AWDC Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Paper Transactions

Roy and his sons, and I, pondered in various ways, but no good ideas came up to sell to merchants.

“Father, shouldn’t we speak to Lord Midland about this after all?

There’s no fear of imitation if we talk to Lord Midland.

The Dukedom alone would consume a considerable amount of paper within its territory.

If things go well, he might even put in a word with Duke Gregg.

We can sell the paper only to reliable households and gradually spread the word about its quality.

If we do that, we can gradually increase the quantity as well.

Why don’t you consult the Duke first?”

After discussing this and that for a while, George spoke as if making a decision.

Certainly, even during the discussions in the village, Roy had hesitated to bring the matter directly to the Dukedom.

“If the Robertson family were poor, Earl Milona’s house wouldn’t think much of it.

But if we suddenly become wealthy by selling paper, they might not be genuinely pleased.

If a reputation is established that we’re selling paper grandly in the capital, they won’t overtly interfere, but they’ll be wary.

Especially if we start selling with support from Duke Midland, a suspicious Earl wouldn’t find that amusing.”

For the Robertson family, merely the lord of a small village, they wanted to avoid any situation that would displease the Earl at all costs.

That was a thought characteristic of the cautious Roy.

“However, to become independent, isn’t it inevitable that we’ll eventually displease the Earl? Isn’t the fact that we can make paper a good opportunity for independence?”

John urged him to make a decision.

“Well, you’re right. The lord agrees on that point as well.

I see that your opinions are the same as mine.

I’ll visit the Dukedom soon.”

“By the way, how did you come to be able to make this paper in the village?”

After the discussion about selling the paper had settled down, John changed the subject as if he had just thought of it.

“Toma came up with it.”

“Eh, Toma created the paper?”

“That’s right. And this is something we haven’t revealed to anyone but you yet.

Please keep it a secret.”

Both of them looked at me again. Both John and George seemed unable to believe that I, with my remaining childishness, had created paper. But there was no suspicious look on their faces. I felt that they were looking at the small me as someone special, if not with respect.

“I understand. A big thing happened in the village while we were away, didn’t it?”

John and George seemed to understand the impact that paper being made in the village would have.

“That’s right. The village will change greatly from now on.

You are probably thinking of making a name for yourselves in the capital, and I won’t oppose that.

But this paper will change the village.

Keep in mind that we might call you back someday.”

The meeting with Roy’s family at the inn ended there.

From the next day, Roy went to the stores again and again to negotiate deals.

However, he no longer had selling paper in mind, but was mainly looking for goods needed in the village.

While he was doing that, he received a call from Lord Midland.

As a rule in this world’s aristocratic society, you must ask for permission before visiting.

This rule applied even if Roy had once been a servant of Lord Midland and was still serving the Robertson family, with whom he had deep ties.

It took about three days after asking permission from the Midland family.

However, the atmosphere of the mansion that welcomed Roy was warm.

Even the gatekeeper smiled at us, and the butler who guided us showed us not politeness, but rather familiarity.

Many people in the mansion seemed to have not forgotten that Roy was once a member of their household.

The current Lord Midland, Lord Lutoa, is 47 years old. It can be said that he is now at the height of his working life.

“I have something to talk about with Roy alone. Everyone else, leave.”

After we had stood before the Duke and finished giving our greetings, I, Jim Keene, and the servants were dismissed from the room. They couldn’t continue with stiff greetings between the two of them. They wanted to talk alone.

Lord Lutoa was Roy’s master, but he was also a playmate from childhood and a sparring partner in swordsmanship.

Before the door was completely closed, the two of them could be heard laughing. In the waiting room, Jim and I were relieved, but also worried about what the outcome would be.

I didn’t know the details of the conversation, but it seemed that the paper negotiation went well.

He bought a larger quantity than the Earl at almost the desired price.

“Milona sent me a fancy letter, so I was wondering how he got his hands on something like this.

If you made it in your village, I won’t make any pointless inquiries.

I won’t say anything stingy like Milona.

I’ll buy all the paper you made in your village at the price you want.

If Milona says anything strange, just say my name.”

He later told me that was the conversation.

It seemed that he was told not to worry about any complaints from Earl Milona.

However, on the way back, the current head of the family said the following.

“Roy, my old man told me to tell you to show your face.”

As Lord Lutoa said this, the smile disappeared from Roy’s face.