Ascendance of a Bookworm

Chapter 121: I Have Lunch with the Head Priest

The greetings that Fran and Rosina prepared are so long. They begin with the names of the gods and goddesses and show how honored I am invited in a poetic way. I have to get down on my knees, cross my arms in front of my body, and keep my posture. In order to act elegantly, I have to suffer a lot because of the lack of strength.

Lutz, who recite the greetings with me together, is also tired and says, "It's bothersome. We just need to say 'Thank you very much for inviting me today.' That's enough."

As Lutz is a Dapla of the Gilberta Company now, he will communicate with the nobles on business. So he also needs to remember those polite expressions. However, we are really tired of reciting the difficult words or the names of so many gods. I think that monotheism is good in this occasion.

Now even I am facing the Head Priest, I can greet 1.5 times more gracefully than usual without slipping my mind. Finally, I step on the skirt of my costume and cannot adjust myself quickly, but have not fallen. I have grown up.

"Well, good. This part is well performed. Good job, both of you. … So, how is your Fespiel training?”

The Head Priest praises the two instructors. When he looks at the Fespiel that Fran holds, a faint smile crosses his face.

"Because the teacher is good, you must have improved."

"I should take no credit. Because Miss Maine has talent for music! She remembers the scales very fast, and is good at distinguishing the sound. Her fingering is a little clumsy, but will be improved as long as she practices more."

…No! There is no talent at all! I just remember the experience on the music class when I was still Urano Motosu!

In my heart, I am so dismayed that I almost want to prostrate myself to beg for forgiveness. However, as Rosina told me a little while ago, I should smile for the time being. It makes me feel like being stuck, but I have to get used to it.

"Hmm, I'm looking forward to it. The meal is not ready yet, so show me how your practice goes on.

On the Head Priest's words, a gray-robed priest holding a flute prepares a chair for me. Fran hands me the Fespiel, and encourages me, whispering, "You can do it. It's ok."

I can treat it as a practice. The melody is for beginners, so it is not difficult. There won't be any problem if I calm down.

After taking a deep breath, I raise my face, and notice that Rosina's face is rigid as if she is too nervous. She looks like a mother who attends to an open house for the first time.

I pluck the Fespiel’s strings. The first etude I learnt is "Fruit in the Fall". The lyrics are about the names of food and its good taste. So it is not difficult if only I don't make mistakes in fingering.

"Blessing of the forest, fruit in the autumn…"

Anyway, I play it without any mistake, and finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"… Well done."

"Miss Maine is really a quick learner. It's a great opportunity, so why don't you present the Head Priest the song you composed?"

"What? … The song I composed?"

What does she mean? I can't remember it at all…

"Indeed… Like this melody…"

This Maine's ears are much keener at sound than Urano Motosu's. It may be because I kept practicing since I was young when I was Urano Motosu, or because this Maine's body has that talent, I'm not sure. I do not mean the absolute pitch hearing, but this body really has a good ear for music. Now it's easier to discern the musical scales of the melodies which I memorized when I was Urano Motosu.

I tried to play the song that I had in my memory with Fespiel, but it seems that Rosina has memorized them well.

"Because I haven't written any lyrics yet… This time…"

Indeed, it is impossible to revise and sing the theme song of the English movie in the language of this world. I shake my head slowly and said so. The Head Priest wears a slight smile, with an interested look on his face.

"I look forward to it next time. Here is the following assignment."

… What! I put myself into greater trouble again.

My heart is crying when I receive the new musical score. Next time, in addition to the assignment, I have to show my own song.

"Then, this way please."

The shining silver tableware is placed before the Head Priest. Fran has put the tableware which he brings along before me. It is normal here that the attendant brings the master's tableware. In order to prevent theft or damage, no one else can touch it.

What I use at home is the tableware left by the former orphanage director, and it looks like good stuff. Fran had suggested that it would be better to buy some new one. But I didn't agree because it's too expensive to buy the tableware that matches the house. I said that "I don't know the former head of the orphanage, but things did nothing guilty," and keep it for use.

The noble meal is served in the order I know, and is similar to what I ate at the Guild Leader's house. Drinks are poured, followed by the appetizer, a soup, then the main dish, fruits, desserts, and after-meal tea.

However, the quantity and the sorts are amazing. Probably because the remaining will be sent to the attendants. But there are eight different appetizers alone. The attendants keep serving little by little in the plate, but the appetizers are so many that I'm almost full.

Fran knows how much I can eat, and picks only three kinds of appetizers that I like for me. While we are eating, I begin to consider how to improve the meals of our own restaurant.

… Our food tastes good, but we have to make more efforts at the decoration, carving and display of the dishes. The nobles' dishes require quite a high level.

But the soup here tastes just so so. My soup is better. There are several types of main dishes, and Fran gets as much as I can eat.

Even at the Head Priest's house, there is no fish for the main dish, only meat. It seems that nobles here rarely eat fish.

At dinner, we talk about the Fespiel training, questions on official business, the condition of orphanage and the condition of Maine's Workshop.

The Head Priest only makes brief responses while listening. Sometimes he beats around the bush, but I cannot get his intention. I tilt my head to one side, and finish my talk when the Head Priest sighs tiredly.

… If waiters in my restaurant can do as Fran does, there will be no problem. If possible, it would be better to have music performance.

I have such a feeling when listening to Rosina's play of Fespiel at dinner. When I was still Urano Motosu, I had been to some restaurants with BGM. But I now find it not easy to listen to music in this world. At this moment, enjoying the music, I can feel my heart totally free.

"… You seem to be considering something. Is there anything helpful?"

The Head Priest asks me while we are drinking after-meal tea.

"Yes, it helps a lot. … Sir, I have a question."

"Wait a minute. Let's talk there."

"… Ok."

Interrupted by the Head Priest, I drink up the fragrant tea at ease.

The Head Priest shows me a secret chamber, and I follow him to get in. While the Head Priest prepares the chair, I clean the bench to have a place to sit.

"Well, then. What's your question?"

"Could you please allow the idle gray-robed priests to work outside?"

Hearing my question, the Head Priest presses his temples and frowns.