Published: September 6, 2025
"That is all I have to say to you."
Anastasius stood up after finishing his speech, ordered me to dispel Shutzelia's Shield, then stepped outside the range of the eavesdropping prevention magic tool and instructed his attendants to collect the magical devices.
As the attendants moved to comply, Anastasius stopped Ehrenfest’s attendants who were about to replace the tea and turned his gaze to my foster father.
"The results exceeded my expectations. I thank you. I must return quickly... Ah, yes. Aub Ehrenfest, according to the Central Temple, it is utterly improper and highly disrespectful to the gods to bring knights onto the altar during sacred rituals. They insisted that blue-robed priests and shrine maidens accompany such events. Since even lord candidates in Ehrenfest can wear blue robes, it should pose no problem."
Anastasius’s words clearly meant that if the guard knights wear priestly robes, they could be brought anywhere freely. He was essentially saying to have the adult guard knights wear the robes of azure priests or shrine maidens and provide protection.
...If it’s my guard knight, I’m sure they would agree if I asked, right?
I thought this as I got up from my chair and dispelled Shutzelia’s Shield. After the magical devices were collected and the greetings with my foster father were concluded, Anastasius swept his cloak and quickly departed.
"No more tea, thank you. We shall take our leave as well. We have overstayed our welcome quite a bit."
The principal wife said this as she greeted us and left with Hannelore. After the group in blue cloaks departed, the next to arrive was Classenburg in red cloaks.
"Aub Ehrenfest, may I have a moment?"
"Of course, Aub Classenburg."
My foster father exchanged greetings, and I introduced myself for the first time.
"Please allow me to offer blessings for this rare encounter, one that has passed the strict selection of the goddess of life Avelibe."
"Granted... While speaking with Dunkelfelger and Prince Anastasius, I observed your joint research with great interest. I was surprised by the significant differences in your research topics despite it being a collaborative effort."
We were invited to sit, and while tea and sweets were prepared, Aub Classenburg shared reports from the civil officials involved in the joint research.
"They unanimously said it was an experience of a true sacred ritual. The sight of all the prayers uniting, the mana being drawn forth, and the pillar of noble color rising was so moving it warmed the depths of their eyes,” they said.
It was a shocking ritual that naturally inspired gratitude toward the lord families supporting the foundation and the royal family supporting Jurgenschmidt. Clarissa, who compiled opinions from Dunkelfelger’s civil official apprentices who participated, shared similar impressions, but I usually took her words with a grain of salt because she tends to be exaggerated.
...The senior civil officials in Ehrenfest had been exhausted from the overflow of mana and only remarked, "So that is the sacred ritual," so I hadn’t realized the depth of it.
Maybe because I had been hearing about Wilfried and Charlotte touring various places for prayer ceremonies and dedication ceremonies. Or perhaps because I myself had witnessed blessings performed while playing the Fischpiel, considered how to avoid missing blessings during dedication dances, regenerated collection sites, and seen the pillars of light erupt during Ditter’s rituals. The senior civil officials in Ehrenfest mostly sympathized and agreed with the stories their lord had told so far.
...The students in Ehrenfest have become accustomed to blessings in a strange way. ...Probably my fault.
"Will the ritual be held again next year at the noble academy? There are many who wish to experience it beyond just the civil officials..."
"This ritual was conducted out of necessity for joint research with Dunkelfelger, so there are no plans for next year. We cannot accept precious mana from everyone every year."