Published: August 3, 2025
Bottles filled with the colored ink I made stood in a row. I attached small wooden tags to each one, noting the combination of oil and materials. I arranged them in a shallow wooden box, and Joseph tidied them up.
After mixing ink continuously for several hours, both Joseph and Heidi’s arms had reached their limit. With lunchtime approaching and the writing boards full for both of them, we decided to end today’s experiments.
Since I ran out of space on my writing board, I also borrowed Lutz’s board to jot down the experiment results. Looking at both boards, I sighed.
“The colors are so unpredictable, it’s really troublesome.”
“But when you look at them like this, don’t you think we’re starting to see some patterns?”
Heidi peered happily at my writing board.
Though she remembered numbers and words related to work, Heidi couldn’t fully read letters. So, when it came to the color experiments, she had to rely on memorizing the results. That’s why she was so impressed when she saw me writing things down, saying, “Young lady, you’re the best!” But honestly, I think Heidi’s memory is the truly amazing thing here—being able to remember so many experimental outcomes.
“Unfortunately, Heidi’s memory is only useful for the experiments. So she’s far from the best.”
“...Just like Myne.”
Joseph and Lutz seemed to hit it off oddly well and sometimes patted each other on the shoulder. It’s nice to find someone you get along with—it makes every day a little more enjoyable.
“Well then, I’ll compile today’s experiment results the day after tomorrow.”
“I can’t write, so I’ll leave it to you, young lady.”
Heidi and I laughed and shook hands before parting ways. I was planning to go straight home and organize the results when Gil lightly tugged at my sleeve, seeming a bit hesitant.
“What is it, Gil?”
“Myne-sama, I want a writing board too...”
Gil lowered his eyes and muttered softly. Now that he could read and write, I had promised to make one for him in spring.
“That’s right. Let’s stop by Johann’s Blacksmith Workshop now and order an iron stylus for Gil. After that, I’ll go home and compile today’s results.”
Since the Ink Workshop and Blacksmith Workshop are both on Artisan Street and not far apart, I headed toward the Blacksmith Workshop, thinking Johann might frown at being our last customer right before lunch break.
“Hello. Is Johann here?”
“Oh, young lady.”
The master craftsman, who was attending another customer, glanced toward the door, then, upon spotting me, tried to suppress a laugh. Chuckling quietly, he invited me to sit in an empty spot.
“I’ll call Johann right away. Hey, Gutenberg! Your patron has arrived!”
“Pfft!”
At the master’s teasing shout, Lutz and Gil hastily covered their mouths. It seems Johann’s nickname “Gutenberg” has fully stuck at the workshop.
“I told you, don’t call me that, master!”
Though I think “Gutenberg” is a proud nickname, Johann clearly doesn’t like it much. He protested tearfully and came rushing out from the back.
“Hello, Johann.”
“Oh, Myne-sama. Welcome.”
“Sorry to bother you right before lunch. I have an order—would that be okay?”
“...I still haven’t finished the previous order.”
Johann, who seemed to be making metal movable type I had ordered before, looked a bit embarrassed. Since the high priest had forbidden printing presses, the metal type isn’t urgent. It’s fine if he slowly makes a large amount over about two years.
“Please prioritize this order. It’s for the iron stylus I ordered before, but this time I want one for Gil.”
“I’ll do it!”
Johann’s face lit up the moment I ordered the iron stylus. He clenched his fist tightly and raised it. With a look full of emotion, he muttered:
“Kuu... It’s been so long since I did anything other than metal movable type...”
...Sorry about that.
Apparently, Johann hasn’t gotten any other patrons besides me and has been making metal type endlessly. The master and other craftsmen tease him by calling him Gutenberg constantly. Maybe I should ask him to make other things sometimes.