Chapter 31

There is a technique called Yuzen dyeing.

"This is the day I've been waiting to challenge it..."

Jil received a request from Ionia. She had been pondering what to make and how to dye the silk fabric she had bought from Matthew, and the theme seemed to have conveniently appeared.

After sending Ionia and the others back, Jil began preparations in her workshop. She didn't want the Yuzen dyeing process to be seen by too many people yet.

However, it wasn't that Jil didn't want to reveal her methods. She had confidently said, "I can do it," but whether she could achieve a satisfactory quality was still unknown, and she didn't want to be watched until she reached that point. She felt a vague resistance to the notion that "no one can do it" and ended up acting confidently.

"Before I start, I need to review it one more time."

Jil activated Acacia and called up the book she wanted.

This book was somewhat different from the others.

It didn't have the flashy cover of other books; it had a calm and composed atmosphere.

The title read, "Learning Japanese Kimono: The Technique of Yuzen Dyeing."

The books Jil had read so far were both hobby books and design books. They had easy-to-read and fun text layouts, beautiful photos, and a charming composition that made the reader think, "This looks interesting" and "I want to try making it."

However, "Learning Japanese Kimono: The Technique of Yuzen Dyeing" delved into academic territory. The kimonos in the book were beautiful, but unlike other books, there was no casual and enjoyable atmosphere. It was a straightforward and robust book, filled with facts and techniques.

Reading this, Jil was fired up.

It was the right level of difficulty to test her skills. Moreover, she was strongly drawn to the Yuzen dyeing technique itself.

Using various colored threads to embroider and decorate dresses is very common on Algenes Island. Or, using different combinations of warp and weft threads to create patterns during the weaving process is also common.

However, the method of dyeing fabric "as if painting a picture" like Yuzen dyeing is almost nonexistent. While there are designs that use dyeing techniques, they usually involve repeating the same pattern using stencils or folding and dyeing to create patterns, like shibori. If she could achieve it, it would certainly attract attention.

"If I can do this, I can realize even more ideas... It seems a bit difficult, though."

Yuzen dyeing involves more complex processes than the dyeing Jil had done before.

First, she draws the outline with ink made from indigo, then places the paste precisely along the outline. The areas where the paste is placed remain undyed, leaving white outlines. This is a characteristic of Yuzen dyeing, or "masking with paste."

Next, she colors the areas enclosed by the outlines, completing the design like a painting. However, since silk tends to bleed, she must dry and heat the fabric while working. Additionally, the dried areas need to be protected with paste. Each color requires careful and meticulous work.

Then, in the ground dyeing process, she dyes the entire fabric, which serves as the background color of the design.

To set the colors, the fabric is steamed, impurities are washed away, and protein treatment is applied to prevent bleeding. Essentially, the process involves drawing the outline, coloring the design, and dyeing the entire fabric.

If a mistake is made, recovery is difficult. It requires a calmness to judge the setting of the colors and a boldness to work steadily.

However, Jil had a magic that could simplify these processes.

"But with [Liquid Manipulation] and [Drying], it can be significantly simplified. It's still challenging, though."

Jil's ability to control magic was extraordinary. She could instantly reproduce designs for armor branding if she had a model. She could move liquids and heat rays with unimaginable precision, making them move exactly as she imagined. Once she had a clear image in her mind, repeating it was easy.

Jil rarely showed this to other mages. Even if she did, it was just a trick to those who only used magic as a weapon, and it had no value to her mother, Bazalde. However, for purposes other than attacking, it was incredibly powerful.

"Well, let's give it a try!"

◆

While Jil was engrossed in making the fabric, Maureen wasn't idle. She had to take care of Jil, who was holed up in the workshop, and she also had tasks Jil had asked her to do.

"Maureen, how's that coming along?"

"Ah, mostly done."

Jil, who had poked her head into the kitchen, smiled contentedly at Maureen's work.

"Good, good. Thank you, Maureen!"

On the table were small pots.

Some contained bright red jam, while others were filled with green powder made from some leaves. Apart from being ingredients, there was no commonality among the materials. If described in one word, it would be "a colorful array of ingredients."

"But what are you going to do with these? Are you planning to make sweets?"

"Yes, that's right. We had macarons the other day, didn't we?"

"Those were from your brother."

"Those are delicious with jam, but I thought I'd show you my way of enjoying them."

Jil made a significant statement offhandedly.

It was a confident statement, implying that she could make something better than store-bought items.

Maureen had started to understand Jil's habits.

When Jil said things like "my way" or "my favorite way," it wasn't a lie or exaggeration.

It was the language of someone who genuinely wanted to provide real culinary delights.

"That sounds exciting. But are you sure it's okay to reveal such a secret so casually?"

"Yes. My true identity is out, and I have a lot on my mind."

Jil had revealed her true identity.

However, she didn't change her attitude or behavior, and neither did Maureen.

There was no sense of awkwardness or stiffness.

Despite their different backgrounds and lifestyles, they all desired this kind of relationship.

"I don't mind. In fact, I used to work for the knights, but I hated formalities. I often got demoted or put on probation."

"Sorry, is that something to laugh about?"

"Sure it is."

Maureen smiled, and Jil couldn't help but smile too.

"I plan to have a tea party this weekend when the fabric and clothes are ready. It's a way to apologize for keeping things secret and to express my gratitude."

Jil said this and handed four pieces of paper to Maureen.

"These are..."

Maureen, unusually, received the papers with a respectful gesture.

The papers were invitations needed to enter the mansion. With these, one could travel safely without being attacked by monsters. However, the papers Maureen received were not just simple safe passage documents.

They were formal invitations to a tea party, written in elegant calligraphy.

"One is for you, Maureen. The others are for Matthew, Gald, and Ionia. I feel a bit bad asking, but could you deliver the other three for me?"

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