**The Harvest Festival and the Gutenbergs' Choice**

The development of Groschel had gone smoothly. I had simply stayed within the castle's supply range to pour in Magic Power, but my retainers who had performed the washing at Groschel told me how things had gone.

"We performed the washing with a large group, and Groschel became beautiful in an instant. It was quite a spectacle to see water pour down all at once from the numerous magic circles floating in the sky."

"Apparently, from now on, soldiers assigned by the Giebe and merchants who've started transporting goods to the second branch will be keeping a watchful eye to maintain the beautiful townscape. Brünhilde said that the first convoy of wagons loaded with the woodwork workshop's goods had already departed from Ehrenfest."

"Since upper nobles who serve the lord's family had gathered there, Giebe Groschel seemed quite delighted. It appeared that Aub had earned a favorable impression."

Cornelius, my brother, told me about the large-scale washing, Leonore relayed Brünhilde's report, and Ottilie shared the reactions of Giebe Groschel and the surrounding nobles.

"I descended to Groschel myself. The merchants who had finished their transactions and were returning to their home territories were expressing their anticipation for next year's trade upon seeing how completely different Groschel looked from when they'd arrived. Once the merchants return and submit their reports, it may even become a topic of discussion at the Noble Academy."

To my surprise, Hartmut and Clarissa had apparently wandered around the cleaned-up town, looking at everything. They said the area where shops without doors or window frames stood in a row had been particularly interesting.

"Clarissa, I am truly grateful. Having auxiliary magic circles makes an enormous difference when cleaning an entire town. I know I asked a lot of you, being from Dunkelfelger, but your help was invaluable."

"No, I'm simply glad I could be of use. With this matter, I felt genuinely happy to be counted as one of Lady Rosemine's retainers."

Because Hartmut held the position of Chief Priest, he couldn't leave Dunkelfelger's service. As a result, he was rarely assigned work that deeply involved the territory. Even though he was assisting me, he couldn't enter the Temple, and with the Lord's Conference over, he had apparently been worrying whether he was truly of any use.

"I'm already plenty helped just by Clarissa assisting with the magical paper mixture…"

Even so, being recognized as my retainer by others was apparently something else entirely. Since she was going on a long journey, I thought it was good that Clarissa herself had gained something from the experience.

The season when merchants returned to their respective territories also coincided with the Harvest Festival. This time, for the Harvest Festival, Charlotte would visit the Giebes she had toured during the dedication ceremonies, while Wilfried, Melchior, and I would split up to cover the direct territories, and the Blue Priests would divide the work of visiting the Giebes.

"Hartmut, I'll be entrusting you with the Leisegang-family nobles that Brother Wilfried visited in the spring, so please take care of them."

"Lady Rosemine, in addition to the direct territories, you also have the handover of the small temple and the Giebes around Kirnberger to oversee. Please don't overexert yourself."

I had quite a busy schedule—I needed to hand over the small temple's guardianship and hidden room to Melchior, and I also had to retrieve the Gutenbergs at Kirnberger.

For the Harvest Festival, I would bring Damuel and Angelica as my Guard Knights as usual. The rest would be the Temple's attendants and those in my service. While watching them efficiently prepare for the festival as a well-practiced routine, I assigned tasks to the retainers staying behind. Some would take leisurely vacations so they could swap in for Angelica and Damuel when they returned from the festival, while others, like Philine, were eagerly taking on Temple guard duty. Since this period when their lord was away was ideal for the underage retainers to prepare for the Noble Academy, I encouraged them to study hard while they had the chance.

I requested arrangements for wagons to transport the orphanage's replacement staff and their Guard Soldiers. I gave instructions for the orphanage to proceed with Winter Preparations and arranged for the flameproof paper made in the workshop to be purchased through the Plantan Workshop and transported to the Library. While preparing for the Harvest Festival in this manner and making frequent trips to the Library, I devoted as much time as I could to creating Ferdinand's magical paper.

…If possible, I'd like to bring it with me when I go to the Noble Academy. If Ferdinand could stay in Ehrenfest's reception room during the Interduchy Tournament like last time, I could hand it over directly.

As I worked on the magical paper, the day of departure drew near. The first to leave would be the Blue Priests heading to distant Giebe territories by wagon. Naturally, some would be bringing young apprentices along. Since they had never had underage apprentices participate before, the Blue Priests were clearly uncertain about how to handle it.

"Kanfel, Fritak. You'll be accompanying young apprentices on their first assignment. I know it'll be challenging in various ways, but I'm counting on you. Also, some of you apprentices may think that since you've received the Baptism Ceremony as nobles, you hold a higher position than them. But within the Temple, there is no difference among Blue Priests. You apprentices should listen carefully to their words, as they are your seniors."

I made sure to tell them that first-timers who didn't know the right from the left were dead weight and shouldn't cause trouble. If they went on a long trip and someone threw around noble authority with no one to stop them, it would become a headache.

"I've already warned the tax-collecting officials not to treat anyone too harshly, but many of those currently working on tax collection are Leisegang-family nobles. There may be provocative words or sarcastic remarks aimed at the former Veronica faction, so please do your utmost to keep your emotions in check in the moment, and just tell them to report to me or Melchior."

The apprentices nodded nervously, saying "We'll be off," and climbed into the wagons. The heavily loaded wagons slowly began to depart.

After the priests heading to the Giebes by wagon departed, it was Hartmut and Charlotte's turn—they would travel on their riding beasts while sending their luggage and attendants ahead by wagon. The luggage always went first.

Charlotte came to the Temple to say her farewells, talked briefly about her newborn sister, and then sent off the wagon carrying luggage and Gray Priests. Charlotte herself was apparently departing with her retainers the following day.

Last came the departure of the Archduke Candidates touring the direct territories. I sent Wilfried off, then sent Melchior's luggage. Melchior himself would be riding along with one of his Guard Knights' riding beasts.

I saw off the Gray Priests heading to Haffsen as replacement staff and greeted the Guard Soldiers. Around Father's neck was a leather cord, and I could see the magic stone bearing a crest hanging from it.

"I'm counting on you again this time."

"Leave it to us."

Even a brief exchange like that made me happy to share words with Father.

After sending off the wagon bound for Haffsen, I brought out Lesser Beast and had my attendants begin loading the luggage.

"Sister Rosemine's riding beast is so convenient. I want to be able to use one soon too."

"According to Charlotte, it takes a considerable amount of Magic Power to change its size. Once I enter the Noble Academy, I'll have to start by working hard on Magic Power compression."

At my words, Melchior pursed his lips with a slightly displeased expression.

"Father told me that since Sister Rosemine would be moving to the Central, my generation would be one where Sister Rosemine couldn't teach us her method of Magic Power compression."

"Well, that's how it will be. Since Ferdinand is no longer here, the conditions can't be met, and I've already stopped teaching Magic Power compression to others this year. Besides, now that I won't be able to stay in Ehrenfest, I think it's best not to expand that contract any further."

I had heard from Matthias that Georgine had also performed two-stage compression on her own. Ideally, one should think carefully and find a way on their own, and once I became royalty, I planned to make the existence of the Library's underground archive known. That should make it possible for people to try the compression methods stored there.

"Listen to various people and think carefully for yourself. Also, make sure to study the old language thoroughly. I suppose that's the extent of the advice I can give right now."

"I'm studying so I can read the Holy Book, but it seems like it'll be a long road."

Melchior let out a sigh and slumped his shoulders.

I headed to the small temple on Lesser Beast, opened the hidden room, had Monica tidy it up, and set the exclusive chefs to work. Then, accompanied by Fran and my Guard Knights, I set off for the winter lodge at Haffsen.

"Richt, starting next year, the High Priest will be changing. I've brought Melchior today to introduce him."

After informing Richt, the town chief, about the change in High Priest, I conducted the ceremony and inspected the fervent Borfel. Melchior would be sleeping at Haffsen's winter lodge. The following morning, after confirming the taxes with the tax officials, I moved with Melchior to the small temple. The handover had begun.

"Melchior, this is the guardian magic stone of the small temple. You'll need to supply Magic Power to it twice—during the dedication ceremony and the Harvest Festival. Just pour Magic Power into it like this until it changes color, and you're done. …If you're worried about your Magic Power reserves, it might be a good idea to prepare some Magic Power in advance using a magic stone. Also, I think it might be good to ask Charlotte and Brother Wilfried to register as well, so they can assist you."

"Sister Rosemine, you were doing all of this alone, weren't you?"

Melchior's voice carried a hint of dejection, but he shouldn't compare his Magic Power to mine—I had been performing life-threatening Magic Power compression every day. If he compressed at that pace, he would end up with growth problems like me.

"You don't have to suddenly do everything alone, Melchior."

After registering his Magic Power in the guardian magic stone, he turned his gaze toward where my attendants and the Gray Priests of Haffsen were carrying all the furniture out of my hidden room.

"Which furniture will you be using? I'd like to transfer as much of it as possible along with the hidden room. Isn't it wasteful to spend money on things you only use twice a year? I think it would be better to use the money for something else rather than putting new furniture in here."

Since archduke candidates rarely received hand-me-downs, Melchior was momentarily surprised, but the attendant who appeared to manage his finances showed a relieved expression. While there was a budget allocated for the Temple, it wasn't separately allocated for both the Haffsen and Ehrenfest temples. Furnishing a new room was entirely unexpected.

"Fabric items like futons should be replaced, but as for wooden furniture like tables and beds, we would like to use them as they are, Lord Melchior. As Lady Rosemine says, in the midst of a busy handover, we don't have time to select or order appropriate furniture at the castle for items used only a few times a year."

At the attendant's argument that time was more precious than money, Melchior nodded in understanding. "You're right. Then, I'll gratefully accept them."

"Thore, Rick. Please load the items Melchior won't be using onto the wagons. They'll be brought back to the Ehrenfest Temple."

"Understood."

I gave instructions for the unused items to be transported back to the Ehrenfest Temple. Once the hidden room was completely empty, Melchior re-registered it. Then, new furniture was carried in.

"Transferring noble rooms is surprisingly tedious, isn't it?"

The soldiers, watching the prayer room's doors thrown wide open as goods went back and forth, made that comment. The situation was apparently quite different from the commoner handover that ended with simply handing over a key, which they found interesting.

"Because of the Magic Power registration, the security is very high, but it does make transfers troublesome."

"You're really leaving for elsewhere, then, if you're passing your room to a successor? I was surprised when Gunther started the handover, saying he was moving with the family being transferred…"

It seemed Father was also performing the handover at the Gate because he was moving with his family.

"Oh, my move is still a secret from the others. Please be careful not to let it slip."

I said that while giving Father a sharp glare, then chatted casually with the soldiers while checking on the luggage loading progress, and discussed restocking missing supplies with Nora and Marthe, who were managing the small temple.

"There's no need to look so worried, Marthe. Even after I move, I'll still be traveling between the Haffsen and Ehrenfest temples, and the small temple at Haffsen isn't going to disappear."

"Yes."

"Also, I've handed over the instructions for compensating the soldiers who'll be accompanying you. So, I'm counting on you going forward as well."

"Yes, ma'am!"

I had advised Melchior to obtain the money for the soldiers by selling information from the Lower Town to his adoptive father. It wasn't that there was no budget—the money could be drawn out if he tried. I explained that it was like selling information gathered at the Noble Academy to the relevant parties, and he had listened with a serious expression, so I was sure he would do his best to get it from his adoptive father.

After completing the handover at the small temple in Haffsen, Melchior headed south while I headed east. I toured from one place to the next on my riding beast to complete the Harvest Festival in the direct territories, visiting the summer lodges of the Giebes of Huber, Bron, Gratz, and Hirsch, before heading to Kirnberger.

I greeted Giebe Kirnberger, performed the ceremony, and conducted the tax collection the following morning. Once everything was confirmed and the Gutenbergs were retrieved, it was time to withdraw.

"Another long business trip—well done, everyone. There were quite a few first-timers, weren't there? How was Kirnberger?"

According to reports from Lutz and Gil, Judith had apparently made very thorough arrangements. The first-timers had indeed struggled with the unfamiliar terrain and some had fallen ill, but the experienced ones had been able to work comfortably and enjoyably.

…Perhaps I should get advice from Judith and the others when making preparations in the Central.

I listened to reports on how the Gutenbergs had worked at Kirnberger while returning to the Ehrenfest Temple. Then, I distributed the wooden invitation plaques that Zaim had prepared to each workshop.

"I have an important matter to discuss, so I need the master, the Gutenberg themselves, and three people recognized as their apprentices to come to the Temple. The date and time will be the third bell five days from now."

For those who couldn't read, I read the text aloud for them. Because so many apprentices were participating this time, it was obvious that they were terrified of receiving a summons from the nobility. The contrast with Lutz and Johann, who wore expressions of "What is it this time?", was striking.

"…Um, Lady Rosemine. Are you going to have Heidi participate?"

Horace of the ink workshop asked that in a trembling voice. Remembering how Heidi's behavior hadn't been well-received by Fran and the others, and how Josef had struggled to keep her in check, I pondered for a few seconds before smiling.

"Since the ink workshop has a husband-and-wife pair of Gutenbergs, let's just say that having one of them attend will be sufficient. If Heidi can stay behind to guard the house, tell Josef that I'll give him some materials from other territories that might be useful for ink research as a souvenir."

When I said that this should make Heidi absolutely want to stay behind, Horace's eyes sparkled as if deeply moved.

"That's a great help! Lady Rosemine, you truly are a Saint."

…Huh? Keeping Heidi in check was something to be that moved about?

While welcoming the Blue Priests returning from the Harvest Festival, the day of the gathering arrived. This time, I would be inviting craftsmen from the Lower Town, so I decided to use the orphanage director's room. Since the number of people to invite was large, I had extra chairs arranged in the entrance hall so I could speak to everyone there, and had Nicola prepare tea and snacks.

Led by Benno, Mark, and Lutz from the Plantan Workshop—the ones most accustomed to this—the Gutenbergs and their workshop staff filed in with stiff expressions. I knew what it meant for commoners to set foot in a noble's space, so I pretended not to notice when they fumbled their greetings or when their arms and legs moved in awkward unison.

Before beginning, I made it clear: "Since these are craftsmen from the Lower Town who have no contact with nobles, I won't particularly mind any slips of the tongue, and there will be no punishment." This was partly to ease the masters' tension, but my main purpose was for my retainers to hear it. Being glared at or having the conversation interrupted at every turn would be troublesome.

"There are things I still can't make public, which is why I've invited you here. Please keep what I'm about to say confidential until the end of next spring."

I told them that I would be leaving Ehrenfest at the end of next spring, and that once I came of age, I wanted the Gutenbergs to come with me to begin printing there.

"I would be grateful if either the Gutenberg themselves or their apprentices could come. Normally, one would simply command their exclusive service providers, but I would like to hear everyone's preferences as much as possible. Some may have restrictions due to marriage or engagement, so I won't force relocation. However, if you can't relocate, I intend to have you transfer the technology through long-term business trips as before, and those long-term trips will be mandatory."

The masters all showed relieved expressions at the words that relocation wouldn't be forced. They probably couldn't bear to have the successors they'd carefully raised taken away. Benno, who already knew about the relocation, was calmly drinking his tea, but Lutz, hearing this for the first time, stared at me with wide green eyes.

"Is leaving Ehrenfest decided?"

"Yes. I don't think that will change."

"Is it really certain that the Gutenbergs' move will be in three years?"

…Lutz was saying the same thing as Benno! Stop looking at me with such skeptical eyes!

"The Gilberta Company and Renasance, which handle my clothing, will be moving along with me, so I believe they'll relocate at the end of spring. Also, Benno said that the Plantan Workshop would move ahead of time to prepare the workshop, the store, and a new printing association."

As I said this, I looked toward Benno, who gave a slight nod. Then, looking at the other masters, he outlined the Plantan Workshop's future plans.

"I'll move ahead to prepare for receiving the Gutenbergs. Those relocating from the Plantan Workshop are planned to be the three of us—myself, Mark, and Lutz. Since Lutz is a minor, I'll need his parents' consent, so we'll formally decide after calling his parents in for a discussion."

At Benno's words, Lutz grinned challengingly.

"I'll convince my parents and go no matter what. …I can't fall behind Turi."

"It's reassuring to have people I'm familiar with coming along. …However, until I come of age, I won't be able to move freely in another territory. That's why the Gutenbergs' move will be in three years."

When I said that Ehrenfest, where one could act freely before coming of age, was the exception, murmurs of uncertainty arose.

"Having a minor serve as a patron would normally be impossible even in Ehrenfest. Perhaps the Ehrenfest that accepted it was unusual, but I think the most unusual one was you, Lady Rosemine."

At Johann's words, the Gutenbergs all nodded in agreement. Even Damuel, standing guard at the door, was nodding. How absurd. Hartmut, standing behind me, corrected with "Not unusual—special," but that didn't matter.

"When you relocate, you're welcome to bring your families along. I've already received reports that the Gilberta Company's hair ornament artisans will bring their entire families, and the exclusive husband-and-wife chefs will be accompanied by their children and a mother to look after them."

"I appreciate the consideration, but I can't go. I've worked so hard to establish my own workshop in this town…"

While the Gutenbergs pondered, Ingo said that in a pained voice. As a young master who had struggled to establish himself, Ingo had now built a workshop that had become quite popular in town. His apprentices had grown in number, and there were apparently many who wanted to join.

He said he had patrons other than me and had established ties to the area, so he couldn't move to new territory. While being able to relocate his family was something, I also had ties to this place and my own Library here, so I didn't want to leave either—I understood Ingo's feelings well.

"I understand. Ingo, please stay here."

"Thank you. …Dimo, what about you? If you want to go, I can release you from your apprentice contract. The other town was interesting, wasn't it?"

Ingo called out to Dimo, his apprentice seated beside him. Dimo looked up at the sound of Ingo's voice.

"Um, Lady Rosemine. If I go instead of the master, will I be given a workshop?"

"A workspace is necessary, so yes, a workshop will be provided. I can't grant you the qualification to become a master, of course, but introducing the new technology of printing to a new region should make it much easier to earn that qualification."

Dimo's eyes lit up happily at my words. Since Dimo had been involved in building printing machines from the very beginning, if he came in Ingo's place, he would be reliable.

When Dimo declared "I'll go," Zack fidgeted and shifted his body.

"Lady Rosemine, if I express my wish, will you order me to go? Apprentices can't easily move without an order. If the master tells me not to wish for it, that's the end of it."

"Hey!" Zack's workshop master glared, but Zack seemed determined to go. His gray eyes were shining brightly. From the day he had first arrived at the workshop wanting the title of Gutenberg just like Johann, nothing had changed.

"When you go to an unfamiliar town, there are so many interesting things that spark new ideas. Plus, I want to leave something with my name on it in another town."

You could find Zack's and my name on well pumps and wagon modifications all over Ehrenfest. He apparently wanted to do the same in other territories. Quite the ambitious one. Well, if he wanted to come along, I would take him. Zack's creativity and design skills were irreplaceable.

"I understand. Even if it's the individual's wish, if the master objects, I'll issue an order. But please make sure to discuss it with your new wife first."

"She'll be fine. She even said she wanted to come along for the Gutenbergs' move."

"You shouldn't say 'she'll be fine' so casually until you've heard it from her directly. Zack, you must hear your wife's opinion first. I'll issue the order only after that."

Even if the Gutenbergs went along with the move, they would still return to Ehrenfest once every half year. A long-term business trip was different from relocating to another territory. A proper discussion was essential to avoid a sudden divorce scandal.

"I'm sure Heidi will say she absolutely wants to go, but what will the master decide?"

"…Heidi is one thing, but Josef, you're the successor with Master Craftsman status, aren't you?"

Josef and Bias groaned, holding their heads. For Bias, Josef's departure was apparently more of a problem than his own daughter Heidi's. Josef muttered "Hmm" in thought while scratching his head vigorously.

"Horace, do you think you can earn Master Craftsman status?"

"Me!?"

Horace blurted out in a startled voice. But it wasn't unreasonable to ask. The Master Craftsman title was necessary to become a workshop head, and it was a qualification granted by the guild master to those who had achieved recognition from multiple Master Craftsmen belonging to various associations. It was quite different from Workshop Head, which anyone could claim simply by setting up a workshop—this title was given to the best of the best.

As a side note, the Printing Association and Plant Paper Association currently granted Master Craftsman status to those recognized by Benno, but the number of workshops was still small and everyone was barely managing what they'd been taught, so there were no Master Craftsmen yet. Since a minimum of ten years of service was required, I expected that those who were inventing new paper in Ilgner would eventually earn the Master Craftsman title.

"I think it would be easier for Horace to earn the qualification than to keep Heidi in check. And if he marries Tana, the workshop situation should work itself out, I think…"

I didn't know who Tana was, but she was probably some relative of Bias, the master. There was an indescribable sense of resignation in Josef's voice. Stopping Heidi was apparently quite the monumental task. Bias also nodded with a resigned expression.

"That's more realistic than trying to stop Heidi. He already knows how to make ink. It's better to keep that money-devouring research fanatic together with her patron."

For an incredible reason, the successor daughter was allowed to leave Ehrenfest. Horace, who had been decided upon as the replacement successor, wore a stunned expression, but I really hoped he would do his best.

"I have an engagement with the master's granddaughter, so… I really can't relocate…"

Johann said that with a slightly embarrassed expression while shaking his head. The master looked at Johann with a somewhat ambiguous expression and said, "Let me think about who to send from our workshop."

"Please give me your answer through Benno later. There's no rush."

"That would be helpful."

Later, the answer came through Benno. It seemed the master's granddaughter didn't want to marry Johann—she wanted to marry Danilo instead. She preferred the cheerful and chatty Danilo over the taciturn, work-focused Johann. And from the workshop's perspective, when considering which of the two to keep—Danilo, who could attract multiple patrons, versus Johann, whose only major patron was me—they wanted to keep Danilo.

"Miss, the master passed along the message: Please take good care of Johann. He seems really down about wanting to relocate with you, Lady Rosemine."

Gil reported this to me. Feeling sorry for Johann, I mentally compared Danilo and Johann side by side. When it came to appeal with girls, it was undoubtedly Danilo.

…Of course, they were underage girls. Johann had his own good qualities, though.

As I sighed, Gil looked at me awkwardly and spoke up.

"Lady Rosemine, I…"

Perhaps because he had just returned from Kirnberger, where he had been living surrounded by Lower Town craftsmen, his speech was a bit rough. It reminded me of the old Gil, who had been anxious that his way of speaking might get him dismissed from my service. Feeling a twinge of nostalgia, I took out a magic stone bearing a crest from a drawer.

"Gil, I intend for you to come with me in three years. If you don't object, please accept this. It's a mark of those I plan to bring along in three years."

Saying this, I offered the crested magic stone to Gil. He smiled happily and accepted it.

With the handover of the small temple at Haffsen complete and the Gutenbergs retrieved…

…the Gutenbergs made their respective choices.

Those who were happy to go on long-term business trips felt little resistance to going to a new place.

As for Johann… well, this is unfortunate, but his participation has been decided.

Next: the Winter Baptism Ceremony and departure for the Noble Academy.