Dunkelfelger's Ritual — Part 1

After reading documents until closing time, I returned the archive key to the storage box in the office. Having read so many documents and learned so many new things, my head felt pleasantly floaty with satisfaction.

"Even without members of the royal family present, the archive can be entered as long as the key keeper is there. And if no royals are present, there is no need to exclude other students. So in place of the busy royals, I could—"

I offered to go and read to my heart's content, but Richarda and Anastasius rejected the proposal immediately.

"That will not do. There are many things Your Highness should prioritize over joint research with major duchies, and we cannot allow you to be taken to an unreachable archive when no one is around to forcibly drag you back."

"Your Attendant speaks the truth. Once she starts reading, Rozemyne won't listen to a single word. I will not let her enter alone."

Everyone else agreed with the two of them. I looked around in a circle, and not a single person was on my side.

...How could this be!? Not a single ally!

I turned my gaze toward Sigiswald, who ought to have the most power among those present. Sigiswald maintained his mild smile and looked at Orthea and Hannelore.

"Until we summon you, the library is off-limits. Orthea, Hannelore, you must not open the key even if Rozemyne requests it."

"Understood."

Having discovered a fascinating archive only to be barred from entering, I trudged back to the dormitory.

Once I returned to the dormitory, Richarda gave me a lengthy scolding for giving half-hearted responses to Sigiswald without looking away from the documents, for trying to hold out until the end only to have Anastasius confiscate the documents and physically drag me out of the archive. Wilfried, meanwhile, was exasperated: "Rozemyne, what happened to all that talk about wanting to have as little involvement with the royal family as possible?"

...I don't think that one was my fault, Brother Wilfried.

A few days after we'd entered the archive in the library's lower level, an ordnanz arrived from Rufen, repeating "Shall we hold a Ditter in the knight building?" three times. I replied that I would accept if it was a joint research matter. Soon afterward, Hannelore sent a message saying, "I am terribly sorry. That was a slip of the tongue regarding the joint research," so I graciously accepted that explanation.

"Rozemyne might do something related to the joint research again. I will accompany you to the knight building."

"Brother, aren't you more interested in the Ditter than anything else?"

At Charlotte's pointed observation, Wilfried faltered. Among the boys who had read Roderich's Ditter story, enthusiasm for Ditter had skyrocketed. They were probably curious about the rituals performed before and after, but most of all, it was the Ditter itself.

Seeing Wilfried stumble for words, Charlotte let out a soft sigh.

"...Your mind does seem to be wandering. And since this is research that may increase our divine blessings, I am interested as well, so I shall accompany you. Would that be all right, Sister?"

Charlotte looked at me as she said this. There was no way I could turn down the request of hardworking Charlotte, who wanted to gather as much information as possible before the ritual to receive blessings next year. Fulfilling a cute little sister's wish is an older sister's duty.

"Of course, Charlotte. Since both you and Brother Wilfried will be joining, let's have the apprentice attendants of you two help out as well."

I gathered Wilfried and Charlotte's apprentice attendants in the multipurpose hall, handed out paper, and began teaching them how to conduct a survey.

Of course, there was no printing press in the dormitory, so preparing identical survey sheets was difficult. Instead, I had them prepare a question sheet at the front, with the attendant scribes asking questions and writing down the answers — essentially a street-corner survey style. This way, only one question sheet needed to be copied by the apprentice attendants, and as long as the method of recording answers was drilled in properly, the format would be neat and easy to tally.

"Lord Wilfried..."

"Give it up, Ignaz. If it's a new method Rozemyne has devised, there's nothing to do but learn it. We'll be using it repeatedly whether we like it or not."

After teaching the apprentice attendants how to conduct the survey and making sure the interview preparations were thoroughly in order, we headed for the knight building. Rufen had apparently gathered the knight apprentices already, so we were to go to a large lecture hall. The knight building, which housed training grounds of various sizes, was extremely large, so riding fey beasts was essential.

Led by Leonore, the Ehrenfest group headed for the knight building. Third-year and above knight apprentices were all assembled for the Ditter, and with three lord candidates heading over with their retainers, it made for quite a large group.

"So this is the knight building."

"First time here, isn't it?"

As Charlotte and I looked around after dismounting, Richarda chuckled: "Haven't your Highnesses visited during the Interduchy Tournament before?" That was true enough, but this was our first time setting foot in the section where lecture rooms were located, as opposed to just going straight to the training grounds.

Since it was a dedicated building where knight apprentices who spent their time training came and went, I had braced myself — just as in my days as Mine in the commoner dorms — for the stench of stink-bomb sprays being used right after gym class in the girls' locker room, or the sweaty, earthy, vaguely masculine smell of clubhouses. But none of that was present.

"I thought there would be more of a sweaty feeling."

"There's basically always a Wassen, so there's no particular smell like in the scholar building."

When Matthias said this, Theodor, who seemed to recall the herbal scent of the scholar building, let out a small laugh.

...Wassen is truly great.

As I mused on this, we moved forward and were greeted by Rufen, along with the Dunkelfelger lord candidates Restaurot and Hannelore.

After exchanging greetings, Rufen began, "Well then, let us begin the Ditter right away—" before being quietly called to attention by Hannelore.

"...I mean, I would like to explain and demonstrate the rituals performed before and after it."

He tried to smooth things over, but his face practically screamed "Ditter." I couldn't let myself be swept along by Rufen, who was burning to hold a Ditter.

...Research comes before Ditter.

Hannelore and I exchanged a glance and gave each other a small nod.

"Before the Ditter, I would like to speak with the knight apprentices. You've gathered knight apprentices from other duchies as well, haven't you?"

"You are quite right, Lady Rozemyne. We should listen to what everyone has to say first. Ehrenfest has already made prior arrangements, so the Ditter can still proceed."

"That's right. Let's finish the interviews first, and then hold the Ditter with peace of mind."

Rufen was so worked up about the Ditter that he walked at a brisk pace.

In the spacious lecture hall where many knight apprentices had gathered, I had the ten Ehrenfest apprentice attendants sit in a row at the desks in the very back, and had them prepare question sheets, answer sheets, and ink.

"I thank you all for your cooperation. You will each be answering questions from the Ehrenfest apprentice attendants one at a time. The results will be presented at the Interduchy Tournament's research presentation, so after you have finished answering today's questions, you are free to leave."

At the Royal Academy, everything was determined by duchy ranking, which made it extremely convenient. All we had to do was have them line up by seniority from the higher-ranked duchies and answer questions at the apprentice attendants' desks in the back.

"Klassenberg, please line up from this direction, if you would. And once you have finished your answers, please exit through here."

Even within the dormitory, there was a detailed hierarchy based on upper, middle, and lower ranks, followed by year. So when I called out, the order naturally sorted itself out and they lined up smoothly.

Ten people began asking questions simultaneously, and the answers were written down rapidly. With practice, there was little confusion, and the interview survey was proceeding well.

"I've finished. Next person, please come over here."

Seeing Filine raise her hand, I guided the knight apprentice who had been waiting in line over. Once the number of Klassenberg knight apprentices had dwindled somewhat, I called out to the next duchy and had them line up.

My most important job in this interview survey was directing traffic, and it seemed to be going quite smoothly. While I was feeling satisfied with my work, Brünhilde arrived with several Attendants.

"Lady Rozemyne, I have memorized the method. Allow me to take over. Rufen would like to speak about the Ditter that follows."

...I'd rather stay on traffic duty than hear about the Ditter.

As the person in charge of this joint research, I couldn't escape from the presentation. Together with Richarda, I headed to the corner where the lord candidates were gathered.

"That's a rather unusual method of questioning."

"It's very convenient for asking the same questions while having a one-on-one conversation. You've gathered third-year and above knight apprentices here, but at what point do you begin teaching about prayers? Even first-years in Ehrenfest seem to know about them already..."

I said this while looking at Theodor. I had heard from him that since they were doing joint research this year, the excited Rufen had personally taught them.

"First-years use the training grounds too, so they go through the knight building from the start. I believe they know the songs and dances as well. However, since it wasn't part of Dunkelfelger tradition outside of Dunkelfelger's own knight apprentices, they hadn't taken it very seriously. This year, with the possibility that this could earn us divine blessings, even knight apprentices from other duchies have started taking it more seriously."

The Ehrenfest knight apprentices apparently hadn't been very diligent about it either. When I had spoken with the knight apprentices in the dormitory, Leonore had told me: "Because they didn't understand why they were being made to do it. If they had recognized that this was necessary for obtaining divine blessings, they would have taken it more seriously."

The knight apprentices from other duchies probably felt the same way.

"So Lady Rozemyne, what rules shall we set for today's Ditter?"

Rufen's eyes were shining with excitement as he spoke, and I tilted my head.

"The usual training rules are fine."

"The usual training is a speed-based Ditter, but..."

"Yes. So if they compete in that, there's no need to set any rules, is there?"

My words made Rufen's eyes go wide and freeze for about three seconds.

"Why!? You wrote such a magnificent story that poured passion into treasure-stealing Ditter, and yet you won't do treasure-stealing Ditter...!"

"I was not the one who wrote the Ditter story, and treasure-stealing Ditter takes a long time, doesn't it? I simply want to observe the ritual for research purposes. I think a speed-based Ditter is appropriate this time."

As Rufen was visibly crushed, the Dunkelfelger knight apprentices around him opened their mouths and eyes wide, staring intently at me. It seemed Dunkelfelger had been fully planning to do a treasure-stealing Ditter.

"But Lady Rozemyne..."

"The rituals can still be performed without it being treasure-stealing Ditter, can't they? Or perhaps, could it be that Dunkelfelger cannot get serious about a speed-based Ditter?"

While Ditter was essential for the research, the specific type had not been specified. At my words, Hannelore smiled and nodded.

"Lady Rozemyne is correct. Whether it's a speed competition or treasure-stealing, Ditter is still Ditter. The ritual can be performed, and Dunkelfelger will certainly take the Ditter seriously. For the sake of research into divine blessings, I too believe a speed-based Ditter is best."

"Lady Hannelore, that may be so, but..."

These were the words of Dunkelfelger's very own lord candidate. It would be difficult for Rufen or the knight apprentices to override that. With Hannelore's smile, the decision was made to go with the speed-based Ditter.

"Still, I am delighted that you enjoyed the Ditter story so much that you feel this strongly about it, Rufen."

"It's extremely popular in the Dunkelfelger dormitory right now. Wasn't there advice from Lord Ferdinand regarding that strategy?"

Rufen began recounting how "I was ambushed, I tell you," and I let out a soft sigh.

"...I lent the Ditter strategy documents Lord Ferdinand gave me to the author. Lord Ferdinand neither conceived the story nor had any involvement in it."

"I look forward to the continuation. So when is the next part coming out?"

Rufen had clearly caught a severe case of the "desperately waiting for the sequel" disease. Just as planned.

"The continuation... well. Lord Restaurot has offered to draw the illustrations, so it will be after that. I'm also planning to insert illustrations into the first volume and rebind it."

Since the volumes were only bound with thread, inserting pictures wouldn't be too difficult despite the work involved. For the second volume, I would give one copy as a sample and have the illustrations drawn, then insert them later.

I had been planning to invite an artist to Ehrenfest after graduation, so I wasn't sure how to handle purchasing illustrations from another duchy and had been deliberating over it.

...Making a lord candidate who's about to graduate into an illustrator was totally beyond my plans!

"I've already drawn the illustrations. I didn't bring them today, but I'll show you next time. ...Right, when I come to see your ritual."

"I look forward to it."

...Before seeing the illustrations, I'd need to sort out the purchase price and the method of delivery first.

As I was thinking about these things and listening to the Dunkelfelger retainers share their impressions of the Ditter story, the survey was apparently finished.

"I'll tally the results when we get back to the dormitory. I'll notify Dunkelfelger of the results before the Interduchy Tournament."

"Lady Rozemyne, please allow us to help at least a little. This joint research is only in name — I haven't done anything at all."

At Clarissa's words, the Dunkelfelger apprentice attendants who were supposed to be conducting the joint research also nodded vigorously. I had planned to have them compare my ritual with Dunkelfelger's ritual, but indeed, during today's interview survey, the Dunkelfelger side hadn't done anything. Since I had called it a joint research, I should probably assign them some work.

"...Then let's do the tallying in Ehrenfest's tea room. I'd like to get the results out quickly, so we'll start tomorrow morning when lectures begin. Those of you who are free after your lectures are over, please come."

"Understood. I will absolutely be there no matter what."

Clarissa clenched her fist and smiled happily, and then Hannelore asked with some anxiety: "Is it truly all right? Should I not come along as well?"

...S-So worried about me?

Suddenly feeling uneasy myself, I decided to have Hannelore come along as Dunkelfelger's overseer. While I was requesting this of Hannelore, Restaurot abruptly looked up.

"Then I shall also come as the person in charge—"

"Brother, you have lectures, don't you? I shall report to Mother that you were so absorbed in drawing Ditter illustrations that you neglected your studies."

...Lady Hannelore, how dependable!

While I was touched by this, Charlotte let out a small laugh.

"Lord Restaurot and Lady Hannelore remind me of Sister, who goes looking for an excuse to read books, and Richarda, who blocks her."

"Indeed. But while I don't want to be scolded by Richarda, if it's as charming a scolding as Lady Hannelore's, I wouldn't mind."

"Lord Wilfried, what do you mean by that?"

I watched Wilfried grimace while Richarda laughed with a "Ho ho ho," and gave a small nod.

...I understand just a little how Brother Wilfried feels.

After the interview survey, we moved to the training grounds for the speed-based Ditter. My goal was the ritual performed before the Ditter match, in which Magic Power was offered to the gods of ancient war songs and battle deities. I had rarely seen other people perform rituals like this, so I was very much looking forward to it.

Everyone from Ehrenfest and Dunkelfelger headed for the training grounds. Since it was a joint research, spectators from other duchies were prohibited.

From our vantage point, we looked down at the grounds just like during the Interduchy Tournament. Unlike the tournament, there were no chairs, so it was standing room only, but the layout of the training grounds was the same.

We were vaguely split between Ehrenfest on the left and Dunkelfelger on the right, but whether it was because Dunkelfelger was the kind of territory that easily got swept up in fervor, or simply because they had more knight apprentices, their numbers were overwhelming.

"Rozemyne, may I call the lower-year students who wanted to see the Ditter? We're losing in spectator numbers."

At Wilfried's words, I looked at Dunkelfelger, where many non-knight-apprentice students were also present, and nodded.

"By all means, let's cheer together."

Charlotte quickly sent an ordnanz, and nearly all of Ehrenfest assembled at the training grounds. Even so, they couldn't match Dunkelfelger in either numbers or fervor.

"Then let us begin! Knight apprentices who will enter the match, to the grounds below — show Ehrenfest the song!"

Rufen's voice rang out, and the Dunkelfelger knight apprentices summoned their fey beasts and descended to the arena below. The students let out a roar of "Waaah!" Even a speed-based Ditter could generate this much excitement, so there had truly been no need for a treasure-stealing Ditter.

"What shall we do, Hannelore?"

"I leave it to my brother."

Restaurot nodded, donned simple armor from a magic stone, descended to the arena on his fey beast, and dismissed it.

Standing at the center of the ring formed by the Dunkelfelger knight apprentices, Restaurot drew his Stab and called out: "Grant us strength as we take to battle!"

"Lance!"

At that signal, all the knight apprentices transformed their Stabs into lances.

"We offer our prayers and gratitude to the gods who created this world."

Along with the familiar words of prayer, the lances were slammed against the earth with a resounding thud.

"To grasp victory in our hands, grant us strength! The might of Angriff, which yields to none! To grasp victory in our hands, grant us speed! The swiftness of Streferise, faster than any other!"

They sang a melody-fitted version of the Holy Book's prayer words, just as had been done in the Haldenzel ritual, offering prayers to the gods associated with battle.

As they sang, the surrounding knight apprentices began moving their lances in motions resembling a sword dance. They spun them around, then drove the butts into the ground. When they caught them again, the metallic clash of the magic-stone armor sections rang out like percussion.

Restaurot, standing at the center, swung his lance in the same manner, dancing in step with the knight apprentices. To dance with such stability while wielding a long lance meant his offering dance was truly skilled.

"Can you dance with a lance like that too, Lady Hannelore?"

I asked while watching Restaurot, and Hannelore smiled somewhat shyly.

"Of course I have been trained, but I am not particularly skilled at it. Nothing I could perform for everyone to see."

...Of course, indeed. Even the gentle Lady Hannelore could do something like this — Dunkelfelger really was something else.

When the lance made from the Stab was raised high at Restaurot's cry of "Fight!", the surrounding knight apprentices let out a heroic "Ohhh!" and thrust them skyward in unison.

Cheers rose from the Dunkelfelger students in the viewing area as well, and watching from up here, my own spirits rose. You could practically see the knight apprentices who were dancing together in that moment unifying their resolve for battle.

"...This is incredible. It's completely different from what we were taught in training."

Eudiet said this in a dazed murmur, and the surrounding knight apprentices nodded.

"We're going to fight them?"

Matthias's murmur seemed completely swallowed up by their atmosphere. At this rate, they would be mentally defeated before the battle even began. This wouldn't do.

"Laurenz, Rufen taught us as well — can the Ehrenfest knight apprentices also sing and dance?"

"Yes, we can, more or less. Um, Lady Rozemyne. You don't mean to..."

At Laurenz's response, I smiled.

"Yes. Let's do the same to compete."

"But if we do it after them, it won't have the same effect of rallying everyone..."

"If it's simply offering prayers, that happens to be my specialty."

When I let out a soft chuckle, Leonore seemed to catch on and smiled.

"Then Lady Rozemyne, to raise Ehrenfest's morale, please sing at the center."

A joint research with Dunkelfelger.

It wasn't going to go the way Rufen wanted. What we were holding was a speed-based Ditter.

And then, songs and dances. Hannelore could do those as well, of course.

Next: Part 2.