Published: July 26, 2025
As the gray priests bowed to the high priest and one after another exited the room, Arnaud appeared from somewhere, pushing something like a wagon.
Then, presumably to suit the high priest’s taste, he began brewing tea in a thick glass vessel. As the tea steeped, Arnaud looked up and started taking out several glass jars filled with tea leaves, arranging them while explaining their types, origins, and harvest seasons.
“Myne-sama, what kind of drink do you prefer?”
…Honestly, I had no idea.
Without really understanding, I randomly pointed at one and said, “I’d like this one, please.” Then came a barrage of questions about milk—asking which farm I preferred, what type of cow’s milk I liked.
…Even if you ask me that, I truly don’t know.
But because of my status, if I didn’t choose, we couldn’t proceed. I couldn’t just say “the same as Benno” either.
Thinking how difficult it must be for a noble to just drink tea, I looked back at Fran. It was time to use the new technique I learned today: “passing the buck.”
“Fran, which milk do you think goes best with this tea?”
“Well… if it’s Holger’s Grauvash, three years old, it has a subtle sweetness and pairs well with Teegift, I think.”
“I see. Then I’ll have it with Holger’s Grauvash milk.”
Today’s tea was Teegift, with milk from Holger’s Grauvash. I don’t know how long I’ll remember this, but for now, I have. It’s like a string of sounds that makes me wonder what kind of spell it is.
While Arnaud was asking about Benno’s preferences, it seemed all the gray priests had left.
“Here you go, Myne-sama.”
“Thank you very much.”
I took the glass cup that was placed before me with such delicate care that it made no sound and took a small sip. The blended tea combined with the mellow milk spread a gentle sweetness throughout my mouth. The ingredients and the brewing method must be excellent. It was delicious enough to make one sigh in delight.
After preparing everyone’s tea, Arnaud pushed the wagon away to put it somewhere. Just when I thought he’d disappeared, he quickly returned and firmly closed the door. His efficient and precise movements made me sigh in admiration.
As Arnaud took his place behind the high priest, the high priest spoke.
“Benno, I have been told you were the keen-eyed one who first recognized Myne’s potential.”
“That is a flattering remark.”
“What kind of person does Myne appear to be in your eyes? Among the priests, there is an understanding that Myne is a dangerous individual liable to mana runaway. Therefore, I want your honest opinion, as someone who has known her for some time.”
“Mana runaway…? Hmm, is that so?”
Benno glanced at me with a completely serious expression. If this weren’t here, I bet he would have thundered, “You didn’t tell me that!” I quickly averted my gaze in the opposite direction and took a sip from my cup.
“I am merely a merchant. Therefore, I cannot speak about mana. But I can talk about what I know of Myne-sama.”
“Hmm, speak.”
The high priest leaned forward slightly, urging Benno to continue.
My feelings were like when parents and teachers talk about you during a home visit or parent-teacher conference—uncomfortable. I sat with a serious expression, but inside I wanted to shout, “Stop! Don’t say anything unnecessary! At least do it when I’m not here!” and run out of the room.
“Myne-sama is a genius. At creating new products, she is unparalleled in creativity. However, the actual completion of these products is done by our apprentices. Despite producing many items, Myne herself is barely aware of her genius and is generally regarded here as gentle and tolerant.”
Being seen as absent-minded, thoughtless, or lacking caution is being rephrased into “gentle and tolerant” for noble suitability. It’s hard to believe this evaluation came from Benno. It’s true what they say about how things are said.
“Wait a moment. Gentle, perhaps. But tolerant?”