Berg touched his head and grinned foolishly. Ella couldn't help but complain in her heart that Berg's performance was a waste of this handsome face.

"Was Berg a nobleman?"

"Yes, that's right. Everyone in Cang Yan was born into a family of nobility. I'm the son of a lord, Ina is the daughter of my housekeeper, and the others are similarly related. Well, their identities are things of the past, and no one mentions them anymore."

It was common knowledge in the Holy Academy that Cang Yan and his group's families were destroyed by the Seal of Gluttony. Ella didn't act so tactlessly as to ask, "Has Berg let go of his hatred?", which would have opened up the wound, but instead immediately changed the subject.

"Do people on the mainland make paper using Berg's method?"

"Hmm... I don't know about other places, but the Kingdom of Barris and the Sacred Academy use the same papermaking method I do. The quality of the paper varies depending on the wood used and the skill level of the caster. For someone like the magic caster in our group, their paper could probably be sold for two or three copper coins."

"Wait, the proficiency of a spellcaster? A magic caster?"

If the quality of paper changes with the wood material, I can completely understand it, but statements like "the caster's proficiency" make me feel confused.

Berg, not surprised, but rather as if it was natural, explained with the axe on his shoulder.

"Ah, yes. As long as you bring a whole piece of wood to a magic caster who has learned papermaking magic, they can turn the wood into paper. One piece of wood can produce about one or two sheets of paper."

“Hahh ...

"Your Majesty? What's wrong?"

"No, no, nothing. I just thought of something and need to go back."

"Really? It will probably take us an hour. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Well, I'm going back now."

After waving to Berg, who looked astonished, Ella hurried back to her carriage, frowning. While Berg's words were baffling, if she thought about it carefully, she should have guessed it long ago. In this world, even food can be created with magic, not to mention paper. Of course, the efficiency and cost involved were another matter.

"No wonder paper is so expensive in this world... I see."

Magic casters are rare, and even fewer willing to learn life magic. If one were to set their own price, selling a piece of paper for a single silver coin wouldn't be surprising. And for someone like me, armed with knowledge of the original world, even if it's just to improve the lives of my people, I should spread the art of papermaking. While I don't know how many sheets of paper a tree can produce, it's definitely more than the one or two Berg suggested. Furthermore, papermaking isn't limited to trees; even straw or bamboo can be used.

Most importantly, the production cost is extremely low and even ordinary people can use it.

Ella came to the carriage, pulled open the curtain, stepped onto the carriage, and sat down opposite Camisia with a serious expression. Noticing Ella's different aura from usual, her companions all tilted their heads to look at her.

Lotte put the teacup back on the kotatsu.

"What's wrong, Miss Ella? Why are you so serious?"

"Hmm, you were going to talk about the papermaking process. Has paper always been made through magic?"

"Yes, that's right. Although the paper bags used by vendors are made by other methods, writing paper must be made using magical paper."

"Princess, do you have any new ideas?"

Camisia's eyes lit up.

"Yes, it is, but why can't the paper used by vendors be used for writing?"

Ruthie's words made Ella recall the paper bags she had received from street vendors in the past. They were made of a khaki-colored, very rough paper.

Lotte tilted her head and blinked her orange-red eyes.

"Because it's not suitable for writing. The surface is too rough. The uneven areas will break if it gets wet, and it's easily scratched by the pen tip. Even with a soft, ink-wasting pen made of animal hair, you can't write on it. What you write will be absorbed by the paper and spread out, becoming blurry."

In other words, there were early prototypes of papermaking, but because of the ready-made magic paper, no one was willing to continue the development of papermaking.

Ella couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

"Mmm, can't you improve your technique a bit?"

"Technology? Improvement? Aira-chan, do you mean to create writable paper through means other than magic?"

Attracted by what Ella said, even Iris became interested and naturally asked further questions.

But for Ella, this actually stumped her. She only knew the brief process, but had no idea how to implement it specifically.

[However, as long as the general method is made known, there will naturally be people willing to try it. And since it is Camisia and Iris, they might have their subordinates develop it specifically.]

With this thought in mind, Ella repeated what she knew.

"First, boil the wood using a steaming method. Then, knead the boiled wood into fibers—no, it's simply hammered into pulp. Then, use a paper scoop of this size to scoop up the pulp and flatten it into paper. Finally, place the flattened wood board on the wet paper to be dried, press it down and dry it, and then carefully peel it off to make paper."

"... Putting aside the fact that there are a lot of unfamiliar terms in there, this process can't be explained in a few words, right? Could Ella-chan provide a more detailed diagram? If this method works, it could change a lot of things."

It’s because I don’t understand that I can only discuss it with you!

Even though I was yelling in my heart, since I had already decided to do it, I had to explain it to the best of my ability.

Ella placed her index finger on her chin and frowned in thought.

"I'll try, but I can't guarantee there will be no problems with the entire process. I only have a rough outline. Ah—right!"

If you go find Jinghua, who was originally a cartoonist, you might find something useful.

Of course, Ella didn't say what she was thinking, but secretly decided to find a way to connect Camisia and Jinghua.

With a bang, Ella slammed her hands on the table.

"Anyway, I'll try my best, but give me a few more days."

"Yes, yes. If you have any questions, feel free to come to me. Well, you can also come to Camisia."

"As long as the princess has something to ask for, I will definitely respond."

"I'm also somewhat interested..."

After receiving support from Iris, Camisia, and Luty, Ella suddenly gained confidence in herself. However, within the next half hour, this confidence quickly disappeared without a trace. For someone with only vague memories, this process was too difficult.

In the end, Ella could only describe the plan orally, Luty was responsible for drawing the schematic diagram, and Iris and Camisia provided corrections and collaborated in discussing the feasibility. However, even so, no one could get a satisfactory answer. In the end, everyone could only decide to verify the feasibility of the process through step-by-step practice. As for the heated discussion among the four people, which seemed like an internal conflict to Cang Yan and his group, and to the point that they seriously discussed whether to come and dissuade them, Ella would never know.

Chapter 19: Request for Discussion

*创世纪6188年1月6日 上午11:09分 尤利尔王国

After the papermaking workshop concluded, Ella and her group set off again. Just as Berg had predicted, they reached the post station in just an hour. However, the post station in the Kingdom of Uriel was noticeably smaller than those elsewhere—perhaps due to varying customs in different regions—and instead of a two-story structure like a duplex, it was a rather ordinary single-story structure.

There are no separate partitions inside the entire house, but it is presented to people in the form of a hall. Although there are many single beds against the walls, if Ella were to sleep on them, she would probably feel uneasy because there are no screens around her, and it would feel like she is sleeping on a dormitory bed.

Ella, Shen Gan, and Mitis were the first to disembark from the carriage and surveyed the interior of the inn. Lottie and Cang Yan's men, under the guidance of the inn manager, were setting up the carriages and horses. According to Cang Yan and his group, the journey would take at least a week before they encountered another town, so a day of rest would be best to ease the fatigue of the journey. Ella naturally agreed to Cang Yan's proposal.

"I think it would be better to sleep in the carriage..."

"If the post station manager heard this, he would definitely kick you out, Senior."

Shen Gan, who was standing next to Ella, sighed, and Ella couldn't help feeling embarrassed.

"It wouldn't be a big deal if I were sleeping outdoors, but it's really hard to sleep with so many strangers around."

"That's because Ella is used to a private room. I can sleep anywhere."

"Mitis doesn't need to sleep at all."

Moreover, the fact that I can only sleep in a single room is a habit I developed since I was born. Not to mention when I am too tired, usually, I am the type who cannot fall asleep if there is a little noise around me.

"Anyway, if you want to sleep here, please tell Lotte, who's setting up the carriage. If you don't, you'll be sleeping in the carriage by default."

"Yes, yes~ Although I think no one except Angeline would sleep here."

"Didn't Mitis say she could sleep anywhere? It's a bit crowded in the carriage at night, so for everyone's sake, Mitis and Angelica should sleep in the inn."

After using some teasing words, Ella pretended to be very serious.

Like a rusty machine, Mitis froze in place, and after a second she gave a dry laugh.

"Ah, ha, ha, I was just joking..."

"I knew Mitis would say that."

Spreading her hands helplessly, Ella walked out of the inn with lost interest. Although the inside of the inn was very warm, the sweat smell caused by the long-term closed space made her feel a little weird.

"But you say you're taking a break, but what should we do?"

The biggest threat on the journey is not monsters and bandits, but how to kill free time.

"Want to play sand chess? There's snow here."

As she spoke, Mitis reached into the black hole-like storage space. Sand chess was a game popular among the nobles of the Bruzea Empire. To a certain extent, it was an idealized simulated war. Due to the numerous rules, weather and morale factors had to be considered when moving chess pieces. Sometimes, the officials would even use sand chess games to select soldiers suitable to become military staff.

Judging from past records, Mitis has only lost to Camisia. Even Iris and Luty are no match for Mitis. However, this is understandable. Not to mention that the game itself is something brought by Mitis. First of all, in the Branch of Disaster, only Camisia and Mitis have commanded soldiers.

Ella, knowing the ending without having to guess, waved her hand.

"Forget about the sand chess, I don't want to be forced to give up my main force at the beginning by Mitis."

"Hey, what a rare opportunity."

"What's wrong? I came over and found Mittis sighing."

The brown shawl ponytails swayed from side to side as they walked. Angelini, who had already placed the horses, blinked curiously. Following Angelini were Luty, Camisia, Cang Yan and his group, but Iris was not among them.

"Where's Elise?"

"Elise-san is asking the innkeeper for information. By the way, why is little Ella standing outside?"

"There's nothing to do."

"Eh? Little Ella, you have some free time? In that case, let's go rabbit hunting together! Little Ella will stun the rabbit with magic, and I'll catch it."

Angelica's blue eyes suddenly shone with star-like light, and Ella reached out and held Angelica's face close to her.

"Lunch is almost here at this hour, and using magic for hunting is a bit unfair."

Lunch was provided by the staff at the post station, but judging from the fact that there was no smoke rising from the kitchen yet, lunch time in the Kingdom of Uriel should be later than in other places.

Ella's words made Angeline droop and she let out a long sigh.

"You could catch a bunch of rabbits with just a stun grenade, but it's such a waste not to use such a skill."

"If you say no, then it's no."

"In that case, Your Majesty, how about sparring with us again?"

The person who spoke was Berg, who was standing behind Angelica, who was rubbing his hands embarrassedly.

"Of course, we're not competing against Lady Camisia. Honestly, we just want to know how we fare against the Branch of Disaster in a team battle. After all, we'll be facing the Seal of Envy soon. If we can improve our strength, we'll have a better chance of survival... provided you accept our request."

Ella turned her head to look at her companions behind her, and no one shook their heads. Angelica, who was standing in front of her, even looked eager to try. Similarly, Cang Yan and his group behind Berg also had expectant expressions on their faces, which even reminded Ella of children who saw sweets and stretched their necks to stare at her.

[Are these people battle maniacs?]

After muttering to herself, Ella nodded.

"Hmm, well, it's a good place to kill time. Is it okay to stay around here?"

Ella's agreement immediately made Cang Yan cheer a little. As the team leader, Berg concealed his joy by constantly clenching and unclenching his fists, or rubbing his hands against his shoulders. However, as if remembering something, Berg's expression froze for a moment. He slowly turned his head and looked at Camisia standing at the end of the team, then embarrassedly returned his gaze to Ella.

"Well... although this request is excessive, we would like to finish the battle slowly and absorb more knowledge."

Perhaps he meant that Camisia's strength was too high, so he needed to balance the fighting power. Ella nodded in agreement and took out a Sky Punishment Pestle that was as tall as a person from the storage.

"Then let me, Lotte, and Angeline take the stage."

"I?"

Not hearing his own name, Shen Gan frowned in dissatisfaction.

"As an assassin, it's not easy to fully demonstrate my abilities in direct combat, so I'll just be a spectator this time."

The correct statement should be that adding Angelica was already too much, and if Shen Gan was also involved, Cang Yan and his group would not achieve the purpose of learning. It was only because saying this would damage Cang Yan's reputation that Ella used another statement.

Mitis was also dissatisfied.

"What? Even I can't participate."

"Mitis is already level 40!"

"4...40..."

Hearing Mitis's level, Berg took a deep breath and a wry smile appeared on his handsome face.

"It's Miss Vampire."

"Anyway, I, Lotte, and Angelica are enough."

"Even though it's a sparring match, wouldn't it be too much of a stretch with only three of us?"

The one who spoke was the magic caster in the Azure Flame. At the same time, Lotte and Camisia, who were originally standing behind the Azure Flame, walked behind Ella.

"Lotte and Angeline are level 30 magicians and warriors respectively, and I'm a level 29 healer. Is that all right?"

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like