Ascendance of a Bookworm

I placed an order with Zack and Johan to install hand pumps on the well in Hasse as well. Johan sighed, saying, "Our workshop’s pump keeps getting delayed," but I thought it was fine as long as we quickly trained craftsmen who could make the parts.

According to the president of the blacksmith association, because I favored and nurtured young adults like Johan and Zack, the young craftsmen were motivated to improve their skills.

Also, thanks to Zack accidentally letting it slip, a rumor started circulating among the blacksmiths that I intended to give workshops to Zack and Johan. As a result, many skilled craftsmen competing for their own workshops had appeared.

"If there are craftsmen with precision and meticulous skills like Johan or creative ideas like Zack, I welcome as many as possible. Please, introduce them to me."

I requested this of the president, so the number of Gutenbergs specializing in metalwork might increase rapidly. I'm looking forward to it.

I assigned two people to teach the nobles’ ways and expressions to Licht and others, and four people to move to live at the small temple of Hasse. Leading up to the harvest festival, I had to select gray priests.

That said, since I didn’t know the personalities or work habits of everyone in the orphanage, I delegated the task to those who knew them well: Wilma, who manages the orphanage, and Fritz, who manages the workshop.

"Monica, please send word ahead. After lunch, I will visit the workshop and orphanage."

"Understood."

I saw Monica, who was happy to meet Wilma, step out with lighter steps than usual. Then I turned to Brigitte—it might be a good opportunity.

"Hey, Brigitte. I’m heading to the workshop and orphanage this afternoon. Would you accompany me?"

"... Lady Rosemine?"

Until now, because of business interests and noble entanglements, I only allowed Darmel to accompany me when going to the workshop. Brigitte, who always stayed behind during those visits, tilted her head in confusion.

"We built a workshop in Ilkner, right? Then there’s no need to hide it, and since you’re Giebe Ilkner’s sister, I think it’s better for you to see it."

Ilkner had built a paper mill, and if printing was to be introduced, there was no reason to keep it secret from Brigitte.

Brigitte’s eyes widened, then she smiled brightly and knelt.

"Thank you for your kindness, Lady Rosemine. I would be honored to accompany you."

After lunch, I headed to the workshop with Brigitte for the first time. Nobles usually dislike going to the basement, but seeing how she lived in Ilkner, I didn’t think Brigitte felt disgusted by it.

"We’ve been waiting for you."

Upon entering the workshop, everyone knelt in place awaiting me. Fritz, my attendant, greeted me on behalf of everyone. It was a greeting meant for a noble, and I nodded in response.

"Fritz, please have everyone resume their work. I want Brigitte to observe their efforts. Right now, Gil and Lutz are in Ilkner, aren’t they? Brigitte is from there."

"Understood. Everyone, please continue working."

At Fritz’s words, everyone resumed their tasks simultaneously. Some were papermaking, shaking papermaking screens, while others operated the printing press. The press’s compression plate pounded loudly—Don! Bang!—interspersed with the pleasant clatter of setting metal movable type.

"Fritz, I have a request for you and Wilma. Once you finish the current work, please accompany me to the orphanage..."

"Lady Rosemine, knowing you’re here, we’ve already wrapped up. Once Brigitte finishes observing, we’ll head to the orphanage."

Fritz smiled gently and said so. As expected, my attendant was outstanding. Fritz sent a message to Wilma via a child in the workshop and began giving instructions to several gray priests.

"Brigitte, this is where we make paper. That way over there is the printing area. It would be good if Ilkner could also start printing someday."

Brigitte watched with keen interest as I explained and demonstrated the papermaking process.

After a short tour, I was supposed to leave quickly to avoid disrupting work.