Preparing the Magic Paper

After finishing breakfast and practicing fetchspiel, my attendants arrived from the castle. There was a change in the guard knights, and my schedule for the day was confirmed.

"For my meeting with Benno this afternoon, I'd like to use the hidden room to keep things from leaking out. Damuel, I'll need you on guard duty."

"Rozemyne, will you be having a civil official accompany you?"

When Hartmut asked me that with a smile, I faltered for a moment. To protect my secrets, I had no choice but to pick someone from the namesworn who would absolutely obey orders. And seeing how Hartmut was brimming with motivation while the others all averted their gaze as if begging me to pick Hartmut, I really only had one option.

"Ugh… Hartmut, I'll have you do it."

"As you wish."

In the morning, I asked Monica and Fran to prepare the hidden room, then handled my duties and handover work in the Chief Priest's office. Melchior and his attendants were there too, so I discussed the future of the orphanage. Since I had been serving concurrently as orphanage director, I told Melchior's attendants that I wanted the orphanage director position to be filled from among his staff as well—which made Melchior look extremely troubled.

"The orphanage director…? The Chief Priest's role is similar to that of civil officials, so appointing from among my attendants would be easy enough. But the orphanage director looks after Commoner children, doesn't it? Attendants might be a better match for the actual work than civil officials, but it's so different from what they've been doing that I can't imagine they'd be able to hand things over within a year. And I still have very few attendants… I think a woman would be better suited."

Most of Melchior's attendants were men, so those in charge of an orphanage with young children were apparently considered outside their jurisdiction. And given how the surrounding Nobility would view things, there was resistance to bringing women into the Temple as Attendants. I understood that appearances mattered, but this was a problem. I had planned to have my own Attendants assigned to Melchior, but it was clear Monica and the others wouldn't be taken on.

…It wouldn't be easy to change their impressions right away. What should I do?

"The orphanage is mostly made up of children without Magic Power, but right now the former Veronica faction children are there, and my Workshop is there too. So I think it requires management by the Lord's family in a way it didn't before…"

Thinking about how the former Veronica faction children would be raised, and how to handle things if someone with deep connections in the printing industry attempted to buy them out, I felt it would be best to entrust the orphanage director role to someone in the Lord's family or their attendants—someone it would be easy to report to the Aub.

"Then perhaps Lady Charlotte or one of Brunhilde's attendants? Though, Charlotte is busy until Mother finishes giving birth, and Brunhilde hasn't finished her marriage preparations yet, so the handover would be difficult… Is there no one among my attendants other than Brunhilde who could be left behind?"

At Melchior's suggestion, I snapped my fingers and turned to look at Philine, who was working in the same room. She was the perfect candidate—an attendant of mine who would make the handover easy.

"…Philine, would you like to become the orphanage director?"

"Me!?"

"You'll be watching over Konrad until he comes of age in three years, won't you? Then I think the orphanage director position would be perfect for you. You've been watching how the work is done at my side, and the position comes with an official stipend. Since I'll be gone, you'll need stable income, right?"

I'd been financially supporting Philine through wages for her apprentice work, payment for helping at the Temple, and copy fees for books, but once I was gone, her income would plummet. Mother was letting her live at home, so food and lodging weren't a problem, but she'd struggle without income for other expenses.

"I'd like you to serve as orphanage director for three years as a stopgap, then hand the role over to someone you feel you can trust. I'll have already spoken to my adoptive father about it."

Having visited the orphanage many times, Philine being there as the director meant that Konrad—who was at the orphanage—wouldn't tolerate any mistreatment. She'd also be careful about selecting the next director.

"But I can't even prepare a room or anything like that…"

"I'll transfer the orphanage director's office along with all its furniture. For Attendants, I'll keep Monica and Nicola as they are, plus either Fran or Zahm. Since I'm being selfish and adding to your workload, I'll cover the orphanage director's office maintenance costs for the three years as the person in charge."

Without some justification, it would be difficult to funnel money to Philine alone. But with the reason of appointing her as orphanage director, providing support would be much easier.

"Understood. I'll take the job."

"With Rozemyne's attendant as the orphanage director, I can feel at ease. Philine, I'd also appreciate it if you could help me at the Temple when you come by. …I can't help but feel uneasy about completing the entire handover in just one year."

Hartmut said this with a trusting tone toward Philine, and she smiled happily and nodded. I gave a little grin of my own.

"Melchior, Philine's assistance is paid work. I'll prepare a table laying out the workload and hours, so make sure you pay properly. She'll be doing more than her regular duties, so you should pay your own Attendants too."

When I puffed out my chest and declared that I paid my own Attendants, Melchior's attendants glanced at him with a hint of expectation.

After lunch, I headed to the orphanage director's office with Hartmut, Damuel, and Angelica—along with the Temple Attendants, all of whom were excited at being permitted to enter the hidden room for the first time. We drank the tea Fran had prepared and the sweets Nicola had readied, then Benno and Mark arrived. We exchanged greetings and entered the hidden room. So far, everything was business as usual.

What wasn't business as usual was that Hartmut had entered a hidden room that, until now, only Fran, Gil, and Damuel had been allowed into. Benno, seated across from us, showed a slightly surprised expression, glanced at Hartmut standing behind me, and asked, "Is this acceptable?" Watching Benno try to gauge how much he could safely reveal, I let out a quiet breath.

"…He has received my name, so it's fine. If I order him not to divulge what is said here, he won't be able to disobey his master's command."

"I am honored that Rozemyne has accepted my name. Ever since I heard that important discussions take place in the hidden room, I have always wished to be present here."

Hartmut spoke with heartfelt emotion, and Benno watched him with a somewhat strained smile. Deep down, he was surely thinking, "I wish he'd leave right now," and, "I can't believe she took this guy's name."

…If it hadn't been forced on me with the namesworn contract, I never would have accepted it either.

"There's no need to hold back, Rozemyne. You may tell me anything. I already know that you were born a Commoner, that you are Gunther's daughter, and that you've been close with Benno since those days."

"Huh!?"

These completely unexpected words stopped me in my tracks. Eyes wide, staring at Hartmut, I couldn't move.

"By visiting the orphanage and the Workshop repeatedly and carefully eliminating contradictions piece by piece, it's possible to arrive at a reasonable answer. I received the final confirmation from Ferdinand. So please don't worry—feel free to speak openly."

"I am worried! What is that about!? No one has told me a single word about this until now!? Did you know about this, Damuel!?"

I turned to look at Damuel, who was standing beside Hartmut, wondering if he'd known about Hartmut's investigation. Damuel looked equally shocked and hurriedly shook his head.

"I didn't. I just found out."

"I thought that before I received your name, sharing this information would only cause Rozemyne distress."

Hartmut said this with a bright, cheerful smile. He'd apparently kept quiet to avoid having to muzzle me, to avoid worrying about the impact on the lower city, to avoid panicking about what would happen if it spread among the Nobility—all so I wouldn't be troubled. And he'd only opened his mouth after obtaining the answer while being subjected to Ferdinand's and the others' withering stares.

"Hartmut, so you leaked it to someone else…?"

"I would never do something so wasteful. I went in and out of the orphanage and the Workshop numerous times to ease everyone's tension and vigilance, then gathered information quite meticulously from the gray Priests who would only say bland, inconsequential things. I carefully eliminated small contradictions, deduced the answer on my own, and then obtained the truth while enduring the looks from Ferdinand and the others that made me think I might be disposed of on the spot. Why should I tell someone who went through none of that trouble?"

Hartmut said this as though I were the one not making sense, and I felt equally bewildered. I couldn't understand Hartmut's standards—that he'd go to all that trouble just because he wanted to know why Damuel was so valued. I couldn't comprehend the mental structure that would let him go that far to obtain the truth and be satisfied simply keeping it locked in his own heart.

"…Ugh, I'm just so tired."

I was completely exhausted before we even got to the main topic, all thanks to Hartmut. As I let the tension drain from my shoulders, I noticed Benno across from me straighten up, having collected himself.

"So, what exactly is this about? Calling me out at a time when merchants from other territories could arrive at any moment—needless to say, I understand something major must have happened. Was there some incident at the Lord's conference?"

Glared at by those reddish-brown eyes practically screaming "I'm busy, so get to the point already," I too straightened my posture.

"I've written the message for the Guild Master here. But there are things I need to discuss with Benno that I cannot share with anyone else."

"Understood."

Benno took the letter, handed it to Mark, and turned back to me.

"I can't go into the details, but… I will be leaving Ehrenfest in one year."

"…One year? When the autumn reforms at the Plantin Trading Company's second branch and Griselda's restructuring are supposed to happen, and you're telling me in spring to come to a different territory?"

He was clearly restraining himself, but "Are you trying to kill me!?" was written all over Benno's face. I quickly shook my head.

"No. In Ehrenfest, my adoptive father gave me permission to be involved with the business as I pleased. But in other territories, they apparently won't leave business to minors. So there won't be any relocation of printing personnel for the three years until I come of age. I'll also need to check conditions over there and prepare the shops and workshops…"

As I explained, Benno raised a hand to stop me, folded his arms, and wore an exasperated smile.

"In other words, I should have things ready to move within a year?"

"Huh? No—three years from now…"

"Everything you propose is always accelerated. If I prepare on a three-year timeline, something will absolutely go wrong and we won't make it in time."

"Wha!? Benno, that's awful!"

I'm telling you not to move until I come of age! When I glared at Benno, he let out a small laugh.

"It's based on experience and fact, so I'm not being unfair. Is the move for all the Gutenbergs? If the Lord's family relocates to another territory, it's customary to take your exclusive staff along, yes?"

"I'd like them to come if possible, but I won't force the Gutenbergs. It's far, there will be friction with the locals, and I can't guarantee the same convenience as working at close range. Besides, taking everyone would set Ehrenfest's printing industry back."

We'd only just managed to cultivate enough successors—I couldn't pull all the Gutenbergs out at this point.

"…However, I do want a printing workshop, so once preparations are in order, I intend to have the Gutenbergs continue making their usual trips. There are also some I'll be taking with me before the three years are up. From the Gilberta Company, I'll definitely be bringing Turi and several others, and the dyeing specialists at Renaissance—I absolutely intend to take them. As for the rest of the exclusive staff, I'm prepared to accept their families as well if they wish, so please pass that along."

"Understood."

"Also, Hugo and Ella, I'll be taking as my exclusive cooks. I'm prepared to accept their families too, so may I ask you to quietly lay the groundwork? Ella is currently on leave for childbirth."

As for the apprentice cooks who came to the Temple from the lower city for practice, I informed them that since Philine would be using the orphanage director's office, they'd continue practicing there.

"Nicola is in the orphanage director's office kitchen, so I think it'll be fine. I'll be providing the budget for the orphanage director's office during the three years until Philine comes of age, so everything should continue as before."

"I see. …Who will be in charge of the Mine Workshop? It's different now that printing has become a Lord-led venture, so Plantin Trading Company probably can't buy it out either?"

Given that it was a Lord-led venture and situated within the Temple's orphanage, it would be difficult for the Plantin Trading Company to purchase and operate it.

"It's not really my place to interfere too much, but for the three years, I think assigning Gil and leaving it under Philine would keep things running as before."

"…And after three years?"

"I imagine the Lord's family Attendant who takes over as orphanage director, or Mother who oversees the printing industry as a whole, will become the responsible party. All we can do is hope that a sufficient number of civil officials will have been trained in three years. After that, Dirck and Konrad both aim to become Nobility or blue-robes capable of protecting the orphanage and Workshop, so I recommend having them taught everything you can from now on."

When I told Benno that Konrad apparently intended to become a merchant-class priest, he curled his lips upward with amusement.

"If you're thinking of relocating the Gutenbergs to another territory, what will you do about Gil and the other gray Priests?"

"With a view toward relocating in three years, I'll purchase them as artisans for the new printing workshop and move them along with Philine. I plan to purchase Nicola at the same time."

Those staying behind, those being taken along, those who would follow three years later. I'd discuss each group with my adoptive father and secure them so they couldn't be bought out. To keep things from collapsing suddenly, I'd ensure the ones staying behind could still operate, and if I used their profits as leverage in negotiations, it should work out.

"Hmm. I understand about the exclusive staff relocation and handover. I'll talk it over with the Gutenbergs once they return and lay the groundwork. …Does Plantin Trading Company have no need for the exclusive staff moving at the same time as you?"

Benno looked at me as he said this. I recalled Mother's words—"Tell them your own wishes"—and calculated that Hartmut and Damuel standing behind me couldn't see my face. Then I grinned the same competitive smile I used to give him.

"Of course, I'd be happy if you came along. It would make accepting the Gutenbergs in three years much easier, and just having you there would be reassuring. But I imagine you'll be impossibly busy… That will depend on Benno's skill, won't it?"

"Oh my… My skill, is it?"

As Benno smiled as if accepting the challenge, I offered to place an order for Trombe paper. Whatever preparations needed to be made, you always needed raw materials first.

"Things are going to get quite intense, so I'll cooperate with the shop's profits. This is a large order—please sell me every sheet of non-flammable paper you have."

"Non-flammable paper? …Every sheet, you say…"

"Ferdinand has requested a minimum of three hundred sheets."

To make the highest-quality magic paper, even Trombe paper might not be sufficient. I'd need research and crafting to improve the quality. If I couldn't obtain it quickly, there was a chance I wouldn't meet the deadline Ferdinand had given me.

"I plan to have my Workshop produce some as well, but if you have any in stock, please sell it all to me. I'd appreciate it as soon as possible."

"All the stock… Can you pay on the spot?"

"I have the money Ferdinand left with me, so that's no problem at all."

The money had technically been transferred to me, but I also had my own earnings, so spending it on Ferdinand's behalf posed no issue whatsoever.

"I'll go back to the shop, check the inventory, and have Mark deliver it."

Given the amount, Mark would apparently be the one to deliver it. I looked up at Mark standing behind Benno and said, "Please take care of it," and he returned my words with a gentle, familiar smile.

Once the meeting with Benno concluded, I sent Hartmut—who was lamenting, "I'm envious of those who can casually rely on Rozemyne"—to the Chief Priest's office with a "I'm counting on you for the handover with Melchior," and returned to the High Priest's office myself.

I left the education of Melchior and his attendants to Hartmut, then clearly told everyone that Philine would be my successor as orphanage director, and that Monica and the others would serve as Philine's Attendants as-is. The Temple Attendants looked relieved that the new orphanage director was a Nobility they were already familiar with.

"I'll have Monica serve as Philine's Attendant, and Lily will take over Wilma's role managing the orphanage. Now then, Philine. You only have one year. Considering the time spent at the Royal Academy, it's not an exaggeration to say you have half a year at most. Let's begin the handover immediately."

I had Monica bring out the orphanage documents and stacked them in front of Philine.

"Philine, these documents detail the orphanage's finances over the course of a year. Please familiarize yourself with how much money is needed in each season. Right now, the number of former Veronica faction children has increased, and Father's financial support has grown, so the flow of money has become irregular. Pay attention to that and explain it to Philine, Monica."

"Understood, Rozemyne."

Philine's face twitched for a moment at the sight of the stacked wooden-plate documents, but she composed herself and picked one up. She and Monica began going through the wooden plates together, discussing the contents.

"Fran, Mark will be coming by after this, so please prepare tea and the payment as well."

"Understood."

I opened the hidden room so Mark could bring in the Trombe paper, and an orðnanz flew in. The white bird gently landed on my arm and opened its beak.

"It's been some time, Rozemyne. This is Brigitte from Illgner. The magic paper is ready. I plan to send it through the teleportation circle to the castle, so please let me know a convenient day."

I was asked to send back a box containing the payment and a magic stone with enough magic power for the teleportation. My eyes lit up at the perfect timing.

"Rozemyne, if you're going to produce the highest-quality magic paper, wouldn't it be better to use the castle's Workshop?"

"…Why do you say that?"

When Roderich suggested this, I tilted my head.

"Clarissa can't enter this Workshop, and I imagine she'll make quite a fuss. Besides, if you're crafting the highest-quality magic paper, I think it would be better to have two senior civil officials assist rather than me or Philine."

Since crafting or assisting with crafting was the work of civil officials, if I did the crafting at the Temple instead, it would exclude Clarissa and apparently cause a great deal of trouble. Marianne and Ignaz, who knew the results of last year's joint research well, were also at the castle, so it would be better to do it there, I was told…

"But the castle is awfully busy, isn't it? If I'm doing the crafting there for Ferdinand's sake, I imagine there will be many people complaining. I'm not keen on crafting at the castle."

"…Rozemyne, don't you have another Workshop? What if you did the crafting in the Library's Workshop?"

At Damuel's suggestion, I slapped my hands together. The Library's Workshop was perfect—Clarissa could enter, and there were no noisy people around. It would also be convenient for searching for materials other than magic paper.

I sent an orðnanz to Brigitte saying, "Please deliver it by the third bell tomorrow," one to Riziellata at the castle saying, "Paper will be arriving from Illgner tomorrow, so please prepare payment, magic stones, and personnel to transport the paper on riding beasts," and one to Razapham at the Library informing him of tomorrow's schedule.

Benno must have truly scraped together every last sheet remaining at the shop, because Mark arrived hugging a wooden box just as the sixth bell was approaching. Fran checked the quantity alongside him, and the payment was made. The five large gold coins being handed over drew surprised looks from the attendants, but I paid them no mind.

I had Fran and Zahm carry the paper to the hidden room, and also asked them to check the Workshop for any magic paper in stock and purchase it. Right now, I needed as much magic paper as possible.

"Roderich, when you return to the castle, please check with Charlotte's and Wilfried's attendants whether any magic paper from the joint research with Drewanchel is left over. I'll purchase it tomorrow."

The next day, I gathered all the magic paper at the Temple, loaded it onto riding beasts, and headed to the castle as planned. Riziellata had received the paper from Illgner, so I had that loaded as well. Then, bringing Clarissa and Hartmut along with the guard knights to assist with crafting, I headed for the Library.

"Good morning, Razapham."

"I've been awaiting your return, Rozemyne. Tea is prepared over here."

I was waylaid by the smiling Razapham. While the servants carried the magic paper from the riding beasts into the Workshop, I ended up having tea. I was handed a Magical Tool for preventing eavesdropping and asked to give a detailed explanation of Ferdinand's situation and the measures to avoid guilt by association.

I left the crafting preparations to Clarissa and Hartmut, and over tea told Razapham about Ferdinand. Not just the explanation of avoiding guilt by association, but also about the magic paper and materials I was currently gathering.

"Ferdinand is going to have a hidden room prepared in Arensbach, so I plan to send the necessary crafting tools and materials from here when the funeral takes place in summer."

"That will surely make him very happy. The place where Ferdinand spent the most time in this household was the Workshop, after all."

While waiting for Hartmut and Clarissa to come summon me, Razapham shared some stories from the past.

Apparently, part of Ferdinand's book collection in the Library had originally belonged to Heidemarie. In a situation much like Philine's, Heidemarie had her home taken over by Veronica's successor wife, and so she took every book she could carry from her own library and stored them in Ferdinand's estate.

…She donated them to her master Ferdinand rather than surrendering the precious knowledge passed down in her family.

Eckhart apparently didn't like coming near the Library in this estate very much, as it reminded him of Heidemarie.

"Eckhart's wounds have probably healed somewhat as well. Last year, he entered the Library and gazed at the collection with a nostalgic look on his face."

"Is that so…"

Just as our conversation reached a natural pause, Clarissa came to call us. The crafting preparations were apparently complete.

"I'm happy I can do the kind of work befitting a civil official of Rozemyne's stature. Last night, I reviewed the research results for improving the magic paper's quality."

Encouraged by the motivated Clarissa, I stood up, and Razapham watched with a wistful, nostalgic expression.

"How long will you be sequestered in the Workshop?"

"…Let me see. I plan to create samples of the highest-quality magic paper before the funeral and have Ferdinand confirm there are no issues, so I'll probably be in the Workshop for several days."

Seeing Razapham's worried expression at the mention of several days, I hurriedly added: "But unlike Ferdinand, I will be leaving the Workshop for meals, so please don't worry."

Razapham smiled wryly and nodded. "Understood."

Philine will be the next orphanage director. She's teary-eyed about the handover, but she's doing her best for her brother and for living expenses. I also spoke with Benno. If challenged, he'll rise to meet it. That's the Benno I know. And the magic paper preparations are complete. Next up—making samples.