The Gutenberg Gathering

When I threw out the topic of new dyeing techniques, Otto narrowed his eyes and sank into thought. I could tell from his merchant's gaze that he was calculating exactly how much value to place on it.

I waited for Otto to give his answer, staring up at him, when Corina smoothly stepped forward.

"My Lady Rozemyne, regarding the new dyeing method, I would advise dealing directly with the Dyeing and Weaving Association after the method we plan to promote has already spread."

Corina looked straight at me with a gentle smile as she spoke.

"The dyeing technique itself, even if the Gilberta Company were to purchase it, is not the kind of technology that could be monopolized by our exclusive workshops. Your influence is simply too great, My Lady."

Corina said that whenever I tried to make something trendy, it spread like wildfire among the noblewomen, making it impossible for the Gilberta Company's small number of exclusive workshops to handle the demand.

It would take both time and money for the Gilberta Company to acquire the rights, bear the research costs, and develop workshops up to a level that would satisfy the nobility. But once I decided to make something popular, the flood of commissions from the nobility would be so overwhelming that the techniques and information would have to be opened up and craftsmen trained en masse. Naturally, they would end up unable to even accept the orders.

"If people want to jump on the trend but can't get their hands on it, and then try to turn to other shops or workshops only to find that no one has the technique or information, the resentment of both the nobility and their competitors in the trade will be directed squarely at the Gilberta Company."

Corina had determined that buying the new dyeing method wouldn't actually profit the shop. Benno, who always tried to secure new things before others could snatch them up and somehow turn a profit, and Corina, who carefully measured whether something would be profitable within her own domain of sewing, were completely different as siblings. But the sharp eyes they both used to judge their own interests were remarkably alike.

...Corina may seem easygoing on the surface, but she really is Benno's sister.

I didn't really understand the connections between merchants in this city or how business deals worked, so maybe I should stop providing this technical knowledge if it was going to cause trouble for the Gilberta Company.

"Should I also deal directly with the Dyeing and Weaving Association for this wax-resist dyeing?"

"No. This particular method was given to us as a reward from you, My Lady, so we will gratefully accept it."

Corina gently shook her head.

"The dyeing method bestowed as a reward will be provided by the Gilberta Company to the Dyeing and Weaving Association at a low price, along with the circumstances of how it was obtained. Then, as a commission from you to the Association, they will have each workshop produce the fabric you just described."

At Corina's words, Leon — whose family home was a major shop that supplied fabric to the Gilberta Company — lit up with an energy I had never seen from him before.

"Since they'll be contacting all the dyeing workshops to have them produce the fabric, every single one will be doing their absolute best to become your exclusive supplier, My Lady."

"Yeah. In Ehrenfest, the Gutenberg name has already made a name for itself, and they're active outside the city too. There are plenty of craftsmen who want the Gutenberg title."

Otto murmured that and then looked at me.

"My Lady Rozemyne, wouldn't it be fine to designate a couple of exclusive suppliers, just like with the smithing workshops? Why not award the Gutenberg title to a dyeing workshop as well?"

"Perhaps we could rank the fabrics submitted this time and use that to set different prices for acquiring new techniques through the Dyeing and Weaving Association."

...I'd only been thinking that I wanted to spread wax-resist dyeing through the lower city before Eustachius started sniffing around, but somehow the conversation had grown much bigger than I expected.

Things were taking an unexpected turn. As I was wondering what to do, my eyes met Turi's. She was looking at me with an expression that clearly said, "What are you going to do about it? Don't ask me."

"Speaking of which, My Lady Rozemyne, where on earth did you learn about such an ancient technique?"

When Leon asked me that with genuine curiosity, I beamed.

"From books, of course."

"I see. It really is important to leave records, isn't it."

...Well, if he's satisfied with that explanation, then fine. I did read about it in books, but the reason I know the details is from home economics class in my previous life.

Back when I was Ichigo in modern-day Japan, I did tie-dye with rubber bands and string as well as wax-resist dyeing in middle school home ec. At the time, my otaku friend had done an incredibly detailed drawing of a favorite character on a handkerchief using wax-resist dye, amazing everyone around her. The only thing that surprised me was that she'd gotten the spelling of the character's name wrong, despite constantly proclaiming it was her favorite.

In the end, the Gilberta Company ended up hosting a competition: "Revive an ancient technique and earn the Gutenberg title." They planned to hold it at the end of summer in order to have it ready for the winter social season.

Looking at how animated Leon had become, it was clear that Leon's family, having received the Gilberta Company's commission, was about to have their big moment.

...Well, things have gotten unexpectedly out of hand, but I guess it's fine.

After finishing my meeting with the Gilberta Company, I returned to my room and reviewed Fran's minutes while he stood by, then added the fabric-dyeing competition to my annual schedule on my writing board.

"There aren't any major events between the Star Binding Ceremony and the Harvest Festival, right?"

"There's nothing on the Temple calendar. Are you sure about the castle schedule?"

"...It depends on the results of the Lord's Conference. There might be a huge commotion with all the merchants gathering."

As far as I knew, there was nothing scheduled from late summer through autumn. I smoothed out the wax on my writing board to erase the text. Just then, Gil burst in with a letter.

"My Lady Rozemyne, there's a letter from the Plantan Company."

I'd been thinking I needed to meet with Gutenberg before heading to Hardenzell — both to follow up on the safety pin commission and to check on the progress of other requests — and here was a letter from Benno arriving at the perfect moment.

"Thank you, Gil. I'll write a reply right away, so please rest and wait for me. You must have had your hands full with the demonstration preparations and cleanup at the Workshop today?"

I gave Gil a few words of appreciation and opened the letter.

At first glance, it was written with noble-style embellishments and looked like a normal meeting request, but when I carefully read between the lines, it seemed to say, "What the hell did you do? Explain yourself, you idiot."

...I could sense frustration beneath the noble expressions that matched mine. Was I imagining it? No, I definitely wasn't.

Sensing an indescribable anger lurking in the spaces between the lines, I wrote my reply: "I would like to meet with Gutenberg before going to Hardenzell and hear about their progress over the past two years." If other people were present, it would surely dilute some of his anger.

...There was a slight possibility he'd scold me for this underhanded tactic, but I had to play every card I had.

Perhaps it was because I added that the Baptism Ceremony was coming up soon and we needed to hurry, but the meeting date was set almost immediately.

The day before the Baptism Ceremony, in the orphanage director's office, the three members of the Plantan Company, blacksmiths Johann and Zack, carpenter Ingo, ink-makers Heidi and Josef, plus Gil from our Workshop — all gathered for the Gutenberg meeting.

"Now that I think about it, this is the first time we've held a Gutenberg meeting here."

Johann, Zack, and Ingo had come and gone for the printing press construction, but I believe this was the first time Heidi and Josef had been here.

"Fran, Damuel, Angelica. Today there will be many craftsmen from the lower city gathering here, and some of them may not have the best manners, so please try not to get too ruffled."

"Understood."

Since there would be so many people, we decided to hold the discussion in the hall on the first floor. The attendants had worked hard to arrange the space, bringing down chairs from the second floor and setting up tables to accommodate everyone.

"My Lady Rozemyne, the Gutenberg members have arrived."

Under Gil's guidance, people filed in one after another. The three from the Plantan Company walked in with their usual ease, Johann and Zack looked a bit nervous — perhaps because it had been a while — Ingo kept looking back over his shoulder as if being hurried along as he entered, Heidi was the one pushing Ingo's back, and Josef was calling out "Stop it!" while trying to hold Heidi back.

"You're looking well, miss! That's great. I was worried when you couldn't wake up for two whole years!"

Heidi popped her head out from behind Ingo, spotted me, and waved enthusiastically with a huge grin. Ever since they'd become official merchants with access to the castle, even Benno and Lutz had stopped showing their lower-city boisterousness outside of hidden rooms, so the familiar energy made my cheeks soften with nostalgia.

However, that kind of behavior wasn't going to fly here. Damuel, as a knight of the guard, had his face frozen in a grimace, while Fran was pressing his temples like the Chief Priest would, averting his gaze from Heidi. He looked like he was muttering to himself, "Don't get angry, don't get angry."

Josef, who had witnessed Damuel's and Fran's reactions, went pale and grabbed Heidi by the scruff of her neck, pulling her toward him.

"Heidi, you idiot! That person is a real High Priest who can perform actual blessings — she's not someone you can address like that anymore!"

"That may be true, but she's the funder of my ink research, which is pushing the book-making initiative forward!"

"You're not wrong, but it's way too disrespectful! You've become a mother yourself, so at least try to act a little more composed!"

At Josef's words, my mind went blank. Since Heidi had been an adult from the start, she'd hardly changed at all, so I never even considered that she might have had a child.

...It made perfect sense, though. Volk had gotten married and had children in the two years, so it would be perfectly natural for Heidi, who had already been married, to have a child too. It shouldn't be surprising. And yet, it still was.

"Josef's right — that level of behavior is just too much going forward. From now on, civil officials will be sitting in on these meetings. Either Heidi adjusts her attitude, or perhaps it would be better for her not to attend at all."

Benno, holding his head in his hands, said that — whether because Heidi's energy was catching, or because he figured that since it was all lower-city craftsmen today, there was no point in putting on airs.

Josef's eyes lit up. "That's a good idea." Apparently, they decided Heidi would stay home whenever civil officials would be present.

"Since officials will be accompanying us from now on, it seems like Josef will be the one attending most meetings going forward."

"When I think about having to bring Heidi along, just going by myself is a huge relief."

Watching Josef heave a sigh, I looked around with a stifled grin. Damuel and Fran had both nodded deeply at his words.

"If it weren't for ink, Heidi's behavior might be a bit more restrained, but it seems she's excited about reuniting with a funder after several years of research."

She'd apparently done all sorts of research and was now able to produce colors consistently. Before I could even ask, Heidi launched into a presentation of her results, and I watched with a wry smile while jotting them down on paper. They'd even developed a kind of fixative — or rather, a varnish-like substance you could brush over the top to protect the ink without changing its color.

Then, I told them about how the Chief Priest had praised Heidi's colored-ink research results, and about the discussion on magic power attributes.

"So, it seems that depending on the attribute of the magic power contained in the material, the colors change when mixed together."

Heidi, listening to my explanation, clenched her fists and trembled with excitement, then fixed me with a sharp stare.

"There's a convenient magical tool that can check attributes like that... I want one too, miss! Buy it for my research budget!"

"I understand. I wanted one as well, but they're not easy to acquire. Besides, since it's a magical tool, there's no way to tell if it can be used by commoners."

"Aaah... Nobles are so unfair."

Watching Heidi writhe about with exaggerated despair while clutching her head gave me a strong sense of déjà vu. It was like watching myself when I'd learned that only nobles were allowed to hold books or become librarians — and I couldn't stand it.

"What I really wanted to do was measure the materials used to make paper and examine what kind of paper magic trees could produce, but without a measuring magical tool, there's nothing I can do."

"Don't give up, miss! Let's claim it!"

"...That is, if I had the time and the materials. Right now, I really don't have any room."

When I shook my head, Heidi's eyes welled up with tears, and she drooped. "If even you can't get your hands on it, miss, then there's no hope."

"Next... Johann and Zack. What results did the smithing workshop produce?"

When I called on the two of them, Johann and Zack exchanged a glance and shrugged. Both of them had completely lost the freshly-grown-up young boy vibe from my memory and now had the faces of fully capable craftsmen.

"I'll go first. I was given two tasks: designing a carriage with minimal sway and a bed using springs. Here are the designs."

"I looked at Zack's designs too, and I think this carriage would have the least sway. But when you factor in mass production, this other design would be better. The parts aren't that difficult."

As I listened to their opinions, I peered at the three design sheets. I could see a carriage designed with a suspension-type system.

"This is the bed you requested. I designed it exactly as you described before. I tried to see if I could come up with something better, but it was quite difficult. It will take a very long time to complete, though, and the price will be high."

"As long as I can earn the money to cover it, that's fine. Still, you did an amazing job designing something that's actually feasible."

I'd given them only vague knowledge about pocket coils and Bonnell coils, but Zack had found the pocket coil easier to visualize and chosen that design. If this bed were truly completed, my sleep would become bliss.

"Then, please start building the bed in an adult size. For the carriage, let's go with the mass-produceable design, and we'll purchase the blueprints from Zack. Should the handling of the blueprints going forward be left to the Blacksmithing Association, just like the pump?"

"Building a carriage means coordinating with the Carpentry Association too, so please discuss everything with both of them together. As for the fee, the same arrangement as the pump is fine."

The arrangement was that a licensing fee would be paid to Zack every time a carriage was built.

"I'll leave the negotiations between the Blacksmithing and Carpentry Associations to Benno. I thought maybe Ingo could handle it, but as an uninvolved third party, Benno would be better."

"...Understood."

Using the guild card I held as Workshop Head of the Mine Workshop, I completed the payment to Zack, then turned to Johann.

"How about you? I asked you to work on increasing metal type production and spreading hand pumps..."

"Metal type production has been steadily increasing. ...And as soon as they're made, they sell. Hardenzell didn't have craftsmen who could do the work perfectly yet, so I sold a large batch."

During the winter isolation period, they printed extensively, and if they ran short on metal type, they couldn't work. I'd heard that Johann had been rejecting work that wasn't perfectly made, so they must have needed a lot of spares.

"I need them to be able to make them in Hardenzell soon, because I really don't want to keep making trips there."

"If they still can't manage this spring, then I've already arranged with Gybe Hardenzell to send craftsmen to Ehrenfest. This trip to Hardenzell will be Johann's last."

Johann looked up with visible relief, but when I added, "You'll need to go to other places too," his shoulders slumped. At the drastic change in his demeanor, I tilted my head, and the Gutenberg members looked at Johann with knowing expressions.

"Johann is a perfectionist when it comes to work, and he's not great with people, so he draws resentment easily. Teaching in a new place has been pretty tough for him."

Lutz defended Johann, and the others nodded.

"The people in Hardenzell seem introverted too, so I'm sure it was difficult. But I heard his reputation among them is quite high."

"Huh?"

"Apparently, the blacksmiths there got fired up and swore they would absolutely pass the test this spring."

Zack grinned at Johann, who looked surprised, and gave him a light punch on the shoulder.

"That's what I told you. They're only growling because they can't beat you. ...Well, either way, until that kid matures, you'll just have to put up with it. You've got no choice but to accept it."

"Zack, who exactly is 'that kid'?"

"Johann's apprentice, Danilo. He's burning with determination to become a Gutenberg, so he'll probably barge into this meeting before long."

Zack, who had barged his way into the Gutenberg group himself, shook with laughter, while Johann pressed his lips together in frustration.

"The hand pumps are spreading nicely. They've started selling in the artisan district and from the north, and we've finally been able to take on orders from the eastern regions."

Commissions from their own workplace, established contacts, and wealthy northern clients had taken priority, but hand pumps were finally beginning to reach other areas.

"That's going well. Please keep it up. Ah, I almost forgot. Johann, I want you to make this."

As a new commission, I handed over the design for the safety pin. Johann studied the design sheet and made a complicated face.

"...Wouldn't a regular pin work? I don't see how it's that different."

"Wouldn't it be dangerous if the tip of the needle stuck out? I really hate being hurt. The important thing is that the pin point is properly hidden."

When I tapped the spot on the design where the pin would be concealed, Johann chuckled softly. "As always, you focus on things no one else would ever care about."

"My Lady Rozemyne, may I assign this commission to my apprentice?"

"As long as he can follow the design, that's fine."

"I'll have Danilo try it."

To be recognized as Johann's apprentice, it seemed you had to be able to handle my commissions.

As Johann carefully stored the design sheet, I shifted my gaze to Ingo. This was the commission I'd been most eagerly awaiting.

"How about you, Ingo? Is the bookshelf done?"

If he'd built the sliding bookshelf, I planned to have him make compact storage stacks next. Looking up with anticipation, I found Ingo wearing a somewhat troubled expression.

"It turned out exactly as the design you brought dictated, but..."

"Is there a problem?"

"I think once you put books in it, it'll be too heavy to move."

"...What?"

I stared wide-eyed as Ingo scratched his cheek awkwardly. It could move when empty, but once loaded with books, it became extremely heavy. Apparently, it simply wouldn't budge under a full load. He said that the design and improvement of rails and pulleys fell outside the carpentry workshop's domain and suggested we reconsider.

"Johann..."

"Send the design modifications to Zack."

Johann pushed the work onto Zack with a look that clearly said, "Please, no more." When I turned to Zack, he said, "I'm not really great with fine adjustments," but accepted with a resigned expression.

"Oh, by the way, My Lady Rozemyne. The other day, I heard something interesting from Corina."

"Hm?"

Benno's smile deepened as he smoothly changed the subject, making me flinch.

"So you're extending your reach into dyeing now too. Reviving ancient techniques, they say — how very interesting."

The expression on Benno's face clearly read, "This idiot is branching out into dyeing now too." Caught between amusement and exasperation, I gingerly touched my cheek.

"There can never be too many things to set off new trends, and since this is about reviving old techniques, I don't think this counts as my accomplishment. The credit belongs to the craftsmen who brought these old techniques back to life and can put them to new use. Since it's such a great opportunity, I plan to take my time nurturing the dyeing craftsmen as well."

"Hmm, I have a feeling the meaning of 'taking my time' is completely different for nobles and for us."

Benno's expression had now clearly shifted to one of exasperation. The Gutenberg members were murmuring, "So this is what nobles consider taking things slowly?"

Apparently, I was being perceived as someone who rapidly piled on tasks at breakneck speed and trained people with a spartan approach. That was the Chief Priest, not me. I felt that was unfair.

I always thought "it would be nice if this could be done" when assigning work — I never considered it something that absolutely had to be done.

When I tried to explain that, Zack clutched his head. "Our common sense is just too different."

"A craftsman who can't fulfill the requests made by a client is treated as incompetent."

...Yeah, I suppose that's true. ...Sorry about that. But I reflected on it, even if I won't hold back.

"If the new dyeing methods spread, ink might start selling too, so I don't think it's a complete waste. And as for the dyeing method that the Plantan Company will be involved in, I haven't mentioned that yet. Corina told me it would be better to deal directly with the Dyeing and Weaving Association."

"The dyeing method that the Plantan Company will be involved in?"

...Ah, shoot. I said too much.

I'd been planning to keep quiet about stencil dyeing for a while longer.

"There are other dyeing methods as well. Once my exclusive dyeing workshop is decided, it seems the Plantan Company will also be involved in a dyeing technique that we'll sell to the Dyeing and Weaving Association and, in return, be given priority access to exclusive craftsmen."

As I explained with a cheerful smile, I could feel Benno's mood plummeting further and further. His reddish-brown eyes grew sharp, silently demanding, "Report exactly how and where the Plantan Company is involved — now."

"U-uh... Since it involves paper and ink, I said the Plantan Company would be connected to it too. It just means they'll sell more tools! A-anything beyond that information costs extra!"

"...Fine."

He seemed to have accepted it, more or less.

After hearing everyone's reports, we moved on to discussing the Hardenzell trip. I explained that I would travel to Hardenzell by riding beast immediately after the prayer ceremony. The personnel I'd be bringing along were limited to Benno and Damian from the Plantan Company, for the Contract Magic procedures and related matters, and blacksmiths Johann and Zack.

The method for making black ink had already been taught, and I would bring colored inks from the Plantan Company, selling any that seemed needed, so there was no necessity for Heidi or Josef to come along.

Ingo had already taught them the most important method for making the printing press, carpenters had apparently already passed their test, printing instructions had been fully conveyed, and Hardenzell had notified us that they were suspending papermaking for a while, so the Mine Workshop wouldn't be relocating either.

"Benno, how long do you expect the procedures to take?"

"If you'll be accompanying us, My Lady, three days should be more than enough."

He said that dealing with nobles normally ate up a lot of time in conversation, but if I were there, there would be no stalling, and things would move along quickly. If that was the case, I could zip there and zip back.

"I'll also do my absolute best to negotiate with the civil officials to expand the printing industry as much as possible."

"I think restraining yourself just a little would be ideal."

Lutz said that with a slight twitch of his cheek, but I had decided to give it my all to make my dreams a reality.

"This time, we've also decided to implement a legal deposit system. Please make sure to clearly communicate this to the workshops at the Printing Association."

I explained the legal deposit system and instructed that one copy each be deposited with Ehrenfest and with me.

"I understand the purpose, and since it's no different from what we've been doing, we have no objections. But why do you need two copies? You'll be staying at the castle the whole time, won't you?"

As Benno indirectly suggested that there was no need for two copies since I wasn't going off to get married, I raised my index finger and wagged it. My ambition couldn't be contained by the castle library alone. It was far, far bigger than that.

"Someday, I intend to build a massive library that will collect every book in all of Yurgenschmidt, not just Ehrenfest. I need to start gathering books now for that."

When I announced my ambition with a proud chest, the Gutenberg members all held their heads in unison, wondering if they could keep up with this.

Corina's approach to business is different from Benno's.

And Leon has found his moment and is running a fever.

I wonder if the Gutenberg members' reports about what they've been doing over the past two years have conveyed some of the changes in the lower city.

Next, I'll finish the spring Baptism Ceremony and return to the castle.