Ascendance of a Bookworm

I am Frieda, an 8-year-old merchant guild apprentice.

As I was changing before I went to bed, I noticed a slight change in the color of the demon stone on my bracelet. This bracelet is lined with small black demonic stones, but one of them is clear.

"Oh, this is already the time."

I, who have a covenant with the nobility, have been given by my covenant lord the magic equipment to receive the overflowing magic. The changing color of that demonic stone is a sign that the magic has accumulated considerably. You have to go to Mr. Henrik, the contractor.

"Dear uncle, please ask Master Henrik to see you. The colors of the Demon Stone have changed."

I asked my uncle the next morning. I need permission to enter the aristocracy, and being a minor, I must be with my uncle.

"Is it that time of year?"

"Yeah, would you like a souvenir in Katorkar this time as well?

"They seem to like it, so let's do it."

"Now let's mix Lumtophu together."

The new winter cattle curl is an object that Mine taught me to finely cut and mix the lumtopphs made into the dough. There have been many failures to find just the right amount of Lumtopf to mix in the dough, but Ilse's efforts have allowed it to be very tasty. This cattle curl has a strong alcoholic aroma and is a popular dish for aristocratic men.

I just couldn't make so many cattle curls because Lumtophu himself was a prototype. If you make more Lumtophus this summer, Ilse is strained.

"It's time for a new product..."

With that said, my uncle turned his gaze towards the kitchen in a meaningful way. I would be in the kitchen. Ilse and I both know I want a new product.

"You can't catch Mine."

It's hard to catch Mine because Mr. Benno tries to hide Mine's presence thoroughly against his surroundings. All paperwork relationships to be submitted to the Guild come via the Guilberta Chamber of Commerce and, originally, even the annual revenue and expenditure reports that take place through the Guild and in the spring, via Mr. Benno.

While a member of the Merchant Alliance, Mine is surprisingly the workshop manager who doesn't show his face to the Merchant Alliance.

The habit, the sales, has become a pretty big workshop in the city. Plant paper and picture books, a number of toys made as winter handiwork and started to be sold.

What is being put out of the Mine Workshop is at first glance a small number, but all of this is expensive and profitable. And many of the new products handled by the Guilberta Chamber of Commerce would also have bought rights from Mine.

"There are new products coming out of the Guilberta Chamber of Commerce. … even products that have absolutely nothing to do with the original garment"

Although it's not so far from its original job to be around phosphors, hair decorations, and new forms of hangers, plant paper, picture books, toys, and bookboards are products that have absolutely nothing to do with clothing related shops.

"But it's not just the product Mine's involved in, is it?

"Yep."

Among the contracts that are brought to the Merchant Guild, those named Mine are contracts with the Ink Association, large orders as patrons of the blacksmith workshop, large orders to the woodworking workshop, and co-sponsors of the dining room that Mr. Benno plans to open… all of which are things that a lot of money moves.

"You said you entered the temple as a witch apprentice, what the hell is Mine doing? It looks like you're dealing more than a regular merchant."

Mine won't even show his face here, and he won't contact me, even though Katorkar's contract has expired. Could Katorkar remain monopolistic? Though I intend to remain monopolized because I have no contact whatsoever.

About ten days after the demon stone began to change color, Henrik gave me permission to see him. On Promise Day, after hearing 5 bells, you and your uncle will head to the aristocratic city.

Okay, let's go.

"Yes, my uncle. Mother, I'm coming."

When you get in the carriage and sit alongside your uncle, the butterflies and doors close. In the gatan gatan and swinging carriage, the wrist bracelet has swayed every bit to claim its existence.

"You've changed colors a lot."

"You have to give it to Master Henrik quickly and have it emptied."

Pass this bracelet to Master Henrik and he will be returned again with his magic emptied. That's all I have to do, but I seem to need time to empty my magic, and I'm always invited to dinner.

"It would be a little easier if this were lunch..."

"Invitation to dinner is a sign that you are treating us as official guests."

"I know you can't refuse."

When you are invited to dinner, you will naturally be staying in Master Henrik's Hall, as it passes the closing time. If it's going to be a night, you have to take a bath.

"Since Mine told me to try to make it a little shorter on the water, my mood has been reduced, but I still don't like the aristocratic bath, which makes me feel a little sick due to the heat"

"... we'll just have to get used to that"

My uncle, who laughs so little, is in business with the butler while I am allowed to take a long bath. I only slightly swelled and showed.

"I'd rather have a business meeting than a hot tub, wouldn't I be patient?"

The carriage turned right in front of the temple at the edge of the boulevard. White, tall walls made of the same material as the temple have been around all along. It is the entrance to the aristocratic district that runs for a while along the white wall that separates the aristocratic district from the lower town.

"About hundreds of years ago, only the aristocratic city was a city, right? I learned that the other day."

"Oh, yeah. It is said that the city was enlarged when the present lord's ancestors became lords"

If extra nobility comes in and the lord fails to protect the city, it is normal for the next lord to be stronger than the previous lord. Then, in line with the power of the new lord, they say, the city will expand.

"The city that was used until then was renovated as an aristocratic city, and a town for the civilian population was created on the south side, right?" "That's right. Besides, he said the accommodation in front of the main entrance, where travelers were grounded for questioning, was now used as a temple. They still use the aristocratic gates they say are behind the temple to get in and out, but it's none of our business."

As my uncle said, we civilians enter and leave the aristocratic neighborhood using the not so large gate, which used to be a common gateway for gatekeepers.

Standing at the North Gate are several soldiers of the lower town and knights of the lower nobility. After paying the toll, I will give some merchandise to the knights as a concern. Your permit will then be renewed and you will be asked for the purpose and destination of entering the aristocratic district.

The knight's eyes clearly looked down on the civilian population and his heart would waver, but if he cared about it, he wouldn't be able to live here in the future. It didn't take that long for me to be able to smile in my unpleasant eyes either.

"All right, then, let's switch."

"Yes, sir."

The carriage used in Lower Town is dirty, so you switch to a carriage to run the aristocratic district at the North Gate. And you run through a beautiful white city completely spotless, in a comfortable carriage with little to no shaking.

"I always want to use this carriage in Lower Town..."

"They use magic tools to reduce shaking. It's gonna be hard."

The mansion of Henrik, a junior nobleman, is located relatively close to the North Gate. Are the lower towns and aristocratic neighborhoods the cheaper they are close to the gate?

"Thank you for waiting, Dear Frieda"

Deacon will welcome you and you will be escorted to your room. It has a similar atmosphere to our rooms because my uncle imitated Henrik's house. Unlike at home, magic equipment is commonly used, so even if it looks similar, it's very different.

"You kept me waiting."

Master Henrik was there.

Since you were 17 when you signed with me, are you 20 now? I am an aristocrat with an honest and relaxed atmosphere as it seems. She said she lost her father two years ago, and she's struggling as the Lord over her young body.

Master Henrik has a full wife and children, but the Second Lady is not here, and when I am an adult of the civilian, I will be in the position of mistress who cannot be counted in my wife's position. Economically, I'd say it's in a state of reliance on our homes.

Master Henrik is a nobleman who has a little difficulty with money, but basically because he is a serious and warm clan, your uncle said. It's probably because of the hindsight or because I haven't done anything to force it to exploit from the civilian population, he said. They chose me as my contractual partner because of such personality.

"On a good day of green adoration due to the healing of the water goddess Fruitraine, may we not bless the encounter with the guidance of the gods.... I haven't seen you in a while, Master Henrik."

Exchange a long, aristocratic greeting. When I was giving a troublesome greeting about God changing to honor each season, the picture book I bought from Mine went all the way through my head.

... Speaking of which, he said he would make a picture book about his family, but I wonder if he could.

Mine was making a picture book that allows you to recreate the cover as you please. It's a black and white picture book, but it's very easy to understand about God and the illustrations are very beautiful. I intend to put all my family's books together in God's books I bought before, and then make a cover of skin.

"Miss Frieda, hands..."

Haunted by Master Henrik's voice, I offered him my left hand with my bracelet. With a glowing stick removed from somewhere, try to tap the bracelet gently, and Master Henrik whines a small word. Then, the bracelet will change in size so that it can be removed.

"Oh, that's quite a change of color. Are you ill?

When I saw the bracelet I removed, Master Henrik frowned. Master Henrik doesn't take a very dignified attitude, even if the civilians who made the contract are his opponents. Very likable.

"It's okay. Thank you for your concern."

"See you later. In the dining room."

"Yes, sir."

Master Henrik leaves the room with his bracelet, after which the butler comes in and starts a business meeting with his uncle. Until dinner, I shall be called to serve the side of the woman, to bathe in the water before dinner, and to prepare myself. The worst pains begin when you come to this hall.

In dinner seats after a long and exhausting bath, the recent situation in Lower Town will basically be the subject of discussion. We will talk about the new flavors of katorkar, which is well on the rise by Ilse, without difficulty in discussing the distribution of products and my education.

"Katorkar likes his younger brother, who just left the house as an adult. I'm not too good at sweet treats, but this smells like alcohol and is refraining from sweetness and easy to eat"

Apparently, the brother of the knight prefers something sweet to Master Henrik. That brother of yours, who was on escort duty as a knight in the fall, has made a huge mistake and needs a fine. My family set it up, but what the hell kind of person is it? I do not yet know my face.

"Sir, may I have a moment?"

Deacon's slightly blue face made me ear to Lady Henrik about something. Master Henrik will be up in no time.

"I'm sorry, Miss Frieda. Requirements for a fire were met. Excuse me here today."

Master Henrik left the butler and the dining room on the way to dinner. That and prying is not nice, so I finish my meal with my uncle talking about the flavour of the dish without difficulty.

"Okay, Uncle. Good night."

"Oh, have a good night."

My uncle will have a side service for men, and I will have a side service for women, who will guide me to the guest room. What I am guided to is the room I always use, even in the hot tub.

"Go ahead, Master Frieda"

"... oh?

Sure, my luggage should have been brought in and prepared during the hot tub, but now I don't see my luggage.

As I leaned my neck, I headed to my bedroom. A lady at the side turns the tent on the bedside.

"Now give me this sleeping area... Yikes!?

A side-serving woman screamed. There was a man lying on the bunk I was going to use. You have a face very similar to Master Henrik's, giving him a tight eyebrow and moaning painfully.

"Dear Darmuel!?... Oh, uh, Dear Frieda. We'll check with the butler."

Sideservice turned back his heel and left the room as it moved.

Does the fact that the luggage is being moved mean that I have another room ready and I have not been in good contact?

... I'm in trouble. What shall we do?

I couldn't leave the room after the side service, and the situation left in the room by the Lord and the two of us alone, even though unconscious, was awkward, and I exhaled slowly.

"I am so sorry, Dear Frieda"

Deacon jumped in with the room with a face like he ate a bubble.

Originally, Mr. Henrik's brother, you live in a cavalier dorm, but he was transported from the aristocratic gate to his closest home until someone arrived who was heavily injured during the Cavaliers' mission and could use healing. My brother says you're unconscious, so he didn't have time to set up the room and was transported to an already tidy room.

"We were preparing another room for Mr. Frieda, but he seemed to be in a mood and didn't get in touch well. I'm so sorry."

"My husband's brother, if you're unconscious and brought in, there's no reason to get upset. If your room is ready, I will move there."

When I knew what was going on and exhaled ho, the solidification of light jumped in through the window. Swirl around on the darmuel who sleeps on the sleeping table and scatter the powder of light. It was a very beautiful and fantastic landscape with light powder scattered inside the dark room.

"... is this magic too? How beautiful."

Even if I reach out, the powder of light will be fluttered and avoided as willing.

Dear Darmuel suddenly jumped up as he was blinded by the powder of light that swung and scattered.

"Are you all right, witch apprentice!?

"Huh!?

At the same time as I woke up my upper body, my hands were gripped with glowing sticks, and Master Dermuel looked around with a rugged look like he was fighting something, and shortly afterwards, he looked like he had been facing me.

"... where am I?

You were probably confused with when your consciousness was interrupted. Deacon advanced in front of Dear Darmuel, who frowned with a confused face.

"Dear Darmuel, how are you feeling? I was unconscious and transported to the Mansion."

"My body is nothing. It must have been healing to think from the remnants of light."

Master Dermuel looked down at his arms and immediately after he said so, he could change his complexion a lot.

"I must hurry back to the Knights."

"Dear Darmuel, you should look at your body a little..."

Master Dermuel slipped off the sleeping table with such a figure that he seemed unconscious and groaning until earlier, he rushed out toward the balcony and opened the window wide.

"We're in the middle of an escort mission! Again, if the mission fails, I..."

Master Dermuel just waved his arm and a large, white feathered horse appeared on the balcony. And flickering across it, Master Dermuel flies towards the sky with a rugged face. I could see white wings moving heavily in the darkened night sky.

Not long after the solidification of light jumped in, until Master Dermuel flew away, an event that left me and the butler stunned and had to be dropped off.

"... Dear Frieda, I will show you to your room"

"Yeah, please"

The deacon, who could not hold me back, and had dropped me off, returned me and led me to my newly prepared room.

Go up to your bunk, and I will reflect on what Darmuel said earlier. "You're safe, witch apprentice," you did say. Mine should be the only witch apprentice in the temple right now. It seems likely that Mine is also involved in something that Master Dermuel suffered a major injury during his escort assignment.

"What the hell happened?

Even if I asked Master Henrik, there is no way the nobility could tell me the circumstances so easily. If you say I'm a friend of Mine's, maybe you'll tell me, but depending on the circumstances in which Mine is involved, it could be a difficult situation for this one. It would be easier to stop revealing my relationship with Mine.

"At least we have to be sure of life and death alone..."

At the breakfast table the next day, Master Henrik apologized for last night's troubles about Master Dermuel.

"I didn't seem to get in touch well with you about my brother. Excuse me."

"No, never mind. I, for the first time, saw up close the sorcery used by the nobles. It's so beautiful, so strange, I feel like I got it."

After breakfast, you will be asked to wear a bracelet with all the demonic stones back in black, then resign from Master Henrik's hall and return to the house.

"Dear uncle, I have something to look into. Please lend me the keys to the back library."

I rushed to the commercial guild to get dressed.

Only those authorized by the Guild Commander can be allowed in, in a room that collects paperwork on contract magic, in order to find the paperwork for the contract Mine made with Mr. Benno. Unlike the library that anyone can view, if the contract documents stored here had a contractor dead, what should be the only difference?

It wasn't that hard to find the paperwork on the contract Mine exchanged because it was a contract magic material that was rarely used.

"... Rosemaine?

In the documents I have in my possession, Mr. Benno, Rutz and Rosemayne are to have signed a contract.

You must have been taken in by the nobility that you are renaming, even though you do not need to rename it if you are contracting to eat. As I have also been brought into the story, Mine has probably become the adopted daughter of a nobleman.

There are aristocrats who know about that product knowledge of Mine and have found value in it. I don't think the influence stays with this city alone.

I grabbed the paperwork and rushed into the Alliance Commander's office.

"I have something important to tell you. Look at this."

My uncle, who saw the contract magic paperwork being renamed Rosemaine, opened his eyes wide.

"... Mine made a pact with the nobles? Sure, a woman who eats would also be able to be the adopted daughter of a nobleman, but that mine?

Mine said he wouldn't sign with nobility because he wanted to stay with his family until the end of the line. If you leave your family, Mine, who said you would choose the way to die, became the nobleman's adopted daughter.

I didn't want to be noble, I wanted to be a merchant. I want to spend it on a gold account. I told my uncle about it and signed with the best person.

Thanks to this, in the future you can set up shops in aristocratic neighborhoods, or spend time with your family until you grow up. I am convinced of my choices.... but what about Mine?

"Dear uncle, please call Mr. Benno. Mr. Benno must know something."