Chapter 2

Negotiations With the High Priest

Lutz and I were led to the fancy waiting room while the gray priest delivered my message. I could see him fighting, trying not to ruin his clothes in nervousness. “You don’t have to be here.”

He shook his head immediately. “Benno would kill me if I left now.”

He definitely would. “In that case, you’ve seen how Mark acts when Benno is in meetings, right? Just copy him.” The comparison was effective. I watched as he straightened himself out and copied Mark from head to toe. He even seemed calmer now. I nodded in approval. That would do for now.

It wasn’t long before the gray priest came back. “The High Priest will see you now.” We were guided down the halls until we came across an intricate door. I knew in my heart what lay beyond it, and I had to keep my emotions in check. Inside, sat the familiar sight of Ferdinand at his desk, stuck with piles and piles of boards and paperwork.

He got up at once, and we moved to the benches. I stepped forward at once and knelt to offer my greetings. “May this meeting, ordained by the divine guidance of the gods, be blessed by the God of Fire, Leidenschaft on this vibrant summer day.”

“May Leidenschaft, the God of Fire, bless this meeting.” A light of mana flew from his ring and into me.

When I rose, I couldn’t help but notice how tired he looked. My first order of business was going to help lighten the workload. “I am Myne, owner of the Myne Workshop.” He looked at me rather curiously. Well, I was tiny after all. And I did just give two feystones of mana to him.

The High Priest motioned for me to have a seat while Fran poured the tea and retreated to the walls. Lutz took his spot behind me, stiff but ever watchful. We both took the customary sip, and I felt the tension drain from my shoulders. Fran’s tea really was the best. “You want to become a blue shrine maiden apprentice, correct? Why?”

It was time to negotiate. “I heard the temple was low on mana. As it so happens, I have plenty to spare.”

Ferdinand squinted at me and looked me over once. “You’re a Devouring child, then?” He placed the two feystones on the table between us. “When did you fill these?”

“Just before I arrived here. Was it not enough to convince you?” I feigned innocence with my best imitation of Angelica. He squinted even further. Bad move! Maybe I was acting too much like a lady he would expect to act. Then he’d close himself off and be more wary of me, which was no good. I need to act more like myself. “I can fill more if you wish. But I have conditions.”

He raised his eyebrow but waited for me to continue. He better not be underestimating me. Hmph.

“First, I will have complete control of the temple’s book room.“ I could feel Lutz glare at me from behind, but there was no time to reassure him. He’ll just have to deal with it.

“What could you possibly have need of in the book room?”

“To read, of course! And organize, but mostly read.”

“Nonsense. A child as young as you cannot read.” He shut me down instantly!

“Of course I can read! I love books more than anything, so naturally I would need to be able to read if I am to understand them.” I sipped my tea, fighting the urge to pout. “If you are so unsure, then give me something to read; I’ll read it here and now.”

Surprisingly, he gave a nod to Fran. It was one of the expense reports from the temple, which I read off with ease. I had forgotten how high it was before we got rid of Bezewanst and his corrupt blue priests.

“That’s enough. Do you have any other conditions?”

I gave the board back to Fran and nodded. “Secondly, while I will mostly commute to the temple from home, I will need a place to receive guests or for when I fall ill. For this reason, I propose giving me the position as orphanage director. It’s far enough away from the other blue priests, and I’m sure you can spin it as giving me extra work.”

At this, a hand came up to massage his temple. “There must be a leak in our temple if your knowledge extends even to vacant positions. Are you ill often?”

I nodded. It was best to be honest with your doctor. “Very often. Even without the devouring, I am extremely frail and am prone to passing out while doing work a normal child could do. Lutz here manages my health.”

He glanced behind me. “I see. And will he be coming into the temple as well?”

“No, he is an apprentice merchant with the Gilberta company. As the owner of my own workshop, all of my ideas and innovations go through him and are sold to Benno of the Gilberta company. I am also willing to donate a small percentage of my continued profits while I work in the temple. As the one in charge of the temple’s ledgers, I am sure we’ll be able to negotiate a satisfactory amount.” Before he could ask how she knew, she made a pointed glance at his stack of boards on his desk.

Ferdinand continued to tap at his temple while he thought. “The High Bishop will not like a blue shrine maiden apprentice behaving as a merchant.” There was nothing I could do about that. He’s going to have it out for me no matter what I do. Well, as long as he doesn’t try to take my family away like last time, I won’t have to crush him again.

“I’m sure you must be very busy. Perhaps I can help lighten your workload in the morning? As a forewoman, I am not unfamiliar with paperwork. I’m sure the temple will be no different.” I was going to do it anyway, but he didn’t need to know that.

Uh oh. He was starting to look at me like I was a science experiment. Did I go too far? I silently enjoyed my tea while he deliberated on my obviously good deal.

“So, in exchange for becoming a blue shrine maiden apprentice, your continued work as a merchant, boarding, and having me become your shield against the High Bishop, you will donate your mana, a percentage of your profits, manage the orphans, and assist in temple paperwork.”

“And the book room.”

“You were serious about that?” He sighed. “That all depends on how much mana you can offer. Fran, the shield.”

Without a word, Fran retrieved Schutzaria’s shield, currently under a sheet, and presented it to the High priest. He uncovered it and carefully handled it in a way so he wouldn’t contaminate it with his own mana. Then held it in front of me. “Fill it with as much mana as you are able.”

Knowing this time around that the shield can take it, I proceeded to unbox my mana and pour as much of it as I could. I was also a bit curious. Last weave I lit up seven feystones. Maybe it was because I was using my four-step compression method instead of just shoving it in the box, but this time ten feystones lit up.

Ferdinand stared at the shield in awe. “Fascinating. To have lived until your baptism with this much mana… The fortitude you possess…” He trailed off, mumbling to himself about my mana level. “How do you feel?”

I flexed my hands a bit as a test. “A bit tired, honestly.” He nodded, as if expecting such an answer. When he didn’t speak again, I realized he was lost in thought. I had to politely clear my throat to snap him out of it. “Do we have a deal?”

He glanced my way and nodded after a moment’s hesitation. “Very well. Come back in a month. We will need to get your robes and room ready.”

“I thank you ever so much, High Priest. I look forward to our partnership.” We said our goodbyes, and I was dismissed. Once we left the temple, Lutz and I could finally relax.

“What a relief! I thought I was gonna die when he looked at me! Are you okay? You look pale.” Lutz placed one hand on my shoulder as if to steady me and the other on my forehead. “You’re cold.”

“I think I gave too much mana. My body needs a certain amount of it to function properly. Come to think of it, a similar situation happened in the previous weave too.” I tapped my lip, thinking about it. That day, I had not only given a bunch of mana, but I also failed to eat lunch because I was busy reading. Which spiraled into collapsing in Benno’s office and everyone yelling at me.

“What!? Why did you give so much then!? Come on, I can’t have you passing out in the streets.” Lutz took my hand, and we slowly, even for me, made our way back to the Gilberta store.

Once it came into view, Mark spotted us first. He met us halfway and, without a word, picked me up to bring me into the store and up the stairs. I must have looked really bad if he picked me up so quickly. “You’re so reliable, Mr. Mark.” He gave me a smile before placing me on the sofa.

I had no energy to explain, so I left it to Lutz while Mark made the tea. It wasn’t his first time sitting in on my negotiations, but I was surprised that even he became stumped at some parts. Once Mark’s tea had given me enough energy, I began to fill in the parts he missed and my reasoning.

“To think you managed to get everything. Wow. The temple must be in more dire straits than we realized. This is going to get messy.” He gave me a silent look. Yeah, even he realized I’m going to get adopted by a noble. But no one could guess it would be Aub Ehrenfest himself.

After gaining my strength, Lutz walked me home, and I was sick for another three days. After which, I updated my family that the negotiations were successful, and I would start working at the temple in a month. That earned a celebratory dinner.

With Lutz busy working and training, there wasn’t much for me to do but wait and help out where I could. Some days I foraged with Tuuli, while on some days I helped Otto.

At last, the day finally came for me to join the temple. Lutz walked me there and, like last time, laughed when Fran called me “Sister Myne.” This was the start of my relationship with him, so I couldn’t mess it up! After shooing him away, I turned to Fran. “He’s simply unfamiliar with the ways of the temple. Shall we go?”

I was guided down a series of once-familiar hallways, and to my surprise, we walked into the High Bishop’s room. I guess since I didn’t crush him, he didn’t want to completely avoid me. The room itself was almost familiar. The furniture was the same, since I held the notion that it held no sins of its owners. But it was arranged differently and held a different air about it.

My eyes went straight to his bookshelf. The very same one that held his secret letters to his niece, Georgine. One of those very letters contained instructions for getting to our foundation in them. Treason. I’ll have to take that before it can go out.

The High Priest cleared his throat and motioned me towards the altar. I bowed to the High Bishop and did the usual greetings. Since he had no ring, there was no blessing to give with his reply. Tch.

“So. You must be Myne. The commoner who thinks she’s a noble.” He snorted, clearly unimpressed by my small stature. It was fine by me if he underestimated me. His crushing defeat will be all that much sweeter. At least he wasn’t being overly antagonistic.

“I am grateful that you have taken me in.”

“Well, don’t get too comfortable. We shall do the fealty ceremony now. Repeat after me.”

We knelt in front of the altar, where the ceremony was the same. I guess the High Bishop should have done this from the start, but it really wasn't all that different. Once completed, we moved on to the sofas that were more like fancy benches, decorated in cushioned cloths and pillows.

Here, Ferdinand took the lead in discussing my duties. “As previously discussed, you shall be given paperwork in the mornings. After that, you are tasked with reading and memorizing the bible, as well as keeping the book room organized. You are also tasked with upkeep of the orphanage and shall reside there.”

I nodded along. No surprises here, but out of the corner of my eye, I could spot the High Bishop smirking. Ferdinand must have told him he would bury me in work like I mentioned and conveniently left out the part that I specifically asked for all of this. For a noble, Bezewanst was really terrible at hiding his emotions.

“Now, about your donation…” he began.

“I was thinking of donating one large gold, but with your permission, High Bishop, I would instead like to split it. Perhaps five small gold initially, and one small gold a month afterward?”

His eyes widened at such a large donation. I could practically see the yen symbols in his eyes. Then he coughed and stroked his beard, pretending to deliberate. “Yes, that should work. High Priest, you handle that once the time comes.”

“Very well.”

The High Bishop rang a bell, and in came my three attendants. The same ones as before. They lined up and introduced themselves.

“I am Fran. Seventeen years old. I will be in your care.” Since the High Bishop was here, I couldn’t act too friendly. Instead, I smiled and nodded along before turning my attention down the line.

“I’m Gil. Ten years old. You’re supposed to be my master? This sucks. You’re a friggin’ little kid.” I looked at my two superiors, but Ferdinand only frowned while the other smirked. As expected, since Gil is my attendant now, his discipline was up to me.

I made my displeasure clear on my face. “That may be so, but I am still your master. You would do well to keep that in mind. Next?” Sorry Gil! I’ll find a way to praise you later!

“I’m Delia. Eight years old. Let’s be friends, okay?” Maybe it was because her true master was here, but her attitude felt more sickeningly sweet than last time. I gave her the same smile and nod as I did Fran. I can’t say anything with the High Bishop here.

With everything discussed, I was dismissed into Ferdinand’s care, so we moved into his office. “Have one of your attendants fetch the money. I have some other things to discuss.”

“I would much rather have a trusted adult bring it, if you don’t mind.” Fran was the only decent one at the moment, but I needed him. Gil could do it, eventually. But I was worried he might steal food like last time, and I didn’t want him to get in trouble. Delia was obviously out of the question. Not to mention, all three only had their gray robes. That was sure to draw enough attention to any one of them.

The High Priest frowned. “You don’t trust them?”

“No. In my eyes, they are strangers I have only just met.”

“Is this trusted adult that Benno you mentioned before?” I nodded. “Fine. When can he bring it?

“Would tomorrow do?” I didn’t want to stress Benno with a same-day appointment, and I knew it wasn’t going to be a simple deposit. But I also just wanted to get it over and done with already, so screw the traditional three-day wait.

He nodded and held out a key to Fran. “Here is the key to the orphanage director’s office. Fran, show her the way and make sure it has adequate furnishing for a blue shrine maiden apprentice.”

Nooooo! My book room! I didn’t even donate mana today so I could read! I worked hard, so shouldn’t I get a break? Ferdinand doesn’t even know me, so I don’t even get any praise!

And so I was begrudgingly whisked away to the orphanage director’s office.

Lutz and I were led to the fancy waiting room while the gray priest delivered my message. I could see him fighting, trying not to ruin his clothes in nervousness. “You don’t have to be here.”

He shook his head immediately. “Benno would kill me if I left now.”

He definitely would. “In that case, you’ve seen how Mark acts when Benno is in meetings, right? Just copy him.” The comparison was effective. I watched as he straightened himself out and copy Mark from head to toe. He even seemed calmer now. I nodded in approval. That would do for now.

It wasn’t long before they gray priest came back. “The High Priest will see you now.” We were guided down the halls until we came across an intricate door. I knew in my heart way lay beyond it, and I had to keep my emotions in check. Inside, sat the familiar sight of Ferdinand at his desk, stuck with piles and piles of boards and paperwork.

He got up at once, and we moved to the benches. I stepped forward at once, and knelt to offer my greetings. “May this meeting, ordained by the divine guidance of the gods, be blessed by the God of Fire, Leidenschaft on this vibrant summer day.”

“May Leidenschaft, the God of Fire, bless this meeting.” A light of mana flew from his ring and into me.

When I rose, I couldn’t help but notice how tired he looked. My first order of business was going to help lighten the workload. “I am Myne, owner of the Myne Workshop.” He looked at me rather curiously. Well, I was tiny after all. And I did just give two feystones of mana to him.

The High Priest motioned for me to have a seat while Fran poured the tea and retreated to the walls. Lutz took his spot behind me, stiff but ever watchful. We both took the customary sip, and I felt the tension drain from my shoulders. Fran’s tea really was the best. “You want to become a blue shrine maiden apprentice, correct? Why?”

It was time to negotiate. “I heard the temple was low on mana. As it so happens, I have plenty to spare.”

Ferdinand squinted at me, and looked me over once. “You’re a Devouring child, then?” He placed the two feystones on the table between us. “When did you fill these?”

“Just before I arrived here. Was it not enough to convince you?” I feigned innocence with my best imitation of Angelica. He squinted even further. Bad move! Maybe I was acting too much like a lady he would expect to act. Then he’d close himself off and be more wary of me, which was no good. I need to act more like myself. “I can fill more if you wish. But I have conditions.”

He raised his eyebrow, but waited for me to continue. He better not be underestimating me. Hmph.

“First, I will have complete control of the temple’s book room. “ I could feel Lutz glare at me from behind, but there was no time to reassure him. He’ll just have to deal with it.

“What could you possibly have need of the book room?”

“To read of course! And organize, but mostly read.”

“Nonsense. A child as young as you cannot read.” He shut me down instantly!

“Of course I can read! I love books more than anything, so naturally I would need to be able to read if I am to understand them.” I sipped my tea, fighting the urge to pout. “If you are so unsure then give me something to read, I’ll read it here and now.”

Surprisingly, he gave a node to Fran. It was one of the expense reports from the temple, which I read off with ease. I had forgotten how high it was before we got rid of Bezewanst and his corrupt blue priests.

“That’s enough. Do you have any other conditions?”

I gave the board back to Fran and nodded. “Secondly, while I will mostly commute to the temple from home, I will need a place to receive guests, or for when I fall ill. For this reason, I propose giving me the position as orphanage director. It’s far enough away from the other blue priests, and I’m sure you can spin it as giving me extra work.”

At this, a hand came up to massage his temple. “There must be a leak in our temple if your knowledge extends even to vacant positions. Are you ill often?”

I nodded. It was best to be honest with your doctor. “Very often. Even without the devouring I am extremely frail and am prone to passing out while doing work a normal child could do. Lutz here manages my health.”

He glanced behind me. “I see. And will he be coming into the temple as well?”

“No, he is an apprentice merchant with the Gilberta company. As the owner of my own workshop, all of my ideas and innovations go through him, and are sold to Benno of the Gilberta company. I am also willing to donate a small percentage of my continued profits while I work in the temple. As the one in charge of the temple’s ledgers, I am sure we’ll be able to negotiate a satisfactory amount.” Before he could ask how she knew, she made a pointed glance at his stack of boards on his desk.

Ferdinand continued to tap at his temple while he thought. “The High Bishop will not like a blue shrine maiden apprentice behaving as a merchant.” There was nothing I could do about that. He’s going to have it out for me no matter what I do. Well, as long as he doesn’t try to take my family away like last time I won’t have to crush him again.

“I’m sure you must be very busy. Perhaps I can help lighten your workload in the morning? As a forewoman I am not unfamiliar with paperwork. I’m sure the temple will be no different.” I was going to do it anyway, but he didn’t need to know that.

Uh oh. He was starting to look at me like I was a science experiment. Did I go too far? I silently enjoyed my tea while he deliberated on my obviously good deal.

“So, in exchange for becoming a blue shrine maiden apprentice, your continue work as a merchant, boarding, and having me become your shield against the High Bishop, you will donate your mana, a percentage of your profits, manage the orphans, and assist in temple paperwork.”

“And the book room.”

“You were serious about that?” He sighed. “That all depends on how much mana you can offer. Fran, the shield.”

Without a word, Fran retrieved Schutzaria’s shield, currently under a sheet, and presented it to the High priest. He uncovered it, and carefully handled it in a way so he wouldn’t contaminate it with his own mana. Then held it in front of me. “Fill it with as much mana as you are able.”

Knowing this time around that the shield can take it, I proceeded to unbox my mana and pour as much of it as I could. I was also a bit curious. Last weave I lit up seven feystones. Maybe it was because I was using my four-step compression method instead of just shoving it in the box, but this time ten feystones lit up.

Ferdinand stared at the shield in awe. “Fascinating. To have lived until your baptism with this much mana… The fortitude you possess…” He trailed off, mumbling to himself about my mana level. “How do you feel?”

I flexed my hands a bit as a test. “A bit tired, honestly.” He nodded, as if expecting such an answer. When he didn’t speak again, I realized he was lost in thought. I had to politely clear my throat to snap him out of it. “Do we have a deal?”

He glanced my way, and nodded after a moment’s hesitation. “Very well. Come back in a month. We will need to get your robes and room ready.”

“I thank you ever so much, High Priest. I look forward to our partnership.” We said our goodbyes, and I was dismissed. Once we left the temple, my and Lutz could finally relax.

“What a relief! I thought I was gonna die when he looked at me! Are you okay? You look pale.” Lutz placed on hand on my shoulder as if to steady me, and the other to my forehead. “You’re cold.”

“I think I gave too much mana. My body needs a certain amount of it to function properly. Come to think of it, a similar situation happened in the previous weave too.” I tapped my lip, thinking about it. That day, I had not only given a bunch of mana, but I also failed to eat lunch because I was busy reading. Which spiraled into collapsing in Benno’s office and everyone yelling at me.

“What!? Why did you give so much then!? Come on, I can’t have you passing out in the streets.” Lutz took my hand and we slowly, even for me, made our way back to the Gilberta store.

Once it came into view, Mark spotted us first. He met us half way and, without a word, picked me up to bring me into the store and up the stairs. I must have looked really bad if he picked me up so quickly. “You’re so reliable, Mr. Mark.” He gave me a smile before placing me on the sofa.

I had no energy to explain, so I left it to Lutz while Mark made the tea. It wasn’t his first time sitting in on my negotiations, but I was surprised that even he became stumped at some parts. Once Mark’s tea had given me enough energy I began to fill in the parts he missed, and my reasoning.

“To think you managed to get everything. Wow. The temple must be in more dire straits than we realized. This is going to get messy.” He gave me a silent look. Yeah, even he realized I’m going to get adopted by a noble. But no one could guess it would be Aub Ehrenfest himself.

After gaining my strength, Lutz walked me home, and I was sick for another three days. After which, I updated my family that the negotiations were successful, and I would start working at the temple in a month. That earned a celebratory dinner.

With Lutz busy working and training there wasn’t much for me to do but wait and help out where I could. Some days I foraged with Tuuli, while on some days I helped Otto.

At last, the day finally came for me to join the temple. Lutz walked me there, and like last time, laughed when Fran called me “Sister Myne.” This was the start of my relationship with him, so I couldn’t mess it up! After shooing him away, I turned to Fran. “He’s simply unfamiliar with the ways of the temple. Shall we go?”

I was guided down a series of once familiar hallways, and to my surprise, we walked into the High Bishop’s room. I guess since I didn’t crush him he didn’t want to completely avoid me. The room itself was almost familiar. The furniture was the same, since I held the notion that it held no sins of its owners. But it was arranged differently, and held a different air about it.

My eyes went straight to his bookshelf. The very same one that held his secret letters to his niece, Georgine. One of those very letters contained instructions for getting to our foundation in them. Treason. I’ll have to take that before it could go out.

The High Priest cleared his throat, and motioned me towards the altar. I bowed to the High Bishop, and did the usual greetings. Since he had no ring, there was no blessing to give with his reply. Tch.

“So. You must be Myne. The commoner who thinks she’s a noble.” He snorted, clearly unimpressed by my small stature. It was fine by me if he underestimated me. His crushing defeat will be all that much sweeter. At least he wasn’t being overly antagonistic.

“I am grateful that you have taken me in.”

“Well, don’t get too comfortable. We shall do the fealty ceremony now. Repeat after me.”

We knelt in front of the altar, where the ceremony was the same. I guess the High Bishop should have done this from the start, but it really was all that different. Once completed, we moved on to the sofas that were more like fancy benches, decorated in cushioned cloths and pillows.

Here, Ferdinand took the lead in discussing my duties. “Per previously discussed, you shall be given paperwork in the mornings. After that, you are tasked with reading and memorizing the bible, as well as keeping the book room organized. You are also tasked with upkeep of the orphanage, and shall reside there.”

I nodded along. No surprises here, but out of the corner of my eye, I could spot the High Bishop smirking. Ferdinand must have told him he would bury me in work like I mentioned, and conveniently left out the part that I specifically asked for all of this. For a noble, Bezewanst was really terrible at hiding his emotions.

“Now, about your donation…” he began.

“I was thinking of donating one large gold, but with your permission, High Bishop, I would instead like to split it. Perhaps five small gold initially, and one small gold a month afterword?”

His eyes widened at such a large donation. I could practically see the yen symbols in his eyes. Then he coughed and stroked his beard, pretending to deliberate. “Yes, that should work. High Priest, you handle that once the time comes.”

“Very well.”

The High Bishop rang a bell, and in came my three attendants. The same ones as before. They lined up and introduced themselves.

“I am Fran. Seventeen years old. I will be in your care.” Since the High Bishop was here, I couldn’t act too friendly. Instead, I smiled and nodded along, before turning my attention down the line.

“I’m Gil. Ten years old. You’re supposed to be my master? This sucks. You’re a friggin’ little kid.” I looked at my two superiors, but Ferdinand only frowned while the other smirked. As expected, since Gil is my attendant now, his discipline was up to me.

I made my displeasure clear on my face. “That may be so, but I am still your master. You would do well to keep that in mind. Next?” Sorry Gil! I’ll find a way to praise you later!

“I’m Delia. Eight yours old. Let’s be friends, okay?” Maybe it was because her true master was here, but her attitude felt more sickeningly sweet than last time. I gave her the same smile and nod as I did Fran. I can’t say anything with the High Bishop here.

With everything discussed, I was dismissed into Ferdinand’s care so we moved into his office. “Have one of your attendants fetch the money. I have some other things to discuss.”

“I would much rather have a trusted adult bring it, if you don’t mind.” Fran was the only decent one at the moment, but I needed him. Gil could do it, eventually. But I was worried he might steal food like last time, and I didn’t want him to get in trouble. Delia was obviously out of the question. Not to mention, all three only had their gray robes. That was sure to draw enough attention to any one of them.

The High Priest frowned. “You don’t trust them?”

“No. In my eyes, they are strangers I have only just met.”

“Is this trusted adult that Benno you mentioned before?” I nodded. “Fine. When can he bring it?

“Would tomorrow do?” I didn’t want to stress Benno with a same day appointment, and I knew it wasn’t going to be a simple deposit. But I also just wanted to get it over and done with already, so screw the traditional three-day wait.

He nodded, and held out a key to Fran. “Here is the key to the orphanage director’s office. Fran, show her the way and make sure it has adequate furnishing for a blue shrine maiden apprentice.”

Nooooo! My book room! I didn’t even donate mana today so I could read! I worked hard so shouldn’t I get a break? Ferdinand doesn’t even know me, so I don’t even get any praise!

And so I was begrudgingly whisked away to the orphanage director’s office.