The moment Filine's words informed me that the Chief Priest would be my first hurdle, I was able to remain surprisingly calm. To win his permission, I would need to thoroughly research library management in this world—its purpose, its operational methods—and persuade him with logic.
……For now, I would have to hide my ambitions. In order to seize victory later!
Right! With that resolve, I threw myself into crafting a wonderful library plan with great enthusiasm. In my
……I absolutely wanted Magical Tools like Schwarz and Weiss. Ones that could handle check-out and return counter duties, keep track of unauthorized removals—perfect! And judging by how they'd tried to protect me, I was sure they had all sorts of other functions. Above all, they were adorable!
The Chief Priest and
……Since we had magic in this fantasy world, I thought it would be fine for the library itself to be something wondrous. Like, every time the collection grew, new floors would be added and the building would expand—a true "growing organism"! How about that?
The meaning was different from what Ranganatan had proposed, but a library that stretched underground or extended upward every time new books were added—that had a certain romance to it. I'd never run out of storage space, and I wouldn't have to curate; every single resource would be housed. Wonderful!
……Besides, if I used Magical Tools, I could add all sorts of functions to the books themselves. For example, books automatically returning to their shelves in classification-number order, a teleportation circle activating when a lending deadline passed to send the book back to the library, or relevant materials lighting up at a search so you could spot them at a glance…… Exciting! Too much fun to stop!
I was giddily planning the Rosemine Library, imagining all the things I could do, when I was betrayed by my own retainers.
"Rosemine."
"Y-yes."
Glared at and intimidation-reduced by the Chief Priest with his eyes narrowed into triangles, I was ordered to explain.
"I hear you've been cheerfully cooking up some rather interesting plans, yet I haven't received a single report. What exactly are you intending to do?"
"W-well, you see, I haven't actually planned anything yet. I just wrote down all my wishes, and I was thinking of visiting various libraries for research, to build the greatest library in
I explained frantically that I'd intended to report once I had a proper plan. Beside me, Fran shook his head with a sigh.
"Lady Rosemine, before making plans, you need to consult with the Chief Priest first."
"What are you saying, Fran? How could I possibly face the Chief Priest to persuade him without any material? Research and planning come first. The consultation comes after……"
"So you deliberately failed to report, then?"
The temperature of the Chief Priest's voice dropped. A chill ran through me as if icy wind had flown at my face, and I hurriedly shook my head.
"No! Didn't the Chief Priest himself teach me that advance preparation and groundwork were necessary to succeed? I was simply trying my best to be more noble-like. A-and besides, how could I report when I haven't even done any preparation yet?"
I could not afford to have my dreams crushed here. For the sake of the library, I spun my gears at full speed, desperately trying to defuse the Chief Priest's anger.
Whether my desperate argument had gotten through, or whether he'd simply given up trying to reason with me, the Chief Priest tapped his fingertips lightly on the desk and spoke.
"I wish you'd demonstrate that noble-like behavior even when books aren't involved, but go ahead and explain simply what you want to do and how. If it's about enriching the Library, I may be willing to cooperate depending on the circumstances."
……The Chief Priest was willing to cooperate of his own accord!
If the one I'd considered the greatest obstacle became an ally, that would make me unstoppable. Deeply moved, I launched into a passionate description of the library I wanted to build—the significance of a library, the kind of library we should aspire to, the Magical Tools stuffed with all my "I wish I could" ideas. I talked on and on, eloquently and at length.
"This is the kind of library I want!"
The result was a deep, heavy sigh from the Chief Priest and a single remark: "……You really are an idiot, aren't you."
"Make a more realistic plan."
"Um, Chief Priest, which part isn't realistic?"
I genuinely didn't understand what "realistic" meant in a world where Creation Magic could reshape an entire city in under a minute.
Watching me tilt my head in confusion, Philine and Hartmut looked as though they'd been hit by a bean-shot. Apparently, the plan seemed unrealistic to them too.
……Huh?
When I looked around at everyone's reactions in puzzlement, the Chief Priest pressed his temple and explained in a voice that already sounded tired before he even began.
"First of all, the scale. A library of that magnitude is unnecessary."
"Huh? It is necessary! Books are going to increase without limit from now on, so I think it should be a library that can keep expanding. With Creation Magic, we could truly build a growing library, couldn't we?"
"You're misunderstanding Creation Magic. You wouldn't be growing the library—you'd be renovating it. Each time would require a tremendous amount of Magic Power."
"S-so you're saying that as long as I have Magic Power, it can be done, right?"
If it was for the library, I'd willingly gulp down even the Chief Priest's most foul-tasting medicine. I had that much resolve.
"It's not just a matter of Magic Power. What about the labor and time required to move every single book and shelf out of the building each time you renovate? Have you considered that?"
The Entwickeln I'd performed in the lower city hadn't touched the building at all—just the underground—so there'd been no need to move anything, and the wooden structure above hadn't been destroyed. But when I thought back carefully, I recalled Grandpa saying that when they'd built the sticky-floored toilet in the Noble District, all the furniture had been moved out into the garden.
"……Ah, I hadn't thought of that. I was thinking, you know, just adding things on top afterward would somehow work out……"
I mimed plopping an addition on top with my hands, but the Chief Priest shook his head. Apparently, even with Creation Magic, building a growing library wasn't that simple.
Fine. I'd handle it by building branch after branch.
……If I couldn't stretch vertically, I'd stretch horizontally. That way, I wouldn't need to move all the books out.
"Above all, building a library of that scale would require an absurd amount of Magic Power. It's impossible."
"It'll be fine. Even if I have to chug medicine nonstop, I'll see it through!"
I clenched my fist and declared. The Chief Priest shook his head. "No. That's not the issue."
"It's not just about you trying hard. Maintaining the library you build would also require Magic Power, and there's no guarantee your descendants would be able to sustain that level. If they couldn't, your library built with Creation Magic would collapse. The important function of preservation you were just advocating for—the library's key role—would be lost."
……What did you say!?
"When building with Creation Magic, the most critical thing is calculating not just whether you yourself can manage, but whether those who come after you can maintain it. That is precisely why a Lord does not recklessly expand a city. A library built by someone with your level of Magic Power, who chugs medicine and uses every last drop to construct it and then keeps expanding—how would anyone maintain that, and how?"
"My descendants would surely treasure the library!"
……Book-loving children love books! It would definitely work out!
I'd raise them to treasure the library above all else! When I declared this, the Chief Priest looked at me with ice-cold eyes.
"……Have you ever treasured something your ancestors left behind more than books?"
"……No."
"As I thought. Don't expect of others what you can't do yourself."
Being told something so obvious, I drooped my shoulders dejectedly. At this, the Chief Priest simply shrugged.
"You also said you wanted Schimmel-type Librarians like the one in the
……Hmph! If there's not enough Magic Power, then just make more!
Wasn't the whole point of teaching Magic Power compression to increase Ehrenfest's Magic Power? The increased Magic Power could be used for library maintenance.
"Weren't we just working hard on that? What was the point of Magic Power compression if not for this?"
"At least it wasn't for a completely unrealistic library operation, I'll say that much."
"You're—you're so cruel, Chief Priest!"
I was reeling from the cold dismissal, but the Chief Priest showed no sign of comforting me and instead kept piling on.
"The cruel one is you, with your completely unrealistic plans. Rethink everything from the start within the bounds of what's actually achievable."
"Auugh……"
My dream-filled fantasy library had been completely rejected. Devastated. So devastated I couldn't muster the will to do anything anymore.
……Ah, the library. My library.
"Rosemine, the current Library is sufficient for now, so don't mope around. You have things to think about before the library, don't you?"
"……You're right."
The Chief Priest's words made me clap my hands. Indeed, the Library in the castle was enough for now, and there were plenty of other things I needed to think about first.
"To build a library, I'll need far more books than the castle Library can hold, so I'll have to increase the number of books. In addition to continuing to copy books from other territories, I'll need to increase the number of authors and train people who can proofread.……No, considering the numbers, relying on nobles alone won't be enough, so perhaps I should raise the literacy rate among Commoners after all."
As I was thinking about whether it was time to start the
"Wait. That's not what I meant."
"Huh?"
"Forget the library for now. Think about the Royal Academy first. You'll be a second-year in winter, won't you? Shouldn't you be preparing for that?"
This was something that had been completely absent from my consciousness. Had there been anything I needed to do to prepare for the Royal Academy? I couldn't think of anything off the top of my head.
"How are the Magical Tool outfits coming along? I still haven't inspected the magic circles. They'll be seen by nobles from the central and upper territories. The inspection must be thorough."
The Chief Priest began counting off on his fingers everything that needed to be done before leaving for the Royal Academy: the completion of Schwarz and Weiss's outfits, the creation of medicine for the Royal Academy, discussions about what trends to start this year, and more.
……More importantly, I wanted to work on the library plan.
I let out a sigh, and the Chief Priest pinched my cheek.
"Rosemine, are you listening seriously?"
"I am always serious!"
……When it comes to reading books.
That day's assistant work finished, I returned to the High Priest's chambers, and after eating lunch, I sent an Ordnung to Rizelita. I wanted to ask about the progress on Schwarz and Weiss's outfits.
"Rizelita here. It's Rosemine. How much longer until the embroidery is finished?
"It's Rizelita. The embroidery is already finished. I'll bring it to the Temple right away. I'd like Lord Ferdinand to take a look so we can finish as quickly as possible."
Rizelita's Ordnung bounced back immediately with a bright, cheerful voice. It was almost unbelievable given her usual calm and composed demeanor. When I looked surprised,
"She's always like this outside of work. Right now she's probably more absorbed in what she considers a hobby than a job. And Lady Rosemine isn't here either, of course."
"……The switch is really distinct, isn't it?"
"Yes. People around us often said that about us sisters. Rizelita, who draws a clear line between public and private, and Angelica, who draws a clear line between interested and not."
……Angelica, you're saying that coolly, but that's really not a compliment, you know.
As I agonized over how to respond to Angelica's remark,
"Rizelita switches cleanly. When Lady Rosemine isn't around, she chats with Eudlit and Filine about all sorts of things. She's even scolded me for being clueless about women's feelings."
Even if Damuel wryly said "I just can't win against the energy of young ladies," I couldn't picture Rizelita scolding him at all, and I glanced at Hartmut and Filine as well.
"From what I've seen, it's less scolding and more teasing. Damuel is easy to talk to, so she's just gotten fond of him."
Hartmut said he'd seen Rizelita chatting away merrily, but I never had. It was probably because of the master-servant relationship, but it felt a little lonely.
"If Rizelita is coming, I think she should have an escort. What's the schedule for the apprentice knight escorts? I don't feel safe sending Rizelita out alone."
"Training for the apprentices under Lord
Filine answered promptly.
I sent an Ordnung ordering the "apprentice knights to come to the Temple."
"Understood."
Rizelita and Brünhilde faithfully followed my instructions, arriving with
"This is the apron portion for Weiss, and this is the vest portion for Schwarz."
Rizelita spoke proudly as she unfolded the densely embroidered fabric on the table of the High Priest's chambers.
On top of the intricate magic circles, lines and patterns designed to make the circles harder to read were embroidered in various colors of thread. To make them look like decorative motifs, there were also flowers and vine-like plants worked in.
Just looking at it made my head spin. I marveled that anyone could sustain such detailed work for so long.
As I watched in admiration, Brünhilde smiled softly.
"We've finished embroidering the most important apron and vest, so we're now assembling the outfits. Schwarz's shirt and trousers are done."
"We've added a bit of embroidery to the hem of Schwarz's trousers as well. I wanted to add the same design to the hem of Weiss's skirt, so I'm embroidering that now."
Unlike the voice I'd heard through the Ordnung, Rizelita reported the progress in a calm manner, but her deep green eyes gleamed with evident delight.
……She really did love Schimmel, and she genuinely enjoyed making these outfits.
For her to do this intricate embroidery with such care and love—any knight should just marry Rizelita.
"In that case, I'll take this embroidery. If Ferdinand finds no problems, you'll be asked to create the apron and vest."
"Understood."
I had Fran report that the finished embroidery had arrived. The Chief Priest had been very keen about how the embroidery had turned out. I received a reply telling us to come to the workshop immediately, and Fran returned.
I set aside the copying I'd been doing, handed the wrapped embroidered fabric to Fran, and headed for the Chief Priest's chambers.
"The Chief Priest's workshop is off-limits to everyone else, right?"
I was pretty sure even
"I have something to deliver, and your workshop wouldn't be convenient."
The Chief Priest said this while opening the door to his hidden room. I took the package from Fran and entered his workshop. As always, it was filled with all sorts of things and rather cluttered.
"Chief Priest, isn't it improper for an engaged woman to be alone with a man of the opposite sex without any attendants?"
"That's true, but I'm also her guardian, and I'd like to avoid any information about your disappearing ink leaking out, so it can't be helped. If you'd obediently done your embroidery, this wouldn't have been necessary."
He wanted to test the disappearing ink, so my attendants were apparently in the way.
The Chief Priest cleared a space at the edge of the table covered with various instruments and spread out the fabric from the package.
"Oh my. This is remarkable."
Seeing the full scope of the embroidery, the Chief Priest murmured that. After that, he examined the embroidered magic circles with serious eyes, carefully tracing them with his finger to check for any issues. He verified that the embroidery of the magic circles wasn't broken and that there were no mistakes. Then he had me touch them as well, checking whether the magic circles drawn with disappearing ink functioned properly.
Since I'd studied magic circles a little, I could now recognize some of the patterns. This magic circle had many wind-related circles, some intertwined complexly with fire ones. I could only make it out vaguely, though.
"Does it seem okay?"
"Yes. When you touch it, it glows faintly, but since the embroidery is on top, it's not too conspicuous. With magic circles layered doubly, the effect might become more powerful, but increased power shouldn't be a problem."
"You're awfully casual about it."
I let the honest truth slip out, and the Chief Priest simply shrugged.
"Testing it would be a bit dangerous."
The magic circles originally built into Schwarz and Weiss's outfits included one that automatically reflected attacks back at the attacker. That magic circle, along with the improved version, had apparently been tested by Eckhart with actual attacks.
"Even a light attack will definitely come back at you, so verifying how much more powerful it's become would be a painful task. Literally painful."
……Literally? As in actual bone-breaking painful?
"As long as we've confirmed that attacks are reliably returned automatically, that's sufficient. Anyone foolish enough to attack the Magical Tools in the library could be considered a rebel against the royalty, so as long as the power hasn't decreased, there's no problem."
"That's true. Anyone who attacks the library or Schwarz should be prepared to die the moment they do."
I wouldn't feel the slightest sympathy for any scoundrel who attacked the library or Schwarz and Weiss.
"You really do become vicious the moment books and the library are involved."
"If it's to protect the library and books, I'm prepared to hold nothing back—even a 'Bloody Carnival.' But I'd rather not hear that from the Chief Priest, who's the one creating the vicious magic circles."
Even when I said this, the Chief Priest's expression remained unchanged as he muttered, "I'm used to being called vicious." During the Dunkleschel competitions at the Royal Academy, he'd apparently been called all sorts of things—"demon," "vicious," "demon lord," and more.
"Also, take these. Amulets with those vicious magic circles incorporated."
The Chief Priest, who had researched magic circles extensively for Schwarz and Weiss's outfits, had apparently also improved various amulets.
"I am most grateful."
"……Since the opportunity has arisen, I wonder if anyone will bite."
A frightening hope leaked from the Chief Priest's mouth. Delivered in a flat expression and a mutter, it was all the more terrifying. I couldn't help but gasp.
"No, thank you! Please don't hope for anything that dangerous!"
"I'm not hoping for anything dangerous. I just think it would be fine even if it happened, but……"
"Even if this is a private workshop with no one else around, you're being way too honest!"
The Chief Priest snorted dismissively at my words. He had no intention of changing.
……Well, sure, for nobles the hidden room is the one place where you can let your true feelings slip, but I really didn't want to hear anything that terrifying!
"By the way, which magic circle did you embroider?"
"Um, the one on the pocket—this one here."
As I pointed and explained—this one is
"And the others?"
"None. I was told to embroider one, so I worked hard on that one. My attendants did almost all of it. Rizelita is amazing, isn't she?"
Hmph, I puffed out my chest and boasted about Rizelita's hard work, but the Chief Priest tapped me on the head.
"Just because your attendant is amazing doesn't mean you are. You already have a fiancé. Practice embroidery as part of your bride training."
"Huh? It more or less looks like something, so isn't that good enough? Honestly, the time spent on embroidery is wasteful. In my life, copying is more important than embroidery."
Doing embroidery wouldn't increase the number of books, after all. Of course, if I were told to embroider magic circles for noise reduction on the carpets laid throughout the library, I'd throw myself into it with everything I had.
"Good grief, you really…… You don't have to be honest about everything."
Just three days after her embroidery had been approved, Rizelita had Schwarz and Weiss's outfits completed to perfection.
Rosemine's fantasy library plan was rejected by the Chief Priest as "lacking realism."
Rosemine now wants to work toward a realistic library plan, but there are many issues to address.
Next is the beginning of the winter social season.