We flew out of the castle on our riding beasts. Compared to Ehrenfest, it was considerably warmer — despite it being the season of the Dedication Ritual, the temperature already felt like early summer.
When we had first arrived at
Above the sea, a shade darker than the sky, three silver ships that had just departed the harbor and hadn't yet built up much speed were moving toward the Border Gate. Another silver ship was visible in the harbor. It didn't appear to have finished its departure preparations yet.
It seemed the knights left behind at the castle had relayed the message, as the Ahrensbach knights who had been busy with rescue efforts throughout the Noble District gradually began gathering. The arriving knights took one look at my Lesserbus and uniformly showed expressions of shock. Some among them pulled out their Stabs crying "Is that a Griun?!" only to be restrained by surrounding knights: "It's not a magical beast! It's the new Aub's riding beast!"
...It's not a Griun.
"
"Yes, sir!"
Heisshitze and Brother Eckhart obeyed the orders given while riding their beasts, and as they moved through the air, the knights from each territory were sorted into squads with leaders appointed.
"
"Then,
"Yes, sir!"
The squad leaders and commanders descended toward the rooftops of the gate pillars forming the Outer Wall encircling the Noble District. Aside from the carriage-type riding beasts carrying cargo, all other riding beasts were dismissed.
Following Ferdinand's instructions, my guard knights distributed the items to the squad leaders: flash bombs to the First and Sixth Squads, supplementary Magical Tools for wide-area magic to the Second and Seventh Squads, and so on.
"Lady Hannalore, you could have rested at the castle with your knights, you know..."
Ferdinand said this while glancing at the Schmiel carriage-type riding beast, urging her to return to the castle, but Hannalore shook her head with a troubled smile.
"I came here to redeem the shame of the ditter. I cannot allow myself to flee again. I've been considering whether the Volheniels we obtained in this Noble District could be loaded onto the Lanzanave ships."
Hannalore said this while gesturing toward her riding beast. Three Volheniels were loaded in the cargo area, lying in a prone position in a row. I had heard somewhere that Volheniels had a dog-like appearance and were a relatively popular pet-type magical beast among the nobility, much like Schmiels.
...She's putting pets on a ship?
I had absolutely no idea what Hannalore intended to do with the Volheniels, but Ferdinand seemed to catch on immediately.
"...I see. Against Lanzanave soldiers, I believe that would be quite effective."
I thought I heard him mutter, "A woman of Dunkelfelger indeed," but I wasn't sure if that was a compliment. Hannalore was smiling bashfully, so it must have been a compliment. I decided to treat it as one.
"Then, let us entrust that ship which hasn't yet departed to Lady Hannalore. Please have the First and Second Squads accompany her for hostage rescue and escort."
"Much obliged."
Ferdinand pointed toward the sea. The silver ships were visible, slowly beginning to pick up speed.
"Magic Power does not flow through those silver ships. You know that, correct? However, without Magic Power, they cannot teleport. Therefore, when they approach the gate, those ships will turn black. We must aim for that moment."
He said it was crucial to make them think they could still get away. Since riding beasts were far faster, we had to be careful not to catch up too soon. We needed to stay just close enough to push them toward the Border Gate at a distance and in a formation that would be easy to attack from, Ferdinand explained.
"Once they turn black, Rozemyne, send the Aub's Protection toward the ships to shield the hostages. Once the Protection is in place, we launch an all-out assault with the intent to shatter the ships. The black absorbs Magic Power. Half-hearted power won't be enough to break them. Hit them with everything you have."
"Shatter the ships... but what about the hostages!?"
"They'll be protected by the Aub's Protection. Once they're thrown into the sea, we can simply recover them."
...As usual, he only cares about the outcome!
Still, if we let them return to Lanzanave, it would be hopeless. Fighting in a place Ferdinand knew was more advantageous than fighting somewhere unknown.
"This reliance on brute Magic Power is only possible because there are so many Dunkelfelger knights present and because you are the Aub. I thank you for that."
Instructions for which squads would attack which ships were issued one after another, and I was told to leave the healing potions here.
"Even if you carry the healing potions, you won't be able to distribute them to everyone when a fight breaks out. Leave the management of healing potions and Magical Tools to the apprentices. Send one of your guard knights."
"Lady Rozemyne, let me handle it. I've learned to enhance my eyesight, so I can have the apprentices carry the necessary healing potions and send them where they're needed. Besides, I'm an apprentice too."
Lauwerenz volunteered. He would handle the resupply of Magical Tools and healing potions here alongside the Ahrensbach apprentice knights.
"Rozemyne, dismiss your riding beast. You'll be riding with me."
"Huh? Why?"
I had indeed moved all the cargo out, but I couldn't understand why I had to ride with Ferdinand.
"Your riding beast looks like nothing more than a ridiculous Griun to the Ahrensbach people. Didn't you almost get attacked by a knight who didn't know any better? Attacking the Aub is treason. Do you want to create more people to punish?"
He pointed out that the Ahrensbach knights, who had little contact with me, couldn't accept my riding beast at all. It didn't matter how cute the Lesserbus was.
"Besides, with a carriage-type, it's difficult to close the Border Gate, and it's hard for me to give orders. More importantly, in a carriage-type, the others can't see you as the new Aub, so you won't get your introduction."
Ferdinand apparently intended to use this opportunity to thoroughly publicize me as the new Aub. It vaguely reminded me of when I became the Lord's adopted daughter and had all those blessings forced upon me. Since
"I understand Lord Ferdinand's reasoning, but having Lord Ferdinand share a riding beast would be unseemly. Lady Rozemyne should ride with mine..."
"Exactly. Lady Rozemyne should ride with a female knight. Here, the number of people who recognize Lord Ferdinand as Lady Rozemyne's guardian is limited. For Lady Rozemyne's reputation's sake, please let her ride with a female knight."
Leonore and Brother Cornelius stepped in front of Ferdinand, as though shielding me.
"Depending on the magic I need Rozemyne to perform, Leonore won't suffice since she's not an Aub candidate. Is there another female Aub candidate who can carry Rozemyne?"
"If you need a female Aub candidate, Lady Hannalore is here."
Brother Cornelius looked around urgently and gestured toward Lady Hannalore. Hannalore's face became extremely awkward.
"Um, I'm terribly sorry. My riding beast is also a carriage-type. And I'm supposed to be leading the charge into the ship as a commander, so being with Lady Rozemyne would be..."
...Right? It's like, "What exactly are you asking a foreign Aub candidate from a large territory to do?"
"Cornelius, that was rude to Lady Hannalore. Lady Hannalore, I'm very sorry. Please accept my apologies."
"No, the guard knights' concerns are perfectly valid. ...But I do understand Lord Ferdinand's worries as well. We can't create a situation where the Aub might be attacked by her own territory's knights. Lady Rozemyne has only dyed the foundation — she hasn't taken full control of Ahrensbach yet."
Hannalore showed understanding toward both sides. Either way, my Lesserbus apparently wasn't a good fit for this situation.
"Rozemyne, I'm advising you as your brother now. Riding together with Lord Ferdinand is really too much..."
"Silence, Cornelius."
Brother Eckhart glared at Brother Cornelius and shut him down.
"Rozemyne became Aub Ahrensbach to save Lord Ferdinand. What reputation is she worried about now? The ships have already started moving. There's no time. ...As your brother, I order you: follow Lord Ferdinand's instructions immediately, Rozemyne!"
"Yes! I'm in your care, Lord Ferdinand."
His reasoning was awful, but there was no way I could go against Brother Eckhart's intensity. I hurried over to Ferdinand and held out my hand.
"Don't make me wait."
Ferdinand pulled me up onto his riding beast. However, unlike the Lesserbus, Ferdinand's lion was hard and unstable. Ferdinand was also wearing armor, so leaning against his back gave a hard sensation, and if I wasn't careful, I'd bonk my head with a clang.
"This riding beast is uncomfortable and it feels like I'm going to fall off..."
"I'm not being unreasonable. You should have just made a normal riding beast. ...In any case, you've grown too much. It's hard to see ahead."
...Huh? Wait a moment. I'm the one being unreasonable? Isn't Ferdinand the one being unreasonable?
Still feeling extremely unconvinced, the riding beast soared into the air and picked up speed, heading for the harbor. Two silver ships were moving from the harbor toward the Border Gate. One ship appeared to be stranded a short distance from the harbor. And one ship that hadn't managed to leave the harbor was still in its departure preparations.
"Lord Ferdinand, the ship stopped at sea may have been boarded by the Dunkelfelger knights. They could be in the process of securing the interior."
Heisshitze shouted, pointing at the ship stranded at sea. I couldn't imagine Dunkelfelger knights losing to Lanzanave soldiers, so long as they'd managed to infiltrate. It was quite possible the ship had stalled because a brawl was breaking out inside.
"It's strange that the ship hasn't departed no matter how long we wait, isn't it?"
Seeing the harbor ship rocking unnaturally, I enhanced my eyesight and stared intently. I could see not only Lanzanave soldiers in silver uniforms, but also ordinary-looking people in ragged clothing who appeared to be commoners. Sun-weathered, strong-looking men who seemed to be fishermen were swinging wooden crates and fishing nets with furious expressions, slamming them forcefully in every direction. Each time, a small explosion occurred. Could it be that what was being slammed about was Sproutes — the exploding fish?
The Lanzanave soldiers in silver were fighting back against the rampaging fishermen with swords and shields. Commoners and soldiers were mixed together in a chaotic mess.
"Lord Ferdinand, that ship at the harbor appears to be in a melee with the fishermen! Just now, someone in silver was dragged out of the ship!"
"They're being held up by commoners. The Volheniels won't work well for this. ...Change of plans! Lady Hannalore, there are many commoners near that ship. Wait until Rozemyne has placed the Aub's Protection, then infiltrate the ship!"
"Yes!"
Ferdinand stopped Hannalore, who had been about to descend toward the harbor, and gave me instructions.
"Rozemyne, use Lutzelschmear's Healing on the Ahrensbach citizens who might be injured by the Lanzanave attacks. After that, cast the Aub's Protection over the entire harbor area."
"Yes!"
I drew my Stab and produced the Frütylrene staff, then cast Lutzelschmear's Healing. Green light overflowed from the Frütylrene staff and rained down upon the brawl zone around the ship. Voices rose from those who had been fighting — "What is that?" — and faces turned upward in unison, seeking the source of the green light. As I heard the healed fishermen exclaiming, "It's a miracle!", I quickly returned the staff to the Stab.
...The Aub's Protection.
Taking a deep breath, I began pouring in Magic Power. It was a defensive magic that only an Aub could use, to protect their own citizens. There was a time limit, but during that period, it could shield the people from any attack — magical or physical. The first time I had seen it was back when I didn't even know what it was.
"Forkevesen."
With a sweep of my Stab, a large yellow bird burst forth. It circled the entire harbor while scattering light powder, then lost its form and faded away. Now, at least, my territory's citizens would be protected from any attack.
"The Aub's Protection..."
"So Lady Rozemyne really is Ahrensbach's Aub."
The Ahrensbach knights gazed at the light powder that had descended upon them. The Aub's Protection could only shield those registered as citizens of the territory. The Ahrensbach knights were enveloped in a pale yellow light, but it had no effect whatsoever on the Dunkelfelger knights, my retainers, Ferdinand and his group, or children who had not yet been baptized.
"Sixth Squad, flash bombs! Seventh Squad, use wide-area magic — Wassen across the area! Sweep away the Lanzanave soldiers!"
With Lutzelschmear's Healing added to the Aub's Protection raining down, multiple flash bombs exploded above the people who had been looking up. Wassen rained mercilessly upon the writhing, eye-clutching figures, and the Lanzanave soldiers were swept away by the currents and thrown into the sea. The ships moored at the harbor swayed and collided with each other, and several ships whose stern lines had come loose were pushed out of the harbor. The citizens, protected from everything, simply stood there staring blankly upward.
"Third Squad, Fourth Squad, Fifth Squad. Change of plans! While the Aub's Protection is still active, send the commoners home and capture the Lanzanave forces! Follow Lady Hannalore's instructions for hostage rescue and magic stone recovery!"
"Yes, sir!"
The group wearing violet cloaks received Ferdinand's orders and descended toward the part of the harbor where the fishermen were most concentrated.
"First Squad, Second Squad! Let's move!"
In sync with Hannalore's voice, the guard knights who had been surrounding Hannalore around the Schmiel carriage-type riding beast let their blue cloaks flutter as they descended toward the silver ship. Everyone cried out loudly and cleared the area, making room for the riding beasts to land.
Hannalore released the Volheniels from her riding beast. The instant she did, the medium-dog-sized Volheniels swelled to the size of large dogs and lunged at the surrounding commoners.
"Stop!"
Just before the Volheniels could latch onto the commoners, Hannalore created a lead with a band of light from her Stab and gave it a sharp tug. That alone was enough to make the Volheniels instantly docile. Hannalore said something to the commoners whose eyes were wide with terror, then gave the order to her knights, and together they charged into the ship from where cargo had been loading and unloading.
Aboard the riding beast that had resumed racing across the sea toward the Border Gate, I asked: "...Lord Ferdinand, what kind of magical beast is a Volheniel?"
"A Volheniel is a magical beast that shows absolute obedience to anyone with stronger Magic Power than itself. On the other hand, it has a nature of attacking indiscriminately anything that has less Magic Power than it and is moving. They say Attendants have to put the Volheniels outside when moving furniture, or the creatures will attack the furniture."
"...Volheniels really are indiscriminate, aren't they."
Just as I said that, the ship that had been stranded at sea exploded from within, a section of it blowing apart spectacularly. Ferdinand's free arm — the one not holding the riding beast's reins — wrapped around my waist and pulled me close.
"Stay on guard!"
The battle for the Lanzanave ships had begun.