Ascendance of a Bookworm

Although I had decided to build a library, the moment I learned from Filine that the first hurdle would be the high priest, I suddenly became very calm. To obtain the high priest's permission, I would have to thoroughly research the significance and management of libraries in this world and persuade him with logical arguments.

…For now, I must keep my ambitions hidden. I will surely seize victory later!

Alright! Full of enthusiasm, I began to happily devise plans for the library. There was a mysterious power called magic, which didn’t exist in Reno’s time. If I could use that, I was sure I could create an amazing library.

…We definitely want magic tools like the Schwartzes. They can handle the lending and return counters and even keep track of unauthorized removals — perfect! Considering how they tried to protect me, I think they have various functions, and above all, they’re cute!

The high priest and Hilsure had been researching them. Perhaps similar magic tools could be made soon. I pictured many Schwarzes of different colors hopping around as they worked in the library and smiled to myself.

…Since magic exists, and this is such a fantasy world, I think it’s fine for the library itself to be a mysterious building. Like, with each new book added, a new floor appears and it grows larger — truly a "growing organism"! How about that?

Though it differs from what Ranganathan proposed, I think a library that expands upward or downward as books increase is romantic. There’s no problem finding storage space, and all materials could be stored without selection — wonderful.

…Also, with magic tools, I think we can add various functions to the books themselves. For example, books automatically returning to their shelves in classification order, teleportation circles activating if the lending period is exceeded to return the books to the library, or searched materials glowing so you can identify them at a glance… Wow! It’s so much fun I can’t stop!

Excitedly planning the Rosemine Library, imagining all sorts of possibilities, I was betrayed by my own close aides. Filine, Hartmut, and Fran revealed my library construction plan during the high priest’s assistant time.

“Rosemine.”

“Y-yes?”

The high priest glared at me with narrowed eyes and demanded an explanation.

“You seem to be making quite a lively and interesting plan, but I have received no report at all. What exactly are you intending to do?”

“W-well, um, I haven’t really made any concrete plans yet. I wrote down my wishes and have been visiting and studying various libraries, hoping to build the most splendid one in Jurgenschmidt…”

As I desperately tried to explain that I intended to report once I had a proper plan, Fran sighed and shook her head beside me.

“Lady Rosemine, you need to consult the high priest before making your plan.”

“What are you saying, Fran? You can’t face the high priest without any materials to persuade him. Research and planning come first. Consultation comes afterward…”

“So, you deliberately chose not to report?”

The temperature of the high priest’s voice dropped. It felt as if a cold wind blew by, and I hurriedly shook my head.

“No! The high priest taught me that preparation and groundwork are necessary for success. I was just doing my best like a noble lady. Besides, what would I report when I haven’t even done the preparations?”

I couldn’t afford to have my dream crushed here. For the sake of building the library, I used all my wits to try and calm the high priest’s anger.

Whether because my desperate plea got through or he gave up, the high priest lightly tapped his desk with his fingertips and spoke.

“I wish you would display that nobility you claim not only when books are involved. Now, explain simply what you want to do and how. If it means enriching the library, depending on the situation, I might be willing to cooperate.”

…The high priest, the greatest hurdle, was willing to cooperate!

If he became an ally, that was unbeatable. Moved, I eloquently spoke about the library I wanted to create — its significance, the kind of library to aim for, and the magic tools filled with “wouldn’t it be nice if” features.