Published: August 10, 2026
「I'm back」
"Welcome back, Lady Rosemine. And I am glad to see you again like this, Lord Ferdinand."
"You all are well. That is more than enough."
Welcomed by Fran, Zaam, and the other attendants of the temple, Ferdinand's expression softened slightly. It was clear that the temple was a place that felt nostalgic to him, one where he could be at peace.
"I came to check on the temple and the orphanage, and to make sure everyone is safe. Please let me hear what happened in my room."
"Older sister Rosemine, I have already reported to the aub, but do you still need a report on the details of the temple attack? Father has apparently seen Georgine's memories. I was summoned and briefed this morning while he was in the middle of deactivating the traps."
"...Please do."
Even if I had come to hear the report, I couldn't exactly say I didn't want to hear it. Melchior said he would change into his priestly robes and visit the head priest's office, then headed to his own room. Since he couldn't enter the head priest's office while I was changing, Ferdinand would apparently be visiting the High Priest's Office for the first time in a while, guided by Hartmut. The former attendants would no doubt be pleased by Ferdinand's visit.
"Was there nothing wrong in the head priest's office? I heard there was someone who helped Georgine..."
"We are fine."
"I see. I am glad to hear it. I will check on the temple and the orphanage, and once I have heard the report, I will head to downtown. We have a lot of guests, so Monica and Nicola, please do your best with the tea preparations."
I politely conveyed that it was fine if the changing clothes were handled somewhat casually, and Monica and Nicola exchanged glances and giggled.
"Since Fran and Zaam, who were told that Lord Ferdinand was coming, were so fired up, there isn't much for us to do."
"Once Lady Rosemine is changed, I will go tell everyone."
After Monica left the head priest's office and Nicola headed to the kitchen, Fran and Zaam entered with slightly tense expressions, pushing a wagon loaded with tea things. They were both clearly trying not to show it on their faces, but they seemed fidgety, which was a little cute.
...The former attendants really do like Lord Ferdinand, don't they?
With Monica's message, everyone gathered in the head priest's office. I invited Melchior and Ferdinand to sit in the seats directly across from me. Fran immediately began brewing tea. After I took a sip and recommended it, Ferdinand and Melchior reached for their tea.
"...It tastes nostalgic."
Ferdinand slowly savored Fran's tea for the first time in a while, and I didn't interrupt him as I turned my gaze to Melchior. At lunch, our seats had been far apart, so I hadn't gotten a good look, but now that I was facing him directly, I could see the exhaustion on his face.
"Melchior, Fran's tea is delicious, isn't it? Does it help ease your fatigue even a little?"
"Yes, older sister Rosemine. It is delicious. ...Ah, Father told me to deliver the aub's reward to the soldiers who fought bravely at the West Gate. Would it be all right if I accompanied you there? He said it would be better for me to go with you, since the soldiers know you better, older sister."
The preparation of the reward was far too quick. The attack had only been yesterday. Perhaps Foster Father had arranged things so that even with so little time, I could go see my father in downtown and still meet him face-to-face.
"Of course. Let's go together. Melchior will also have more chances to meet the soldiers at the small temple of Hasse, so it's better if he is a little more familiar with them."
I had introduced him before, but more opportunities were better. I turned to Darmel and Matthias.
"Darmel, Matthias. Please go around the various gates in downtown, gather information, and have the soldiers who fought at the West Gate assemble. You will be delivering the aub's reward."
"Yes!"
Since it had only been one day since the attack, it was very possible that the soldiers who earned the honor had already returned home to rest. If we didn't tell them early and gather them, then the soldiers who fought hard might miss their reward. Darmel, who had fought at the West Gate with them, would remember the soldiers' faces.