Published: September 6, 2025
“Foster Father, Grandfather. We have been waiting for you.”
Having returned from the prayer ceremony, we could now proceed with the rite of reacquisition. Also, there was something I wanted to discuss, so when I called out to Foster Father, Grandfather decided to come along as well. Perhaps having visited the temple once had lessened his aversion somewhat.
Melchior and I guided the two of them and their retainers to the head priest’s office. We served tea and sweets and asked about recent happenings at the castle. Although we received information from Filine and Clarissa in the library, as well as from the Guard Knights, it was important to gather multiple sources.
It seemed Foster Father’s circle was fully focused on preparing for the lords' council. Clarissa, who would participate in discussions with Dunkelfelger, was quite eager, and I was told to praise her for it.
“As expected of a civil official who has just reached adulthood and hasn’t even completed the starbinding ceremony yet. She only attends the talks with Dunkelfelger, and all information given is managed by Leberecht. But her enthusiasm and meticulousness in preparation have positively influenced those around her.”
Clarissa was said to be desperately working to make amends for the trouble she’d caused. That might be true, but according to Hartmut, she was desperate because if excluded from the selection for the lords' council, she wouldn’t be able to witness the starbinding rite conducted at the council.
… Well, whatever the reason, it’s fine as long as she’s working hard, right?
“The knights order is advancing research on silver cloth in cooperation with civil officials. You have probably already received rough reports from Matthias and Laurenz?”
I nodded at Grandfather’s words. The silver cloth was the strange fabric Melchior had mentioned. The two who came as temple guards had reported that it was a fabric that did not accept mana. However, I had only received an extremely brief report. It seemed Grandfather planned to report directly to me and had ordered me to keep quiet.
Because I consulted with Foster Father before hearing Matthias and Laurenz’s report, Grandfather tagged along to the temple. But he apparently really wanted to be invited to the temple to share information about the cloth. It seemed he still needed a significant reason to come here on his own.
“The first to tell about the cloth was Melchior, and the next day I received reports from Matthias and Laurenz, but I couldn’t quite grasp what kind of cloth it was. I was looking forward to hearing about it directly from you, Grandfather.”
When I said this, feeling anxious from the incomplete information, Grandfather smiled happily once.
“Just yesterday, there was a new discovery. I reported it to Aub by the end of the day, so I plan to explain it in detail to Rosemine while Sylvester performs the rite. … That said, Sylvester should hurry to the ceremony, shouldn’t he? The longer you wait, the more likely you are to forget the gods’ names you painstakingly memorized, given your poor memory.”
Grandfather said something quite rude and waved his hands to shoo Foster Father away. But Foster Father didn’t get angry, instead standing with a wry smile.
“You just want to talk to your granddaughter without me interrupting, don’t you?”
“But, Ferdinand once said that Rosemine’s consultations are mostly so unexpected they make his head go blank. We’d better finish the ceremony before listening to you. Lead the way.”
“Then I shall guide you, Father. For this duty, I memorized the chapel’s location with the retainers and prepared the offerings.”
Melchior stood up enthusiastically wearing azure priest attire and started walking with the retainers. Foster Father said, “I’ll listen to the other children’s stories. You said it’s hard to talk at the castle, right?” and left the room alongside Melchior.
“Now then, Grandfather. Please tell me about the silver cloth. Matthias and Laurenz reported it was a fabric without any mana, but they only told me to ask you for details.”