Ascendance of a Bookworm

After returning to the temple, I spent hectic days preparing printed materials for the sales day at the castle, coordinating the time and place, checking on Brigitte’s costume completion, and going to see how Hasse was doing.

Then, just before the starbinding ceremony, the temple quietly held the high priest’s defrocking ceremony. It was announced that after the starbinding ceremony concluded, the high priest would return to his position.

Though it was only for a few days, the high priest’s office was sealed off, and no one was allowed inside. Since the high priest could no longer stay in the temple after defrocking, he would return to the Noble District.

“Kanfer, Fritark. You two must make sure the starbinding ceremony proceeds smoothly.”

“Understood.”

“Rosemine, even in my absence, you must conduct the ceremony as the temple head. …It’s the same as last year, so there shouldn’t be any issues, but don’t let your guard down. Understood?”

“Yes.”

The high priest, looking extremely uneasy, gave a number of instructions before returning to the Noble District. This year’s starbinding ceremony had to be conducted without the high priest.

I could tell Kanfer and Fritark, who had been entrusted as substitutes, were already nervous.

“You don’t need to be so tense about the gods’ stories since you can just read directly from the Sacred Scripture, right?”

“No, temple head. It’s not the gods’ stories I’m worried about, but whether the azure priests, especially Lord Egmont, will follow our instructions.”

Egmont and the others, who had been the former high priest’s cronies, held relatively high status among the azure priests in the temple. At least, they outranked Kanfer and Fritark. If they started abusing their power, it would be difficult for the two of them to handle.

“In that case, let me know. I will handle it as the temple head.”

“It pains me to ask such a young temple head, but please do when the time comes.”

I smiled gently at the two and took on the responsibility. If the azure priests defied orders abusing their power, I would just use my authority to push back. If that didn’t work, a light show of mana intimidation would suffice. It wouldn’t be much trouble.

“Today is the starbinding ceremony, but in the downtown area, it’s called the Star Festival, isn’t it? I heard it from Hugo.”

I nodded to Nicola, who was helping with dressing the costumes.

“By now, the orphans should be on their way. This year, Gunter will be accompanying them.”

Lutz had said he couldn’t accompany the orphans today. Since the newly established Plantin Trading Company needed recognition in the region, they had to focus on the Star Festival.

Also, Benno told them to mingle with the Daruas and those from their former shops. The merchant world was tough.

“Hugo couldn’t participate as the star of the festival again this year because he broke up with his lover. Ella told me. But since Hugo will be moving to the Noble District after the festival and will be busy helping in the castle kitchen as a helper, he’s not at all upset about missing the festival.”

Nicola laughed as she told me that Hugo looked very disappointed when she said it.

Since we would be leaving for the Noble District right after lunch, the two exclusive chefs were also very busy today.

“Nicola, please prepare dinner.”

“Leave it to me. I’ve improved, you know.”

In the morning, we performed ceremonies at the temple, then moved to the castle in the afternoon for another ceremony.

This year was especially busy because besides the ceremonies, I had been designing Brigitte’s costume and would be unveiling it.

“Brigitte must be having a hard time right now.”

On the way to the castle by minibus, with my exclusive staff aboard, Darmel said this. He was sitting in the passenger seat today.

Brigitte was off work today, her whole body polished from the morning in preparation for the unveiling. Normally, dressing would be done in the knight dormitory, but since she was wearing the costume I produced, we used a room in the main building.