Chapter 146
"Liberta-sama."
"Oh, Ingrid—or rather, how was everyone?"
Avoiding any bad premonitions, I finished my tasks and properly modified the alchemy workbench. After successfully obtaining what I needed, I immediately began working with Amina.
"Like this?" "Eh, you're adding this much?" "My memory's fuzzy. For now, it's fine to make it even if it's not perfect." "Is that really okay...?"
Since I made this a long time ago, I'd forgotten the specifics, so I recreated it while trying to recall the process.
"Well, the paper is done, at least." "It's super flimsy and way too thin! You can't even write on this. It’ll probably tear as soon as ink touches it." "No, this thinness is necessary!!" "Why...?"
Trial and error—the tools were correct, the skills were there, and so was the knowledge. If all that was in place, it should be possible.
"It’s here, it’s here, it’s here, it’s here!!! This thinness, this softness!! This whiteness!!" "Eh? Is this really okay? It’s kinda long, though." "That’s fine!! We’re rolling it onto this wooden stick!!" "Okay, but... Liberta, you’re even harder to understand than usual."
Looking back, I was definitely going off the rails, but there was no helping it. I had successfully created my masterpiece—toilet paper.
Amina, who had been helping me make it, was bewildered, but I distinctly remember her applauding me as I danced around in joy, holding the finished product in one hand.
"It was... something else." "Yeah, I might never be able to go back to grass." "It was magnificent. I’d love to set up mass production as soon as possible." "Traveling would be unbearable without it."
And since I made it, it’s only human nature to want to hear their thoughts. Asking them to use it right away would be too much, though. Since it’s related to bodily functions, I first showed them the actual product. They were shocked to learn I’d created paper called "toilet paper," then amazed by its softness, texture, and convenience.
When they found out it was meant to be used after going to the bathroom, the girls were even more stunned. But since I’d already made it, I pushed for them to try it, then left it alone for the day.
Apparently, everyone ended up using it and was completely won over.
Nell and Amina came back, fidgeting and looking embarrassed as they reported. Well, I was just asking for their thoughts on the toilet paper, but since it was about bathroom stuff, it must’ve been awkward for them.
Ingrid was expressionless but gave me a thumbs-up, signaling it was good.
Claudia, who knew the hardships of travel, seemed conflicted—unsure whether it was better to know or not.
"If you like it, that’s all that matters. So, Claudia, you’re okay with this, right?"
Now that they understood the value of toilet paper, we could move to the next step. To confirm there was no danger and that it had real worth, I checked with Claudia, who nodded with a wry smile.
"That will undoubtedly cause a revolution among noblewomen. I’m sure Duke Edelgard would agree to support your plan, Liberta."
Her expression suggested she could already picture the duke being cornered by enthusiastic noblewomen. For my part, I was imagining the same scene with the duchess, Lady Esmeralda, and Lady Iris.
"Then, Ingrid, pack some toilet paper and rice lotion to send to the duke along with a letter. The letter should say that in exchange for teaching him how to produce toilet paper, I want him to sponsor it. Add that depending on the terms, I might also share the rice lotion recipe." "Understood."
The response was positive. Ingrid nodded immediately, and Claudia, now convinced of the toilet paper’s practicality, gave her full approval.
But producing this stuff privately would be a pain. Making it at home for personal use is one thing, but mass-producing it for business would require a dedicated factory.
I definitely don’t want to dedicate my life to meticulously crafting that thinness over and over, and I doubt the duke expects that from me either.
"For now, this is good. I’ll leave the noble negotiations to Ingrid, and we’ll start preparing for our next move. Nell, is the meeting with Zink still on?"
In that case, splitting the profits is the most reasonable approach. Making 100,000 zeni from toilet paper alone is pretty much impossible.
Well, maybe if nobles bought it en masse, it could happen... but probably not, right?
"Dad said anytime is fine."
For now, we’ll wait for the duke’s reply.
With both of their approvals, sending the duke toilet paper and rice lotion along with a letter explaining the plan should secure the noble market. Once that’s locked in, no one should interfere.
The duke’s reply will take time, so in the meantime, I’ve set up a meeting with Zink to get Amina’s title—"Rookie Idol"—as well.
As previously planned, we’ll establish an idol division under Nell’s family’s merchant guild.
"Alright, let’s go."
I’ve already prepared the presentation materials. The activity period will be irregular, and real idol professionals might call it half-hearted, but we can’t commit fully to that, so I hope they’ll forgive us.
And so, Nell, Amina, Claudia, and I headed to Nell’s family’s shop for the first time in a while.
There, we met Zink, who was leisurely running his business.
"Hmm, so this is how you do business, huh? Yeah, this is well thought out."
He sipped tea while reading the materials I’d prepared.
We sat across from him, with Nell and Amina on either side of me and Claudia behind me.
Even in a small merchant guild, there’s a reception room for negotiations.
The materials I showed Zink summarized the advertising effects—basically, using celebrities to promote products, like saying a famous person uses this cosmetic or recommends this food, to boost sales.
In a world without the internet, this method would be strikingly fresh and innovative.
"From what I’m reading, it sounds like Amina will sing and promote our shop like a bard, which is great for us, but what’s in it for you? You’re not even asking for payment. Honestly, for a merchant, nothing is more expensive than something free."
The benefit is that in this world without the internet, the effect would be massive. Rumors are a form of entertainment here, making this approach uniquely powerful.
"Right, my—or rather, our—main goal is to get Amina her title and job. Everything else is secondary." "Her job? Now that you mention it, Nell said something like that too. Wait, she’s already reaching Class 3?" "Not exactly yet. We’re stuck trying to get a key for a certain dungeon. Once we have that, we’ll move on to Class 3 and job acquisition." "When I reached Class 3, my merchant friends pooled money to hire guards, and it was still a struggle."
It might sound absurd, but Zink seems to trust me to some extent. Well, in a world starved for entertainment, idol-like activities might be easily accepted as a kind of festival event.
"Well, there are all kinds of ways." "It’s great that my daughter’s getting stronger, but it makes me wonder what all my hard work was for. Still, if that’s the case, I’m fine with it. It doesn’t seem like it’ll generate bad rumors, and it’s just adding one department to the guild. The staff would be Liberta, Amina, Nell, and..." "I’ll supervise as a guardian, so don’t worry." "Ah, right. Thank you."
Surprisingly, things went smoothly, and we moved on to drafting the contract. The only shocking part was Claudia acting as a guardian.
Having a famous person indirectly affiliated with the guild as a guardian left Zink unable to hide his nervousness.
"But will people really gather just for singing? I’ve seen bards singing in the market square before, and hardly anyone was there." "Times are tough, huh? But don’t worry. If we do it in a certain place, we can expect a decent crowd."
Zink’s hands moved swiftly as he prepared the contract. Without this, we wouldn’t be recognized as an idol agency, so this step was crucial.
"Here, if everything looks good, sign here. After that, you’ll all be employees of a certain department in our guild." "Thank you." "No problem. If you hadn’t protected this shopping district, I might not even be in business anymore. Plus, thanks to you supplying us with rice lotion, we’ve been eating meat a lot more often lately. My wife even bought some good wine the other day. She’s been talking about expanding the shop and hiring more help."
Thanks to the trust we’d built, the exchange was quick. As a merchant, he wants to grow his business, so he seems to have high hopes for me.
"At this rate, the entertainment division might end up becoming the main business instead of accessories." "Ahahaha! That’d be something. Me, the leader of a theater troupe. I’d be interested in that."
Depending on Amina’s success, Nell’s family might actually become an idol agency. We’re laughing about it now, but if we bring in Amina’s successors, it might really take off.
Not to sound rude, but this world is severely lacking in entertainment for the masses.
Considering that, idol activities—a form of public entertainment—would probably be well-received.
But I can’t deny Zink’s skepticism either.
For now, I’m satisfied with getting the necessary documents.
"I don’t think I need to worry about you, but just don’t do anything that’ll tarnish our guild’s name, okay?" "Understood. I’ll be careful."
This was proof of trust—permission to use the guild’s name. I carefully stored it in my item bag.
With that, our business here was done.
"Well, we’ve got places to be, so we’ll take our leave." "Leaving already?" "Yes, we have things to do." "Busy, huh? Well, as a merchant, I should be happy about that." "I wish I had more time."
With those merchant-like words, we left the shop in a hurry.
"Liberta, where are we going?" "The hot springs." "Eh, we’re going to bathe now?"
Our next destination was the hot springs where we’d played with the spirits before—but not to relax.
"Nah, we’re going to promote Amina’s live show to the spirits. And while we’re at it, we’ll do a live performance for them right now."
That’s why I brought instruments in my magic bag.
The condition for Amina to acquire the "Songstress" title is audience numbers—and the race of the audience doesn’t matter.
Whether human, monster, or spirit, as long as they listen to Amina’s song and she can offer it to the gods, it counts.
In the past, there was even a madman who caused a stampede in front of a shrine, forcing monsters to listen to his song to gain attention and earn the title.
If you asked me if I’d tried it, I’d say that while I’m not bad at playing instruments, singing just isn’t my forte.
I’m not terrible, but I hit a wall where I just couldn’t get any better—like a talent barrier—so I gave up.
"Eh? Why are we having the spirits listen?" "Because the audience doesn’t have to be human. In the divine territory of the shrine, spirits can gather more easily, and they’re more receptive than people. Haven’t you heard stories about spirits showing up at festivals?" "Eh, it doesn’t have to be humans?" "Yep. To put it simply, as long as there are beings intently listening to the song, it’s fine. Spirits are the easiest to hype up once they get into it."
Even I know this surefire method to get the "Songstress" title. It’s flashy, but I’ve already met the king and have connections with the duke.
So now, I’m going all out.
Well then, let’s see just how spectacular this event turns out to be.