The Noble Academy at Night

Since we're departing in the dead of night once again, I'm planning to take a nap starting from the evening. To make that possible, I need to work hard on preparations now. I called Hartmut and the others over to investigate the most efficient way to find the secluded palace hidden by Verbergen, and to prepare the necessary magic circles.

"It seems the mark of the Concealment God Verbergen has been engraved on the doors and the palace itself to make them hard to see. I believe that by using the mark of the Guidance Goddess Anhaltung, we can determine where it's hidden."

As I explained the contents of my communication with Aub Dunkelfelger, Hartmut crossed his arms and bowed his head, as if searching his memory.

"There weren't many magic circles related to searching during the Noble Academy lectures. If anything, I think it would be a rather specialized one. Lady Rozemyne, are you familiar with any?"

"Lady Rozemyne, while using Anhaltung to expose the concealment is necessary, wouldn't it be highly effective if we could use Verbergen's mark to conduct covert operations without the enemy noticing?"

As Hartmut and Leonore offered their opinions, I pulled out the Book of Mestionora and searched for entries on Verbergen and Anhaltung. Everyone in this office already knew that I had the Book of Mestionora, so there was no need to hide it.

"Hartmut, this magic circle looks like it could work for searching."

After selecting magic circles that I could fill in using my own knowledge, I sketched them on paper and handed them to Hartmut.

"You're fine with drawing magic circles, then."

"Yes. Drawing magic circles isn't particularly difficult."

"…Then perhaps if we modify the Ordoshnelli magic circle used in Ordinances, we might be able to communicate verbally. I believe that would be necessary when heading into battle."

Hartmut asked me to research magic circles related to Ordoshnelli beyond what was covered in lectures. Having a means of communication versus not having one certainly made a huge difference. I marveled at Hartmut's insight as I searched through the Book of Mestionora.

…Ferdinand probably has a lot more old magic circles.

As I searched, wondering if there might be one that suited our needs, I looked up at Hartmut and tilted my head.

"Hartmut, aren't you looking rather sleep-deprived as well? You haven't been resting either, have you?"

"Oh my? Lady Rozemyne, would you grant me a Blessing of Schlaftraum too?"

I compared Hartmut, who raised his eyebrows playfully, with Clarissa, who had clasped her hands before her chest with a look that clearly said "Please do!"

"I understand how hard you've been working, Hartmut. I won't be stingy with my blessings."

"Then let me receive a blessing when Ferdinand wakes up, in rotation."

Hartmut shook his head, saying we couldn't afford to reduce my retinue any further. I looked around at those nearby. Indeed, my guard knights were taking turns resting for tonight's battle, and Justus and Eckhart were also resting so they could assist Ferdinand at full capacity once he woke.

"Rest assured. I will rest together with Lady Rozemyne."

"Please say you'll rest during Lady Rozemyne's nap time, Hartmut," Leonore said with a faint smile, shooting a stern glance at Hartmut.

Watching this exchange, I busied myself diligently drawing magic circles on the magic paper Hartmut and Clarissa had made, and confirming with Retizia the number of nobles who appeared to have relocated from the Lanzenerve estate.

"You're up quite early, Ferdinand."

I had thought he would sleep more soundly, but Ferdinand woke before the fifth bell rang. He woke earlier than expected, but his complexion looked much improved.

"Rozemyne, when granting blessings that would disrupt the other party's schedule, you must obtain their permission in advance."

"Then from now on, Ferdinand, please obtain my permission as well."

We were both equally guilty of granting blessings without permission. When I glared at Ferdinand, he nodded with a sour expression, saying he would "take it under consideration."

"What kind of dream did you have, Ferdinand? I had a wonderful dream about reading lots of books in a magnificent library."

"…It was nothing remarkable."

"That's strange. Was my prayer insufficient?"

Ferdinand had fallen asleep so quickly that the magic power I'd used for the blessing wasn't that much, but perhaps I should have poured in more after all.

"You need not worry about such things. More importantly, have there been any updates? How are preparations progressing?"

Ferdinand asked Hartmut rather than me for the explanation, and the two began talking.

"Using Verbergen's mark for covert operations is an excellent idea. I'd even like to grant it to the Dunkelfelger knights."

"We'll already be highly conspicuous when teleporting through the Border Gate, won't we? When we went to pick up Dunkelfelger, the Gate supposedly lit up as well…"

When I pointed out that covert operations might already be too late, Ferdinand considered the matter briefly, tapping his temple with a fingertip, and said, "It would still be beneficial to have."

"Ferdinand, Letizia requested to speak with you before the battle about an instantly lethal poison. Given her position, it doesn't seem like something she can discuss openly, and she said she couldn't be left alone with just two of my guard knights. I told her I'd ask after you woke up. Do you have time?"

In the coming battle, it was highly likely the people of Lanzenerve would use this poison. If Letizia knew something, we should hear it. However, I wanted to respect Ferdinand's opinion to some degree about how to handle Letizia, since he was the victim.

"…That's fine. Let's hear it. Information about Lanzenerve has been very difficult to obtain."

"Then I'll have tea prepared. You haven't had lunch, Ferdinand. Shall I arrange a light meal as well?"

"Lady Rozemyne has been worried about you since noon, so a light meal can be prepared right away. Would you prefer the cuisine brought from Ehrenfest or the light fare from Ahrensbach?"

Lieseleta asked with a gentle smile, and Justus answered, "The cuisine brought from Ehrenfest, please."

Lieseleta and Zerchius took the lead in preparing tea in the room adjacent to the office. I had Gretia send word to Letizia, informing her that we were moving tea time up slightly to create a window for discussion, and asking her to come to the tea room.

By the time Ferdinand arrived, having received reports on my activities from both Letizia and Hartmut, the tea preparation was perfectly arranged, and the area-designation eavesdropping-prevention Magical Tool was active.

"So, what information exactly do you have?"

"The people of Lanzenerve possess silver tubes containing a deadly poison."

"I'm aware. Rozemyne has seen it during the Ehrenfest battle as well, so the details aren't necessary."

At Ferdinand's curt response, Letizia's gaze shifted slightly, as if searching for words.

"They carry medicine that renders the poison ineffective against themselves. That's why they can use deadly poison even without covering their mouths with cloth. Please be careful."

"Medicine?"

"Yes. It resembles the confectionery you gave us as a souvenir very closely in shape and taste. However, if you keep it in your mouth until the end, there's a slight bitterness at the center. That day, I was called over by Dietlinde and Leonzio on my way to the Supply Room, and they gave me some."

This was the story of when Letizia's head attendant Roswitha had suddenly disappeared without a trace, two days had passed, and Letizia had arranged a consultation with Ferdinand in the Supply Room.

"In a confined room, it's extremely powerful. After Ferdinand's retainers rushed out somewhere, Leonzio used it in the Aub's office. At that time, everyone except me and Faezelle, who had eaten it beforehand as my food taster…"

Letizia pressed her trembling lips tightly together and looked down. When conducting magic power supplies in Ehrenfest, only the higher-ranking nobles who were related by blood to the Aub could wait in the Aub's office. Those higher-ranking nobles had all been struck by that poison at once. The image of my own retainers all turning into magic stones flashed through my mind, and I involuntarily covered my mouth.

"…Letizia, I understand the threat of the poison and that there are substances that can be used for antidotes or neutralization. That's enough. You may leave."

"As you wish. …Please, please do be careful. The people of Lanzenerve see us as nothing more than lumps of magic power."

Letizia exited, her blue-green eyes trembling with frustration.

"…Are you all right, Rozemyne?"

"Th-the feeling is unpleasant, but I'm all right. I was the one who decided to hear Letizia's story, and Letizia herself witnessed far worse than I did."

It was impossible for this not to cause trauma. Letizia deserved compassionate protection above all.

"However, Letizia is also a criminal who directed poison at me. I think redemption is possible, but how to handle Letizia will be decided later. We must capture the people of Lanzenerve so that no one else has to go through the same experience."

I felt strongly that the people of Lanzenerve could not be left to run free. I took Ferdinand's extended hand and stood up, nodding.

"It should be about time for your nap soon, shouldn't it? Do you need a Blessing of Schlaftraum today as well?"

"I slept well last night, so I don't think it would work on me today. Rather, Hartmut could use a blessing…"

"Go to Hartmut's room and give him a blessing there, then go straight to sleep."

Ferdinand exhaled lightly, saying it was troublesome to carry a large man. It seemed he hadn't enjoyed being carried by Eckhart. Indeed, since I couldn't enter a man's room, it would be better to ask Ferdinand.

Saying it was simply a matter of course, Ferdinand gave me another Blessing of Schlaftraum, but today I didn't suddenly feel sleepy and made it back to my room normally. Still, the dream had been pleasant, so I wanted this blessing every day from now on.

--- Standing before the knights gathered in the training grounds, Ferdinand spoke.

"You've been fighting for days on end now. You've had no time to rest properly. I can't say you're in peak condition."

Eighty Ahrensbach knights lined up, bound for the Noble Academy. Added to them were my guard knights, Ferdinand's guard knights, and a portion of the scholars—that constituted our fighting force this time.

We had to leave behind forces to defend Ahrensbach, so the surplus we could deploy was limited to this. However, compared to Ehrenfest, the numbers were considerably larger, and we also had Dunkelfelger's forces. If the goal was merely to seize Adalgisa's secluded palace, it wouldn't be particularly difficult.

"But there is no more time for rest. We cannot leave those who ravaged Ahrensbach as they are. To restore peace to this land under its new Aub, we must demonstrate to the Zent that we harbor no intent of rebellion. We must capture the shameless fools who invited the people of Lanzenerve and present them before the Zent!"

As if in response, Eckhart slammed his spear into the ground with a thud. The knights responded by snapping their boots together with a sharp crack. The air around the knights grew heated. The fervor before battle was almost visible.

"The grudge of our countrymen who lost their lives in the sudden attack! The humiliation of knights who failed to protect those they should have guarded! Now is the time to wash away those stains!"

"Ooh!"

"Forgive not those fools who, despite being a lord's family that obtained the Foundation, colluded with a foreign power and endangered their own territory!"

"Ooh!"

"Capture every last one of those who ravaged the streets of Ahrensbach!"

"Ooh!"

In the heat-filled air, Ferdinand called my name: "Rozemyne." I stepped forward slowly, taking a position one pace ahead of Ferdinand. My role was predetermined. I would send my blessings to the knights heading into battle.

"My blessings to all who go forth to fight!"

Gripping my Staf, I chanted.

"May the Water Goddess Flutrene's divine attendants, the Thunder Goddess Fehldraen and the Fortune Goddess Greifschaan, grant you their protection!"

Green light rained down upon the knights. The Ahrensbach knights, perhaps having never received a blessing before, looked up in mild surprise, their eyes widening as they gazed at the green light descending upon them.

"May the Fire God Leidenschaft's divine attendants, the Valor God Angriff and the Hunting God Schlagertil, grant you their protection!"

Next, blue light rained down. Ferdinand tapped my back lightly, saying, "There are this many of them. That should be enough." But I shook my head slightly, refusing his attempt to stop me. I wanted to give as many blessings as possible. I wanted everyone to be in slightly better fighting condition. I wanted to raise everyone's survival rate even marginally. My magic power could be replenished with a nasty-tasting recovery potion when we teleported to the Border Gate on our riding beasts.

"May the Wind Goddess Steria's divine attendants, the Gale Goddess Stiefelise and the Patience Goddess Drutzesezzen, grant you their protection!"

The world, indistinguishable whether night sky or ocean, was a uniform black, and in it the Boundary Gate and Border Gate could be seen faintly glowing. In the darkness, I rode as a passenger on Ferdinand's riding beast, drinking recovery potion while enduring his lecture. Drinking the awful-tasting recovery potion in midair was extremely dangerous, so I'd been told to dilute it with kindness, and this time I'd done just that.

"Don't be reckless, you fool! Do you have any idea what kind of burden it places on your body to cast that many blessings on that many people, and that you also need magic power for teleportation?"

"I do understand, but magic power can be recovered. If you lose your life on the battlefield, you can't get it back. If layering blessings improves everyone's survival rate, then I'll push myself a little…"

I simply didn't want to see more people die. At my words, Ferdinand sighed and said, "You really are troublesome."

I opened the Boundary Gate and then the Border Gate. Since the Lesser Bus wouldn't be available this time, everyone else would have to come up via the stairs. I watched them enter through the door situated above the sea, and once I confirmed everyone was inside, I closed the Boundary Gate.

We descended to the Border Gate. I called out to the knights, who were peering inside with curiosity, "Please line up here," and had them form up on the teleportation circle before activating it.

"Keishurussel Easutoede."

The destination was a room similar to the teleportation room in the Noble Academy dormitory. It was quite spacious—a room surrounded on all four sides by walls. I ordered the knights not to leave on their own, then returned to the Ahrensbach Border Gate with my guard knights to bring back the remaining knights.

"Did you bring Verbergen's mark?"

These were hastily made concealment talismans the scholars had prepared at Leonore's suggestion. I had drawn a magic circle on magic paper to serve as my own.

"Quietly. We need to leave the building as soon as possible."

We couldn't afford to have the instant-death poison used on us while we were crowded together. They were covering their mouths with cloth, and each person carried a Jureve, but the knights who had been fighting continuously from Ehrenfest in particular didn't have many Jureve.

I opened the door with Glutrisheit. Eckhart and Angelica slipped outside without making a sound and checked the surroundings. Eckhart's hand shot up quickly. There didn't appear to be any sentries nearby.

Angelica, who had gone further ahead, waved her hand to the side. It seemed there were figures in that direction. The area where Angelica was stood near the doors leading to the dormitory, so the Central Knights might be stationed there.

This was the Central Building of the Noble Academy. Leaving the room with the teleportation circle, we were near the classrooms used during the Lord Candidate course lectures. The fact that teleportation circles leading to all Border Gates were here drove home the realization that this was the sacred ground of Yurgenschmidt.

The ones leading the way were the retainers of Lord Candidates who had walked this area before for escorting and receiving guests. Without a single sound, they moved silently through the white buildings that reflected only the moonlight. Thinking of it as the school buildings at night, there was a thrilling sensation, as if something strange—like a skeleton from a science classroom—might come flying out of some room. My hands and feet trembled with tension. In the suffocating silence that made you want to scream something meaningless, the knights quietly opened windows and leaped outside, one after another disappearing into the thickets.

"Don't we need to go back?" Ferdinand asked in a low voice.

"We're going."

Ferdinand summoned his riding beast, and as he took off with me mounted, the others who had been waiting in the thickets also summoned their riding beasts and began racing through the night sky toward the direction of the Ahrensbach dormitory.

"Aub Dunkelfelger, this is Rozemyne. We've exited the Central Building."

I immediately blew my voice into the magic paper bearing the Ordoshnelli magic circle that Hartmut had crafted, and wrote the destination address with Stilo. Folding it into a paper airplane, I sent it flying in the direction of the Dunkelfelger dormitory.

The paper airplane streaked across the night sky. After a while, I could hear a commotion in the distance.

Preparing for this took more time than expected.

I had wanted to write all the way until we arrived at the palace.

Both knights and scholars are exhausted, but no one can rest until this is over.

Hartmut was expecting Rozemyne's blessing, so he was disappointed to get Ferdinand's instead.

Next, Adalgisa's secluded palace.