Ascendance of a Bookworm

The reason I ended up bedridden in Yureve for two years was due to a noble deeply connected to Arensbach. The high priest only mentioned this in front of the civil officers and Guard Knights, but the reason I became the adopted daughter of the lord was also Count Bindebald, a noble of Arensbach. The Plantin Trading Company and Gilberta Trading Company, who had obtained this information from my gatekeeper father and Otto, clearly changed their expressions as they looked at me.

"I have heard before that Lady Rosemine was harmed by a noble of Arensbach. Are you still being targeted?"

Benno spoke up on behalf of the group. He asked the high priest with a stance ready to confront the enemy. Tulli also waited for the high priest’s answer, her blue eyes shining intensely.

"I cannot say for certain that it is not the case. I intend to deal with dangerous individuals within the territory as much as possible before leaving, but newcomers are beyond my sight and reach. I can obtain information about the nobles from my close aides, but information about downtown is difficult to acquire for nobles. The information merchants from other territories bring is not to be underestimated, and the data you’ve gathered from merchants has been very helpful."

The high priest praised the Guild Master and Benno for the information they had provided. I must have seen the same information, but I didn’t understand exactly how it was useful. Even when I thought carefully about whether there was anything helpful, I couldn’t figure it out.

…Most of the reports were just about how well business was going, right?

Next to me, tilting my head in confusion, the high priest slowly exhaled and looked around at everyone from downtown in turn: Frieda, the Guild Master, their attendant, Benno, Mark, Otto, Theo, and Tulli. All of them knew me from my downtown days.

"For you all, who have interacted with Rosemine since her days as a blue shrine maiden, there is no noble closer or higher-ranking than Rosemine herself. She must be an irreplaceable presence."

Only the high priest, Justox, Brother Eckhardt, and Darmel here know about me and my connections from the downtown days. Once the high priest leaves for Arensbach, only Darmel will remain.

"To you, she must be very important, yes?"

Ordinary nobles do not hold meetings like this to listen to downtown opinions. Nobles who exchange opinions typically are lower nobles, but I am the lord’s adopted daughter and the future lord’s wife. Above all, everything that spreads as a new trend to other territories involves me.

The high priest spoke words that could be openly heard by the close aides around, and everyone from downtown nodded slowly.

"To protect Rosemine, I want you all to do your best in your own way. Be alert to any suspicious people entering, gather recent information from other territories, and obtain information that nobles don’t have access to. If anything happens, please inform Rosemine or Hartmut, the new high priest. He is one of Rosemine’s close aides."

When the high priest turned his gaze to Hartmut, who wore the Blue Robes, Hartmut gave a small nod.

"I will follow the high priest’s orders."

"Of course, Arensbach alone is not the only concern. Please also pay attention to movements in the capital and other territories."

"Understood."

The high priest paused his words there. Benno relaxed his expression slightly, giving a faint smile.

"This is probably a celebration to strengthen the bond between Ehrenfest and Arensbach, but having the high priest, who has taken sole responsibility for Lady Rosemine’s education and backing and has worked hard to convey our opinions to the lord, leave her side makes us feel very uneasy."

The high priest also smiled faintly and said, "Rosemine’s behavior is unpredictable. I understand that anxiety." He looked at me. At the same time, the people from my downtown days who know my reckless side tried to hold back their laughter, quietly averting their gazes.

…Benno’s words probably mean that while the high priest held the reins tightly, we felt safe, but now who will take over my reins? Is that really okay?