Under the weak light of the oil lamp, I scribbled furiously.

I felt that these few days, I keep hearing the same voice.

Hm

After I finished writing, I set the pen in my hand down and stretched. It wasnt a creaking sound, but something slightly heavier than that, resounding through my body.

The moment my arms extended straight, my body relaxed against the chair, my arms lazily dropping to the chairs arm. Although it was quite an uncultured way to sit, right now since I was alone it was fine.

In this position where my field of vision had become lower, I picked up the document I had just written and stared at it.

Yep. Todays work was finished as well.

Speaking of whichright, thinking of the fact that I hadnt taken a single step out of this room since I entered it brought a bitter smile to my face.

If Tanya hadnt reminded me, I probably wouldnt even have remembered to eat.

When I was concentrating, I had the habit of ignoring everything around me. This was a trait that I shared with the previous version of myself before I had recalled all the memories from my past life. To say that it was imprinted in my soul was not an exaggeration.

Excuse me.

A knock at the door. Tanya walked into the room.

I saw that the light was on, so I guessedyou seem to still be working.

Tanya looked quite concerned and let out a sigh.

I laughed at her reaction.

Coming back from the capital, I felt that Tanya had changed. In a good way, of course.

Should I say it was as if something troubling her had disappeared, or something tense inside her had relaxedthere was a certain gentleness to it.

Please forgive me for speaking out of turn, but you should rest. Perhaps I dont understand how important your duties arebut what I do understand is that if you collapse from exhaustion again, that will cause any progress on them to slow down.

Its just that she spoke in pretty much the same way.

Heh heh heh, youre right, youre right. I was thinking that it was about time to rest as well.

Thats good to hear.

But before then, I want to hear your report. I was thinking that you should have finished up by now, so I was waiting for you here.

ThenIm so sorry, I didnt mean to make you wait.

I was the one who insisted on waiting. Its fine. Show me the report.

As I read the file she handed to me, I listened to her explanation, which was filled with personal insights not recorded on the page.

I see.

I burned what I had read in the fire of the oil lamp. If there was a fireplace I would have used that, but unfortunately in the mild weather of this place, there was no such thing.

Even so, there were plenty of files that couldnt be read by anyone else. Especially in my study, where I carried out most of my work.

That was why I poured some coarse sand into the vase that was set up at the front end of the desk, and threw the burning file in.

So it seems that there are people with those viewsafter all

Its a pity. Humans are such capricious creatures. If they dont have something unshakeable holding them down, they are even more so. So even the most uncorrupted organizations will have members who waver. Theres nothing we can do about that.

Yes. I know that all too wellthat humans are capricious. No matter what, Ive experienced that myself. But its more than that, isnt it, Tanya? You can say it out loud. When a little girl like me takes over, Im likely to be looked down upon.

That

Whatever, forget it. Its not something we can solve by talking about. All right, Tanya. Go and gather everyone up. Locationhm. How about the newly constructed church?

Understood. Do you really mean everyone?

Yes. To be honest, after hearing your report, although I can guess what kind of actions those people will take in the futureI still want to see them again. Well, they probably wont show up anyways.

Understood.

But either way, Tanya, its quite impressive that you could go into so much depth with your research. Have you been improving your skills?

Of course. For you, milady. Plus, information is ultimately just information. Its only because you trust me and use the information I bring to you that they realize their ultimate value.

True. Information is intangible. If its mistaken then its just a regular rumor, or a result of wishful thinking. To filter the truths from the mix and trust them is very difficult.

Tanya, to you, what am I?

Youre the unshakeable part of my existencemy pillar, my support.

Is that so? Tanya, you will not waver. Because I can sense that, youre as good as a second pair of eyes and ears. Thats why I can trust and use the information that you bring me.

I am highly honored, milady.

All right, Im going to bed. Tanya, please help with cleaning up.

Understood.