Published: August 3, 2025
The high priest used a magic tool to look into my past. I think that was unavoidable. But I noticed something amazing. If I use that magic tool, I can reread any book I’ve read before—even in my dreams. I wanted to visit the dream library, so I asked the high priest to use the magic tool again, but he flatly refused.
...That’s so mean, high priest.
As for the original purpose—to check whether I was harmful and what my value was—they found no malice and deemed me harmless. Under the supervision of the high priest and Benno in this town, continuing product development as before was considered beneficial.
I was relieved and able to continue my life without any major changes.
Autumn was drawing to a close, and the second batch of children’s Sacred Scriptures was completed. I set aside twenty copies as textbooks and sold forty copies to Benno, earning six gold coins. I had been struggling with money recently, but now I was suddenly wealthy.
Then Fran and Rosina came to my house. We talked about winter life with my family, and with the money earned from the picture books, we prepared even more winter supplies, pushing preparations to the limit.
The orphanage, my room, and our home were almost fully prepared for winter. The cold was now such that snowflakes could start drifting anytime. On my way back from the temple, Lutz gave me a report.
“Myne, the Guild Master said the Ink Association’s president and the master craftsman from the Ink Workshop came this morning.”
“...So they noticed the difference in the ink after all?”
“Seems like it.”
As expected, the children’s Sacred Scriptures sold by the Gilberta Trading Company started to be bought by nobles with young children and wealthy people connected to nobles. Anyone could tell the difference in ink just by looking at the picture books.
There’s a huge difference between the gall ink with a slightly bluish tone and the oil paint ink made from soot and drying oils.
Naturally, the Ink Association noticed the difference immediately and searched for the new ink maker but found no candidates within the association. The master craftsman from the Ink Workshop, where I had been allowed to observe, was the one who mentioned they might know the producer.
“They said a child from Gilberta Trading Company knows a different way to make ink.”
Because of that comment, the Ink Association’s president and master craftsman came to Gilberta Trading Company to ask, “Is Gilberta planning to produce ink through another Ink Association?”
Gilberta Trading Company already has a record. The Plant Paper Association and workshop were established to compete against the Parchment Association, and cheap plant paper has started flooding the market. Although official contracts require parchment, plant paper’s mass production has undeniable momentum.
Now, if a book using plant paper and a different ink type is being sold, it’s only natural for vested interests to be wary.
“They want you to come to Gilberta Trading Company tomorrow. The Guild Master wants to talk.”
“Understood.”
I casually accepted it as usual, and the next day, instead of going to the temple, Lutz and I headed to Gilberta Trading Company.
“Good morning, Benno.”
“Oh, Myne. You’re here.”
Benno beckoned me over to the table while Lutz went upstairs to practice serving tea to visitors. Lutz, the apprentice, was still learning.
Once I sat down, Benno stopped working and came to the table. He sat opposite me and sighed deeply.
“As I expected, the Ink Association showed up. You said you wanted to teach the ink production method and then completely delegate ink production, right?”
“Yes. If Benno keeps expanding the business too much, he’ll only make enemies. And ink production isn’t Gilberta Trading Company’s main business, right? As long as Myne Workshop gets a cut for what it produces, I think it’s fine to fully delegate it for money.”
If we want to spread printing, large quantities of ink will be needed. It would be difficult to make it all on my own eventually, so it’s better to hand it off to capable people.