Ascendance of a Bookworm

When returning to the temple, I was instructed by the high priest to transport the time-stopping magic tool containing the fish by mini bus. I was overjoyed and prepared the mini bus. I sized it like a family car so that Rosina, Hugo, and Ella could sit in the back seat, just as usual when returning to the temple. Then the high priest said, "That's no good."

"Rosemine, that’s too small to carry the magic tool. Make the mount bigger. Only when carrying Gutenberg do you make it that size."

I tilted my head at the high priest’s words but enlarged the mini bus to bus size.

"Is the time-stopping magic tool that big?"

"That one."

Following Norbert's instructions, several laborers carried in a large box big enough for a grown man to stretch out his legs inside. Before my astonished eyes, the large box was loaded onto the mini bus.

"Is it full of fish inside?"

"It shouldn’t be full since it’s already in use."

I took Judith in the front passenger seat and drove the mini bus to the temple. Along with the Guard Knights, civil officials accompanied us. Roderich, going to the temple for the first time, looked tense as he rode his mount.

"Welcome back."

"We’ve been waiting for you, Lady Rosemine."

At the temple, as usual, the high priest’s attendants awaited our return.

"Fran, Zaam, Gil, Fritz. If the four of you aren’t enough, ask others to help and bring this to the kitchen. I want to ask Hugo and Ella about the new ingredients. Come to my room."

After calling the attendants, the large magic tool was immediately carried to the kitchen. A few gray priests called by Fran appeared and began transporting the magic tool.

While the attendants were unloading the cargo, the close aides tidied up the mounts and waited. Roderich, observing the temple, Fran, and the close aides accustomed to the temple, tilted his head in curiosity.

"Lady Rosemine, do you call chefs to your room?"

"I’ve been warned by the attendants before, but there are many things I won't understand unless I ask directly."

There were many discussions about the Italian restaurant and whether to transfer as a court chef that required direct communication. As a result, Fran, who initially disliked having lower-ranked cooks enter my room, has lately resigned herself, saying, “If it’s something only the chefs can explain, it can’t be helped.”

"Roderich, you too should be adaptable. Please get used to my ways as soon as possible. Having received a name, you will become my closest aide."

"Yes."

I nodded at Roderich’s determination, and Filine smiled softly.

"Roderich, Lady Rosemine also attends meetings with common merchants about printing and papermaking and listens to their opinions. If you’re surprised at this much, it will be tough."

After Fran and the others finished unloading, I put the mini bus away and entered the temple. Monica led me to the high priest’s office.

Nicola was already preparing tea in the high priest’s office. The cheerful greeting, "Welcome back, Lady Rosemine," and the scent of sweets made me feel like I had returned home.

"Filine, please explain the temple work to Roderich. Darmel, discuss with the Guard Knights and decide the order of visits to the temple. Only two need to come. We don’t need five people in this room."

"Understood."

While sipping tea brewed by Nicola and eating the last parue cake of the year, I gave instructions to the close aides. Hugo and Ella entered with tense expressions as they scanned the room.

"Hugo, Ella, please tell me about the new ingredients."

At my question, Hugo’s eyes grew slightly distant.

"It was tough. Quite formidable. Without knowing how to dissect, Arensbach’s ingredients seemed very dangerous."

Apparently, the magic tool held many strange creatures: small fish that would fly and attack unless immediately placed into a pot of water with a lid and weight and heated; fish that used the pot lid as a shield and had to be forced to spit out stones by poking with a stick; and strange objects that even court chefs couldn’t handle.