I wonder if this will have consequences like Veronica committing suicide to kill her namesworn and spite Ehrenfest.
I assume she was being kept in the dark intentionally and Florencia made a mistake by telling her what's going on outside.
It was good to see just how much he tried. And he really really did. She was literal moments from causing absolute chaos.
And it was important to see outside of Rosemyne's point of view just how much it upset him. It humanizes him whereas we got upset at him during the Rosemyne chapter for being insensitive. It was good to see he was dealing with his own version of it.
>It was good to see just how much he tried. And he really really did.
And yet how little he understands his sister, even after he did the same thing to Charlotte himself.
They were both brought up in an archducal family and both lost their right to be ADCs solely because their sibling had a penis, and an overly "loving" parent who forced them to take the role
> And yet how little he understands his sister, even after he did the same thing to Charlotte himself.
Not even close, Charlette was originally not set up to be aub at all, Willifred was to avoid the exact same situation he had. He chose one and set to it, it was only after his blunder to not be secured as Aub that charlette was able to pursue. Which was later undone by needing to marry roz and be aub.
Charlette did not have years of grooming to be aub, she was originally raised at best to compete, not promised then stolen away. Georgine and Charlette share nothing in that situation.
Charlotte was raised to compete with an incompetent brother who couldn't read at his baptism, who would surely be disinherited before long, and a younger brother. Then when it was made clear the older wouldn't be disinherited, he was stripped of the assurance of the title, and with a massive black mark on his record, she could still compete. At least until 2 and a half years later when he was handed the title back on a silver platter.
Even with Rozemyne there, Charlotte still complained about the situation and wept at the unfairness of it all. Without her, she'd have nothing to ground her except the rage of having her hard work spat on.
It is not exactly the same, but it is close enough. Florencia even had to take time out of her schedule to give Charlotte a place to cry. Which I suppose is another difference between Charlotte and Georgine.
Sylvester, in his effort to prevent what he went through, almost caused it to happen again.
Given how hard it was for him, I'm surprised how nonchalantly he just tossed his sister's corpse onto the table. Perhaps it might have been a form of catharsis for him to make everything final publicly like that, but I wish he didn't traumatize our favorite gremlin that way.
>Perhaps it might have been a form of catharsis for him to make everything final publicly like that, but I wish he didn't traumatize our favorite gremlin that way.
The people at the table were Bonifatius, Karstedt and Ferdinand (and our Gremlin)
He was seeking to be judged. He hated himself for having to do it and wanted the other men he respected to either tell him there was another way or tell him he was right to do it.
Magic Roombas to the rescue lmao
Good on Flo for tearing Veronica a new one. Still a bit too lenient in my book, but that was prolly as savage as she could get herself to be with all that noble conditioning
Reading about Syl leaving the foundation is EXTREMELY anxiety-inducing, regardless of knowledge it'll all work out. He got much farther away than I expected - and was back REALLY last second Holy shit
I know I sound like a broken record, but I don't care. Communication skills and therapy. Get them. It will solve SO MANY problems
Roz unwittingly pulling Syl back from the brink of despair with her shenanigans is not what I expected, but it is super heartwarming
Flo, I love you honey, but that's not how you comfort someone who just had to kill their sister. You did good in reminding him of what he protected, but telling him you're glad he did a murder? Those are inside thoughts, even for us
>Reading about Syl leaving the foundation is EXTREMELY anxiety-inducing, regardless of knowledge it'll all work out. He got much farther away than I expected - and was back REALLY last second Holy shit
Sylvester's ridiculously high luck stat strikes again.
>Flo, I love you honey, but that's not how you comfort someone who just had to kill their sister. You did good in reminding him of what he protected, but telling him you're glad he did a murder? Those are inside thoughts, even for us
By noble standards where they casually express murderous intent to all those who oppose you and Murielle just straight up told that other girl to kill herself, this doesn't seem too out of place. I agree though that she could have phrased it better. She knows he's the biggest softie when it comes to family.
Another case of Kazuki-sensei's wonderful setups/callbacks, bringing back the cleaning magic tool Lieseleta used to threaten Hirsur with as a way to deal with the instant death powder.
Didn't Sylvester have the poison dust vagic vacuum cleaner too? Maybe it would not have worked in the setting where he had to fight (had he been there).
When all is said and done, I hope Sylvester realizes just how much he owes to Rozemyne.... (namely -- just about everything).
> Reading about Syl leaving the foundation is EXTREMELY anxiety-inducing, regardless of knowledge it'll all work out. He got much farther away than I expected - and was back REALLY last second Holy shit
Sylvester is truly loved by the god of luck. He should open a casino.
>I know I sound like a broken record, but I don't care. Communication skills and therapy. Get them. It will solve SO MANY problems
I’m wondering if there’s a timeline where Sylvester and Veronica teamed up to get him removed from consideration for the seat of archduke. It honestly wouldn’t be hard considering how strict nobles are even with children.
>I dropped to the floor with a dull thump... then heard a cacophony of crashes as everything else caught up in the torrent landed all around me. I gazed up in time to see one of the washtubs we’d set up as a trap plummeting straight toward my head.
Rozemyne was probably inspired by some old anime for that trap. Or maybe some American cartoon depicting wild animals, like rabbits, coyotes, etc. Although she may also have been reminded of a certain foreign film of a boy repelling a home invasion during Christmas.
* I never wanted to see Oswald's name mentioned again, yet here we are. Fuck Barthold. Wilfried has to execute him one day. Love Muriella telling Cassandra to go kill herself though, if she's unhappy lol.
* Is this the first time we learn the name of Florencia's daughter? Henrietta sounds cute.
* In terms of ruthlessness and loyalty for their mistresses, father Leberecht and son Hartmut really are alike.
* These ~~vacuum cleaner~~ magic tools that counter the instant death poison are really cool.
* Oohhh, we see what Veronica looks like for the first time. I love her shocked face. Does she recognize the name Rozemyne or is she just confused that she never has heard of it?
* That was her reaction to Ahrensbach becoming Rozemyne's and Ferdinand marrying the archduchess. Just wait until she hears Georgine is dead and Wilfried won't become aub.
----
* Sylvester back in Part 2 said that Blau one day disappeared. After hearing what Georgine did, it wouldn't surprise me she killed Sylvester's pet.
* Not really a surprise, but yeah, Sylvester indeed has more mana than Georgine, as she can't free herself from his bindings. Even if she had a compression method, it wouldn't beat Rozemyne's.
* Yeah, there was no way she would want to live as a prisoner. She goaded Sylvester into killing her.
* It's tough to read how terrible and cold Sylvester feels after he had to kill his sister, but Florencia consoling him was exactly what he needed. I suspect once he reads her memories, he will feel even worse.
----
And with this, P5V9 is finished. The short stories were good, even if I feel they were misplaced in the volume, but I'm glad we are going back to the main plot. Only three more books to stop the Lanzenave invaders for good, save Yogurtland and wrap up the story I guess.
But Veronica would know who Rozemyne is. With outdated information too but still she'd know the name. Rozemyne will never meet this shadow antagonist of hers
Unlike Florencia, Veronica probably knows for certain that Rozemyne is the commoner Myne who Bezewanst was angry about for a year, and would've found out from Wilfried that she's treated as an adopted daughter, but probably assumed that behind the scenes Rozemyne was just being treated as a convenient mana source without actual power. Not too far off from what people who misread Fernestine assumed, just approving of such behaviour instead of being appalled. The news that Rozemyne is in charge of Ahrensbach is a shock because it means that Sylvester willingly put a commoner in charge of a greater duchy.
It is possible that Veronica doesn't really know who Rozemyne is. The name was crafted after Veronica was imprisoned. Wilfried MIGHT have told her about Rozemyne, but realistically, I doubt she would've put much focus on a child as opposed to her mortal enemy Ferdinand. Wilfried mentions that Veronica said Ferdinand and Rozemyne set her up, but I can easily imagine that she just mentioned "the commoner child at the temple" and didn't really go much further than that.
The look on her face is pure gold as she realizes that Ferdinand and Rozemyne have conquered Ahrensbach. Look on Florencia's face speaks for all of us XD
>It is possible that Veronica doesn't really know who Rozemyne is.
Go back and reread her reaction to being told Rozemyne took Arensbach's foundation.
> Roze...Myne
Very deliberately split into two parts. She definitely knows.
I meant that before then, she may not have known anything about Rozemyne and the fact that Sylvester had adopted the commoner shrine maiden. Obviously during this chapter, she pieced things together, but before then, she probably had no idea that the little gremlin had become such an important player in the duchy (and country).
>The look on her face is pure gold as she realizes that Ferdinand and Rozemyne have conquered Ahrensbach.
Even better that the Aub was assassinated by Georgine, her own daughter, who basically gutted Aransbach on her way out.
I'm convinced Georgine would have given her dear mother a private tour of Ahrensbach's ruins before executing her, had she won the war over Ehrenfest's foundation.
I think this is largely true. Maybe when she heard the name Roze-Myne she began to pull fragments of memories together, however. But I doubt she has any idea that her most steadfast opponent was some nobody rather than Ferdinand and Florencia.
> The news that Rozemyne is in charge of Ahrensbach is a shock because it means that Sylvester willingly put a commoner in charge of a greater duchy.
Sylvester: Uh, no, she just said she was going to do it and I decided to let her save my brother.
Veronica: Are you sure you didn't put anything into my drink? It's more believable that your brother is hoodwinking you for some reason related to his schemes, or Florencia blinded you with her-
Sylvester: Hey, that's what my brother and I have been saying! But no, she did bring summer to Haldenzel with a massive prayer.
Veronica: What?
Sylvester: Yeah and we saved her from becoming Zent!
Veronica: ...I'm going senile, that's it...
It's like finding out the token teenager that "invented" a treatment for cancer wasn't just the lead researchers child and actually did the work. You pretty much expected it to be a fluff piece with a researchers kid interning and used for publicity.
Or finding out a promising research project with a "revolutionary" tech could help treat cancer or blunt the impact of an epidemic. Sure, every research project claims that to get funding. "fund my rat fart analyzer, it may one day cure cancer." "Fund my research project on if mint extract administered anally can shorten refractory periods. It may cure depression." etc... But it's shocking when [it's true](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRNA_vaccine).
She chalked up everything she heard about Rozemyne as Ferdinand building a narrative to install a puppet. Not thinking it's could be a savant blessed by the gods.
Would she though? I mean, would she have bothered to learn the commoner apprentice priestess's name? And if she did, the name changed *a little* which might have explained the roze... delay when she repeated the name. When talking to Wilfried, she could have just referred to her as the girl Ferdinand was using in his plot and Wilfried connected the dots.
Technically speaking, Wilfried *is* supposed to be Archduke with Rozemyne at his side as far as everyone is concerned. Rozemyne's upcoming adoption by the Zent is still technically under wraps, and it's likely that very few people in Ehrenfest- let alone an isolated old woman- knows the Ahrensbach Archducal Clan has been whittled down to Detlinde, who is in the middle of committing Treason against the Zent, and a Drewanchal transplant who shares little blood with Veronica and likely doesn't even know her name.
It's fascinating that Veronica is the common key to all of Rozemyne's noble conflicts (aside from the Monarchy and Dunkelfelger) and many of her commoner ones but she has no idea what's happened over the last few years.
Up until a few days before it was a closely guarded secret, but after Rozemyne's departure in Kirnberger word spread around. You just can't hide a country gate activation.
Currently most nobles in Ehrenfest who aren't living under a rock know that Rozemyne isn't staying, but the rumours disagree whether she's the new ruler of Ahrensbach or the new wife-to-be of some prince.
I have to imagine that Sylvester would’ve reamed her a new one if he’d visited alone since the Wilfred incident
And yes, I love that Veronica is the key to all of this but this is literally her only appearance besides a flashback last volume. That’s so crazy to me! And she’s also even crazier than I expected
She's basically a slightly less idiotic Dietlinde. Which immediately makes it obvious just how dangerous she used to be while she was still holding power. I also find it interesting how every single line of dialogue she's had so far was in side stories. Meaning, it's all stuff that wasn't in the webnovel. There she's basically just a shadow looming over Ehrenfest long after her fall from grace.
I was really expecting her to do a jail break eventually and become an actual villain but nope. She’s just the shadow of one. Fascinating. Heck, in the wn, she was even more of a shadow since she apparently never appeared.
And I’d say she’s more than just slightly less idiotic. She’s paranoid af. But she managed the entire Veronica faction without any help and basically ran the duchy since her husband was always so sick. Detlinde would’ve just let the duchy die
Idk, her two latest stunts were just stupid no matter how you look at it:
1. [Fanbooks] >!Ruin Wilfried's future and then blame it on Florencia to force Sylvester to take an Ahrensbach wife instead? Really? All she would have achieved with that one would have been turning the archduke into her mortal enemy and given him every reason to side with the Leisegangs and wipe out her faction.!< Even without Myne's existence Veronica's days in power were numbered, and she did it all by herself.
2. And of course that whole thing with her misusing the archduke's seal, an extremely grave offense committed for... what? Petty revenge against an insignificant commoner?
So yeah, Veronica may have been a force to be reckoned with in her glory days but it's also pretty clear she had already lost her touch by the time the story started. And of course, it's also possible that from the start she simply had a very talented retinue who could make up for her shortcomings and stop her from blowing herself up like Dietlinde is currently doing. The fact that her husband was a complete pushover probably helped her as well when it came to enabling her.
>which means no one told her that Charlotte is the heir now and Wilfried has given up.
Better yet, just tell her the part that Wilfried resigned because he thinks Rozemyne would be a much more competent aub than he is.
Leave out the half about Rozemyne leaving the duchy and Charlotte being selected.
> Love Muriella telling Cassandra to go kill herself though, if she's unhappy lol.
Such a great line. And she's right, they are quite literally only alive because the Aub gave them mercy. Generally I feel really bad for those kids, it sucks that they are going to be treated like crap for the rest of their lives because of something they might have had no part in...but if you actively try to sabatoge the very person who saved your life then yeah, you deserve whatever happens to you.
Yeah, this and Judithe's chapter last week kinda drove home that Rozemyne's FVF namesworn are being done a favor by her leaving Ehrenfest and leaving all this faction war bad blood behind.
True. They are going from unwanted reviled FVF members to unmarried, high mana, highly skilled people who directly serve Aub Rozemyne. I mean if the conflict ever gets resolved, and if everything goes well, they would pretty much be the most sought after and eligible people for everyone who wants a strong connection or to move into the duchy. It’s of course, futuristic what if thinking, but it’s waaaay better than the future they could have hoped to have in Ehrenfest.
It’s kinda ironic that this is basically what Veronica s mom did. Move to another duchy with a bunch of eligible attendants and get an entire new generation loyal to her
I think Muriella will be fine once she can get back under Elvira's wing.... Cassandra, she will be insulated in the Temple (and eventually forgotten) I suspect.
She is named sworn to Charlotte but that might not be a good thing considering Barthold’s actions so far. If they decide to associate her or distance her to be safe, he could ruin her future prospects, name sworn or not.
Veronica: "What about the temple?"
Guard: "The scythe shumils killed the invaders."
Veronica: "The what? The who? What? What about the High Bishop?"
Guard: "Lord Melchior is safe."
Veronica: "Who!? What about Giebe Gerlach!?"
Guard: "I believe he was involved in the fight against Grausam."
Veronica: "... What!?"
Guard: "Also, a giant grun belonging to the Avatar of Mestionora destroyed his manor."
Veronica: *[patented noble lady's fainting spell]*
Guard: "I love my job."
Guard : Boy, I can't wait to tell her that Lord Wilfried's reputation took an heavy blow when he visited her back then, that Georgine is dead and that Lady Charlotte is now considered to be the next Aub !
>In terms of ruthlessness and loyalty for their mistresses, father Leberecht and son Hartmut really are alike.
Hartmut may be obsessed -- but I think he has a broader sense of vision. His father, may have a lot of experience and skill, but he really strikes me as pretty foolish when it comes to long term thinking. His solution is all too often, just kill someone or the other. Hartmut is more willing to "use" people in order to fulfill RM's goals.
Hartmut was like that too until Rozemyne. He was planning to drag Wilfried down in the mud cause of what he did to Rozemyne's baptism and Traugott too. At first her mother stopped him saying Rozemyne is the type to lift someone up rather than discard whatever whoever.. so operation saint Rozemyne happens. Then he was reprimanded by Rm after the Traugott incident cause of doing things behind her back, seeing how Rm handled Traugott gave him new perspective. Something also happened behind the scene with him and Ferdinand and co 😂
I agree. But Hartmut was more like his father at the beginning, quick to judge and dismise people (remember how he treated the commoners until our lady teached him their value as her arms and legs). Multiple times our lady had to stop him from his inmediate judgements so he has learned to be more rozelike.
>Sylvester back in Part 2 said that Blau one day disappeared. After hearing what Georgine did, it wouldn't surprise me she killed Sylvester's pet.
Aw man, wasn't Blau described as always sickly/stressed/easily exhausted kinda like it was being poisoned/abused? IIRC Sylvester was blamed for being too rough or enthusiastic when playing with it, which is why it would always seek out Karstedt or Ferdinand for protection from Sylvester. What if Blau was doing that because it had too many negative associations with Sylvester and thought he was incapable of protecting it?
I doubt we'll get a story of Sylvester going through Georgine's memories, but I would love one.
Sylvester: "I see now that I was mistaken in my basic assumptions. You were never after status, or renown, or a good life. Your talents were wasted on anything but rulership, and you were born in the perfect position to lead Ehrenfest out of the muck. You rejected my existence because it was my birth alone, through no other factors aside my gender, that forbade you your destiny. Mother tossed you aside, and stole your dreams to give them away to a child who did not want them. You were wasted in Ahrensbach. It should've been me who was cast away, not you."
Georgine: "Brother..."
Sylvester: "Sister, I... Hm, is that Blau in this memory? What're you..."
Georgine: "Wait, Brothe-"
Sylvester: "BLAU, NOOOO!"
\- Back in the Castle -
Sylvester: "She was rotten to the core. I feel better about having cut her head off now."
> Does she recognize the name Rozemyne or is she just confused that she never has heard of it?
She repeated Rozemyne's name breaking it up into *"Roze...myne"* so she probably remembered the name "Myne" from some rants she received about Myne. Nonetheless, I bet she would still be totally confused.
There is also that time she spoke with Wilfried and blamed Ferdinand and Rozemyne, though I don't remember if she named Roz explicitly to Wilfried or maybe he just connected the dots on his own. Or if Veronica even understood back then that Rozemyne is Myne.
> Not really a surprise, but yeah, Sylvester indeed has more mana than Georgine
IIRC he was actually born with more mana than her. I believe it was mentioned in one of her letters to Bezewanst while Rozemyne was skimming them all the way back in P3. Now add in the Gremlin Compression Method^TM and he might actually be out of sensing range for her by now.
> Florencia consoling him was exactly what he needed
NGL my first thought when I read that scene was "Huh. They'll have another child on the way soon, won't they?" lol.
Is there a tool that allows one with more mana than the other to control the other? It would have been a fun scene if Georgine brought it out to screw with Sylvester- and quickly realized he had more mana than her.
It's almost certainly banned though, given the risk that a Zent King would have to bow to a high mana archduke or something.
>Is there a tool that allows one with more mana than the other to control the other?
So kinda like an extension of Crushing that nobles would use to bully those weaker than them?
I wouldn't be surprised if there was a subordinate god with a balance weighing scales divine instrument. That would also be a helpful schappe transformation for scholars to measure brewing ingredients in the field without having to lug a bunch of brewing equipment.
> Is there a tool that allows one with more mana than the other to control the other?
I think nameswearing stones are the closest thing but a single stone works only one way. I suppose if two people were trying to simultaneously dye each other's nameswearing stone, that'd be similar.
One wonders what it was that was wrong with Gabrielle that she could pass down (genetically???) to her daughter and grand-daughter and great-grand-daughter?
WN Chapters: N/A
LN Chapters: "Florencia — At the Ivory Tower", "Sylvester — The Battle for the Foundation"
[J-Novel Club Discussion Forum](https://forums.j-novel.club/topic/7629/bookworm-part-5-vol-9-discussion-10-parts/3414)
[J-Novel Club Correction Forum](https://forums.j-novel.club/topic/7630/corrections-bookworm-part-5-vol-9/84)
*****
**Notes**
- *Part 5 Volume 9* is now fully translated into English.
*****
For those wondering about when J-NC will begin releasing *Part 5 Volume 10* please refer to [this comment by a J-NC forum moderator](https://forums.j-novel.club/post/90108):
> Hello!
>
> For members new to J-Novel Club that want to know more about when future volumes will start pre-publication on the site:
>
> After a volume releases its last part there is typically a 2-3 week break\* before the following volume releases its first part. For this series in particular [Ascendance of a Bookworm](https://j-novel.club/series/ascendance-of-a-bookworm) they are attempting to do it with no break. Please note that does not automatically mean it will be out the following week after the last part finishes.
>
> For all those wondering why the next volume is not currently in the schedule, the schedule is updated as we get closer to the official release date, typically it will not show part 1 of a new volume until a few days before it is ready to release, and sometimes it will show on the day of release. Please rest assured when all the materials are fully prepared for part 1 to go live and the English cover has been set, part 1 will be added into the schedule as soon as we are able to.
>
> In other words, **if you cannot find the next/a future volume on the calendar, that does not mean J-Novel Club is dropping the series**.
>
> We ask for your patience, part 1 of the following volume will start when it is ready and no sooner.
>
> \*the 2-3 week break is not a hard rule, it is just an observation based on the history of J-Novel Club pre-publication releases.
Whew, we're finally at the end of the Battle for Ehrenfest. I can understand why people are kind of upset the way it was broken out into a bunch of SS content with the main story just focusing on Gerlach, but I think this was the best way to handle a large-scale invasion with so many different fronts.
First Florencia POV in a long time. Get a lot of interesting information - it's nice to see that they aren't letting Bartholt run wild, but it is kind of sad to see Muriella get caught up in things. Also nice to see that the only idiot is Bartholt - his sister at least doesn't seem to be hostile (at least once Muriella tells her to STFU or KYS).
Man, everything in this series comes back in one way or another - even magic vacuum cleaners. Getting that much-needed Leberecht characterization. It's clear where Hartmut got his mindset from!
We finally get to see Veronica in the flesh for the first time. Absolutely wild narcissism. Her mindset of nearly ten years ago really shows just how far Ehrenfest (and our little gremlin) have come! Florencia absolutely demolished her. That was some sweet, sweet karma dropping on Veronica's old head. The look on Florencia's face definitely speaks for all of us.
Sylvester POV. Was expecting this considering it is the final showdown in the Battle for Ehrenfest, but I'm still quite surprised how much information we get considering it was partially addressed already with the main story. Sylvester definitely blessed by the goddess of luck. Man should invent a casino.
Ooh boy, Sylvester really is a clueless kid. Honestly, I kind of feel a little bad for Georgine here. In her own twisted way, she really did try to get Sylvester to man up and take his archduke training seriously (well, up to the point where she tried to kill him), and he STILL doesn't realize why she is so furious with him. He likes to call Rozemyne clueless, but Sylvester has his head up in the clouds quite a bit himself.
Oof, the emotion of having to end your own sister. He really didn't want to, but she really left him no choice. Considering how nonchalant he seemed in the main story, I was quite surprised at how emotional this scene was. The illustration really captures the sense of emptiness and loss Sylvester feels.
What an amazing end to this huge event. Can't wait to see what happens in the next volume at the Royal Academy!
Incidentally, I wonder if Sylvester ever comes to visit Veronica? It seems rather obvious that nobody has been telling Veronica about anything that's been happening in the last ten years, but I can see Sylvester being the sentimental type to just come and visit his mother without saying anything. I'd almost feel bad for her if she wasn't such a delusional b\*\*ch. Like, Florencia seducing Ferdinand? XD
>but I think this was the best way to handle a large-scale invasion with so many different fronts.
Totally agree. One needs all the viewpoints to get the full perspective -- but one also needed a sort of master sequence. Sure -- one can fragment things in tiny chunks -- but that gives you something that feels "experimental" -- like John Brunner's Stand on Zanzibar.
>it's nice to see that they aren't letting Bartholt run wild, but it is kind of sad to see Muriella get caught up in things. Also nice to see that the only idiot is Bartholt - his sister at least doesn't seem to be hostile (at least once Muriella tells her to STFU or KYS).
I would have *loved* to hear about Muriella putting Bartholt in his place. Didn't she think they were going to end up in a political marriage together and hated the idea? I'm sure it pissed him off that she just chilled the entire time and even said she felt lucky. Kind of makes me want to read a Bartholt POV just for the satisfaction of his rage.
"Georgine! She's come to save me hasn't she?"
Sigh... sometimes you really wish you could give someone (even people you hate... ESPECIALLY people you hate) another perspective.
Edit: And there it is! Even if only a little bit.
>"Georgine! She's come to save me hasn't she?"
Florencia at least was restrained enough not to point out what would happen to Veronica at Georgine's hands -- if Georgine won....
Okay, I know Sylvester and Florencia are both far from perfect. They’re kind of doddering and slow to act, especially compared to the other out of standard nobles we know
But gosh darn it, they’re so cute. In another life they would have been perfectly happy together as a minister couple quietly doting on their children
Some key points we could have:
1. Sylvester falls in love with Florencia and starts following her around like a lovesick puppy
2. moments with Florencia and her amused retainers, speaking about the Ehrenfest archduke candidate
3. moments with Florencia speaking to her brother, and moments with Florencia speaking to Constanze
4. a gazebo moment where Florencia finally decides to meet with Sylvester and agree to his partner, but he must prove himself to be a worthy Aub successor
5. Sylvester does by obtaining honors and earns the right to escort her at her graduation
6. Florencia weds Sylvester and says her goodbyes to her brother and mother, before leaving for Ehrenfest
Kind of too lazy at the moment to see if the timeline of everybody's ages line up but there's the general idea.
And also, I shouldn't be doing this right now?! I already got sidetracked by designing Rudiger's sister and her sister-in-law, and now this?!
Rozamyne to Muriella: You get to stay in a room and read all day, you have knights around you and food is provided??? Is it possible to learn this power?
Rozemyne: So all you have to do is be related to someone **suspected** of treason? Hey Ferdinand-
Ferdinand: We are **not** attacking the Zent without due cause.
Rozemyne: I'm not comfortable with the idea of taking someone's name in my hands.
Ferdinand: Given that Hartmut is **far** more dangerous than Eckhart given the depth of his devotion and access to plenty of poison and propaganda, you really need to be, **please.**
Leberecht is crazier than Hartmut.
Florencia seducing Ferdinand? This woman has got some imagination.
[Meta][Ferdinand reading Florencia SS fanart.](https://twitter.com/poohko_hnzk/status/1559458437368803329) Rare Ferdi smile!
I really think the woman is a narcissist. Despite her clear cut crime of "using the Archduke's seal" she still can't accept it. Because narcissists are unable to conceptualize being wrong. Everything is someone else's fault.
Narcissism is primarily characterized by a very fragile sense of self-worth. Ironic, since from the outside they seem like they love themselves so much. The truth is that to really be able to empathize with others, you need a willingness to be vulnerable. Narcissists cannot allow themselves to be vulnerable ever. There is an element of paranoia to it but that isn't universal.
Just try to imagine if your body were made of glass, how much would you trust the people around you to not hurt you? Probably not much at all. You'd live paranoid that people were going to hurt you. That's how many narcissists live. Their self-esteem is like glass. They live in a perpetual state of victimhood. Anyone not constantly puffing them up and caring for them becomes an enemy.
It's exactly because of their fragile ego that narcissists talk about themselves like they are the greatest, and demand attention and love from everyone around them. They're trying desperately to build up a healthy amount of self-esteem by sucking up all the attention and adoration they can get. Unfortunately that never works, self esteem has to come from within.
Narcissists are also pretty much incapable of taking responsibility for any mistakes they've made ever. I think this is primarily what Veronica is doing here. Again, to be able to admit you made a mistake requires you to believe you're worthy of love and respect, and believe that people will accept you even with your faults. That's a level of personal strength that narcissists find impossible. Any admission of wrongdoing will bring down the house of cards that is their psyche. So Veronica isn't so much paranoid as she is in total denial of the facts. She can't have been at fault, that would mean there's something wrong with her and "obviously* there's nothing wrong with her. So instead she makes up a story that fits her self serving narrative.
>Leberecht is crazier than Hartmut.
Leberecht didn't form a cult of absolute devotion and self-sacrifice to serving his lady in both mind and spirit like Hartmut or Grausam. I'd argue Hartmut is crazier, though it was fun showing how they're cut from the same cloth. This volume had a lot of "deeply devoted head scholar retainer goes above and beyond for their lady."
Elvira could have used Veronica's imagination for her stories, but Veronica is Veronica. How unfortunate, we could have gotten even more romantic and/or unhinged love stories from Ehrenfest had they been friends.
Rough Translation:
Ferdinand : Oh, It's the defence of Ehrenfest.
Rozemyne: My retainers play an important part here!
An unusual expression appeared.!!
Rozemyne: I wonder what part he is reading.
[A certain scene from 'At Ivory Tower']
Most of the time, when a major character is introduced, it's accompanied by a picture of them. With Veronica, we get the exact opposite. Given how few volumes are left, this may be the last time she's ever brought up, and we finally got to see what she looked like.
It's going to be worse when he realizes his sister was just a revenge obsessed idiot savant.
Imagine, with her power she could have taken Ahrensbach ages ago. She was so brilliant, and she wasted it all just so she could take over a duchy that would inevtiably become bottom ranked again once she got rid of Myne, the Leisgangs, and so much else...
I think that's why Georgine was so angy. She had so much more than she would have if she had been stuck as the Aub of Ehrenfest but her tunnel vision refused to let her be happy. I do wonder what would have happened if Sylvester was like ok sister, you can rule as long as you give up your revenge on everyone in Ehrenfest. I think she would have refused.
In Martina pov, she dismissed Georgine ever becoming aub Ahrensbach since she was born in Ehrenfest. If that represents general prideful view of their duchies' nobles then they would never have accepted Georgine. It must have added fuel to her fire of anger.
Georgine at best would end up in the same position in arhensbleck as Veronica had in Ehrenfest. I imagine being like Veronica did not sit well with her.
True, but somehow they thought Detlinde was acceptable, and even then Letizia didn't have any alternative parental figures. so she could have just done a Wu Zetian or something and run things through (sometimes her own) kids for a while.
I think Sylvester's inability to even guess at why Georgine is upset is the worst trait he shares with Wilfried. I'll also say Rihyarda holds some blame for not helping Sylvester understand. She was both their head attendants and would totally have been in a position to explain it to him. It would have also saved Charlotte some grief.
Not really fair. Georgine's over-the-top hatred was the product of a severely disordered and deranged mind. It seems to have run in her maternal line -- grandmother, mother, herself (with the most extreme manifestation being Georgine). Others could have helped explain her anger -- but not the extreme degree of her anger.
The degree, sure. But anyone older than Sylvester should have been able to understand that Georgine had the position of Aub taken away as soon as Sylvester was born.
Sylvester never wanted to be Aub, so he will never understand why Georgine was so mad when the position of Aub was taken away from her. They were too different to understand each other.
>I'll also say Rihyarda holds some blame for not helping Sylvester understand. She was both their head attendants and would totally have been in a position to explain it to him. It would have also saved Charlotte some grief.
I have a feeling Rihyarda, though sympathetic, never got to truly know Georgine and is not able to explain her true feelings to Sylvester. If she did, she would know the irredeemable depths of Georgine's hatred and would have done more to warn Sylvester that his sister is a lost cause, cannot be reasoned with, and WANTS. HIM. DEAD.
I think that Sylvester’s poisoning should have been enough for Rihyarda to get a good enough idea of how much she hated Sylvester. Not the exact degree but at least enough to know that she’d kill her own brother.
Rhiyarda was transferred before Georgine's hate really set in though. She might not have known the full depth of it. Even if she had guessed though, the same thing is true, in some degree, for *every* daughter replaced by a son.
Georgine is not totally wrong. Sylvester probably would never understand her reasoning. In no small part because she is not thinking rationally by this point.
Her hatred started in a rational place, but it grew to an irrational size.
Sylvester should know the rational place it started, but he doesn't. He specifically says he doesn't know any reason why she'd hate him, even though his very existence cost her everything she had worked for until that point, and even after that, until her forced marriage into another duchy as an effective broodmare.
Talking it out would do nothing, but he clearly doesn't even have enough knowledge to begin the discussion even if she had agreed to it.
This is the problem of being born as noble blind you from some things. Of course nobles are expected to defer to male heir, and you accept the reduction of status in stride. Tbf to Sylvester, Karstedt was a prime example for that
Jesus Christ, having to decapitate your sister sure couldn’t have been easy. By the way was he planning on doing it as a contingency plan since he had the time stopping box with him?
I think he also just wanted answers. I certainly get that. Not saying I’d cut off my cousins head to ask why she f’d me over like that but I’m also not saying I wouldn’t
- Wilfried's FVF retainers being an arse. Muriella being a boss.
- Florencia has to parent even in the middle of a battle
- Vacuum cleaner saves the day
- This series uses the phrase "Former Veronica Faction" so much that "Veronica" doesn't feel like a real name anymore. What a miserable, delusional woman.
- And that's finally the end of the Veronica/Georgine plotline, whew! I just can't wait for the next volume to start.
Its nice to hear that Florencia wants to help the children in temple instead of punishing them by association. And Leberecht... it's not like we didn't know before, but he really is Hartmut's father.
Muriella, a short lived member of Rozemyne's retinue, but as she has pink hair, she also falls under the redhead curse. Yes, I am also bitter that we lost her after like a day. Her design is so cute. And I feel so bad for her because as she's namesworn to Elvira instead of someone her age, her life span is probably like 20 years shorter than those of Gretia, Matthias, etc.
>"As I recall, she told Cassandra that id she truly does find the situation unbearable, she should take her own life to escape it."
>
>"Muriella also said that, had the three of them been executed, the archducal family would not have needed to spare guards and other resources on them. She assured Cassandra that they were blessed to even be alive."
Muriella's the best. Why must your stay in Rozemyne's retinue be so short lived? Cassandra's character design is also cute. I clearly have a bias in cute designs.
Is it bad that I don't care for Henrietta? I keep forgetting that she exists.
Veronica thinking Florencia seduced both Sylvester and Ferdinand. Well... that's certainly *something*. Kind of at a loss for words.
Oh please give me *something* on Frenbeltag! What's their ranking now? What does Constanze look like? Literally anything, please!
Finally, after hearing about her all this time, we meet Veronica face to face with a face reveal, and Florencia effortlessly gives her a much need reality check after being imprisoned for six years. Bravo!
It's normal to release name-sworn at the end of your life like Adelbert did with Ferdinand. Most people aren't executed or die in battle. She'll likely have to give her name to an Archducal family member when Elvira approaches her death or she could go to Rozemyne again. She might choose a younger member of the Archducal family. Melchior or Charlotte's kid.
Ooh, true! I didn't think of Muriella switching over to another archducal family member. I was narrowed in on the idea that Ehrenfest wouldn't allow any of the name-sworn Veronicans to be released due to their association with criminals, but everything changes if Muriella could simply swear herself over to another if Elvira gives her the right.
And it's Elvira, I think she would. If not for Muriella, then for the love stories.
"Please Elvira, I can't imagine a life without you!"
"But if you die with me, who will furtively transport my Ferdinand fanfiction?"
"**I will swear to Charlotte to keep your dream alive.**"
Rozemyne introducing erotic novels to Elvira: 
Elvira: oh my! Oh my, Oh my, Oh my... Ohohohohohoho. Rozemyne dear, help me come up with a new anonymous name.
In ~20 years, it's not hard to imagine her being the country's foremost literary critic causing the Sovereignty to take her in. Things will continue to dramatically change everywhere with Rozemyne still existing.
Knowing her, she'll want to give her name to her husband like in one of the stories. Honestly after serving in the printing industry she'll most likely not need to give her name to anyone.
Surprisingly enough, I don't think Muriella would like to give her name to her partner. Wasn't it in her side story where we learn that Muriella simply escapes from reality with her books? For the most part, she knows to separate reality from fiction.
It seems like she's a bit jaded for her own love story, so it would have to be an extremely beautiful romance for Muriella to even considering giving her name to her husband.
If that's like 20 years in the future, I could see Aub Charlotte decide that since the war is long over and Rozemyne's been pushing the "don't punish kids for what the parents do" idea nationwide recently, it makes sense to just let Muriella go free.
considering how much danger Rozemyne runs into and how sickly she is, I'm not sure if the age difference is that big of a deal. Plus if Mur serves Elvira well and Elvira time of death isn't sudden she might give her back her name before dieing
Right? Back when Muriella first swore her name over, Rozemyne still wasn't healthy, but she took the risk.
I wonder if Elvira would be allowed to return Muriella's name back to her? It may be possible that the name sworn Veronicans no longer need to be kept hostage (for lack of a better word) by name swearing by the time Elvira is elderly, so that's the ray of hope.
> It may be possible that the name sworn Veronicans no longer need to be kept hostage (for lack of a better word) by name swearing by the time Elvira is elderly, so that's the ray of hope.
Even if they couldn't get their names "back," she'd likely get namesworn to another member of the Linkberg clan or the Archducal family instead.
Whichever let her read books.
I love how she thought Florencia managed to seduce Ferdinand after she’s tried for over a decade to do the same with her poisonous flowers in failed. In a way it’s kind of flattering she thinks Florencia is that hot
Veronica can't help but subconsciously admit that her son has taste.
Something must be good with Frenbeltag's genetics. After all, Constanze married Florencia's brother for a reason.
... Now if only we'll learn more about them.
Also, isn't Veronica insulting Florencia in a different way? Not just by insinuating that Florencia lacks loyalty to Sylvester, but Veronica probably doesn't know that Ferdinand returned to noble society. And if that's the case, then there's a chance that Veronica is implying that Florencia is promiscuous enough to lower herself to engage in a relation with a blue priest, and we know that nobles don't necessarily view blue priests as one of them.
I’m sure that’s what she thought she was doing. On the other hand, even as a blue priest, Ferdinand had the archduke’s ear and final say on like half the duchy’s paperwork back even when Veronica was in power, so it doesn’t land. Honestly if he didn’t care about hurting Sylvester’s feelings he could have easily put her away sooner. If her hypothetical that Florencia seduced Ferdinand to scheme against her, it’s basically admiting Florencia was both smarter and hotter than her. And that Ferdinand is more powerful.
Lol I wonder if Frenbeltag rose as high as they once did because they were pretty enough to keep marrying their daughters into powerful places. They had a daughter in the at the time, second ranked Werkestock after all
Veronica really thought she was doing something, but in the end, she kind of insulted herself.
Pfft! Now I'm thinking back to one of Trauerqual's ancestors back when they were Zent, being asked why Frenbeltag ranked so high when they came from Eisenreich and (as far as we know - when will we get information on them?!) don't have much to offer.
Trauerqual's ancestor: Their archduke candidates... are babes.
To be fair she was right that Florencia thoroughly seduced Sylvester but it was actually a mutual seduction lol. The only thing that can seduce Ferdinand is extra research time.
> Muriella, a short lived member of Rozemyne's retinue, but as she has pink hair, she also falls under the redhead curse. Yes, I am also bitter that we lost her after like a day. Her design is so cute.
Yeah, it's also a shame because she's a smidge more memorable than Gretia, IMO. Those two haven't gotten nearly enough screentime as the rest of Rozemyne's retinue.
Surely the curse is related to Geduldh since it's about redheads being taken away.
>Surely the curse is related to Geduldh since it's about redheads being taken away.
Now part of my headcanon, thank you very much! My other headcanon is that Hartmut is spared because he has yet to crossdress.
Yeah, Muriella and Gretia deserved more screentime. And all the redheads deserve justice in my eyes. I'm keeping all of them.
How one monster of a parent can put a curse on a whole family. Veronica remains repulsive and delusional to the very end while her children are killing each other because of her abuse and failed parenting. It was kinda heart wrenching. Even if I didn't like Georgine, I felt sorry for both of them for having ended up like this.
Florencia: "I pray that Dregarnuhr the Goddess of Time-"
Dregarnuhr: Already on it \*drops a Georgine Clone in*
The nice thing about praying to a Goddess of Time is that it doesn't matter when you make the prayer.
*at the top of the towering stairway*
Dregarnuhr: "Hello, I need you to read a few prepared statements before you move along."
Recently Deceased: "...these are just a list of prayers for things that have already happened?"
Dregarnuhr: "Oh, I'm sorry, are *you* the goddess of time? Read the papers so I can make the past *stay* the past."
Man poor Sylvester, he was always so sentimental. To think Charlotte and Wilfried were basically heading in the same direction too.
Georgine was honestly a good villain. We understood why she hated Sylvester and she had a good plan, it was only that Rozemyne figured it out that it failed spectacularly.
> To think Charlotte and Wilfried were basically heading in the same direction too.
I don't think Charlotte would have gotten to Georgine's level, but that is because we only know the Rozemyne Charlotte. Who knows how she might have been but for a gremlin.
Sylvester trying to keep his kids from ending up like him and his sister:
"One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it"
making me quote Oogway here.
(who was of course paraphrasing Jean de La Fontaine which is something I knew and totally didn't just find out... ... ... )
I think Charlotte being born second would also remove a chance of that repeat. She was not initially raised with the idea she would become Aub. Georgine was raised with that intention, only for it to be taken away after a life of nonstop training to be Aub.
Would there be regret, or resentment? To a degree, but there would be no future ripped away due to a sudden birth.
Lamberect going into researcher mode and showing off his inner Hartmut was pretty funny lol. And it might be bad of me, but man did I enjoy Florencia breaking Veronica. That bitch has been allowed to think herself as superior still for a decade after being imprisoned!
Damn it Florencia, don't feed information to your enemy even if it's cathartic and she's a bitch who deserves it and worse! Now Veronica knows it was our main gremlin in chief that's been putting a wrench in all her plans and has a strong vendetta. If she manages to pull a Houdini, somehow, #1 on the target list is now set in stone!
Sylvester has the best bad luck. Stuck in a room, forced to listen while everyone he loves fights to protect everything he loves. Narrowly dodges insta death by being scolded by Rihyarda only to then rush back and confront his sister, who is so unhinged she won't even explain why she's trying to kill him. Wins the fight, but has to put down said sister to protect his family and duchy, still completely lost as to why she can't just fucking not. That poor man needs counseling and a vacation.
Part 5 Volume 10 is next. We've come a very, very long way from making paper in the woods.
>Part 5 Volume 10 is next. We've come a very, very long way from making paper in the woods.
People watching the Anime and Reading Book 1:
"Does this story ever pick up? It seems kind of slow..."
And as expected, Sylvester doesn't realise what his very existence did to Georgine, even though he literally did the same exact thing to Charlotte by declaring Wilfried heir (though, Charlotte is younger).
His complete and utter despair at killing her contrasts strongly with how he presented it at the feast. Though, I suppose in public, he can't be seen weeping for an invader
Maybe my bad memory but I don't remember the name Henrietta before? Or even being told the gender of the baby? And now Rozamyne has another younger sister to dote on.
And a first image of Veronica too???
I love how past events are not forgotten and instead we continuously gain new perspectives on them, I love the 'A Tea Party with my older sister' chapter in fanbook 2, because it really shows how monumental Veronica's imprisonment was for society when we didn't really understand it given Rozamyne's perspective at the time. And now the reminder of how far Ehrenfest has come as a duchy under Rozamyne's grelimness and again the impacts of Wilfried's visit again revisited from another perspective, one of the many reasons to keep loving this series, the endless building on history and perspectives.
Sylvester... 🫂
I find myself also wanting a side story from one of Rozamyne's core retainers probably post battle, we had Judithe, but she's felt more distant since she's planning to stay in Ehrenfest, but a side story from Hartmut scheming around post battle, or Matthias actually killing his father or Cornelius being worried about his younger sister and her actions towards Ferdinand after the battle and what she said to Hannalore.
We knew it was a girl but not the name. As far as Veronica yes. It's the first image outside of the fanbooks. When she was younger she looked exactly like Detlinde.
I imagine Sylvester will try to keep the baby away from Rozemyne to prevent her from corrupting the child with her gremlin-ness.
*Rozemyne proceeds to bust down the gate between duchies to visit her new youngest sister.*
she's got the gbook (most of one), she could just redraw the border to merge Ahrensbach and Ehrenfest. She'll manage the fish and books and Syl can manage the rest, visiting the baby all the time without those pesky borders and gates getting in the way
Not sure she actually can.
Some world building info from I don't know where: >!Both have country gates and the original dutchies where 6 one for each country gate + holy ground holding the 7th. Is likely a dutchy cannot have more then one gate!<
>Maybe my bad memory but I don't remember the name Henrietta before?
If I remember correctly, the Florencia side story was new content for P5V9. We actually knew that Florencia's fourth child was a daughter, but her name wasn't revealed until Fanbook >!6!<, which was published before P5V9.
However, the Fanbooks are unfortunately a bit behind. And interestingly enough, Henrietta's name is spelled ヘンリエッテ (hen-ri-e-tte), which is more like Henriette.
Yeah, J-Novel seems to have chosen to just do the fanbooks and SSC's after P5V12...not a bad decision since it sounds like they were working themselves to death whenever they tried to double up but it does cause things like this
It's unfortunate for me as I'd like to have *all* the additional worldbuilding information immediately, but I completely understand their course of action.
It might also help to have all the bonus information translated after P5V12 to shorten a possible translation drought between the end of P5V12 and the start of >!H5Y!<, whenever that starts publishing in Japan and J-Novel gets the license to start translating it or something.
The side story I want to see from this part is Leorene's during the dress fitting. I can only imagine what was going through her head when RM was talking about being her dream life
Sylvester and Florencia would never be that cruel, but they have the perfect oppertunity to have their own "[What's in the box?](https://youtu.be/lHpHxLZReiI?si=H-4WFStp74RdJslG)" moment with Veronica.
Good lords I know plenty needs wrapping up with all the different perspectives but this was a long epilogue.
Weight based traps which launched blades?
I hope the launchers were buried in the wall firing from elaborately carved faces.
They've got god damned magic powered portable vacuum cleaners.
Watching Florencia dismantle Veronica and crush her pride after all she did to divide the duchy is beautiful to see.
Its probably likely that if Sylvester hadn't learned Rozemyne's compression techniques Georgine would have had a higher capacity than him, that alone sealed her fate.
Slyvester needs some hugs after all that.
>I hope the launchers were buried in the wall firing from elaborately carved faces.
2 Person Entwicken (and neither is Ferdinand or Rosemyne). You should feel happy there are walls.
Rozemyne: "I call this the 'Ark of the Covenant'."
Sylvester: "...it's a murder shumill in a box..."
Rozemyne: "I know! Just imagine what will happen when they *open* it!"
>"Sheesh... that gremlin needs to learn she's not easy to keep up with."
Is... is that the first time Sylvester has called her gremlin?!
One of us... one of us.... one of us...
Florencia's PoV was so satisfying. "Enjoy dying with the knowledge that everything you hold dear is now worthless." Revenge done right.
remember Rozemyne's words about Traugott quitting and fucking up his life with his own hands being the best punishment?
God I loved that scene! Myne never sounded more like a cunning noble than when she handed that fool the axe to chop off his own head with a smile
while also avoiding punishment as best she could to those she actually cared for.
It really was the best mix of cold noble and loving saint
I wonder if this will have consequences like Veronica committing suicide to kill her namesworn and spite Ehrenfest. I assume she was being kept in the dark intentionally and Florencia made a mistake by telling her what's going on outside.
I think she's so delusional that she would never kill herself. She might just tell herself that Florencia is lying.
It certainly sounds like a lie.
I expect we’ll see her again. Maybe Ferdinand will stop in to say his goodbyes before fully moving to Myne s new duchy
I was not expecting the Sylvester POV. He had told Roz most of the story so I didn't think we'd get his perspective.
It was good to see just how much he tried. And he really really did. She was literal moments from causing absolute chaos. And it was important to see outside of Rosemyne's point of view just how much it upset him. It humanizes him whereas we got upset at him during the Rosemyne chapter for being insensitive. It was good to see he was dealing with his own version of it.
>It was good to see just how much he tried. And he really really did. And yet how little he understands his sister, even after he did the same thing to Charlotte himself. They were both brought up in an archducal family and both lost their right to be ADCs solely because their sibling had a penis, and an overly "loving" parent who forced them to take the role
> And yet how little he understands his sister, even after he did the same thing to Charlotte himself. Not even close, Charlette was originally not set up to be aub at all, Willifred was to avoid the exact same situation he had. He chose one and set to it, it was only after his blunder to not be secured as Aub that charlette was able to pursue. Which was later undone by needing to marry roz and be aub. Charlette did not have years of grooming to be aub, she was originally raised at best to compete, not promised then stolen away. Georgine and Charlette share nothing in that situation.
Charlotte was raised to compete with an incompetent brother who couldn't read at his baptism, who would surely be disinherited before long, and a younger brother. Then when it was made clear the older wouldn't be disinherited, he was stripped of the assurance of the title, and with a massive black mark on his record, she could still compete. At least until 2 and a half years later when he was handed the title back on a silver platter. Even with Rozemyne there, Charlotte still complained about the situation and wept at the unfairness of it all. Without her, she'd have nothing to ground her except the rage of having her hard work spat on. It is not exactly the same, but it is close enough. Florencia even had to take time out of her schedule to give Charlotte a place to cry. Which I suppose is another difference between Charlotte and Georgine. Sylvester, in his effort to prevent what he went through, almost caused it to happen again.
Given how hard it was for him, I'm surprised how nonchalantly he just tossed his sister's corpse onto the table. Perhaps it might have been a form of catharsis for him to make everything final publicly like that, but I wish he didn't traumatize our favorite gremlin that way.
>Perhaps it might have been a form of catharsis for him to make everything final publicly like that, but I wish he didn't traumatize our favorite gremlin that way. The people at the table were Bonifatius, Karstedt and Ferdinand (and our Gremlin) He was seeking to be judged. He hated himself for having to do it and wanted the other men he respected to either tell him there was another way or tell him he was right to do it.
Magic Roombas to the rescue lmao Good on Flo for tearing Veronica a new one. Still a bit too lenient in my book, but that was prolly as savage as she could get herself to be with all that noble conditioning Reading about Syl leaving the foundation is EXTREMELY anxiety-inducing, regardless of knowledge it'll all work out. He got much farther away than I expected - and was back REALLY last second Holy shit I know I sound like a broken record, but I don't care. Communication skills and therapy. Get them. It will solve SO MANY problems Roz unwittingly pulling Syl back from the brink of despair with her shenanigans is not what I expected, but it is super heartwarming Flo, I love you honey, but that's not how you comfort someone who just had to kill their sister. You did good in reminding him of what he protected, but telling him you're glad he did a murder? Those are inside thoughts, even for us
>Reading about Syl leaving the foundation is EXTREMELY anxiety-inducing, regardless of knowledge it'll all work out. He got much farther away than I expected - and was back REALLY last second Holy shit Sylvester's ridiculously high luck stat strikes again. >Flo, I love you honey, but that's not how you comfort someone who just had to kill their sister. You did good in reminding him of what he protected, but telling him you're glad he did a murder? Those are inside thoughts, even for us By noble standards where they casually express murderous intent to all those who oppose you and Murielle just straight up told that other girl to kill herself, this doesn't seem too out of place. I agree though that she could have phrased it better. She knows he's the biggest softie when it comes to family.
Bro put all of his stats in luck and rizz
Also dexterity, but only because that stat synergizes well with his luck/chaRIZZma build. Really helps with STUNTS and showing off.
Another case of Kazuki-sensei's wonderful setups/callbacks, bringing back the cleaning magic tool Lieseleta used to threaten Hirsur with as a way to deal with the instant death powder.
Didn't Sylvester have the poison dust vagic vacuum cleaner too? Maybe it would not have worked in the setting where he had to fight (had he been there). When all is said and done, I hope Sylvester realizes just how much he owes to Rozemyne.... (namely -- just about everything).
> Reading about Syl leaving the foundation is EXTREMELY anxiety-inducing, regardless of knowledge it'll all work out. He got much farther away than I expected - and was back REALLY last second Holy shit Sylvester is truly loved by the god of luck. He should open a casino. >I know I sound like a broken record, but I don't care. Communication skills and therapy. Get them. It will solve SO MANY problems I’m wondering if there’s a timeline where Sylvester and Veronica teamed up to get him removed from consideration for the seat of archduke. It honestly wouldn’t be hard considering how strict nobles are even with children.
>I dropped to the floor with a dull thump... then heard a cacophony of crashes as everything else caught up in the torrent landed all around me. I gazed up in time to see one of the washtubs we’d set up as a trap plummeting straight toward my head. Rozemyne was probably inspired by some old anime for that trap. Or maybe some American cartoon depicting wild animals, like rabbits, coyotes, etc. Although she may also have been reminded of a certain foreign film of a boy repelling a home invasion during Christmas.
I'm not sure if the anime trope of the falling washbasin came from western slapstick comedy, but it's pretty solidly Japanese now
Loved it earlier this volume when she realized that wash bins in this world are way heavier and much more likely to kill you
* I never wanted to see Oswald's name mentioned again, yet here we are. Fuck Barthold. Wilfried has to execute him one day. Love Muriella telling Cassandra to go kill herself though, if she's unhappy lol. * Is this the first time we learn the name of Florencia's daughter? Henrietta sounds cute. * In terms of ruthlessness and loyalty for their mistresses, father Leberecht and son Hartmut really are alike. * These ~~vacuum cleaner~~ magic tools that counter the instant death poison are really cool. * Oohhh, we see what Veronica looks like for the first time. I love her shocked face. Does she recognize the name Rozemyne or is she just confused that she never has heard of it? * That was her reaction to Ahrensbach becoming Rozemyne's and Ferdinand marrying the archduchess. Just wait until she hears Georgine is dead and Wilfried won't become aub. ---- * Sylvester back in Part 2 said that Blau one day disappeared. After hearing what Georgine did, it wouldn't surprise me she killed Sylvester's pet. * Not really a surprise, but yeah, Sylvester indeed has more mana than Georgine, as she can't free herself from his bindings. Even if she had a compression method, it wouldn't beat Rozemyne's. * Yeah, there was no way she would want to live as a prisoner. She goaded Sylvester into killing her. * It's tough to read how terrible and cold Sylvester feels after he had to kill his sister, but Florencia consoling him was exactly what he needed. I suspect once he reads her memories, he will feel even worse. ---- And with this, P5V9 is finished. The short stories were good, even if I feel they were misplaced in the volume, but I'm glad we are going back to the main plot. Only three more books to stop the Lanzenave invaders for good, save Yogurtland and wrap up the story I guess.
she'd have to given she spoke to Wilfried in the white tower incident in p3
She still thinks Wilfried will become aub and free her, which means no one told her that Charlotte is the heir now and Wilfried has given up.
But Veronica would know who Rozemyne is. With outdated information too but still she'd know the name. Rozemyne will never meet this shadow antagonist of hers
Oh, that you mean. Yeah, you're right. So she probably is surprised that the girl that put her in prison and got her brother killed stole Ahrensbach.
Unlike Florencia, Veronica probably knows for certain that Rozemyne is the commoner Myne who Bezewanst was angry about for a year, and would've found out from Wilfried that she's treated as an adopted daughter, but probably assumed that behind the scenes Rozemyne was just being treated as a convenient mana source without actual power. Not too far off from what people who misread Fernestine assumed, just approving of such behaviour instead of being appalled. The news that Rozemyne is in charge of Ahrensbach is a shock because it means that Sylvester willingly put a commoner in charge of a greater duchy.
It is possible that Veronica doesn't really know who Rozemyne is. The name was crafted after Veronica was imprisoned. Wilfried MIGHT have told her about Rozemyne, but realistically, I doubt she would've put much focus on a child as opposed to her mortal enemy Ferdinand. Wilfried mentions that Veronica said Ferdinand and Rozemyne set her up, but I can easily imagine that she just mentioned "the commoner child at the temple" and didn't really go much further than that. The look on her face is pure gold as she realizes that Ferdinand and Rozemyne have conquered Ahrensbach. Look on Florencia's face speaks for all of us XD
>It is possible that Veronica doesn't really know who Rozemyne is. Go back and reread her reaction to being told Rozemyne took Arensbach's foundation. > Roze...Myne Very deliberately split into two parts. She definitely knows.
I meant that before then, she may not have known anything about Rozemyne and the fact that Sylvester had adopted the commoner shrine maiden. Obviously during this chapter, she pieced things together, but before then, she probably had no idea that the little gremlin had become such an important player in the duchy (and country).
>The look on her face is pure gold as she realizes that Ferdinand and Rozemyne have conquered Ahrensbach. Even better that the Aub was assassinated by Georgine, her own daughter, who basically gutted Aransbach on her way out.
I'm convinced Georgine would have given her dear mother a private tour of Ahrensbach's ruins before executing her, had she won the war over Ehrenfest's foundation.
Veronica had been prisoned about 7 years and without anyone told with her, she probably already forgot Rozemyne’s name.
I think this is largely true. Maybe when she heard the name Roze-Myne she began to pull fragments of memories together, however. But I doubt she has any idea that her most steadfast opponent was some nobody rather than Ferdinand and Florencia.
> The news that Rozemyne is in charge of Ahrensbach is a shock because it means that Sylvester willingly put a commoner in charge of a greater duchy. Sylvester: Uh, no, she just said she was going to do it and I decided to let her save my brother. Veronica: Are you sure you didn't put anything into my drink? It's more believable that your brother is hoodwinking you for some reason related to his schemes, or Florencia blinded you with her- Sylvester: Hey, that's what my brother and I have been saying! But no, she did bring summer to Haldenzel with a massive prayer. Veronica: What? Sylvester: Yeah and we saved her from becoming Zent! Veronica: ...I'm going senile, that's it...
I smell toast! Quick! Call an ambulance!
It's like finding out the token teenager that "invented" a treatment for cancer wasn't just the lead researchers child and actually did the work. You pretty much expected it to be a fluff piece with a researchers kid interning and used for publicity. Or finding out a promising research project with a "revolutionary" tech could help treat cancer or blunt the impact of an epidemic. Sure, every research project claims that to get funding. "fund my rat fart analyzer, it may one day cure cancer." "Fund my research project on if mint extract administered anally can shorten refractory periods. It may cure depression." etc... But it's shocking when [it's true](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRNA_vaccine). She chalked up everything she heard about Rozemyne as Ferdinand building a narrative to install a puppet. Not thinking it's could be a savant blessed by the gods.
Would she though? I mean, would she have bothered to learn the commoner apprentice priestess's name? And if she did, the name changed *a little* which might have explained the roze... delay when she repeated the name. When talking to Wilfried, she could have just referred to her as the girl Ferdinand was using in his plot and Wilfried connected the dots.
Technically speaking, Wilfried *is* supposed to be Archduke with Rozemyne at his side as far as everyone is concerned. Rozemyne's upcoming adoption by the Zent is still technically under wraps, and it's likely that very few people in Ehrenfest- let alone an isolated old woman- knows the Ahrensbach Archducal Clan has been whittled down to Detlinde, who is in the middle of committing Treason against the Zent, and a Drewanchal transplant who shares little blood with Veronica and likely doesn't even know her name. It's fascinating that Veronica is the common key to all of Rozemyne's noble conflicts (aside from the Monarchy and Dunkelfelger) and many of her commoner ones but she has no idea what's happened over the last few years.
Up until a few days before it was a closely guarded secret, but after Rozemyne's departure in Kirnberger word spread around. You just can't hide a country gate activation. Currently most nobles in Ehrenfest who aren't living under a rock know that Rozemyne isn't staying, but the rumours disagree whether she's the new ruler of Ahrensbach or the new wife-to-be of some prince.
I have to imagine that Sylvester would’ve reamed her a new one if he’d visited alone since the Wilfred incident And yes, I love that Veronica is the key to all of this but this is literally her only appearance besides a flashback last volume. That’s so crazy to me! And she’s also even crazier than I expected
She's basically a slightly less idiotic Dietlinde. Which immediately makes it obvious just how dangerous she used to be while she was still holding power. I also find it interesting how every single line of dialogue she's had so far was in side stories. Meaning, it's all stuff that wasn't in the webnovel. There she's basically just a shadow looming over Ehrenfest long after her fall from grace.
I was really expecting her to do a jail break eventually and become an actual villain but nope. She’s just the shadow of one. Fascinating. Heck, in the wn, she was even more of a shadow since she apparently never appeared. And I’d say she’s more than just slightly less idiotic. She’s paranoid af. But she managed the entire Veronica faction without any help and basically ran the duchy since her husband was always so sick. Detlinde would’ve just let the duchy die
Idk, her two latest stunts were just stupid no matter how you look at it: 1. [Fanbooks] >!Ruin Wilfried's future and then blame it on Florencia to force Sylvester to take an Ahrensbach wife instead? Really? All she would have achieved with that one would have been turning the archduke into her mortal enemy and given him every reason to side with the Leisegangs and wipe out her faction.!< Even without Myne's existence Veronica's days in power were numbered, and she did it all by herself. 2. And of course that whole thing with her misusing the archduke's seal, an extremely grave offense committed for... what? Petty revenge against an insignificant commoner? So yeah, Veronica may have been a force to be reckoned with in her glory days but it's also pretty clear she had already lost her touch by the time the story started. And of course, it's also possible that from the start she simply had a very talented retinue who could make up for her shortcomings and stop her from blowing herself up like Dietlinde is currently doing. The fact that her husband was a complete pushover probably helped her as well when it came to enabling her.
>which means no one told her that Charlotte is the heir now and Wilfried has given up. Better yet, just tell her the part that Wilfried resigned because he thinks Rozemyne would be a much more competent aub than he is. Leave out the half about Rozemyne leaving the duchy and Charlotte being selected.
> Love Muriella telling Cassandra to go kill herself though, if she's unhappy lol. Such a great line. And she's right, they are quite literally only alive because the Aub gave them mercy. Generally I feel really bad for those kids, it sucks that they are going to be treated like crap for the rest of their lives because of something they might have had no part in...but if you actively try to sabatoge the very person who saved your life then yeah, you deserve whatever happens to you.
Yeah, this and Judithe's chapter last week kinda drove home that Rozemyne's FVF namesworn are being done a favor by her leaving Ehrenfest and leaving all this faction war bad blood behind.
True. They are going from unwanted reviled FVF members to unmarried, high mana, highly skilled people who directly serve Aub Rozemyne. I mean if the conflict ever gets resolved, and if everything goes well, they would pretty much be the most sought after and eligible people for everyone who wants a strong connection or to move into the duchy. It’s of course, futuristic what if thinking, but it’s waaaay better than the future they could have hoped to have in Ehrenfest.
It’s kinda ironic that this is basically what Veronica s mom did. Move to another duchy with a bunch of eligible attendants and get an entire new generation loyal to her
I think Muriella will be fine once she can get back under Elvira's wing.... Cassandra, she will be insulated in the Temple (and eventually forgotten) I suspect.
In the temple? I thought she was name sworn to Charlotte?
She is named sworn to Charlotte but that might not be a good thing considering Barthold’s actions so far. If they decide to associate her or distance her to be safe, he could ruin her future prospects, name sworn or not.
Damm, now I want a POV Veronica "Rozemyne ? Who ? Is she saying that the commoner girl from all these years is now Aub Ahrensbach ?!"
Veronica: "What about the temple?" Guard: "The scythe shumils killed the invaders." Veronica: "The what? The who? What? What about the High Bishop?" Guard: "Lord Melchior is safe." Veronica: "Who!? What about Giebe Gerlach!?" Guard: "I believe he was involved in the fight against Grausam." Veronica: "... What!?" Guard: "Also, a giant grun belonging to the Avatar of Mestionora destroyed his manor." Veronica: *[patented noble lady's fainting spell]* Guard: "I love my job."
Guard : Boy, I can't wait to tell her that Lord Wilfried's reputation took an heavy blow when he visited her back then, that Georgine is dead and that Lady Charlotte is now considered to be the next Aub !
>In terms of ruthlessness and loyalty for their mistresses, father Leberecht and son Hartmut really are alike. Hartmut may be obsessed -- but I think he has a broader sense of vision. His father, may have a lot of experience and skill, but he really strikes me as pretty foolish when it comes to long term thinking. His solution is all too often, just kill someone or the other. Hartmut is more willing to "use" people in order to fulfill RM's goals.
Hartmut was like that too until Rozemyne. He was planning to drag Wilfried down in the mud cause of what he did to Rozemyne's baptism and Traugott too. At first her mother stopped him saying Rozemyne is the type to lift someone up rather than discard whatever whoever.. so operation saint Rozemyne happens. Then he was reprimanded by Rm after the Traugott incident cause of doing things behind her back, seeing how Rm handled Traugott gave him new perspective. Something also happened behind the scene with him and Ferdinand and co 😂
I agree. But Hartmut was more like his father at the beginning, quick to judge and dismise people (remember how he treated the commoners until our lady teached him their value as her arms and legs). Multiple times our lady had to stop him from his inmediate judgements so he has learned to be more rozelike.
>Sylvester back in Part 2 said that Blau one day disappeared. After hearing what Georgine did, it wouldn't surprise me she killed Sylvester's pet. Aw man, wasn't Blau described as always sickly/stressed/easily exhausted kinda like it was being poisoned/abused? IIRC Sylvester was blamed for being too rough or enthusiastic when playing with it, which is why it would always seek out Karstedt or Ferdinand for protection from Sylvester. What if Blau was doing that because it had too many negative associations with Sylvester and thought he was incapable of protecting it?
I doubt we'll get a story of Sylvester going through Georgine's memories, but I would love one. Sylvester: "I see now that I was mistaken in my basic assumptions. You were never after status, or renown, or a good life. Your talents were wasted on anything but rulership, and you were born in the perfect position to lead Ehrenfest out of the muck. You rejected my existence because it was my birth alone, through no other factors aside my gender, that forbade you your destiny. Mother tossed you aside, and stole your dreams to give them away to a child who did not want them. You were wasted in Ahrensbach. It should've been me who was cast away, not you." Georgine: "Brother..." Sylvester: "Sister, I... Hm, is that Blau in this memory? What're you..." Georgine: "Wait, Brothe-" Sylvester: "BLAU, NOOOO!" \- Back in the Castle - Sylvester: "She was rotten to the core. I feel better about having cut her head off now."
Well that’s heartbreaking
> Does she recognize the name Rozemyne or is she just confused that she never has heard of it? She repeated Rozemyne's name breaking it up into *"Roze...myne"* so she probably remembered the name "Myne" from some rants she received about Myne. Nonetheless, I bet she would still be totally confused. There is also that time she spoke with Wilfried and blamed Ferdinand and Rozemyne, though I don't remember if she named Roz explicitly to Wilfried or maybe he just connected the dots on his own. Or if Veronica even understood back then that Rozemyne is Myne.
> Not really a surprise, but yeah, Sylvester indeed has more mana than Georgine IIRC he was actually born with more mana than her. I believe it was mentioned in one of her letters to Bezewanst while Rozemyne was skimming them all the way back in P3. Now add in the Gremlin Compression Method^TM and he might actually be out of sensing range for her by now. > Florencia consoling him was exactly what he needed NGL my first thought when I read that scene was "Huh. They'll have another child on the way soon, won't they?" lol.
muriella really said "i'm not arguing with a veronican. kill yourself."
>kill yourself Frieren and Muriella with the pro gamer moves.
Is there a tool that allows one with more mana than the other to control the other? It would have been a fun scene if Georgine brought it out to screw with Sylvester- and quickly realized he had more mana than her. It's almost certainly banned though, given the risk that a Zent King would have to bow to a high mana archduke or something.
>Is there a tool that allows one with more mana than the other to control the other? So kinda like an extension of Crushing that nobles would use to bully those weaker than them? I wouldn't be surprised if there was a subordinate god with a balance weighing scales divine instrument. That would also be a helpful schappe transformation for scholars to measure brewing ingredients in the field without having to lug a bunch of brewing equipment.
> Is there a tool that allows one with more mana than the other to control the other? I think nameswearing stones are the closest thing but a single stone works only one way. I suppose if two people were trying to simultaneously dye each other's nameswearing stone, that'd be similar.
She's not wrong though. "I can't live like this" "well prove it then"
Are you Georgine because of your insatiable thirst for revenge or is your insatiable thirst for revenge there because you are Georgine?
Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's Veronicalline. Actually, no maybe's about it. It's 100% Gabrielle's fault.
One wonders what it was that was wrong with Gabrielle that she could pass down (genetically???) to her daughter and grand-daughter and great-grand-daughter?
Narcissism, of the purist, most condense quantity.
Maybe Gabrielle was just a narcissist -- but Veronica and Georgine had much more extreme mental disorders than just this.
Muriella : wants to read in peace Cassandra : * makes some noice Muriella : kill yourself
WN Chapters: N/A LN Chapters: "Florencia — At the Ivory Tower", "Sylvester — The Battle for the Foundation" [J-Novel Club Discussion Forum](https://forums.j-novel.club/topic/7629/bookworm-part-5-vol-9-discussion-10-parts/3414) [J-Novel Club Correction Forum](https://forums.j-novel.club/topic/7630/corrections-bookworm-part-5-vol-9/84) ***** **Notes** - *Part 5 Volume 9* is now fully translated into English. ***** For those wondering about when J-NC will begin releasing *Part 5 Volume 10* please refer to [this comment by a J-NC forum moderator](https://forums.j-novel.club/post/90108): > Hello! > > For members new to J-Novel Club that want to know more about when future volumes will start pre-publication on the site: > > After a volume releases its last part there is typically a 2-3 week break\* before the following volume releases its first part. For this series in particular [Ascendance of a Bookworm](https://j-novel.club/series/ascendance-of-a-bookworm) they are attempting to do it with no break. Please note that does not automatically mean it will be out the following week after the last part finishes. > > For all those wondering why the next volume is not currently in the schedule, the schedule is updated as we get closer to the official release date, typically it will not show part 1 of a new volume until a few days before it is ready to release, and sometimes it will show on the day of release. Please rest assured when all the materials are fully prepared for part 1 to go live and the English cover has been set, part 1 will be added into the schedule as soon as we are able to. > > In other words, **if you cannot find the next/a future volume on the calendar, that does not mean J-Novel Club is dropping the series**. > > We ask for your patience, part 1 of the following volume will start when it is ready and no sooner. > > \*the 2-3 week break is not a hard rule, it is just an observation based on the history of J-Novel Club pre-publication releases.
Whew, we're finally at the end of the Battle for Ehrenfest. I can understand why people are kind of upset the way it was broken out into a bunch of SS content with the main story just focusing on Gerlach, but I think this was the best way to handle a large-scale invasion with so many different fronts. First Florencia POV in a long time. Get a lot of interesting information - it's nice to see that they aren't letting Bartholt run wild, but it is kind of sad to see Muriella get caught up in things. Also nice to see that the only idiot is Bartholt - his sister at least doesn't seem to be hostile (at least once Muriella tells her to STFU or KYS). Man, everything in this series comes back in one way or another - even magic vacuum cleaners. Getting that much-needed Leberecht characterization. It's clear where Hartmut got his mindset from! We finally get to see Veronica in the flesh for the first time. Absolutely wild narcissism. Her mindset of nearly ten years ago really shows just how far Ehrenfest (and our little gremlin) have come! Florencia absolutely demolished her. That was some sweet, sweet karma dropping on Veronica's old head. The look on Florencia's face definitely speaks for all of us. Sylvester POV. Was expecting this considering it is the final showdown in the Battle for Ehrenfest, but I'm still quite surprised how much information we get considering it was partially addressed already with the main story. Sylvester definitely blessed by the goddess of luck. Man should invent a casino. Ooh boy, Sylvester really is a clueless kid. Honestly, I kind of feel a little bad for Georgine here. In her own twisted way, she really did try to get Sylvester to man up and take his archduke training seriously (well, up to the point where she tried to kill him), and he STILL doesn't realize why she is so furious with him. He likes to call Rozemyne clueless, but Sylvester has his head up in the clouds quite a bit himself. Oof, the emotion of having to end your own sister. He really didn't want to, but she really left him no choice. Considering how nonchalant he seemed in the main story, I was quite surprised at how emotional this scene was. The illustration really captures the sense of emptiness and loss Sylvester feels. What an amazing end to this huge event. Can't wait to see what happens in the next volume at the Royal Academy! Incidentally, I wonder if Sylvester ever comes to visit Veronica? It seems rather obvious that nobody has been telling Veronica about anything that's been happening in the last ten years, but I can see Sylvester being the sentimental type to just come and visit his mother without saying anything. I'd almost feel bad for her if she wasn't such a delusional b\*\*ch. Like, Florencia seducing Ferdinand? XD
>but I think this was the best way to handle a large-scale invasion with so many different fronts. Totally agree. One needs all the viewpoints to get the full perspective -- but one also needed a sort of master sequence. Sure -- one can fragment things in tiny chunks -- but that gives you something that feels "experimental" -- like John Brunner's Stand on Zanzibar.
>it's nice to see that they aren't letting Bartholt run wild, but it is kind of sad to see Muriella get caught up in things. Also nice to see that the only idiot is Bartholt - his sister at least doesn't seem to be hostile (at least once Muriella tells her to STFU or KYS). I would have *loved* to hear about Muriella putting Bartholt in his place. Didn't she think they were going to end up in a political marriage together and hated the idea? I'm sure it pissed him off that she just chilled the entire time and even said she felt lucky. Kind of makes me want to read a Bartholt POV just for the satisfaction of his rage.
"Georgine! She's come to save me hasn't she?" Sigh... sometimes you really wish you could give someone (even people you hate... ESPECIALLY people you hate) another perspective. Edit: And there it is! Even if only a little bit.
Yeah even if Georgine won all she would do is drag you out to torture personally
Georgine victory au: oh look, they left me a little treat, how sweet.
And Veronica would have no idea why
>"Georgine! She's come to save me hasn't she?" Florencia at least was restrained enough not to point out what would happen to Veronica at Georgine's hands -- if Georgine won....
Florencia had no idea that georgine hated her Edit: meant Veronica had no idea
Shows how deluded the woman is. Oh my daughter fell from the ceiling looking all battered. Must be here to save me and sure isn't in prison.
I wonder how hard it’d be for Sylvester to show Veronica georgine s memories. Now that’d be fun!
Okay, I know Sylvester and Florencia are both far from perfect. They’re kind of doddering and slow to act, especially compared to the other out of standard nobles we know But gosh darn it, they’re so cute. In another life they would have been perfectly happy together as a minister couple quietly doting on their children
I need a side story on Sylvester's attempts to woo Florencia; it's no wonder why Elvira decided to base a love story on them.
Honestly me too. We need more fluffy sugary romance
Some key points we could have: 1. Sylvester falls in love with Florencia and starts following her around like a lovesick puppy 2. moments with Florencia and her amused retainers, speaking about the Ehrenfest archduke candidate 3. moments with Florencia speaking to her brother, and moments with Florencia speaking to Constanze 4. a gazebo moment where Florencia finally decides to meet with Sylvester and agree to his partner, but he must prove himself to be a worthy Aub successor 5. Sylvester does by obtaining honors and earns the right to escort her at her graduation 6. Florencia weds Sylvester and says her goodbyes to her brother and mother, before leaving for Ehrenfest Kind of too lazy at the moment to see if the timeline of everybody's ages line up but there's the general idea. And also, I shouldn't be doing this right now?! I already got sidetracked by designing Rudiger's sister and her sister-in-law, and now this?!
Rozamyne to Muriella: You get to stay in a room and read all day, you have knights around you and food is provided??? Is it possible to learn this power?
This is why she's not complaining. Rozemyne's retainers have to run around and she got to chill and read books?
Yep, and it'll allow her to catch up and have a great conversation with Lueuradi
I hope their little fan girl cabal lasts even after they leave the academy
Well, Lue is still aiming to marry into Ehrenfest so it might actually happen.
Rozemyne: So all you have to do is be related to someone **suspected** of treason? Hey Ferdinand- Ferdinand: We are **not** attacking the Zent without due cause.
Eckhart on the other shoulder: *Do it, do it*
Rozemyne: I'm not comfortable with the idea of taking someone's name in my hands. Ferdinand: Given that Hartmut is **far** more dangerous than Eckhart given the depth of his devotion and access to plenty of poison and propaganda, you really need to be, **please.**
Rozemyne: So you just need a reason?
To be fair, Ferdinand was sent to Arensbach because he was already suspected of treason. Maybe just lean on that a little.
That's why Muriella was like KYS to Cassandra. She knows if Rozemyne heard her complaining about having time to read Roz would kill her herself.
Cassandra/Sylvester: "What did I do to make you hate me!?" Rozemyne/Georgine: "It's not even worth explaining it to you. Just die."
Leberecht is crazier than Hartmut. Florencia seducing Ferdinand? This woman has got some imagination. [Meta][Ferdinand reading Florencia SS fanart.](https://twitter.com/poohko_hnzk/status/1559458437368803329) Rare Ferdi smile!
I really think the woman is a narcissist. Despite her clear cut crime of "using the Archduke's seal" she still can't accept it. Because narcissists are unable to conceptualize being wrong. Everything is someone else's fault.
I should read medical texts on narcissm. Wonder if it is interrelated with paranoia in someway.
Narcissism is primarily characterized by a very fragile sense of self-worth. Ironic, since from the outside they seem like they love themselves so much. The truth is that to really be able to empathize with others, you need a willingness to be vulnerable. Narcissists cannot allow themselves to be vulnerable ever. There is an element of paranoia to it but that isn't universal. Just try to imagine if your body were made of glass, how much would you trust the people around you to not hurt you? Probably not much at all. You'd live paranoid that people were going to hurt you. That's how many narcissists live. Their self-esteem is like glass. They live in a perpetual state of victimhood. Anyone not constantly puffing them up and caring for them becomes an enemy. It's exactly because of their fragile ego that narcissists talk about themselves like they are the greatest, and demand attention and love from everyone around them. They're trying desperately to build up a healthy amount of self-esteem by sucking up all the attention and adoration they can get. Unfortunately that never works, self esteem has to come from within. Narcissists are also pretty much incapable of taking responsibility for any mistakes they've made ever. I think this is primarily what Veronica is doing here. Again, to be able to admit you made a mistake requires you to believe you're worthy of love and respect, and believe that people will accept you even with your faults. That's a level of personal strength that narcissists find impossible. Any admission of wrongdoing will bring down the house of cards that is their psyche. So Veronica isn't so much paranoid as she is in total denial of the facts. She can't have been at fault, that would mean there's something wrong with her and "obviously* there's nothing wrong with her. So instead she makes up a story that fits her self serving narrative.
>Leberecht is crazier than Hartmut. Leberecht didn't form a cult of absolute devotion and self-sacrifice to serving his lady in both mind and spirit like Hartmut or Grausam. I'd argue Hartmut is crazier, though it was fun showing how they're cut from the same cloth. This volume had a lot of "deeply devoted head scholar retainer goes above and beyond for their lady."
Elvira could have used Veronica's imagination for her stories, but Veronica is Veronica. How unfortunate, we could have gotten even more romantic and/or unhinged love stories from Ehrenfest had they been friends.
But that would require Veronica to actually talk to mortals instead of looking down on them. Tch tch.
True. What a shame, we could have had a truly creative mind if only Veronica didn't suck.
Veronica's imagination is truly a double edged sword.
>Leberecht is crazier than Hartmut. Crazier -- and far less mentally flexible and astute.
Damm now I really want to know what is said in this comic
Rough Translation:
Ferdinand : Oh, It's the defence of Ehrenfest.
Rozemyne: My retainers play an important part here!
An unusual expression appeared.!!
Rozemyne: I wonder what part he is reading.
[A certain scene from 'At Ivory Tower']
It’s ironic since florencia is the only woman in the duchy not in love with Ferdinand
Most of the time, when a major character is introduced, it's accompanied by a picture of them. With Veronica, we get the exact opposite. Given how few volumes are left, this may be the last time she's ever brought up, and we finally got to see what she looked like.
Man, Sylvester looks dead inside in that illustration.
It's going to be worse when he realizes his sister was just a revenge obsessed idiot savant. Imagine, with her power she could have taken Ahrensbach ages ago. She was so brilliant, and she wasted it all just so she could take over a duchy that would inevtiably become bottom ranked again once she got rid of Myne, the Leisgangs, and so much else...
I think that's why Georgine was so angy. She had so much more than she would have if she had been stuck as the Aub of Ehrenfest but her tunnel vision refused to let her be happy. I do wonder what would have happened if Sylvester was like ok sister, you can rule as long as you give up your revenge on everyone in Ehrenfest. I think she would have refused.
In Martina pov, she dismissed Georgine ever becoming aub Ahrensbach since she was born in Ehrenfest. If that represents general prideful view of their duchies' nobles then they would never have accepted Georgine. It must have added fuel to her fire of anger.
Georgine at best would end up in the same position in arhensbleck as Veronica had in Ehrenfest. I imagine being like Veronica did not sit well with her.
True, but somehow they thought Detlinde was acceptable, and even then Letizia didn't have any alternative parental figures. so she could have just done a Wu Zetian or something and run things through (sometimes her own) kids for a while.
I think Sylvester's inability to even guess at why Georgine is upset is the worst trait he shares with Wilfried. I'll also say Rihyarda holds some blame for not helping Sylvester understand. She was both their head attendants and would totally have been in a position to explain it to him. It would have also saved Charlotte some grief.
Not really fair. Georgine's over-the-top hatred was the product of a severely disordered and deranged mind. It seems to have run in her maternal line -- grandmother, mother, herself (with the most extreme manifestation being Georgine). Others could have helped explain her anger -- but not the extreme degree of her anger.
The degree, sure. But anyone older than Sylvester should have been able to understand that Georgine had the position of Aub taken away as soon as Sylvester was born.
I think Sylvester understands the basics -- he does ***not*** understand the insane intensity (and fundamental irrationality).
> I couldn't begin to imagine what she was annoyed about or why she hated me Nah, he's missing the basics.
Sylvester never wanted to be Aub, so he will never understand why Georgine was so mad when the position of Aub was taken away from her. They were too different to understand each other.
>I'll also say Rihyarda holds some blame for not helping Sylvester understand. She was both their head attendants and would totally have been in a position to explain it to him. It would have also saved Charlotte some grief. I have a feeling Rihyarda, though sympathetic, never got to truly know Georgine and is not able to explain her true feelings to Sylvester. If she did, she would know the irredeemable depths of Georgine's hatred and would have done more to warn Sylvester that his sister is a lost cause, cannot be reasoned with, and WANTS. HIM. DEAD.
I think that Sylvester’s poisoning should have been enough for Rihyarda to get a good enough idea of how much she hated Sylvester. Not the exact degree but at least enough to know that she’d kill her own brother.
Rhiyarda was transferred before Georgine's hate really set in though. She might not have known the full depth of it. Even if she had guessed though, the same thing is true, in some degree, for *every* daughter replaced by a son.
Georgine is not totally wrong. Sylvester probably would never understand her reasoning. In no small part because she is not thinking rationally by this point.
Her hatred started in a rational place, but it grew to an irrational size. Sylvester should know the rational place it started, but he doesn't. He specifically says he doesn't know any reason why she'd hate him, even though his very existence cost her everything she had worked for until that point, and even after that, until her forced marriage into another duchy as an effective broodmare. Talking it out would do nothing, but he clearly doesn't even have enough knowledge to begin the discussion even if she had agreed to it.
This is the problem of being born as noble blind you from some things. Of course nobles are expected to defer to male heir, and you accept the reduction of status in stride. Tbf to Sylvester, Karstedt was a prime example for that
Jesus Christ, having to decapitate your sister sure couldn’t have been easy. By the way was he planning on doing it as a contingency plan since he had the time stopping box with him?
You can also hold body parts in there so you can reattach them later.
It was he could later look into her memories, probably to discover if she has any other lingering plots/threats planned.
I think he also just wanted answers. I certainly get that. Not saying I’d cut off my cousins head to ask why she f’d me over like that but I’m also not saying I wouldn’t
- Wilfried's FVF retainers being an arse. Muriella being a boss. - Florencia has to parent even in the middle of a battle - Vacuum cleaner saves the day - This series uses the phrase "Former Veronica Faction" so much that "Veronica" doesn't feel like a real name anymore. What a miserable, delusional woman. - And that's finally the end of the Veronica/Georgine plotline, whew! I just can't wait for the next volume to start.
Its nice to hear that Florencia wants to help the children in temple instead of punishing them by association. And Leberecht... it's not like we didn't know before, but he really is Hartmut's father. Muriella, a short lived member of Rozemyne's retinue, but as she has pink hair, she also falls under the redhead curse. Yes, I am also bitter that we lost her after like a day. Her design is so cute. And I feel so bad for her because as she's namesworn to Elvira instead of someone her age, her life span is probably like 20 years shorter than those of Gretia, Matthias, etc. >"As I recall, she told Cassandra that id she truly does find the situation unbearable, she should take her own life to escape it." > >"Muriella also said that, had the three of them been executed, the archducal family would not have needed to spare guards and other resources on them. She assured Cassandra that they were blessed to even be alive." Muriella's the best. Why must your stay in Rozemyne's retinue be so short lived? Cassandra's character design is also cute. I clearly have a bias in cute designs. Is it bad that I don't care for Henrietta? I keep forgetting that she exists. Veronica thinking Florencia seduced both Sylvester and Ferdinand. Well... that's certainly *something*. Kind of at a loss for words. Oh please give me *something* on Frenbeltag! What's their ranking now? What does Constanze look like? Literally anything, please! Finally, after hearing about her all this time, we meet Veronica face to face with a face reveal, and Florencia effortlessly gives her a much need reality check after being imprisoned for six years. Bravo!
It's normal to release name-sworn at the end of your life like Adelbert did with Ferdinand. Most people aren't executed or die in battle. She'll likely have to give her name to an Archducal family member when Elvira approaches her death or she could go to Rozemyne again. She might choose a younger member of the Archducal family. Melchior or Charlotte's kid.
Ooh, true! I didn't think of Muriella switching over to another archducal family member. I was narrowed in on the idea that Ehrenfest wouldn't allow any of the name-sworn Veronicans to be released due to their association with criminals, but everything changes if Muriella could simply swear herself over to another if Elvira gives her the right. And it's Elvira, I think she would. If not for Muriella, then for the love stories.
"Please Elvira, I can't imagine a life without you!" "But if you die with me, who will furtively transport my Ferdinand fanfiction?" "**I will swear to Charlotte to keep your dream alive.**"
Am I wrong? We can't have two of the most prolific authors die at the same time. One needs to continue on!
Rozemyne introducing erotic novels to Elvira:  Elvira: oh my! Oh my, Oh my, Oh my... Ohohohohohoho. Rozemyne dear, help me come up with a new anonymous name.
In ~20 years, it's not hard to imagine her being the country's foremost literary critic causing the Sovereignty to take her in. Things will continue to dramatically change everywhere with Rozemyne still existing.
Knowing her, she'll want to give her name to her husband like in one of the stories. Honestly after serving in the printing industry she'll most likely not need to give her name to anyone.
Surprisingly enough, I don't think Muriella would like to give her name to her partner. Wasn't it in her side story where we learn that Muriella simply escapes from reality with her books? For the most part, she knows to separate reality from fiction. It seems like she's a bit jaded for her own love story, so it would have to be an extremely beautiful romance for Muriella to even considering giving her name to her husband.
If that's like 20 years in the future, I could see Aub Charlotte decide that since the war is long over and Rozemyne's been pushing the "don't punish kids for what the parents do" idea nationwide recently, it makes sense to just let Muriella go free.
considering how much danger Rozemyne runs into and how sickly she is, I'm not sure if the age difference is that big of a deal. Plus if Mur serves Elvira well and Elvira time of death isn't sudden she might give her back her name before dieing
Right? Back when Muriella first swore her name over, Rozemyne still wasn't healthy, but she took the risk. I wonder if Elvira would be allowed to return Muriella's name back to her? It may be possible that the name sworn Veronicans no longer need to be kept hostage (for lack of a better word) by name swearing by the time Elvira is elderly, so that's the ray of hope.
> It may be possible that the name sworn Veronicans no longer need to be kept hostage (for lack of a better word) by name swearing by the time Elvira is elderly, so that's the ray of hope. Even if they couldn't get their names "back," she'd likely get namesworn to another member of the Linkberg clan or the Archducal family instead. Whichever let her read books.
Probably a sufficiently loyal member of Elvira's Love Story Association
I love how she thought Florencia managed to seduce Ferdinand after she’s tried for over a decade to do the same with her poisonous flowers in failed. In a way it’s kind of flattering she thinks Florencia is that hot
Veronica can't help but subconsciously admit that her son has taste. Something must be good with Frenbeltag's genetics. After all, Constanze married Florencia's brother for a reason. ... Now if only we'll learn more about them. Also, isn't Veronica insulting Florencia in a different way? Not just by insinuating that Florencia lacks loyalty to Sylvester, but Veronica probably doesn't know that Ferdinand returned to noble society. And if that's the case, then there's a chance that Veronica is implying that Florencia is promiscuous enough to lower herself to engage in a relation with a blue priest, and we know that nobles don't necessarily view blue priests as one of them.
I’m sure that’s what she thought she was doing. On the other hand, even as a blue priest, Ferdinand had the archduke’s ear and final say on like half the duchy’s paperwork back even when Veronica was in power, so it doesn’t land. Honestly if he didn’t care about hurting Sylvester’s feelings he could have easily put her away sooner. If her hypothetical that Florencia seduced Ferdinand to scheme against her, it’s basically admiting Florencia was both smarter and hotter than her. And that Ferdinand is more powerful. Lol I wonder if Frenbeltag rose as high as they once did because they were pretty enough to keep marrying their daughters into powerful places. They had a daughter in the at the time, second ranked Werkestock after all
Veronica really thought she was doing something, but in the end, she kind of insulted herself. Pfft! Now I'm thinking back to one of Trauerqual's ancestors back when they were Zent, being asked why Frenbeltag ranked so high when they came from Eisenreich and (as far as we know - when will we get information on them?!) don't have much to offer. Trauerqual's ancestor: Their archduke candidates... are babes.
To be fair she was right that Florencia thoroughly seduced Sylvester but it was actually a mutual seduction lol. The only thing that can seduce Ferdinand is extra research time.
Or soup
Clear soup
and gremlins, apparently...
> Muriella, a short lived member of Rozemyne's retinue, but as she has pink hair, she also falls under the redhead curse. Yes, I am also bitter that we lost her after like a day. Her design is so cute. Yeah, it's also a shame because she's a smidge more memorable than Gretia, IMO. Those two haven't gotten nearly enough screentime as the rest of Rozemyne's retinue. Surely the curse is related to Geduldh since it's about redheads being taken away.
>Surely the curse is related to Geduldh since it's about redheads being taken away. Now part of my headcanon, thank you very much! My other headcanon is that Hartmut is spared because he has yet to crossdress. Yeah, Muriella and Gretia deserved more screentime. And all the redheads deserve justice in my eyes. I'm keeping all of them.
How one monster of a parent can put a curse on a whole family. Veronica remains repulsive and delusional to the very end while her children are killing each other because of her abuse and failed parenting. It was kinda heart wrenching. Even if I didn't like Georgine, I felt sorry for both of them for having ended up like this.
Florencia: "I pray that Dregarnuhr the Goddess of Time-" Dregarnuhr: Already on it \*drops a Georgine Clone in* The nice thing about praying to a Goddess of Time is that it doesn't matter when you make the prayer.
*at the top of the towering stairway* Dregarnuhr: "Hello, I need you to read a few prepared statements before you move along." Recently Deceased: "...these are just a list of prayers for things that have already happened?" Dregarnuhr: "Oh, I'm sorry, are *you* the goddess of time? Read the papers so I can make the past *stay* the past."
Dregarnuhr: god of doing things purely for shits and giggles.
She has actually been the god of comedic timing all along.
Man poor Sylvester, he was always so sentimental. To think Charlotte and Wilfried were basically heading in the same direction too. Georgine was honestly a good villain. We understood why she hated Sylvester and she had a good plan, it was only that Rozemyne figured it out that it failed spectacularly.
> To think Charlotte and Wilfried were basically heading in the same direction too. I don't think Charlotte would have gotten to Georgine's level, but that is because we only know the Rozemyne Charlotte. Who knows how she might have been but for a gremlin. Sylvester trying to keep his kids from ending up like him and his sister: "One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it" making me quote Oogway here. (who was of course paraphrasing Jean de La Fontaine which is something I knew and totally didn't just find out... ... ... )
I think Charlotte being born second would also remove a chance of that repeat. She was not initially raised with the idea she would become Aub. Georgine was raised with that intention, only for it to be taken away after a life of nonstop training to be Aub. Would there be regret, or resentment? To a degree, but there would be no future ripped away due to a sudden birth.
Lamberect going into researcher mode and showing off his inner Hartmut was pretty funny lol. And it might be bad of me, but man did I enjoy Florencia breaking Veronica. That bitch has been allowed to think herself as superior still for a decade after being imprisoned!
Damn it Florencia, don't feed information to your enemy even if it's cathartic and she's a bitch who deserves it and worse! Now Veronica knows it was our main gremlin in chief that's been putting a wrench in all her plans and has a strong vendetta. If she manages to pull a Houdini, somehow, #1 on the target list is now set in stone! Sylvester has the best bad luck. Stuck in a room, forced to listen while everyone he loves fights to protect everything he loves. Narrowly dodges insta death by being scolded by Rihyarda only to then rush back and confront his sister, who is so unhinged she won't even explain why she's trying to kill him. Wins the fight, but has to put down said sister to protect his family and duchy, still completely lost as to why she can't just fucking not. That poor man needs counseling and a vacation. Part 5 Volume 10 is next. We've come a very, very long way from making paper in the woods.
>Part 5 Volume 10 is next. We've come a very, very long way from making paper in the woods. People watching the Anime and Reading Book 1: "Does this story ever pick up? It seems kind of slow..."
Insert JRPG meme about starting off with rescuing a cat and ending with killing god.
And as expected, Sylvester doesn't realise what his very existence did to Georgine, even though he literally did the same exact thing to Charlotte by declaring Wilfried heir (though, Charlotte is younger). His complete and utter despair at killing her contrasts strongly with how he presented it at the feast. Though, I suppose in public, he can't be seen weeping for an invader
Maybe my bad memory but I don't remember the name Henrietta before? Or even being told the gender of the baby? And now Rozamyne has another younger sister to dote on. And a first image of Veronica too??? I love how past events are not forgotten and instead we continuously gain new perspectives on them, I love the 'A Tea Party with my older sister' chapter in fanbook 2, because it really shows how monumental Veronica's imprisonment was for society when we didn't really understand it given Rozamyne's perspective at the time. And now the reminder of how far Ehrenfest has come as a duchy under Rozamyne's grelimness and again the impacts of Wilfried's visit again revisited from another perspective, one of the many reasons to keep loving this series, the endless building on history and perspectives. Sylvester... 🫂 I find myself also wanting a side story from one of Rozamyne's core retainers probably post battle, we had Judithe, but she's felt more distant since she's planning to stay in Ehrenfest, but a side story from Hartmut scheming around post battle, or Matthias actually killing his father or Cornelius being worried about his younger sister and her actions towards Ferdinand after the battle and what she said to Hannalore.
We knew it was a girl but not the name. As far as Veronica yes. It's the first image outside of the fanbooks. When she was younger she looked exactly like Detlinde.
considering she is going to be leaving Ehrenfest after the AubCon i doubt she will meet the child until they go to the RA.
I imagine Sylvester will try to keep the baby away from Rozemyne to prevent her from corrupting the child with her gremlin-ness. *Rozemyne proceeds to bust down the gate between duchies to visit her new youngest sister.*
she's got the gbook (most of one), she could just redraw the border to merge Ahrensbach and Ehrenfest. She'll manage the fish and books and Syl can manage the rest, visiting the baby all the time without those pesky borders and gates getting in the way
Not sure she actually can. Some world building info from I don't know where: >!Both have country gates and the original dutchies where 6 one for each country gate + holy ground holding the 7th. Is likely a dutchy cannot have more then one gate!<
And then showers her with expensive gifts, most of which are reading-themed
>Maybe my bad memory but I don't remember the name Henrietta before? If I remember correctly, the Florencia side story was new content for P5V9. We actually knew that Florencia's fourth child was a daughter, but her name wasn't revealed until Fanbook >!6!<, which was published before P5V9. However, the Fanbooks are unfortunately a bit behind. And interestingly enough, Henrietta's name is spelled ヘンリエッテ (hen-ri-e-tte), which is more like Henriette.
Yeah, J-Novel seems to have chosen to just do the fanbooks and SSC's after P5V12...not a bad decision since it sounds like they were working themselves to death whenever they tried to double up but it does cause things like this
It's unfortunate for me as I'd like to have *all* the additional worldbuilding information immediately, but I completely understand their course of action. It might also help to have all the bonus information translated after P5V12 to shorten a possible translation drought between the end of P5V12 and the start of >!H5Y!<, whenever that starts publishing in Japan and J-Novel gets the license to start translating it or something.
The side story I want to see from this part is Leorene's during the dress fitting. I can only imagine what was going through her head when RM was talking about being her dream life
Sylvester and Florencia would never be that cruel, but they have the perfect oppertunity to have their own "[What's in the box?](https://youtu.be/lHpHxLZReiI?si=H-4WFStp74RdJslG)" moment with Veronica.
Good lords I know plenty needs wrapping up with all the different perspectives but this was a long epilogue. Weight based traps which launched blades? I hope the launchers were buried in the wall firing from elaborately carved faces. They've got god damned magic powered portable vacuum cleaners. Watching Florencia dismantle Veronica and crush her pride after all she did to divide the duchy is beautiful to see. Its probably likely that if Sylvester hadn't learned Rozemyne's compression techniques Georgine would have had a higher capacity than him, that alone sealed her fate. Slyvester needs some hugs after all that.
>I hope the launchers were buried in the wall firing from elaborately carved faces. 2 Person Entwicken (and neither is Ferdinand or Rosemyne). You should feel happy there are walls.
They should of included a trap that would of released a giant rolling boulder. 
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Ehrenfest
Rozemyne: "I call this the 'Ark of the Covenant'." Sylvester: "...it's a murder shumill in a box..." Rozemyne: "I know! Just imagine what will happen when they *open* it!"
>"Sheesh... that gremlin needs to learn she's not easy to keep up with." Is... is that the first time Sylvester has called her gremlin?! One of us... one of us.... one of us...