Ascendance of a Bookworm

The situation in the downtown area that I had been worried about seemed to have ended without any particular problems, and I breathed a sigh of relief. However, from what I heard, it looks like they were already at their limit just accepting this year’s merchants. It will probably be difficult to increase trading partners next year. There’s no way that luxurious inns and their staff for the extra merchants expected next year could be prepared in just one year.

...Maybe we should also consider selling the method of making Rinshan and hair ornaments.

The next morning, the gray priests really started working early, harvesting vegetables in the fields and packing them.

Meanwhile, I had breakfast. Today's menu consisted of freshly harvested vegetable soup and salad from the small temple’s fields, and bacon that had been brought from Ehrenfest was quickly sliced and fried.

The bread, which Hugo had prepared since yesterday, was eaten with plenty of jam made from berries called Violebe, similar to blackcurrants, and honey. This jam was made by Hasse’s shrine maidens who picked the berries in the forest, boiled it down, and prepared it just for today. The slightly sour Violebe balanced out the rich sweetness of the honey, making it very delicious.

“This morning’s soup and jam were delicious. Thanks to the vegetables everyone grew.”

“The area around this small temple is filled with Lady Rosemine’s mana, so the forest’s blessings are abundant,” Thor said.

According to him, the land around the small temple is more fertile than Hasse across the narrow river. To ensure there will be delicious vegetables next year as well, I decided to pour plenty of mana into the mana stones in the chapel.

After finishing breakfast, it was time to see off the carriage returning to Ehrenfest. Inside the carriage headed for the orphanage were the replacement gray priests, vegetables harvested by Thor and the others, printed materials made in Hasse, and accounting documents from the small temple.

I handed the usual travel allowance to the soldiers, who asked to escort the carriage to the temple.

“Winter will bring deep snow, making garbage disposal difficult. That’s why you must be careful to avoid a chaotic situation in downtown when spring comes,” I said.

“Yes. The roofs are being built now so that trash can be disposed of even if snow piles up. After that, it’s up to everyone’s cooperation. We soldiers will be working continuously.”

Thinking of my father who was working in the snow, I nodded lightly. I probably don’t need to worry about downtown as long as the soldiers are in charge. After returning the salute from the soldiers, the carriage started moving with a clatter.

After watching the carriage get smaller in the distance, I prepared to depart as well. I had to head to Hasse’s Winter Hall and check on the tax collector’s work.

Monica and Rosina were preparing to depart, while the gray priests and gray shrine maidens took care of cleaning up after breakfast. I talked with Nora while keeping an eye on Hugo and Ella, who were handing the packed lunch to Fran.

“Nora, is the winter preparation here complete?”

“Yes. The residents of Hasse have cooperated well with the winter preparations. We can’t always rely on the Plantin Trading Company to take care of things.”

Although the Plantin Trading Company had mediated up until now, it seems that by providing money and manpower from the small temple, a good cooperative system with Hasse had been established. I should thank Licht later and ask for continued cooperation.

“Lady Rosemine, preparations are complete.”

“Then, Nora, I’m counting on you for the rest. Since the small temple is gradually changing, priests coming from the orphanage in Ehrenfest will be confused. Please teach them how to live. At the same time, make sure they don’t stray too far from temple life and review their own way of living. If they change too much, it will be difficult when they have to go back to the orphanage in Ehrenfest.”