Meeting with the Plantan Company

Today was the day of my meeting with the Plantan Company. As soon as the third bell rang, I headed to the orphanage director's room, carrying the completed Mother's Bedtime Story Collection and the letter for my family.

……Heh heh, heh heh, I get to see Lutz~ "I've been waiting."

When I arrived at the orphanage director's room, Benno, Mark, Lutz, and even Otto were already waiting on the first floor, drinking tea that Nicola had brought them. After the obligatory lengthy greetings, we went upstairs and promptly headed into the hidden room.

"Yay! Lutz, Lutz, Lutz~! I missed you!"

I threw myself at him with all my momentum, and Lutz caught me easily, responding with a casual "Yeah, yeah, yeah" just as he'd anticipated. While patting lightly on top of my head, Lutz grinned.

"When I told Gunther and the others that you'd be staying at the Castle to look after the Lord until summer, they were super worried. They were wondering if you'd go and do something reckless over there."

"How awful! I was being perfectly diligent!"

I was crestfallen at how little trust I had. With the Saint legend accelerating around me lately, my own family might be the ones who trusted me the least.

"I was working so hard to make the book for Tuli too…"

"Book?"

"This is for Tuli. She's turning ten this summer, right? So it's a celebration. Could you deliver it to her?"

Here, children finished the Baptism Ceremony at age seven and entered apprenticeship contracts. Ten was the year when their three-year apprentice contracts expired, and they either signed with a different workshop, renewed their contract, or—if their talent was recognized—entered a master-servant contract. In a sense, it was a milestone year.

Skirt length also changed from knee-length to roughly calf-length, meaning they were no longer treated as complete children. In my old life as Yoshino, they'd probably be equivalent to middle school or high school students. Minors, but not treated as little children any longer.

I had made Mother's Bedtime Story Collection as Tuli's tenth birthday present.

"Oh, right. Tuli mentioned before that when she turned ten and her master-servant contract ended, she wanted to move to Corina's workshop. How did that work out?"

I glanced around at the Plantan Company members while still clinging to Lutz, and Benno slowly turned his gaze toward Otto before speaking.

"That's actually the main topic today. I want your opinion."

"Huh?"

Prompted by Benno and Mark, I detached myself from Lutz and sat down. Benno and Otto sat across from me, while Mark and Lutz stood behind them.

"You can be relaxed here, so go ahead and say it. The Gilberta Company isn't my shop anymore."

Otto, lightly jabbed in the ribs by Benno, looked at me and let his gaze waver ever so slightly.

"Ah, calling you 'Miss Mine' is no good anymore, right? Should I say 'Lady Rozemine'? Ugh, this feels weird."

After murmuring to himself, Otto took a breath and spoke.

"You know that Tuli's master-servant contract ends at the end of spring? She has to decide on her next workplace before summer. That's why I asked Benno to bring Lady Rozemine here."

The urgent matter was about Tuli. But I didn't understand why my opinion was needed for something involving Tuli.

"As things stand, negotiations are progressing toward Tuli signing with the Gilberta Company. Tuli is an important presence for the Gilberta Company. Not many people know the behind-the-scenes details, but she has connections to Lady Rozemine, who is the Lord's adopted daughter, and she's become an essential craftswoman for making hair ornaments."

Tuli had been working hard to come up with new flowers and braiding techniques, and so far, I had only bought hair ornaments from Tuli and Mother. They wanted to sign a master-servant contract with Tuli in order to keep hold of the valued customer who was the Lord's adopted daughter.

"Up until now, Corina could just leave non-interest work to Benno. But now that Benno has gone independent as the Plantan Company, and Benno, Mark, and Lutz—all the people with deep ties to Lady Rozemine—belong to the Plantan Company…"

"So Turi is needed?"

"Well, yes, that's about it."

Apparently, Corina needed the connection to the Gilberta Company and me, and she wanted Turi.

As I listened to Otto's words with a "Hmm, I see," Benno added on.

"It's not just the hair ornaments. She designed new outfits for the female knights, right? Because of that, Corina apparently wants to maintain her connection with you by whatever means possible."

"Is that so…"

"You really don't seem interested at all."

I nodded vigorously at Lutz's words. It sounded like the most irrelevant thing in the world to me.

"If you're using Tuli for the shop's sake and making her cry, I absolutely won't forgive you, but if Tuli wants to enter Corina's workshop and Corina sees value in Tuli, then there's no problem at all. What exactly are you consulting me about?"

If they wanted to sign a master-servant contract, they should just do it. That was all there was to it. Otto smiled helplessly at me, who couldn't see any reason for the consultation and had no interest.

"Of course, Tuli herself wants to enter Corina's workshop, so that's the direction we're moving. But the difficult part is whether to make it a regular apprenticeship contract or a master-servant contract. That's what I want to discuss."

I knew a bit about it from Lutz's past troubles, but I still couldn't say I properly understood the difference between a master-servant contract and a regular apprenticeship contract, so I turned my gaze to Benno and asked.

"There's a difference in treatment between a regular apprenticeship and a master-servant contract, right?"

"Yeah, basically the master-servant contract offers better treatment than the regular apprenticeship, but of course there are shackles."

A regular apprenticeship, renewed every three years, allowed you to train at various shops. You could learn different methods and expand your network. However, protections were few. If your skills were poor, your renewal could be refused, and they might not even introduce you elsewhere. If you couldn't find your next workplace, you'd suddenly be in serious trouble.

In contrast, a master-servant contract often came with benefits like having your living taken care of and not needing to find your own work. But you were bound to that shop for life. Just like Zack and Johann had said, you couldn't go independent, nor could you transfer to another shop.

Lutz and Mark had both moved together when the Plantan Company split from the Gilberta Company, so they were currently master-servant contract holders of the Plantan Company. But since it was now a different shop, they apparently couldn't go back to the Gilberta Company.

"The biggest shackle holding Tuli back from signing a master-servant contract with the Gilberta Company is you."

"Me!? What about me is dragging Tuli's feet!?"

I had no idea I was holding her back, and I pressed both my cheeks in, sucking in a sharp breath. I had no idea I was impeding Tuli's progress after all she'd done for me.

This wasn't the time to be casually listening. I leaned forward eagerly, feeling the blood drain from my face, while Lutz laughed and waved his hand.

"Ah, no. I'm not saying you're dragging her feet."

"Really?"

"Tuli said she wants to go wherever you move."

Lutz shrugged casually as he said this, but I didn't really understand the meaning.

When I asked him "What do you mean?", Lutz glanced at Benno, gave a small nod, and then spoke.

"Both the boss and I, along with the Plantan Company, are prepared to follow you if you ever move to another city. If the Plantan Company is going to do printing and sell books, being by your side is the most important thing."

As the most enthusiastic supporter of printing, it was only natural, so the Plantan Company apparently intended to follow me to help spread the Plant Paper Association and the Printing Association. That was reassuring.

"When I explained all that, Tuli told me she wanted to come along too."

Lutz and Tuli had previously thought it would be fine if she just entered Corina's workshop at the Gilberta Company. By joining the Gilberta Company and following Lutz and Benno, she'd be able to move wherever I was.

But now the Plantan Company, focused on printing, and the Gilberta Company, focused on clothing, had split apart.

If Tuli became a master-servant contract holder with the Gilberta Company, she wouldn't be able to leave. Unlike the Plantan Company, which had decided to follow me, the Gilberta Company conducted business in Ehrenfest and wouldn't venture outside.

"Hmm? So that means Tuli wants a regular apprenticeship contract? But I'll probably still be in Ehrenfest, right? The Chief Priest said the Lord wouldn't let me go. He said a marriage match to the next Archduke is highly likely."

It was only what the Chief Priest had intimated, but with the Saint legend accelerating and the printing industry expanding, I didn't think I'd be moving to another territory.

"That's only the Lord's preference as of now, isn't it? There are plenty of territories stronger than Ehrenfest. It's not impossible that political forces could push through a marriage arrangement by force."

At Benno's words, I murmured a small "Well, that's true."

Thinking about it carefully, I had learned about the geography within Ehrenfest, but I still had almost no knowledge about the outside. I'd only heard that the Archduke's family ranked somewhere in the middle at the Royal Academy where nobles from across the country gathered.

Benno's worry might be well-founded.

"If you're staying in Ehrenfest forever, then that's fine. But…"

As he said this, Benno's reddish-brown eyes glinted as he glared at me.

"What I'm more worried about than political forces is actually you running off on your own. Just like how you discovered the Library and suddenly entered the Temple because you wanted to read books, I can't stop worrying that you might suddenly change your marriage target based on how many books they have."

"Nng…"

I couldn't argue against the bad precedent he cited. Perhaps because we'd been together for so long, my actions were easy for him to read. I couldn't say "I wouldn't do that."

"If you go running off, we'd have no way of predicting where you'd end up."

…Yeah, I couldn't predict that for myself either.

I was supposed to be doing home-based work while developing products, but I'd discovered the Library at my Baptism Ceremony and gone off the rails, becoming a blue Shrine Maiden Apprentice. Looking back at the completely unexpected turn of events that had me currently serving as the Lord's adopted daughter and the Temple's High Priest, Benno's worry wasn't an exaggeration.

When I tried to laugh it off with a little "Hehe," the look in Benno's eyes intensified further.

"This isn't a laughing matter, you idiot."

I averted my gaze from Benno and turned to Otto to change the subject.

"So, in other words, the Gilberta Company wants to bind Tuli with a master-servant contract. And Tuli wants to stay free to move with me, correct?"

"Do you have any good ideas?"

"…Hmm, what about signing a master-servant contract and then, when the time comes, doing a 'branch shop split'?"

"A branch shop split? What's that?"

There were no chain stores in this world, and townspeople rarely moved to other places. You might help build up a single shop or establish ties through marriage with a shop in another town, but there was no point in making multiple copies of the same shop in a single city small enough to walk across.

"Open a second Gilberta Company location in another city and put the master-servant contract holders in charge."

"Rather than independent?"

"Yes. Instead of going independent, you'd be creating another Gilberta Company, so of course Gilberta Company people could move freely between locations, and information could be shared as if within the same shop. That way, Tuli could transfer to the Gilberta Company in another city while maintaining her master-servant contract status."

I tried explaining the concept of a branch shop split, but Benno, Mark, and Otto all tilted their heads as if they didn't quite understand.

Since no such stores existed in this world, I couldn't blame them for not grasping it.

"Well, you don't have to think that hard about it. I think a regular apprenticeship contract is fine."

I offered a compromise of sorts, but personally, I thought Tuli should do whatever she wanted. She said Corina was the tailor she admired, so I supported her entering the workshop, but there was no need for her to be bound to the Gilberta Company.

"Keeping Tuli secured as a master-servant contract holder is the Gilberta Company's convenience, isn't it? If Tuli's going to follow me, I can quickly prepare a workshop for her. Personally, I'd be happier if she stayed with a regular apprenticeship so she could move more easily."

Unless I married someone from another territory, I wasn't going to leave Ehrenfest. Even if I did end up moving, I could use the money I was currently saving, plus the inheritance from Mine that I'd set aside for my family, to buy Citizenship and prepare a workshop and home.

Even if I stayed in Ehrenfest forever, once Tuli reached an age commensurate with her skills, it wouldn't be difficult to help her have her own workshop backed by the support of the Lord's adopted daughter.

"…The current you has both the money and the power to set Tuli free, doesn't she?"

Otto's words carried a bitter edge—he had spent his entire career as a Traveling Merchant, pouring his savings into Citizenship and his marriage to Corina.

"Well, if we're staying in Ehrenfest forever, considering treatment and appearances to those around us, I think it would benefit Tuli more to sign a master-servant contract at Corina's workshop."

Otto nodded several times at my words.

"You said branch shop split, right? I'll at least pass the idea along to Corina and think it over carefully."

"Then I'll let Tuli know. That includes the branch shop split idea and that you'll have a workshop ready if things come to that."

I nodded at Lutz, bringing that part of the conversation to a close, and then Benno shook his head lightly as if switching gears, leaning forward firmly.

"Alright, that's it for Tuli's matter. …Next is a request from the Plantan Company. The situation for sending Lutz to Ilkner has been arranged. I want you to speak with Count Ilkner."

"Huh? Is handling nobles all right now?"

I was pretty sure they'd said before that business with nobles was increasing, but they didn't have enough people to handle it and couldn't afford to send Lutz outside.

Benno scratched his head vigorously, letting out an ambiguous "Ah~." Behind him, Mark, who had been standing quietly the whole time, gently narrowed his deep green eyes.

"When the Plantan Company went independent, the regular apprenticeship contract holders sent from each shop turned out to be the cream of the crop, and they've been handling noble affairs with ease—beyond our expectations. Thanks to that, there's a bit of room in the shop now."

The apprentices trying to seize the pie that Benno had been carrying and bring profits back to their original shops were apparently quite exceptional from Mark's perspective.

"Honestly, the Plantan Company doesn't have that many products yet. While nobles are still interested, we want to develop as many new products as possible, and we want Lutz to be the one making them."

"If it's research on new paper, I'm the right person since I've been doing papermaking."

Lutz puffed out his chest and said, "You promised that whatever you thought up, I'd be the one to make it, right?"

"True, we've just about finished the printing press and picture book projects, so it wouldn't be a bad time to start developing new products. The earliest we could speak with Count Ilkner would be around the Star Binding Ceremony."

"…That's sooner than I expected. I thought it would be winter."

"I reported that the outfits I designed would be worn by Brigitte and debuted at the Star Binding Ceremony, so Count Ilkner is apparently coming to Ehrenfest as well. If we can speak then, I think it should be possible to send the Plantan Company to Ilkner to conduct new paper research."

Count Ilkner seemed to want connections with me, had expressed interest in specialty products, and was keen on developing new paper. Status-wise, he wouldn't refuse if I asked—in fact, he couldn't refuse. I'd need to be careful not to come across as wielding authority and forcing things.

"I see. I was thinking the earliest we could speak with nobles from far away would be winter, but if it's summer, we'll need to prepare early."

"However, Ilkner is quite far away. If we move there for research, we won't be able to return to Ehrenfest for a while. Are you really sure the Plantan Company will be all right if Mark and Lutz both go?"

No matter how exceptional the apprentices from the various shops were, wouldn't it be difficult with only Benno as the leader? Upon hearing my concern, Benno shook his head with a wry smile.

"We're keeping Mark to manage the shop. Instead, we're arranging to assign someone who can handle noble affairs to go with Lutz."

…Was there such a person?

I couldn't think of anyone who could replace Mark and go to Ilkner, and I furrowed my brow.

"…Who is it? I'm planning to fly to Ilkner on my riding beast—will that person be all right with that?"

"No problem. In a sense, they know you, and apparently have met you face-to-face once before."

Benno, Mark, and Lutz all wore exasperated expressions in unison. Being told I'd met this person face-to-face only made me more confused.

Not that it was anything to be proud of, but I didn't have many acquaintances. I couldn't think of anyone I'd met who was connected to the Plantan Company and could handle noble affairs.

"I have no idea. Who is it?"

"Damian… Frieda's brother."

Apparently, the business-savvy Frieda had sent her own brother as an apprentice to the Plantan Company. She'd apparently goaded him by saying that as a merchant, he needed to actively get involved in the new business ventures that I was connected to.

"Ah, yes, I did meet him once during Frieda's Baptism Ceremony. I was hosted at the Guild Master's house and we were in the same room. I don't really remember his face, but it seemed like the whole family was pushy and didn't listen to what anyone else had to say…"

"Yeah, your assessment is correct. They're sharp-eyed for profit and pushy."

From the look on Benno's face, I guessed that Damian was probably also working behind the scenes at the Plantan Company in various ways to benefit himself. Frieda was said to be the one who most resembled her grandfather, the Guild Master, but her brother was apparently quite pushy too.

"Lutz, are you going to be all right? He won't steamroll you?"

I was starting to worry about Lutz, who would be going to Ilkner alongside Damian. Lutz alone might not be able to stand up to him.

Lutz let out a dry laugh and cast an uneasy look toward Benno.

"I am worried about Lutz, but we can't leave Damian out."

"Why not?"

"He's perfectly capable of handling nobles. He knows how to be patient with an eye on profit. Most importantly, he volunteered with a focus on new product development rather than sales. And with that old man pushing him from behind, there's no way to refuse. He's been pretty accommodating lately in various ways, after all."

Benno heaved a large sigh, then scratched his head vigorously.

"For the time being, I'm planning to go to Ilkner myself initially to set up the Plant Paper Association there. I'll leave Lutz and the others in Ilkner and come back with you when you return to Ehrenfest. After that, all I can do is lay groundwork and apply pressure in various places."

"Please make sure you properly apply pressure for Lutz's sake."

After that, we discussed the matter of profits related to making plant paper in Ilkner. Profits had to be decided in advance, or negotiations with Count Ilkner would be impossible. We went through conditions and requests regarding mutual profits and their stay in Ilkner, writing them down.

"So, to confirm, Lutz and Frieda's brother Damian are definitely going to Ilkner?"

"Yeah."

As I confirmed what had been decided in my discussion with Benno while looking at my writing tablet, Lutz slowly raised his hand.

"Hey, could I ask you to send Gil and a few gray priests who are used to workshop work from our workshop? Just Lutz and me won't cut it for papermaking, and if it's just me and Damian, we'll be at each other's throats. We'll prepare the tools on our end."

"Since the reason we'd be going to Ilkner is that I want to conduct plant paper research, of course we'll be sending people from our workshop too. I'm planning to have Gil and Lutz help select the right people."

"That helps."

Lutz let out a breath, looking genuinely relieved.

"Hey, Lutz. The one who wants to do new paper research is me, and normally, I should be the one going there to do the research with my own hands. I want to make sure you and Gil, who are doing this in my place, aren't inconvenienced, so please tell me if you have any requests."

"Yeah. But really, don't worry too much about it. I'm actually looking forward to going to Ilkner."

When Lutz laughed "Hehe," I felt the tension drain from his shoulders and felt relieved myself.

"Since we're going all the way to Ilkner, it'd be great if we could find new wood materials or substitutes for edil and slarm worm."

"Yeah. It'd be great if we could make new paper and increase our products."

When Lutz showed his merchant's smile, Benno nodded as well, saying "New products are needed."

"We can make new products. I'm going to keep increasing the number of books. I'm planning to print sheet music soon, and I'll be making the Rozemine-Selected Recipe Collection before winter."

I was puffing out my chest with pride when I suddenly remembered that I'd been meaning to consult about the pricing of the recipe collection.

"Ah, right, right. I've been mulling over how to price the recipe collection. Should I set the price considering what I sold them to my adoptive father and father for, or should I make it a limited sale and set a higher price than what I charged them…"

"That's obviously going to be a limited sale, right?"

Benno raised his eyebrows as if to say "Don't ask the obvious," and Mark nodded with a grin from behind him.

"Hugo told me that your recipes are complicated and tedious to prepare, so they're difficult to replicate without a certain level of skill. On top of that, they're recipes that don't exist anywhere else. Of course they'd be expensive. You don't discount things to spread them."

Benno's eyes gleamed as he emphasized piling on the premium appeal and selling at as high a price as possible. Recipes that had commanded a high price from even the Lord wouldn't carry the same value if sold cheaply. He said my knowledge was worth a high price.

I decided to heed my mentor's words when it came to business.

"A recipe collection, huh… If you include some recipes that Ilse doesn't know about, you're guaranteed to sell them to that old man. Make a killing."

"Benno, you've got a really scary look on your face right now."

Tuli will turn ten this summer. And she'll be moving to a new workshop.

The meeting with the Plantan Company has concluded.

Next time: the Archduke and Archduchess return.