Published: August 10, 2026
After a few questions, Ferdinand immediately gathered the knights of the Ninth and Tenth squads and said he would freeze the ship to stop that attack.
"Freeze the ship!? Just how are you supposed to let the goddess of ice and snow Schneeast wield her power in this warm climate filled with Flutlene's power!?"
"I will perform a ritual to summon winter over just this section of the ship."
"Huh?"
...I get it. I get how they feel. You'd think, What is he even saying? right? The one who's utterly unreasonable is definitely Lord Ferdinand.
Ignoring Heisshitze and the knights, who all looked completely unable to comprehend what he'd said, Ferdinand gave instructions to my guard knights to wield Avelibe's Sword. Brother Cornelius, Matthias, Leonore, and Angelica blinked and looked at one another.
"It's impossible to do it with all of the guard knights, Lord Ferdinand. Using that will drain us of mana completely. We can't afford to reduce Lady Rosemine's guard knights too much."
"Besides, if no one is there to retrieve them after they use Avelibe's Sword, the Mount will probably disappear. They'd plummet straight into the sea."
My guard knights also looked bewildered by this absurd plan, but Brother Cornelius and Leonore immediately began responding.
"We don't know how much can be frozen with one person's mana. It would be best to have as many people wield Avelibe's Sword as possible, and those with more mana would be preferable. But Lady Rosemine's guard knights are also needed."
At Ferdinand's words, Matthias glanced toward the land.
"Laurenz can also use Avelibe's Sword. If we leave the management of the magic tools to someone else, could we add Laurenz to our forces here?"
At Matthias's prompt response, Ferdinand gave a thoughtful hum and turned his gaze toward land as well. But he wasn't looking at the outer wall's gateposts. His eyes were fixed farther in, toward the castle.
"...Rosemine, if the guard knights obtained Avelibe's Sword by making an offering at the temple, could Hartmut use it too?"
"Of course he can. He and Brother Cornelius were competing to see who could use it first. ...Don't tell me, Lord Ferdinand—"
"Hartmut is using it too!?" I blurted, and Ferdinand gave a faint snort through his nose.
"He's a civil servant who can wield Avelibe's Sword, is he not? And it won't reduce the number of guard knights, so isn't that convenient? If you call for him, Hartmut should be here immediately, yes?"
Ferdinand handed me an Ordnance mana stone and told me to call Hartmut. So, as instructed, I asked Hartmut for help.
"Hartmut, we are about to carry out a large-scale ritual to use Avelibe's Sword. We need the cooperation of Hartmut, who was once the high priest. Please come as quickly as possible, wearing your mana stone armor."
As I was speaking into the Ordnance on my left hand, Ferdinand took my left hand.
"Clarissa will manage the magic tools and healing potions from the outer wall's gateposts. It would be fine to bring the nobles up to the gate so they can see what a proper ritual is like for the nobles of Arensbach. Hurry."
"Yes, Lady Rosemine. As quickly as possible."
"Let us go, everyone. Burn the image of Lady Rosemine, who could be mistaken for a real goddess, into your eyes!"
Their replies came back full of energy. Since I had not allowed Clarissa to enter the temple, she couldn't make any divine relics. It couldn't be helped, but I had thought she'd be frustrated, so I was glad she'd been given a role too.
...Well, if this wasn't part of their brainwashing of the nobles!
Behind me, where I was feeling a little overwhelmed by Hartmut and Clarissa's high-energy behavior, Ferdinand sent an Ordnance to Laurenz, who was with the recovery team, requesting his help wielding Avelibe's Sword.
"Laurenz, Lady Rosemine's guard knights will be wielding Avelibe's Sword from now on. Select four apprentice knights to retrieve those who lose their mana and give them healing potions, then bring them here. Clarissa has been sent there to manage the magic tools."