Published: August 25, 2025
We decided to hold the meeting once the blizzard subsided enough for a carriage to pass, that I would attend, and to prepare some materials on the current production volume and its potential capacity. We settled these small details.
“The blizzard is getting stronger,” Gil’s voice from outside the window made everyone fall silent instantly. We had to hurry back; the storm was only going to get worse.
There were countless things we wanted to discuss, but Benno vaguely expressed relief that we avoided being summoned without any preparation. So, the meeting was quickly adjourned.
Watching everyone rush home against the intensifying snow and wind from the window, I let out a light sigh.
There were so many people today that I couldn’t rely on Lutz, and thinking about the upcoming contract termination only made me feel gloomy. I gulped down the remaining tea and returned to the head priest’s office.
After lunch, I planned to summarize today’s meeting and prepare to meet Gibe Haldenzel after the dedication ceremony.
“Zaam, you need to inform the high priest of what was decided in today’s meeting, right? Could you submit a request for an audience? Also, please ask to borrow Ordnance.”
“Understood.”
“Monica, please compile today’s meeting details before your audience with the high priest. Fran, please bring the materials that Gil has prepared on Haldenzel.”
After assigning tasks to the attendants, I reviewed the materials Fran had prepared on Haldenzel. I needed to identify how far Gutenberg and the others had progressed and where they were stuck, as well as what negotiations I would need to have with Gibe Haldenzel.
Still, I wondered if Gibe Haldenzel even knew what kind of books my mother was making. Were there any books made by others besides her? It piqued my curiosity immensely.
…Hah, I really want to read the books Mom made.
It bothered me that I owned those books but hadn’t read them yet. Even though I felt more at ease in the temple, I wanted to go to my room in the castle just to read those two books.
As I was lost in these thoughts, Zaam returned with a slightly troubled expression after having taken the wooden tag requesting the audience to the high priest.
“Zaam, what’s wrong?”
“The high priest has locked himself in the workshop and won’t come out. The attendants say he’s been holed up there since finishing dinner last night and hasn’t eaten.”
They had expected him to come out if I went to help at the third bell, but because of the meeting, I hadn’t gone. Now, it was almost the time of the fifth bell, and he still hadn’t emerged.
…Since he brought so many things to the temple, including a souvenir from Professor Hilsure, he’s probably happily deep into research time.
“You were busy working while I was asleep, right? Maybe it’s best to let him be for a day or so?”
“He’s been holed up since returning to the temple yesterday. It’s already been a day, and apparently, he hasn’t eaten during this time.”
Zaam frowned worriedly while looking toward the door, and Fran had the same troubled expression. I always thought both Fran and Zaam, the former attendants of the high priest, liked him way too much.
“Should I go check on him?”
“That would be a great help. The only person who can command the high priest is Lady Rosemine, the head priest.”
…Even if I ordered him, I doubt he’d listen.
I sighed, thinking it was good enough if I could just reassure Fran and the others. Accompanied by Zaam and Fran, who eagerly opened the door, I headed for the high priest’s room.
“Rosemine, you came just in time.”
Smiling as he greeted me was Eckhardt Brother, hard at work on paperwork at the high priest’s office desk. I glanced at the papers and scanned the room, realizing Justox was absent.
“Eckhardt Brother, where is Justox? Could it be you dumped your work on him and locked yourself away in the workshop with the high priest?”
“No, Justox returned to the castle when the morning snow lessened. He said he finished the work he was asked to do.”