Published: September 6, 2025
When I returned to my room, I called in the Reizegang-affiliated close aides who had stayed behind instead of attending the lord family meeting, preparing myself to hear what they had to say. I slowly looked over Richarda, Otilier, Angelica, Hartmut, Brother Cornelius, Leonore, and Brynhildr. I informed those who had been on watch about the content of the lord family meeting and asked for their thoughts.
“Is Lord Aub’s statement truly the unanimous opinion of the Reizegang faction?”
The ones whose faces changed upon hearing about the meeting’s content were Leonore and Brynhildr, who had been at the noble academy and had not been involved in the social affairs.
“I have never been consulted on such a decision, so I would prefer that you do not claim it represents the unanimous opinion of Reizegang,” Leonore said sharply, expressing her displeasure. Brynhildr’s expression darkened as she struggled to find the right words.
“Leonore is right. I do not agree either, so I don’t think it can be called a unanimous opinion. But I have heard voices saying that the older generation can’t keep up with the changes in rank, and there is a widening gap in thinking and awareness between generations. If you say it was the unanimous opinion of the generation before the rank started rising, then perhaps it cannot be dismissed as all lies.”
Apparently, the belief that I am more suitable than Wilfried to be the next aub has long persisted among Reizegang nobles. Though my weak constitution and frequent visits to the temple were concerns, as I became stronger and the importance of the temple and rituals started to be recognized through joint research at the noble academy, those voices only grew louder.
“I see. Richarda, did you know about this beforehand?”
Looking up at Richarda, who had accompanied me to the meeting, she maintained a faint smile but clenched her trembling fist tightly.
“If I had known in advance, I wouldn’t have had the urge to reprimand Lord Sylvester at that meeting. What does it matter if it’s the unanimous opinion of Reizegang? To think Aub Ehrenfest would imitate Gibe’s Ordnance—it’s truly shameful.”
I admired Richarda’s professionalism, as she seemed to have mustered all her reason to avoid overstepping, but her trembling clenched fist was intimidating.
...But after all, those who had been at the noble academy really didn’t know.
I slowly shifted my gaze. As soon as my eyes met hers, Angelica smiled and placed her hand on her cheek as usual, so I ignored her being so typically Angelica. I fixed my gaze on Brother Cornelius.
“Brother Cornelius, did you know?”
“I don’t know the details, but I did hear a bit from my elder brother Lamprecht. Now that the main Veronica faction has been expelled, the faction most aligned with Veronica is among Wilfried and his close aides, who were raised by Lady Veronica. Therefore, if they want to push for the next aub, apparently some kind of challenge was presented by Reizegang nobles.”
Wilfried, who was told not to leak information or rely on others and to succeed as the next aub on his own, seemed motivated by this secret directive.
“My brother said to discreetly assist him without letting Reizegang know. After seeing the meeting, I also want to watch how Lord Wilfried, who desires recognition from Reizegang as the next aub, handles the situation. There’s no useful help to give to someone who reveals no information about what they want, and Lady Rosemine’s leaking of details about the prayer ceremony stage should have been enough support.”
Brother Cornelius smiled faintly as he said this, but his eyes didn’t smile. It seemed he thought no further assistance was necessary.
“Otilier, who has been at the castle all along, have you heard anything?”
“On the contrary, many questions came from Reizegang nobles. They asked about what Lady Rosemine likes, what upsets her emotions, what she values, what she protects, and what she’s discarded—really detailed things. I said she values close connections with those near her, but also has meritocratic tendencies.”