Chapter 57 - Backyard of the Stray Priest, Part 2
This is the second part of the prequel to the main story.
I descend the stairs from the third floor, where my room is, to the first floor.
It is because Jennifer-sensei called for me.
Even though I say I was called, it is not because I did anything wrong. It is to talk about what comes after my upcoming graduation from the orphanage.
Of course, I have heard the general gist from the seniors who graduated before me, so I understand the content. The teachers know this as well, but I suppose they must explain it due to their position.
Jennifer-sensei's room is right near the stairs. It is said that if an orphanage student tries to come down the stairs late at night, she will be standing at the bottom before they know it. No matter how much you silence your footsteps, you are found. Countless challengers have tried to break through at least once before graduating, but no one has ever accomplished it.
She was called 'Jennifer's Wall' and, in a sense, commanded respect.
When I enter the room, she welcomes me with her usual smile.
The size of the teachers' rooms is no different from ours. They simply use them alone.
Walls made of stacked square stones. There is a window to the south.
A bed, a desk, a chair, and a storage chest. The furnishings are the same as well.
On the desk are two portraits, and one of them depicts three children wearing beautiful clothes.
Two boys and one girl.
They are said to be the current King, his older sister, and his younger brother when they were children.
She apparently bought it as a souvenir when she was in the Royal Capital.
"Now then, Jeanne. Since you are also facing graduation shortly, we must talk about what comes after."
The orphanage has rules; one must leave upon turning fifteen.
One may stay on the grounds for six months. You move to a room in a separate wing that has no dining hall or bathhouse, and prepare for the day you leave.
For those who move to that wing, curfews and lights-out times become more relaxed; however, you must earn the money for your own food and clothing, and you must bathe at the town's public bathhouse.
"I would like you to tell me, what do you intend to do after graduation?"
The conversation jumped straight to that, huh.
Up until now, I had Beatrix and Beowulf, who are scheduled to graduate before me, convey it indirectly.
However, because of the nature of the content, the teachers might oppose it.
While gauging her expression, I tentatively spoke up.
"I am thinking of doing monster extermination with my companions."
I thought I would be scolded, but surprisingly, she is smiling broadly.
"By companions, you mean the Class of 175, yes?"
"That is correct."
"Even if you say monster extermination, where do you plan to do it?"
I convey what Beowulf explained to me.
"Can you really get by just with rat extermination?"
Certainly, even by rough estimates, we would barely have enough to eat with just rat extermination.
However, if that were the case, I would be no different from a priest belonging to the State Church.
I earnestly explained that I intend to build a track record and trust through rat extermination, and then earn subjugation rewards while exterminating monsters in other places as well.
"What do you plan to do with the money you earn?"
She tilted her head. That is only natural.
My job is a priest apprentice, what is called an acolyte.
Recently, I passed the qualification exam to become a priest. Having sufficiently accumulated priest assistant duties as practical experience, I can become a priest once I reach adulthood.
Those who aspire to be priests normally become priests of the State Church. Their affiliation would be with the church, and the church they belong to would take care of all their food, clothing, and shelter.
Of course, as a priestly profession that holds poverty as a creed, one must not think of luxury. No one becomes a priest to earn money.
It cannot be helped.
I decided to talk about the promise I made with my companions.
I thought I would be opposed this time for sure, but that was not the case.
"That is a wonderful idea."
I was praised.
"But it might be difficult."
I know that.
"The other seven will each take up jobs, won't they?"
She looks worried.
It might just be me whose income prospects are not established.
The children of the orphanage work hard. On the church grounds, there is a vegetable garden where we are self-sufficient in vegetables. Since we also keep livestock, we can get enough milk, eggs, and even chicken meat.
Under the guise of social studies, we went out to various workplaces. We find a type of job we like early on, and once we turn thirteen, we work to the extent that we receive a small allowance as an apprentice. We study for half the day and do apprentice work for the other half. It is a given that once we reach adulthood, we will be employed at the place where we apprenticed.
It is a method the Headmistress came up with. Thanks to that, children who leave this town's orphanage almost never end up wandering the streets suddenly.
Jennifer-sensei thought for a moment, but seemed convinced.
"In other words, if you become a priest affiliated with the church, you won't be able to earn money, is that it?"
"That's right."
If I become a priest affiliated with the church, I will be confined to the church in exchange for my livelihood being guaranteed.
Of course, priests of the State Church receive a monthly allowance from the church.
However, the allowance for the priestly profession is low, and since most of the allowance received is donated to the church or the orphanage, almost nothing remains in the individual's hands. That said, it would be a bit awkward for only me to hoard money without donating.
"I understand. Very well. Do your best."
"Thank you very much."
Good. I was given approval.
In other words, our dream is feasible. I'll go tell everyone right away.
"Oh, that's right, it would be better to keep this quiet from the Headmistress."
Jennifer-sensei's face suddenly became serious.
"If the Headmistress finds out about your dream, she will surely say she wants to participate as well. If that happens, it will become a major ordeal, won't it?"
That is certainly true. If the Headmistress gets serious, she might involve the entire country.
"So, you see, in order to keep it from the Headmistress's ears, it is better not to speak of it. As for the reason for not becoming an affiliated priest... let's see, it would be fine to just say you want to study the world."
She holds up one index finger and brings it to her lips.
Her eyes are not smiling. It really is better not to tell anyone.
I don't quite understand the reason, but then again, it's not something to go around spreading anyway.
Here, I'll just obediently say I will tell the others as well.
"By the way, I have the money I've been keeping for Jeanne."
That's right. I became an acolyte at age ten. Acolytes also receive an allowance. Since the teachers were donating theirs, I tried to do the same, but the Headmistress stopped me. She said I didn't need to think that far ahead. So, I saved most of it. Dust piles up, and it has become ten gold coins.
"If you are unable to earn money through monster extermination, you might have to live off that money. Therefore, I will return it to you. If that money runs out completely, come to me. I will ask the Headmistress to take care of the procedures for church affiliation."
I see, she's assuming failure.
However, providing relief before I end up on the streets is surely a form of kindness.
"So, without worrying about what comes after, do your best with all your might. I will support you."
She is smiling cheerfully, saying 'it's fine, isn't it?'
I almost cried.
I think I am being selfish in my own way.
It was my own will to become an acolyte in order to aspire to be a priest. Since then, the teachers have spent a great deal of time and effort on my education to become a priest. All of it was for the sake of belonging to the church, devoting myself to the Goddess, and performing missionary work.
And yet, even though I am saying I won't become church-affiliated—which would normally be expected—she is supporting me, even going so far as to consider an escape route in case I fail.
Thank you very much—that was all I could manage to say.
As I was about to leave the room with my head down, she said there was one more thing.
"What is it?"
"You know your immediate goal, don't you?"
I sort of understand. It would be the first stage, I suppose.
"As an immediate goal. I recommend that you obtain a house where the eight of you can live."
"A house?"
"Yes, it can be old or rented, but a house where the eight of you can live together. You will understand the reason when it is realized."
"I understand. I will tell everyone."
"Yes. Then you may leave."
"Thank you very much."
Obtaining a house...
She said the reason would be understood once it's realized...
For now, I have to tell everyone.
Leaving Jennifer-sensei's room, I climbed the stairs while rubbing my face with the edge of my sleeve.