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The Reincarnated Thirty-Something Woman’s Otherworldly Reform Life

Representative of the Handicraft Squad

Translated by: ME

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

After undergoing two days of intense spartan training, I decided to take the carriage out today, announcing that I had errands to run.

(Art is supposed to be something to enjoy, a way to enrich the soul... *Boo! Boo!*)

...That being said, Claude's ability to assemble a curriculum that pushed us to our absolute limit was impressive. Thanks to that training, I had completely mastered the basic steps of the dance.

Unfortunately, I hadn't managed to master sketching in just two days.

I heard that Dean was having an intensive lecture series today. He had watched me leave with a look of pure resentment. ...He has a lot of classroom studies to get through, too. Apparently, he's being taught by a dedicated tutor and was supposed to meet them for the first time today.

「Maybe I should buy some sweets on the way back.」

「That sounds lovely. What would be good?」

Lily looked out the carriage window at the scenery. Her gaze seemed locked onto a pastry shop.

In this world with its heavy medieval atmosphere, sweets didn't seem very developed... It's a shame, especially since the meals were tastier than I expected.

Galettes and pies. Crispy oublies that were like gaufres. The waffles were almost identical to their original forms from my previous life. Beignets that were like fried donuts, and darioles—custard-filled pastries similar to egg tarts.

Then there were fruit compotes and colorful floral confections.

(If sugar were traded more cheaply, I'm sure these would develop explosively.)

After a while, the rhythmic sound of the wheels stopped. We went around to the back of a majestic building. When we knocked on the back door of the church, a familiar monk peered out and gave us a bright smile.

「Lady Magnolia. Welcome.」

「Hello. How ish your back feeling?」

The elderly monk scratched his head shyly. He had apparently hurt his back the other day and had been in quite a bit of pain.

「Thanks to you, it feels much better now. Thank you for your concern.」

「That's good to hear.」

I nodded with a quiet smile.

「Did you shee a doctor?」

「No. I made medicine from herbs. Churches and monasteries often have herb gardens attached to them.」

「A herb garden...」

The garden of the church, located right in the middle of the capital, wasn't that large, but there was a decent-sized plot in the center.

(Wait... medicine was dominated by churches and monasteries in the past, wasn't it?)

It is said that the oldest existing pharmacy on Earth was a certain monastery (which later became a church). Not limited to theology, churches were centers for many academic studies. Medicine and pharmacology must have been among them. Beyond medicine, there were several things—like honey and beeswax—that churches and monasteries managed (and sometimes monopolized).

(Perhaps this world followed a similar path...)

「Do all church have herb garden?」

「Indeed. I believe not only churches but also the royal palace and large estates have them. I am sure there is one at the Margrave’s manor as well.」

「I'll ask.」

「Yes. Since some grow beautiful flowers, I hope you find something you like.」

Since coming to Azenda, every day has been a whirlwind (mostly my own fault), and I haven't strolled through the gardens nearly as much as I did back at the Ascald estate when I was bored out of my mind.

I nodded to the kind-hearted old monk.

***

「Oh, Lady Magnolia! It’s been a while!」

The cheerful ladies of the handicraft unit welcomed me warmly. Granny sat in her usual seat, nodding and smiling as her hands moved.

...Everything was proceeding smoothly without change. Good, good.

While chatting, I checked their busy hands and the finished products. I also observed their consideration for others and the general atmosphere.

Perhaps because there were so many women, many of them were inclined toward cooperation. Since there was a wide range of ages, the friction often associated with groups of women was much less than I expected.

I suspected anyone appointed as a representative would do well. I had considered appointing someone myself, but to avoid spoiling the great atmosphere, it would be better to let them choose for themselves.

「Everyone, didn't we deshide to chooshe representatives for each department when we turn into a trading company?」

At my words, everyone stopped their work and looked up. They seemed to sense immediately when I began speaking about serious matters.

「Yeah. We all think Granny is the best fit, but she won't listen because she says she’s too old and it would be too hard for her.」

「True... but well, it is a lot of work to attend meetings and such.」

They nodded to each other in agreement. I nodded too.

「Without flattery, I think you're all working sho hard that anyone appointed would do a great job. It's time to deshide, but I don't mind if you volunteer yourshelf or nominate someone elshe—ish there anyone who would like to do it?」

「...Will there be an allowance or something for that?」

「Yesh. It might not be a lot, but shinshe you'll be managing the unit and attending meetingsh, there will be an additional amount added ash a short of handling fee.」

Several people nodded to one another and spoke up.

「In that case, I think Peony and Dahlia would be good.」

「I think so too!」

「「Agreed!」」

「Me too—」

Everyone laughed and clapped. On the other hand, Peony and Dahlia—who had been named—looked around in a panic.

「Eh!? Wha—!?」

「No, no, no, no!! Impossible!!」

Both were single mothers in their thirties.

Peony was a mother raising three children on her own after her husband passed away. Dahlia was a mother who had been kicked out of her home after her husband ran off in the middle of the night, eventually ending up in the slums with her child.

「I agree, but... can I hear everyone's reasons?」

At my question, they spoke up as if they had been waiting for it.

「First, Peony can read and write, right? I think that’s absolutely necessary for meetings and communicating with different places. Plus, she’s reliable and good at supporting those around her. Dahlia is the best at patchwork after Granny, and she’s got guts.」

「Besides, they have it tough with small children. Since we’re all doing about the same amount of work, if there’s an allowance involved, it’s better for those two to take the job.」

「It’s hard to do it alone. You know how kids are—they get sick in an instant, don't they? If the two of them handle it together, they can cooperate.」

The ladies explained with smiles.

「It’s not like we’re going to dump everything on you two, you know?」

「Exactly. We’ll all help with whatever we can!」

「Go on, buy your kids something they want!」

The people of the slums really do have strong solidarity. And while they are often misunderstood due to their lifestyle, many of them have warm and kind hearts, even if their manners or language are rough.

After looking around at everyone's faces, I turned back to Peony and Dahlia, who had been flustered this whole time.

「It seems everyone agrees, do you think you can do it?」

Asked that, the two looked at each other troubled... but after thinking for a moment, they put on determined expressions and gave small nods before bowing to their companions.

「I don't know if I can do it well, but I'll give it my all!」

「Thank you, even though everyone else has it just as hard! I'll do my best!」

Loud applause was directed at the two of them.

Dahlia seemed overcome with emotion; she covered her face with her hands to hide her teary eyes. Peony patted her partner's back to comfort her before bowing once more to me.

「There is so much we don't know, but we look forward to working with you.」

Hurriedly, Dahlia wiped her tears and bowed beside her. Lily’s amber eyes were also tearing up, and she was trembling beside me.

(Lily was the one most involved with the handicraft unit... It makes sense she'd be moved like this.)

I smiled and gave a big nod.

「The pleashure is mine. Please look after things.」

***

After telling the priest I had something to discuss, I left Lily with the members of the handicraft unit and headed to the chapel. A passing monk confirmed that he was there.

Whenever he has time, Priest Sharon is always fervently offering prayers.

(Is he a truly devout believer, or is there something that makes him feel he *must* pray?)

It was an emotion I didn't understand yet, as someone who had never experienced intense faith. I sat quietly in one of the back seats so as not to disturb him.

Looking at the faint rays of sunlight stretching into the dim chapel, I was reminded of the deluge of light from a few months ago. The strange incident that occurred in the chapel during the New Year's season had even been distributed throughout the city as a newspaper extra.

...Since encountering that phenomenon, I've occasionally felt like something is watching me. I wondered if it was Gai watching over me (guarding me), but that would actually be more like a horror story.

—Turning around because you feel a gaze, only to see some weird middle-aged guy staring intently at you.

(That would be terrifying.)

Jokes aside, I feel it even when Gai isn't looking—for example, when he’s driving the carriage. Good grief, what is it?

God? A ghost? A UMA? Is it some kind of supernatural being??

(Or is it a human stalker-type?)

—How scary!

「...My apologies for keeping you waiting. I didn't notice you immediately.」

「No. I'm sorry for interrupting your prayers.」

Finding the small figure in the back of the chapel, Priest Sharon hurried toward me. When I tried to stand up, he gestured for me to stay. He sat quietly in a nearby seat and gave a small bow.

「Have the representatives for the handicraft unit been decided?」

「Yes. It will be Peony and Dahlia.」

「I see. It’s almost time for everyone to move. It’s going to be a little lonely.」

Priest Sharon murmured wistfully. His soft voice echoed through the quiet chapel.

「Sishter-shan and everyone at the church, thank you very mush for listening to my unreasonable requesh for such a long time. Thanksh to you, we were able to protect the lives and livelihoods of many people.」

「Not at all. I am glad if we could be of service. It must be God’s will. And at the same time, it is due to your own strength, Lady Magnolia.」

I shook my head.

That wasn't true. It was the strength of the many people who actually did the work. Simply 'knowing' things doesn't get you anywhere.

「No, it wash the strength of everyone involved. Once things are offishially settled, my grandfather or uncle will come to greet you.」

「Thank you for your courtesy.」

The priest narrowed his blue eyes kindly as he spoke with a smile.

「Alsho, even if we stop coming and going for the workshop, I would like to continue providing food to the church and the orphanage. Is that posh-shible?」

「Are you sure?」

At the unexpected proposal, the priest’s eyes widened slightly. ...The management of local churches is never exactly flush with cash. For a church that also runs an orphanage, finances are even tighter.

I nodded, saying of course.

「Yesh. I want to thank you for everything you've done until now.」

「Thank you. That would be a great help...」

After thanking me pleasantly, the priest hesitated for a moment. It was as if he were gathering his thoughts, or perhaps listening to some voice. After showing that behavior for just an instant, he looked at me and smiled faintly.

「...May God’s protection be with you, Lady Magnolia.」

*****

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