Published: August 25, 2025
“Lady Rosemine, I would like you to explain the contents of the letter in detail.”
It seemed that the most trusted Benno was entrusted with communicating with me, as he was the first to speak after looking around at the gathered group.
Since the Guild Master was also present, I decided to explain as politely as possible.
“Noble children, once they reach the age of ten, spend the winter studying at the Noble Academy. It is a place where children of nobles from other territories also gather.”
I began by explaining the Noble Academy, mentioning that territories are ranked by influence. I informed them that following this, there would be lord candidates attending, and that Aub Ehrenfest ordered Ehrenfest to launch trends to improve its ranking.
“The trends Ehrenfest wishes to spread to other territories through the Noble Academy — Rinshan, hair ornaments, recipes and tools for cooking, plant paper, ink, books... all these are items I have been involved with. Aub Ehrenfest seemed to have decided that spreading these would begin only after I awakened.”
“So, Lady Rosemine, you will be the one spreading these trends at the Noble Academy starting this year...”
Benno spoke, and I nodded in agreement. His eyes seemed to say I should have informed them before leaving, but his stern look made it difficult to respond.
“I only heard about the trend launching just before departing for the Noble Academy, so I couldn’t get in touch with everyone. Did the civil officials not issue any notice?”
“There was a directive, at least for a while, not to take Rinshan, hair ornaments, and books outside the territory… After that directive, we expected the ban would be lifted soon and the trends would spread rapidly. We prepared for that possibility.”
“As expected of Benno. You have keen insight.”
Receiving an order not to take items outside the territory but still preparing to spread them—that was indeed Benno’s foresight.
“So, what is the current status of spreading the trends? Since Lady Rosemine has already returned here, does that mean they have already spread?”
“First, I thought it better not to spread everything all at once in the first year, but rather to gradually spread them during my studies.”
The idea was to drip-feed the trends to impress that Ehrenfest was not a one-hit wonder.
“Indeed, merchants will keep visiting places where new things are created each time, and nobles from other territories might come to see them in person. Ehrenfest has few visitors from other territories, so this will be a major change.”
Otto, who had traveled as a traveling merchant through various lands, said this with a slight squint of his eyes. Compared to neighboring Froebelthark and Arensbach, Ehrenfest lacked appeal that would attract outsiders, and nobles from other territories rarely came.
Currently, by order of the lord, other territory nobles are not allowed in unless permitted, which only makes the situation stricter.
…Now that I think about it, I haven’t really seen many nobles from other territories around, have I?
“This year, I decided to spread four things at the Noble Academy: Rinshan, hair ornaments, quatre-quarts, and plant paper. These are items I regularly use and chose because they tend to become topics at tea parties.”
“Hmm, can I take it that these have a good reputation even among Ehrenfest’s nobles?”
I lightly nodded at the Guild Master’s words.
“Additionally, I considered increasing workshops relatively easy. It’s a preemptive strategy to earn as much as possible before the production methods spread. Soon, similar items will appear in other territories.”
Once the method is known, these are things Lutz and I could make back when we were poor. Imitation is easy, so we’d better produce a lot and earn well while the trend just begins.
Otto of the Gilberta Trading Company, who monopolizes Rinshan and hair ornaments, pursed his lips and nodded.
“Then, once the trend for items that other territories can imitate settles down a bit, we will spread printed materials. Printing presses are hard to prepare, so even within Ehrenfest, it’s not widespread yet. It will take a long time to spread to other territories.”