Published: September 6, 2025
“So, Lady Rosemine, what exactly do you expect from us in Ditter?”
Aub Dunkelfelger, who had cheerfully declared his participation, asked eagerly without hiding his excitement. We could borrow volunteer knights. A plan was definitely needed.
“I will seize the foundation of Arensbach as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, I want Dunkelfelger’s volunteers to draw and distract the Arensbach knights in the skies above the castle.”
“Oh? You expect us to be decoys rather than stealing the foundation ourselves?”
Considering Ferdinand’s mana, I can’t afford to spend much time staining the foundation. Moreover, it requires registered mana stones to enter the mana replenishment chamber, and since I’m not part of the family, there’s extra hassle in registration. So, only those who have stained the foundation can enter the replenishment chamber when time is tight, like now. That’s why I intend to stain the foundation swiftly myself.
“I ask Dunkelfelger to be the decoy. It takes considerable skill to minimize casualties and draw the Arensbach knights away. If they engage the knights, I can take the foundation without reducing my own guards... Of course, if Dunkelfelger desires the foundation as proof of victory in Ditter, I don’t mind restaining it. I only need the foundation to help Lord Ferdinand.”
There’s no issue if the foundation is handed over to others after saving Ferdinand. I’m confident I can keep restaining the foundation while continuously taking mana recovery potions. If anyone wants to govern Arensbach afterward, I would gladly entrust it.
“No, we don’t want troublesome Arensbach, which is certain to be targeted by Lanzenave and the Central Knights Order. It’s more of a punishment than a prize.”
…Ah, I thought so.
Since Ditter’s victory condition is to seize the foundation, I’d assumed Dunkelfelger wanted the proof of victory, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
“Since we agreed to cooperate with Ditter, we will do our utmost to ensure Lady Rosemine steals the foundation.”
“Much obliged.”
It seems asking Dunkelfelger for aid was the right choice, as he’d give his all for Ditter.
“So, when will Ditter’s bell ring?”
“Please consider it ringing the moment they harm Lord Ferdinand, Aub Dunkelfelger.”
I smiled softly as I looked at the excited Aub Dunkelfelger. For me, the victory conditions are rescuing Ferdinand and defending Ehrenfest. Since we lose when Ferdinand’s mana runs out, the battle has already begun.
“As soon as Dunkelfelger’s preparations are complete, I will commence the attack. How quickly can you gather volunteers and prepare to depart?”
At Ehrenfest, we had spent nearly a month making magic tools and healing potions for defense, and the guard knights were training for an Arensbach assault. The knights are ready to deploy at any request.
My close aides are no exception. If I decide who goes and who stays and give instructions, preparations can be completed quickly. The person taking the longest is me. Honestly, departure time depends on Dunkelfelger.
“Hmmm… fastest means day and night?”
Aub Dunkelfelger stroked his chin, asking while seeming to look away. He was clearly concentrating on his thoughts.
“Of course. Nighttime reduces the risk of involving commoners, so I’d prefer to slip in under the cover of darkness.”
Even when stealing the foundation at the temple, I want to minimize casualties. I don’t intend to take lives, so I plan to wrap targets tightly in bands of light from the stave to avoid harm. But nobles facing a stave would surely be terrified. The fewer victims, the better.
“Under the cover of night… keep casualties minimal, huh.”
“Once we arrive, I need to observe Lanzenave and their knights’ response, but I intend to end the battle over the Noble District with minimal harm to civilians... But minimal, not absolute. My absolute priority is rescuing Lord Ferdinand.”
Aub Dunkelfelger stared at me for a while, rubbing his chin repeatedly.