Isekai Nonbiri Nouka

A clear winter day.

I make my rounds through the village.

I usually go on foot, but snow has piled up in many places today, so I ride the flying carpet as I patrol.

Because of that, Kukulkan, my child with Rasuti, comes along too.

Kukulkan really likes the flying carpet.

And since I am taking Kukulkan outside, Bulga and Stifano, who look after Kukulkan, come with us as well.

「Kukulkan-sama, are you cold?」

「Please do not take off your scarf. Make sure it is wrapped snugly around your neck」

Well, they take good care of Kukulkan, so there is no problem.

For now, we followed the usual route as we went around the village.

Kukulkan and the flying carpet were in a very good mood.

-0-

When we returned to my mansion, the other children were waiting.

Their mothers were there as well, but they did not say anything.

They simply stayed close to their children.

……

I know.

It is not fair that only Kukulkan gets to go.

Snow removal has progressed while we were out.

Going on foot should be fine.

Warm clothes…… we are already wearing them.

All right, let us go.

As for Kukulkan…… a nap together with the flying carpet.

Got it.

I leave Kukulkan with Bulga and Stifano, then head out to patrol the village with the children.

It turned into a small winter picnic.

-0-

Delzen Paper began trial operations and started manufacturing plant-based paper.

I received a report from Eliza, the acting representative of Delzen Paper.

「We introduced several machines from the Mountain Elves, so the quality of the paper we can produce is better than expected, and we can make it in larger quantities」

That is good to hear.

「No, um……」

Is there something wrong?

「Yes. If we put this paper on the market, the price of paper may collapse」

……Can you even mass-produce it that much?

「Since we produce large sheets and then cut them, the volume is considerable. For example, paper of this book’s size could be produced at ten thousand sheets per day」

I see.

「Because it is easy to standardize the size and quantity, which were weaknesses of existing paper. This is just my guess, but within ten years, places that make animal paper will be wiped out」

Hmm.

If that happens, what about the plant paper made in Village One?

「Unless they add some kind of added value, they will likely be dragged into price competition」

Ah……

That is not good.

「Yes. So for the time being, would it be acceptable to refrain from general sales of the paper made by Delzen Paper and use it only for Delzen Printing?」

That would minimize the impact on the surroundings.

「For now, at least. Once books printed by Delzen Printing start circulating, I believe demand for paper will rise」

It becomes a question of how long we can ignore those demands.

Now that I think about it, officials from the Demon King’s Kingdom asked to buy large quantities of paper.

「Have you had an opportunity to speak with officials from the Demon King’s Kingdom?」

I entrusted letters to Randan and Beezel.

Since we are not fully operational yet, I have not replied.

「Understood. In that case, we will handle the matter on our end. There is no issue with selling to the Demon King’s Kingdom, correct?」

That is fine, but make sure the impact on the surroundings remains small.

「Of course. Also, on a separate matter…… The binders used in the village to bundle paper should sell well」

Binders are used to handle the paper we receive from Dors.

Of course, we also made a punch to put holes in the paper.

In the village, they are mainly used by you, civil servant girls.

「Yes. They are convenient, aren’t they. Paper easily becomes a book. Also, until now paper was expensive, so there was hesitation about punching holes in it, but with Delzen Paper’s paper」

I see.

「If we are going to dominate paper distribution in the future, it might be good to prepare a business that handles tools like that」

Binders and punchers.

Delzen Stationery, huh.

Pens and ink would sell too.

「Shall we do it in Big Tree Village?」

Well, we will gather people who want to do it, and if we get enough.

If not, we will leave it to Village Five.

「Understood」

Also, do not forget to consider protection for places that make animal paper.

「Protection?」

Loo and Tier said that animal paper is easier to use than plant paper for magic-related things.

It would be a problem if animal paper stopped being made.

「If there is demand, it should be fine, right?」

If only mages want it, prices will go up, right?

「That is true」

It will also become harder to obtain.

「Yes」

Probably, if that happens, Loo and Tier would research ways to make do with plant paper.

「Ah, they would」

Then, after all, I think places that make animal paper would suffer.

「Understood. Um, since it is protection……Should Delzen Paper absorb them?」

Do not do a forceful takeover.

「Of course. We will proceed in the same direction as the ghostwriting business」

The ghostwriting business.

It is a job where one writes letters when asked, but requests for letters are not that frequent, and the main work is copying manuscripts.

It is the job of copying books and letters.

Once printing technology spreads, it is expected that the job of copying manuscripts will disappear.

The precious source of income for those engaged in ghostwriting will vanish.

That would be very troubling.

We had kept the printing press out of the public eye for those reasons.

If Versa had not transferred the business to me, I probably would not have revealed it for quite some time yet.

But now that it was out in the open, it could not be helped.

Before problems arose, the plan was to employ those working in the ghostwriting trade.

They would be assigned to create original masters for printed materials at Delzen Publishing.

It seemed like it would be difficult to explain the job details and get their agreement to be hired, but……

Eliza took it upon herself, saying to leave it to her.

It had already been decided to hire several ghostwriters.

And since we were proceeding in the same direction as the ghostwriting trade, that likely meant employing those who make animal paper as well.

Delzen Paper is not absolutely restricted to producing only plant paper.

I want to establish a department that makes animal paper and have them earn income through stable production there.

……

Well, that is just my own way of thinking.

Expanding a business and then protecting those who suffer because of its impact might be unnecessary meddling.

「No, no. Protecting jobs is the work of a lord. It is only natural. It is especially important when advancing new businesses」

But I am not a lord, am I?

「The village chief is a lord by virtue of the position of village chief」

Hmm, is that so?

「It is. In any case, if they do not like our approach, the other party will simply refuse, so please do not worry too much」

Understood.

Still, it is a new business backed by large capital, and there are those who will be caught up in it.

「Hehe. There will be some confusion, but they will make good use of it」

Will they?

「Yes. One way or another, they are resilient」

……All right.

I will watch how things unfold.

「Understood. I will report if anything happens」

Please do.

-0-

AN: This will likely be the last update of the year.

I look forward to working with you again next year.