Request

"You should leave first."

"It would be better for Ferdinand, who doesn't look well, to leave first. You should secure some time to rest before dinner, even if it's only a little."

"It's nothing. Don't worry about me—just leave."

Ferdinand said this while looking reluctant and waving his hand dismissively. He clearly wasn't feeling well, yet he stubbornly kept insisting "it's nothing," which irritated me slightly. But Ferdinand's unwillingness to show weakness to others was nothing new.

"If you're not feeling unwell, then this time, you should copy the contents from your Mestionora's Book into mine."

"What are you talking about? Refused."

Being looked at like I was the biggest idiot in the world made me frown.

"I should be the one saying that! Your Mestionora's Book gained content through copy-paste, but mine won't be expanded? Isn't that terrible?"

I wanted to read it too, so I thought it was unfair that he alone had a Mestionora's Book with expanded reading material. Ferdinand scowled in distaste at my argument.

"Your new magic has bizarre pronunciation and principles, so it would take too long to learn. Rejected."

"You'd be fine, Ferdinand. You learned water guns right away, didn't you?"

The old professors had struggled with it, but Ferdinand alone had learned it rather easily. I was sure he'd be fine, but Ferdinand firmly refused.

"If you can't learn Copy Schtoppun, then I'll copy-paste from you, so please lend me your Mestionora's Book."

"You can do it yourself?"

"I wouldn't know unless I tried, but..."

I reached out and touched Ferdinand's Holy Book, which was still open, then traced my finger from a starting point to an endpoint to designate the range. In that instant, Ferdinand gasped, brushed my hand away, and immediately closed and concealed his Mestionora's Book.

"Hey! It was almost working! Why did you make it disappear!?"

"It's still too early for you. At the very least, wait until you've come of age."

"Huh? That's still two years away, isn't it? That's so far off. Earlier you were..."

I stared wide-eyed at Ferdinand, who had seemed willing to try just moments ago but had suddenly changed his attitude. But Ferdinand glared at me and shook his head.

"There are circumstances on my end. Absolutely not right now."

"What circumstances? Are they circumstances I could accept?"

He stubbornly refused to explain and insisted only on "no." When I leaned in to peer at his face and demand an explanation, he pushed my forehead away and told me to back up.

"Besides, I told you we're out of time, didn't I? Shouldn't finishing the Holy Book as a Magical Tool take priority over expanding its contents? You'd be better off leaving before I take out the magic stones for crafting."

"...Ferdinand, is this person named Gervasio a threat?"

I felt like Ferdinand had started constantly saying "there's no time" and showing urgency about crafting the Grutrissheit as a Magical Tool ever since Gervasio's name had come out of Letizia's mouth.

"You said he was raised to become the King of Lanzanave—so is Gervasio Ferdinand's older brother?"

In that instant, all expression vanished from Ferdinand's face. Neither the anger nor the anxiety was visible anymore. His pale gold eyes merely studied me for several seconds, as if probing my reaction. Then, gazing down at his own hand as though choosing his words carefully, he slowly began to speak.

"I have no memory of ever meeting Gervasio face to face. But I know of him."

It must be knowledge from the Mestionora's Book. Ferdinand stared fixedly at his own hand, as if looking at the already-concealed Mestionora's Book.

"Among the sons born to the three women of Adalgisa at the time, Gervasio was chosen as the King of Lanzanave because he had the highest Magic Power across all attributes."

"So that means... he has more Magic Power than you, Ferdinand?"

Could such a person really exist? As I tilted my head in disbelief, Ferdinand slowly nodded.

"Apparently, in the measurements taken before the Baptism Ceremony, he stood head and shoulders above the rest. ...Incidentally, I was born after he was sent off as the King of Lanzanave. My mother apparently gave birth to me from the start with the intention of turning me into a magic stone—she wasn't looking for someone to raise my Magic Power, but someone whose attributes could compensate for her own elemental imbalance. Among the children of Adalgisa, I had the lowest Magic Power, but I was apparently the most suitable child to become a magic stone because my attribute values were balanced across all elements."

The hair on the back of my neck stood up as Ferdinand calmly recounted a past that seemed to peer into the abyss of despair. Looking at his expressionless profile, I felt like I was the one who might cry. He never would have wanted that kind of knowledge. Ferdinand had probably obtained the Mestionora's Book during his time at the Royal Academy. It was far too cruel for a child around the same age as my current self to know.

My legs went weak and my arms reached out of their own accord. Rising onto my knees on the seat of the long sofa, I hugged Ferdinand.

"You were not born to become a magic stone. You were born to become an archduke candidate of Ehrenfest. That means the gods guided you here."

"Rozemyne, let go."

He patted my back while speaking in an urgent voice, but I refused with a firm "No" and hugged him even tighter.

"You have to be alive and not a magic stone—don't you understand that? The previous Aub took you in because he needed you, and my adoptive father and I need you right now. I won't let go until you say you understand."

"I understand. I understand, so let go. You're being far too emotional, no matter how you look at it. You may not realize it, but you've already grown to look like a young woman of age, so have a bit more modesty."

I had actually developed a bit of modesty—I'd stopped asking Ferdinand for hugs—but apparently my modesty still wasn't enough. I'd been trying to comfort him, yet somehow I was the one getting scolded.

"In any case, leave now. I'll continue with the Magical Tool. Inform your attendants about your current inability to handle magic stones, and discuss ways to live without magic stones in your line of sight. You can talk about the magic stone brooch crafting for the Lord's Conference. This isn't something to share with the other nobles, so discuss it with everyone except the Ahrensbach nobles."

Ferdinand chased me out, telling me to get lost. Once his business was done, I was dismissed. It was a bit harsh, but it was nothing new.

...It was fine, though, since Ferdinand seemed to be feeling better.

"Rozemyne."

The moment I stepped out of the hidden room, Cornelius rushed over to check if anything was wrong with me.

"What were you doing in there, excluding your attendants so forcefully?"

"Cornelius, there's no need to worry so much—Ferdinand didn't do anything. He was just concerned about my health and gave me an examination."

"Doing nothing isn't the point. Going into a hidden room alone together when you're not even married is absolutely unacceptable."

Cornelius earnestly explained just how scandalous it was. Apparently, it was considered so improper that no one would blame them for assuming premarital relations. But I couldn't very well reveal that Ferdinand had the Mestionora's Book, and we'd had both copies spread out. There was no way anyone else could have been let in. Besides, the discussion had touched on my past life during the examination, and Ferdinand—despite being tight-lipped—had even told me some things about Adalgisa. He never would have shared any of that with other people present.

"For Ferdinand, it was necessary to exclude the attendants."

"Rozemyne, you need to value yourself more..."

"I can't tell you what we were doing in there or what Ferdinand is crafting now. But as you can see, the moment our business was done, I was sent out of the hidden room. There's nothing for you to worry about, Cornelius."

If anything, I was the one in the wrong. Having been scolded for lacking modesty, I felt a small twinge of regret.

"More importantly, we need to have an important discussion about the results of the health examination Ferdinand gave me and what comes next. Please gather all the attendants."

After Cornelius looked back and forth between the hidden room door and me, he rushed off. Watching his retreating figure, Eckhart asked me, "Is Ferdinand not coming out?"

"I was told to leave since our business was done, but he seems to be continuing his crafting inside. However, he didn't appear to be in very good condition. He may be planning to craft his own medicine as well."

"I see. Understood."

After informing Eckhart about Ferdinand's current condition, I called out to my attendants who were present and headed toward the guest room that Liselore and the others had prepared. Just then, Cornelius came rushing back, looking frantic.

"I received an Ordinary from Hartmut. A scholar is calling for the Aub. It seems there's an urgent message from Ehrenfest."

"Eckhart, please let Ferdinand know. I'll head there first."

Ferdinand should be able to catch up before I—a slow walker—arrived at the office. I hurried toward the Aub's office as fast as I could. As expected, Ferdinand caught up with me before we reached the office.

When we arrived at the Aub's office, a scholar informed us that the emergency communication Magical Tool used between Aub offices was glowing. Ferdinand stood slightly ahead and beckoned me over, saying, "It's this one." It resembled the water-mirror Magical Tool I knew in shape and size, but the mirror-like surface was completely hidden, as if a lid were closed over it.

"Rozemyne, close your eyes for a moment. I'll guide you, so pour your Magic Power into it."

"Yes."

Following Ferdinand's instructions, I closed my eyes. He took my hand and guided it to touch something. When I poured in my Magic Power, he told me I could open them. Before me was the water mirror I knew, and I could see my adoptive father's face.

"You're slow, Rozemyne. You left the office—where did you go?"

He started with a complaint that he'd been waiting quite a while, but that was because it was an urgent matter.

"I received a reply from Hirschur, who's at the Royal Academy. She says there were unfamiliar people near the Scholar's Building."

Hirschur, deep in her research, had apparently intended to put off the Aub's order. But Laimunt—who couldn't return to the Ahrensbach dormitory and had been staying in the Scholar's Building—had noticed unfamiliar people lurking near the Scholar's Building. The fact that these strangers, wearing no territory mantles, were coming and going from the Royal Academy was suspicious. Realizing that what Aub Ehrenfest had said might actually be true, Hirschur had hurriedly begun sending Ordinants in every direction.

"Father, you really aren't very trusted, are you?"

"Hirschur seeing nothing but her research is nothing new."

"It was good that you left Laimunt behind."

Ferdinand nodded several times, but I had a feeling he hadn't properly reported the situation to Laimunt, who suddenly couldn't return to the dormitory.

"Hirschur apparently contacted the instructors at the Royal Academy, as well as the royal family and the Central Knights. It seems they dispatched the Central Knights right away, and black-cloaked figures have been spotted on the Royal Academy grounds."

"I see... That's a relief."

If the royal family, who had been reinforcing the capital's defenses, had sent the Central Knights to the Royal Academy, then there was nothing to worry about. The Dunkelfelger volunteers had subdued the Lanzanave soldiers in the blink of an eye. My adoptive father had also shared information about the silver cloth and instant-death poison. They would surely be suppressed without too much time. As I let out a sigh of relief, my adoptive father's expression turned stern and he shook his head.

"...Precisely because things aren't going well, I used the emergency communication tool, Rozemyne."

"Huh?"

"The Royal Academy's library librarian. ...There's apparently been no reply from Solange, the one you were particularly concerned about. Whether she was simply unable to respond or something happened, it's unclear. Hirschur tried to go check on her, but she received a warning Ordinary from Luefen, the Dunkelfelger dormitory supervisor, telling her to stay put."

Everything before my eyes suddenly went dark.

"There's a high chance something is happening at the Royal Academy. That's what I wanted to warn you about. Ehrenfest can only send information—there aren't enough resources to mobilize people or supplies."

"Thank you for informing us, Father. Without a dormitory supervisor, we can't receive information from the Royal Academy."

I thanked my adoptive father and ended the communication through the water-mirror Magical Tool, then turned to Ferdinand.

"Ferdinand, I'm going to the Royal Academy's library."

"I can't allow that. You're on house arrest at Ahrensbach. I can't take you in your current state."

Being implicitly asked what I intended to do when I couldn't even ride a riding beast, I was at a loss for words. But I was desperately worried about Solange, Schwartz, and Weiss.

"If only I could put Schwartz and Weiss into battle mode, I could at least believe Solange is safe..."

To put Schwartz and Weiss into battle mode, I would need to pour Magic Power into the button-like magic stones.

"I hear they're quite strong. Apparently, the Schmils performed admirably during the battle at the Temple."

I looked up at Ferdinand—the one who had researched Schwartz and the others and designed the basic framework of the Schmils—and said this, but he just snorted derisively.

"These are Magical Tools that a princess from ancient times equipped with the ability to slaughter Zent candidates. There's no way they could beat the rabble running around out there."

"Schwartz and Weiss are strong. Solange is safe, right?"

I wished he would agree, even just to comfort me, but Ferdinand briefly lowered his eyes before hitting me with reality.

"Putting the library's Magical Tools into battle mode should require the master's command and Magic Power. I can't say for certain whether she could make them cooperate. But no matter how worried you are, you can't go. What could you possibly do in your current condition?"

As Ferdinand coldly said this and shook his head, the emergency communication Magical Tool began to glow once more.

"...Dunkelfelger? I'll take the call. Rozemyne, close your eyes."

Ferdinand took my hand and guided it to the magic stone. The surface shifted to a water mirror, and the figure of Aub Dunkelfelger appeared.

"Aub Ahrensbach. I'm glad to see you're doing well. I received a report from Hannelore. She said you fought splendidly. I must confess, I'm genuinely surprised that every last one of the volunteers we lent to Ahrensbach returned without a single casualty."

Aub Dunkelfelger's tone was more courteous than I had ever heard, and honestly, all I could do was blink in surprise.

"The reason I'm contacting you on an emergency basis is simple. Are you aware of the current situation at the Royal Academy?"

"Ahrensbach doesn't have a dormitory supervisor, but I just received communication from Aub Ehrenfest. I've heard that unfamiliar people—likely from Lanzanave—were spotted near the Scholar's Building, that the royal family and Central Knights have already been contacted, and that contact has been lost with Solange, the library librarian. I do hope Solange can be reached soon... Since the Central Knights have been dispatched, the situation will be contained quickly, right?"

When I said this, Aub Dunkelfelger's expression turned grave.

"No. According to Luefen, Dunkelfelger's dormitory supervisor, the Central Knights in black cloaks did appear at the Royal Academy, but they appeared to be following the orders of the unfamiliar people."

"What?"

"Even though Dietlinde was among those unfamiliar people, the Central Knights showed no signs of arresting her."

Whether the royal family had permitted it or the Central Knights had betrayed them, the situation was unclear, so Luefen had relayed the information to Aub Dunkelfelger and asked for instructions.

"Dunkelfelger has been unable to reach the Zent."

"That's..."

"I make this request of Lady Rozemyne, the rightful next Zent candidate who has obtained the Grutrissheit. Please protect the Royal Academy. Outsiders must not be allowed entry. That place is the linchpin of Yurgenschmidt."

I swallowed hard at Aub Dunkelfelger's words.

"That's... to the Zent..."

"Dunkelfelger will serve as the hands and feet of Lady Rozemyne, the next Zent candidate. Give the command to protect the Royal Academy. Dunkelfelger is the Zent's sword—we will defend it to the last."

Rozemyne's copy-paste from Ferdinand was rejected. She was scolded for lacking modesty after impulsively acting on hearing about his dark past. And then, the information from the Royal Academy. This time, a request came from Aub Dunkelfelger. Next is the Royal Academy.