Chapter 101

Upon returning from about a week of traveling around the countryside, I found a message from Bach.

Apparently, a complete set of printing types for the Saxens alphabet had finally been finished.

On the sheet of paper attached to his letter, thirty printed characters were aligned in a dark, vivid rows.

There was minimal smudging, and the quality was more than adequate for practical use.

However, a single set was nowhere near enough to print a book, let alone publish a newspaper.

Since they would also need printing types of varying sizes, Bach was requesting approval for a large-scale order along with additional funding.

Having just returned from my business trip, I had today and tomorrow off.

Right after reading the letter, I decided to head straight over to Bach’s workshop.

“Bach, I read your letter. It’s an excellent job.”

The workshop was thick with the scent of ink, and freshly printed sheets of paper were hung up to dry like laundry across thin cords stretched across the room.

Next time I went back to Japan, I should buy him some clothespins and clips as souvenirs.

“Sir Hinoharu, I’ve been looking forward to seeing you. Do you like the new printing types?”

“Yeah. Keep placing orders like crazy at this pace.”

Bach had completely mastered the operation of the Earth-made letterpress printing machine.

The sequence of movements he demonstrated for me flowed seamlessly, without a single hitch.

“Since we’re still short on type, it’ll be a while before we can actually start composing text, but we also have to develop our own ink, so the work is piling up.”

I had already gathered information from the internet and books that could serve as hints for development, translated it, and handed it over to him.

It probably wouldn’t take too much time.

Bach mentioned that he was also gathering fellow engineers to distribute tasks and develop a Saxens-made printing press at a rapid pace.

“For now, why don’t we try making business cards since they require fewer characters?”

“Business cards?”

A concept similar to Earth’s business cards existed in Saxens as well.

They were used when visiting a place where the recipient was out; one would leave a card with their name and address to convey that they had dropped by.

It wasn’t like the practice in Japan where people exchanged business cards upon greeting each other.

I pulled out a notepad and briefly explained the concept of a business card.

Kingdom of Saxens Royal Capital City Guard
Corporal Kota Hinoharu
South District Guard Post, Clara Platoon

“You print a card like this. You can present it when making an appointment or when having someone introduce you during a visit, and it’s also convenient to leave a note on it if the other person is absent.”

“That’s fascinating. May I make my own business card too? I’m sure everyone will want one!”

True to his nature as an engineer who loved novel things, he seemed thrilled at the thought of showing off his own business card to his colleagues.

“Yeah. We have to test various things anyway, so you should practice by making your own business card, Bach.”

“Thank you very much! I’ll have to make them hurry up with creating the new printing types.”

If a minor thing like this could speed up the work, it was a small price to pay.

We might also end up needing a paper cutter.

I decided to buy one during my next return to Japan.

The newly hired printers and fellow engineers were called into the workshop, and we all introduced ourselves.

Since the printing types had been commissioned to multiple craftsmen, they were scheduled to be delivered by the end of the month.

Because we had absolutely no intention of keeping the technology a secret, the development progressed much more smoothly.

I strictly instructed them to outsource whatever could be outsourced and prioritize speed of completion.

“Looking at it this way, it really is better to have letters in various styles. It feels like we can use different shapes, thicknesses, and sizes depending on the purpose.”

Exactly.

Fonts are important.

“Should we place an additional order for letter designs with an art workshop?”

“I think these ‘business cards’ would look more beautiful if they had designs on them. Wouldn’t it be better to order those from an art workshop as well?”

“Having the ink color be strictly black isn’t ideal either. I think navy or indigo would be nice.”

“If we are going that far, we should be able to vary the quality and color of the paper too. If we consult with the paper craftsmen, we can achieve even greater improvements.”

Because a group of engineers and craftsmen had gathered, ideas were brought forth one after another.

Being in such a lively environment felt wonderful.

I handed over one million marques as their current development fund.

Once the printing types were ready, we could probably manage to publish a newspaper using the printing press brought from Japan.

It was about time to start worrying about the content, like the articles.

I had already spoken to Holger, the information broker, beforehand and secured his cooperation for news gathering.

“After all, selling information is my job, Boss. For your sake, I’ll dig up anything from noble scandals to a general’s sexual preferences.”

I didn’t exactly want to launch a tabloid exposé.

Gossip articles would probably be popular, but getting targeted by high-ranking officials would be a problem.

This wasn’t a world where freedom of speech was protected by law.

There was no telling what kind of retaliation we might face.

Besides, what Mr. Handsome had requested of me was a discussion article between the various factions of the Temple.

It seemed like it was about time to get acquainted with someone from the Temple.

I decided to get a letter of introduction from either Chancellor Count Nurenberg or my client, Marquis Berlion.

Once a sample of the newspaper was ready, I would use it to explain the concept.

Our immediate dilemma was that we didn’t have any reporters or editors to write the articles.

Even if we published on a weekly or bi-daily basis, there simply weren’t enough hands with just the two of us.

Moreover, since this was an unprecedented business venture, my anxiety was compounded by the fact that we couldn’t hire anyone with prior experience.

Sitting side by side on the sofa in the office, Lady Clara and I discussed the matter.

“For the time being, why don’t we put out a job recruitment notice at the university in the Royal Capital?”

Targeting fresh graduates, huh? That was an excellent idea.

“It is also an option to have noble acquaintances introduce individuals who can read and write. I have heard that many second sons and daughters of nobles are troubled by a lack of employment.”

While the majority became civil or military officers, the number of job openings wasn’t infinite.

“You’re right. We have no choice but to put out a wide call for applicants.”

“Let us do that then.”

Snip!

With that sound, Lady Clara trimmed my nails again.

I wasn’t sure what she found so amusing about it, but she was happily cutting my nails.

“Lady Clara… is this fun for you?”

“Yes. It seems I enjoy doing this sort of thing…”

If she was enjoying herself, that was fine, but I had been on edge for a while now, terrified that someone might walk in on us.

“Kota.”

“Yes?”

“If there is an opportunity, I would like to try cleaning your ears…”

Uh… what was the correct answer here?

“In the past, my mother used to do it for me, but I have never done it for anyone else. That is why I wish to try, but I could hardly ask anyone other than you for such a thing, could I?”

Normally, one couldn’t just casually ask to clean someone’s ears.

That was strictly for couples in a steady relationship.

If Lady Clara were to clean another man’s ears, I would probably writhe in agony from jealousy.

“Understood. Let’s do that next time in my room.”

“Right, tonight then.”

I figured it would turn out that way.

Lady Clara, continuing to trim my nails with her cheeks slightly flushed, was incredibly endearing.

Lately, however, rumors about me and Lady Clara had begun to spread around the barracks.

We needed to be a bit careful.

Even so, just thinking about tonight made my face and heart soften.

I wonder what I should cook for Lady Clara tonight?

Since spring cabbage had started appearing in the markets, maybe I could use it to make stuffed cabbage rolls.

My cooking skills had improved considerably of late.

When I returned to Japan, I had bought a book titled Cooking Today for Beginners to study.

Comforting Lady Clara was my ultimate pleasure.

A knock sounded at the door, and the two of us instantly separated.

As expected of a first-rate warrior.

There wasn’t a single wobble in her shift of gravity; her high-speed yet elegant movement was almost like a dance.

“Excuse me.”

By the time Emma entered the room, I was standing in front of the sofa, and Lady Clara was standing by the window.

Not a shred of the sweet atmosphere from moments ago remained.

Emma didn’t notice a thing.

Wait.

In fact, Emma’s expression looked unusually grim.

The misunderstanding about me laying a hand on the prostitute I had busted should have already been cleared up.

“Lady Clara, we have an emergency. Our border lines have been breached, and the Portand army has invaded the city of Romanburg.”

Romanburg was a fortified city that served as a defensive stronghold near the frontline with the neighboring Kingdom of Portand.

“What is the status of the battle?”

“This is information I heard from my father, so it hasn’t been fully confirmed yet, but General Baehr, who was commanding at the border, was reportedly killed in an enemy night attack. the deputy commander, General Anker, rallied the remnants of the army and retreated to Romanburg, but they were pursued. The city gates have been breached, and it appears to have turned into street fighting.”

It seemed that the Saxens army had set up camp in the west of the city, while the Portand army took the east, resulting in a seesaw battle back and forth.

Being a frontline city, the interior was divided by multiple walls, which apparently allowed the Saxens army to hold out.

Although the general had been slain, the casualties among the overall troop strength didn’t seem to be catastrophic.

“The military leadership will likely deploy reinforcements. With the reorganization of the army, there is a possibility of transfers from the City Guard.”

Lady Clara’s words echoed ominously.

War, huh?

If Lady Clara was going, I had no choice but to go as well…

While nothing was certain yet, a dark, gloomy mood washed over me, but my mind was already made up.