The Aub's Interview and Entwicken

I finished the autumn Baptism Ceremony without any problems, then made several trips to the castle to supply magic power for Entwicken. Since there's no delicious recovery potion with brünryas in it, I spend every day building up my magic power while making do with kindness-infused potions.

Before long, the Temple started buzzing with preparations for the Harvest Festival. Arranging carriages and cargo, selecting attendants to bring along, reviewing the ceremonies held in the rural villages—the blue apprentices were making meticulous preparations for their first Harvest Festival.

The autumn Harvest Festival requires government officials to accompany the taxation process, so I was hoping the children from the old Veronica faction wouldn't have too terrible an experience. I intended to give the officials a stern warning beforehand, but there were things you simply can't control once you're out of sight. A meeting was held to decide who would go where, and the pairings of blue priests and blue apprentices were determined.

"Philine was appointed as the Blue Shrine Maiden Apprentice to succeed the orphanage director, but she won't be attending the Harvest Festival?"

When Melchior asked whether I intended to send Philine to the Harvest Festival, I answered that I would not.

"Yes. I had her take over as my successor with the intention of assigning her my room and attendants. Right now everything is in a shared state, so Philine doesn't have dedicated attendants or a personal cook for the Harvest Festival. Besides, she's still a minor, and unlike the other blue apprentices, not participating in the Harvest Festival won't prevent her from getting through winter."

The reason I was sending the minor blue apprentices to the Harvest Festival this time was partly because of a shortage of people, but more importantly, it was absolutely necessary for their winter preparations. Otherwise, I wouldn't be sending minors on a religious mission. Incidentally, Melchior was a lord candidate, so regardless of being a blue apprentice, he would be touring the territory anyway—he was in a separate category.

"To also avoid a situation where the Temple has absolutely no one in it, I plan to have Philine stay behind and keep watch."

While we were having this conversation, an Ordens burst into the meeting room. A white bird landed before me and began speaking in my adoptive father's voice.

"I've cleared some time, so the interview will take place in three days. Submit a report on the children who will be receiving their Baptism Ceremony as nobility this winter."

The blue apprentices stared at the Ordens intently as it repeated the same words three times. Some of the orphanage children had siblings there, so they'd naturally be curious about how children from the orphanage who became nobility would be treated.

"There are two children from the orphanage who will be of age for their Baptism Ceremony as nobility this winter. I'll have Roderich deliver the report when he returns to the castle."

I said this and sent my adoptive father's Ordens back. The only children who could potentially receive their Baptism Ceremony as nobility this winter were Bertram and Dirk. There had been other children the same age, but one had returned to live with relatives, and the other had failed Hartmut's interview and been unable to obtain a magical tool. They were simply ineligible for their Baptism Ceremony as nobility.

After concluding the discussion about the Harvest Festival, I returned to the High Priest's chambers. Then I sent Monica to Wilma to inform her of the interview date and time and to request reports on both children. Next, I called Laurentz, who was in training, via Ordens. This was a crucial interview that would determine whether his younger brother Bertram could receive his Baptism Ceremony. I thought he might want to have a word with him as an older brother.

While I was reading the report from Wilma, Laurentz arrived almost immediately.

"Rozemyne, the Ordens said the meeting date and time have been set..."

"Yes, that's right. Could you please go to the orphanage and have a word with Bertram? Since he'll be receiving his Baptism Ceremony with the Aub as his guardian—a child without parents—after the ceremony he won't be recognized as a sibling in the eyes of society. Even so, I'd like you to try to stay as close to him as you can."

In the noble society where parents are decided by the Baptism Ceremony, Bertram would become a parentless child. In society's eyes, he would no longer be Laurentz's brother. It was simply the way things worked—the moment someone entered the orphanage, it was only natural to be told, "You're no longer a sibling."

"Only those who are acknowledged for their excellent grades, and who have no issues regarding their ideology such as a desire for revenge and who have the will to serve Aub Ehrenfest, are allowed to receive their Baptism Ceremony as nobility. According to Wilma's report, Bertram has no problems with his grades or conduct."

"Is that so?"

As Laurentz let out a sigh of relief, I added, "But we don't know about his ideology." He seemed to be trying hard to be a good child at the orphanage, but there was no way to know whether he would show proper deference to the Aub.

"I imagine it would be difficult for him to serve the Aub without any resentment toward the person who captured his parents and sent him to the orphanage. But if he plans to live as a noble from here on, he'll be forced to swear his name. Please explain this to Bertram carefully and make sure he understands."

I asked Laurentz—who had sworn his name when his parents were executed—to tell me what his life was like now, how he felt about my adoptive father and the others, and how he was processing his emotions. I hoped that Bertram, who was thinking about returning to noble society, could close the gap between his imagination and reality even a little.

"I'm grateful that you're taking the trouble to care for these children before their Baptism Ceremonies. It would have been perfectly understandable to have abandoned them long ago."

If only I could help more... but my reach wasn't wide enough. And I'd been told many times not to extend it too far.

...I just wish I could save even a small part of them.

"Rozemyne, shouldn't you also have a word with Dirk?"

"Oh. Philine, Dirk still needs a bit more practice with his Feschpiel, but other than that, he's fine."

He'd only started practicing seriously after obtaining his magical tool, so this was a recent development. According to Rosina's report—she occasionally went to observe practice at the orphanage—as long as he continued at this pace, he should be able to pull off his performance at the Baptism Ceremony presentation. I wasn't too worried.

"As for his ideology, Hartmut already interviewed him once. He was able to state his opinions to Hartmut so confidently and had set goals for himself, so I don't think there are any problems. Unlike the other noble children, he understands that as someone raised in the orphanage, he's been receiving the benevolence of the lord's family, so I have no particular doubts about his loyalty."

If anything, what concerned me about Dirk was how he would go about acquiring the common sense and knowledge needed to live as a noble.

"What Dirk, who grew up in the orphanage, lacks is the common sense and mindset of a noble. Please teach him as much as you can. As a lord candidate myself, I'm not exactly a good role model."

Dirk would have to live as a noble while being known as a child of someone from the old Veronica faction, an orphanage-born person. For the everyday knowledge needed to live as a lower-ranking noble, my own understanding—gained as a lord candidate—wouldn't be nearly as useful. Philine nodded and said, "I'll do my best."

"I'll also need you to guide him, Damuel. And Roderich, please deliver Wilma's report to my adoptive father."

"Understood."

And then, the day of the interview arrived. My adoptive father came to the Temple bringing two knights, two attendants, and two civil officials. He regarded me with a stern expression.

"Whether they are of use to me is what matters most. I have no intention of wasting effort on those who are of no use. Their lives have been saved—do not presume to dictate what treatment they should receive beyond that."

I was well aware that my standards for who I considered pitiable and wanted to save were misaligned with noble society. Just being spared from collective punishment was enough. That much was clear from how incredibly difficult it had been to save Ferdinand from the same fate.

"I understand that how we bring the children of the old Veronica faction into the fold is an important matter for the lord's family. Since you've saved their lives, I won't have a single word to say about whatever judgment you make."

"...Good. If you understand that, then we're fine."

My adoptive father relaxed his shoulders slightly as he spoke.

And so, the interview began. Dirk and Bertram were brought in, along with Wilma, who first delivered her report on the two of them. My adoptive father, who had already received the report, nodded along as he listened. His green eyes held a serious light as he compared Dirk and Bertram.

"I see. Both of them have put in considerable effort. Their grades are excellent. ...Dirk could stand to practice his Feschpiel a bit more before the Baptism Ceremony, but Bertram has no issues whatsoever regarding his grades."

He paused there, fixing his gaze on Dirk.

"Dirk. You will be known as a child of one of the criminal old Veronica faction members and will live within noble society. I imagine it will be a very harsh life. Even so, do you still wish to become a noble?"

Dirk's eyes—nearly black in their dark brown—lit up as he gave a great nod.

"Yes, I do. I want the kind of power to protect the orphanage that Lady Rozemyne showed. I can't have that as an orphan. No matter how difficult it is, I want to become a noble."

Just as he had stated during Hartmut's interview, Dirk earnestly declared his wish and offered words of gratitude to my adoptive father, who had given him a magical tool. Dirk's eyes held nothing but a pure desire. He harbored not the slightest dark feeling toward the Aub—his parents hadn't been killed, after all.

"Even using the recovery potion Lady Rozemyne gave me, I still haven't accumulated even half as much magic power as Bertram, but I'll definitely have enough by the time I enroll in the Royal Academy."

My adoptive father's expression softened slightly at Dirk's straightforward determination, while at the same time regarding him with a touch of sympathy.

"...You will be treated as one of the old Veronica faction's children. By the time you reach adulthood, you'll likely need to swear your name to the lord's family. What are your thoughts on that?"

To avoid collective punishment, the children of the old Veronica faction had been swearing their names, so the blue apprentices and orphanage-born children would receive the same treatment. Dirk wasn't actually a child of the old Veronica faction, but since he was becoming a noble from the orphanage, he'd be treated the same way. When this was explained to him, Dirk tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

"Can I choose my own lord? Then I'd like to choose whoever will protect the orphanage."

The life of an orphan meant not knowing what noble would take them in, what they'd pay for them, or what treatment awaited them beyond that. Compared to that, being able to choose your own master was fortunate enough, Dirk said.

My adoptive father showed a bitter smile at how fundamentally different Dirk's way of thinking was, and nodded. "I see..."

"Dirk. I acknowledge that you will receive your Baptism Ceremony as a noble of Ehrenfest."

"Thank you very much."

I heard Dirk whisper a small "Yes!" under his breath. Shifting his gaze from the beaming Dirk to Bertram, my adoptive father fixed him with a penetrating stare.

"Seems like you have something to say?"

To Bertram, who remained silent, my adoptive father pressed quietly but firmly, "Speak up." Bertram slowly opened his mouth.

"...Are children like Dirk really going to become nobles?"

"I said 'children like Dirk,' but you're an orphan too. The two of you are in the same position, aren't you?"

At my adoptive father's words, Bertram's eyes flew wide open, and he said, "That's not the same."

"I'm not the same as Dirk. I'm from Giebe Viltur's..."

"The Giebe Viltur you knew no longer exists. Someone else holds the position now. Besides, you're in the orphanage, which makes you an orphan. I will be your guardian, and you will become a noble as a parentless child—no different from Dirk. In a noble society where parents are decided by the Baptism Ceremony, your parents don't exist."

Being told that he was in the same position as someone not recognized as a sibling to Laurentz, and as the orphanage-born Dirk, Bertram said "I know" and fell silent, lowering his gaze slightly. His attitude seemed to reject understanding even though he intellectually knew the truth, and I quietly let out a breath.

"According to the orphanage report, it says you've been working desperately hard because you want to leave the orphanage as soon as possible and return to the noble society you were raised in. But receiving your Baptism Ceremony as a noble won't mean you can go back to the way things were before."

Bertram's fist clenched tight and began to tremble. He looked like he was desperately holding back his emotions. But this was a reality he had to come to terms with.

"Even after the Baptism Ceremony, your parents won't come back, and you'll continue living in the Temple. You'll be living as a blue apprentice, just like the older children. Knowing that reality, do you have the resolve to accept my guardianship and receive your Baptism Ceremony as a noble? Can you choose your lord, like Dirk? I have no intention of treating children of criminals who don't show me their loyalty as nobles of Ehrenfest."

My adoptive father regarded Bertram with a severe gaze. Bertram closed his eyes tightly.

"Whether or not you can serve the lord's family who executed your parents—that is the most important thing. Older children who have been exposed to all manner of gossip and malice at the castle and the Royal Academy, who understand the meaning of collective punishment, and who can feel grateful for their current circumstances—they have the resolve to choose their lord. But a young child who suddenly lost his family, who was sheltered by Rozemyne at the orphanage without understanding the gazes of those around him—can he truly feel grateful for his current situation?"

After remaining silent for some time, Bertram said, "...I am grateful."

"My older brother told me that it was our parents who committed the crime, and our parents who were at fault. That it's a miracle we're able to live like this. I don't want to understand, but I do understand. We are being kept alive by the mercy of the lord's family."

"I see. Your brother told you that, did he..."

"...Yes. My older brother swore his name to Lady Rozemyne, but I would like to swear mine to Lord Melchior."

He had apparently considered Melchior—since Melchior visited the orphanage frequently, checked on their studies, played karuta and card games with the blue apprentices, and generally showed his concern—someone he could serve.

"...If you're considering swearing your name, then that will do. I will become your guardian."

At my adoptive father's words, Bertram relaxed his shoulders.

Since it was decided that the two would receive their Baptism Ceremony as nobility, we discussed and roughly determined the arrangements for their winter Baptism Ceremony clothing and accompaniment. The clothing would be hand-me-downs, and the accompaniment would come from my retainers as the High Priest. From next year onward, it would come from Melchior's retainers.

After finishing the discussion about the Baptism Ceremony, Dirk and the others were dismissed, and the conversation turned to Entwicken.

"Groschel's Entwicken is scheduled to take place after Florencia gives birth."

"After the birth?"

"Yes. Florencia insists she'll use recovery potions to get back on her feet and participate in Entwicken, no matter what I say."

It seemed my adoptive father didn't want his wife participating in Entwicken, but Florencia was determined to join even if it meant using recovery potions after giving birth.

"I'm concerned about Mother's condition as well, but are the preparations for Entwicken complete?"

"We've received design proposals from the merchants about what kind of shops they want to open, and the civil officials along with Giebe Groschel have drafted the town's layout. We've accumulated a reasonable amount of magic power, thanks to magic compression and the reacquisition of divine blessings. Honestly, it's been a real help."

"I'm glad to hear that."

With my adoptive father having reacquired his blessings, it seemed he'd been able to build up magic power more easily than initially expected. I'd also been working hard on magic compression, so our magic power situation should be manageable.

"Oh, by the way, what about the wide-area Waschen? Ferdinand won't be here this time, and I won't be able to go to Groschel immediately after Entwicken, you know."

Even if we made the buildings sparkle during Entwicken, it would be pointless if we didn't clean the entire town with Waschen. It wasn't feasible to prepare for accepting merchants from other territories while simultaneously having the commoners scrub away grime accumulated over many long years. A town-wide Waschen was absolutely essential.

"That's exactly the thing—could you lend me Clarissa?"

At my adoptive father's words, I pursed my lips. "Clarissa?" Clarissa was Hartmut's fiancée and still technically a citizen of Dunkelfelger. She had sworn her name to me, so I didn't mind using her for personal work, but dispatching her for a territory-wide project was another matter entirely.

"I know it's not ideal, but Brünhilde told me she possesses a fairly effective auxiliary magic circle for large-scale magic. With Clarissa's support, it seems it can be managed by the Giebe Groschel, Brünhilde, and the other Groschel nobles. Could you order her to head to Groschel on the day Entwicken takes place?"

The lord's family was confined during the supply period, so we had no choice but to leave the Waschen in Groschel to someone else. And since Brünhilde didn't have the kind of magic power Ferdinand and I did, she was planning to compensate with auxiliary magic circles and sheer numbers.

"Brünhilde, as my attendant, told me I should ask you, but she said I—as the Aub—should be the one making the request."

"Well, Entwicken is a territory project being led by you as the adoptive father, so it's only proper for you to be the one to ask."

As I said this, I looked at my adoptive father.

"I have no objection to ordering Clarissa to go to Groschel, but I have a condition."

"What is it?"

"Send all the lord's family's retainers—every last upper-ranking noble—to Groschel. Groschel's nobles alone probably won't be enough, and it's also necessary for the lord's family to visibly support Groschel in order to bring the Liesegang faction nobles into the fold."

I referenced the example of using wide-area Waschen magic at the Royal Academy's Ditter, and proposed the condition that attendants, civil officials, knights—anyone with plenty of magic power—be sent in large numbers to Groschel.

"If the lord's family's support isn't visible, it will look like Groschel is shouldering everything alone. Preparing Groschel benefits all of Ehrenfest. Moreover, I'm not satisfied with dispatching only my own retainers. It's not just Clarissa, who still belongs to another territory—I'd like all the retainers of the lord's family to pitch in. More people makes it easier, whether for Entwicken or wide-area Waschen."

"...Understood. I'll send notice to the lord's family's retainers who are upper-ranking nobles to report to Groschel."

Since my adoptive father agreed, I sent an Ordens to Clarissa, instructing her to coordinate with Brünhilde and plan the wide-area Waschen. Almost immediately, an Ordens flew back with Brünhilde's thanks.

"I'm most grateful, Lady Rozemyne. Clarissa informed me of the news. I hadn't expected the lord's family's retainers to lend their strength, so it seems the town's cleaning will go much more smoothly."

Brünhilde's Ordens carried a noticeably bright voice, and I could tell just how hard she'd been working for Entwicken.

"I won't hold back in contributing to its success either," I replied.

Shortly after, another Ordens flew in. I assumed it was from Brünhilde, but it didn't land in front of me—it flew straight to my adoptive father instead.

"It's Lebrecht. It appears the Goddess of Birth has visited Aub Ehrenfest—Lady Florencia."

The visit of the Goddess of Birth could only mean that labor had begun. My adoptive father shot to his feet.

"Contact Melchior. We're returning to the castle immediately."

My adoptive father's retainers sprang into action to notify Melchior.

"Father, I..."

"You're not his full sibling, so even if you return to the castle, you won't be allowed into the main building. If possible, pray to the Goddess of Birth from here."

I'd heard that magic power could sometimes be given to Florencia during childbirth. The magic power from those who weren't blood relatives—like her husband or children—was said to cause significant rejection. Apparently, there was nothing I could do to help even if I went.

After seeing my adoptive father and Melchior off as they hurried back to the castle, I returned to the High Priest's chambers. Before the small altar in my room, I offered a prayer to the Goddess of Birth, Entorindūge.

A few days later, Melchior returned to the Temple. The baby had been a girl.

And another week after that, I was summoned to the castle. Entwicken was about to take place. The lord's family was sending its retainers—the upper-ranking nobles—to Groschel. From my own retainers, Clarissa, Hartmut, Brother Cornelius, Leonore, and Ottilie would be performing the Waschen in Groschel.

And so, Groschel was reborn as a spotless, gleaming white town.

Dirk and Bertram, who similarly received the Aub's guardianship and would be receiving their Baptism Ceremony as parentless noble children.

Despite being in the same position, Dirk—who grew up in the orphanage—and Bertram—who longed to return to noble life—were completely different.

The wide-area Waschen, which had been left to Ferdinand last time.

This time, we managed it with Clarissa's auxiliary magic and a human wave strategy.

Next up are the Harvest Festival and Gutenberg's decision.