Damn, I recarneted As A Judge in Fantasy World

Chapter 92: Paper Mill System [3]

Paper had truly taken the world by storm. It was thin, light, clean, and the ink dried well. There was nothing better than this for recording things.

Naturally, demand was higher among the nobility than among the commoners.

"Your Highness, the Duke of Carriers?"

After finishing my morning work, I was taking a quick walk. But then, out of nowhere, someone addressed me. It was someone I had never met before.

Enjoy more content from m-v l'-NovelBin.net

"Who are you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Rufus Schultz. I run a small business in the South."

It was a rather humble introduction, but he was actually quite a big shot.

Count Schultz was famous as a merchant in the southern part of the continent. Moreover, he was a figure who could be said to be the central axis of the Giovanni noble faction.

'It may not be as bad as the Sierra nobles, but it'll still be rough, right?' I thought.

When our precious Skyler was released, he secretly showed his hand. It wasn't a very good memory for me—a perfect situation to be treated with contempt.

But the fact that he stuck his face out meant he really wanted to secure the paper.

"Count Schultz is not a mere merchant. But what brings you here?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

I had the upper hand at the negotiating table, so there was no need to show my cards. Then Rufus Schultz spoke with a sour expression.

"His Majesty the Emperor praised the paper highly. He said he had never seen anything so wonderful in recent times."

"That's too much praise. In fact, there are better things out there," I replied modestly.

"Haha! The fabrics, Cordyceps sinensis powder, and Enfer Trip that Your Majesty has made are also amazing," Schultz continued.

I couldn't help but be surprised.

It was true that inventions weren't limited to just paper, but Count Schultz had precisely identified the point. He was known for his sharp wit, so much so that he was called the giant of the South.

I couldn't even figure out how he managed to see through my thoughts.

I let out a snicker.

The purpose was obvious, and the wordplay was meaningless.

"What do you want?" I asked directly.

"Please supply us with the paper. We will buy it all at a good price."

"The supply to the empire hasn't been properly delivered yet," I pointed out.

"Of course. I don't plan on selling it to the South right away. I have to do it step by step," Schultz assured me.

"Really? Then how much do you plan to pay?" I inquired.

Once paper was invented, parchment would quickly become obsolete, no matter the cost. Count Schultz let out a low moan, his face expressionless.

"Hmmm…"

He might have been pretending to think, but I suspected he already had a figure in mind. Finally, Rufus Schultz began to speak.

"1 shilling per sheet…"

But at that moment, someone suddenly interrupted, holding up two fingers.

"I will pay double that. How about 2 shillings per sheet? Your Majesty," a middle-aged man with a plump body and noble attire said.

The person who had interrupted was also unfamiliar to me.

Before he could continue, a skinny nobleman intervened, holding up three fingers.

"I'll pay 3 shillings per sheet!"

It was truly an absurd scene. I was simply walking in front of the court and had been suddenly bombarded with offers from nobles.

'Is this the situation where they want my money taken?' I thought.

Of course, I had no intention of signing an exclusive contract with anyone. I planned to sell to the highest bidder at the time.

Paper might not be a fish, but the high demand made the market competitive.

"If the maximum offer is 3 shillings, then so be it," I announced, deciding to sell the first 500 sheets to Count Schultz.

"I'll buy them for 4 shillings!" Count Schultz raised his hand again.

Parchment the size of an A4 sheet of paper currently cost about 3 shillings. His offer was indeed tempting. I counted down with folded fingers.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1… I will sell the first 500 sheets to Count Schultz. Okay, then," I declared.

I took Rufus Schultz into the courthouse to draft a contract quickly before anyone could complain.

'But how long will the price last?' I wondered.

My original goal was to change society positively. Like fabric, paper should be made accessible to everyone, as its uses were endless. It could even be made into armor.

I smiled broadly as I watched Count Schultz write up the contract.

'Consider Duke Giovanni's retribution for my actions,' I thought, feeling satisfied with the outcome.

As the contract was finalized, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

The paper was not only a remarkable invention but also a significant step toward influencing the broader market.

The demand was high, and the nobility's eagerness to acquire it was a testament to its quality and potential.

"Your Highness, I appreciate your trust in me," Count Schultz said as he finished signing the agreement. "I'll make sure the payment is delivered promptly."

"Thank you, Count Schultz," I replied. "I trust you will handle the distribution carefully. It's crucial that the paper is made available to those who will truly value it."

As he left, I took a moment to reflect on the implications of this success.

The paper's introduction had the potential to reshape record-keeping, communication, and even art. It was an opportunity to change the way information was preserved and shared.

I headed back to my office, where the staff was already buzzing with activity.

There were preparations to be made for the continued production of paper, and I needed to ensure that everything was running smoothly.

As I walked back to my office, the weight of the situation settled on my shoulders. The success of the paper was just the beginning. There were so many aspects to consider—production, distribution, pricing, and the potential backlash from those who stood to lose from this innovation.