Three days after I was sequestered at the temple, a letter arrived from the Chief Priest, asking when the ceremonial robe ordered from the Guild Company would be ready.
Hoping it would contain a date for our meeting but disappointed to find otherwise, I had Rozina fetch
"Hey, Lutz. I got this letter from the Chief Priest. Sorry to ask, but when you go back to the shop for lunch, could you ask
"Got it."
Lutz came back with the reply that even if they rushed, it would take at least three more days, so I padded in a bit of extra time and wrote back to the Chief Priest that afternoon, saying, "He says if they push hard, it should be done in five days."
When I sent
"Lutz, apparently they're calling Lord
I visited Lutz as an excuse to deliver the farewell greeting and today's report, and while clinging to him—my personal comfort source—I handed over the invitation.
"I'll stop by the shop on my way back and give it to him. ...But still,
"Not really. I want to go home at least once before the snow starts."
Rather than getting used to the loneliness, my homesickness was only getting worse. In proportion to that, the time I spent clinging to and fussing over Lutz and Turi when they visited my room was increasing. The fact that my pregnant mother couldn't come here and I couldn't fuss over her only deepened the loneliness.
"Haah, once the snow starts falling, I won't be able to come every day either."
Lutz patted my head with a troubled look as he said that. For the time being, my father, who worked the day shift, could only come once a week, and Turi came about once every two days. If Lutz—who came nearly every day to check on the workshop and the handicraft work—stopped coming, things would feel even lonelier.
"If only it wouldn't snow."
Thinking about how it could start snowing at any moment given the cold outside, my arms tightened around Lutz of their own accord.
On the day of the meeting, just before the third bell rang, snow finally began to drift down. It wasn't enough to accumulate immediately, but it was clear to everyone that winter had truly arrived.
"I wonder if it'll pile up?"
"It hasn't yet, Lady Myne. It won't cause today's meeting to be canceled."
After practicing my harpspiel, I'd been drilled in greeting etiquette for Lord Karstedt. Rozina made me redo the elegant hem movements over and over. The path to grace was a harsh one.
"Benno should be arriving this afternoon, yes? You don't have much more time to practice."
"Yes."
The meeting had been set for the fifth bell. Before that, Benno was to visit my room first under the pretense of checking on my mood—a courtesy for the convenience I'd arranged.
"Hello, Benno.
Benno, dressed in winter formalwear with long sleeves appropriate for meeting nobles, entered with Mark carrying a box. I pouted, expecting Lutz to have come along with them.
"It started snowing, so I had Lutz prioritize Mine Workshop today. He should be along shortly with the finished winter handicraft items, one at a time. You should bring them to the meeting."
"Handicrafts? Why?"
I couldn't understand why items made by a merchant like Benno needed to be brought to a meeting attended by the Chief Priest and high-ranking nobles, and I tilted my head in confusion.
"I have a feeling that putting them on the market would have too great an impact. I want to hear the opinions of the Chief Priest and the high-ranking nobles."
"Hmm, if nothing similar has existed before, the impact would probably be quite significant."
I answered from the memories of the Reine era, when cards and Reversi were widely popular, and Benno gave me a thoroughly unpleasant look and glared at me.
"...Too great an impact? You, who haven't even considered the impact that paper and printing will bring and can only think about spreading them—saying it's a great impact means it really is that big?"
"Well, I do know that paper and printing will have an impact significant enough to change history? I only made them because I needed them..."
I knew how much printing had contributed to the progress of civilization and culture, what a tremendous impact it had brought. But I knew, and yet I wanted books, so there was nothing to be done about it.
"What's wrong, Benno? You look pale."
"It's a heavy thought... I'm going to be surrounded by the Chief Priest and high-ranking nobles while talking, you know?"
Benno, pressing the area around his stomach, apparently had a surprisingly delicate side. I'd always assumed he was the aggressive type who'd pick a fight with anyone, so seeing him tense was a strange feeling.
"You're the same Benno who cheerfully picks fights with the Guild Master and the entrenched powers. Are you really nervous? They're both good people, so it'll be fine."
"Don't lump the Guild Master in with high-ranking nobles, you idiot! Who do you think caused this situation in the first place?!"
After shouting that, Benno slumped forward onto the desk. His milk-tea-colored bangs, which should have been firmly held in place by pomade or some other styling product, fell loose in a scatter.
"Sir, please don't slump. Your bangs will get messy."
Mark said with a wry smile, and Benno irritably flipped his bangs back up and shot me a glare.
"...Damn it. Right now, I sincerely wish you'd share just a little of your cluelessness."
"Eh? But I'm just delivering the ceremonial robe, right? You were happy about making connections with high-ranking nobles."
"You thoughtless thing! There's no way I'd be summoned to the temple just for a robe delivery! It's obviously to gather intelligence on things related to you."
Glared at in irritation, I couldn't help pointing at myself.
"Me?"
"It's going to be a meeting where we share information we've gathered about the president of the Ink Association and decide future policy regarding your treatment. The commoner-side information comes from me, the noble-side information from Lord Karstedt, and the Chief Priest wants both—it'll be a three-way discussion."
Come to think of it, the Chief Priest had said he was gathering information too. Until now, he'd told me not to leave my room. I supposed the information had been collected.
"Benno, has there been any progress regarding the president of the Ink Association?"
"No, nothing so far. With the cold weather making foot traffic thinner, it would stand out if unfamiliar faces were lurking around the shop. ...Unless he wants to stand out, either he's finished gathering the information he needs, or he's planning to gather it during the winter social season."
During winter, sealed off by snow, the nobles who had scattered across the farming villages would return to the Noble District after the harvest festival. While the Lord headed to the capital from spring through summer, the social season for nobles in the territory was apparently in winter. That was when information was exchanged and meetings held with lords from various regions.
"Lady Myne, Benno. It is time."
"Thank you, Fran. Shall we go?"
I called out to Benno and had Fran carry the set of winter handicrafts Lutz had brought. Confirming that Mark held the box containing the ceremonial robe, I left the room.
The corridor leading to the Chief Priest's room was bitterly cold. Cold enough to make you not want to leave your room at all.
When we arrived before the Chief Priest's room and Fran rang the bell, the door opened. Lord Karstedt had apparently already arrived; he could be seen sipping tea elegantly at the reception table.
"Chief Priest, Lord Karstedt, it has been too long. Days are passing where we yearn for the warmth of the
I had only ever seen him clad in armor, but today Lord Karstedt wore noble formalwear. His reddish-brown hair was styled with pomade just like Benno's, making it immediately obvious that his forehead was on the wider side.
The sleeves of his jacket, made of a lustrous fabric like velvet, hung long and loose just like trailing sleeves. From beneath those cuffs, fabric layered with lavish lace in multiple tiers was visible.
Karstedt had a broad-shouldered, muscular build from his training, giving him a commanding presence. However, compared to when he wore armor, his ferocity was somewhat softened. His pale blue eyes looked a bit gentler today.
"You appear unchanged as well, which is most pleasing, Shrine Maiden Apprentice Myne. May the blessing of the gods' guidance be bestowed upon our meeting."
"I pray for your heartfelt blessing."
I finished my greeting without error, and then it was Benno's turn.
After being invited by the Chief Priest to take our seats, the attendants stood behind each of us. The seating order was the Chief Priest at the most prominent seat, Lord Karstedt on the left, me on the right, and Benno at the lowest seat.
"I'm glad everyone could gather. First, let us receive the ceremonial robe."
At the Chief Priest's words, Mark stepped forward and handed the wooden box he'd been holding to Benno. Benno nodded slightly and, with careful movements, opened the box and presented it toward Karstedt.
Inside the wooden box was a fabric lining, and upon it rested the deep ocean-blue ceremonial robe. In the dimly lit room, where several candlesticks had already been lit, the embroidered flowing-water pattern reflected light in undulating waves.
"This is Lady Myne's ceremonial robe."
Karstedt gave it a cursory inspection, then looked at me and asked, "Is this correct?" I'd had a fitting where the length was adjusted once, and I'd seen the actual garment, so I confirmed the robe and obi and nodded, "That is correct."
Karstedt closed the box and held it out toward me.
"Then, please accept this, Shrine Maiden Apprentice Myne."
"I gratefully accept."
Confirming that I had received it, Karstedt tilted his chin slightly. It was only then that I noticed his attendant for the day was Daumel, the knight who had escorted us back then.
Daumel handed Benno a leather pouch filled with coins. Benno checked the amount inside, then passed it to Mark.
"Good. With this, your penance is concluded. Benno, I understand I pushed you rather hard, but well done."
As the Chief Priest spoke those words after observing the entire exchange, Benno, as well as Karstedt and Daumel, let out sighs of relief.
I handed the box with the ceremonial robe to Fran. Fran understood and took it from me.
"Attendants, you may step outside for now."
The Chief Priest said this and dismissed the attendants, then installed a magical tool to prevent eavesdropping. It wasn't the type that designated a person—one that Benno, who had no magic, could also use—but rather one that designated an area. Four magic stones were placed down, and when the Chief Priest spoke, the space was enveloped in a faint blue light in the shape of a square pillar.
On the other side of the faint light, the attendants could be seen waiting, but no sound from that side could be heard either. Presumably, sound from this side couldn't pass through either.
Impressed that such things existed, I noticed Benno flinch slightly from my right. I'd grown somewhat accustomed to it recently, but for someone from the commoner quarter, seeing magic like this was naturally startling.
But Benno was, after all, the master of a major shop. Even when surprised, he merely flinched slightly—he didn't raise his voice or look around nervously.
"Then, Benno. There is something I wish to ask you."
"...Ask away."
Benno crossed his hands in front of his chest at the Chief Priest's words.
"I've heard that you began being investigated about Myne shortly after concluding a contract with the Ink Association using Contract Magic, and that Lutz became the target. Is that correct?"
"That is correct. Normally, to conclude a contract under the most advantageous conditions possible, you gather information beforehand. I cannot fathom the intention behind trying to obtain information right after the contract has been concluded."
The Chief Priest nodded at Benno's words, then turned his gaze to me.
"Myne, do you know this person?"
"No. I was hidden by Lord Benno during the contract so that our paths would not cross, so I know neither his face nor his name."
"The president of the Ink Association is a person with deep ties to the nobility and many unfavorable rumors. I judged it best to minimize contact with Lady Myne, so during the contract signing, he was made to wait in a separate room."
When Benno explained the reason he had prevented the Ink Association president and me from meeting, the Chief Priest's lips curved slightly upward and his eyes narrowed.
"Hmm. A wise decision. Is this president of the Ink Association indeed
"What kind of rumors had you heard? What led you to determine he was harmful to the Shrine Maiden Apprentice?"
The Chief Priest and Karstedt fired questions at Benno in rapid succession. I didn't know the president of the Ink Association, so I could only listen silently.
"The president of the Ink Association is indeed Wolf. ...The rumor is that he is a man who would resort to crime if it meant gaining the favor of the nobility. I cannot vouch for the veracity of the rumors, so I ask for your understanding regarding the details."
Karstedt furrowed his brow, stroked his chin, and murmured, "Ohh..."
"Then could it be that he completed the contract first and then conducted blatant information gathering because, after the contract was concluded, it wouldn't matter if relations soured?"
At Karstedt's observation, Benno's eyes widened slightly.
Contract Magic couldn't be easily broken. That was precisely why advance preparation was important. But thinking about it from the opposite angle, no matter how hostile the relationship with the Ink Association became—even if harm came to me—the contract could not be dissolved without the consent of all parties.
When it was pointed out that perhaps that aspect had been exploited, Benno briefly showed a look as if he were gritting his teeth.
"Benno, what do you think Wolf intends to do with Myne's information? I want to know the thinking from a merchant's, a commoner's perspective."
The Chief Priest's words prompted Benno to carefully choose his words.
"For us merchants, Lady Myne's value lies in the products she continually creates and the knowledge that produces them. However, not many people accurately know that value. If Wolf sensed the value of Lady Myne's products and knowledge, he would want her to join the Ink Association. But Lady Myne belongs to the Guild Company and the commercial guild. So he would either use money to obtain the knowledge alone, or kidnap and threaten her to extract it, or hold people around Lady Myne hostage to demand her knowledge."
Karstedt listened to Benno's words and looked at me with a suspicious gaze. Given my appearance, which made it look like I hadn't even had my
"However, I believe that even if Lady Myne were kidnapped and threatened, it would be impossible to obtain all her knowledge. If he wanted greater profit, he would have to keep her confined where no one could find her without being able to eliminate her entirely—but I consider that difficult."
I shuddered at the way Benno described my potential treatment. I had never even considered the danger of being abducted and confined for profit. Understanding just how well Benno, the master of a major shop, had treated me made the people around me seem all the more frightening.
"Difficult to confine her? What's the reason? If there are unused rooms or mansions, confinement would be easy enough. The hard part would be abducting her without being seen."
Karstedt furrowed his brow. The fact that he could casually say confinement would be easy was terrifying.
"If the other party isn't fully aware of Lady Myne's frailty, the result would be that she dies before anyone notices. In Lady Myne's case, confinement is more difficult than abduction."
"Hmm, indeed. If you put her in the punishment room for half a day, she'd lie in bed with a fever for several days. If you treated her like an ordinary prisoner, she'd die before yielding any information."
The Chief Priest nodded immediately at Benno's words. The incident with the punishment room apparently still haunted him. That level of fever was an everyday occurrence for me—things would be so much easier if I could just forget about it. And if he could also forget that I was the only blue Shrine Maiden to have ever been put in the punishment room, that would be nice too.
"Then it seems quite possible that once Wolf has obtained a certain amount of knowledge, he might sell it to the nobility, wouldn't you say,
"...I am aware that Lady Myne is Self-Eating, but is there any other reason beyond that for the nobility to target her?"
Benno furrowed his brow. The Chief Priest and Karstedt exchanged glances, and then the Chief Priest gave Benno a small nod.
"I don't intend to go into detail... but there is a reason. The most likely scenario is that Wolf abducts Myne, obtains information, and then sells her to the nobility. There's also the possibility that the nobility has Wolf abduct her, then rescue her at the right moment to win Myne's gratitude. Or perhaps someone abducts Myne and then claims she is their long-lost child. And then there's the possibility that someone simply wants revenge. ...There may even be an assassination risk."
I could practically hear Benno's inner voice cursing, "What have you done, you idiot!"
I had been disturbed by the thought of a stranger investigating me for information, but I hadn't realized I was in such a dangerous position. Being locked in a room at the temple now made sense given the level of risk.
"Benno, continue gathering information from the business side and keep Myne's existence hidden. During winter, Myne won't be leaving the temple. The only places she'll move between are her room, the ceremony area, and the orphanage. A grey priest will always accompany her wherever she goes, so that shouldn't be a problem. The issue is what comes after spring."
Benno and Karstedt nodded at the Chief Priest's words.
"It's the same for our side—the information and allies will be gathering during the winter as well."
"We must think of countermeasures quickly. Benno, is there a way to keep this one docile?"
The Chief Priest said this while pointing at me. All eyes converged on me.
Benno glanced at me, then slowly shook his head.
"I do not know. The moment you look away, she's either stirred up a major incident or nearly gotten herself killed. If I knew such a method, I would have used it long ago."
"As I thought. Keeping her where we can see her is the best policy after all."
The Chief Priest and Benno both looked at me and sighed. Then they exchanged glances and shared a bitter smile. There was something only the two of them seemed to understand.
"Myne, whenever you do something, it tends to cause problems. From now on, before you take any action, and before you create any new product, you must always obtain permission from both me and Benno."
The Chief Priest's words reminded me that I had brought along the winter handicrafts for the orphanage. Benno truly had a keen eye.
I picked up the set of orphanage handicrafts that Fran had set at my feet.
"...Does this need permission too? It's just winter handicrafts for the orphanage."
"Come to think of it, you did mention making something. Let me see."
I took out the playing cards, Reversi, and the chess-like game and lined them up on the table. Benno leaned forward to look, seeing them in person for the first time even though I'd explained them.
"What are these?"
"They're playing cards. There are various ways to play, but in the orphanage, we're planning to play 'Memory.' You shuffle them well like this and lay them face-down with the pictures underneath. Then you flip them over, and if you find two matching numbers, those cards are yours. The person with the most cards at the end wins."
Since the children's small hands couldn't hold thick cardboard cards, we were planning to play primarily Memory.
I taught them how to play, and Karstedt started a game with great interest. To save time, I had reduced the number of cards by half from the start.
Memory was a crushing victory for the Chief Priest, who had an excellent memory.
"There are many other ways to play as well. If we could make sturdier paper, it would be more fun to make them from paper instead of boards."
I taught them several games like Blackjack, Poker, and Hearts, and Karstedt received them favorably.
"There are fortune-telling cards imbued with magic, but no cards made purely for entertainment. Most importantly, having multiple ways to play with a single set is wonderful. This will likely become popular among the nobility as well."
"They're good for learning numbers too. I made them to help the children in the orphanage learn their numbers."
The Chief Priest nodded at my words, saying "I see," and pointed at the Reversi board.
"Myne, what is this?"
"It's Reversi. Players take turns placing stones, changing the color of the enclosed sections like this, and the player with the most at the end wins."
It was the Chief Priest who showed interest in Reversi. I played against him, explaining as we went. We placed stones with a soft click, flipping them over. When all the stones were placed, it was nearly all white—my victory.
"...I lost?"
"You haven't fully grasped the rules yet, Chief Priest, so it's only natural. After a few more rounds, I won't be able to win anymore."
I shrugged at the Chief Priest, who was staring at the board in a daze.
I could win against a first-time Reversi player who didn't know the strategies, but the brilliant Chief Priest would surely absorb the theory in no time. Knowing I could only win now was exactly why I'd given it my all.
"Then, one more round. I'll win next time."
"Chief Priest, let's save the rematch for another time. If you purchase a Reversi set, I'll play against you then."
"Very well. I'll buy one."
Seeing the Chief Priest agree immediately, Benno's shoulders trembled for an instant. Under the table, he secretly sent me a "well done" signal.
"Ahem! And what is that?"
"It's called 'Chess.' I designed it to be played on the same board as Reversi. Each piece has a specific movement, and the player who captures the king wins."
As I cleared away the Reversi stones and explained how to move the chess pieces, Karstedt narrowed his eyes and studied the board.
"...This resembles Gevinnen."
"Oh, so there's a similar game already? Then should I modify it to match what already exists?"
Board games had existed for a very long time even in the world of Reine. It was only natural that something similar would exist here.
"No, the ones played among nobles require magic. It's about conquering territory, but the way you fight is completely different. Selling this in the commoner quarter shouldn't cause any particular problems."
"...If the nobility won't touch it, I don't think it would sell very well, though."
There weren't that many wealthy people in the commoner quarter who had money to spend on entertainment. Most households were struggling to get by day to day. If I bundled the Reversi with the cards as a set when selling, it could be a different game from Gevinnen and might gradually catch on among the nobles too.
After finishing the business discussion about the orphanage handicrafts, the eavesdropping-prevention barrier was removed. The Chief Priest and Karstedt each called their attendants and purchased the Reversi and playing card sets.
Since I planned to put them on sale in the spring, I charged the premium price of four large silver coins. The original plan had been to set the price at five to seven small silver coins, so it was practically robbery.
"Then, Benno. Thank you for your efforts today. May the blessing of the Earth Goddess Geduldlih's servants be upon you."
"Thank you for a meaningful time. Chief Priest, Lord Karstedt, Lady Myne. With your permission, I shall take my leave."
Benno crossed his arms in front of his chest and knelt. Behind him, Mark did the same, and the two withdrew. I looked at the Chief Priest, preparing to leave with them.
"Then, Chief Priest, Lord Karstedt. I too..."
"I still have something to discuss with you. Here."
The four magical tools I usually used for eavesdropping prevention were set down on the table with a clunk. The Chief Priest, Karstedt, and I each took one, and Daumel reached for the remaining one.
When it came to important discussions, I was about as useful as an airhead, but I was handy for product demonstrations.
I had successfully obtained the ceremonial robe, and I'd felt a solid response with the entertainment items as well.
Next time: the Chief Priest will have words with me about my future position.