Published: September 6, 2025
“Give up... is that what you’re saying?”
At my grandfather’s words, I felt a boiling sensation in my blood as I clenched my fists tightly.
“That’s right. What you must protect is Ehrenfest. Didn’t you promise the same when Ferdinand was heading to Arensbach?”
I did promise that—no one else but Ferdinand himself. Besides, in Ehrenfest, there are my family in downtown, Gutenberg and the others, and everyone at the temple. All of them are people I must protect. But I also promised to protect Ferdinand. There’s no way I could give up.
“Besides, how do you intend to get through the supplies of other territories? Do you even know how many days it takes to reach Arensbach? Will Ferdinand’s mana hold out until then? Even if you go to help, it won’t be in time. Rather, shouldn’t you be devising countermeasures against Georgine, who you know will attack?”
Listening to my grandfather’s reasons for saying “give up,” I gently ran my fingers over the key to Arensbach that I always carry close to me. If I use the same method as Georgine, I can obtain the foundation of Arensbach. It’s not impossible.
“So, you’re saying if I can make it in time, it’s okay to go help?”
I looked intently at my grandfather and asked. I could feel the mana flowing throughout my body. I caught a glimpse of those around me holding their breath, some panicking, murmuring, “The empty mana stone...” But I asked once more.
“If I make it in time, then I don’t have to give up, right?”
My grandfather frowned and lowered his chin as if intimidated. Perhaps my mana was leaking out, lightly intimidating him. Still, I pressed for an answer.
“If Lord Ferdinand’s mana holds, will you and Foster Father cooperate? I don’t mind turning Ehrenfest, Central, the King, or even Lord Aervelmine against me if it means saving Ferdinand. I have no intention of giving up whatsoever.”
My grandfather swallowed hard.
“Grandfather, I became an adopted daughter of Aub to protect what’s important to me. Without power and status, I couldn’t protect anything. Becoming the king’s adopted daughter was also to save Ferdinand from implication. But if Ferdinand’s life is lost, implication or not, it won’t matter at all. My becoming the king’s adopted daughter will lose its meaning.”
I can somewhat accept that Jurgenschmidt might fall while everything important to me remains, but if I protect Jurgenschmidt’s vessel yet drop what truly matters, then it’s meaningless.
To me, my family in downtown and Ferdinand are more important than Jurgenschmidt.
“Rosemine, are you sane? For Ferdinand alone...?”
“Isn’t it natural that priorities differ individually? For me, Ehrenfest is more important than Jurgenschmidt, and my own family living in Ehrenfest is more important than Ehrenfest itself.”
The one who responded to my words wasn’t my grandfather or Foster Father, but Wilfried.
“If you’re that resolved and have hope of saving him, then go ahead.”
“Wilfried!?”
“Originally, Ehrenfest’s defense was designed assuming Rosemine would be in Central, so it could be managed without you. So, if you and your close aides move, it shouldn’t be a problem for Ehrenfest. I think it’s much more dangerous to leave someone like you, who seems on the verge of mana overflow, here in Ehrenfest.”
Wilfried pointed out my eyes had changed, and Bonifatius widened his eyes sharply.
“Even if it’s decided you’re going to Central, Rosemine is still the lord candidate of Ehrenfest. Ehrenfest will be invading Arensbach!”
“So what if it does? It’s clear their foundation will be attacked. Then it’s fine to attack first, isn’t it? Both Aubs must defend their foundations when attacked. Better to strike before being struck.”
Foster Father stroked his chin slowly, seeming amused by Wilfried’s words.
“Rosemine, do you have a plan to save Ferdinand?”
“I think no one else can do it but me, but there is a way. With Foster Father’s help, it would be much easier to save him.”