Published: August 3, 2025
The day after returning to the temple from the prayer ceremony, we cleaned the orphanage and the workshop. The following day, from the third bell, there was a tour with the high priest and Sylvester. Everyone was busy scrambling early in the morning.
“Myne-sama, do you have a moment? Ah, I mean, may I speak with you?”
“Yes, it’s fine... Gil, you’re improving little by little, aren’t you?”
When I returned from the prayer ceremony, Gil’s tone had improved somewhat. It seemed the young children in the orphanage were being educated by the former gray priests who used to serve as attendants and had begun to check every word and action Gil made in the workshop.
“Because those kids say that since Gil is an attendant, he must change his language and attitude to suit the master... or rather, they insist on it.”
Gil sulked as the children proudly pointed out his mistakes. I understood both the children’s eagerness to use the words they’d just learned and Gil’s displeasure at being corrected.
“As my attendant, Gil eventually had to learn these things, so this is a good opportunity. Keep it up.”
“Myne-sama, I’ll do my best... so please don’t make me quit or bring someone else in.”
Gil knelt beside me and said this with a frustrated look, pursing his lips. I had no idea why it had come to this.
“Eh? Wait, Gil, how did this even come up?”
“There are plenty of others better than me…”
Gil muttered and lowered his head.
Apparently, since Gil had become an attendant despite being a mischievous troublemaker frequently sent to the reflection room, several boys were fired up, thinking that if it was possible for Gil to become an attendant, they could too if they served me. Gil was full of anxiety about being replaced and was desperately trying to learn tasks others couldn’t do.
...So the reason he’s been learning workshop tasks and competing with Lutz recently is probably because of this?
Since Gil’s head was at a convenient height as I sat in my chair, I reached out and gently stroked it.
“I know you’re working hard, Gil. Even if we need more help and bring others in, there’s no way I would make you quit.”
“Oh...”
Gil’s expression softened as if relieved. Unless he did something terribly wrong, I never intended to dismiss him, but I knew that attendants could be easily fired at their master’s whim.
“By the way, you wanted to talk to me, right?”
“With the high priest and the others coming to observe, is it okay to have them see you working in the workshop today?”
“Yes. I think the high priest wants to see what kind of work is done here. Just entering the workshop makes everyone nervous. If it’s the high priest or the other azure priest, they’ll be even more tense, but I want them to do their best.”
“Understood.”
Gil smiled and headed to the workshop.
As Gil left, Fran arrived with the members of the Gilberta Trading Company—Benno, Lutz, and Leon. Mark seemed to be staying behind to manage the shop.
“Good morning, Myne-sama. It is an honor to be invited today.”
I led the three upstairs, sent Rosina and Delia down to the first floor, and cleared the room lightly. Clearing the room meant they would pretend not to hear even casual speech.
“Myne, here. The clothes you requested and some shoes as well.”
“Thank you, Lutz.”
I received the clothes and shoes wrapped in cloth, which I needed to give to Sylvester. I put the package from Lutz on the office desk and returned to the table.
Benno, dressed in attire suitable to meet nobles, stared at me with eyes glittering with commercial ambition.
“...So, besides the high priest, which noble family does that other azure priest belong to?”
“I don’t know.”
“Hey.”
Benno glared at me, probably wanting to gather some intel beforehand, but I didn’t know how to answer.
“His name is Sylvester, but how would I know his family home?”
“Find out. Gather as much information as you can, idiot.”
I suppose to a merchant, family background is important, but what I really wanted to know was how to avoid Sylvester.