Published: August 10, 2026
"Father, what are you saying!?"
The room erupted into a stir, and all attention turned to Ferdinand. The royal family glanced back and forth between Traocval, who was still kneeling, and Ferdinand, while the Aub couple of Dunkelfelger watched him intently.
"Lord Traocval. Am I correct in understanding your words to mean that this would be true even if the entire royal family were to enter the White Tower?"
Rather than answering Traocval's question, Ferdinand asked this quietly. Anastasius rose to his feet with all the blood drained from his face.
"Father, please stop! You are the Zent. You should never kneel to anyone other than the avatar of the goddess."
"The Zent who governs Jurgenschmidt must be the one who possesses the Book of Mestionora, Anastasius."
"That Book of Mestionora is bestowed by rosemine, who has become the avatar of Mestionora, Father. I asked them to have you obtain the Book of Mestionora and become the true Zent. I believe you, who have worried more than anyone else over the nation's future until now, are the most worthy of becoming Zent."
Traocval shook his head at Anastasius, who was trying to get him to stand.
Watching this serious exchange, I let out an admiring sigh and looked up at Ferdinand, who was standing beside me.
...Oh, that's completely in line with Lord Ferdinand's expectations.
Since the reactions and questions had been exactly as predicted, it felt almost like watching a scripted play. I'm sorry for Traocval and Anastasius, who were arguing so earnestly, but Ferdinand had no intention whatsoever of treating Traocval seriously.
"Lord Traocval, I regret to say this, but there is a major error in the premise of your assumption. The one who may ascend the altar is not the one who possesses the Book of Mestionora, but the one who has received the blessing of all the great gods."
At Ferdinand's words, Eglantine said, "Yes, that's right," in agreement. Apparently no one had expected Eglantine to speak, because everyone's gaze turned toward her.
"When I took part in the ritual to receive the gods' blessing during the practical lessons at the noble academy, I also ascended the altar. It led to a place like a white plaza where one obtains the stave, and there was nothing else there. However, that does not mean I obtained the Book of Mestionora."
"What matters is being all attributes and having received the blessing of all the great gods."
Since Eglantine said the line I had meant to say, I only added a little clarification.
Traocval's eyes widened at being corrected by Eglantine, who was royalty. It was more effective than if I had said it. Merely being able to ascend the altar does not prove one possesses the Book of Mestionora.
"But still, he..."
"Yes. Considering the clues to the Book of Mestionora that he has shown us, I believe Lord Ferdinand either already possesses it or has reached a very close stage."
As she said that, Eglantine looked toward Ferdinand. Traocval also looked at Ferdinand. Both of them wore expressions asking whether or not he had obtained the Book of Mestionora. But there was a difference between Eglantine's probing stare and Traocval's almost pleading gaze.
"Lord Traocval, you really are Prince Sigiswald's father. You are very much alike."
Ferdinand, looking down at the kneeling Traocval, had an extremely cold expression. No one would take "you resemble the prince who was bound by his real father as foolish and disgraceful" as a compliment. Everyone in the room changed color at once. Magdalena looked back and forth between Sigiswald and Traocval, then glared lightly at Ferdinand with her red eyes.
"In what way do you claim Lord Traocval resembles Prince Sigiswald?"
"Hm. I cannot help but think the nature of Prince Sigiswald, who forgets anything inconvenient to himself and uses his position as royalty to force his will on others, is inherited from his father, but perhaps your eyes are clouded by the curse of the goddess of chaos, Lady Magdalena."
Dismissed as having clouded eyes, Magdalena's words were brushed aside. Ferdinand folded his arms, looking down at Traocval with thin golden eyes filled with contempt.