Ascendance of a Bookworm

Fran glanced between Gil and me before slowly speaking.

“Azure priests and shrine maidens have the duty to share the divine blessing of clothing, food, and shelter with those below them. When an azure priest or shrine maiden enters the temple, their attendants are granted rooms and clothing, living together with their masters.”

“Since I don’t have a room in the temple, does that mean that even if I become your attendant, I’ll still remain at the orphanage?”

Fran nodded slowly. “That is correct.”

“As for meals, the master eats first. The attendants and attendant apprentices eat the leftovers, and whatever remains is delivered as the divine blessing to the orphanage. Of course, the blessing given to the attendants is naturally greater than what the orphanage receives.”

I had been happy simply to avoid having to enter the orphanage, prioritizing staying with my family, and unaware that breaking the temple’s customs had shifted the burden onto the attendants.

“So, Fran, does that mean you were reassigned from the head priest’s quarters back to the orphanage?”

If that were the case, it would be no wonder she lamented being demoted and took it out on others. Despite all the help Fran had given me, I hadn’t repaid her at all. I intended to be generous with my weekend wages, but I would have to request improvements to the treatment immediately from the head priest.

“No, I have not moved from the head priest’s room, and Delia likely hasn’t either. While Myne-sama is away, I assist the head priest with his work, so I also eat there.”

Now that I thought about it, the head priest had a huge workload and had been lamenting the shortage of staff. There was no way he would let a capable person like Fran go to waste while I was absent. Relieved to know Fran was not in a dire situation, I breathed easier.

“So, the only one struggling is Gil?”

“I believe he’s upset because he expected better treatment but saw no change. The divine blessing at the orphanage is given equally even without working, but attendants who don’t work may be replaced. It’s a bit frustrating to think one can enjoy the benefits of an attendant without doing the work.”

Proud of her job, Fran glanced at Gil as she spoke.

“…So, there are no problems for Fran at the moment?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, I think we’ll maintain the status quo for now and reconsider if Fran faces any issues. How does that sound?”

“…Understood.”

Perhaps comparing my situation when I received a room to now, Fran hesitated briefly before nodding quietly.

Thinking the matter settled, Gil suddenly started barking again.

“Fran, Fran, what about me!? I’m the same kind of attendant as that guy!”

“…That’s strange, isn’t it? You said at the start that you don’t consider me your master. So why would you expect someone who isn’t your master to prepare your clothing, food, and shelter?”

No matter how I looked at it, that wasn’t the attitude of an attendant hoping for better treatment.

“That’s the role of the azure shrine maiden! And anyway, what good does it do if I work for someone who doesn’t plan to give me meals or a room!?”

“Salary.”

Just as Benno pays Mark and Lutz, I believe attendants must be properly paid. Naturally, the amount varies with the quantity and quality of work. I wouldn’t pay Fran and Gil the same amount.

“…Salary? What’s that?”

Gil blinked repeatedly, tilting his head. Lutz snorted and retorted with the same words Fran used earlier.

“You don’t even know that? Getting paid for work is common sense!”

“N-No, it’s not common sense!”

“A salary is the reward for the work done. It’s the money I pay to attendants who work.”

“Money?… Oh, right, money.”

Apparently, Gil didn’t even know about money. He tilted his head in puzzlement but seemed to understand when he met Lutz’s eyes.

“I don’t mind doing the hassle of negotiating with the head priest for Fran, who’s working hard, but I have no intention of doing the same for Gil, who doesn’t work at all. It would just cut into my reading time.”