Published: August 25, 2025
“Darmel, prepare to head out for the subjugation. Once you’re ready, gather in this room and we’ll proceed to the knights order’s training ground. Rosemine, you will stay here!”
Only fully grown knights were allowed to go after the lord of winter. The knight apprentices were not taken along. Angelica, who was permitted to accompany the temple, would stay behind this time as well.
I was ordered to wait with the guard knight apprentices and took a seat again in the room after Gibe Ilkner and the others had left. Richarda immediately went to fetch my cold-weather gear.
“It would be a good learning experience to take the knight apprentices from the noble academy to observe…”
“That’s too dangerous, Your Highness. Permission won’t be granted.”
“That’s true. Carrying unnecessary burdens would only be a liability to the knights order.”
It would be educational for the uncoordinated knight apprentices to witness real combat by the knights order, but there was no way they could bring the apprentices along in such fierce battles—they’d only be in the way.
I thought to myself that it would have been nice to at least have a video camera, as I sipped tea and waited.
Darmel returned dressed fully in armor and cloak. Afterward, the high priest also came back donning armor and cloak.
“We’re ready. Let’s head to the knights order’s training ground.”
I boarded the mini bus with Richarda and the guard knight apprentices, carefully following the cloaks of the high priest and Darmel as we dashed through the blizzard.
At the training ground, a long line of knights was already assembled. I could see Father, Brother Eckhardt, and Brother Lamprecht standing in line. They seemed surprised to see the mini bus arriving, so I gave a small wave.
“Sorry for the wait.”
At the high priest’s words, everyone quickly knelt. I got off the mini bus and lined up beside the high priest.
“The saint of Ehrenfest will offer prayers to the gods and bestow blessings upon us.”
Stepping forward before the kneeling knights, I took out the stave and raised it high. I infused it with mana, praying to the god of valor so that the blessings would reach all present.
“May the god of fire Raiden Shaft and the protection of the god of valor Angrief be with you all.”
A familiar blue light burst from the stave and showered down upon the knights order. Since there were many, I used more mana than expected, but I felt less fatigued than during the battle with Shnetilum. It seemed the mana I regained at Yureve had increased my power.
“We thank the saint for her blessings. Until the subjugation is complete, do not leave the North Wing. Guard knight apprentices, keep a close watch. Cornelius, understood? Richarda, take care of things while we’re away.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Understood, Lord Ferdinand.”
I was told to return to the castle first, so Richarda and I boarded the mini bus. The guard knight apprentices led the way back, and as we dashed off following the cloaks of Brother Cornelius, Angelica, and Leonore, a voice shouted behind us, “Prepare to deploy!”
Most of the knights were heading to the subjugation, reducing the number of escorts. Until the mission was over, Charlotte and I were forbidden from leaving the North Wing because of the protective barrier.
There was no problem staying in the North Wing, so I spent the time reading or having tea with Charlotte... probably the most relaxed I’d felt since waking up.
I was having tea with Charlotte even now. When she said, “You just got back from the noble academy but immediately headed to the temple, and since you’ve been busy with social engagements after returning, I want to have a tea party just the two of us,” how could I say no to such a cute request?
Come to think of it, the last time Charlotte and I had tea alone was two years ago when Wilfried interrupted us.
“My father and mother have been in their rooms these past few days, so back then I looked forward to the lord of winter’s subjugation starting.”