Returning to the giebe's mansion, I immediately had the documents brought out. They were all old wooden plaques. I skimmed through them, and with the help of Roderich and
My stay in
The remaining documents weren't stories or tales—they were things like chronicles that briefly recorded what had happened and when, as well as compilations about the lives of those who had come from Boesguetier and been left behind, and the former nobles of
...As I thought, there's quite a difference between things conveyed through word of mouth and things recorded in writing.
A mere listing of facts without any emotion makes events seem far more bland than when they're told through speech. Still, I was able to get a clear picture of the movements of those from Boesguetier—people who barely appeared in either the history I'd been taught or the history the giebe had related.
In the few years right before the Lord of Eisenreich's rebellion, merchant traffic had become much more frequent—some of the same merchants were entering and leaving multiple times between spring and autumn, and food-related transactions had increased dramatically.
And the Boesguetier merchants who had been left behind were unable to obtain Citizenship unless they were extremely wealthy, so most of them had become Traveling Merchants and scattered to various regions in order to earn a living.
...Without Citizenship, you can't rent a house or a shop, and you can't get a job or get married either.
How many years ago was that now? I recalled
I successfully finished copying all the documents within my stay period, and as usual, I brought Benno back with me to the
And with that, my Dedication Ritual was finished.
"You'll be accepting the Blue Apprentices, so you might actually be busier after the Dedication Ritual ends, Lady
"Oh my, but Saam and
Saam nodded at my words with a wry smile. The training of the Gray Shrine Maidens who had been dispatched through Frieda to serve as cooks and cooking assistants had already begun, and the meals at the orphanage had apparently increased. Since the food procurement was done through Contracts with shops patronized by the Blue Apprentices' families, new merchants had started coming and going at the Temple.
"Of course, furniture and study materials are all prepared as well. Until they get used to the Temple, we've arranged a daily schedule so they can act together as much as possible. We also received input from Lady
According to Saam, while I was away for the Dedication Ritual, Philine had been teaching the Temple Attendants all sorts of things.
"If the preparations are all in order, then let's have the children moved in. Starting tomorrow, the Temple is going to be quite lively."
I had wanted to welcome the Blue Apprentices when I could personally oversee it, so I'd had them wait in the children's room until the Dedication Ritual was over. I sent an ordonnance to the castle and requested that the children be brought over by carriage.
...The children are taken care of. Now for...
"Now then, Brother
I asked about Wilfried—a topic I hadn't been able to raise at the giebe's mansion, where I never knew who might be listening. A brief, sharp tension ran through the attendants present. Even though their expressions didn't change, the shift in atmosphere made me tense up.
"Is it true that he's being swayed by the Leisegangs, as
Brother Cornelius gave a small smile as if to dispel my concerns, shook his head, and answered in a lighthearted tone.
"Rather than being swayed by the Leisegangs, it seems like he's caught between his pride and his duty."
...Caught between pride and duty? What does that mean? What kind of situation is that exactly?
"I feel like that answer is too abstract, but is there anything I can do? Brother
I didn't mind helping as long as it didn't interfere with Temple duties, but with this answer, I had no idea what I could do to help Wilfried. At my words, Brother Cornelius gave a slight shrug.
"To put it simply, I think the best thing is for you to leave him alone, Rozemyne, since Wilfried has no choice but to work it out for himself."
"Just leave him alone? Are you sure that's okay? ...Did Brother Lamprecht say that?"
Feeling like something was being hidden from me, I looked at Brother Cornelius with a bit of suspicion, then turned my gaze to
"It seems the Giebe had some opinions about the
He apparently hadn't said it directly to my adoptive father, but he had been letting various complaints slip to the attendants.
"On top of that, just as had been expected from the start, it seems Wilfried was told all sorts of things when he went to visit the Leisegang-affiliated giebes during the Dedication Ritual. About making Lady Rozemyne the next Aub..."
I could easily imagine the roundabout, passive-aggressive remarks delivered in noble language. Many of the main nobles of the former
"It would have been difficult scheduling-wise, but perhaps I should have accompanied you when visiting the giebes. I might have been able to shield him somewhat, don't you think?"
With some ingenuity regarding recovery potions and rest stops, it might have been possible. When I said this, Brother Cornelius made a sour face and shook his head.
"If Wilfried is going to become the next Aub, he needs to bring the Leisegangs under his control, so it's pointless for you to go out of your way to shield him. Don't you think that would only make things worse for him?"
"That may be true, but I think just being there would reduce the open hostility at least."
Earning their trust was Wilfried's job, but accompanying him might reduce some of the malice. At my words, Brother Cornelius raised his eyebrows slightly.
"The Blue Priests had been reduced, so you were short-staffed, and you'd been pushing yourself to the limit physically and schedule-wise. This isn't something you need to fret over. During the Dedication Ritual, it would have been possible for the ducal candidates to tour their territories first and then do courtesy visits afterward, but it was Wilfried who insisted on touring the giebe territories specifically to increase the number of times he met with them."
He was reassuring me that this wasn't something I needed to worry about, and what he was saying made sense, but I couldn't help feeling that Brother Cornelius was being rather harsh toward Wilfried.
"Then perhaps I should advise him that he doesn't need to improve the Leisegangs' opinion of him right away? Unlike my adoptive father, who needs to quickly unify a territory shaken by purges, I think Brother Wilfried just needs to have their support by the time he becomes Aub..."
If I told him there was no need to rush, would that put him at ease a little? When I said this, Leonore looked troubled.
"I also don't think he needs to gain support right away. However, I would advise that you avoid making casual contact with Wilfried. According to Richarda, he's at a difficult age, and I worry that it could result in both of you getting hurt."
I tilted my head, not quite understanding what Leonore was worried about, and Hartmut opened his mouth to elaborate.
"Rozemyne is the one the Leisegangs want as the next Aub. Leonore is worried that if you tell Wilfried—who is trying to gain Leisegang support and failing—that there's no need to rush, he may not be able to accept that as genuine advice."
...Ah, so even well-intentioned advice would come across as a sore spot coming from me.
All my attendants were voicing the same concern. Wilfried was probably feeling frustrated right now because he couldn't gain the Leisegangs' support. That thought helped me understand.
The next day, a carriage arrived from the castle. Unlike during their previous visit, the children climbed the front entrance stairs without showing any nervousness. Shortly afterward,
"Now then, let's perform the oath ceremony in the High Priest's chamber."
This was the ceremony where the new Blue Apprentices swore to serve the gods, just as I had gone through. I conducted the ceremony with a touch of nervousness and handed over the Blue Robes. Then, I announced the schedule for their life at the Temple.
Breakfast at the second bell. After breakfast, they were to go to the Chief Priest's chamber with their Attendants and receive Temple duties or assignments from Hartmut or his Attendants. They would also hear reports on the previous day's activities and the progress of their assignments. From then until the third bell, they would study Temple duties and religious rites in their own rooms with their Attendants.
When the third bell rang, they would head to the orphanage, where
Lunch at the fourth bell. In the afternoon, they would do training, help in the workshop, copy manuscripts, and study the noble education needed to become knights or civil officials. Listening to merchants in the workshop, studying the silk-making and printing industries—these were also important parts of their education. If necessary, they could also request permission in advance to visit the castle. Essentially, the afternoons were free time.
"Dinner at the sixth bell. It's probably earlier than what you're used to. However, at the Temple, if we don't eat at that time, it takes quite a while for food to reach the orphanage. Meal times are fixed, but bedtime is up to each of you. Does anyone have any questions?"
A boy raised his hand in response to my question.
"Do the children in the orphanage live the same way?"
"They won't be treated exactly the same. The orphanage children clean the Temple, and when the weather is nice, there's work to be done in the forest or the workshop. However, in the evenings after they finish their work, or on rainy days, they can practice fehspiel and study together with you."
Once spring came and they spent more time outside, the orphanage children would have less time for studying. I planned to have them finish their work earlier and carve out study time in the evenings, but the orphanage operated on the principle of equality for all. Whether they were the children of criminals, nobles, or abandoned children, there would be no difference in the amount of food or work they received.
"Can we go to the forest too?"
"I'm sorry, but the Blue Apprentices cannot go to the forest."
Nicolaus had asked with eager eyes, but I had to refuse. If anything happened to a noble child, the surrounding Commoners would end up bearing some kind of burden. Considering that those Commoners would be the senior orphanage children in charge, or
"Then please go change in your rooms with your Attendants. Today, children are waiting for you at the orphanage, so please go play with them."
On the first day, I hadn't set any particular assignments, wanting them to enjoy their time at the Temple as much as possible. If I had to give them something, it would be to tour the Temple facilities between after lunch and when the orphanage finished its meal. I'd wanted to introduce them to the Temple Library, where we'd placed books printed in the workshop, but my attendants had shot that down.
...I was told that my overzealous enthusiasm actually made people want to back away—wasn't that a bit harsh?
"Sister Rozemyne, are you going to the orphanage too?"
Melchior, holding his Blue Robe, tilted his head. I nodded. I had been planning to talk to the orphanage children about how they felt about spring, when they would be spending more time outside the orphanage.
"Then shall we go together? There are things I need to report to you as well."
Until Melchior came to pick me up, I went over the progress of Temple duties with Hartmut in the Chief Priest's chamber. It seemed Fritak had been working hard during the Dedication Ritual, but a lot of things had still piled up.
"The impact of the reduced number of Blue Priests is even bigger than I expected."
"It's mainly because Lord
He said this with a pleasant smile, as though having more people would make things easier.
"By the way, have the details of the Star Binding Ceremony at the Lord's Conference been decided?"
"It seems the divine instruments and offerings will be prepared by the Central Temple. I apparently just need to wear the ceremonial attire and bring my own Holy Book."
Since a Holy Book requires its owner's Magic Power registration, you can't borrow someone else's. One could also say there'd be little point in borrowing the rarely-seen High Priest of the Central Temple's Holy Book.
"Lady Rozemyne, you're forgetting an important source of support. I will be participating as the Chief Priest to assist you."
I hadn't actually forgotten. I'd fully expected Hartmut to say something like that. If anything, I couldn't picture Hartmut staying behind to mind the store. I brushed it off with a single "Please do" and looked over my escort knights.
"Next, let's see. When I asked the royalty about having escort knights, I was told it would be permissible to have Blue Priests or Blue Shrine Maidens. I'm thinking of having the adult escort knights wear blue to serve as my guards—is that alright?"
"Of course. I am your escort knight, after all."
"Also, during the Lord's Conference, I've been requested by the royalty to sequester myself in the Library's underground archive. I'll need escort knights and Attendants there too, but only nobles of sufficient rank can enter the underground. I was planning to ask Cornelius and Leonore for the escort, but my only Attendant would be
Clarissa had also been decided upon as
"My mother is Lady Rozemyne's Attendant. There's no need for excessive worry. Father will be there, so Clarissa won't do anything to cause Lady Rozemyne trouble. ...Probably."
...That "probably" at the end isn't very reassuring, Hartmut!
"
"Personally, I'm genuinely grateful that I don't qualify to enter an archive that only royalty and the ducal family can access."
Damuel was trembling, saying he'd die of stress, but was it really fine for him to stand on the platform as an escort knight at the Star Binding ceremony with all the Aub couples from across
...Well, he'll manage somehow, right? Hang in there, Damuel.
"Since both the Lord's Conference and the Dedication Ritual are only open to adults, I'm afraid I won't be of any help at all."
Hearing Philine's dejected, disappointed voice, Damuel comforted her by saying, "That's not true."
"Someone needs to look after the Temple when Rozemyne and Hartmut are away, just like during the Dedication Ritual. You're already plenty of help, Philine."
"That makes me very happy to hear."
Philine looked up at Damuel, her cheeks flushing as she smiled shyly. Her expression seemed strangely radiant and vibrant.
...H-Huh? Wait, wasn't Philine's gaze aimed at Damuel? Didn't Philine like Roderich?
As I was tilting my head with a "Hmm...", Melchior came in, having finished changing. I'd wanted Hartmut to stay behind and work, but Hartmut was apparently coming to the orphanage too. His argument was that he should come along because of the incident where magic stones had been broken and rolled into shape at the orphanage, and "You never know when Lady Rozemyne will do something surprising." Why was it that no one believed me when I said I wouldn't do anything?
I walked leisurely to the orphanage with Melchior. Along the way, he told me about reporting the Dedication Ritual to our adoptive father and the various things that had surprised him, as well as relaying the soldiers' words and receiving praise.
"Right now, I'm memorizing the prayers you taught me in preparation for the Harvest Festival."
Everyone at the castle had been bustling about busily, and he'd hardly been able to help with anything, making him feel quite useless. Apparently, he'd been eager to come to the Temple as soon as possible.
"By the way, Sister, have you received the report?"
"What report?"
"About the silver cloth found in the former Giebe
"Lord
...Well, "strange cloth" wasn't exactly a very informative description.
I promised to tell him about it after receiving the report from Matthias and the others, then entered the orphanage. I could see the children in their Blue Robes playing karuta together with the orphanage children.
"Melchior, why don't you join in and play with them? I'm going to talk to Wilma."
"Yes."
After watching Melchior join the children, I asked Wilma about the recent state of the orphanage. Wilma looked toward the stairs with a worried expression, then opened her mouth.
"With the children having left the orphanage, there are some who have lost their motivation."
The children who were growing up without Magical Tools had apparently been using their Magic Power to operate the Magical Tools at their original homes. They had assumed that only the heir had Magical Tools and was treated as a noble. But upon being gathered at the orphanage, they had been confronted with the reality that some families provided Magical Tools not only for the heir but for their siblings as well.
"Even so, they'd been holding on by believing they were still needed by their families, but when no one came to take them back, they seem to have lost the will to keep trying."
They had higher status and more Magic Power than the lesser nobles who had been taken back, yet they had no Magical Tools. And their parents didn't need them. Even if they returned home, they would only become servants to operate the family's Magical Tools, and no matter how hard they worked at the orphanage, they couldn't become nobles without Magical Tools. They had no motivation to try, and their aimless days had been increasing.
"Hartmut, even with just Magical Tools, it would be too late to make a difference now, right?"
Conrad had also been stripped of his Magical Tools and cut off from the path to becoming a noble. Even with Magical Tools now, they couldn't become nobles. When I asked Hartmut about this, he said, "It's not impossible."
"It depends on the individual's Magic Power and how many recovery potions can be prepared for them. It's not impossible, but since you'd be using potions to recover Magic Power and then channel it into Magical Tools instead of naturally flowing the excess Magic Power into them, the physical burden is quite large. And since both Magical Tools and recovery potions are required, the financial burden is significant as well."
He told me that the Blue Apprentices who had returned to noble society through the purges of the political upheaval and gone to the
"However, I personally cannot fully support Lady Rozemyne shouldering all the Magical Tools and recovery potions for the orphanage children. You have only about three more years as the High Priest. Even if abandoned children increase, that arrangement won't continue afterward, and it goes against the orphanage's principle of equality."
Hartmut watched me calmly as he carefully chose his next words, trying to dissuade me from acting rashly.
"Moreover, is it really appropriate for you to go that far to save the children of the former Veronica faction? If you're going to save the former Veronica faction's children, I believe there are nobles who would demand Magical Tools for their own children—far more than there are children in the orphanage."
Told that if we were prioritizing, the orphanage children would have to come last, I clapped my hands together.
"I'm not trying to save the children of the former Veronica faction. I'm trying to save the children of the orphanage under my jurisdiction. If we make it so that any child who enters the orphanage—regardless of faction, whether they're nobles or Self-Eating Commoners—can be saved as long as they meet a certain standard of academic performance and Magic Power, wouldn't that be equitable?"
"Lady Rozemyne..."
At my words, Hartmut's eyes went wide, then his expression softened into one of resignation.
"...What to do about Lady Rozemyne's idea is something that will need to be discussed with the Aub. It's not something we can decide on our own. Why not try inviting him for the reacquisition of the Blessing?"