Chapter Text
"We will now begin the awards and closing ceremonies. The top three territories will be receiving their prizes, so please come forward when called."
The awards and closing ceremonies began with the words of the civil servant in the center.
"22nd place Blumefeld, 21st place Corinthdaum, 20th place Frenbeltag, 19th place Klassenburg..."
The rankings of all the territories were read out starting from the bottom. Basically, the longer a territory has remained, the higher it is. It starts with Blumefeld, who dropped out early in the opening without any particularly impressive moments, followed by Corinthdaum, Frenbeltag, and Klassenburg, ruled by former royal Sigiswald.
...Thank goodness. Lord Sigiswald is safe.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the familiar curly blonde hair leading the Corinthdaum knights at the arena. Even though the announcement said that he was alive, I still didn't know what the situation was, so I was worried, but I was relieved to hear that they had recovered enough to stand on their own, although their clothes were in tatters.
After that, the names of the small and medium-sized territories were called out in order of elimination, and finally only the top five territories remained.
"Fifth place Drevanchel, fourth place Neuehausen, third place Ehrenfest"
Up until this point, the names of the territories that had been eliminated were called out in order, but now the names of the two territories whose rankings were decided by the only judgement of this tournament were announced. Ehrenfest and Neuehausen had both voluntarily eliminated, so their rankings were to be decided by the judges' decision.
Neuehausen had probably expected to be judged as fourth, but it seemed that they still had a faint hope, and I could sense their disappointment.
"Just as Leonore said, Ehrenfest came in third."
The rankings were apparently decided by a comprehensive assessment of the role each territory played in the battle and the tactics they used, just like determining contributions. I had looked over all the materials when I was working on improving Angelica's grades, and I had also studied them again because I thought it would probably be okay as an aub, but I couldn't judge with confidence.
"Ehrenfest, who made a major contribution to the first raid on Blumefeld and the defeat of Corinthdaum, is in no way inferior to Neuehausen."
While answering calmly, Leonore also had a slight curve to her mouth, as if she was proud that her hometown had made it into the top three.
"Second place, Dunkelfelger, first place, Alexandria."
Lestilaut and Ferdinand stepped forward.
"It was a splendid fight."
Eglantine congratulated Bonifatius on his third place and presented him with a prize.
……Lady Eglantine, are you okay?
It's hard to say for sure because we're far away, but she looks a little pale. It's probably because Bonifatius blew Sigiswald away.
"It was a magnificent fight, as expected of Dunkelfelger, the territory of warriors. I look forward to seeing Lestilaut continue to serve as the sword of Zent."
Eglantine's words caused a stir among the nobles in the venue. This was the same as Eglantine's recognition that Lestilaut was worthy of being the next lord. If she had made a wrong move, it could have been taken as interference in domestic affairs, but this was a political performance to give Lestilaut some prestige, which she had asked Alexandria to do if they won.
...So, Anastasius, don't be jealous of such things.
Anastasius, who was not amused by Eglantine's remark that she relied on Lestilaut, was clearly in a bad mood even from a distance. As a prince, it would be a bad attitude to show his dissatisfaction at a glance.
"Congratulations on your victory."
Eglantine congratulated Ferdinand on his victory, presented him with the trophy in the shape of Mestionora, and the award ceremony ended, moving on to the closing ceremony.
"Everyone here, what do you think of today's battle? For the older generation, it may have been an exciting fight, the first since the days of the Noble Academy. But for the younger generation, it was a good opportunity to learn how tough a fight can be."
There was a strong sense of agreement with Eglantine's words from the audience.
Indeed, it must have been a good stimulus for the younger generation who had no experience with treasure-stealing ditters. Looking only at Alexandria, the generation who had only ever known ditters that were speed contests were initially stunned by the fierce fighting, but their expressions changed as the battle progressed. It seemed they had realized how naive they were and how lacking their skills were, and many of them were reflecting on their attitude up until now and slumping their shoulders.
"This tournament was for the nobles who only knew about the Ditter, which is a contest of speed, and who grew up without learning that not only knights, but also civil servants, attendants, and lord candidates all work together to protect their territories, to realize the importance of what they missed out on and to work hard to improve. If everyone was able to realize this, then it can be said that the significance of this tournament has been achieved. I want the territories that were unwillingly eliminated early in this tournament to work hard to restore their honour in the next tournament, the victorious territories to improve their results, and the winning territories to aim for another victory."
Eglantine told them in noble language that if they realized they were lacking in ability, they should work hard to improve, and the first Ditter Yurgenschmidt Cup came to a close.
Even after the tournament is over, they can't go back to their territories right away. As the initiator, I have to discuss the results of the tournament and points to reflect on with Eglantine and Aube Dunkelfelger and his wife, despite my reluctance.
Since the other territories have come to the center, they are also thinking of interacting with the nobles of other territories that they normally don't have contact with, and the lord and his wife and the lord's family are delaying their return to interact with other territories, so I have received many invitations to socialize from other territories.
However, since I only have one body, I will have to decline most of them, but on the other hand, there are people I would like to meet on this occasion.
One of them is my family home, Ehrenfest. On the day after the tournament, we will have dinner together in the tea party room of Ehrenfest.
"I was surprised at how well you did, grandfather. Are you better?"
"Yeah, injuries of that level are normal for a treasure ditter. A sip of healing potion won't be a big deal."
"I see. I was thinking of healing you if necessary, but grandfather is strong."
Although I had praised Bonifatius for his toughness, for some reason Bonifatius looked shocked. I look at Elvira and Karstedt, wondering what I did wrong, but Karstedt shakes his head as if there is no solution, and Elvira gives a wry smile.
It seemed like I had made a mistake from the start, but since they were familiar faces, it didn't matter and the meal proceeded in a friendly atmosphere.
"What did you think of it, Brother Lamprecht?"
"Yes, I was surprised, it's completely different from the Ditter from his time at the Noble Academy."
After praising Boniface, he asks Lamprecht, who is from a generation that is undereducated, about his impressions of the tournament.
"I was trained by my grandfather as the guardian knight of the lord's family, and I was trained by the Knights in order to defeat the Winter Lord, so I thought I had learned enough, but the Treasure Stealing Ditter combines those things and requires a lot, so it was very difficult. The Treasure Stealing Ditter is important. I now understand why a Ditter that competes for speed is not good."
The technique of being cautious of your surroundings that you learned as a guardian knight. The technique of fighting together, which you trained in order to defeat the Winter Lord. Lamprecht says that up until now, these skills were separate, but the Treasure Stealing Ditter required both at the same time.
"It seems to have been a good stimulus not only for Lamprecht, but also for the knights who participated in the tournament. Some of those who were not able to represent Japan this time said they would like to participate next time."
Karstedt tells us that it also had a positive impact on the knights who could not participate as the commander of the Knights.
"It's not just the knights. The civil servants who were ordered to create magical tools for attack and defense for the tournament tried and tested how to increase their attack power and strengthen their defenses while meeting the safety standards of the tournament."
"If there is an issue with this tournament, it is the attendants. There was not much involvement from those who were not involved except for those who represented Japan to infuse magical power into the magical tools."
Elvira observes the civil servants, and Charlotte points out that the attendants were not very involved.
When the Treasure Stealing Ditter was held at the Noble House, the attendants set up social events, worked hard to gather information together with the civil servants, and worked to understand the trends in other territories. However, this tournament was a sudden decision made at the Lords' Conference with the strong backing of Dunkelfelger, so the information war before the actual event, such as forming alliances and waging wars of rifts, was completed at the Lords' Conference. Because of this, the attendants did not have many opportunities to get involved.
"Thank you for pointing that out. Similar opinions were expressed in Alexandria, so I will convey that to Zent."
However, from the next tournament onwards, the tournament should be properly planned, so the attendants should be able to fulfill their role of gathering information through social interaction.
The day after the tournament, there was a report meeting on the Ditter tournament with Eglantine, Anastazius, and Aube Dunkelfelger and his wife.
"...That is the impact of the Ditter Yurgenschmidt Cup on the undereducated generation from Alexandria and Ehrenfest."
In Alexandria and Ehrenfest, they reported on the reaction of the younger generation, and conveyed that the tournament's original purpose of changing the mindset of the undereducated generation had been somewhat effective.
"It's the same for Dunkelfelger. Those who didn't make it this time are especially determined to train for the next tournament and make it onto the team next time."
Aub Dunkelfelger said this with satisfaction, but judging by the expression on Sieglinde's face sitting next to him and Dunkelfelger's character, I don't think it can be dismissed with just "enthusiastic."
... Heischuze is already fired up for revenge.
Heischuze, who stands behind Aub Dunkelfelger as the guardian knight, is already casting a passionate gaze at Ferdinand.
Glancing at Ferdinand from the side, I could see that he was trying not to notice Heischuze's gaze. He never made eye contact with Heischuze, who was casting such a passionate gaze at him.
"It seems to be the same in Classenburg. They said they couldn't keep losing and were enthusiastic about raising their territories."
Furthermore, reports have been submitted by the dorm supervisors not only about the reactions of large and high-ranking territories, but also of lower-ranking territories. According to them, the DitterYurgenschmidt Cup seems to be a good stimulus for most territories.
Of course, there were not only positive opinions, but also complaints about the financial and magical burden being too great, complaints about the risks of forcing lord candidates to participate, and complaints that lord candidates should not be chosen as representatives.
"I'm glad that there were results, but..."
Although there were some dissenting opinions, the results were generally well-received, and there were no problems in the accounting report, but Eglantine was vague and seemed to be having difficulty expressing herself.
"Do you have any concerns?"
"Yes, actually, I received a message from the gods last night..."
Hannelore and Dunkelfelger were in trouble because the goddess of time, Dreffangua, descended just to summon me to the Noble Academy. He had advised Eglantine to carry out the ritual that Zend had used in the past to ask the gods for their opinion, as it would be troublesome if the gods were to descend upon them frequently and cause trouble. The earnest Eglantine seems to be carrying out this advice properly.
"Is it from the gods?"
Ferdinand asks with a bright smile. What kind of trouble is it? I think I can hear the voiceover saying this.
"...Well...the adult Ditter tournament was a very good one...so instead of once every four years, we should hold it every year.
"I was asked by the god of fire, Leidenschaft, and the god of valor, Angrief."
Eglantine said with difficulty, and Sieglinde frowned as if she was trying to endure a headache, while Ferdinand's smile became even brighter.
"That's wonderful! If it's a message from the gods, then let's do it! We should do it!"
"Aub Dunkelfelger, you hold a tournament like this every year..."
Eglantine was at a loss as to how to stop Aub Dunkelfelger, who was already getting excited, and looked back and forth between Sieglinde and Ferdinand for help.
"Lady Eglantine, it is the Zent's role to mediate between gods and humans. Explain the principles of the human world and ask the gods to give up."
However, Ferdinand flatly refused her help, saying that it was his job.
"Dunkelfelger is the sword of Zent. I will follow Zent Eglantine's decision." Sieglinde jumps on the bandwagon and tells him in noble language that Eglantine must convince the gods in order to stop the Aub.
"... I understand."
The first Ditter Yurgenschmidt Cup came to a close, leaving Eglantine with the difficult task of persuading the gods at the very end.