Ascendance of a Bookworm (LN) - Volume 4.3 - Chapter 16

Philine’s Family Circumstances

“Sylvester, Ferdinand, may we go rescue Philine now?” I asked.

“...Oh yeah, one of your retainers didn’t come. What’s all this about rescuing her?” Sylvester asked, his brow furrowed. Unfortunately, I couldn’t provide many details; I knew only what I had heard from the ordonnanz.

“I’m not sure what the full situation is, but I received an ordonnanz this morning. A woman was informing me that Philine was ill, but in the background, I could hear Philine screaming about her money being taken.”

Ferdinand, who had been tapping his temple as he listened, lowered his hand and stared at me. “And you did not run off immediately?” he asked, blinking incredulously. “Gods, have you actually matured somewhat?”

“All of my retainers gathered together to stop me, and my emotions have calmed somewhat since then.” Or rather, my thoughts had been dominated by the sight of my great-grandfather collapsing in front of me. “Now tell me, how can we rescue Philine while respecting her position and not bringing her more trouble? She worked so hard to earn money specifically so that she could attend my lecture. Her parents weren’t going to cover the costs, and so she gathered information in the Royal Academy, transcribed books, gathered stories from other duchies, and ultimately put everything she had into saving up. She was so happy about getting to learn the method too...”

Not once had it occurred to me that Philine’s parents might interfere instead of celebrating her growth. She had earned the money on her own terms precisely because her family was poor, and she knew that they wouldn’t be able to pay for her.

“Her parents actually took money from their kid...?” Sylvester asked.

“In laynoble families, income is generally expected to go to the house—especially the earnings of underage children who still live at home,” Damuel said. As a laynoble himself, he was able to give us some valuable insight.

Sylvester sighed. “You should have held on to the money for her, Rozemyne.”

“Perhaps, but she would have needed to make such a request herself. Had I made the suggestion, it would have come across as an order, no?”

In truth, I had at one point considered subtracting the cost of my mana compression lecture before giving out the payments. Sylvester had said that this would make things easier for us, since we wouldn’t have needed to prepare as much money at once, but I was of the opinion that it was more satisfying—and in turn more motivating—for one to receive the full amount. By having them physically pay for the method themselves, with money they had earned and not just received from their parents, I had hoped to teach the students the importance of self-investment.

Of course, my decision to pay everyone the full amount had unfortunately backfired.

“I understand how you feel, but the situation has already progressed. I don’t know how I feel about you interfering with someone else’s family matters,” Sylvester said.

“Philine is my retainer, and it is my duty to protect her from misfortune. Is that not what lords and ladies must do? I was taught as such when Lady Eglantine protected me in the Royal Academy.”

“Hm. Your thought process is not incorrect. You cause nothing but problems, but I see that you are at least learning in the process,” Ferdinand said, beginning to tap his temples once again as he fell into thought.

“I understand the role I must play, but how exactly can I protect Philine? I wish to resolve this matter peacefully, without causing her any harm.”

“You getting involved in a domestic matter will make it quite a scandal. If you wish to settle things peacefully, I would suggest having your retainer earn the money again and telling her to entrust it with you this time,” Ferdinand said plainly. Doing nothing about it was the most peaceful option, but we were having this conversation specifically because I refused to turn a blind eye to this.

I anxiously bit my lip, and that was when Hartmut interjected. “Oh no. I’ve just realized something terrible,” he said, speaking in a monotone voice like an intentionally bad actor. “I cannot believe I’ve done this, but I gave Philine the wrong money. She must have taken home the funds we were going to pay to the students of other duchies. In other words, I gave her money that rightfully belongs to Lady Rozemyne, and Lady Rozemyne the money that Philine was going to spend.”

I knew for a fact that this wasn’t true—I had paid everyone in Ehrenfest already, and the money for the other duchies was safely in my possession. I blinked, confused, only for Ferdinand to chuckle.

“That is terrible indeed,” he said. “Rozemyne, it seems that your retainer took home money that was intended for other duchies. This could escalate into an interduchy scandal if something is not done. Go forth and retrieve that which is rightfully yours. And this time, do not forget to keep the money meant for the mana compression lesson separate.”

It was only then that I understood what was going on. “Oh my, it certainly would be terrible for this to escalate into an interduchy scandal,” I said. “I must go to Philine’s home at once and apologize for the mistake.”

“An unannounced visit would only escalate matters. I will explain the reason for your visit to Philine’s father, Kashick. Return here when the money is prepared.”

“Right!”

Now with justice on my side, I climbed into my highbeast and flew to my room at once. Rihyarda and Ottilie welcomed me with wide eyes, having declined to learn the mana compression method themselves.

“Rihyarda, please fetch the money for the other duchies,” I said, explaining the situation to them as they carried out my request. From those funds I took out exactly as much as I had paid to Philine, and from that amount I took out the fee for my mana compression method and a small silver. I thought it only fair for Philine to get a little money to spend on herself, rather than it all going straight to her house.

“Milady, would it not be wise to grant Philine a room in the castle?” Rihyarda asked, looking notably concerned. “If she is with a family that will send false reports to keep her from work, she will one day fail to carry out her duties, even if it is not her fault.”

She was certainly right, but Philine had a little brother as well. It was hard to imagine that she would abandon him and enter the castle alone.

“I will grant Philine a room if she asks for one, but I expect she will not wish to enter the castle alone.” I gave the money for Philine’s family to Hartmut and then brought out my highbeast. “Let us go.”

Naturally, I couldn’t impose upon a laynoble’s estate by arriving with all of my retainers. I needed to bring all of my guard knights, given that I was leaving the castle, but of my scholars and attendants I would only be bringing the fastest and most flexible thinkers: Lieseleta and Hartmut.

“We will prepare a room for her just in case,” Brunhilde said. “It would not do for there not to be one available.”

“Please do.”

Despite being an archnoble, Brunhilde worked with and cared for Philine as a fellow retainer in the Royal Academy. With clear worry in her amber eyes, she saw us off to the room where Ferdinand was waiting.

“My apologies for the wait, Ferdinand.”

“I have finished explaining the circumstances. My sympathies, Kashick; Rozemyne has certainly thrown you into the fire with her mistake.” Ferdinand directed his second sentence at a pale-faced layscholar who was practically groveling after receiving such an abrupt summons. It was Philine’s father, and as he made his submission clear, I apologized for my mistake.

“I truly am sorry for this. If we do not have the proper sum at hand, this could escalate into an interduchy issue.”

“I-I had no idea,” Kashick stammered. He had apparently spent the winter busily gathering information about mana compression, to the point that he had returned to his estate only to sleep. He consequently knew nothing of what was happening there and was beyond dismayed to learn that they were involved in such a large-scale diplomatic issue.

And so, with Kashick’s guidance, we all flew to Philine’s home on our highbeasts. Ferdinand was accompanying us both to apologize for my mistake and to observe the proceedings.

“Here we are,” Kashick said as he landed at an estate in the southmost area of the Noble’s Quarter, where the laynobles lived. His house was so much tinier than the castle that the two couldn’t even be compared, but from a commoner’s perspective, it was large and overall quite attractive. In terms of dimensions, it was likely larger than the Othmar Company.

“Oh my. Welcome,” Philine’s stepmother said once we arrived in the parlor. She looked quite young, as one would expect from a second wife, but also rather exhausted—likely because she had given birth during the summer just passed.

“This is urgent, Jonsara,” Kashick said. “Philine apparently brought home a lot of money; do you know anything about it?”

“Has that girl done something? She lied about being the retainer of an archducal family member yesterday and came home with a small fortune. It was quite strange—after all, Lady Rozemyne would surely never accept a laynoble into her service. Philine must have become delusional after her vow in the playroom was rejected. The truth was just too much for her to bear,” Jonsara spat. She then apologized to me for all the trouble.

“You seem to misunderstand,” I said. “Philine truly is my retainer. She was officially assigned as such at the Royal Academy.”

Jonsara offered no response; she merely stared at me in wide-eyed surprise.

“Philine spoke the truth,” I restated, speaking more slowly this time to ensure there was no confusion. “She is my retainer.”

Jonsara shook her head in disbelief. “But... But that can’t be...”

“Philine isn’t feeling well today, correct?” I asked with a smile. “Do allow me to see her. I will need to explain that this situation is not her fault and then have her return the money from yesterday.”

“B-But... She is still unwell. Someone of poor constitution such as yourself would be at risk attending her. If you are in a hurry, I will fetch the money for you right away,” Jonsara said, panicking in such a blatantly suspicious manner.

I glanced over at Ferdinand, who subtly gestured to Hartmut with his chin. He was telling me to send Hartmut in my place, so I nodded and deepened my smile.

“I appreciate your concern for my health. Hartmut, accompany Jonsara and ensure the proper sum is being returned. Lieseleta, go in my place to express my well-wishes to the ill Philine. I will wait here, so you need not worry.”

If going to see her myself wasn’t an option, I could just send my retainers. I had no intention of going home until Philine’s safety was ascertained, especially now that I had seen how maliciously Jonsara acted toward her. Damuel and Judithe would be following Hartmut and Lieseleta as guards; when it came to money-related problems, the more witnesses, the better.

Not long after they all exited the parlor, we heard a large slamming sound and a scream come from somewhere deeper inside the house. I instinctively went to get up from my seat, but Ferdinand extended a hand beneath the table to stop me. Meanwhile, Angelica and Eckhart drew their weapons and assumed defensive stances.

However, nothing followed but silence. The lack of any report or contact made me feel sick.

“My apologies. I will go check on them,” Kashick said. Just as he moved to leave the parlor, however, Damuel shouted, “Get out of the way!”

“Philine!” I cried.

Damuel entered the room with Philine wrapped in his cape. There was a painful-looking mark on her face, and her grass-green eyes were wet with tears. Behind them were Lieseleta and a young boy of around five years of age, who was clearly not being treated well.

“Philine, what in the world just happened?” I asked.

She looked my way in a daze; then, her eyes shot open as though she had suddenly come back to reality. “Lady Rozemyne, please. Save my brother. Save Konrad,” she choked out.

Philine went on to explain that Jonsara was abusing Konrad and that she had taken away his life-saving magic tool—the one given to all noble children, that sucked out and stored their mana in feystones until it was time for them to attend the Royal Academy. Jonsara had drained the mana from his magic tool and feystones and then unregistered his mana from his magic tool, which she had given to her newborn baby instead. She had been able to do all this unopposed, since Kashick was barely at home during winter socializing and Philine had been at the Royal Academy.

“At this rate, he’s going to die!” Philine wailed. “He’s already filled with mana!”

“However, this is a domestic matter. It is not an issue for Rozemyne, the daughter of the archduke, to oversee.” Ferdinand stepped in faster than I could open my mouth. He was clearly telling Philine and me to think carefully before speaking.

I clenched my fists on my lap.

“Indeed, it is as Lord Ferdinand says—this is a domestic dispute and not one for Lady Rozemyne to concern herself with,” Jonsara said venomously. “Philine, you must not display such arrogance simply because you were chosen as a retainer. Know your place.” She was standing by the door with her newborn in her arms, watching us with defensive eyes and showing no intention of entering the parlor. She was cradling her baby and the magic tool as though they were precious treasures.

However, I was not about to let this fly. Noble children would die without magic tools to drain their mana, in the same way that commoners with the Devouring would. I knew better than anyone how it felt to die slowly as the heat consumed you.

“Ferdinand, I do not wish to let Konrad die.”

“A child that has not yet been baptized is not even considered a person,” he replied. It was the same thing he had said to me countless times before.

I squeezed my eyes shut; that way of thinking was something that I would never get used to. How could one see a child standing right before them and not even consider them alive?

“As this is a domestic dispute, I certainly have no place in it, but I refuse to overlook the life-threatening condition of this child. What do you think of this, Kashick?” I asked, turning to him since he was more directly involved in the situation.

“I was aware of my wife’s wish, but I did not think she would forcibly go through with it while I was away,” he replied. In other words, he hadn’t purchased another magic tool even after Jonsara had consulted him about the situation. That was enough to convince me that a conclusion had been made—a conclusion to raise only one of their children.

“What will you do, then? Will you purchase a new magic tool?”

“Our house does not have the funds to do such a thing. We shall prioritize the child with more mana.”

“Father?!” Philine shrieked in protest, but Kashick stating his intentions before me had finalized the decision. It was only natural for a noble house to prioritize those with the most mana, and as a result, none of my retainers voiced any objections; they merely lowered their eyes sadly.

Meanwhile, Jonsara sighed in relief. She tightly hugged her baby and the magic tool she had stolen from Konrad to her chest, wearing the expression of a mother who wished to protect her beloved child more than anything else. The sight made me feel conflicted, to say the least.

As this went on, Konrad stood in a daze; not only had his lifeline been stolen from him, but now his father had cut him off completely.

Philine looked at her little brother, tears streaming down her face. “B-But... If you do that, Konrad will...”

“I will take him,” I interrupted. “If the uncontested guidance of the supreme gods will force him up the towering stairway, then living in the house of the gods will surely make no difference.”

Kashick and Jonsara grimaced. “Unfortunately, Lady Rozemyne, we do not have the wealth to support a blue priest,” Jonsara said. “Our expenses are only rising, and we will need Konrad’s mana when he becomes a servant. Furthermore... while it is an honor for Philine to have become your retainer, Lady Rozemyne, preparing everything that her new role requires is no easy matter. That is why I ask that you relieve her of duty.”

Philine looked away, now making the same face she had made when she had given up on the picture books in the winter playroom. She had probably survived at home all this time by enduring and masking her true feelings behind the same expression.

“It is my duty to protect my retainers,” I declared. “I will grant Philine a room in the castle and give her all that she needs for work, such that she will no longer burden your house. Philine, prepare your things with Lieseleta. I have no intention of letting you go.”

She beamed a happy smile for a second, but then she looked at Konrad and lowered her eyes.

“Philine, we will take Konrad to the temple,” I assured her. “He will not die.”

“You may trust Lady Rozemyne. Now, let us go,” Lieseleta said. Philine was promptly urged out of the room, but she walked with heavy footsteps and continually glanced back at her little brother, reluctant to leave his side.

“Konrad, may I cast healing upon you?” I asked.

“That would be a waste,” Kashick began, but I silenced him with a look.

“I did not ask you, Kashick.” I crouched down so that I was at eye level with Konrad. He was smaller than me, clearly unkempt, and covered in wounds. “You don’t want to be in pain, right?”

I took out my schtappe, but this immediately sent Konrad into a panic—he recoiled and started to flail about as he tried to get away from me. The desperate fear in his eyes told me he had endured mana attacks in the past, so I made my schtappe vanish and turned my attention to Jonsara.

“This is a domestic matter,” she repeated with a thin-lipped smile. “Children need to be trained.” It was clear to see that she didn’t consider herself as having done anything wrong.

I gave up on using a schtappe and instead poured mana slowly into my ring. “O Goddess of Healing Heilschmerz, of the Goddess of Water Flutrane’s exalted twelve, hear my prayers. Lend me your divine power and grant me the power to heal those who have been hurt. Play the divine melody and cast the blissful ripples of your pure divine protection.”

Green light shot from my ring and enveloped Konrad. He looked down at himself with wide eyes as his wounds were healed and whispered, “It doesn’t hurt anymore...”

“I am Rozemyne, the lady of your older sister. This place has no magic tools for you. Will you live on as a servant, allowing the heat of your mana to devour you? Or will you live in the temple?”

“Lady Rozemyne,” Jonsara interjected. The mere sound of her voice caused Konrad to recoil again. “We cannot afford—”

I cut her off with a wave of my hand. “I do not recall saying that he will become a blue priest. He shall join the temple as one without parents—as a gray priest. From that point onward, he will have nothing to do with this house. You may consider him as having passed away.”

“I will miss using him as a servant, but I take no issue with him being removed from our lives entirely,” Jonsara replied, suddenly in a much better mood. Meanwhile, Konrad stared at me, his expression a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

“The orphanage will grant you food, clean bedding, and an education,” I said to the young boy. “At the very least, you will not be abused as you are now. If you wish to remain here, however, I will accept that. Now, would you like something delicious to eat?”

Konrad hesitated. His eyes wandered all over the place before eventually resting on me. “I’m... I’m hungry...”

“I see. Then you may leave with us once Philine is ready.”

Soon enough, Philine came back into the parlor with Lieseleta. She looked relieved to see me standing protectively between Jonsara and Konrad, but her expression also seemed to be tinged with resignation.

“Philine, I am going to be taking Konrad to the temple,” I said.

Her brow trembled for a moment; then she glared up at her father with eyes full of anger and frustration. “Konrad’s magic tool is an heirloom from Mother. Why would you let Lady Jonsara take it? Why do you permit her tyranny?” she demanded.

The stolen magic tool had once belonged to Philine’s birth mother; for Jonsara to have reregistered it with her own son’s mana was unforgivable in Philine’s eyes. Her lips trembled and she glowered as hard as she could at both her stepmother for her actions and her father for having allowed them to happen.

“The mana’s already been replaced. Nothing can be done. And furthermore, it’s normal to prioritize the child with more mana,” Kashick replied, his attitude unchanged even in the face of such desperate pleas from his own daughter.

Philine knew then that her words and feelings would never reach him. She looked down at the floor and squeezed her eyes shut, trying her hardest to hide her emotions, but she couldn’t hold back the tears.

I can’t believe they’d steal her late mother’s heirloom...

I may not have liked it, but nobles prioritizing children with more mana was something that I could at least understand. Stealing such a sentimental heirloom from a child, however...

“Ferdinand, how expensive are the magic tools given to babies?” I asked.

“A new one will cost around five small golds, I suppose. The materials are also expensive, but that is because they require a significant amount of mana to create. I have never bought one myself, though.”

It made sense that he wouldn’t know the exact price of magic tools for babies, considering that he had never been married.

“Philine, I will give you the money that you need, but I expect you to pay me back,” I said. “Use it to purchase your mother’s magic tool. I would not like for you to lose such a precious heirloom.”

“An old magic tool that has had its mana forcibly overwritten will not be worth more than three small golds,” Ferdinand said, taking out a card that shone like a rainbow. It looked a lot like a guild card, and this comparison only became more appropriate when he held it out to Kashick. “We are going to buy the magic tool. We shall pay three small golds. You have no complaints, I imagine.”

Overwhelmed and unable to defy Ferdinand, Kashick swallowed hard and took out a similar card. He touched his to the one that Ferdinand had produced and then reached for the baby’s magic tool.

“No! Stop this at once!” Jonsara exclaimed. “This is my baby’s magic tool!”

“You can always buy another one.”

“No! Who knows when we’ll be able to?!” Jonsara protested, but Kashick wrenched the magic tool from her grasp and held it out to Ferdinand, who then set it down in front of me. I, in turn, handed the magic tool to Philine.

“Lord Ferdinand, Lady Rozemyne... I thank you both ever so much...” Philine said. She hugged the magic tool close and continued to cry, but this time she wept tears of joy.

I sighed in relief, glad to see that her smile had returned.

After wiping her eyes, Philine looked up at her parents with resolve. “Father, Lady Jonsara, I will now live in the castle as Lady Rozemyne’s retainer. Now that Konrad is going to the temple, I will never return here.”

The blood drained from Kashick’s face, while Jonsara sighed in relief—two contrasting reactions, to say the least. Meanwhile, Philine’s grass-green eyes were shining with a firm, resolute light.

“The day will most likely never come when Dregarnuhr the Goddess of Time weaves our threads back together, but I pray that you live in peace with the divine protection of the gods,” Philine said. It was her final farewell, and with that, she took Konrad by the hand and left what had once been her home.