Collection of Winter Materials

I steeled myself to report to the Chief Priest and waited tensely for the ceremony to end. Until now, all the letters and correspondence addressed to the High Priest had apparently been from commoners he had done favors for—none had come from nobles.

This was probably because the noble families of this territory had been promptly informed of the High Priest's engagement to nobles from other territories, as well as the confinement of the lord's mother.

However, the capture of the lord's mother and her faction was quite a shocking revelation. I didn't know whether a gag order had been imposed to prevent this matter from leaking to other territories, and I began to turn pale.

...Perhaps I had done something terrible.

As I waited for the ceremony to end with a creeping sense of anxiety, a white bird flew in.

It resembled an Ornans but was slightly smaller. The white bird transformed into two letters on my desk and fluttered down in front of me. When I picked them up to look, one was a reply letter I had written, and the other was a response to it.

The letter contained careful words of condolence over the High Priest's death along with "thank you for informing me." I breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't a frantic message like "Tell me more!" or "How could that have happened?!"

There was no reply letter enclosed, so I judged that no response was necessary.

"Rozemyne, it appears the Dedication Ritual has concluded."

I could hear the sound of blue priests filing down the hallway, after which the Chief Priest and gray priests carried in the small Holy Cups filled with Magic Power from today's ceremony.

Fran opened the cupboard where the small Holy Cups were to be placed, and several gray priests worked together to arrange them inside.

Watching this, I decided to tell the Chief Priest about the letter and called out to him.

"Chief Priest, um, a letter addressed to the High Priest has arrived..."

He must have been tired. The Chief Priest gave a halfhearted wave, as if to say "Don't bother me with trivial things like this."

"Ah, they're still arriving? As usual, inform them that he has passed away."

"I already did. In response, I received a letter of condolence and gratitude..."

"Is that so? Then that should be fine."

Today's ceremony seemed to have been plagued by blue priests who had been close to the former High Priest, as deep furrows creased the Chief Priest's brow.

I thought it might be best not to bother him further today, but I wanted to put my concerns to rest. I took a slow breath and spoke to the Chief Priest.

"Just one thing—could you tell me?"

"What is it?"

He glared at me as if to say "Is there still more?" and I flinched for a moment before nodding.

"Has a gag order been imposed to prevent the news of the High Priest's death from reaching other territories?"

"No, nothing special. Regarding the lord's mother's punishment and confinement, yes—a gag order was imposed so as not to give other territories an opening to exploit. But there's been no such order about the High Priest's life or death. I've been responding to correspondence all along, haven't I? What are you saying now?"

"No, then that's fine. I'm sorry to bother you when you're so tired."

...Safe. It didn't seem like I had made a terrible mistake.

Telling the High Priest's secret lover about his death apparently wasn't a problem. I let out a breath of relief.

...Thank goodness I wouldn't be interrogated about everything.

Exposing the High Priest's pure love to the Chief Priest would have been like kicking a man when he was down—it made my chest ache just thinking about it. The Chief Priest was the type to ruthlessly exploit anything useful. I didn't even know the name of his pen pal, but thinking about what might happen to her was terrifying.

The letter had been from a Magical Tool I'd never seen before, which had thrown me for a loop, but as the Chief Priest had said, there had been many letters to the High Priest before. It was a Magical Tool, but her letter was just one of them.

Thinking that, my spirits lifted considerably, and I relaxed my shoulders.

And as the Chief Priest had predicted, the Dedication Ritual was completed in three days. Just like last year, amid a fierce blizzard that showed no sign of letting up, I finished filling all the small Holy Cups entrusted to me with Magic Power.

"Rozemyne, please double-check all the small Holy Cups and make sure the locks are secured properly."

"Yes."

"Kamil, Friturk. See to it that the gray priests thoroughly clean up the altar and return the divine instruments to the prayer room."

"Yes."

Following the Chief Priest's instructions, we began to move.

Today, the small Holy Cups I had filled with Magic Power were carried by the gray priests and arranged in the cupboard of my room. After that, Fran, Monica, and I confirmed together that all the small Holy Cups were correctly in place, then locked the cupboard securely.

Nodding to myself that everything was in order, I heard a small bell ring from beyond the door. It was the bell used by the Chief Priest's Attendant.

"Rozemyne, the Chief Priest is requesting permission to enter. What would you like to do?"

"Please let him in."

It was probably to confirm that everything was properly locked. I immediately granted the Chief Priest permission to enter.

The Chief Priest came in carrying a long, rod-like object and thrust it out in front of me.

"Rozemyne, fill this with Magic Power. Make sure it's filled with your Magic Power as quickly as possible."

What the Chief Priest had thrust at me was a divine instrument that was supposed to have been returned to the prayer room.

The Fire God Leidenschaft's spear was placed in my hands. I stared blankly for a moment, then quickly grabbed the spear's hilt. At the same time, Magic Power began flowing into the small magic stones lined along the hilt.

"Um, Chief Priest, you want me to fill this divine instrument with my Magic Power? ...Whatever for?"

During the Dedication Ritual, the Magic Power that had been dedicated to the divine instruments during daily life was also diverted to the small Holy Cups. Because of this, the instruments were currently empty right after the ceremony ended. Filling this spear would require a considerable amount of Magic Power. It wasn't impossible, but I didn't understand the purpose.

"So that you can use this spear as your weapon. You don't have one, do you?"

The Chief Priest raised his eyebrows slightly and said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He was explaining that for me to use it as a weapon, it needed to be filled with my Magic Power—removing the leather gloves that prevented the flow of Magic Power as he spoke—but that wasn't the issue at all.

The Chief Priest made it sound so simple, and I was indeed in a state of continuously flowing Magic Power into it just by holding it, but using a divine instrument that was supposed to be displayed at the altar as my own weapon was simply inconceivable by my standards.

"I mean, I don't have a weapon, that's true, but this is a divine instrument!? Surely it can't be appropriate for me to claim it as my weapon!?"

"There are no Magical Tools that could serve as weapons at a size you can wield. It can't be helped."

If there were weapons in the Knights' Order that I could use, they would have let me use those, but apparently there was nothing I could handle.

"...This is a divine instrument, though? Are you really sure this is all right?"

"I have the lord's approval, and what possible objection could there be to the High Priest using a temple's own equipment? You'll be in trouble without a weapon, so stop complaining and fill it with Magic Power."

Listening to the Chief Priest's words, I began to feel as though I were making unreasonable demands.

If my adoptive father had given his approval, then it must be fine. I spent several hours pouring Magic Power into the Fire God Leidenschaft's spear. Even so, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was doing something sacrilegious.

...God, I'm only borrowing this for a little while. I'll definitely return it, so please don't be angry.

After finishing infusing the divine spear with Magic Power, I headed for the orphanage. Since it had been discussed that we would return to the castle as soon as the Dedication Ritual was over, I wanted to check on how things were at the orphanage.

"Gil, Fritz. Give me a report on how far things have progressed."

I checked with Gil and Fritz on the progress of picture book printing and the production of karuta and playing cards. At the same time, Wilma reported to me on the situation at the castle and gave an update on the orphanage.

"Among the noble children, karuta and playing cards are starting to become popular, too. The picture books have been well received as well. Wilma's illustrations were praised—even among the noble ladies."

Wilma, a fellow accomplice who had secretly included shuriken illustrations, smiled softly and said, "I hope we can keep this hidden."

"Hehe, actually, I'm already thinking about what to do next."

"Rozemyne, the Chief Priest is going to scold you again."

"It'll be fine. I've already prepared countermeasures."

"Oh my!"

When I grinned, Wilma laughed out loud.

On the other side of where we were talking, the girls were diligently working on their knitting. Nora, who had transferred from Hasse, was teaching them. It had been a winter pastime in Hasse, it seemed, and Malté, who was accustomed to knitting despite her young age, sat beside Deria teaching her as well.

Wilma followed my gaze and smiled warmly, narrowing her eyes.

"Everyone is working hard since they're knitting to keep warm, you see. Nora in particular has really blossomed since she went from only being taught to also having something she can teach others."

Of the four who had newly entered the orphanage from Hasse, the one who had adapted to temple life first was the youngest, Malté. Thor and Rick had gradually fit in through their forays into the forest and their papermaking work in the workshop.

As the eldest, Nora had apparently had the hardest time adapting to the change in environment. It was difficult to break long-held habits. On top of that, being in a position where she was constantly being taught by children younger than herself had gradually eroded her confidence.

Since she was living here with a large group, her interactions with her brothers were fewer than before, and she sometimes appeared disheartened, Wilma told me.

"By teaching the knitting she knows to everyone, she's gained a sense that she's useful and has secured her place here. Her smiles have increased as well."

"I see. I'm relieved to hear that everyone is getting along without any problems. Please continue to look after them."

"Understood, Rozemyne."

I had confirmed the state of the orphanage, and as instructed, I had filled the Fire God Leidenschaft's spear with Magic Power. I went to the Chief Priest's room to report that I could move to the castle at any time.

We had been discussing moving to the castle the following day when an Ornans flew into the Chief Priest's room. The Ornans landed on the Chief Priest's desk and spoke.

"Ferdinand, please return to the castle immediately. The Winter Sovereign has appeared. This year's Winter Sovereign is a Schneetilum."

In my father's voice tinged with urgency, the same message was repeated three times, and the Ornans reverted to a magic stone. The Chief Priest tapped it lightly with his staff and chanted "Ornans," whereupon it became a white bird.

"I'll leave the formation to you. Prepare yourselves. We're leaving immediately."

With a flick of his staff, the Chief Priest sent the Ornans flying. He retracted his staff with a smooth motion and turned toward me with a grim expression.

"Rejoice, Rozemyne. We may be able to obtain the highest-grade magic stones. Prepare quickly and head to the castle. Base your outfit on what you'd wear for a collection expedition, and don't neglect your cold-weather protection."

Was this magical beast subjugation really the "collection of winter materials"? I turned pale as I rushed back to my room, where Monica and Nicola helped me change. I asked Fran to tell Ella to stop cooking and prepare to head to the castle, and Rosina quickly began making her own preparations to return.

The guard knights were also moving with changed expressions. The guard knight on duty while I changed was Brigitte. During that time, Damuel had left to change into his armor.

Layering undergarments for warmth before dressing in pants like I would for a collection expedition and putting on a coat, I wrapped myself in a warm fur-lined outer coat. Even as I thought it would make movement difficult, I threw on yet another thick coat over that. I would have to return to the castle through a blizzard that had shown no signs of stopping for days. The more cold protection, the better.

"...Brigitte, what exactly is a Winter Sovereign?"

While getting changed, I asked Brigitte.

"Each year when winter arrives, the most powerful of the magical beasts that appear is called the Winter Sovereign. It possesses extremely strong Magic Power and causes blizzards. If it isn't hunted, spring will be delayed, so as soon as it appears, the minimum number of knights are left behind at the castle and the entire Knights' Order goes out to hunt it."

Apparently, a magical beast powerful enough to be called the Winter Sovereign appeared every year. However, the species varied, and a Schneetilum was apparently on the stronger end of the spectrum.

"...And I'm supposed to hunt that?"

Obtaining a magical beast's magic stone meant, as I had seen during the night of Stürelia, that the beast had to be slain with weapons. The idea of performing the work of the knights myself was beyond my imagination.

"The Knights' Order will weaken it, and then Rozemyne will deliver the finishing blow to obtain the magic stone, I believe. Everyone will be with you, so you needn't worry so much."

Brigitte smiled reassuringly, but I felt anything but reassured. No matter how I looked at it, this didn't seem like the kind of collection expedition suited to me.

Damuel returned, his entire body encased in armor. In his place, Brigitte left to make her own preparations.

My hair was tied back, and I donned a fluffy fur hat and leather gloves. These gloves were apprentice knight gloves, specially treated to allow Magic Power to flow through them. Like the Magical Tool ring, they shifted shape with a soft whoosh to fit my hand perfectly.

"Damuel, what do you think about the Winter Sovereign? Do you think I can hunt one?"

"...Unfortunately, I was demoted to apprentice status last year, so I have yet to accompany a hunt for the Winter Sovereign. I've only heard from colleagues, but they say it's extremely powerful."

Apprentices could only accompany hunts during the period at the Noble Academy, so only adult knights could go along. Damuel had been demoted from his first year as a knight due to the punishment from the Trombe subjugation and had been stationed at the temple as my guard.

It seemed this would be Damuel's first subjugation as well.

Once everyone had finished preparing, we headed toward the exit nearest the Noble Gate with the Fire God Leidenschaft's spear. Filled with my Magic Power and transformed into a weapon I could wield, the spear felt surprisingly light.

In front of a slightly widened door, the Chief Priest's steed had already been brought out.

"Fran, Zahm. The door, please. Rozemyne, summon your steed here and mount everyone up. Brigitte, I'll need you to ride along."

Fran and Zahm rushed to the door and stood ready. As the Chief Priest instructed, I summoned the Lesser Beast indoors and let Ella and Rosina aboard. Confirming they were settled, Brigitte and I climbed on as well.

"Rozemyne, when the Winter Sovereign goes on a rampage, the blizzard will intensify considerably. Visibility will be very poor. I intend to fly close by, but be careful not to lose sight of me."

"Yes."

"Brigitte, I'm counting on you."

"Yes, sir!"

The Chief Priest swept his cape back with a flourish and leapt onto his steed with a lightness that belied his armor-clad body, then lifted his chin and fixed his gaze ahead.

"Open the gate!"

Fran and Zahm gripped the handles. The moment the door opened even slightly, a tremendous blast of wind and snow surged in, and it flew wide open with a tremendous bang.

As if charging straight into the blizzard, the Chief Priest's steed burst outside. Eyes locked on the Chief Priest's blue cape, I drove my steed forward as well.

No sooner had we raced out of the temple and past the Noble Gate than Damuel, who had departed behind me, overtook my Lesser Beast and pulled up alongside the Chief Priest. Before me, blue and ochre capes fluttered in the wind, and using those two capes as landmarks, I piloted my steed onward.

From the heavy, overcast gray sky, white snow came rushing toward us from every direction. The world was a canvas of pure white, with snow seemingly blowing in from all sides, and the wind direction was impossible to determine.

"Rozemyne, veer slightly to the right. We should be arriving at the castle soon."

With Brigitte navigating from the passenger seat, I managed to reach the castle without losing sight of the Chief Priest or Damuel.

The Chief Priest sent an Ornans ahead, and Norbert promptly opened the gates for us.

"Ella, Rosina, get off immediately. We will proceed directly to the Knights' Order from here."

At Brigitte's words, Ella and Rosina nodded vigorously and rushed through the doors that Norbert had opened. Once the doors had closed, the Chief Priest's steed was off again.

"Let's head to the Knights' Order's training ground. They should already be assembled."

I nodded at Brigitte's words and chased after the Chief Priest's steed.

The Knights' Order had multiple training grounds where they conducted their exercises, and each one was enormous. This was only natural, given that they also practiced fighting from steed-back.

However, in my current state, both the buildings and the surrounding snow were white, making it completely impossible to tell where the training ground began and ended.

The Chief Priest's steed flew into the training ground. Since Damuel was waiting by the door, I went in first.

It was no exaggeration to say that the Winter Sovereign was a magical beast that had to be hunted with the full might of the Knights' Order, leaving only a minimal guard at the castle. The training ground was already packed with knights standing in formation.

I had heard that roughly fifty knights were permanently stationed in Ehrenfest, but since knights from the provinces had also assembled today, I estimated there were at least two hundred and fifty of them.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

At the Chief Priest's words, everyone dropped to one knee. I dismounted from my Lesser Beast and stood beside the Chief Priest.

"This year as well, the Winter Sovereign has appeared. Upper-rank knights, devote all your efforts to severing the Winter Sovereign's limbs. Middle-rank knights, take care of the subordinates. Lower-rank knights, form a defensive ring around Rozemyne's steed and handle any that slip through."

"Yes, sir!"

"Brigitte, ride with Rozemyne and join the middle-rank knights upon reaching the designated position. Damuel, you will act alongside the lower-rank knights."

"Yes, sir!"

At the Chief Priest's command, Damuel sprinted off toward the assembled knights. As I watched him go, the Chief Priest looked down at me.

"Rozemyne, remain on your steed and hold your position until I call for you. Do not move from the designated position under any circumstances."

"Yes. Um, Ferdinand—may I pray for everyone's success in battle?"

There wasn't much I could do. Rather than praying after the battle had devolved into chaos, I wanted to pray while there was still time.

The Chief Priest looked at me with a conflicted expression, surveyed the knights, and then slowly nodded.

"...It would be best to conserve your Magic Power, but this year you'll be yielding us the magic stones. Very well."

With the Chief Priest's permission, I began channeling Magic Power into my ring. I prayed that the Knights' Order, which had to go out in full force to hunt this beast, would be victorious.

"May the Fire God Leidenschaft and the War God Angrieff, his subordinate, bless all of you!"

Blue light burst from my ring and rained down upon the knights. There were so many of them that it consumed more Magic Power than I had expected.

"Prepare for departure!"

At the Chief Priest's voice, everyone rose in unison and began preparing their steeds. As I moved to mount mine, the Chief Priest called me back.

"Rozemyne, you've used quite a bit of Magic Power, haven't you? Drink this before the battle begins. Also, reduce your steed's size to conserve Magic Power."

I adjusted the steed to a size that Brigitte and I could both ride, mounted it, and stared at the medicine the Chief Priest had handed me.

Magic Power was essential for subduing magical beasts. The medicine was Chief Priest-grade—unadjusted for taste and purely efficiency-focused. With tears in my eyes, I gulped it down. It was a fatigue recovery and Magic Power restoration potion. The bitterness in my mouth was unbearable, but it was best to be in peak condition.

"Now, move out!"

At the forefront were my father and the upper-rank noble knights, with the Chief Priest serving as the upper-rank commander. Led by the Chief Priest and the upper-rank knights, I would move in the center, surrounded by middle-rank knights.

I felt a tremendous surge of Magic Power to the north. The Knights' Order moved toward it in orderly formation. I drove my steed toward the source of that powerful magic, as if charging straight into the fierce blizzard.

The knights flying around me occasionally turned to look at me with a clattering of armor. Was it because of my Lesser Beast? The sound of their helmets turning was somewhat unsettling.

The closer we got to the powerful Magic Power source, the worse the blizzard became. And the moment I saw a massive shadow at the center of the swirling snow, the Chief Priest ordered me to hold my position.

"Rozemyne, hold here. Grip your spear and stay ready to charge at any moment."

At the Chief Priest's words, Brigitte leapt from my Lesser Beast, summoned her own steed, and mounted it. As Brigitte flew off toward her designated position, the Chief Priest swept his blue cape back and headed toward the upper-rank knights' battle.

In their place, I found myself surrounded by lower-rank noble knights.

The Dedication Ritual has been safely completed, and next is the collection of winter materials.

The magic stones of powerful magical beasts will serve as materials. This will be Rozemyne's first magical beast hunt.

Next time, the battle against the Schneetilum.