Published: August 10, 2026
After the discussion with the royal family members ended, both Lord and Lady Aub, Ferdinand, and I all began giving instructions to our respective close aides in the multipurpose hall. My own aides gathered around me.
"Hartmut, please prepare for the succession ceremony for Gultrishite and take the role of high priest on the day itself. Please hurry to Ehrenfest Temple, prepare the high priest's ceremonial robes and the like, and then instruct prince Anastasius in the rituals."
"Understood. I shall surely complete all preparations for the new rituals performed by Lady Rosemine perfectly."
I told Hartmut that he would be instructing Anastasius and the others for four days, then ordered the guard knights who would disguise themselves as azure priests and blue shrine maidens during the noble academy ceremony to prepare themselves as well.
"Who is the new Zent to whom Lady Rosemine will bestow Gultrishite?"
"Lady Eglantine. In truth, the one who should be receiving instruction is Lady Eglantine, who is about to become the head priest of Central Temple, but preparing the Offering Stone must take priority, so prince Anastasius will be the one preparing the rituals."
As I briefly explained how things were proceeding, Ferdinand, who had been nearby, came over to hand a note to Hartmut.
"The procedure for the ceremony. Also, if you will be traveling between Ehrenfest and Central Temple and accompanying prince Anastasius, then leave the key with Rosemine."
"Understood."
Hartmut took the key to the Sacred Scripture, which had apparently been hanging from his neck, and placed it around my neck. After asking a few questions while looking over the note, he immediately turned on his heel and began moving. The Guard Knights who had to return to Ehrenfest at least once came with him.
"Liselotte, Grethia. I want the two of you to prepare the ceremonial robes, hair ornaments, and other items for my head priest attire that I brought into Arensbach. My shoes are mana stones, so there is no problem there."
"Understood."
Since Richarda and Brynhildr were in the dormitory, there was no problem with my attendants taking care of me. The two of them immediately set off for the detached palace. I could also see Justox, who seemed to have received similar instructions, leaving the multipurpose hall after Liselotte and the others.
"Filine, please take this manuscript back to the temple and ask the myne workshop to print it. Aub has already given permission. Please also inform Mother."
I entrusted Filine with the manuscript I had prepared to distribute when the new Zent was announced by the royal family.
"I want twenty-five copies, with some extra in reserve. It will be handed out at the lords' council, so this is urgent work. Please ask Mother and Muliera to divide the work and also assign some to the small temple of Hasse."
"Understood."
After Filine left carrying the manuscript, Roderich looked at me anxiously.
"Lady Rosemine, what will happen to the story of Dunkelfelger I am writing?"
"Aub Dunkelfelger is no longer going to become Zent, so the deadline has been lifted. However, it seems Aub is looking forward to it so much that he is considering buying up every copy, so please keep writing."
Roderich, who had been screaming over the deadline that demanded he finish it in five days, visibly put a hand to his chest in relief. I know I had asked too much of him, and I did feel bad about that, but only Roderich could write it, so there was nothing to be done.
"I shall calm myself and continue writing."
"You might have produced something more vivid if you had written it while feeling rushed, you know?"
Watching how panicked Roderich was, Judith, who had been asked questions about ditter, let out a quiet laugh. Since the adult guard knights were preparing to return to Ehrenfest, Judith was standing behind me as my guard knight.
Perhaps he had been waiting for the urgent instructions to end, because Ferdinand came over and sat down in the chair beside me.
"Rosemine, what do you intend to do about Leticia? If Arensbach custom is followed, she will be demoted to the rank of higher-ranking noble as soon as you become aub. Since she has no parents, she would end up spending her days in the orphanage..."