"...That may be true, but..."
When I looked up at Brother
When I took the Magical Tool in hand, Brother Eckhart's expression returned to his usual, seemingly indifferent look. But behind his eyes, I could see barely suppressed anger.
"Lord
"What!?"
His words were so alarming that I gasped and looked up at Brother Eckhart. His expression was perfectly normal. I couldn't sense even the slightest hint that he had been on the verge of cutting Letizia loose.
"They went into the supply room alone, and then a message arrived from Lord Ferdinand warning of the danger to his life. I don't know what situation he was in, but the only person who could have put his life in danger was Lady Letizia. At the very least, when I was handed Lady Letizia's name-swearing stone, Lady Dietlinde was not in the supply room."
I blinked several times. The magic power supply room in Ehrenfest was located behind the tapestry in the Aub's office, so as long as the Aub wasn't away for a Lord's Conference or similar, my adoptive father would typically be there.
"Just the the two of them? Is
"No, it is in the Aub's office. But the Aub's office and Lady Dietlinde's office are separate. She had one built near her own rooms. Apparently, she said that she wouldn't go to some distant office—if anything was needed, the attendants should come to her."
The reason the Aub's personal quarters and office were kept apart was to prevent untrustworthy nobles from gaining access to the lord family's living quarters, but Dietlinde apparently didn't attach much importance to that.
"When Lord Ferdinand conducts magic power supply training with Lady Letizia, he is extremely vigilant about keeping dangerous persons out. This afternoon as well, the two of them entered the supply room, and we stood guard outside the Aub's office."
Even in Ehrenfest, during magic power supply, only the attendants of high-ranking nobles with close blood ties to the Aub were permitted into the office. Guard knights were stationed both inside and outside the door, creating a very imposing atmosphere. Similarly, in Ahrensbach, Eckhart and
"And then, Lady Letizia emerged, her face pale, trembling as she opened the door."
Letizia apparently handed Justus a metal basket containing the name-swearing stone while saying, "Lord Ferdinand... said to go..." Ferdinand only returned names when he felt his life was in danger. They had been told in advance that this was done to avoid involving his vassals and to ensure information reached Ehrenfest, so they immediately realized he was in a life-threatening situation.
"When I immediately tried to detain her on the spot and press her for details, her guard knight—who had come out of the room with her—blocked me, and Justus grabbed me by the back of the neck."
They had been standing guard outside the door during magic power supply, watching for Dietlinde and the others, when suddenly Ferdinand's name-swearing stone was brought to them from behind with the order to "go." Eckhart must have been enormously shaken, and I could understand why he felt he had to secure Letizia. But it also made sense that Letizia's guard knight and Justus had acted quickly to stop him.
...Brother Eckhart when Ferdinand is at stake is genuinely terrifying.
"Normally, I should have shaken off the guard knights present and detained her, then forced her to reveal everything about how Lord Ferdinand ended up in a situation where he had to hand over his name-swearing stone. But Justus shouted at me that Lord Ferdinand's orders took priority over any interrogation. If you have complaints about my failure to secure her person and information, take it up with Justus."
I thought that Justus had a point. Leaving Brother Eckhart in that state together with Letizia would have been extremely dangerous. Justus's decision to separate them had been the right call.
...Because if Brother Eckhart had laid a hand on Lady Letizia and her guard knight while Ferdinand's safety was still unconfirmed, it would have been a massive problem! He would have been detained before Letizia was.
"I've been trying not to concern myself with this, but what are you thinking, defending Lady Letizia? I heard that
He glared at me with clear irritation, and I searched for the right words. If I wasn't careful about how I phrased this, Letizia would end up even lower than Dietlinde in Brother Eckhart's eyes.
"...What I saw started from the moment Lady Letizia received a message from Lord Ferdinand and left. A short while after that, Lady Dietlinde entered and told us that Lady
Brother Eckhart's eyes grew sharper.
"As Brother Eckhart says, it appears Lady Letizia administered the poison, but Lord Ferdinand immediately drank some kind of medicine to counter it. The reason he is now in genuine danger is that Lady Dietlinde fed him a second poison—something like a paralytic—which left him unable to move. She then put manacles on him and activated the supply magic circle."
When I told him that while the poison was concerning, the greater danger was magic power depletion, Brother Eckhart gritted his back teeth so hard I could hear it.
"To think she was manipulated by a woman like that—it seems Lady Letizia's education was severely lacking. I shouldn't have relaxed my stance even with your recommendation."
Brother Eckhart spat out those words, then took the anti-eavesdropping Magical Tool from my hand. He looked at me with something almost like desperation.
"...Rozemyne, will we make it in time?"
"Isn't that why you came back, Brother Eckhart?"
When I asked, Brother Eckhart's expression turned serious and he shook his head.
"No. I came back to deliver the information and evidence Lord Ferdinand had gathered to the Aub, and then—once his death was confirmed—to follow him."
"I will absolutely make it in time, so don't even think about anything foolish! Both Lord Ferdinand and Brother Eckhart give up far too quickly!"
Justus quickly stopped listening to
"Is it true that magic power depletion is more dangerous than Lady Letizia's poison, Lady Rozemyne?"
"I'm sure the poison is a factor as well. But the poison that should have been instantly fatal had no effect—Lord Ferdinand drank something. If the medicine worked, then the greatest danger is magic power depletion."
Justus pondered my words carefully.
"Instantly fatal? Do you know what symptoms it would cause?"
"Lady Dietlinde said it was a poison that should have instantly turned him into a magic stone. Since it didn't work, it seems she decided to paralyze him with a paralytic and drain his magic power instead."
"...After dinner, please let me use the workshop. I'll make an antidote."
Justus's eating speed increased. His table manners were impeccable, but his hands moved with haste.
"You're welcome to, but please check first whether Hartmut and the others have already prepared the relevant medicine. They were making a wide variety of types."
"I'm amazed at how well-prepared you are. This afternoon, right? That's when you obtained the information..."
Justus set down his cutlery as if drained and looked at me.
"I obtained the information about Lord Ferdinand this afternoon, but what made it possible was the month or so I'd spent preparing for Ehrenfest's defense. What I did today was simply get permission from the Aub, secure
"He came in prepared for Lord Ferdinand's death, carrying information and evidence, then told us to rendezvous with you tonight for the rescue mission. ...I was truly surprised, and I'm grateful. I sincerely believe it's a good thing you're here, Lady Rozemyne. The information we had about you was that you'd gone missing."
Justus leaned back in his chair and let out a breath as though releasing all the tension from his body.
"When you went missing, I received word that a ship had arrived from Lanzanewe and had to return to Ahrensbach. I was originally supposed to come after the Lord's Conference. No matter how many times they told me to leave..."
"Wait a moment. If a ship from Lanzanewe arrived, what's the status of the border gate?"
"It's still open, of course. No matter how many times Lord Ferdinand warned against it, they had no intention of closing it. Only one person can open and close the border gate."
In truth, it wasn't Dietlinde but her sister who had dyed the foundation, but that didn't matter now. What was important was that the border gate was already open. I had assumed the border gate near Ahrensbach's country gate would be in a closed period, which was why I had been planning to ask Aub Dunkelfelger to install a teleportation circle from the national border gate to the border gate connecting to Ahrensbach. If Ahrensbach's country gate was open, we might be able to cut down the travel time considerably.
"Justus, which is closer to the Noble District—the border gate between Dunkelfelger and Ahrensbach, or the country gate?"
"The country gate."
"That works in our favor. It seems we can arrive earlier than planned."
When I smiled to myself, Justus straightened up and, eyes brimming with curiosity, leaned forward. "What method will you use to make it in time?"
"More importantly, do you have any information on Lady Georgine's movements? Lady Dietlinde said she had finished her departure preparations and was waiting for an orundant. How long does it take from Ahrensbach's castle to Ehrenfest?"
"About seven days by carriage, two days by riding beast... There's a chance she's already moved close to the border and is waiting for the orundant. About ten days ago, a cart loaded with luggage departed from Lady Georgine's estate."
"I should have Father send an orundant—"
When I moved to stand, Justus stopped me with a hand.
"The Aub was asked the same question at the dormitory. He already knows."
"Ah, that's right. But how did the two of them get into the
When I tilted my head, wondering whether Ahrensbach was different, Justus gave a wry smile.
"...In exchange for supplying magic power to the foundation starting from before the Star Binding, Lord Ferdinand made a contract. It allowed Laimunt to remain at the Royal Academy beyond winter, and permitted Lord Ferdinand—as his master—and us to visit the Royal Academy to oversee him."
Laimunt's research, conducted under Ferdinand's guidance, had been recognized two years in a row, and apparently there was a strong mood of support around them. The contract was meant to keep Laimunt away from the strange factional disputes within the castle and, at the same time, to use the Royal Academy as an escape route in case of emergency.
"Even if he asked for help, one can't so easily take in someone who has gone to another duchy. That is why Lord Ferdinand told me that if anything were to happen, I should negotiate to be accepted by Ehrenfest in exchange for a Magical Tool recording the collusion between Lanzanewe and Ahrensbach, as well as dangerous statements—and to do so before the Lord's Conference exposed everything."
...He gave perfect consideration to his vassals—returning name-swearing stones, providing leverage for negotiations—but what about himself!? What about his own safety!?
As I seethed over Ferdinand's bad habit of putting himself completely last, Justus looked at me with mischievous eyes and said, "...However, we do have a problem," wearing an expression that was anything but troubled.
"What problem?"
"The instructions for emergencies weren't directed only to us. Lord Ferdinand has a message for you, Lady Rozemyne."
A terrible feeling washed over me. But there was no way I could avoid listening. I pressed my lips into a thin line and prompted Justus to continue.
"'I entrust Justus, Eckhart, and Razefam to you. Do not move from Ehrenfest. Wait quietly. When I die, everything will become yours—you will be able to save both Jürgenschmitt and Ehrenfest, as I promised.' That is what he said. We didn't understand the meaning, but does it make sense to you, Lady Rozemyne?"
...Everything becomes mine?
It clicked—he was referring to the Book of
...Don't move from Ehrenfest and wait—which means, don't come to save me, right? Hmph.
An indescribable anger coursed through my body. I had threatened Ferdinand himself. I'd said I wouldn't forgive him unless he found happiness. That I would come to save him even if it meant making enemies of not just Ahrensbach, but the king and the Central Noble District.
"I understand the meaning, but I absolutely refuse. I have no interest in waiting for Lord Ferdinand's death. No matter how angry he gets, I will save Lord Ferdinand. I won't be choosing my methods."
"That's exactly why you're my sister."
Brother Eckhart smiled with genuine delight. Justus also smiled happily as he took out another anti-eavesdropping Magical Tool. Wondering what it was, I took it, and Justus fixed me with a meaningful gaze.
"Are you aware, Lady Rozemyne? A name-swearing stone can both give life to and take life from a vassal. They die with their master's death, but they can also be kept alive in times of crisis through their master's magic power. It can even be used to save them."
When I realized Justus was suggesting that I should take Ferdinand's name-swearing stone and use it to keep him alive, my face twisted. My mind went completely blank, and alarm overwhelmed my anger.
"...Justus, did you know?"
"I was the one who prepared that leather pouch."
"I see. ...No, wait a moment. Because that would mean... I would be..."
I would be seizing Ferdinand's name without permission and taking on the burden of his life. I was certain Ferdinand would never forgive me. Beyond that, I didn't want to obtain a name that hadn't been willingly given. When I shook my head vigorously, Justus smiled with a chilling grin.
"Lady Rozemyne, you said you wouldn't choose your methods, correct?"
"Well, yes, but..."
"You declared to the Aub and the others that you would make enemies of Ahrensbach, the Central Noble District, and even the Zent if it meant saving Lord Ferdinand. Isn't that right?"
"N-No, that's correct. That's correct, but..."
"...Compared to your resolve to seize another duchy's foundation and extract Lord Ferdinand even if it meant making an enemy of the entire world, this really isn't that big a deal, don't you think?"
Those were two entirely different matters. The kind of resolve and determination involved were fundamentally different. Ferdinand had no intention of giving his name to me, and I had never once considered shouldering the burden of Ferdinand's life.
"If the greatest danger is magic power depletion, this would buy us some time, and while Lord Ferdinand is enveloped in magic power other than his own, he should get some relief as well."
Hartmut had once described the euphoria of being enveloped in one's master's magic power in disturbing detail. Setting the euphoria aside, if it was possible to provide external magic power by wrapping him in his master's magic, it might genuinely ease Ferdinand's burden. My heart wavered.
"But then, someone other than me could do it too..."
"The person Lord Ferdinand ultimately chose to entrust this to was you, Lady Rozemyne. Could you really hand that over to someone else?"
Under Justus's reproachful gaze, I shook my head. "I can't."
"This is an emergency, so we set aside scruples. Once he's rescued, you can explain the situation and return his name. You wouldn't feel comfortable holding onto Lord Ferdinand's name forever, would you?"
Justus repeated over and over that this was only for now, only to save Ferdinand from his crisis, and I glared at him with narrowed eyes.
"...That stone wasn't in a box. Please teach me how to make one."
After dinner, I made a box to wrap the name-swearing stone in the workshop. After returning to my room to rest, I entered the hidden chamber and seized Ferdinand's name. My magic power enveloped the box, forming what looked like a white cocoon.
Holding the name-swearing stone that had transformed into a white cocoon, I poured my magic power into it and commanded: "Lord Ferdinand, don't give up. I will absolutely come to save you, no matter what means I have to use. Please—stay alive."
Thank goodness Eckhart didn't attack Letizia.
All information related to Georgine has been relayed to my adoptive father.
And I was half-coerced by Justus into seizing a name.
Next up—the teleportation circle.