“If entwickeln didn’t use the names of the supreme gods, I would make my city at once,” I grumbled, my lips pursed. “I need to use this mana before it kills me, but I can’t put any toward the things that actually interest me.”
Ferdinand gave me a comforting pat on the head. “Complaining will not change the situation. We have solutions for your excess mana, at least. Let us test them one by one.”
“True enough...” A genuine smile arose on my face as I gazed up at him. “I really am glad to have you here with me.”
He knit his brow, then turned to the nobles in the sky above us. “Cease your chattering and gather! We shall turn the materials you collect into gold dust for an entwickeln that will repair the damage done to Ahrensbach by the Lanzenavians. Look out for any that are elementally rich, and remember that they will soon form the estates you call your homes.”
The nobles tensed up and went straight to gathering. Hartmut approached them in his High Priest robes, having dumped the post-ceremony cleanup on the Sovereign nobles.
“The abysmal state of Ahrensbach’s gathering spot meant that Lady Rozemyne had to replenish it with her divine power. Make no mistake, though—once the materials for the entwickeln have been gathered, future replenishments will fall to the duchy’s students or the adults attending the Archduke Conference. Are you aware that the perception of religious ceremonies has improved in the Royal Academy and that the nobles of other duchies have begun praying to obtain further divine protections? Perhaps not, as Ahrensbach never participated in any of the Academy’s ceremonies.”
Clarissa nodded vigorously in agreement and flourished her blue cape. “The nobles of Dunkelfelger have been performing religious ceremonies day in and day out.”
Translation: they’re playing nonstop ditter.
Hannelore had mentioned something of the sort—that they were using the research of pre- and post-ditter ceremonies as a pretext to play even more matches than usual. I couldn’t remember when, though.
Hartmut continued, “Ahrensbach must also start performing ceremonies at the Royal Academy. Otherwise, its students will end up obtaining the fewest divine protections of any duchy despite being overseen by Lady Rozemyne. Do not forget that Ahrensbach has fallen behind in matters of religion and prayer due to the obstinate ignorance of the now-imprisoned Detlinde.”
Again, Clarissa nodded. “The Divine Avatar of Mestionora shall take over as Ahrensbach’s aub and free the duchy from the sway of Chaocipher, Goddess of Chaos. But if you and everyone else are loath to perform ceremonies, her compassion might soon dry up.”
And with that, the pair’s brainwashing of the Ahrensbach nobles was complete. They went straight to gathering materials, intense looks on their faces.
“Strahl,” Ferdinand said, “oversee the gathering and transport of any materials to the Ehrenfest Dormitory. Rozemyne will turn them into gold dust. Her retainers should return to the dormitory with her. Lieseleta and the others are sure to have everything ready.”
“Understood.”
No sooner had we returned to the Ehrenfest Dormitory than Sylvester and the others came rushing over. Those in the audience had clearly felt the rise in my divine power, and they’d started to worry when I’d taken leave of the ceremony without any indication that I would return.
“We’ve prepared a meeting room, as requested,” Sylvester announced. “I won’t ask you, Ferdinand—I already know you were sneaking around during the ceremony—but Rozemyne, how are you?”
“You will find out soon enough,” Ferdinand replied on my behalf, indicating that I would be the topic of our conversation while urging the archducal couple into the other room. Everyone else was made to step outside, leaving only the four of us, and an area-affecting sound-blocker was activated.
“I will spare you all the more complicated details,” Ferdinand said. “Mestionora descended into Rozemyne again, and various other gods granted her their divine power, all so she could fill Yurgenschmidt’s foundation with mana.”
“And did she?” Sylvester asked.
“She did, but the divine power in her body remains. It is beyond what a mortal vessel can bear, so she must be drained and dyed with human mana posthaste.” He had elected not to mention that this was all the result of the gods getting carried away and making an unfortunate mistake.
As attentive as ever, Sylvester immediately understood what Ferdinand was trying to say. “So... the gods ordered you to summon winter early?”
“As persistent as always, but that is not what we are here to discuss. Rozemyne has unique circumstances; her color changes freely, and dyeing her will come easily whether winter arrives early or not. Thus, there is no need to do as you imply—I will give her the potion and peer into her memories as before.”
It was hard not to notice the prickly atmosphere surrounding the two. Ferdinand was pretty much glaring at Sylvester, his features twisted in a displeased grimace.
I cocked my head at the pair. “Um, what does it mean to summon winter early? The phrase has come up a lot as of late, but its meaning eludes me. At most, I’m aware that it isn’t being used literally.”
The archducal couple froze at once, smiles plastered on their faces, and the mood in the room grew much heavier than before. It was like I’d dropped a bombshell. I didn’t know what I’d done wrong, but I could sense that it was serious.
“My apologies,” I said. “Should I not have asked? I thought it best to, since this clearly has something to do with me. If you would rather I consult someone else, tell me.”
“Out of everyone in the dormitory... Rihyarda might be your best bet,” Sylvester replied. “But don’t blame me if you regret asking her.”
Ferdinand exchanged a look with his brother, then heaved a frustrated sigh. The matter had something to do with him as well, it seemed.
As I debated whether to ask Rihyarda, Florencia rested a hand on her cheek. “Indeed, this is not something two men should tell you. But do not ask Rihyarda; I shall explain instead. To understand what it means for winter to come before autumn, one must first consider the latter’s symbolism.”
“Autumn stands for ripening and the harvest, does it not? Schutzaria’s divine instrument represents defense and protection... And she has many artistic subordinates, so the season sometimes portrays art in general. There are also new revelations and the passing of time. And... farewells, I suppose?”
Now that I thought about it, autumn had so many meanings. According to the books I’d read, at least.
“In recent love stories, Jugereise tends to signify lost love and separations,” I continued. “In the bible, however, she is more a symbol of young adults leaving the nest. Male archduke candidates leaving their castle upon coming of age and women leaving their duchy upon being wed tended to pray for her divine protection.”
My thorough understanding of the bible and the language used within its stories was one of the main reasons why modern love stories confused me. The allusions to various gods were confusing on their own, and it didn’t help that their symbolism had changed so much over the years.
“How does someone with all the pieces still not know how to combine them?” Ferdinand asked, pressing a hand against his forehead.
“You may set those interpretations aside for now,” Florencia told me. “As well as harvests and the like, autumn signifies ripening—the coming of age. Now, think about the associations with winter and how the primary gods act during the cold season.” A slight smile graced her lips. “Your understanding from the bible will do.”
“Well, from a biblical perspective, that would mean not waiting for someone to come of age before... HYAAAAAAH?!”
The moment I made the connection, I was overcome with embarrassment. No wonder everyone felt so awkward. I also remembered telling Eglantine that I would get Ferdinand to dye me once I used up all my mana. In hindsight, that wasn’t something to be said so openly.
NOOO! SOMEONE, TURN BACK TIME! BEGONE, THIS MOMENT! THOU ART HIDEOUS BEYOND MEASURE!