Ascendance of a Bookworm

The dinner meeting at the Italian restaurant ended smoothly, and as a reward for Frieda and the Plantin Trading Company’s two years of hard work, I handed over the gelatin manufacturing method and stationery ideas.

“Stationery for organizing large volumes of paper? That’s wonderful.”

Benno, who was already using plant paper for work, was delighted with the idea for storage goods and said he’d have them made as soon as possible. Apparently, he wanted some for himself first.

“At the Otmar Trading Company, we’ll need to prepare a workshop for gelatin production.”

“Since it smells strong, it would be best to build the workshop not in the city, but in a town near a pig-rich farming village.”

“Thank you very much. We will consider that.”

Once gelatin production is possible, the range of cooking can expand greatly. I also bought Ilse’s improved recipes, and the financial dealings between us were minimal.

Ordnance delivered Wilfried’s proud voice just after the spring coming-of-age ceremony.

“The final check is done, Myne! We depart for Greschel!”

The excitement after finishing a job came through Ordnance. Then, Ordnance also brought a message from my mother, who oversees printing operations. It said the final check was done, and after I complete the summer baptism ceremony, I would head to Greschel.

I promptly informed the Plantin Trading Company of the plan, asked them to contact Gutenberg and the others, and arranged for Gilberta Trading Company to prepare clothes for the gray priests on the business trip. I also contacted the workshop through the guild and informed the high priest of the schedule.

We held a meeting with the castle attendants via Ordnance and decided to take Brynhildr, who was going back to her family this time. Alongside her were two civil official apprentices and two Guard Knights.

Two days after the summer baptism ceremony came the departure day for Greschel.

Just like when we went to Haldenzel, I met Gutenberg at the temple’s main entrance. With all the Gutenbergs gathered and a lot of luggage, the mini bus this time was a large bus model.

“Wow, what’s this!? Amazing!”

Heidi’s eyes sparkled as she left the luggage loading to her husband Joseph and was the first to board the mini bus. Even as Joseph shouted, “Help me, idiot!” Heidi seemed to ignore him, excitedly touching the inside of the bus and making lively noises.

“Soft! It feels good to the touch, all fluffy and springy! What kind of material is this made of?”

Ingo watched the mini bus and the frolicking Heidi with a strange look. But seeing not only Benno, Damian, and Lutz, but also Zack and Johan calmly checking and loading luggage, he clenched his fists, motivated himself, and began loading the luggage.

“Myne-sama.”

Following the guild members, the gray priests carrying the workshop supplies arrived at the main entrance. Since they would be working outside the temple and appearing before the civil officials alongside the Plantin Trading Company, they were given second-hand clothes of a quality worn by Plantin’s apprentices. The gray priests returning from the small temple of Hasse were occasionally seen adjusting their collars or pulling at their sleeves.

“They aren’t used to wearing anything other than work clothes and gray priest robes, so they’re a bit bewildered by the nicer clothes.”

Gil shrugged his shoulders. Unlike the other gray priests, Gil, who often frequents the Plantin Trading Company, was completely accustomed.

“It’s been a while since traveling far with Myne-sama. It feels somewhat nostalgic.”

“Since Ilkner, hasn’t it?”

Gil didn’t go to the prayer ceremony at Haldenzel, so it had been a while since traveling together. I was starting to feel a bit like it was a fun excursion.

After finishing loading the luggage, Angelica took the front passenger seat and the Gutenbergs sat in the back. Those tense and stiff-faced were novices riding a Mount for the first time, while those already familiar fastened their seat belts quickly and relaxed. Heidi, the most curious and exuberant, was in a separate category as a Mount beginner.