Dirck clenched his fists as
"I want to become a noble and serve as High Priest, Chief Priest, or Head of the
"Oh?"
Hartmut looked at Dirck with a hint of amusement, though his gaze remained sharp.
"Before
"I'm glad you understand so well."
Hartmut nodded, wearing the expression of a teacher regarding an exemplary student, and urged him to continue.
"Also, when Gray Priests were in danger, Rozemyne-sama was the only noble who came to help them. The only reason Rozemyne-sama, who is still a minor, can remain High Priest is because the Chief Priest supports her firmly."
Hartmut looked very satisfied with Dirck's words. Rozemyne was aware that she was being supported, so she offered no rebuttal, though there was a small—very small—part of her that felt slightly uneasy. It almost seemed as if Dirck had been brainwashed by Hartmut.
"Last spring, when we heard that the Chief Priest was going to change, the Gray Priests and Gray Priestesses were very worried. They said they had no idea how the
Rozemyne's various reforms as Head of the Orphanage had all been made possible by the permission of Chief Priest
"When Rozemyne-sama appointed Hartmut as Chief Priest, everyone was overjoyed, because he was kind and never made things difficult for Rozemyne-sama. But at the time, I only knew the orphanage as Rozemyne-sama had made it, so I didn't really understand why the adults were so relieved."
Having never left the orphanage before his
"Conrad was just like us. Before that, I was the only one who used the black stones that
Dirck, who was Self-Eating, and Conrad, who was of noble birth, had occasionally drained their excess Magic Power using black magic stones. Once they started draining together, Dirck's sense of camaraderie with Conrad grew stronger, but he never felt a difference in status between himself and the noble-born boy.
"But when a lot of noble children came during the winter, every single one of them was arrogant. They wouldn't listen to the adults, and they'd say things like, 'Why do we have to do this?' or 'It's only until we go back to being nobles—just endure it.'"
Even though they were all living in the orphanage together, these children carried the consciousness that they did not belong to it, and Dirck could sense that they looked down on everyone—including the adults. It was the first time he had encountered, in an unpleasant way, the disparity of social standing that existed outside the orphanage's egalitarian framework.
"When Conrad said to me, 'What do you think would happen to us if someone like this became Head of the Orphanage or Chief Priest?'—that was when I finally understood."
After spending an entire season watching children who had not been taken back by their parents remain unchanged in their attitudes, Dirck could feel, viscerally, that ordinary noble children never developed an orphan's consciousness.
And then, just recently.
"I tried to think of what I could do so the orphanage wouldn't suffer, but I couldn't figure it out. It would be fine if there were good nobles who truly cared about the orphanage, but good nobles are rare, aren't they? I don't want the orphanage to go back to the way it used to be. Besides… Deria can't leave the orphanage."
Dirck turned to look at Deria as he spoke. Deria, who could never leave the orphanage for the rest of her life—what kind of life she would lead depended heavily on how the orphanage was governed. For Deria, who had committed a crime out of excessive devotion to Dirck and been confined to the orphanage as a result, to live without anxiety, the High Priest and Chief Priest had to be good nobles.
"There's no particular reason the High Priest or Chief Priest needs to be a noble, Dirck."
These positions had originally been filled by chosen Blue Priests. Becoming a noble wasn't required. When Hartmut pointed this out quietly, Dirck shook his head.
"That was true before, but I've heard that now the Lord's family serves as High Priest, and many nobles come and go through the Temple. The only ones who can keep nobles in check are other nobles. Am I wrong?"
"You're not wrong. Indeed, Blue Priests who aren't nobles cannot restrain nobles."
Dirck had apparently heard this from the former Attendants who had returned to the orphanage after the purge—that between Blue Priests like Rozemyne who were also nobles, and mere Blue Priests, there was an insurmountable wall. There were even noble children living in the Temple as Blue Apprentice Priests because their parents had committed crimes. A simple Blue Priest could never prevail, no matter what happened.
"I want to follow the methods Rozemyne-sama taught me and make sure the people of the orphanage and Deria don't have to suffer. That's why I want to become a noble High Priest or Chief Priest."
No matter how badly he wanted it, noble status was not something that could simply be obtained. Dirck had given up on that possibility. But an opportunity had appeared: the chance to give Magical Tools to orphans with Magic Power, selected based on how much mana they possessed. If he didn't take his Baptism Ceremony as a noble, he would never be recognized as one.
"If I miss this chance, it won't come again."
"The opportunity for many noble children to enter the orphanage and for Magical Tools to be distributed as relief measures will likely be limited to this time."
The purge had occurred; the children had been able to avoid collective punishment; the number of nobles had decreased drastically, making rapid increases necessary; Magical Tools had been obtained from the royal family; Dirck's Baptism Ceremony had not yet taken place. In every sense, now was the only time.
"But Dirck, your precious family seems to be opposed."
Hartmut pointed at Deria, who was shaking her head with tears streaming down her face. Dirck looked at her with a deeply troubled expression.
"Dirck, please. Reconsider. If you take the Baptism Ceremony as a noble, I'll never be able to see you again. We won't be able to call each other family anymore, and you'll have to change your words and behavior, too. No matter how terrible things get, I'll endure it—so please don't leave."
Every word from Deria's lips stabbed at his heart. It was like watching his former self screaming that he didn't want to be separated from his family. He knew all too well how painful it was to be torn away from family and to never again be able to call them by that name.
…Dirck, please don't go. Stay by her side. Deria truly cherished you. She's the most important pillar of your heart for living your life!
Though Rozemyne screamed this inwardly, she kept her mouth shut. If she, the Head of the Orphanage, said anything, it would become an order. Moreover, Hartmut was conducting the interview. As someone who had said she would respect each person's choice, she must not interfere.
Dirck excused himself to Hartmut and went over to Deria. She clung to him as if to stop him from leaving, and he comforted her by stroking her crimson hair.
"Didn't you teach me yourself, Deria? What Rozemyne-sama brought to us, how the orphanage changed, and how she protected us from outsiders and high-ranking nobles."
When Deria had been an Attendant, Rozemyne had kept her distance and avoided getting too close, wary that she might be a spy for the High Priest. Yet despite that, Deria had apparently spoken of Rozemyne in glowing terms to Dirck. Dirck's eyes—dark brown, almost black—burned with the passion of someone describing their hero.
"Just like Deria, Hartmut-sama always tells me the same things when he comes to the orphanage. How incredible Rozemyne-sama is. How hard she works."
…Hartmut, what exactly are you doing at the orphanage?!
Rozemyne stared at Hartmut in stunned disbelief, and he nodded with an expression that could only be described as "deeply satisfied."
"Hartmut-sama also said that Rozemyne-sama became the Lord's adopted daughter to protect what was important to her. I want to become a noble, too, to protect the friends I grew up with here in the orphanage. Please understand, dear sister."
Deria collapsed into tears. She didn't want to be separated from her family. But she could no longer try to hold Dirck back. Caught in that anguish, the hands clutching Dirck gradually loosened.
Dirck slipped free from Deria's slackened arms and, without looking back at her hand reaching out once more, returned to stand before Hartmut.
"I don't want the orphanage that Rozemyne-sama worked so hard to improve to go back to the way it was. Please, Hartmut-sama. Make me a noble."
Hartmut quietly met Dirck's unwavering gaze.
"Storing Magic Power by overusing recovery potions is painful enough, but if you take the Baptism Ceremony from the orphanage, you'll be seen as a criminal's child by those around you. You'll face considerable scrutiny and hostility from society."
When Dirck took his Baptism Ceremony, he would have the Archduke serve as his guardian and undergo the ceremony alongside the former
"Nevertheless, Rozemyne-sama, who has been protecting all of you, will be gone. A half-hearted resolve is not enough to become a noble."
"…I couldn't claim I want to become a noble with just a half-hearted resolve."
Dark brown eyes met orange ones.
After a few seconds, Hartmut's expression softened.
"Very well. I will petition the Aub to provide you with a Magical Tool."
"I am grateful."
Dirck visibly relaxed with relief. He crossed both arms, knelt briefly, then stood and headed back to Deria.
"Um, Deria."
Even when Dirck addressed her, Deria only glared at him with her tear-filled blue eyes without responding. Unable to do anything but be stared at, the previously bold Dirck began to falter.
"Deria, are you angry?"
"…If you won't call me 'dear sister' instead of 'Deria,' I won't answer."
"What!?"
Dirck cried out in surprise at the unexpected words. Deria tossed her chin upward and turned her face away.
"Until Dirck becomes a noble and leaves here, I've decided I won't answer unless he calls me 'dear sister.' This is your punishment for making such a big decision without telling me, your family. Honestly! Dirck only ever copies the troublesome parts of Rozemyne-sama!"
"Not the troublesome parts—the cool parts!"
"Making impulsive decisions that cause enormous trouble—that's exactly what's troublesome! Honestly! Rozemyne-sama has always been like that since she was little!"
…Wait, what?! That's my fault?!
Rozemyne understood that Deria's reaction was partly a way to cover her embarrassment, but what a terrible thing to be caught up in. Behind her, the escort knights quietly laughed at the endearing sibling argument, with Deria listing Rozemyne's past escapades while Dirck countered with, "But it turned out well in the end!"
"Making impulsive decisions—has she always been like that?"
"It seems she hasn't changed at all."
"No, Rozemyne-sama has changed."
Hartmut puffed out his chest proudly.
"Her influence has expanded far more widely, and grown far greater, than before. That is clear evidence of growth."
…That is not a compliment in any way, shape, or form!
While Rozemyne was being humiliated as fodder for the siblings' banter,
"Rozemyne-sama, may I go speak with Conrad?"
When Rozemyne gave her permission, Philine picked up a Magical Tool and walked over to Conrad.
"Conrad, may I speak with you for a moment?"
"Yes, dear sister."
At Conrad's reply, Philine nodded and held out the Magical Tool she was carrying.
"You have a Magical Tool that Mother left behind. Regarding the recovery potions that I could not prepare for you, Rozemyne-sama has said she will provide them to you as well. You can become a noble again. Won't you take the Baptism Ceremony with me as my brother?"
Conrad tilted his head with a blank expression at Philine's words.
"Even with recovery potions, I don't have any money. How am I supposed to become a noble? Wilma said that those who receive Magical Tools from the Lord will have the Lord serve as their guardian, but I wouldn't receive that, would I?"
The children taking their Baptism Ceremony from the orphanage would have the Aub serve as guardian, and their education would be funded using money and goods confiscated from the purged nobles. If Conrad didn't meet the mana threshold set by the Lord and instead took his ceremony as Philine's younger brother, he would not receive the Lord's guardianship.
"Dear sister, whenever you came to the orphanage, you always said it was so difficult to gather everything needed for the
It would be difficult for Philine, a minor who had left home and had to support herself, to take on Conrad's burden as well. Conrad seemed to understand this better than anyone.
"…If Conrad is going to return to being a noble, I intend to go back home. If Mother's belongings are still there, I should be able to manage attending the Royal Academy."
Philine said she already had the textbooks she had purchased previously, and if items remained at home, they could both attend the Royal Academy together, or she could leverage her position as Rozemyne's attendant and have her father cover the costs.
"Dear sister, I came here because I was stripped of my Magical Tool by Lady Yonasara and couldn't live as a noble, and because Father had no intention of helping me survive. I don't want to go back to that house."
Although Philine had suggested returning to her family home in order to restore Conrad's noble status, Conrad flatly refused. "Absolutely not," he said.
"Conrad, the only chance you have to return to nobility is right now. The chance for orphans to receive Magical Tools, the chance for Rozemyne-sama to provide recovery potions—only now… Living as a Gray Priest versus becoming a noble—those are completely different things, aren't they?"
Despite Philine's repeated urging, Conrad shook his head. "Please save that Magical Tool for your own children." Philine frowned in sorrow, then closed her eyes briefly and exhaled softly, steadying herself.
"If you choose not to become a noble, then I no longer have a path to live as your sister. The only way for us to stay together would be to buy you out."
"…Buy me out? I'm of no use to anyone."
"It's my selfish desire to be with my brother."
Philine smiled and held up four fingers.
"…I have four paths before me. Leave Conrad at the orphanage, devote myself to Rozemyne-sama, and follow her. Stay in Ehrenfest until I come of age, leave Conrad at the orphanage, and follow Rozemyne-sama. Return to my family home to restore Conrad's nobility. Or remain in Ehrenfest to stay with you, without you becoming a noble."
Philine spoke slowly as she laid out her options, and Conrad watched her quietly.
"Just as I have been allowed to choose my own future, please tell me what you envision for yours."
"…I…"
Conrad hesitated there. He opened and closed his mouth, struggling with whether it was all right to tell Philine, watching her reaction. Philine observed this with a troubled smile.
"If you don't tell me, I'll just go ahead with my selfish choice, you know?"
"…I want to live for the orphanage. Not with you, dear sister, but with the people of the orphanage who helped me when I needed it most."
"Is that so…"
Philine's shoulders drooped in disappointment, but then she murmured, "Thank you for telling me."
"How do you plan to live in the orphanage?"
"I want to become a Blue Priest like Lord Fritzsche."
A Blue Priest whom the High Priest and Chief Priest trusted enough that even if they were taken away in a purge, they would be brought back. A Blue Priest who could be entrusted with the Temple when the High Priest and Chief Priest were away. A Blue Priest who could earn his own living. That was Conrad's ideal.
…I had no idea Fritzsche had become Conrad's hero.
"The Plantran Company's
Conrad's yellow-green eyes—so similar to Philine's—sparkled as he spoke of protecting the orphanage together.
"If I may be selfish just as you were, dear sister, please stay in Ehrenfest until you come of age. And after I've taken my Baptism Ceremony, I'd be grateful if you could help me become a Blue Priest."
Even if it wasn't enough to become a noble, becoming a Blue Apprentice Priest required money.
Conrad was from a lower-ranking noble family and had little Magic Power, so immediately after his Baptism Ceremony, his mana contribution would be nearly useless. The subsidy from the duchy varied based on the amount of Magic Power provided, and Conrad said he wanted support until he grew a bit and his mana increased enough for him to be self-sufficient.
"Rather than me becoming a noble with so little Magic Power that even Father abandoned me, wouldn't it be far more useful for me to become a Blue Priest and help Dirck and Lord Melchior?"
Conrad had found a way to live that wasn't noblehood, right there in the orphanage. He didn't want to be a Gray Priest who could be bought out easily—he aspired to be a self-sufficient Blue Priest.
"I understand. Until you come of age, I will remain in Ehrenfest, watching over Conrad, and together we will protect the orphanage."
Philine said this with a warm smile. She seemed to have found a path she could accept, and Rozemyne felt relieved. And if Philine had chosen her path, then as her lord, Rozemyne simply needed to support it.
Of course, this would require laying the groundwork to ensure Philine's living expenses were covered, and since nobles would increasingly be coming and going through the Temple, Rozemyne would need to request cooperation from the Archduke's family—the highest authority in Ehrenfest—to keep the Temple from being ransacked.
…Where should I even start?
Thinking ahead with a slightly lighter heart, Rozemyne watched the exchange between Philine and Conrad. Conrad was clearly overjoyed that his wishes had been accepted, and he seemed far more dependent on Philine than before.
"You told me before that you had attended a meeting between merchants and nobles, dear sister. Please tell me how nobles and merchants speak with each other, and how Rozemyne-sama performed there."
"That's fine, but… did you want to attend a merchant's meeting?"
Rozemyne thought that merchant meetings didn't really fall under a Blue Priest's duties… but she couldn't bring herself to say that to the enthusiastic Conrad. Besides, if Conrad truly became a Blue Priest who frequented the workshop, the Plantran Company might very well request his presence at meetings to seek his input.
"Lately, the people from the Plantran Company who visit the workshop have been teaching me more and more about business. I want to become a shrewd Blue Priest who's skilled at negotiation, just like Rozemyne-sama."
…Wait, Conrad. Aren't you aiming for something slightly off target?
"A Blue Priest who can negotiate like Rozemyne-sama… The path will be steep and long."
"I'll do my best."
Conrad declared this with burning enthusiasm while Philine, who had been looking down at him, glanced at Rozemyne and giggled.
"You've been remarkably composed dealing with Conrad."
When she had first consulted Rozemyne, Philine had been quite flustered and emotional, but today's interactions at the orphanage appeared calm. Of course, inside she was probably swirling with all manner of feelings, but she didn't let any of that show. When Rozemyne praised her for it, Philine blushed sheepishly.
"I was scolded by
"Eh?"
"I was so happy that the possibility of Conrad becoming a noble had suddenly appeared—right when Rozemyne-sama's departure in a year was forcing me to choose a path, and I was struggling with how to handle Conrad—that I leaped at it without thinking about consequences at all."
Philine spoke bashfully about her mistake.
"I have no guardian to rely on besides Rozemyne-sama. Richelda and the others used to help me with various things, but they're gone now, and I can't consult anyone at the castle about Conrad…"
She murmured that pre-Baptism children weren't counted among the population, so she couldn't discuss Conrad's treatment with anyone. The prevailing view among nobles seemed to be that once a child entered the orphanage, they were no longer Philine's brother and there was no need to worry about them.
"There was no one besides Rozemyne-sama who seemed willing to help me wholeheartedly."
Philine said she had felt she had no other option, but Damuel had called her out on it.
"Damuel told me that by placing Conrad in the orphanage, Rozemyne-sama's responsibility had already ended, and I shouldn't trouble her further."
Rozemyne had been scolded for overstepping when she had barged into Philine's home to rescue Conrad, and apparently Damuel had pointed out that she was expecting too much from Rozemyne. Whether to restore Conrad's nobility and, if so, how to bring him to the central noble society—those were not things Rozemyne should be burdened with, he had said.
"Rozemyne-sama is my lord, and she will care about my choices and future, and if I consult her, she will worry on my behalf about Conrad's matters as well—but I must not lean on her. She is my lord and my guardian, but she is not Conrad's guardian or anything of the sort, and I must not request more assistance than one would give to an ordinary orphan."
Damuel had also explained the paths available to Philine and the extent of aid she could offer, and told her to ask about Conrad's wishes first.
…What was that—Damuel was being so cool!
"If you truly want Conrad to become a noble and wish to provide assistance, I would even be willing to become your fiancé."
"Eh!? Did Damuel propose to you?"
"It wasn't exactly a proposal—more that he offered being my fiancé as an option if it were truly necessary. But I felt that relying on him would be even worse than relying on my lord Rozemyne."
Philine said this with an embarrassed smile.
"I have always had Damuel pull back and protect me. I want to graduate from being a helpless girl who needs to be guarded like a younger sister, and walk beside him with my head held high. That's why I chose a path that doesn't involve depending on Damuel."
Indeed, among the options Philine had listed for Conrad, Damuel had not appeared even once.
…But wait, from Damuel's perspective, doesn't this count as him being rejected?
Rozemyne cheered Philine on—wishing her the best in her plan to propose herself once she'd become an independent woman, just as
…Should I tell him someday that Philine is going to propose to him?
Deria and Dirck, Philine and Conrad—the sibling pairs.
Each of them set off down their own paths.
The children raised in the orphanage were steadily being colored by Hartmut's influence.
Next—preparing the magic paper.