Chapter 30

"It's really nothing..."

I was shown a list of all the things that can be harvested or produced in this country, but it only filled one wooden board.

"Yes... the main source of income for this country is salt. We transport it in large quantities by carriage to the inland areas where there is demand... but recently, the number of salt merchants has drastically decreased, and money is flowing out of the country. This has led to a vicious cycle where we have to impose more taxes."

"A negative spiral, huh?"

Still, most of the documents handed to me are on wooden boards, which take up a lot of space.

"Hey, is it normal to write things down on wooden boards?"

Cherina looked at me with a puzzled expression, as if she didn't understand my question.

"I think it's normal. Is there anything other than parchment or wooden boards?"

"Is there no paper?"

"Paper?"

It seems she doesn't understand. If even the mysterious translator doesn't understand, it probably doesn't exist here or she doesn't know about it.

"I'm sure there's plenty of wood, right?"

"Yes. We import a large amount from the forests upstream... but there's a problem."

"What kind of problem?"

"Wood that has absorbed water needs to be dried for about a year before it can be used, but in this country's climate, most of it cracks. We can still use the cracked wood as building materials, but there's a lot of waste. The waste is used as firewood, which is appreciated by the common people."

Hmm, then there must be a lot of scraps.

"Wait a moment."

I closed my eyes and tried to conjure a complete set of paper-making equipment. However, my divinity was insufficient. Next, I tried to conjure a set of blueprints for paper-making equipment that can be made in this country, written in the local language. Is this a bit too convenient?

[Consulting...]

...

...

...

It's taking a long time. Is it not going to work?

[Approved. New items are available in the SHOP]

Oh! It worked!

[Complete Paper-Making Book = 296,000 yen]

Expensive! More expensive than I imagined!

What should I do?

"Mr. Akira? What's the matter?"

"Just wait a moment."

"Understood."

This is a critical moment. Whether or not Cherina will invest in this uncertain project. She seems to trust me, so she might agree right away...

Wait... maybe I should buy it myself?

Even if it can't be used in the Veriello Trading Company, it's an interesting book and could be useful elsewhere.

Alright, a man needs courage.

Remaining funds: 1,082,915 yen.

The book I took out was even more impressive than I imagined.

First, it was luxurious.

It had a thick cover reinforced with metal and even a lock.

The inside was even more impressive.

It was in full color and thoroughly illustrated to be easy to understand.

The first half was at a level that even elementary school students could read, and the second half included detailed instructions on bleaching with chemicals and mass production with rollers. The density of information was unbelievable.

Especially the blueprints and explanations in the second half were so detailed that I doubted they could be produced in this world.

Even I found it confusing.

I was reading the book diagonally on the table because it was heavy, but Cherina, who was peering over my shoulder, was getting more and more excited as the pages turned.

She probably didn't realize it. It would be kind to not point it out.

"... I'll show you the first blueprint later, but do you think it can be made?"

I showed her the second chapter's blueprints. The first chapter was mainly about the basics of paper. The practical part started from the second chapter.

"It's possible."

"You answered so quickly."

"I've never seen such a clear blueprint before. It's detailed down to the smallest parts, and the color illustrations are so vivid that it's as if the actual object is enclosed within. It also uses concise diagrams to save space. If our craftsmen can't make this, they should be fired."

"That's reassuring. Can the materials and preparations up to the first chapter be done?"

"There's nothing we can't do in our trading company. However, I can't quite imagine what the finished paper will look like. Parchment might be just as good."

"Paper is very convenient, really convenient. I guarantee it. The raw material is wood, and the most important thing is that it can be mass-produced."

If I asked for approval now, I might get something like copy paper, but it would be better to produce it in this country. I won't be here forever, after all.

"If you say it's convenient, Mr. Akira, then it must be. I'll have it made immediately. Can I keep this book?"

"... Hmm, can you make sure that the craftsmen don't see any pages after this one?"

I don't want to reveal all the information at once.

"Understood. I'll have staff members posted to watch them. I'll temporarily tie the pages after the first chapter with leather thongs."

"Oh, that's what paper is, each page is a sheet of paper."

There's a clear example right here.

"Is this paper? It's incredibly thin. I thought it was some divine work."

"Of course, it won't be that thin at first. As the craftsmen's skills improve, it will get thinner. Paper is extremely useful for collecting and storing text."

"Being able to make this... this could be amazing."

It seems to have gotten through a bit.

"So, what would be the cost for this technology?"

"Huh?"

Cost...?

Oh, you mean you'll pay for the idea, like with the divine tools.

"I just provided the idea as a consultant. Don't worry about it."

I'd like to recover the cost of the book, but...

"... Understood. I'll include it in the consulting fee."

That's reassuring. We haven't even discussed the consulting fee, but I trust Cherina won't try to cheat me.

When I nodded, she turned to the hallway.

"Melvin!"

"Yes."

Was he listening at the door? He came in immediately when Cherina called.

His name is Melvin.

"Immediately gather the heads of the technology department. Within 10 minutes."

"Huh? 10 minutes? Who from the technology department?"

"All of them. Tardiness is strictly forbidden."

"All of them?! What are we starting?!"

Cherina gave Melvin a cold stare.

"Are you going to make me say it twice?"

"S-Sorry! Right away!"

The assistant rushed out and started giving orders to his subordinates. I peeked into the lobby and saw young apprentices scattering outside with all their might.

Good luck.

---

We moved to a large room that looked like a conference room. Cherina sat at the far end, and I stood next to her.

"Mr. Akira, please sit here."

Cherina moved the chair to make space next to her.

No, wait, sitting in the most important-looking seat is like torture.

"Please spare me. I'm just a consultant. Standing next to you is already causing me enough trouble..."

"Oh, if that's the case, it's the same whether you sit or stand."

That's not the same at all.

What is this lady saying?

"Stop joking around. Look, people are coming."

I moved the chair back to its original position and stood diagonally behind Cherina.

I don't really want to be in this room, but I need to keep an eye on the book. I could give it to them, but the later chapters are too advanced.

The craftsmen who rushed in were drenched in sweat and panting. Their greetings to Cherina were barely audible.

After about 20 minutes, everyone finally gathered.

The last one to arrive was a slightly overweight man.

Cherina was visibly unhappy, and the craftsmen were all tense, creating a freezing silence in the conference room.

Cherina glanced at the last man to arrive and then spoke.

"Everything I'm about to show and discuss is strictly confidential. If any of it leaks, it won't just be a matter of losing your head."

Everyone swallowed hard, trembling. This woman is scary.

"If you have even the slightest doubt, leave this room now. And never show your face to me, or in this country, again."

This is a threat!

Silence.

"... Now, I will show you something. Be prepared."

I took out the [Complete Paper-Making Book] from behind my back.

It's called "washi" (Japanese paper), but the later chapters are completely about making ordinary pulp paper. I wonder if it can really be made in this world.

I placed it on the table and opened the first chapter. The craftsmen gathered in a circle and flipped through a few pages, their faces showing shock.

Some turned pale, some were terrified, and some were excited.

"Miss... Is this some kind of joke?"

The slightly overweight man who arrived last glared at Cherina.

"I can't go into details, but it's a technical book on how to make paper from wood. Paper is like this... this one sheet."

The man pushed others aside and read the first chapter over and over again. It took about an hour.

By the way, we strictly watched to make sure no one flipped past the second chapter.

Other craftsmen also pushed their way in to look seriously. The overweight man seemed to be the most influential.

Finally, he closed the book and took a deep breath.

"Miss... This isn't just a technical book. It's more like a book of science... or even magic. And it's written in such a detailed and kind way that even someone like me, who can barely read, can understand it. It's as if the author wants to share this technology with others."

That's right, a technical book that can't be understood by others is useless.

"Further questions are unnecessary. I'll ask Dauro. I don't care about the budget. How many days will it take to secretly create a prototype of this washi?"

"If I can copy the blueprints onto parchment, it can be done in three days. Of course, I can use all of these people, right?"

Seriously! These craftsmen are amazing.

"Of course. In fact, you must not reveal what you're making to any craftsmen outside the management. The management consists of everyone in this room, so you must create it yourselves."

"Understood. I'll start copying right away."

Dauro took out parchment, ink, and a quill from his bag and started copying the blueprints. Upon closer inspection, everyone else had come empty-handed, as if they had rushed over in their current clothes.

I see, there was a good reason for the delay.

In my company, if you didn't bring the necessary materials and failed to meet an unreasonable deadline, you'd be docked pay and scolded. It was really a terrible company...

"Miss, look forward to it. It's been a while since I've had a challenge like this."

"Understood. I'm looking forward to it."

Dauro and the other craftsmen bowed. They stayed in the conference room to start their meeting.

Only Cherina, Melvin, and I went out into the hallway.

"Was there a reason for me to be here?"

"Of course."

Cherina stated firmly, but Melvin's eyes were very stern. I want to go home.

"Miss, Baron Leter's carriage has arrived."

Cherina frowned, but I was secretly happy that I could go home early.

"Already? The sun is still high in the sky."

"But it's not too early, and the meeting has just ended. It would be best to go now."

A deep sigh.

"Understood. Prepare my clothes."

"Right this way."

As Cherina followed Melvin, I raised my hand.

"See you tomorrow."

"What are you talking about? Wait in the lobby."

Huh? Why?

"We're going to dinner together, of course."

What is this person saying?