Chapter 97 - Backyard of Stray Priest ④
This is Prequel Part 4.
"Jeanne. Come to my room after breakfast. We need to process your graduation paperwork."
Just as I was about to eat the bread, milk, and vegetable soup served at the table, Jennifer-sensei spoke to me. Since I was born in June, I have to graduate by the end of May.
"So Jeanne is becoming an adult too. It's going to get lonely," Will said.
"What are you talking about? You're graduating the month after next too, Will," I replied.
"That is true, but this will be the last time we all have breakfast together like this."
Good grief. Getting sentimental before graduation is a taboo, you know.
"Well, I might be a little lonely, but I'm just moving to the annex, so we can see each other right away."
"That may be so, but during the pre-meal prayers, I used to listen to the words you prayed with the teachers and chant along to mimic you. I am a bit troubled because I will no longer be able to do that."
"That's the reason? I mean, haven't you memorized it yet?"
"Our origins are different. To be honest, I do not have much desire to memorize it."
Come to think of it, Will is from the continent, so she fundamentally believes in a different god. She even stays in a separate room during prayer time.
"Does the doctrine you follow not have pre-meal prayers, Will?"
"There seems to be one, but I used to chant my brother's words. It seems those were different from the formal version."
I don't think there's much of a 'formal version' for a pre-meal phrase, but...
Apparently, after Will was left alone, she followed some merchants to the continent on a pilgrimage for her brother's memorial service, and she realized it during that time.
"It always ended with just 'Itadakimasu' (T/N: A standard Japanese phrase said before meals, meaning 'I humbly receive')."
Hey, that's not a prayer. That's just the same as saying 'Gochisousama' (T/N: Said after meals). You should have realized that before going on a pilgrimage.
"Jeanne. I am sorry, but could you write it down on something for me? I shall pray while looking at it starting tomorrow."
"Is it okay if it differs from your doctrine?"
"What, only the object of gratitude is different; the feeling remains the same. I shall simply replace the word 'Goddess' with 'Our God.'"
It can't be helped. This is also a priest's job. Converting would be best, but since the essence of the doctrine is coexistence and co-prosperity, I can't force it.
"Alright. I'll write it for you by lunchtime, so don't lose it before graduation."
"I appreciate the trouble."
Lyudmila pulled on my sleeve.
You too?
In the end, I ended up having to make them for four people, excluding Mary.
"Mary, you're impressive as always."
"My mother was strict about it."
The older sisters at the brothel are all devout believers. Their late mornings are their only flaw, but they were generous with tips when I went on errands for them.
"After all, the sisters are the ones who dance on stage during the Goddess's festival. I practiced too, and I even played the role of the Goddess."
Now that she mentions it, that's right. The sisters at the brothel are, so to speak, priestesses. It's natural for them to be devout.
"Shall I help you? You're busy today, aren't you, Jeanne?"
"Really? Thank you!"
"In exchange, though..."
It seems she has homework left that must be finished within the month. Even if she says 'within the month,' it basically means by today. It's actually going to make me busier...
Lyudmila pulled on my sleeve again.
You too...
I went to Jennifer-sensei's place and received an explanation about leaving the facility. Next, I had to sign the documents. A confirmation of return for items lent at the time of entry. A confirmation of receipt for items deposited. Receiving the certificate of departure... this is the most important one. It effectively serves as a certified copy of my household registration... The notification of adulthood... this is the second most important. It serves as identification for tax purposes... Tomorrow, I will be ordained and go from an acolyte to a priest. The priest appointment certificate, the receipt for the priest's robes and ritual vestments, the deposit slip for the ritual vestments since I'm leaving them at the orphanage... I'll get the signatures for these tomorrow.
"Oh, you really were born on the first?"
"Yes. That's what I've been told."
Accurate records down to the date remain at the church, but perhaps because it's troublesome, everyone is treated as an adult on the first of their birth month. If you're born at the end of the month, your salary goes up earlier than it actually should, so it's a gain if you look at it that way, but there's not much difference.
"The ten gold coins we held for you have been deposited in the church as requested. Here is the document for that. I will give you the silver coins now."
Ten gold coins with the same engraving as the Kingdom of Medioland. This is my fortune. I have to multiply this dozens of times over.
"Is that all?"
"Yes. Thank you for your hard work."
I received a very polite explanation for each document. By the time I finished signing everything, it was almost noon.
I had to eat lunch. I hurriedly transcribed the pre-meal prayers for two people onto scraps of parchment.
"Here, I wrote them. Don't lose them."
"Sorry. I owe you one."
"Thank you, Jeanne. I'll make sure not to lose it~"
I handed them to Will and Bonnie. Mary had written the ones for Lyudmila and Matilda.
"So, how's the homework coming along?"
Since Will, who has excellent grades, had finished all of hers, she was looking over the work for the other four. Since all four have completely different subjects, they can't do it simultaneously. Mary has transcription, Lyudmila has national history, Bonnie has calculation, and Matilda has livestock rearing methods.
"Umu. Mary's part is finished. Half remains for the other three."
"I have to go to the town hall in the afternoon."
"Lyudmila and I have to go help at the farm. There are no holidays for farmers."
"Then Lyudmila's part won't be finished today."
"We'll have to do it after dinner."
"I'll go to the town hall in your place. You should be able to get a proxy application form if you ask the teacher."
Mary, if you're done with your homework, help the kids who aren't.
By the time Mary returned, Bonnie's part was finished. Next was Matilda's.
"Sorry about this, Jeanne. Even though you have to move."
"Exactly. So let's finish this quickly."
"Shall I go ahead and do your moving for you~?"
"Right. That seems like it would be faster."
I'm telling you, the kids who are finished should help with the homework.
While I was helping Matilda with her homework, the Headmistress spoke to me.
"About tomorrow's ordination ceremony. Let's do one rehearsal."
I forgot about that. What to do is already decided and written in the doctrinal books. But just reading it might lead to failure. After all, it's usually a once-in-a-lifetime event. I want to finish it without any major blunders.
"Yes, please. Sorry, Matilda. I'll come back when I'm done."
I immediately went to the prayer room.
"The ceremony itself is simple. At first, wear your ritual vestments and line up at the end of the teachers. When I call you, kneel before the altar. After that, I will pray while reading the scriptures, so chant along with me. When the prayer is over, I will ask a few questions, so answer 'Yes' to all of them. Then, I will place my right hand on your head, say the set phrase, and you will take your oath. Once Jennifer and the others finish singing the hymn, you're a priest."
It sounds simple when put that way, but in reality, it takes about half an hour. Therefore, the early morning duties start half an hour earlier, which means I have to wake up that much earlier.
"After that, we will wake the children for breakfast, but you may go to your own room in the annex, Jeanne."
In other words, don't accidentally eat the orphanage breakfast.
I practiced several times. After getting the okay from the Headmistress, I went to the study room to find Matilda slumped over the desk, sleeping.
"Matilda, are you finished?"
"It ain't finishing."
Looking at it, she hadn't progressed at all.
"You haven't done anything!"
"'Cause I don't get it."
"It can't be helped."
By the time Matilda's homework was done, Will and Lyudmila had returned.
"Lyudmila, after you finish dinner and take a bath, do your homework."
"Will was called by Katherine-sensei."
"Why?"
"Katherine-sensei's schedule was bad, so they couldn't do the morning spear practice. So, they're doing it tonight."
"After the bath?"
"What, it is only forms today. I will not sweat much. It is fine."
"Jeanne, teach me."
"It can't be helped. Do it properly by yourself from now on."
"Okay."
When I tried to go get a change of clothes to take a bath, Mary told me that only my storage chest hadn't been moved to the annex yet.
"I mean, you're going to take a bath anyway, so it's better if your change of clothes is close by, right? Once you've finished your bath and changed into your nightclothes, Bonnie and I will carry it over for you."
She's being considerate in a strange way. But well, I suppose it's kindness.
"I understand. Thank you."
"Good luck helping Lyudmila."
"You help too!"
I helped along with Mary, and we somehow managed to finish Lyudmila's homework before lights out. It was down to the wire. Finally, it was over. At last, I could move myself.
I had Emily-sensei check the room. The move seemed to have gone smoothly, and there was nothing left.
"Yes. That's fine. Well then, shall we go to the annex?"
"Yes. Please."
The annex is built to the west of the orphanage. It faces the Royal Army's grounds and is a building for women only. It's surrounded by high walls, so no one can enter from the outside. The men's annex is across the street to the south of the orphanage. To go back and forth between them, one must enter the orphanage and cross Jennifer's wall. Since romance is forbidden within the orphanage, those who want to meet have no choice but to meet outside.
"Here it is."
The room size is slightly narrower than the rooms in the orphanage, but since it's a private room, it's effectively spacious. Since I've been busy all day, this is the first time I'm entering it.
"Here, Jeanne. This is your room."
I was surprised when I entered the room and lit the lamp. A large cloth was pinned to the wall, covered in messages from the current orphanage students. On the desk was a mountain of items, likely each handmade.
"You are the only child born here, you became an acolyte here, and tomorrow you will become a priest here. This is the feelings of the children you've looked after until now. It seems to be from every student over the age of five. All day today, they've been coming in and out, bringing presents and writing messages for you. The Headmistress says she's never seen anything like this before. You've worked hard until now."
While I was standing there blankly, Beatrix came in.
"Sorry. I'm late."
She had ink, a pen, and a scroll in her hand. She started writing next to a message with Beowulf's name on it.
"Let's see... 'Jeanne, congratulations on your graduation. We'll be together even when we're adults'... and. I want one more word. Hmm... 'Let's work hard and earn money! From Beatrix.' There."
She placed a portrait of all eight members of the Class of 175 on the desk, said "That's good," and left.
"Um..."
When I looked at Emily-sensei, she was leaving the room and about to close the door.
"Jeanne. Congratulations on your graduation. Good night."
The door closed with a thud, and I was left alone.
Honestly... making me go through all this trouble... every single one of them is a fool.
I decided not to cry at graduation because smiles are the rule at the orphanage...
...Really, fools...
Regarding Chapter 2, Episode 31 (Part 69) "Holy Light," an editing error occurred during the previous large-scale revisions of Chapters 1 and 2, and it was overlapping with Episode 30 "Cave Battle ③."
This resulted in the story skipping ahead completely, which was quite unsightly, but I was able to fix it thanks to your feedback.
I sincerely apologize for the eyesore.
Also, thank you for pointing it out. Truly, thank you very much.