EP.9

“Well then, shall we take a look at some other books?”

Having passed the discerning taste test of the difficult customer, the basic framework for the production of *Snow White* was complete.

However, there was still one process remaining, which was the enhancement of the book’s quality.

“This cover is undoubtedly made from the leather of a white calf. To think they would use such a precious material for a book.”

“And the paper! I underestimated it, but it seems to be specially crafted paper. I can’t believe there were still types of paper I didn’t know about.”

“Is it possible? They used Arachne silk for the bookbinding? Unbelievable. That expensive material.”

What the Guild Leader had brought was not just art supplies.

I had requested him to gather a variety of expensive books and even poorly made publications from the capital, and indeed, the selection was diverse.

The artisans and I inspected those books, checking what materials were used and how each was finished.

“I think the quality of the current books is decent, but there’s still quite a bit lacking.”

My own experience with bookmaking stemmed solely from learning in a book art club in my past life, and since the artisans were not originally book-makers, there were many areas in need of improvement.

Since I had resolved to run a business to pay off my family’s debts, the book’s quality had to be at least comparable, if not the best in the empire.

Not only that, but in order to ensure the book’s popularity, a classification of grades was necessary.

“I plan to release three types of books.”

“Three types?”

“Yes. The first will be a custom-made version, sold to only ten individuals, just like the original.”

This highest-grade fairy tale book would recreate the characters of *Snow White* based on the client’s requests, giving a sense of it being a book made just for them.

Ten copies would be the limit. Beyond that, scarcity would diminish, and more importantly, I wouldn’t be able to handle the workload.

“The second is a high-end hardcover edition. It’s not much different from the custom-made version, but the characters will be of a unified type.”

I drew inspiration for this from my past life. Well-performing books usually come out in hardcover as a standard, and while the content doesn’t significantly change, the luxuriousness is a key feature.

“The last one is a budget version made from suitable materials, just like the one we made with 100 copies.”

The last type is a mass-produced version, similar to the 100 copies made previously. It’s easy to create, and while it doesn’t imply luxury due to cost-saving measures, its low price ensures high demand.

As I explained my book classification, the artisans showed expressions of admiration, only to suddenly look startled, as if they realized something.

“Um… Young Master, if I may ask, how many books will you be making this time?”

“Hahaha, it’s not too many. If I combine the custom-made 10 copies, the hardcover 30 copies, and the mass-produced 100 copies, that gives us a total of 140 books.”

“When do you plan to finish the 140 copies…?”

“What’s the rush? We’ll manage to finish them within a month or so!”

“No way!!!”

No way, indeed. Seriously, for these folks, a six-day workweek at around 18 hours a day should be more than sufficient.

Is this the medieval era? There’s no labor law to follow in this world.

Now, let’s get to work, laborers. Isn’t this all just so I can live well?

No, it’s not just that. We’re all in this to thrive together.

“Hmm… That sounds familiar, but it must be my imagination.”

*

“Here’s the used printing press you requested. It lacks the additional features of the new models, but the printing quality is not inferior.”

“Thank you for always fulfilling my requests.”

“Don’t mention it, Young Master. I’m just eager to see your new book as well.”

Esteban, the Guild Leader of the Yuren Merchant Guild, delivered a fairly well-maintained printing press obtained through the connections he had built in the Magic Tower to the Young Master of the Somerset family.
Thanks to the picky request from the customer who wanted to buy a printing press with top-notch quality while wanting to keep costs as low as possible, I had quite the struggle, but since I managed to secure it, I maintained my dignity.

After wrapping up the conversation amicably, the Guild Leader and his assisting staff exited the Somerset family estate.

“Guild Leader, even though we’ve made a decent profit from this *Cinderella* fairy tale book transaction, is this really something worth this much attention?”

Absynth, the branch chief of the Yuren Merchant Guild’s Goldfull Valley division, couldn’t quite understand the Guild Leader’s actions.

The Guild Leader was a legendary figure, known for his sharp discernment in assessing goods and bold yet cool-headed investments, which had transformed the once small Yuren Merchant Guild into one of the seven major guilds of the empire.

Seeing him personally go out of his way for merely trading a newly released fairy tale book seemed like a waste to Absynth.

“If we are counting profits, it would be much better to invest that money elsewhere. Even if we sell at double the price, we’re only talking about a maximum of 100 copies.”

But the Guild Leader was already aware of that. He understood that, in terms of sheer money, this venture would overflow with profit.

Yet, the reason he personally intervened and went out of his way to procure the materials was that he had discovered a different value.

“Is there another reason?”

“This time, it took only three days to sell 100 copies of the *Cinderella* book.”

Considering the time it took for the rumor about Yuren’s possession of *Cinderella* to spread, it had sold almost immediately after it came in.

“Indeed, there were no nobles left to buy it.”

“Some nobles even went as far as to propose ridiculous conditions, suggesting that if they bought a book from us, they would contract to purchase other items as well.”

Those haughty nobles tend to look down on merchants, no matter how wealthy they are. Their demeanor only becomes humble when they can’t repay borrowed money, which made it laughable that they were now treating the Guild Leader so amiably, requesting him to sell books.

Just thinking about how they had to swallow their pride made the Guild Leader chuckle.

“This is not merely a matter of profit. The fairy tale book will serve as a strategic weapon to target the noble class.”

Watching the Guild Leader speak with such confidence, Absynth understood his point but couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a bit over the top.

Nonetheless, considering it would be wise to humor the enthused Guild Leader, he forced a smile and nodded in agreement.

*

What is the critical element that determines the quality of a product?

It’s all about the details.

During the creation of the new book, many aspects were improved upon.

For the cover, instead of the commonly used goatskin, we used premium white calf leather, a material only fit for royalty.

It was sewn with Arachne silk, which possessed the strength of steel but the elasticity of a spider’s web.

Moreover, thin metal plates were attached to the corners of the book to prevent damage if it were to be inserted into a shelf or dropped.

Besides that, we created bookmark strings and even infused the scent of ‘Tonpina’ wood to prevent insects from being attracted later on.

The book was crafted while learning processes I had never known before.

For an entire month, the artisans and I focused solely on making books, except during meal times.

The quality of the finished product was undoubtedly on par with, if not superior to, the luxurious books the Guild Leader had brought from the capital.

“I miss my family…”

“I didn’t think the schedule this time would be this taxing on you.”

Tsk. The artisans’ physical condition was weaker than I expected. I had even made sure to provide them with revitalization potions purchased at a high price by the guild to support their wellbeing, yet they still struggled.

This other world is truly the best.

Just a sip of the vitality potion produced by the guild revived even someone who was physically drained, causing their eyes to light up as they got back up and resumed their work.
It is said that the potions made for soldiers tired from battle can also be used by workers since their workplace is a battlefield.

“By the way, we’ve finished making the books, so we need to sell them. I wonder how the Guild Leader is doing.”

In the case of *Cinderella*, the word of mouth spread naturally thanks to the Young Ladies of Ada’s age who visited our territory. However, with *Snow White*, we had to handpick 10 nobles for custom orders, and we also needed to find other buyers.

In fact, the case of *Cinderella* was unique; the current situation is the norm.

If demand created supply before, we now have to create demand through supply.

I entrusted this process to Guild Leader Yuren, and he accepted it with confidence.

Now, all that was left to do was wait.

*

“I apologize, Count. While I could reserve a hardcover copy for you, the limited edition can only be distributed by lottery.”

Bang!

Count Bordeaux slammed his fist onto the table in the reception room, forgetting even the dignity of a noble.

“Is our relationship worth so little? Am I asking for something unreasonable?”

“I would love to sell it to you, Count…”

“But what?”

“I can’t afford to stand against the imperial family, can I?”

“What… what!”

Count Bordeaux felt chills run down his spine at Guild Leader Esteban’s words.

The imperial family! Even though the name of the Guild Leader of Yuren was well-known lately, it was hardly a name that should cross the lips of a mere merchant.

“Are you saying… that the imperial family is interested in this book?”

It was hard to believe.

While he himself had been trying to procure it to appease his granddaughter, why on earth would the royal family want this ‘fairy tale book’?

When the Count asked, the Guild Leader simply placed his index finger on his lips and quietly spoke.

“Count, I can’t predict how the royal family will react if this story spreads. They might not take it well…”

“Ah… I understand! I’ll stop asking, then.”

That was a reasonable statement. It would be difficult to maintain a good standing if they got mixed up in royal matters.

Thus, the Count held back any further questions and could only request the reservation for the hardcover and the lottery for the limited edition.

After Count Bordeaux, who had shook the reception room with his entrance, left, Esteban barely managed to suppress his laughter.

“To think that the haughty Count Bordeaux would come all this way just for his granddaughter’s request.”

Who would have expected the impact of the new fairy tale book, *Snow White*, to be this significant?

All he did was sprinkle the news that a new book would be coming out to the people who had previously purchased the *Cinderella* fairy tale book, and the response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

“Moreover, I really didn’t expect ‘that person’ to show interest in this book.”

An unexpected visit from a royal attendant.

And when the instruction came to prepare a limited edition copy in ‘that person’s’ name, even Esteban, a seasoned merchant who had seen it all, felt his heart race.

“Anyway, I’ll just use it to my advantage.”

He suggested keeping the fact that the royal family ordered a copy secret, but it was unlikely to remain so.

After all, nobles would inevitably spread the word around, effectively promoting it.

Esteban was full of anticipation to see just how high the popularity of this fairy tale book would rise.