Published: September 6, 2025
Around the time the fifth bell rang on the day before the meeting, the high priest arrived at the dormitory accompanied by Justox and Eckhardt Brother. They were there to ask about things that couldn’t be understood from the reports alone and to discuss the meeting's arrangements. In the multipurpose hall, where the students who greeted them waited tensely, the high priest glanced over the lined-up students once and began giving instructions.
“Richarda, prepare a room for speaking with Rosemine.”
“Understood.”
Richarda and Brynhildr quickly left, and the high priest turned his gaze toward Wilfried and Charlotte, who stood in the center.
“Wilfried, Charlotte. This summons is related to the subjugation of Tarnis Befaren. Since it’s decided that the surrounding people must not learn that Ehrenfest conducted the subjugation, my summons is not something to be openly discussed. I will take full responsibility for cleaning up after Rosemine, so both of you should manage the dormitory and ensure social interactions are handled properly.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Being summoned as a guardian was like the teachers telling the children that the matter was beyond their ability to resolve. Wilfried, who had been nervously wondering how serious the situation was, now showed a relieved smile.
“Justox, after preparing the room, grasp the progress of preparations for the territory competition.”
“Understood.”
Justox turned to prepare the room where the high priest would stay overnight. After glimpsing this, the high priest immediately fixed his gaze on Hartmut.
“Have the civil official apprentices prepare reports on the progress centered around Hartmut, the senior student, and gather here again.”
Having helped out at the temple and thus used to the high priest’s way of delegating tasks, Hartmut and Filine immediately turned on their heels. However, most of the civil official apprentices seemed unable to keep up with the changes and wore blank expressions. As Hartmut headed back to his room, he lightly tapped Roderich’s shoulder.
“Don’t zone out, Roderich. Hurry up; Justox-sama works surprisingly fast.”
Startled, Roderich quickly began to follow Hartmut, and the other civil official apprentices also started moving in a flurry. By the time the multipurpose hall’s atmosphere became hectic, Richarda returned after finishing the preparation of the private room.
“Rosemine, this way. Come.”
Called by the high priest, I was led by Richarda to a rather small conference room. The high priest told me to sit facing him, and I was helped into a seat by Liselotte.
…Ugh, I bet I’m going to be scolded with something like, “Summoned by the noble academy again, what a hassle.”
While sneakily checking the high priest’s expression, which showed no emotion, I pressed gently on my stomach. I wasn’t that bad personally, but it was an undeniable fact that I had dragged the high priest into troublesome affairs.
“This is a matter concerning the Sacred Scripture that only the temple head should handle. Those not related to the temple should leave. Only the Guard Knights stationed at the door are needed.”
Just as the high priest tried to order all his close aides out, Richarda’s eyes narrowed.
“Master Ferdinand, you must not speak alone with her!”
“Richarda, step back. This is not something to be heard by others. Above all, time is of the essence.”
“Master! The princess is your fiancée, and we cannot allow opportunities for misunderstandings. Please allow the close aides to accompany us.”
Richarda’s argument was perfectly reasonable as noble common sense. It would be strange if the temple’s state allowed them to just shoo everyone away and retreat to the workshop. But I thought this conversation with the high priest would include how to handle the magic circle that had appeared in the Sacred Scripture. It was too risky to let the close aides hear about that.
The high priest furrowed his brows deeply and thought for a moment before saying, “…Very well. Only Eckhardt Brother and Cornelius Brother may remain inside. I will concede to that much,” and waved lightly, signaling the others to leave the room.