Published: August 10, 2026
「That is a request I cannot decide on so hastily."
Before I could open my mouth, Ferdinand, who had been peering into the water mirror from behind me, answered.
"Although we have obtained the Book of Mestionora, Rosemine, who has acquired the foundation, is already Aub Arensbach. Therefore, such an order cannot be issued."
"What, Lord Ferdinand, do you not understand the importance of the noble academy!? The noble academy is being ravaged by outsiders! There is no time to waste speaking leisurely!"
If Dietlinde had gone to the noble academy in pursuit of the position of Zent, then the library of the noble academy, where the Book of Mestionora was kept, was in the greatest danger. Right now, only Solange and the Schwarz and his group were likely there. If I remembered the sight of the Lanzenave soldiers rampaging through the Noble District of Arensbach, it was easy to imagine the library being ravaged by Lanzenave and Dietlinde.
"Lord Ferdinand, in the library of the noble academy, there is Teacher Solange... and Teacher Hilsure is also at the noble academy."
Hilsure had used ordonnanzes to warn people all over about the presence of suspicious individuals and had called for help from the royal family and the Central Knights Order. If the Central Knights Order had turned traitor, then Hilsure was also in a fairly dangerous position, wasn't she? Raimund, who was acting together with Hilsure, too.
"...Somehow I feel like no matter what happens, Teacher Hilsure will be safe, but her position is dangerous, right? If Dunkelfelger is willing to cooperate, wouldn't it be better to go help?"
When I turned around and said that, Ferdinand coldly replied, "The one in the most dangerous position is you, idiot." Then, with a stern expression, he looked directly at Aub Dunkelfelger in the water mirror and said in a calm voice.
"I also believe it is a grave matter for the noble academy to be ravaged. I understand the importance of the noble academy as well. Even so, issuing such a grand order is no simple matter. After Rosemine's order rescues the royal family, or if Dietlinde and the others have already obtained the Book of Mestionora and the foundation of the land, Rosemine may be accused of overstepping her authority or slandered as a traitor."
It would not necessarily end with the rescued royal family simply expressing gratitude after I issued the order. Ferdinand murmured that it was highly likely they would instead seize the chance to try to bring me, who possessed the Book of Mestionora, into the royal family, and rather than making arrangements so I could avoid being accused as a traitor, they would likely make unreasonable requests while pretending to be kind. Given the royal family's methods until now, I could only nod at Ferdinand's words.
"If Rosemine is put in an unfavorable position by issuing the order, what position will Dunkelfelger, who calls themselves the sword of Zent, be in?"
Ferdinand said to Aub Dunkelfelger that there was a strong possibility they would end up siding with Zent.
"Lord Ferdinand, isn't that a bit rude? Surely they would not make such cruel demands while asking us to issue the order."
"That is why you are said to be naive."
With a huff of laughter directed at me, Ferdinand turned back to Aub Dunkelfelger.
"The Aub of Dunkelfelger, with its long and storied history, has surely made ruthless decisions at times for the sake of its own territory. As an Aub who protects your own land, it is only natural that you cannot afford to speak naively, but I cannot possibly overlook a situation in which all responsibility can be placed on Rosemine."
"No matter the emergency, without an order, Dunkelfelger cannot send the knights order to the Central. Would you have us stand by and watch Lanzenave and Dietlinde rampage as they please, while outsiders seize the Book of Mestionora? There is only one next Zent candidate who possesses the Book of Mestionora—Lady Rosemine!"
Aub Dunkelfelger did not say, "I would never do such a cruel thing." They said they would protect the noble academy, and they said they were the sword of Zent, but they did not say they would protect me. In the course of the conversation, they were distinguishing between "me, Aub Arensbach" and "me, the next Zent candidate."