.
"There are several former lord candidates who are now upper nobles, so they'll be in charge of things while he's gone," Laimunt said.
He explained that while they couldn't pour Magic Power into the foundation magic, they could handle office work and keep watch.
"You don't need a lord candidate's title for political activities outside, and you don't specifically need one for guarding the home either. As for the foundation magic, I hear that even if the supply is interrupted for a day or two, there won't be any sudden changes. Is that not the case?"
"In Ehrenfest, they always make sure someone who can supply Magic Power to the foundation is on guard duty, just in case something happens. Ahrensbach and Ehrenfest differ in that respect too."
After seeing Laimunt off, I began compounding. This time it was for the Magical Tool that Hirschur was making to ride on Laimunt's research.
I thought she could just make it herself, but when she told me, "I'll give it to you after my presentation at the Interduchy Tournament is over. I have no need for library Magical Tools," I had no choice but to eagerly get to work.
…I'm putting a document search system in my library!
As I placed Hirschur's prepared materials into the compounding pot and stirred, I chatted with her in little bursts. The only topic we had in common was Ferdinand.
"…So, Detlinde-sama apparently asked him to come greet her on the morning of the graduation ceremony. Since Ferdinand-sama can no longer stay at the Ahrensbach dormitory, he'll be staying in Ehrenfest's tea room."
"Oh my, that Ferdinand-sama, indulging in such make-believe…"
Hirschur let out a wry smile. Just as I murmured, "It must be hard having to keep Detlinde-sama in a good mood," Hirschur said at the same time, "Perhaps he really wants to return to Ehrenfest that badly?"
"Huh?"
"If that weren't the case, he'd just talk his way into staying at the Ahrensbach dormitory or take his time here doing research. Even if he's been relegated to a sofa in the tea room, he must simply want to go back to Ehrenfest."
Hirschur's words—which showed she understood Ferdinand better than I did—filled me with a strange mix of happiness and sadness. The words "I want to do research" written here and there in his letters—for the stubborn Ferdinand—might really have been his way of saying "I want to come home."
"I will welcome Ferdinand-sama with all my effort."
"Then, please take these. They're the copied materials from my research on Schwartz and the others, along with supplementary materials I researched myself."
Ferdinand had written in his letter that staying at Hirschur's laboratory would mean losing himself in research and pulling an all-nighter. Was it not a bit cruel to hand him even more research materials?
"Hirschur-sensei, are you planning to cut into Ferdinand-sama's sleep time?"
"Wouldn't that be you, Rozemyne-sama? You've been doing nothing but make him scratch his head. A ceremony with royalty in attendance, a ditter match against Dunkelfelger with Rozemyne-sama's betrothal on the line… Don't you think a single night wouldn't be nearly enough?"
She told me that losing sleep to research was surely better than losing it to lectures, and I felt the blood drain from my face.
"There's no way the topic of the ceremonies attended by royalty at the Interduchy Tournament and graduation ceremony won't come up. Even among the professors who've only heard about it from the participating students, the detailed presentation is eagerly anticipated. This is the research that's drawing the most attention at this year's Interduchy Tournament presentations. Ferdinand-sama would surely want to know every detail."
"Nnngh…"
I couldn't help but picture myself being scolded endlessly from the moment of our reunion, and I began to feel quite gloomy. I had to at least get one word of praise somehow.
"Um, Hirschur-sensei. What are the surrounding duchies' evaluations and reputations like?"
Liesereta asked while pouring tea for Hirschur.
"After the Dedication Ritual, the number of duchies that try to butter us up at tea parties
It wasn't just at tea parties—apparently the same thing happened when apprentice officials and attendants tried to gather information. I had expected that duchies would start fawning on us after the ceremony, but Liesereta said it was almost unsettling how suddenly the bad rumors had vanished.
Gretea nodded along with Liesereta's words.
"The middle and lower duchies that couldn't participate in the ceremony certainly had complaints. Yet, after the ditter match, things changed. Among the middle and lower duchies approaching us, some have malice hidden behind their smiles. If you know anything, Hirschur-sensei—as the dormitory supervisor—we would like to hear it."
Hirschur lowered her gaze thoughtfully for a moment.
"I received personal words from the Zent and was given information about obtaining divine blessings ahead of everyone else. The duchies that were able to participate won't badmouth us to our faces as much. It's only natural that they'd try to gain whatever advantage they can from Ehrenfest, which has ties to the royalty. I hope this can be an opportunity to get along better with other duchies."
Hirschur spoke as though it were someone else's problem, then added in a murmur, "Though the resentments hidden behind smiles are the scary ones."
"From what I've heard, there's plenty of badmouthing. Not everyone approaches with smiles like that. On top of the existing rumors about the Aub, didn't Ehrensbach basically pull a sneak attack?"
The thought was that joint research participation required a ditter match. Having endured the enormous burden of completing the ditter and barely earning the right to participate, I then used a Divine Instrument to bar those with hostile intentions.
Being rejected in front of the royalty had turned them pale. Then, to try to salvage their image even slightly, they had complied with the Central Knight's demands—only to realize they'd been manipulated without any royal order actually being given.
"Dunkelfelger and Ehrenfest were involved in all of it. The resentment is only natural. And I get the feeling that resentment is being directed at the weaker Ehrenfest."
"Is that so…"
"In various ways, we'll need to be cautious," Gretea murmured, and Hirschur nodded deeply.
"It might not feel real to you since you only know the Royal Academy from recent years, but just a few years ago, Ehrenfest was a lower duchy that had only risen in rank due to a political upheaval. Now, almost overnight, it has risen out of the lower ranks and gained ties to the royalty. There are probably far more duchies jealous of you than you'd imagine."
Hirschur's words reminded me of what
"Until last year, there were many voices saying Ehrenfest's trends were just a passing fad, but this year, more people are saying that Rozemyne-sama single-handedly raised the duchy's ranking. The trends that keep emerging, the joint research with major duchies, the ties to royalty—everyone around has realized it all stems from Rozemyne-sama's actions."
"…None of that is something I could do alone."
Raising academic rankings, launching the printing industry—none of it would have been possible on my own. It was only possible because there were people working with me. At my protest, Hirschur's expression turned slightly stern.
"Indeed. It's not all due to your power alone. However, none of it could have been accomplished without you. Please recognize your own image as others from outside see it."
A woman with vast Magic Power, knowledge of all manner of trends and technology, blessings from numerous gods, ties to royalty, unmatched excellence—and despite being betrothed, a female lord candidate that Dunkelfelger had tried to claim by force.
"I love seeing Ehrenfest united as one with Rozemyne-sama at its center. So, please be very careful about your surroundings. You mustn't lose the ability to watch what's going on around you."
"Yes."
I replied while continuing to stir the pot.
"The letter has been delivered."
Laimunt returned. The moment he saw the cleared table and Hirschur eating, he let out a pathetic "Ahhh!"
"I've set aside a portion for Laimunt."
Encouraged by Hirschur's words, Laimunt sat down and began eating. Liesereta, who had been serving, poured tea for Laimunt and asked a question.
"Laimunt-sama. There's something I've been very curious about—may I ask?"
"What is it?"
"Will the recording Magical Tool over there be displayed as is? I think it would be cuter displayed as a Schumil plushie."
I recalled the Schumil plushie Liesereta had made for me. It was indeed cuter than the Magical Tool itself and would certainly draw attention on display. There was a white Schumil intended as a gift for Letizia that still hadn't had a voice put into it.
"The idea of putting a Magical Tool inside a plushie is very Rozemyne-sama-like, and it would immediately make it obvious who's participating in the joint research."
Liesereta argued that even if Fraulem took the lead and the names of Laimunt as proposer and Ferdinand as reviewer were prominently displayed, having a Schumil plushie with a Magical Tool inside would immediately reveal my involvement.
She said it was to publicize my involvement as the lord, but it sure sounded like she just wanted to display cute Schumils. Or was that my imagination?
"That's true—neither Laimunt nor I nor Ferdinand-sama would have thought of decorating a Magical Tool, so it should be effective against Fraulem. But will it be ready in time for the Interduchy Tournament?"
"It's almost done. I'll blow the voice in and bring it on the day. I think displaying a normal Magical Tool next to a Schumil plushie would delight both men and women."
Liesereta accepted the task with a wonderfully animated smile.
And when I returned to my room, Liesereta promptly brought the finished white Schumil.
The recording Magical Tool registered its owner's Magic Power and could only record while the registered person was pouring Magic Power into it. For the Schumil intended for Letizia, I would be the one blowing in the voice, so my Magic Power was already registered on the tool. I held the white Schumil and pondered.
"What should I have put in? After all, it's going to be displayed at the Interduchy Tournament. I don't think I can blow in warnings about Ferdinand-sama."
If I did something like that, I'd end up getting my cheeks pinched the moment we reunited. Even I knew that much.
"Rozemyne-sama, Rozemyne-sama! Don't you think it would be wonderful to receive words of love from a gentleman through such a cute Magical Tool?"
"Let me choose from the love stories of the Royal Academy and have someone—a gentleman—blow them into this Schumil. I will personally select the most wonderful words of love."
Since I wasn't sure what counted as wonderful, I left it to Muriella. When we headed to the multipurpose hall together, Muriella moved faster than with any other task as she began selecting words of love from the Royal Academy's romance stories.
"Matthias, Laurentz. Either one of you would do, but could one of you blow the words of love Muriella selected into this Schumil?"
I went to the multipurpose hall to make the request. Theodore and Roderich still had voices that were too young, so I'd preferably ask Matthias or Laurentz. I couldn't help but think that
My request left Matthias frozen with an "Eh!?" while Laurentz simply said, "Sure," and accepted readily.
"Then, Laurentz, if you would…"
"Wait, Laurentz. You—can you, ah, ah, blow in words of love and such, in a place like this?!"
Matthias gestured at everyone in the multipurpose hall, looking almost pitifully flustered. Laurentz shrugged in puzzlement.
"It's not like I'm saying them to a woman I'm interested in. It's probably the same as reading a book out loud, isn't it? I don't think it's something worth panicking over…"
"No, those aren't the kind of words you casually say to just anyone without the right audience."
Matthias was earnest even in matters like this. Their exchange was amusing, but Muriella stood with the romance stories in hand, waiting with an expectant smile.
"Then, shall I ask Laurentz?"
"…I'm a sorry excuse for an attendant who can't fulfill his lord's wishes. Please forgive me."
Matthias said this with a look of regret and took a step back. I didn't think it was really something to be that regretful about, but Matthias was quite dejected.
"As long as you help out in the areas where you excel, Matthias. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses."
"…You are too kind."
I touched the Magical Tool and recorded Laurentz's voice. The words of love Muriella had selected were filled with gods and goddesses, and I still didn't really understand them.
Since I couldn't grasp the love words, I ended by blowing in a book advertisement at the end. It was a great chance to promote Ehrenfest's books to the many visitors.
"For ladies who want to be swept away by various words of love, and for gentlemen seeking the perfect words of love to win the heart of their beloved—the love stories of the Royal Academy have you covered. The love stories of the Royal Academy go on sale in Ehrenfest this summer. Thrilling ditter tales, knight stories, and the history of Dunkelfelger will be released simultaneously. Please look forward to it."
And so, a white Schumil was chosen to be displayed alongside Laimunt's joint research.
Liesereta was overjoyed inside.
I've been writing about this laboratory, and somehow, it felt like a warm and comfortable place to be.
Next time: the beginning of the Interduchy Tournament.