Published: September 6, 2025
“…What does it mean that the atmosphere changes?”
“To prevent the leakage of technology, I cannot provide a detailed explanation, but it means that others have a hand in the printing process.”
At my explanation, Restiraut clearly frowned. Being artistic by nature, Restiraut apparently disliked the idea of others getting involved.
“In that case, I shall carry out that process myself.”
“No. To prevent technology from leaking, that is unacceptable. For now, Ehrenfest purchases the artwork and prints it here. If you refuse to allow others to partake, we cannot buy Restiraut-sama’s illustrations.”
No matter whose illustrations are bought, the plan is to do the stencil cutting in Ehrenfest’s workshop. Except for those who become close aides or marry and move to Ehrenfest, we won’t allow anyone from other territories to do stencil cutting. Especially for Restiraut, who is a lord candidate, this is even more important.
It was not Restiraut but Wilfried who panicked at the words “not buying.”
“But, Rosemine. There’s no other artwork as splendid as this! To improve the Ditter story, we should purchase it, right? Restiraut-sama could be contracted to prevent technology leakage and perform the process herself.”
Wilfried evidently has a strong attachment to the Ditter story and Restiraut’s art. I’m grateful and pleased that he is so engrossed in the book, but right now it’s a bit troublesome.
“Brother Wilfried, wonderful artwork and artwork easy to print are two different things. What Ehrenfest needs is art that’s easy to print. If it’s also beautiful, that’s even better, but no matter how beautiful it is, if it can’t be printed, buying it is pointless. At this point, when the official book sales haven’t even started, I don’t want a large territory like Dunkelfelger researching and stealing our printing technology.”
“I see.”
Restiraut seemed to understand, but Wilfried still couldn’t give up on Restiraut’s artwork, looking back and forth between the illustration and me.
“It’s such a rare, magnificent piece…”
“Yes. It truly is. Once the book is released in Ehrenfest and bound with a fine leather cover, including Restiraut-sama’s illustrations would make it a splendid volume.”
“But then, no one else would be able to see it.”
Seeing Wilfried swallow the words I was about to say, I shrugged lightly.
“It can’t be helped. The biggest concern is technology leakage. If we lose the technology to the second-largest territory, Dunkelfelger, at this stage, Ehrenfest really won’t be able to compete.”
Stencil cutting is the key to stencil printing. Those with a discerning eye might figure out the principles of relief printing. Moreover, waxed base paper, the iron stylus used for stencil cutting, and the sandpaper—all these were created, improved, and refined over time by Gutenberg and others collaborating and applying their expertise. It cannot be easily stolen.
Eventually, printing will expand to other territories, but that is not yet—only after Ehrenfest’s position stabilizes a bit more.
To add, there will be complaints from other territories asking why Dunkelfelger’s lord candidates can do stencil cutting themselves, but ours cannot. Binding everyone with contract magic would be troublesome and costly. The beginning is crucial. I want skilled artists that can be brought into Ehrenfest, not illustrations from lord candidates.
“Besides, drawing with a pen and printing are never exactly the same. So if you can’t accept others’ involvement, you’ll likely complain even after seeing the final printed product.”
Even the copiers from the Reno era weren’t perfect. Very thin lines wouldn’t show, or small dust specks would appear as strange lines. Although the art is drawn to stand out in black and white, stencil printing Restiraut’s line-heavy artwork will inevitably change its impression.
“If the first evaluation of artwork bought from another territory is a complaint from Restiraut-sama, it would shape Ehrenfest’s printing industry’s reputation. It’s better not to buy at all from the start. This way, Restiraut-sama won’t be displeased, and Ehrenfest won’t be troubled. Isn’t that best for both sides?”