Chapter 3

First Day on the Job

“Can’t you walk any faster?” Gil complained.

“That is no way to speak to your Master.”

“It’s okay, Fran. It’s best to explain now. I walk slowly because I’m frail. I will pass out or become sick if I walk too fast, do too much work, do not eat, among other things, like being hit with a snowball. So no, I cannot walk any faster.” He turned pale at my list of things that could so easily kill me. I felt a bit bad, but since Ferdinand hadn’t given the order to learn my health, it needed to be said. I was sure Fran would learn it anyway, as he was a top retainer who took pride in his work.

The door to the orphanage director’s office was unlocked, and we all gasped at the sight before us.

In short, it had not been worked on at all. There was still dirt, dust, and grime everywhere. The older furniture had been left as it was. Anything that could be moved by bare hands was stripped from the rooms. But I saw this as the perfect opportunity.

“This is ridiculous! How could they not do their job?” Delia was first to complain, fuming. It appeared she had been left out of the loop of their plans.

“Who was supposed to clean this?” Fran mumbled.

“It was most likely interference from the High Bishop. He does not like me on account of being a commoner wearing blue robes. Gil, can I leave this to you? I’m going to check on the book room next, so—”

“No way! I’m not listening to some kid! Do it yourself!” He shouted at me before running off.

I sighed and turned to Delia. “Help me put on my blue robes, and then we can go.”

“You’re not going to make me clean it?”

“Nope.” Both of us decided not to overthink it and moved upstairs while Fran inspected what needed to be done. When I came down, he came up to me but hesitated to speak at first.

“Sister Myne…”

“Not to worry, Fran. That was the plan. I have a rule for all of my attendants: Those who do not work, do not eat.” I made sure to glance Delia’s way, lest she run off to the High Bishop.

“Forgive me, but, will that work?”

“I cannot move in my chefs until at minimum the kitchen is clean. It’s completely up to Gil when that happens. I’m sure the threat of starvation will get him moving once he realizes I’m serious. Now, let’s inspect the book room first. As the kitchen is unusable, we will have to eat food from downtown.”

Fran still looked unconvinced, but nodded all the same. I motioned for Delia to lead the way to the book room and made sure Fran walked beside me. Once I was sure she couldn’t hear me, I whispered to him. “I couldn’t say this earlier, but thank you, Fran. I’ll be relying on you to help me navigate the intricacies of the temple. Being one of the High Priests’ attendants, I’m positive he made sure to choose the best man for the job. I will likewise do my best to ease his burden for taking me on.”

He blinked a few times, ultimately surprised by my words of affirmation—and my best attempt at getting him to realize that Ferdinand didn’t just throw him away. Eventually he stammered out, “Y-your gratitude is wasted on me.”

I smiled back. Hopefully that was enough. I glanced back a few minutes later and saw he was deep in thought.

At last, we finally arrived at the temple book room! Ah, the smell of old parchment and ink. The musty, worn leather covers. The chained books glinting in the sunlight. It was all a sight to behold. “Praise be to Mestinora!” I couldn’t help but pray, startling Fran. Then my mana began to move, and I quickly squashed it down. I can’t pass out yet; I just got here!

It was organized by arrival date, like most other book rooms, bookshelves, and libraries. That meant I could reorganize it according to my own system. And I also need to remake my diptych. It would be a lot of work for my three retainers, but I can get all of my previous temple retainers a lot sooner, which will aid in reorganizing all the books.

… Perhaps I could start with a peek at the bible. Just a tiny one. Of course, I’ve already read it. But a good book is always worth a reread. Fran doesn’t know how immersive books can be though, so I need to be careful. “Fran, is the bible here? I would like to take a look. Memorizing it is my duty, after all.”

“Of course. Please have a seat.” He helped me into a chair and placed a transcribed bible in front. The cover was so heavy I needed to use a bit of mana enhancement just to lift it. At last! Words! Books! Reading!

However, just as I was getting into it, the book was violently yanked away from me. “Bwuh?!”

“What an unladylike sound. Cease that at once.” Ferdinand? Why was he here? I watched hopelessly as he took my book and gave it back to Fran. “Good grief. Are you already causing trouble? Fran had alerted me to your situation, but then he came back and insisted you might pass out. I had to go looking for you myself. Let’s go. Fran, next time, just take the book from her.”

“Yes, High Priest.”

How could this happen? I only read for a little while, I swear. Have I already lost my attendant’s trust? I was grateful to Fran for taking the initiative and reporting to the High Priest earlier. But how could so much time pass so quickly?

“Did you really have to come and get me yourself?”

“Fool. No one could get your attention, so it fell to me.” Right. Since the status between me and my attendants was so vast, they couldn’t lay a hand on me or act so rude as to snatch a book straight from my hands. But if someone with Ferdinand’s status were to okay it, then they could. I sighed, and glanced at Fran. He looked more miserable than me, actually. It must have damaged his honor as a top-rated attendant that he had to go running to the High Priest for help.

None of the High Bishop’s lackeys were working in Ferdinand’s office. In fact, it had been completely cleared for lunch. So despite having already reflected, he decided to launch his interrogation. “How come you did not answer when Fran called for lunch?”

“I didn’t hear him.”

“He was in the same room as you. Of course you heard him.”

“Nope. Whenever I read books, everything else fades away. There’s nothing I can do about that.” I shrugged. There really wasn’t. Reading is just too fun.

Ferdinand did not like that answer. “If you knew that would happen, then why were you reading when there is work to be done? Your retainers must keep you on schedule, and they cannot do so when you ignore them. If they fail, it is a mark of failure against them, and should you decide to dismiss them, they won’t be able to work as attendants again.”

I glanced at Fran, who still looked worried. “I’m sorry.”

“It is beneath one to apologize. Simply do better.” Ferdinand interrupted before our heartfelt conversation could go anywhere. “Now, what is this I hear about Gil?”

“You saw how he reacted when he introduced himself. I gave him a task, and he ran off. There’s nothing I can do if he refuses to work for me. And until he does, I refuse to act as his master.”

He sighed, and a hand went up to his temple. “I see it was too much to expect you to behave after you forced your way into the temple.”

“Hey! You were the one who let me in!”

“A decision I’m beginning to regret by the second.”

I silently glared at him. I did kinda force my way in, basically offering everything he needed in exchange for some blue robes. Maybe I looked too competent for a child in his eyes. Oh no! Did that mean I set the bar higher for later? Aw, I just wanted to read…

“Also, I have some plans for the orphanage I would like your approval on.”

His glare turned to Fran. “I heard nothing of this.”

“Because I haven’t said anything yet! Don’t get angry at him. Ahem. As director, I intend to start cleaning up the place, especially the unbaptized.” I went into my plan for the orphanage, counting on my fingers everything I intended to do to make sure nothing was left out. Foraging, the printing workshop, winter handiwork, and my temple school. I made sure to emphasize they would be less of a strain on the budget as well.

When I was done, I looked up to see Ferdinand had frozen. It had been a while since I had seen one of his processing errors, so I couldn’t help but smile at the nostalgic sight. “What is it?”

“I didn’t think you would actually take the role seriously.”

“Well, this is just a means to an end. I can’t read while there are orphans starving right below me.” There were also some really skilled kids in there. I won’t let them get away from me that easily.

Ferdinand sighed, and mumbled something about a pattern. “Fine. Do as you must. But report to me your progress each week.” With that, I was dismissed and was free to take my attendants outside for lunch. I didn’t have any clothes for either of them, it being the first day and all. So I took them out in their gray robes.

“Wow! So many people,” Delia said. She glanced all around her, absorbing it all. The outfits people wore, the items in the store windows, and the food stalls on display. At least she had the restraint to not grab random things.

We paid for some street food, and like before, I had to order them to eat their food while it was still hot. Then they prayed and earned some questionable looks. I couldn’t help but sigh, but there was no helping their lack of downtown experience. I should at least get them casual clothes.

I made sure to get some extra food for Gil, the orphans, and the unbaptized children, which I had Fran deliver to all except Gil. Then I made sure to donate mana to the various divine weapons now that I wasn’t allowed to read for the rest of the day. Once third bell rang, it was time for Lutz to pick me up. Delia helped me out of my robes, and we left for the gate, as my room still wasn’t ready.

“So, how was your first day?”

“Well, the High Bishop didn’t have my room cleaned, so I’m having Gil do that. Oh! But it has an oven and a full kitchen, so I need to talk to Benno about training the chefs here. And I also need to make my diptych, and I need to ask Corinna about ceremonial outfits. And—”

“Slow down, Myne. Let’s go to Benno’s first, and you can tell him your list.”

“Right.” We began to leave when I heard a pair of footsteps behind me. They did this in the last weave too, and were about to insist on following me.

“You two need to stay here. Fran, I entrust my chambers to you. Let Gil come around to it on his own; don’t force him to clean the room.” He frowned a bit, but bowed anyway. He probably still didn’t believe me. “Delia. Do make sure my room looks appropriate for a lady.”

She looked away from me, but I caught a sparkle in her eyes. I particularly didn’t care about that stuff, but it was the only thing I could think of that would get her to stay. I couldn’t use the donation excuse this time, but she happily skipped off, so at least it worked.

We made our way to the Gilberta store and asked Mark for a meeting with Benno. He let us in and brought us tea and snacks.

“We have lots to talk about, Benno,” I began.

For some reason, he grimaced. “You just started your temple apprenticeship today.”

“Lots of things can happen in a day; please keep up.”

He sighed and put down his pen. “Right. So what’s up?”

“First, the kitchen to my orphanage director’s office has an oven. I was thinking we could use that to help train the chefs and whatnot.” Despite my best efforts a month earlier, he had still insisted on involving himself with the restaurant. I guess some things are just fated to happen.

Benno sat up straight, and his face broke out into a grin. “Nice job, Myne! That’s perfect for a reference to noble kitchens. But I’ll pay for the chefs and ingredients. I don’t want you taking them.” Sorry, Benno. They’re going to end up mine either way.

Forcing a smile on my face, I nodded at his proposal. “Okay, then I’ll pay for the kitchen utensils.”

“Works for me. What else?” I could tell he was already itching to leave. Maybe I should have saved that for last.

“I would like to ask Corinna to make my ceremonial temple robes. They only need to be passable, because they’re going to be destroyed, and she’s going to need to remake them.” And I didn’t have enough money for two ceremonial robes. Knowing how long clothes take to make, I intend for her to get a head start, instead of dropping the request on her out of nowhere and having her do a rush order. The trombe will show up no matter what, but after that… Well, I wouldn’t be able to make too much of a difference. As long as Shikikoza’s mother doesn’t come after me and I can get Damuel as my knight again, I’ll consider it a success.

Thankfully, Benno agreed. “I’ll set a date. But why would they be destroyed?”

“As the one with the highest amount of mana in the temple, it will be my job to go out to large trombe sites that nobles get called to and restore the land. It will be dangerous.” They all grimaced, but nodded. “Next, the High Bishop agreed to a five small gold donation, as well as a small gold per month. I told them you can bring it tomorrow, as my trusted adult in all things related to merchant matters.”

“What?! Lead with the important part first next time, idiot! Mark?”

“Leave it to me.”

I couldn’t help but pout. I gave them a full day to prepare, so why am I still being yelled at? He should be praising me for getting a noble connection. Hmph. “Can we stop by the merchant’s guild before it closes, then? They don’t have any guild cards or banks.”

“No need. Just pay me, and I can use the gold I have here. Haaa.” I reached over and tapped my guild card to his to transfer the money. “Is that all?”

“One more: I need a smith, some wax, and some wooden frames. Oh, but it doesn’t have to be today.” Don’t worry, my Gutenbergs! I’ll give you plenty of work soon. “And I need a piece of paper as well.”

“Here. What are you up to?”

I proceeded to draw out my crest as best as I could. A book and ink, surrounded by leaves and pretty flowers. Truly my best work yet. “I’m going to order some diptychs. You can order some if you want, Benno. And this crest can be used on the back of it and on my ceremonial robes.”

I smiled with pride as I showed off my work. Benno’s grimace as he took it told me I had failed, though. “I… see. I’ll have someone clean this up, then.” I’ll need Wilma soon. Which means Ferdinand is going to insist on Rosina and cut into my reading time. “Now, if that’s all, let’s go see that kitchen.”

He made a move to get up, and even Mark started preparing as well. The both of them must have been really excited. “Wait! Not yet. The room hasn’t been cleaned at all, even though it was supposed to in the month I waited. So I left the task to Gil.”

“Yeah, you mentioned Gil before. Why do we need to wait?” Lutz had been so good at copying Mark that I had almost forgotten he was here.

“He said he doesn’t want to work for a child and ran off the moment I assigned him the task. And as his master, it’s my job to feed my attendants.”

“And with the kitchen dirty, he won’t be eating until it’s clean enough to work in.” Benno whistled in amazement. “Smart.”

“Right. I’m sure he’ll start cleaning by tomorrow, so you can come back after your meeting with the High Priest.”

Benno’s eyebrows twitched in restrained anger. “High Priest? You said High Bishop.”

“He’s lazy and pawned off his work. But you want the High Priest. He’s much more reasonable, and the Aub’s brother. He’s got more sway than the other guy.”

Benno narrowed his eyes at me. He had never told me this information before. Evidently, I spoke too much, and my knowledge was beginning to draw attention. But he then gave up and sat back down with a sigh. “Fine. If that’s all…?”

“Well, I should probably get some downtown clothes for my attendants. The gray robes they wore garnered some looks.”

Benno fully glared at me as he became resigned to his role as town guide. The rest of the daylight was spent on getting clothes, my diptych, kitchen tools, and everything else I needed.