Published: August 15, 2025
On the morning of the harvest festival, Ella, Rosina, Nicola, and Monica set off in a horse-drawn carriage loaded with changes of clothes, dishes, and other daily necessities. Departing alongside them was another carriage carrying Eckhardt Brother, Justox's attendants, and their luggage.
Prioritizing my health above all else, I was to travel to Hasse on a Mount. Fran was to accompany me on the Mount. Since Fran was also responsible for managing the medicine entrusted to her by the high priest, we would be traveling together.
"Rosemine, be sure not to overexert yourself," I was cautioned.
"Yes."
Since my personal chef and attendants were no longer with me, the high priest had invited me to lunch. After everyone gathered and finished lunch while listening to the high priest’s final instructions, we set out immediately.
"Eckhardt, Justox, I’m counting on you. Don’t take your eyes off her for a moment."
"Yes, sir!"
Today, only Fran and I rode in my Lesser Bus. Darmel and Brigitte led the way, with Justox and Eckhardt Brother following behind as we headed toward Hasse.
When I summoned the Lesser Bus as usual, Eckhardt Brother and Justox stepped back a pace.
"…Rosemine, is this the Mount?"
"Yes, Eckhardt Brother. Cute, isn’t it?"
I chuckled softly. Eckhardt Brother looked startled, glancing between the Lesser Bus and me, and let out a flustered voice.
"C-Cute? This is Grün, isn’t it?"
"Huh? No, it’s a Lesser Bus."
"I-I see…"
His face twisted quite a bit. It reminded me of the expression the high priest had shown at first. I realized that among the nobles it might be a bit poorly received. Well, even if it’s not popular, it’s cute and convenient, so no problem.
The entrance slid open with a soft sound, and as Fran and I boarded, Justox’s eyes shone brightly with excitement.
"Lady Rosemine, what kind of Mount is this? I would love to ride it too…"
"Justox, what would you do riding that!? Don’t say foolish things and get your own Mount out quickly."
The high priest’s scolding flew out, and Justox shrugged lightly as if reprimanded and summoned his Mount.
It was a type of Mount I hadn’t seen in the knights order before. It had many horns, a flashy-looking head, and resembled a winged cow. It had long, sharp unicorn-like horns and large, sprawling antlers like a moose. I worried whether he could see in front once mounted.
Its legs resembled those of a lion or tiger—thick and sturdy with sharp claws.
"Like your Grün, Justox’s Mount is modeled after the demonic beast Bacchhelm."
"My Mount is not a demonic beast!"
"To anyone’s eyes, it looks like one. But never mind that. Hurry up and depart. The harvest festival won’t start otherwise."
The high priest waved his hand lightly, signaling Darmel and Brigitte to move quickly. Each of their Mounts took flight, with my Lesser Bus following them.
Fran sat in the front passenger seat today. At first, Fran’s face was tense, but now she rode in the Lesser Bus without any painful determination—as if it was normal.
Chasing after Darmel’s Celestial Horse, heading into the sky, I entrusted Fran with an important task for today.
"Fran, don’t forget to make contact with Licht during the harvest festival."
"Understood. I should subtly convey that no priests will be dispatched for the spring prayer ceremony, that Lady Rosemine is working hard to mediate, but the high priest is deeply angry, right?"
"...Not subtly. I want you to tell him clearly."
Because I wrote the letter in a noble-like manner, the town mayor still didn’t know the head priest had died. Saying he "ascended the stairs to a higher place" wouldn’t communicate death well. It could easily be misunderstood as a promotion.
Back in Reno’s time, phrases like "passed away" or "has gone to rest" would have been used to hint at death. Without knowing, there’s no way to understand such expressions.
Fran furrowed her brow slightly and lowered her eyes quietly. Her voice was stiff when she said, "Understood," clearly reluctant.
"The mayor is on good terms with that former head priest, and I understand both the high priest’s anger at the mayor’s disrespect and Fran’s own anger in respecting the high priest, but I don’t want all the people of Hasse to get caught up in this."