"
I said that to my
Roderick had been put through the wringer along with
"
"Yes, ma'am!"
I made sure the underage knights knew to show their faces at the Temple. Lately, Grandfather had been receiving a great many blessings, and his power-ups from those blessings had thrown him into a training frenzy.
Apparently, he'd also been made to undergo training for dealing with silver cloth that rejects Magic Power, and all the knights had been ordered to carry ordinary weapons—anything other than a Staf—that could cut through the silver cloth. For knights who were used to wearing armor made of magic stones and wielding Staf-based weapons that they could barely feel the weight of, these ordinary weapons were quite a nuisance to carry around. You'd be in trouble without one in an emergency, but day-to-day, they were just heavy and cumbersome.
"Judith, I'll basically be using the castle as my base of operations. I've received word that
"Understood."
Judith accepted with a bright smile. The people who had extended their lifespans by making named dedications as part of the old
"Well then, let's head to the castle. I don't think we've forgotten to pack anything, have we?"
"The High Priest's robes, the blue robes, accessories, the Holy Book, and all the other items required for the Star Binding ceremony—everything has been loaded," Hartmut replied confidently as Chief Priest.
Returning to the castle for the first time in a while, I was greeted by the Attendants who served there, and we immediately began checking the outfits and accessories I'd be bringing to the Lord's Conference. Since I'd be doing translation work in the underground archive, I needed extra Plant Paper and ink.
"Hartmut, after the Star Binding ceremony, you'll be participating in the negotiations as a civil official, correct? Is your preparation for that complete?"
"I'm really just there to fill out the numbers—or rather, to gather information—but I've prepared enough that I won't embarrass you as your retainer."
Since numerous civil officials from the old Veronica faction had been removed from the Aub couple's retinue, new ones had been brought in and educated, but as an eighth-ranked territory, they apparently still needed more manpower. Hartmut would finish his Chief Priest duties and then join the Lord's Conference as a civil official.
"Even so, it's impressive that you can handle all your Chief Priest duties and still find time to prepare for the Lord's Conference. I'm always amazed at Hartmut's competence."
"That's very kind of you to say. ...It's not my effort alone, though. I have
Hartmut's gaze drifted briefly to the side. Beside him, Clarissa was standing there wearing an expression that said, "I worked hard too." I praised them both. Later, I should also thank Hartmut's parents, who'd been holding Clarissa's reins.
The people accompanying me to this Lord's Conference would be Ottilie and Lieselota as Attendants, Hartmut and Clarissa as civil officials, and four Escort Knights:
"Gretia will be staying here alone, but will that be all right? I've heard there are nobles who treat the old Veronica faction's named dedicators harshly..."
When I turned my gaze to Gretia, who would be left alone in this room, she averted her eyes with a slight downward tilt of her head.
"If I stay in the northern wing, there shouldn't be any problems."
"...I've told Judith to use the castle as her base of operations. If things get too difficult, you can go to the Temple together with her."
"I appreciate your concern."
The next day was our departure. First, the servants and cooks transferred over.
"Take care, sister."
"I really wanted to see Your Ladyship's divine ritual too."
After being seen off by
...At this point, I really can't just have zero conversation, though.
"I'm sorry I won't be able to worry about you for a while, Wilfried. Ordinants can't reach the
When I smiled and tried to make conversation, Wilfried looked at me with an exasperated expression.
"I'm glad you're going to the Lord's Conference. At least I'll be free from your Ordinants for this period."
"My, are you really saying that about my caring Ordinants?"
"Every single day, they're confirming what I ate and what work I did! They just make me feel like I'm being chased into doing my job!"
I'd been told to pretend to worry about Wilfried, so I'd sent him daily Ordinants expressing concern about his lifestyle habits, but it seemed they were somewhat unpopular. I tilted my head, puzzled—he should've been just as satisfied as when I worried about
"The fact that you're going to the underground archive to help royalty makes me nothing but nervous, but do your best. Just be sure not to cause trouble for royalty or Ehrenfest."
"You should also make sure to properly supply Magic Power to the Foundation's magic, Wilfried. Both Father and Grandfather received blessings from many gods through their reacquisition of blessings. If you let your guard down, Charlotte and Melchior will surpass you."
Wilfried looked at Charlotte and Melchior, then let out a soft laugh that deepened into something ironic, saying nothing more. I'd expected him to come out with something like "I won't lose to my younger siblings" or "As if I could lose," so this unexpected reaction caught me off guard. I boarded the teleportation circle with a lingering sense that something about that smile bothered me.
"Your Ladyship, please wait here until your room is prepared."
The state of the teleportation hall was the same as when students were around. Waiting in the multipurpose hall while the Attendants prepared my room was also the same. However, with only adults in the multipurpose hall, the impression I got was quite different—many of the civil officials and Attendants were people I'd only ever seen at banquets where the entire nobility gathered. From the Trombe extermination and the blessings given when defeating the Winter Lord, I still relatively knew the knights' faces, but over half the civil officials were unfamiliar. Naturally, they really were all adults.
...I felt like I was the only one standing conspicuously short among them, completely out of place. Definitely out of place, without question.
"Your Ladyship, good day."
My mother arrived dressed in a civil official's uniform. While drinking tea that
"Also, the items the Aub has approved are these here. I believe they were reported through
"Yes, we've received a report from the Plantan Trading Company. The commercial guild also reported that they're currently training the people who came from Grilleschel, and that they're fully prepared regarding the merchandise."
When I relayed the situation in the commoners' district, Mother nodded with a smile, her jet-black eyes glinting.
"How are the Fernestine Stories, Volume Three coming along?"
"As requested, they're being printed at Mine Workshop and the Grilleschel workshop to be ready by summer. I don't know the progress at Grilleschel, but Mine Workshop has completed a small batch. I brought samples that could be shown during the Lord's Conference, so I'll have them delivered to your room later."
"Oh my! How wonderful, thank you!"
When Mother's face lit up with delight, the Aub couple entered the multipurpose hall. Father was his usual self. Mother's morning sickness had subsided, and her complexion was much improved compared to when I'd seen her during the territory tournament. Her waistline had become a touch softer, but it wasn't yet obvious at first glance.
Among those accompanying them, I spotted my father in his Escort Knight role and Richalda as an Attendant. I'd also seen them at last night's dinner, so it was good to see them looking well.
"Rosemine, you have the Star Binding ceremony on the first day, so don't be negligent in your preparations. Tomorrow, after you've finished breakfast and preparations, you'll be meeting with the Central Temple representatives in the lecture hall where the ceremony will be held. I know it'll be difficult since it's a commission from royalty, but do your best."
"Yes."
When the Aub couple told everyone to make their own preparations for the Lord's Conference, they went to their respective rooms. With the Aub couple present, everyone couldn't very well rush about with preparations. The moment they disappeared, the civil officials bustled into action. The knights, on the other hand, seemed rather idle. My own Escort Knights were just standing around in the multipurpose hall, looking bored too.
"Don't the knights have any work today?"
"Everything should've been discussed beforehand, and until the schedules for meals and tea parties are set, there's nothing to be done."
Cornelius surveyed the knights loitering in the multipurpose hall. Even as the Aub couple's escort, they didn't need that many people just for guarding rooms.
"If there's no rule prohibiting adults from using the Royal Academy's harvesting grounds, perhaps you could get Father's permission and take the available knights along?"
"Hunting? I've heard that the harvesting grounds where Your Ladyship performed blessings have become filled with powerful magical beasts. I'd love to go!"
Angelica's face lit up at my words, born from a habit of always heading straight to harvesting when arriving at the Royal Academy. There were probably more idle knights than not. I noticed some knights looking my way.
"I won't be joining since I have the Star Binding ceremony, but I should be able to recover things with blessings by the final day of the Lord's Conference, so please go ahead and harvest as much as you'd like. I used up materials making amulets for everyone, so I'd be happy if you could gather lots of materials. I'll buy them from you!"
When I called that out, not just Angelica but Dammuel also started looking a bit eager. Cornelius probably wanted to move his body rather than just stand around. He looked restless. Leonore, who had been watching the other Escort Knights, let out a small laugh.
"I'll be assigned to guard Your Ladyship's room, so Angelica and the others can go ahead."
"Wait, Leonore, that would mean you'd be on your own. Are you sure with that?"
"Yes. I'm hoping Cornelius will bring back some wonderful magic stones as souvenirs."
When Leonore smiled naturally and gave off a loving vibe unlike before, Lieselota entered the multipurpose hall to let me know her room was ready. Leonore and I retired to my room together. I caught a glimpse of Mother's eyes lighting up as she began writing something out of the corner of my eye.
...Mother, please prioritize Lord's Conference preparations!
"It was incredible, Your Ladyship! There were so many powerful magical beasts. Magic stones everywhere!"
"It was the most lushly overgrown harvesting ground I've ever seen. So many good materials—it makes me envious of the current students."
At dinner, Angelica and Dammuel, who didn't know about the harvesting grounds where I'd performed blessings, excitedly described what it had been like. Cornelius also said it had become even richer than when he'd last seen it.
...Come to think of it, when I'd been overflowing with Magic Power and scattering it all over the harvesting grounds, Cornelius had already graduated by then.
"I want to go hunting every single day during the Lord's Conference."
"Angelica, what you'll be doing every day during the Lord's Conference is protecting Your Ladyship. I'll be accompanying her to the underground archive, so the room guard duties will fall to Angelica."
"I know that, Leonore."
Angelica answered with a slight hint of disappointment at Leonore's calm words. Room guard duty could only be entrusted to female knights, so it was quite a burden on Leonore, who would also be going to the underground archive.
"I'm sorry, Leonore."
"Compared to the training that never ends, guarding the underground archive isn't all that demanding. Please don't worry about it."
Beside Leonore, who smiled gently, Clarissa and Hartmut—the busiest civil officials of the Lord's Conference—were eating dinner with exhausted faces.
"Since it was a harvesting ground blessed by Your Ladyship, I wish I could have gone along too."
"You can go, Clarissa, once the Star Binding ceremony is finished. I'm counting on you for the dealings with
"Leave it to me!"
Clarissa, Hartmut, and all the other retainers had been working wonderfully hard, so I wanted to prepare some sort of reward, but what would be good?
...The Italian restaurant is about to get busier, and with more people now, bringing everyone would be a hassle. Something tangible would be nice, I think.
Unlike the student-only meals at the Royal Academy, it was strange how wine appeared at dinner as a matter of course. Since the Aub couple was present, the conversation leaned toward more serious topics. Invitations for meals and tea parties had already arrived from civil officials and Attendants, and everyone was buzzing about schedules with various territories and preparations for food and sweets.
Because they were so experienced, the conversation flowed smoothly, but the content was similar to what you'd discuss for tea parties and territory tournaments at the Royal Academy. Watching the adults interact like this really drove home the point that the territory tournament was a preliminary battle for the Lord's Conference.
Watching those who had been in the final year when I was a first-year student earnestly putting forth opinions and proposals, I finished my dinner.
Back in my room, I had Ottilie help me with my bath, then asked her to report on delivering Volume Three of the Fernestine Stories to Mother. Apparently, she had been overjoyed.
"Lady Hannalore of Dunkelfelger must be eagerly awaiting it too. She said it was terrible that it ended in the middle."
Right now, she was probably finishing Volume Two of the Fernestine Stories and trembling at the realization that there was more.
"I wish I could lend it to her from the underground archive, but..."
"Since you've been ordered by royalty to go to the underground archive, I'm just glad Your Ladyship will have something to enjoy."
Both the Star Binding ceremony and the work in the underground archive were orders. Normally, as someone underage, I shouldn't have been here at all. Ottilie had been so worried I might collapse from the stress.
"Still, it feels strange having Ottilie at the Royal Academy instead of Richalda."
"Yes. But what about winter? I have family matters to attend to, so should I entrust the accompanying to Lieselota?"
Ottilie had a husband and sons, and she also held the important role of having Clarissa accompany her to the castle. Since the entire family was participating in this Lord's Conference, it was fine for the house to be empty this time, but in the current situation, a long-term absence would be difficult.
"If Hartmut and Clarissa were to get married and start living in a new home, like her older sons, things would open up a bit, but..."
"Brunhilde is still in her final year this year, so a single adult Attendant—even if it's Lieselota—should be fine. The problem is the year after that. If Bertilde becomes the only upper-class noble, Lieselota won't be enough."
Asking a lower-year student like Bertilde to handle dealings with royalty and higher-ranking territories would be too much, and Lieselota, as a mid-ranking noble, couldn't fully fill that role.
"We'll need to bring in at least one more adult, upper-class Attendant. ...It'll be very difficult, though."
The purge had already reduced their numbers, and nobles from the Liesegang faction were being gathered as Brunhilde's retainers since she would become the Aub's second wife. Finding an adult, upper-class Attendant would be a challenge.
...Maybe I should consult with my adoptive mother or my mother about this.
And then, the next day. After finishing breakfast, I took a bath and changed into the High Priest's robes. While Ottilie and Lieselota were fastening accessories, Leonore and Angelica entered wearing the blue Shrine Maiden ceremonial outfits. Both of them were too beautiful. I almost thought they should worry more about protecting themselves than protecting me.
"Ahh, they're absolutely breathtaking. It's a shame I can't be on the dais with you, but I'll burn Your Ladyship's divine ritual into my eyes at the venue!"
After finishing preparations to the sound of Clarissa's passionate encouragement, I went down the stairs. Waiting at the landing were Hartmut, Cornelius, and Dammuel, all dressed in the blue Priest ceremonial robes. Everyone had healing potions and magic stones hanging from leather belts, and Angelica even had her Stinkleuk. Hartmut was carrying the Holy Book.
"Well then, we'll be heading out first."
"Right. Make absolutely certain not to show any disrespect to the royalty."
Nodding at my adoptive father's words, we headed for the lecture hall. Stepping out of the dormitory building, we walked along the corridors of the Royal Academy's central wing. The view from the windows being devoid of snow felt strange. The Royal Academy I knew was fundamentally white—white buildings and snow piled outside—so that was the only impression I had of it. But now, warm sunlight poured down, and green gleamed vibrantly. Flowers added splashes of color here and there, swaying in the gentle breeze.
"The Royal Academy in spring is this colorful. I'm so used to the white scenery that it's quite a surprise."
"This is my first time seeing it too. It's beautiful."
Leonore and I walked along together, saying this. The lecture hall had been reconfigured for the Star Binding ceremony, much like it would be for a graduation ceremony. At the far end, on the altar, I could see priests from the Central Temple preparing for the ceremony.
"Your Ladyship."
The face that had approached us upon noticing us was familiar. He was the Chief Priest from the Central Temple who had been present when I was summoned as a second-year student and told to bring a Holy Book. I remembered his intimidating eyes from when he'd made Frutreine's staff, but I couldn't recall his name.
...What was his name again?
"I,
...Ah, right. That was his name.
But, as always, his gray eyes held an unsettling light. That feverish look—it was impossible to tell whether his gaze was focused or not—was unsettling. I instinctively took a step back and grabbed the nearest sleeve.
"Your Ladyship?"
"...My mistake."
The person standing there was Hartmut, not Ferdinand. I released Hartmut's sleeve and faced Immanuel.
"The preparations on the altar seem to be in order."
"...Our preparations are nearly complete, but Your Ladyship's attire doesn't appear to be ready. You don't have the Mantle of Darkness or the Crown of Light."
On the altar, statues of the Darkness God and the
"The altar seems prepared to me?"
"No, I'm not referring to the altar, but to what the High Priest should wear."
"In Ehrenfest's Star Binding ceremony, the High Priest has never worn divine instruments, has he?"
In no divine ritual did the High Priest wear the sacred instruments. At most, they might carry the Holy Cup during a prayer ceremony. At my words, Immanuel sighed deeply and slowly shook his head.
"Lady
"At the very least, there's no mention of the High Priest wearing the sacred instruments. I also asked my adoptive father about the Royal Academy's Star Binding ceremony, and he didn't mention the Central Temple's High Priest wearing divine instruments either."
If the High Priest had been wearing such an unusual outfit during Prince
"In the summer, we discovered an old document that described how the ancient rituals were conducted. Since Your Ladyship, unlike us, can read many of the High Priest's Holy Books, I assumed you would be familiar with it. Perhaps it's in a section that you cannot read."
...Ah, right. I'd made certain sections unreadable.
"The previous High Priest didn't use them, so there shouldn't be any particular need, should there?"
At Hartmut's words, Immanuel raised his eyebrows.
"Surely you're aware that during the Royal Academy's Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Lady Dietlinde activated a magic circle? Even when we presented documents proving that a magic circle for selecting the next Zent existed, no one accepted it. But the magic circle was real. The old documents at the Central Temple are correct."
Immanuel's gray eyes wavered with a feverish heat as he began speaking about the Central Temple's passion for the ritual.
"We have been conducting research to revive the old rituals and perform them correctly, in order to welcome a legitimate Zent. That is precisely why, for this ceremony, we accepted Lord
...Hmm. It seemed there had been various issues between the royalty and the Central Temple as well.
The royalty wanted me to perform blessings to legitimize Prince
"First, let me see that document."
"I'm afraid I cannot. Since you have no divine instruments, showing it to you would serve no purpose. If you intend to perform the ritual as usual, the Central Temple's High Priest will suffice."
Hartmut flinched for an instant at Immanuel's words, which essentially said, "If you can't perform the ritual we want, you may leave."
"I understand your passion for the Central Temple's rituals."
Stepping forward, I said that while raising one hand slightly. Checking Hartmut with a gesture, I smiled sweetly at Immanuel.
"If you say the Mantle of Darkness and the Crown of Light are necessary for the Central Temple's ritual, then I'll prepare them."
"Oh my, can you make it back to Ehrenfest's Temple and return in time?" Immanuel asked in a mocking tone.
I shook my head and produced a Staf in my right hand.
"There's no need to go back. I can make them myself. ...Finsuhhan."
I draped the Mantle of Darkness I'd created over my shoulders with a flourish, fastening it with a clasp so that the oversized mantle adjusted to fit me perfectly.
In front of the stunned Immanuel, I produced another Staf, chanted "Beroihkhlone," and donned the Crown of Light.
"Now I can perform the ritual, can't I? Now, please let me read that document. It's necessary for conducting the old ritual, after all."
And so, off we go to the Lord's Conference.
Unlike the Royal Academy, the underage group will be staying behind.
First up is the Star Binding ceremony for Prince Sigiswald and
Dietlinde's magic circle has set the Central Temple abuzz.
Next, Part Two.