CH 27.2

Someone knocked on the door.

"Shira-sama has made her arrival."

Cawin opened the door, Shira and Eda entered the room.

Lecan and Skalabel greeted Shira, Skalabel asked Cawin to let everyone else in. Besides the two record keepers and two maids, first class priest Amamir, priestess Kotojia and Norma also got in.

"O Master. How would you like your breakfast?"

"Right, well. Think I'll have a half-full garnish-less soup. And a cup of white wine."

Skalabel signaled the maid who then prepared Shira's order.

"Slept well last night?"

"I did, O Master. It has been so very long since I had such a good sleep."

"Glad to hear."

"Eda-dono. I must offer you my gratitude once again. You as well, Norma-dono."

"Eh. Oh, please don't mention it, I'm just."

"I'm sure my father would be delighted to hear his research could be of use to Guide Skalabel."

"Your father has my deepest gratitude. And I hold his research in reverence. The research your father did has granted me a new life."

"It's an honor. Guide Skalabel."

"You had some fascinating talk with Amamir. Something about allowing transcribers to transcribe books if he directs one to you, I believe?"

"Yes. They're very welcome to."

"This old bone would like to add another proposition, would you be willing to hear?"

"With pleasures."

"I would like for Norma-dono to put forth preface and commentary chapters in your father's books that Norma-dono has agreed to publish. 『Research on Entrails Functions』 and 『Introductory to Herb Study』 books will be the first two books for this project."

"W-wha?"

"Those books, including the preface and commentary, will be transcribed into one volume each. Several transcribers will have to stay in this town for a few years to complete tens of those books."

"Several transcribers?"

"Those transcribers shall be in charge of making 100 copies of each books which will then be delivered to the capital under Amamir's supervision. Under the name ."

"100 copies!"

"What a huge undertaking."

"My, that's quite grand."

"And we will distribute those books to apothecaries who can truly make good use of them for free."

"That, that's."

"And of course, this old bone shall take care of the required capital."

"Guide!"

Amamir sounded surprised.

"Amamir. There is too much restriction in using Elex Temple's monetary offerings. I shall sponsor it myself. You take charge of arranging the transcribers. This is precisely the project the fortune bestowed upon me by his majesty should be put into use."

"Guide..."

Norma replied back after thinking it over a bit.

"Skalabel-sama."

"Yes, what will it be."

"A preface is indeed necessary. Properly illustrating what a particular book is covering is a good idea. And as those books weren't originally intended to be widely published, we should also rearrange the table contents. However, commentary is impossible."

"Is that correct. Then how about postponing writing commentaries on books you believe need them, and write what you can as you go on."

"Right, well. I suppose there are some research subjects that will be better with commentaries."

"What this old bone proposed is nothing more than an outline for his wish. In practice, the transcribing process won't be without a hitch. It might be a good idea to send one transcriber first to have a grasp on the undertaking before sending more. It might be better to combine several short theses into one volume as well."

"Yes, right. But could you wait distributing them until after we have a finished book. I'd like to have an overview on the complete set with a set order, volume numbers and also with indexes."

"Hahaha. I see your mind is on it already. Very well, very well. However, the transcribing process will press on. The bookbinding and cover making processes can be done later. By doing so, you can insert the prefaces as well as fill in volume numbers at a later date."

"And would be it all right to call it