After finishing my business in
"Welcome back, Lady
Seeing the urgency in Fritz's words, I felt a jolt. Come to think of it, I had been neglecting Dirk's magic power situation for roughly a year now.
Last year, I had secretly siphoned off a little of Dirk's magic power using Tau fruit, but the same problem was bound to recur many times going forward. I would need to discuss with the Chief Priest how Dirk should be handled from here on.
"Chief Priest, I would like you to listen in as well, if possible. May I come to your room?"
Because Dirk's matter was connected to Count Bindelwald, I couldn't discuss it openly, and if I tried to handle it on my own, I was sure to get scolded again.
"Ah, understood. I'll make preparations."
I returned to my room alongside Fritz, who was walking just a little faster than usual.
With
"
"Understood."
Once I had finished giving out instructions, I headed for the Chief Priest's room with
"Ah, you're here."
"Chief Priest, I must ask that you clear the room. Would it be possible to dismiss everyone except Damuel and
"...Very well."
The Chief Priest glanced at the faces of the people I had named and murmured, "Trouble again, is it?" while giving a light wave of his hand.
At that signal, the Chief Priest's Attendants sprang into action. The Attendant who had been preparing tea yielded to Fran, and the Attendants who had been tidying documents set down their work and quietly filed out.
Fritz confirmed that everyone had left and shut the door with a soft click.
"So then, Rozemyne. What happened?"
After taking a sip of Fran's tea, the Chief Priest turned to me. I looked at Fritz, who gave a small nod before speaking.
"I received word from Wilma earlier today—Dirk's magic power has apparently been increasing rapidly as of late. She has asked us to deal with it."
"Dirk?"
At the Chief Priest's furrowed-brow murmur, I quickly provided additional context.
"He is a Self-Eating infant who was placed under a Subordination Contract by Count Bindelwald..."
"Ah. So it's almost time for his magic power to accumulate, then."
Even if he hadn't remembered Dirk specifically, the phrase "Self-Eating infant" was enough for him to grasp the matter immediately. I nodded firmly.
"Yes. What should we do? Should I have him offer it as a dedication? An excess of magic power can be life-threatening, so I'd like to deal with it quickly."
"Hmm. For now, having even a little extra magic power is preferable."
The Chief Priest rose smoothly to his feet, pulled on leather gloves that blocked magic power, and retrieved a black magic stone from a cabinet. He placed it inside a leather pouch and held it out to me.
"Children before their
"Thank you very much. Fran, here."
I received the leather pouch containing the magic stone from the Chief Priest and immediately passed it to Fran. It would be more reliable in his hands than in mine.
"...Now then, what I truly need to ask about is what has happened with the dissolution of Dirk's Subordination Contract."
After handing the pouch to Fran, I inquired of the Chief Priest regarding Dirk's arrangements. It had been nearly a year and a half since Count Bindelwald was captured. Surely the excuse of being too busy to deal with it had run its course by now.
"Ah," he said softly, then his expression grew troubled. He tapped his temple lightly with his fingertip as he sank into thought.
"As of now, nothing has been done. But what to do, indeed? Until now, leaving it alone posed no particular problem, but considering the future, would it be better to transfer the contract to you? But that would create yet another vulnerability..."
"Um, Chief Priest? I was asking whether the contract has actually been dissolved or not..."
When I interrupted his rambling monologue, the Chief Priest looked at me, the furrow between his brows deepening.
"Until now, leaving the contract as-is was the optimal course."
"Why is that?"
"Because the contract was already in place, there was no risk of him being taken by another noble. As long as the status quo was maintained, there was no need to worry about unnecessary complications."
He explained in the past tense that the current arrangement—where a Self-Eating child with ties to a criminal from another territory could be kept safely in the orphanage without the risk of being claimed by another noble or burdening anyone with his upkeep—had been the easiest option.
"...Has something changed?"
"
"Huh?"
What did Georgine, who had returned to
"Her becoming the First Wife of Ahrensbach was both unwelcome and unexpected for us. She'll be consumed by her duties as First Wife for a while, but once she has some breathing room and begins investigating Ehrenfest, Count Bindelwald will come to light."
"Is Count Bindelwald a noble of Ahrensbach?"
Come to think of it, he had been someone with influence south of Ehrenfest, I recalled, remembering the attack during the Dedication Ritual.
"He had even gone so far as to keep the previous High Priest's existence secret. At the time of the incident, Georgine was still the Third Wife, so she was likely not informed about it. A lord would hardly go out of his way to spread the scandal that a noble of his own territory had caused havoc in another domain. However, as the First Wife now involved in politics, once she looks into things, various pieces of fall into place. She is now in a position where she can learn the truth."
"I see."
I nodded as though I understood, but honestly, I had no idea what it meant. Even if Georgine learned about Count Bindelwald and Dirk, what would change?
"Sigh... You are publicly known as both the High Priest and the Head of the
"Would the Lord's wife of such a large territory really do that to a Self-Eating orphan?"
Hearing my take on the matter, the Chief Priest shrugged and said, "You have absolutely no capacity for intelligence gathering," fixing me with a stare.
"You are the adopted daughter of
"What!?"
I couldn't understand how the Chief Priest, who had been holed up in the Temple ostensibly to keep an eye on me so I wouldn't act recklessly, knew about Georgine's movements during her stay. As I stood there with my eyes spinning, the Chief Priest provided even more detailed information.
"At a tea party hosted by faction members who had close ties to Ahrensbach—whose influence had been waning since the Lord's mother lost her position—it seems Viscountess Daldorf whispered all manner of rumors to Georgine."
"Viscountess Daldorf?"
"She is the mother of the knight who failed in his guard duty, injured you, and caused the Trombe to proliferate. The truly troublesome part is that she didn't directly make contact with you—she merely shared what she knew as gossip at a tea party, so she cannot be held accountable."
Even if this information was important for self-preservation, I really didn't want to know something so frightening. As I gasped, the Chief Priest continued with even more revelations.
"Going forward, as Georgine replaces the deposed Lord's mother in influencing the faction from Ahrensbach, her influence within Ehrenfest will only grow. In that scenario, if she declares that the Self-Eating child who had a Subordination Contract with Count Bindelwald—a noble of Ahrensbach—belongs to Ahrensbach, it would be difficult to refute."
Pressure from Ahrensbach, demands from Count Bindelwald's relatives, Ehrenfest nobles whom Georgine had lobbied—apparently, there were plenty of people who could seize Dirk if they set their minds to it.
"All they would need to do is take the child and fabricate something unfavorable regarding the orphanage, and the legend of the Saint that you've built up until now would lose its power. It's impossible to predict at this stage exactly what form that disadvantage would take."
"Then wouldn't signing a new contract with me prevent him from being taken? You said at the beginning that he should contract with me! Let him dissolve the Subordination Contract with Count Bindelwald and enter a new one with me."
That way, it would be much harder for anyone to interfere openly. It would be easier to protect him than in the current situation, where I had no idea who might try to act or from where. I didn't want to leave Dirk in such a dangerous state.
"A new contract is certainly possible, and from the standpoint of protecting Dirk, it would be the easier route. However, if someone were to approach him with ill intent, or conversely, if he came to harbor resentment toward you, Dirk's existence could become a vulnerability for you."
"Dirk is practically family already, so he's been a vulnerability for a long time now. Please think of this from the perspective of protecting him."
When I had wanted to save Dirk, the light of my Blessing had flown to him. To me, he was already family.
At my words, the Chief Priest squeezed his eyes shut tight and muttered in a low, almost cursing voice, "Just how many people do you intend to take in as family, you fool?"
"Contracting to protect him is straightforward, but unlike before, your circumstances have changed as well, haven't they? If you contract with him, that child can no longer remain in the orphanage. You would need to raise him yourself, but where do you plan to do so?"
He pointed out that the castle was off-limits, and although her home was nominally available, I couldn't very well ask Mother to take him in. In the end, the burden would fall on the High Priest's quarters, only increasing the load on the Attendants.
Previously, Dirk had been under contract with Count Bindelwald, which meant he would be raised in the High Priest's quarters after leaving the orphanage. Now, however, the previous High Priest who was supposed to take him in had died, and Count Bindelwald the contract holder had been captured, leaving no one to raise him—so he was being cared for in the orphanage as a child with no guardian.
Naturally, if I contracted with him, I would have to take him in.
"Don't tell me you're planning to hire more Attendants for childcare."
"Well... When I think about it that way, I do want to keep him in the orphanage for as long as possible."
More than anything, if I took Dirk in, it would mean separating him from Deria, who was not permitted to leave the orphanage. Deria, who cherished Dirk like a little brother—I wanted to avoid that separation for as long as I could. At least until the Baptism Ceremony, when boys and girls would be separated into their respective buildings.
"Hmm, what if we keep Dirk where he is, but transfer the contract to me?"
"There's no such convenient solution. ...No, wait. Actually, there might be."
"Really!?"
As I clapped my hands in delight—thinking, As expected of the Chief Priest!—the Chief Priest made a deeply unpleasant face.
"I dislike imitating Sylvester, but if we prepare a contract document that's already been filled in and have it kept on hand, then when danger approaches and the moment calls for it, all that would be needed is to press a Blood Seal to activate the contract. That way, we could prevent him from being exploited while still allowing him to be raised in the orphanage, don't you think?"
"...I see."
Come to think of it, Father had been saved at the last moment by a Magical Tool prepared for a contract. That had been a year and a half ago, and it felt like ancient history.
"I'll arrange for the Count's contract to be voided. Have the Subordination Contract document signed with your name, and keep it with someone trustworthy around Dirk."
"Yes."
I signed and folded the contract document the Chief Priest had prepared for me.
They didn't seem to create Magical Tools for something as simple as a Subordination Contract that could be carried around on one's person, so all I was given was a single piece of paper. Once Dirk pressed a Blood Seal on the spot where his name—which I had written on his behalf—appeared, the contract would take effect.
"Thank you for your help. Regarding his magic power, I'll continue consulting with you, Chief Priest, and we'll periodically use the magic stone to absorb the excess."
"That would be best."
When our discussion concluded, I left the Chief Priest's room and headed straight for the orphanage. Judging from Fritz's expression when he had raised the matter, I suspected the situation might be rather dire.
"Wilma."
Upon arriving at the orphanage, Wilma spotted me and hurried over in a quick trot.
"Lady Rozemyne, recently Dirk has started breaking out in bumps on his face whenever he cries. So..."
As Wilma pleaded with me in a flustered tone, I glanced back at Fran. He gave a slight nod, holding the leather pouch with the black magic stone.
"Wilma, I've just come from consulting with the Chief Priest. It's going to be all right. Please bring Dirk here."
"Of course. Deria! Deria! Please bring Dirk over here!"
From deeper within the orphanage, I heard Deria call back, "Coming!"
Before long, I could see Deria approaching with Dirk, his small hand clasped in hers. I hadn't seen him in a while, and Dirk had grown quite a bit. With his diaper wrapped around him giving his bottom a heavy look, he was now able to run in a wobbly, precarious shuffle that looked as though he might topple over at any moment.
...Had Camil been about this size too?
I had glimpsed him from afar at the autumn Coming-of-Age Ceremony, but Turi had been holding him from behind to keep him from wandering off on his own, so I hadn't actually seen Camil walk.
"...Dirk has really grown, hasn't he?"
"Yes, every day brings a new surprise."
Wilma let out a soft chuckle, but after looking at Dirk, her eyes clouded with worry.
"Don't worry, Wilma. I spoke with the Chief Priest and borrowed a magic stone to absorb his magic power. Once we drain Dirk's excess magic power, his symptoms should subside."
"Thank you so much."
Wilma smiled in relief as Dirk came toddling over and clung to her, looking up at her as if to say, Praise me.
"Mm, ah."
Feeling an overwhelmingly heartwarming sensation—as though I were looking at Camil—I crouched down slightly and peered at Dirk. At that moment, he shied away like a stranger-averse child, clinging to Deria and shaking his head to escape from me. Remembering that Camil had cried in my presence too, I felt a small sting of hurt.
"Lady Rozemyne, it's been so long. Please, help Dirk."
Deria knelt before me, embracing the clinging Dirk as if to shield him.
I gave a slight nod and looked toward Fran, who knelt down before Dirk and produced the magic stone. The next instant, Dirk hid behind Deria, terrified of Fran, and began to whimper.
"Oh, Dirk. Don't cry. Your bumps will get worse..."
Deria was trying to soothe him when she caught sight of the magic stone in Fran's hand and her expression changed instantly. At the same time, she pulled Dirk into a fierce embrace, as if to protect him.
She must have remembered the previous High Priest draining his magic power. Deria's reaction was less that of an elder sister and more that of a small, fiercely protective mother.
"It's all right, Deria. As long as I don't try to drain it all away like the previous High Priest did, he won't be put in danger like that. In fact, the current state—having far too much magic power—is the more dangerous one. And since Dirk is frightened of Fran, why don't you do the absorbing instead, Deria? You can gauge his complexion as you go, can't you?"
Deria hesitated for a moment, eyeing the black magic stone that Fran held out, then gently took it. With a cautiously tentative expression, she brought it to Dirk's hand.
"Ah."
The magic power must have begun flowing. Dirk blinked in curiosity and looked up at Deria.
I knew well the sensation of accumulated magic power being drawn away. It made your body feel light and was surprisingly pleasant.
Dirk seemed to find it agreeable too, reaching his hand out toward Deria with a content expression.
"...Is it about time?"
Dirk had started to look slightly uncomfortable, turning his face away. Seizing that moment, Deria pulled the magic stone away from Dirk and returned it to Fran.
"Lady Rozemyne, thank you so much. Now we can live without worry."
She beamed happily as she looked at me. I returned a slight nod, then composed my expression.
"Deria, I had a discussion with the Chief Priest earlier regarding Dirk's Subordination Contract. I'd like to speak with you both about it as well. Would that be all right?"
At my words, Deria's eyes widened slightly and she straightened her posture, while Wilma fixed me with a serious gaze and nodded firmly.
"The Subordination Contract between Count Bindelwald and Dirk has been decided upon for dissolution. From now on, he will remain in the orphanage as simply a Self-Eating child."
"That's wonderful, Dirk."
"That said, I cannot guarantee that parties connected to Count Bindelwald won't make demands, or that Ehrenfest nobles seeking magic power won't try to make a move."
Deria and Wilma's faces tensed as they looked at me. Deria's hand moved to Dirk's shoulder, drawing him closer as if to shield him. It reminded me so acutely of the hands of the family who had once tried to protect me.
With a pang of nostalgia and longing in my chest, I held out the Subordination Contract document I had been carrying so they could see it.
"This is a Subordination Contract with me. If the contract is activated, Dirk will no longer be able to remain in the orphanage. However, it should be of some help in protecting his person. I'm entrusting this to you, Deria."
"...Lady Rozemyne, what do you mean by entrusting it?"
Wilma blinked, as though the concept of entrusting rather than signing was beyond her.
"I consider you, Deria, to be Dirk's sister, and that is why I am entrusting this contract document to you. Should any danger arise, you are to make the judgment yourself and have Dirk press his Blood Seal here, on his name. That will complete the contract. Once the contract is complete, I, as his master, will vow to protect Dirk."
Deria looked at me with an expression of surprise. She looked from the contract to Dirk and then back to me, and slowly nodded. A fond smile had surfaced on her lips.
"...Lady Rozemyne, I know that you keep your promises. I won't doubt you again, and I won't be taken in by sweet words."
Deria's light-blue eyes, brimming with a trust I had never seen before, gazed straight at me.
If Deria had shown this kind of trust back when she was an Attendant, things would never have turned out in a way that bound her to the orphanage, I thought with a touch of regret.
At the same time, I sensed that from here on, I might be able to build a new kind of relationship with Deria.
This was a story about Dirk, one that might have been forgotten because it had been so long.