Published: September 6, 2025
Siegiswald’s expression turned serious for a moment before he smiled faintly and said, “I’m sorry, but I didn’t quite catch that.” I offered once again that I wanted to buy more time with mana.
“...One year’s worth of mana for one year’s grace period? Originally, it was mana for seven members of the royal family. No matter how much mana Rosemine has, it’s not enough to cover alone.”
With a gentle smile, as if explaining something obvious to a child who doesn’t understand the way of things, Siegilswald spoke. I smiled back. Even I don’t believe I can cover that much mana all by myself.
“I never said I would cover it alone. Right now, aren’t there many people here who possess mana?”
Siegiswald’s face returned to seriousness for a moment, then he smiled again. This time his smile was a bit stiff, as if trying to understand somehow, and he softly repeated my words, “...Many people?” Apparently, pausing before smiling is Siegilswald’s reaction when surprised.
...Kind of like Lord Ferdinand’s processing lag, maybe.
To show confidence despite Siegilswald’s apparent shock beneath his smile, I deepened my own smile and desperately turned over my thoughts to envision my victory conditions.
The ideal win would be to imprint the idea that the dedication ceremony is not for me, but for the royal family. Have it held mainly by the royals, delegate the preparations to the central authorities, and seize over a year’s worth of time. Plus, get Ehrenfest to help with the promotion of their lands, which they’re bad at. Once I have the upper hand, accept as many of Ehrenfest’s demands as possible as conditions for my adoption.
First, as a preliminary move, I want to secure more than a year’s worth of buying time. Not a discussion where the nobles obediently accept the royals’ commands, but drag them into my arena, taking control of the flow and leadership of the talks.
I switched fully into merchant mode and stared at Siegilswald. The man in front of me is not a royal but a negotiator. As we see with my Foster Father and Foster Mother, ordinary royals delegate negotiations to civil officials and only approve or deny proposals. In this underground archive, where aides cannot enter, the odds of winning are much higher than outside.
...At minimum, I must use any means to buy over a year’s time and secure the royal family’s promise to improve Lord Ferdinand’s treatment. I’m going for it! Benno, please lend me your strength!
“Let’s hold the dedication ceremony during the lords’ council.”
“Do you really intend to draw mana from the Aubs gathered for the council? That would be unprecedented...”
Siegilswald’s smile tightened a bit at my proposal. But the royal family already has experience gathering mana from students at the noble academy. Whether from students or Aubs, there shouldn’t be a significant difference. To add, I don’t plan to take mana only from the Aubs. The aides accompanying the council will also be made to participate in the ceremony.
...Take it whenever possible, from wherever possible, as much as possible... right, Benno?
“Oh? Why such surprise? Isn’t the dedication ceremony necessary to fulfill Prince Siegilswald’s wishes as well?”
Siegilswald looked a little confused, as if the connection between the ceremony and his own wishes wasn’t clear. His luxurious golden bangs swayed gently.
“My wishes...? Then, will you become the king’s adopted daughter, acquire Gultrishite, and marry me after coming of age?”
“No. From what I heard from aides present with the Aubs and civil officials, your wish, Prince Siegilswald, is to make me the head priest of the Central Temple, dispatch me around to perform rituals, and increase harvests and blessings across the lands. Isn’t raising the nobles throughout Jurgenschmidt the highest priority?”
When Siegilswald attempted to argue, saying “That is...”, I pressed on, “Prince Siegilswald, you said that to Aub Ehrenfest, didn’t you?” It was a request he made just a few days ago that troubled the nobles of Ehrenfest. I have no intention of letting him escape it now.