"Rosemine, are you truly all right? Wouldn't it be better to let
"No.
I brought out the Lesserbus in front of the temple's main entrance, but the High Priest still wore a grim expression. I'd been practicing seriously, and my driving had improved with experience, so I was fully confident about using the Lesserbus for travel.
"
"Brigitte?"
Brigitte dismissed her own riding beast and walked over to the Lesserbus.
"I think it would be best to have at least one person who can handle magic power riding along, in case anything happens."
"That is true, but... are you really sure?"
"I've seen with my own eyes that Lady Rosemine has improved. Please leave it to me."
She spoke with a composed expression, though her amethyst eyes seemed to gleam brighter than usual. Could it be that Brigitte was interested in the Lesserbus?
I opened the passenger-side door with a soft *myon* so Brigitte could get in, and the High Priest resignedly lowered his gaze.
"Very well, then. I'll leave it to Brigitte."
At the High Priest's words, Brigitte nodded and climbed into the Lesserbus. I got in from the driver's side and closed the door with a *myon*.
"Brigitte, please fasten your seatbelt. It's this one. Yes, pull that, and click it in here..."
I demonstrated by fastening my own seatbelt and had Brigitte do the same. Safety first. The driver's seat was adjusted to my size, so the passenger seat looked enormous by comparison.
Brigitte in the passenger seat gently ran her hand along the seat and let out a soft laugh.
"This is quite cute."
"Right? It's cute, isn't it?"
The High Priest had treated it like some strange contraption, but I thought the Lesserbus was adorable. Between two girls, maybe this cuteness could be something to bond over. Delighted by the thought, I looked up at Brigitte—only to see her briefly flash a look that said "I shouldn't have," then cover it with a cough.
"...Ahem! What I meant was that it suits Lady Rosemine very well."
"Hehe, thank you. Now then, let's set off."
I gripped the Lesserbus's steering wheel, flowed magic power into it, and pressed the accelerator to chase after the High Priest's riding beast as it rose into the sky.
Tutututu—the Lesserpanda's short legs began to move. I turned the wheel, and we took to the sky.
"I never imagined I could sit inside a riding beast. It's remarkably soft and comfortable, and since there's no need to change into riding clothes, noble ladies might want one of their own."
Riding beasts required you to straddle them, so noble ladies apparently had to change into special outfits whenever they rode.
"Was there never anyone who thought to make a carriage?"
"Riding beasts are made from animals, so while horses are one thing, the carriage part is... That's why I think the idea of riding inside an animal is truly brilliant."
Indeed, without having seen amusement park rides, kindergarten buses, or anime, I doubt one would immediately think of riding inside an animal. But no matter how much praise I received, the original idea wasn't mine, so all I could manage was an awkward smile.
"The High Priest looked rather displeased, so I'm not sure how widely this will catch on."
The Lesserbus trotted along behind the High Priest's lion, its short legs pattering through the air. My Lesserpanda—seriously adorable.
Despite the High Priest's worries about the Lesserbus and my driving, we arrived safely at the small temple in Hasse.
As our riding beasts landed on the roof of the small temple, someone must have been keeping watch, because
I descended, converted my riding beast back into a magic stone, and returned it to the ornament at my waist.
It took a bit longer than the High Priest or
The High Priest surveyed the kneeling crowd with a sweep of his gaze and gave a slight nod.
"Thank you for the welcome. Let's have a look inside right away."
At the High Priest's words, everyone rose in unison. My eyes met Father's among the soldiers at the front. We exchanged quick smiles. With the High Priest and everyone else around, that was all we could manage.
"I'll guide you from the women's quarters."
Following Benno's lead, we entered the women's quarters of the orphanage.
The orphanage rooms, which had been gaping open, now had doors, and wooden boxes and bedding had been prepared so the children could live there.
"We expect the beds to be ready before winter. Since you said it was urgent, making it livable was our top priority."
I nodded lightly at Benno's words. Being able to live there was what mattered most for now. Since the orphans originally had no personal belongings, the storage was more than sufficient.
In one room of the women's quarters, a desk, chair, and a full set of work supplies had been arranged for paperwork.
"This room is set up for administrative work. An identical room has been prepared in the men's quarters as well."
The gray priestesses were required to handle documentation related to food expenses and living costs, while the gray priests handled paperwork for the workshop.
The dining hall only had tables made of planks laid across wooden boxes for now, but they planned to gradually add more. The woodworkers had been using it too, but there were no complaints so far, so it didn't seem to be a problem.
Since it was already afternoon, the soldiers and members of the Gilberta Company would be spending the night at the small temple as well. They'd all be eating dinner together, so one or two more planks were to be added today.
The basement of the women's quarters was set up as a kitchen, just like at the temple, with pots, iron griddles, ovens, and other equipment similar to what I had in my own kitchen. Wooden plates and cutlery were also provided, so they should be able to eat just as well as at the temple.
"I thought the equipment might be excessive for an orphanage, but considering that Lady Rosemine would be visiting, we made sure everything was provided."
"Thank you. My cooks will be pleased."
Just like at the temple, the basement of the women's quarters had an exit to the outside, which led to the basement of the men's quarters. The men's basement was the workshop, and nearly identical tools had been set up so it could function as the
What was missing were the letterpress printing press and metal type, both of which required several adult men to operate. With so few people, they would be producing Plant Paper and doing mimeograph printing for the time being.
"Once we have more people, we'll bring in a printing press, but for now this should be enough to work with."
Going upstairs, the men's quarters had also been fitted with doors and supplies, making them ready for habitation. The soldiers and Gilberta Company members would be staying here tonight.
"Even though they're orphans, they're living better than we are."
The soldiers who had toured the orphanage together muttered that with twisted expressions, spitting the words out.
They didn't know about the orphans who had been forbidden from leaving the orphanage until the
"Oh? Then perhaps you'd like to become a priest as well? You'd be unable to marry freely or leave the temple, and your life would be dictated by the whims of blue-robed priests. If you truly think that sounds like a good life, you're more than welcome."
The soldier flinched at my furrowed brow and pale-faced expression, then dropped to his knees in haste. "That's not what I meant at all—"
"Lady Rosemine, looking only at the current situation, I can see how one might think that. Our lives have improved since you came to the temple. Without you, none of this would exist, but others simply don't understand that."
A gray priest tried to smooth things over by flattering me, while Father nodded along with a look that clearly said "Isn't my daughter amazing?" Stop nodding so smugly and spare a thought for the soldier who's gone pale and is trembling.
Father's doting expression broke the tension, and I let out a light sigh.
"I'm sure it was a slip of the tongue, but from now on, please refrain from making baseless accusations."
"I am truly sorry."
The soldier apologized, I accepted it, and the matter was settled.
We then headed for the chapel. The imposing double doors were carved with ornate designs, giving the chapel an air of dignity befitting the space. A gray priest pushed the doors wide open, revealing a pristine white interior. Carpets had been laid on the floor, and an altar for displaying the god's statue had been erected at the front. It wasn't particularly spacious, but the atmosphere was exactly like the temple.
"Benno, when will the god's statue arrive?"
Seeing the bare altar, the High Priest frowned.
"They say it won't take a month, but by the time it's transported here, a month will probably have passed."
"Hmm, it should make it in time for the Harvest Festival. Good. ...Rosemine, come here. Let's create your room."
The High Priest took out a magic stone and pressed it against the wall at about his waist height. He then produced a glowing wand and chanted something.
A red light began extending upward from the magic stone. It rose to about fifteen centimeters above the High Priest's height, then split into two beams that moved to the left and right. After extending a short distance, they bent sharply at ninety-degree angles and shot straight down toward the floor. Just before touching the ground, they turned another ninety degrees, and the two beams merged back into one. The light then traveled straight back up into the magic stone.
The moment the stone blazed with a brilliant flash, a door to a hidden room appeared, fitted with a red magic stone.
"Rosemine, register your magic power and create the room."
"Yes."
Just as I had when registering my room at the temple, I placed my hand on the magic stone and registered my magic power. When I'd registered at the temple, the stone had been so high I needed a chair, but this time it was within arm's reach.
Thinking of my room at the temple, I poured in a steady stream of magic power.
When registration was complete, I opened the door to find a room roughly the same size as my quarters at the temple.
"Order the furniture and whatever else you need, and we can transport it later."
The High Priest glanced briefly at Benno. Following his gaze, I looked at Benno and
"Oh, and one more thing—keep channeling magic power into this until the color completely changes."
The High Priest pointed at something embedded in the farthest wall of the chapel, resembling a magic stone.
"What is this?"
"It's necessary to protect this small temple. The magic of creation still lingers in it now, but it won't last until spring. Protecting this place is your job."
"Yes."
To activate the defensive magical tool, I began channeling magic power into it. I'd wondered how much would be needed to protect a small temple, but it took surprisingly little.
I walked a full circuit around the small temple and returned to the entrance.
There was still work to organize the temple for daily living, and I needed to prepare for dinner as well, so the nobles had to withdraw promptly.
"Living arrangements seem to be in order," I said to a gray priestess, and she smiled warmly.
"Yes, I believe everything is fine."
"Spend a few days here, and once you've determined there are no problems, we'll come to pick up the orphans. I'll check on things again in three days. If anything is lacking by then, please let me know."
As I spoke, I handed out the writing boards I'd had Benno prepare as daily necessities, one each to the priests and priestesses.
"I've had your names engraved on them. These aren't communal property—they're your personal belongings. Consider them a parting gift for everyone who will be working hard here. Please put them to good use."
"You honor us."
The gray priests and priestesses received the writing boards—items that only my own attendants possessed at the temple—and their faces lit up with joy as they gazed at their own names engraved on the boards.
"
"Of course."
Lutz gently handed me a cloth bag that made a soft clinking sound. Taking it, I turned to face the soldiers.
"This time, you took on the important duty of guarding us. Thank you for your hard work. This is just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it."
I had taken soldiers who rarely left the city on a multi-day trip beyond the town walls, so their families must have been worried. Think of it as travel expenses and a bonus. I'd want to keep Benno on good terms with the soldiers for future escort work when he transported goods.
I handed each soldier one small silver coin. Their eyes lit up, and I caught them exchanging glances out of the corner of my eye as I stepped in front of Father.
"I may ask you to serve as guards again in the future. I look forward to working with you."
I slipped Father a single large silver coin in secret. "Treat everyone to something," I whispered, and his lips curled upward.
"I'll take my leave now, but the women's quarters are strictly off-limits to men. I trust that none of my priestesses will be harassed, but those in charge should exercise the utmost caution. I will not forgive any incidents."
I shot a light glare at the line of soldiers, driving the point home.
Through me, Benno and Father had a personal connection to the orphanage, but the people from the lower town looked down on those from the orphanage. I couldn't have the gray priestesses reduced to tears by soldiers letting loose while staying the night beyond my sight.
Our orphanage already had
Besides, the gray priestesses remaining at the orphanage were all quite lovely. Better to drive the point home as firmly as possible.
Following the High Priest, who summoned his riding beast, I brought out the Lesserbus. Brigitte and I climbed in together and departed.
The next visit to Hasse would be in three days.
The following afternoon, the soldiers and the Gilberta Company returned to town. I met with Father and Benno to receive their report.
For the next printing project, I completed the manuscript for the third picture book, this one about the Fire God
Before I knew it, the three days had passed.
If there were no issues with the gray priests' daily lives, I planned to bring the orphans back this time. I was going to meet with the mayor of Hasse.
"Rosemine, are you seriously going to put your attendants in that thing?"
"That's what the Lesserbus is for."
The High Priest took one look at the family-sized Lesserbus and made a sour face.
"Lady Rosemine, the door opens wide! This is awesome!"
"Whoa, the seats are so fluffy!"
"I have steeled myself to accompany Lady Rosemine."
"Fran, it's not nearly dangerous enough to warrant that kind of look like you're prepared to die. Brigitte rode with me last time, you know."
"I'll be riding along this time as well. Please rest easy."
Brigitte said this and smoothly climbed into the passenger seat. Fran clenched his jaw and climbed into the back seat.
And so we departed, with only the anxious-looking Fran watching me the whole way. Once the Lesserbus took to the air, Gil and Nicola cheered.
"Whoa! We're so high up!"
"Lady Rosemine, the town looks so tiny from up here. Look! Fran, look too!"
"Gil, Nicola. You mustn't talk to Lady Rosemine while she's driving. She needs to concentrate."
I chuckled softly at Fran's reprimand.
"Fran, I can chat a little while I drive, you know."
"No, you cannot. Please focus properly."
Before long, we arrived in the town of Hasse. We descended to the small temple, unloaded the luggage, and the attendants began carrying it inside. The gray priests came out as well and helped with the transport.
I had them bring the luggage to the hidden room at the back of the chapel and let the attendants set up the room. Today only the carpets and tapestries were being brought in, so it didn't take long. For the beds, they would be bringing over the extras from the temple next time, so there would always be a place to rest.
While the room was being prepared, I had a gray priestess serve us tea in the dining hall, and the High Priest and I took a break with the tea sweets we'd brought.
"How are things going with daily life?"
"Everything is fine. With the forest and river nearby, papermaking has become much easier."
A gray priest answered the High Priest in a tense voice. I turned to the gray priestess who had served the tea.
"If I bring the orphans here, will you be able to manage?"
"Yes. I'll prepare lunch in advance so everything is ready when they arrive."
The High Priest and I, along with our attendants, headed to the home of Hasse's leading citizen on riding beasts in place of a carriage. The leading citizen of a town was apparently called the mayor.
Despite having been notified in advance, the servants seemed to be caught off guard. They turned pale and scrambled about in a panic.
"The—the High Bishop and the High Priest!? Not just that merchant?"
I had asked Benno to pass along that we would be picking up the orphans today, but it seemed no one had informed the mayor that both the High Bishop and High Priest would be coming in person.
The mayor came rushing out with a flustered expression on his face. It made me think Benno probably never received proper welcomes from him either.
"Where are the orphans? We notified you in advance. Bring everyone here."
The mayor swallowed under the High Priest's piercing gaze and immediately sent servants to fetch the children. What they brought were filthy, scruffy-headed, emaciated children—much like the old orphanage, their current hardships plainly visible.
I looked at the dozen or so children lined up before me and frowned.
"...This isn't everyone, is it? The number doesn't match what was reported."
"Surely that was a mistake."
Still kneeling, the mayor grinned—but a boy nearby shot him a sharp glare and shook his head vigorously.
"No! It's a lie! Sis and
"Quiet, Toll!"
The mayor's eyes flew wide open and he surged up to strike Toll, but Damuel moved in a flash, grabbed his arm, and produced a glowing wand.
"Ferdinand said everyone, did he not? Did you fail to hear the order?"
A commoner mayor defying the command of the High Priest, who was also the Lord's half-brother, would be well within rights to be punished on the spot. Damuel had drawn his weapon without a moment's hesitation, and the mayor gasped.
"Sa—someone! Anyone! Go bring
As the words "because they could be sold" made clear, the two girls who had been brought were pretty-faced.
Once the full number matching Benno's report had been assembled, I addressed the orphans.
"Is there anyone among you who would like to move into my orphanage? You would become priests or shrine maidens, so this is not mandatory. The small temple guarantees you a place to sleep and food, but you will be expected to work and live by our rules."
The orphans looked back and forth between me and the mayor with frightened eyes, but only one—Toll—gazed straight at me.
"If you won't sell my sister, then my sister and I will move."
"Toll..."
Of the two girls who had been brought, the older one must have been his sister. She looked at Toll with worry.
The mayor reached out as if to cut in.
"Wait, Nora is off-limits—"
"Silence. Lady Rosemine has not given you permission to speak."
Damuel pressed down on the kneeling mayor's head. The High Priest narrowed his eyes, glaring at the mayor. It was the expression he wore when holding back a surge of anger.
The air around the High Priest turned icy, so I turned my back to that atmosphere and addressed Nora.
"Nora, what about you? If you move to our orphanage, you won't be sold. However, as you'd be becoming a priestess, you wouldn't be able to marry."
"Orphans can't get a proper marriage anyway."
"I'm not asking Toll—I'm asking Nora what she wants."
Nora lowered her eyes for a moment, then smiled sadly. "I'll go. Even if I stayed here, I couldn't marry, and I'd end up separated from Toll anyway. I'd just be sold."
"Then you are most welcome."
"If Toll goes, then Marthe and I are going too!"
A boy took the hand of the girl who had been brought with Nora.
"
"If we stay here, Marthe will be the next one sold."
The other orphans seemed to have no will to resist the mayor. They shook their heads, indicating they were fine as they were.
Whether they feared the change of environment more, or feared the mayor who had just been physically restrained by Damuel, it was hard to say. But I had no intention of forcing anyone.
"Then I'll take these four. High Priest, is that acceptable?"
"Yes. We notified them, and there shouldn't be any problem. Let's go."
The mayor stared at us with a blank expression, having lost the two girls he'd been hiding to sell.
It was the Lesserbus's first long-distance trip.
And with the orphanage complete, four new orphans had joined us—a pair of siblings and a pair of brothers and sisters, four in all.
Next time: the new orphans.