Published: September 6, 2025
After Hilsure left, Foster Father slowly looked around the room and exhaled.
“Since there was advice from the royal family as well, I think it’s best to proceed with joint research together with Dunkelfelger. However, the actual research will be carried out by you, who are studying at the noble academy. As a civil official, lord candidate, and head priest, Rosemine will likely take the lead. Rosemine, what do you think about joint research?”
“Well... if we must team up with a territory to raise Ehrenfest’s credibility and favorability, I believe Dunkelfelger is the best choice.”
Foster Father fixed his deep green eyes on me.
“What is the reason for choosing Dunkelfelger? For research, wouldn’t Drevannel gain more trust from the surroundings?”
“Because I am friends with Lady Hannelore, a lord candidate of Dunkelfelger, it would be easier to communicate than with a territory that has no close relations. Also, lord candidates and knight apprentices who perform the old rituals receive blessings from multiple retainers, making it a suitable subject for research. Those are the main reasons.”
If it were research about magic tools or magic circles, joining forces with Drevannel might be better for acceptance. But this research concerns the divine blessings of the gods. Drevannel isn’t suitable as a sample.
“Additionally, Dunkelfelger has Clarissa, who is Hartmut’s fiancée and hopes to become my attendant, making joint research easier to advance. If we produce results, it will also be easier to bring Clarissa to Ehrenfest.”
Since Hartmut entered the temple as high priest, Clarissa’s relatives would want to break off the engagement. But through joint research, their view of the temple might at least partially change, and they might understand that Ehrenfest’s temple differs from those in other territories, potentially preventing the cancellation.
“Moreover, Clarissa is a senior civil official apprentice in Dunkelfelger. If she marries Hartmut and comes to Ehrenfest, she can learn the social practices of a high-ranking territory. Isn’t she an essential asset for Ehrenfest, which is expected to behave as a high-ranking territory?”
“I see. She’s urgently needed. I want to avoid the engagement’s cancellation.”
Even the royal family has pointed this out. Ehrenfest must quickly acquire the conduct expected of a high-ranking territory. Only those from such territories understand this.
Foster Father nodded in agreement with joining Dunkelfelger. Then, Foster Mother instructed her civil official to prepare paper and ink before turning to me.
“Rosemine said the research content would be non-controversial, but please tell me what you consider non-controversial and what would be controversial.”
“Yes. Firstly, that the probability of receiving a blessing increases when praying. Secondly, that one cannot receive a blessing without praying sincerely. Thirdly, that mana must be offered to the gods. These are the non-controversial parts, and I want to verify these hypotheses through joint research with Dunkelfelger.”
I think we can partially verify this by comparing knight apprentices in Dunkelfelger who received blessings with those who didn’t.
“However, as Professor Hilsure feared, to prevent our research from being stolen as Dunkelfelger’s, Ehrenfest must have unique content. So I add that during the ritual, middle- and lower-ranking nobles with low mana must use healing potions while filling the magic circle with mana.”
“Healing potions?”
Foster Mother blinked in surprise. As a lord candidate, she shouldn’t have experienced not having enough mana to fill the magic circle.
“The magic circle for receiving blessings is large and complex, isn’t it? According to Professor Gundolf, when Filine received blessings, middle and lower nobles find it difficult to distribute mana throughout the entire circle and instead prioritize their mana-suited parts. To receive the great god’s blessing, which is guaranteed if prayer is correct, one must completely fill the magic circle, possibly using healing potions. Otherwise, blessings from non-suited parts cannot be obtained.”