Aub Dunkelfelger's Decision

"It is a request that cannot be decided upon so quickly."

Before I could open my mouth, Ferdinand, who had been peering over my shoulder at the water mirror, answered.

"Even though she has obtained the Grutrissheit, Rozemyne, who has obtained the Foundation, is already the Aub of Ahrensbach. Therefore, she cannot issue such a command."

"Don't you understand the importance of the Royal Academy!? It's being ravaged by outsiders! There is no time for leisurely talk!"

If Detlinde had gone to the Royal Academy seeking the position of Zent, then the library where the Grutrissheit was kept was the most dangerous place. Right now, only Solange and Schwarz would be there. Recalling the Lanzeneve soldiers who had been rampaging through Ahrensbach's Noble District, it was easy to imagine the library being overrun by Lanzeneve's people and Detlinde.

"Ferdinand, Professor Solange is in the Royal Academy library... and Professor Hirschur is also at the Royal Academy."

Hirschur had been using Ordinaryz to report the presence of intruders here and there, requesting rescue from the royal family and the Central Knight Order. If the Central Knight Order had turned traitor, then Hirschur would also be in a very dangerous position. Laimunt, who was with Hirschur, as well.

"...Somehow, I feel like Professor Hirschur will be safe no matter what happens, but her position is dangerous, isn't it? If Dunkelfelger cooperates, shouldn't we send help?"

When I turned around and said this, Ferdinand said coldly, "The one in the most dangerous position is you, you fool." Then he stared at Aub Dunkelfelger in the water mirror with a stern expression and spoke in a calm tone.

"I also believe that the Royal Academy being ravaged is a grave matter. I understand the importance of the Royal Academy as well. However, issuing such a bold command is not something that can be done easily. If the royal family is rescued through Rozemyne's command, or if Detlinde and her group have already obtained the Grutrissheit and the Foundation, Rozemyne could be accused of overstepping her authority or even branded a traitor."

Ferdinand murmurs that the royal family, rescued through my command, might not simply express gratitude and leave it at that. There was a very high chance they would seize the opportunity to absorb me—holding the Grutrissheit—into the royal family, and in order to escape accusations of treason, would make unreasonable demands under the guise of kindness. Remembering the royal family's behavior up to now, I could only nod at Ferdinand's words.

"If Rozemyne is placed in a disadvantageous position by issuing the command, what position would Dunkelfelger, which proclaims itself the Sword of the Zent, be placed in?"

Ferdinand said to Aub Dunkelfelger that they were highly likely to end up on the Zent's side.

"Ferdinand, isn't that a bit much? Surely they wouldn't do something so terrible while requesting a command to be issued."

"That's exactly why you're called naive."

With a hmph and a scoff through his nose at me, Ferdinand turned back to Aub Dunkelfelger.

"The Aub of Dunkelfelger, with its long, long history, has surely made ruthless decisions for the sake of its territory at times. As an Aub protecting their territory, it's only natural that they can't afford to be soft. But a situation where all the responsibility can be heaped onto Rozemyne is something I absolutely cannot overlook."

"No matter what kind of emergency arises, without a command, Dunkelfelger cannot send knights to the Central District. Are you going to stand by and watch as Lanzeneve and Detlinde rampage and outsiders obtain the Grutrissheit? The only next Zent candidate who holds the Grutrissheit is Rozemyne!"

Aub Dunkelfelger did not say "We would never do such a terrible thing." She said she would protect the Royal Academy, she said she was the Sword of the Zent, but she did not say she would protect me. Throughout the conversation, she was distinguishing between "Rozemyne, the Aub of Ahrensbach" and "Rozemyne, the next Zent candidate."

"There is only one person who can save Yurgenschmidt right now!"

"That's not true."

I instinctively turned around. Indeed, I was not the only one who held Mestionora's Book. Thanks to my copy-paste, there was someone here worthy of being Zent who could handle the Zent's duties.

...But Ferdinand...

He shouldn't want to become Zent at all. He had hoped to spend his days researching in Ahrensbach. Thinking he was about to crush that wish again with his spirit of self-sacrifice, I grabbed Ferdinand by the front of his clothes.

"Ferdinand, wait. That's..."

"You will be the next Zent, Aub Dunkelfelger."

"Huh?"

"...What?"

Ferdinand's words made my mind go blank. As I stared up at him with my mouth agape, Ferdinand's lips twisted into a faint smirk.

"Didn't you say you received a report from Lady Hannalore? Rozemyne is the incarnation of Mestionora who brings Grutrissheit and prayer to God back to Yurgenschmidt, which has lost them. The incarnation of a goddess's role is to bestow Grutrissheit upon those she deems worthy—she does not become the Zent herself."

Saying all this brazenly, Ferdinand flashed his pale golden eyes in challenge.

"Aub Dunkelfelger, if you demonstrate your strength to the incarnation of the goddess, that is equivalent to obtaining the Grutrissheit from Rozemyne. If the Central Knight Order is on the enemy side and you fail to rescue the royal family, you will be bestowed the Grutrissheit and become the next Zent. When you request a command from Rozemyne, do so with the resolve that Dunkelfelger will bear all the responsibility."

Aub Dunkelfelger's eyes widened as she stared intently at Ferdinand. Ferdinand kept only his eyes burning with challenge, maintaining a faint, social smile all the while.

"I am the Aub of Dunkelfelger."

"Rozemyne is the Aub of Ahrensbach. Is Dunkelfelger simply wanting to rampage while claiming moral high ground by shifting all responsibility onto Rozemyne? Or is your desire genuine enough that you wish to resolve Yurgenschmidt's crisis, even if it means you might later be appointed as Zent yourself?... I would like you to show us Dunkelfelger's true intentions in requesting a command to be issued."

Ferdinand laughed, saying that just as Dunkelfelger demands premises for protecting its territory, it is only natural to prepare means to protect Rozemyne and Ahrensbach as well.

"In certain cases and situations, you could become the next Zent. You should discuss this thoroughly with your First Wife as well. This is not something you can decide alone. Besides, there may be territories that aren't happy with Dunkelfelger acting unilaterally. Have you sent word already?"

Though phrased as a question, Ferdinand was clearly saying, "Do your groundwork yourselves."

"Most importantly, Rozemyne has just returned from Ehrenfest and needs rest. She is in no condition to be sent to a battlefield. Furthermore, since we prioritized returning Dunkelfelger's knights, the main Ahrensbach knights haven't yet returned from Bindewald. Even if there is a request, we cannot issue a command."

While explaining about the knights who had not yet returned from the Ehrenfest expedition, Ferdinand gently took my hand.

"We will hear Dunkelfelger's decision by the third bell tomorrow."

Ferdinand quietly asked me if he could end the communication. I nodded, and smiling toward Aub Dunkelfelger, who still appeared shaken, I bid her "Farewell" and had Ferdinand close the connection.

"We've bought ourselves one night at the very least, but we'll need to finish this by tonight."

After confirming the communication was completely severed, Ferdinand let out a breath and glared at me. "Don't accept requests from other territories so easily."

"You've decided to become the Aub of Ahrensbach. The phrase 'next Zent candidate' is the most dangerous thing you could hear—you must not listen to it."

"But I'm worried about the Royal Academy library. They say they can't reach Professor Solange..."

Setting aside the request from Dunkelfelger, the state of the Royal Academy was weighing on my mind. If my stamina and Magic Power were at full capacity, I would have wanted to go immediately. If Dunkelfelger would help, going along with them would improve our chances.

"It's not as though they said Ordinaryz can't fly. There shouldn't be a problem yet. Rest assured—Dunkelfelger will definitely act. They're not a territory that would turn a blind eye when they have the means to do something. I don't know how long the groundwork will take, but they didn't say no to tomorrow's deadline. Think of it this way: the only night you can rest is tonight. What you need right now is rest. Worry about yourself instead of others."

We had used the teleportation circles multiple times to move Dunkelfelger's knights. Ferdinand said that beyond just medicine, I needed proper rest.

"...I'm reluctant because I feel like I'll have nightmares again if I fall asleep."

Even though my body was begging for rest, sleep was something I feared. At my murmur, Ferdinand frowned slightly. "Do you also need sleeping medicine?"

"I don't like the medicine that wakes me from nightmares. The waking up is the worst part..."

"But no matter how much you've toughened up, you're about to collapse. You need recovery medicine just to make it through dinner. Don't overestimate your stamina, which was already at rock bottom to begin with."

He handed me recovery medicine laced with kindness, and I had no choice but to accept.

At dinner, there was also a report from Letizia. I heard about the situation since receiving Detlinde's letter and how they had responded to it. Someone had tried to open the Lanzeneve door from the other side, and the knights in the Royal Academy dormitory's teleportation room had received Ordinaryz inquiries. They had put things on hold because they needed my input on how to respond, but apparently the wait had frustrated Letizia enough that she sent a letter.

"You may leave things as they are—just be careful not to release any unnecessary information."

"Understood."

Letizia's face was pale, and she didn't look like she'd been resting properly. It wasn't just busyness—she had the same desperate look as Melchior that morning. It wasn't the expression of a child, no matter how you looked at it.

"Ah, this fish is..."

"Fishermen that Lady Rozemyne saved sent this as a token of thanks. I learned Lady Rozemyne's preferred way of cooking it from Ferdinand and had the kitchen prepare it. Does it suit your taste?"

Among the heavily spiced dishes was a salt-grilled white fish—I didn't know what kind, but it was truly simple, just a plain salt grill. Letizia had apparently agonized over whether it was appropriate to serve such a dish but had gone ahead with it anyway.

"It was considered a rare way of preparing fish even in Ehrenfest, but I love it because it lets you truly taste the fish. You had it prepared using an unfamiliar cooking method, Lady Letizia? I'm also glad that Ferdinand remembered my preferred flavor."

I thanked Letizia and gave Ferdinand a warm smile.

"I just thought this would be better for you, since you haven't gotten used to Ahrensbach's food yet."

Just as Ferdinand said, Ahrensbach's cuisine—with its heavy use of spices—was a bit too stimulating for my current condition. I could manage the other dishes in small amounts, but I finished the entire salt-grilled fish despite having no appetite.

I was satisfied with the salt-grilled fish, but Letizia's movements with her cutlery were sluggish. She was smiling and conversing with me, but you couldn't say she was making any progress on her meal.

"Lady Letizia, please come here with your guard knights."

After finishing my meal, I beckoned Letizia over. She blinked as she approached, and her guard knights wore slightly wary expressions, wondering what I intended to do.

"Lady Letizia, you've been caught up in something terrible, yet you've worked very hard. I believe you protected Ahrensbach well while we were away. As a token of my gratitude, please allow me to pray for you with Schlatttraum's blessing, so that peaceful sleep may come to you."

At my words, Letizia's face drained of color and she shook her head.

"There is no need for Lady Rozemyne to use her power on my behalf. Your kind feelings are more than enough."

"Very well. Then, just the feeling..."

As Letizia tried to decline, I raised my Staff and prayed.

"O God of Dreams, Schlatttraum—grant Lady Letizia peaceful sleep and happy dreams."

A white blessing light rained down upon Letizia, and her eyes grew drowsy and unfocused. A few seconds later, she was about to crumble. Her guard knight caught her just in time.

"For a blessing of this level to have such a strong effect, it must mean she's gone days unable to sleep even when she wanted to. Please let Lady Letizia rest properly."

"I am most grateful, Lady Rozemyne."

The guard knight carried Letizia out in his arms. I could see Letizia's attendants hurrying after her at a brisk pace.

"Rozemyne, come here."

Ferdinand said this and extended his hand to me. Thinking it was just like him to escort me so naturally, I placed my hand in his. Perhaps it had become second nature from escorting Detlinde daily during his year and a half in Ahrensbach. As I was thinking this, Ferdinand's other hand covered my eyes.

"Ferdinand?"

"O God of Dreams, Schlatttraum—grant Rozemyne peaceful sleep and happy dreams."

White light flooded into my vision, blocked by Ferdinand's hand. My head felt like it was filling with whiteness, and my body suddenly grew heavy. The moment I realized my legs were giving out, I was caught and lifted up, just like Letizia moments before.

"Resist not Schlatttraum's blessing, and sleep. Tonight, you won't have nightmares."

Thanks to Schlatttraum's blessing, I slept well. I woke up feeling tremendously refreshed.

"You're awake, Lady Rozemyne? Your complexion looks much better. What a relief."

Lieselota placed a hand over her chest and let out a sigh of relief. Breakfast was eaten in each person's room, so I ate while listening to reports from my attendants. There was fish on the menu. They must really think I like it.

After Ferdinand had forced me to sleep the previous night, he had apparently explained my condition and the appropriate response to my attendants.

"We also heard that there was an incident at the Royal Academy, and a request from Aub Dunkelfelger."

"The guard knights have been ordered to prepare for deployment. If we accept Dunkelfelger's request, it seems Lady Rozemyne would have no choice but to accompany them."

"The Kírienberg Border Gate has been closed for so long that we're not very familiar with it, but the Zent moves from the Central District every year to open and close the Border Gate, so they say we should simply head to the one in the Central District."

The route from the Lanzeneve estate to the Central District would be like charging straight through enemy territory, and going through the Royal Academy dormitory would require crafting brooches, making it unusable in an emergency. They planned to use the Border Gate to reach the Royal Academy. In that case, teleportation wouldn't work without me.

"They say I should rest until the third bell after breakfast. I've been lent a book from Ahrensbach."

"Oh my! Is it really alright to read at a time like this? If Ferdinand said it's fine, then it really is fine, right?"

I stared at the book Lieselota had placed on my work desk. It had been far too long since I'd read for pleasure.

"They say I should get as much rest as I can until there's word from Dunkelfelger."

And then, the third bell rang.

I was informed by the officials that an urgent communication had come from Dunkelfelger, and I stood before the water mirror alongside Ferdinand. On the other side of the water mirror, the First Wife was present alongside Aub Dunkelfelger.

"What is Aub Dunkelfelger's answer?"

"Protecting the Royal Academy, protecting Yurgenschmidt, and rescuing the royal family are the top priorities. Dunkelfelger is the Sword of the Zent. They cannot turn a blind eye when they have the means to act. We request a command from Lady Rozemyne."

I felt a surge of admiration for Dunkelfelger, who had declared they would protect Yurgenschmidt no matter the circumstances. The First Wife also did not object to the Aub's choice, gazing at us quietly.

"Very well. To protect the Royal Academy, and by extension, Yurgenschmidt, I request Dunkelfelger's aid."

"What Dunkelfelger wants is a command from the incarnation of Mestionora. You must make those in the Royal Academy understand at a glance that we have the rightful authority."

Being told to come to the Royal Academy while prominently displaying the Grutrissheit, I nodded.

"There is no need to worry. We will head to the Royal Academy through the Border Gate. The Grutrissheit is here—its presence will be unmistakable at a single glance."

Rozemyne, who had been about to eagerly jump at the chance to help. Ferdinand, who wanted to eliminate even one dangerous situation. Aub Dunkelfelger, who had made the decision to protect the Royal Academy, even if it meant becoming the next Zent.

Next is the one who leads the Central Knight Order.