I had planned to take things slowly after checking on the children's rooms in the castle, but days with no room for leisure began all too soon.
Richalda,
I left the task of deciding which nobles were worth meeting to the Chief Priest, and simply let myself be dragged along by Mother to attend tea parties with my foster mother and
At these gatherings too, I was bombarded with questions about printing and magic power compression, and everyone tried to push their husbands and relatives on me until I was nearly dizzy.
And then I discovered something new: after the tea parties, Mother and my foster mother held debriefing sessions. Charlotte and I were required to attend as well, to study the art of information gathering.
They would verify the topics and rumors flying around at the tea party, then compile notes on matters that warranted further investigation.
"Rosemine, Charlotte—who and what kind of conversation caught your attention?"
"I was surprised by how often my sister's name came up. The atmosphere is quite different from last year..."
Charlotte answered so, but even when my foster mother asked me, I couldn't respond right away. I still couldn't match the faces of the nobles I'd sat with to their names.
"I'm afraid I can't elaborate, since I still can't put names to faces. But the method of magic power compression seems to be a very popular topic. There seem to be quite a few applicants—are their requests being managed?"
"Yes—there are several candidates who are just waiting for Rosemine's approval. I wonder how
My foster mother was still worried about Wilfried, as I expected. I made sure to tell her about his hard work trying to bring the dorm together.
"As for Wilfried, I believe the outcome of the tea parties with the
"I'm worried. Was her name
"Is that so?"
I had never met Veronica myself, so I hadn't known, but apparently she had blonde hair and green eyes. Recalling the nostalgic expression Wilfried had worn upon his first meeting with Detlinde, I found my own unease growing, just as my foster mother predicted.
"I'm sure it will be fine. We've discussed the topics at hand, and it seems Wilfried has gotten to the point where he can exchange written questions with
When I spoke thus to comfort my foster mother, it was Mother's turn to let out a troubled sigh.
"The one I'm worried about is
It seemed that back when Lamprecht was attending the Noble Academy, Veronica was still in power, and contact with Ahrensbach had been encouraged. The tide of the times changing was hardly uncommon, and having the lord withhold approval was apparently the most courteous way to refuse a cross-territory courtship. To convince the other party it wasn't a change of heart, showing sincere goodwill beforehand was essential, apparently.
"Ahrensbach outranks Ehrenfest, and I had heard that her parents weren't favorable toward a relationship with Lamprecht, so I was surprised they pressed the matter. The next Lord's Conference is going to be stormy."
"The Werkestock brothers will surely come requesting our cooperation too, so we need to prepare countermeasures starting now."
"There will also be discussions about inter-territorial trade, I imagine? With the royal family Rosemine has established ties with, the upper territories... there is far too little information."
...Sorry. I didn't realize how lacking Ehrenfest was in that regard. I'd been told to spread the trends around, so I just went ahead and spread them.
"However, perhaps because my sister awakened and it became known that matters concerning magic power compression and the printing industry were progressing, the momentum of the factions seems to have intensified dramatically compared to last year."
"Charlotte is correct. Because they won't learn about magic power compression unless they join our faction, middle-ranking and lower-ranking nobles have been flocking to join one after another."
I had no basis for comparison since I didn't know what last year was like, but the faction's influence had apparently grown considerably.
"The key is to show the benefits of siding with us, Rosemine."
Mother said this with a cheerful smile.
Thus, as I was tossed about at the ladies' tea parties I was invited to, I learned how to gather information, organize it, and issue instructions to scholars for collecting more detailed data. Charlotte was told she would have to do the same at the Noble Academy next year, and she listened with a serious expression. As an older sister, I couldn't lose either, so I steeled myself.
"Rosemine, I want you to gather as much information as possible at the Noble Academy tea parties too, and report back like this. I need as much information as possible before the Lord's Conference."
"...I understand I'll be returning just before the Inter-territorial Tournament, but will I even have time for tea parties?"
The Chief Priest had said he wouldn't send me back to the Noble Academy until the last possible moment, since my social skills were still lacking. The Inter-territorial Tournament took place at the very end of the school year, so I didn't think I'd have the luxury of leisurely tea parties.
"Wouldn't it be better to send Rosemine back early, if only to prepare for the Inter-territorial Tournament?"
"...Ferdinand seemed reluctant, but perhaps it would be fine?"
Mother and my foster mother exchanged glances and pressed their temples in unison. Watching them agonize over what to do with me, I offered a silent apology from the bottom of my heart.
...Sorry for being a child with no common sense when it comes to nobility. I'll do better next time!
Just as I clenched my fist, resolving to do my best the way Mother had taught me, I thought I heard the Chief Priest's voice echoing in the corner of my mind: "Whenever you get too enthusiastic, nothing good comes of it."
And then the meetings with nobles who had received the Chief Priest's approval began. I had heard there were many who wanted permission to open papermaking workshops, but the actual number we could accommodate was limited—simply because we didn't have enough people to send as instructors.
"Rosemine, how many workshops can we establish between spring and autumn?"
The Chief Priest, having apparently finished sorting through the meeting request letters to a large extent, summoned me and posed this question about increasing the number of workshops.
"Regarding printing workshops, we would need to produce all the printing press parts here in Ehrenfest first, then relocate
"Hmm."
For the printing workshops, we needed to decide the order in which to build them. As with Haldenzel, advance discussions with the local area, along with preparations at the blacksmith workshops, woodcraft workshops, and commercial guild, were absolutely essential. The most we could accomplish this year was determining the sequence of visits.
"For the preparatory requirements, I'd need to consult with Giebe Haldenzel or the Plantan Trading Company to get the details. So I'd like to set aside the nobles wanting printing workshops for now and first meet with those who want papermaking workshops."
"Are the numbers not limited on that end?"
"They are. The numbers may vary depending on circumstances, however."
To establish a papermaking workshop, we absolutely needed to send at least one person from the Plantan Trading Company to help create a local branch of the Ehrenfest Paper Association, plus instructors to demonstrate the actual process. The Plantan Trading Company couldn't spare that many people, and neither could we provide many Gray Priests as instructors. Even with personnel from the
"However, unlike in Ilgner where we spent a full year carefully developing a specialty product, if we're just teaching existing paper ratios, we could increase the numbers somewhat. But considering the logistics of moving the Plantan Trading Company staff and instructors, we can't increase them by much."
If we tried to create new paper from local materials, it would take an enormous amount of time, but simply teaching the current ratios and methods wouldn't be all that difficult. Still, I suspected most nobles would want a specialty product to differentiate themselves from other territories.
"Just let each territory do their own research."
I shrugged at the Chief Priest, who had the look of someone about to say that would be much more enjoyable.
...A mad scientist might not understand this, but not everyone enjoys research, you know.
"I understand your reasoning. To increase the number of workshops as quickly as possible, let me ask whether Ilgner can also provide instructors. That's the top priority."
With a single word from the Chief Priest, a meeting with Giebe Ilgner was arranged.
As soon as the meeting with Giebe Ilgner was decided, I resolved to speak with
"Damuel, if meeting
"...I will work."
"Are you sure? Um... you don't still have feelings for her, do you?"
Seeing his face stiffen at the sound of Brigitte's name, I asked, and Damuel's eyes widened slightly.
"Lady Rosemine, where on earth did you learn such words!? ...Ladies' tea parties are terrifying. Hah."
It wasn't actually from a tea party, but since Damuel was satisfied with that explanation, that was fine by me. As I waited for Damuel to continue, he spoke up with a thoroughly troubled expression.
"Rather than lingering feelings, I have regrets."
"Regrets?"
"Because I was so thoughtless, I brought shame upon Brigitte. That is what I regret."
Damuel's words painted a very different picture from the brief report I had heard from the Chief Priest.
"I heard from Ferdinand that the difference in status made their marriage difficult, but I still don't quite understand. What exactly was so difficult?"
"Even I didn't fully understand until my brother reprimanded me. I hadn't properly recognized how differently the upper echelons and those around us viewed things."
Damuel had intended to continue as a guard knight, and even after marrying Brigitte, to keep living in the Noble District. Since I had shielded him from his blunder and had him recalled, he believed it was only natural to continue serving unless I dismissed him.
However, those around him didn't necessarily think the same way.
To Damuel's brother Henrick, not going to Ilgner looked like nothing more than a foolish act of throwing away a once-in-a-lifetime miracle—where lower-ranking nobles like themselves could gain ties through marriage to a landowning middle-ranking noble.
"My brother said, 'You intended to marry Lady Brigitte? How recklessly ambitious... Did you think you could provide a lifestyle sufficient to satisfy a middle-ranking noble's daughter who owns land?' If I had gone to Ilgner as a son-in-law, I would have become a middle-ranking noble, but if Brigitte became my wife, she would become a lower-ranking noble."
Since Damuel himself was a lower-ranking noble, he hadn't thought anything particular about Brigitte becoming one too. But Henrick, he said, went through example after example to explain.
If she went from a middle-ranking noble to a lower-ranking one, then not only the friends she had associated with as equals, but family and relatives—everyone she had ever been connected with—would all become her social superiors. Brigitte would have to relearn socializing as a lower-ranking noble, and any children born to her would be treated as lower-ranking nobles as well.
"...That would be an enormous burden on Brigitte."
Imagining the situation where a status gap would arise between her and the family she had always been equal to, I bit my lip. I remembered that time when my own family knelt before me and bid me farewell as though speaking to a stranger, using the most formal of language.
"Furthermore, it seems Ilgner was dealing with harassment from Brigitte's former fiancé after the engagement was broken off, and at the time there were almost no lower-ranking nobles who could serve as stewards to support Ilgner together. I heard Giebe Ilgner himself was running all over the territory, but I didn't really understand what that situation entailed."
Damuel, who had spent his time shuttling between the
"'In a situation where she couldn't even consult her family, did you really think Lady Brigitte could live as a lower-ranking noble in the Noble District? Wouldn't it be normal for Damuel to resign as a guard knight and become a son-in-law?' That's when I realized I hadn't given a single thought to how Brigitte's life would change."
The position of guard knight was a prestigious one, but for Damuel, a lower-ranking knight, it was also more than he was entitled to. In fact, Damuel was apparently resented for having learned magic power compression from me and increasing his magic power, and there had even been suggestions that he should be swapped out for a middle-ranking or upper-ranking knight.
"Since I've known Lady Rosemine since the Temple days, it's unlikely I'd be removed from my guard knight position. But truly, only a very limited number of people know about these circumstances. My brother didn't know, and neither did Brigitte. I believe that when I proposed, she assumed I would naturally become her family's son-in-law."
"What each of us took for granted was far too different from the other," Damuel said, hanging his head.
"...So this is how difficult a mismatched status can be. I always thought that if two people loved each other, things would work out somehow."
"Embarrassingly enough, so did I. I thought that as long as our magic power matched, everything would be fine. I regret not thinking it through more carefully. After all, I was the one who proposed marriage in the first place, only to then tell her I couldn't go to Ilgner."
...Wait, really! So Damuel was the one who turned her down? Sorry about that. I had been completely sure Brigitte had rejected him.
"I'm sure someone suited to you will come along in time, Damuel."
"My magic power has grown so much thanks to Lady Rosemine's magic power compression that I was able to propose to Brigitte, but there are almost no lower-ranking noble women with compatible magic power. Even so, you'd still say that?"
Being stared at with those deadpan eyes, I quietly averted my gaze.
"Hm? ...W-well, from now on, lower-ranking nobles whose magic power has increased through compression should start appearing too. You'll have young, cute girls clamoring after you. It'll be fine. ...Probably."
"...They'll be too young. By the time people your age reach marriageable age, I'll be well into my twenties."
Damuel slumped further, but I'd heard that for nobles, that kind of age gap was hardly unusual. He'd be fine if he tried. Of course, the trying would be up to Damuel.
"By then, you should have increased your magic power, saved up money, and used the charm of a mature man to somehow... manage. I'll cheer you on with all my heart."
"You're just going to leave me be!? You found Brigitte a good match—won't you introduce someone to me as well!?"
When I asked if he'd like me to ask Mother for help, Damuel said, "Please, I beg you." I'd have to ask Mother next time.
And then, on the day of the meeting with Giebe Ilgner, I entered the reception room together with the Chief Priest, attendants, and guard knights including Damuel.
Giebe Ilgner and his wife were together with Brigitte and her husband. Perhaps because she was now a married woman, Brigitte's aura was much softer and more feminine than before. The gentle smile floating on her face looked so happy that I felt relieved.
The only person I was meeting for the first time—Brigitte's husband—stepped forward and knelt before me.
"Lady Rosemine, please permit me to pray for blessings upon this rare encounter, one that has passed through the harsh selection of the Life God, Evieliebe."
"Permission granted."
"I am
Viktor had a gentle demeanor and the unmistakable air of a scholar. He was exactly the kind of person Ilgner, which was clearly short on scholars, needed. Even standing alongside Giebe Ilgner and Brigitte, their presence seemed to blend together harmoniously—I thought they were a good match.
...She really found a good one. As expected of Mother.
As I watched Viktor with admiration, I noticed that the person holding a writing board behind Giebe Ilgner was Phil. The thought that I would ever meet the former Gray Priest Phil in the castle had never crossed my mind even once, and my eyes widened in surprise. At my gaze, Phil responded with a smile full of warmth and joy.
I couldn't exactly speak to Phil right then and there, so I shifted my gaze to Brigitte.
"It has been too long, Lady Rosemine."
"I'm glad to see Brigitte looking so well."
"My only regret was that I could not wait for Lady Rosemine's awakening."
I was told that Brigitte had wanted to simply become engaged and wait for my awakening, receiving my blessing before marrying, but Mother had suggested they marry as soon as possible and send usable manpower to Ilgner. She had been told to begin the papermaking industry while there was no competition, expand sales channels as much as possible, and push their products—producing as much paper in Ilgner as they could before printing started in Haldenzel.
"We did get married, but it was far from newlywed bliss. Lady
At Brigitte's words, Viktor softened his expression and nodded.
"With Lady Rosemine's awakening and the establishment of workshops in various territories, we stand to lose our competitive advantage, so we've been pouring effort into developing new paper as well."
"Thanks to Lady Rosemine's support and the papermaking workshop, lower-ranking nobles have returned, and managing the territory has become much easier. We are truly grateful."
Giebe Ilgner and his wife said this together, then knelt before me.
"From Ilgner, we wish to present this to Lady Rosemine. It is a new type of paper. It is made from Linfai, a material that is more abundant in Ilgner than Forin. It may very well become the base paper for wax that the Plantan Trading Company has been seeking. Please use this sample for your research."
A stack of paper so thin you could see through it was carefully wrapped in Ilgner's signature smooth, stiff paper to keep it from getting crumpled. I gently unwrapped it and picked up a single sheet.
While I had been sleeping, their skills had apparently improved too. Looking at the quality of the thin paper, I couldn't help but break into a wide smile.
If we could make wax base paper from this, we could bring down the price of wax base paper—which until now had no choice but to use Trombe paper—significantly. Naturally, that would lower the price of printing as well.
...Books are going to get a little cheaper! Hooray!
"I am most grateful. I'll have the workshop begin research immediately to determine whether this can be used as base paper for wax."
As I was happily rubbing the new paper against my cheek, Brigitte called out, "Lady Rosemine."
"This may or may not be useful information, but paper made from the magic wood Nanseb behaves like a magical tool."
"...When you make paper from magic wood, it sometimes inherits the properties of that wood. Have you discovered something?"
I couldn't exactly use Trombe paper's resistance to burning as an example, so I was deliberately vague as I asked Brigitte.
According to Brigitte, the workshop had taken to tearing up failed sheets, boiling them down, and making recycled paper. While doing this, they had torn up Nanseb paper in the same way, and the torn fragments had started slithering across the surface, gathering toward the largest piece.
"I don't know much about magical tools or materials, but I thought Lady Rosemine or Ferdinand might be able to think of some use for it, so I wanted to report this."
"I'll buy that paper. Do you have any with you right now?"
The one who reacted to Brigitte's report was the Chief Priest, whose passion for research had by no means cooled. He made the decision on the spot without even asking the price.
"I've brought about ten sheets as samples, but regarding the sale, it's been arranged to go through the Plantan Trading Company, so I won't be able to hand them over until early spring."
"I see. ...The Plantan Trading Company is going to be summoned by the Aub Ehrenfest soon. I'll negotiate with them at that time. I'll let you know once the date is set."
"Understood."
I thought to myself, he can't even wait until spring? But Giebe Ilgner looked genuinely pleased knowing that Nanseb paper would sell.
The Chief Priest hardened his expression and fixed his gaze on Giebe Ilgner. At the same time, Viktor straightened his posture, and Phil adjusted his grip on the writing board and iron stylus.
"Giebe Ilgner, because Rosemine has awakened, Ehrenfest will now expand its papermaking industry."
"I am well aware."
"For that purpose, I would like Ilgner to provide three to four technicians who can teach papermaking methods."
"That is... a very difficult request, Lord Ferdinand."
The one who answered was not Giebe Ilgner but Viktor. He explained that Ilgner was shouldering the papermaking work and already lacked sufficient hands for the quantity being demanded, expressing reluctance about going out of their way to cooperate in creating more competitors.
"Viktor, Ilgner exists as it does today because it received knowledge and technical support from Lady Rosemine. If Lady Rosemine desires our cooperation, we are prepared to accept as much as we can. Please, let us hear the details."
"Yes. You're surely aware that the number of Giebes wanting to establish papermaking workshops has been increasing? To expand the printing industry going forward, we will need paper in vast quantities. We must increase the number of papermaking workshops before we can increase the printing presses. As we did with Ilgner, we plan to send personnel from the Plantan Trading Company and Gray Priests from my workshop, but we don't have enough people."
Brigitte, who had seen both Giebe Ilgner's workshop and Mine Workshop, nodded. There simply weren't enough people to send to multiple territories at once. And she knew full well how much time it took to teach the work.
"The instructors sent from Ilgner will only teach the papermaking method using Forin. We plan to have them visit several locations between spring and autumn, but they won't be staying long-term in any one place, nor do they need to teach any other papermaking methods."
The Chief Priest added to my words.
"Looking ahead to our future dealings with the Central Office, we are prioritizing the increase in papermaking workshops above all else. If each territory wishes to create new paper using their own local materials, we intend to let them figure that out on their own. The competitive advantage of Ilgner that Viktor is concerned about should remain secure for some time."
At the Chief Priest's words, Viktor's expression relaxed.
"Now I understand just how much preferential treatment Ilgner received, having been sent Gray Priests from Lady Rosemine for a full year. For the sake of Ehrenfest's future, we will cooperate as much as we are able."
Because Plantan Trading Company personnel would need to accompany them, the details were to be discussed at the time of the Nanseb paper purchase.
...
As I was thinking about this, Damuel, who had been standing guard at the door, walked toward Richalda with a stern expression. There seemed to be some message. After hearing Damuel's words, Richalda's eyes widened slightly, and she walked over to the Chief Priest.
"Forgive the interruption during your meeting."
"It's fine. The important matters have been concluded."
"It seems the knights' order has reported that a Lord of Winter has appeared."
At Richalda's words, the Chief Priest stood up with a rustle, and tension ran through all the guard knights except Damuel.
I recalled the Lord of Winter subjugation I knew. Father and my brothers—the family was the one who went to fight the Lord of Winter. If I could ease their burden even slightly, I wanted to give them my blessing. I looked up at the Chief Priest.
"Lord Ferdinand, will my blessing be needed?"
"It wouldn't be a problem without it, but it would help to have it."
"Giebe Ilgner, that concludes today's meeting."
"Yes. We cannot impose on any more of your time. We will take our leave."
Giebe Ilgner and his wife stood up. Viktor gently patted Brigitte's shoulder.
"You've got a fierce look on your face, but Brigitte isn't a knight anymore, is she? Being surrounded by so many familiar faces, you must have fallen into an illusion."
At Viktor's wry observation, Brigitte seemed to snap back to herself, and she put on a smile that was both bashful and tinged with loneliness.
"We shall take our leave so as not to intrude further. We pray for everyone's success in battle."
As Phil turned to leave with Giebe Ilgner and the others, I couldn't help but call out to his retreating figure.
"Phil."
"What is it, Lady Rosemine?"
He clearly hadn't expected to be addressed, and Phil turned back with a look full of surprise.
"Are you getting along well with your wife? Phil, have you found happiness in Ilgner? It's been weighing on my mind."
For me, Phil was the first Gray Priest who had been sent away to another territory—not as a laborer, but as a marriage partner. What became of the path taken by a Gray Priest who knew nothing of marriage or family? I couldn't help but be consumed by worry. Feeling the Chief Priest's reproachful gaze on me, I asked, and Phil knelt before me.
"Cherishing Lady Rosemine's words, Kaya and I have worked hard to be able to discuss things openly and make compromises rather than simply enduring in silence. During the long sleep Lady Rosemine was in, we were blessed with a child, and I came to know the existence of family for the first time. Every time I feel the small happiness of daily life, I am filled with sincere gratitude toward Lady Rosemine, who showed me the path to happiness."
As Phil spoke, his face was filled with pride—he no longer had the look of a Gray Priest serving his master, but that of a father supporting his family.
I pray, I pray that Damuel will find himself a cute girlfriend.
Phil is highly valued in Ilgner, where his skills are put to excellent use.
Paper research is progressing smoothly. Next, Mine will need to think about how to use it.
Next time: The End of the Blizzard, and a Merchant's Summons.