RoWE - Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Money Isn't a Problem

In the bustling streets of Westeros, Aeg encountered the papermaking siblings. They were known as Neil and Nina, hailing from the modest town of Rosby. It was a common sight in Westeros for individuals to lack surnames, instead being identified by their parentage or the place they called home. Tyrion Lannister had once explained to Aeg that only those of high status, like himself, could claim a surname and be recognized for it, especially among the elite circles of Night's Watch bondholders.

Neil, the brother, was unremarkable in appearance, yet his stature and build hinted at a youth unmarred by hunger, a testament to his family's stable circumstances. Nina, on the other hand, immediately drew Aeg's gaze. It was not her beauty that captivated him, but the sparkle in her eyes—clear as a mountain spring, alive with curiosity and hope.

Aeg was struck by a sense of familiarity. It took him a moment to place it, but then it dawned on him. It was the look of someone educated, someone who had seen the world and shed the shackles of ignorance, yet remained unburdened by life's harsh realities. This light, so rare in the eyes of Westerosi commoners, was usually reserved for the likes of Tyrion and Arya Stark, who lived lives of privilege and freedom. Most people in Westeros, however, bore the weight of survival in their eyes—a numbness and dullness that spoke of endless struggle and little hope.

For a fleeting moment, Aeg wondered if Nina, too, was a transmigrator. But he quickly dismissed the thought. As he studied her more closely, he realized she was just a young girl, not much older than Arya, with a petite frame, fair and tender skin, and a hint of baby fat on her cheeks.

"My lord?" Nina's voice, clear and soft, pulled Aeg from his reverie. "The first batch of sample paper you requested is ready. As per Lord Tyrion's instructions, we've used the original method without alterations, awaiting your inspection and guidance."

Aeg nodded, the words to correct her on his title lingering on his lips before he thought better of it. "Yes, lead the way," he said instead.

Neil, the quieter of the two, hung back as Nina guided Aeg through the workshop, explaining each step of the papermaking process with a fluency that belied her youth. They arrived at the finished products, and it was here that Nina's confidence faltered.

"This is the paper we've made," she said, her voice suddenly shy and halting. "We're trying to make it thinner and stronger."

Aeg examined the stack of paper before him. The sheets were uneven in texture and thickness, more akin to food wrappings than the smooth, white pages he was accustomed to. He picked up a sheet, feeling its rough, hard surface. It crumbled with a snap at the slightest tug.

Tyrion had not exaggerated; this paper was far from ideal, even for the most basic of uses. Nina's face flushed with embarrassment, her eyes wide with nervous anticipation, fearing the disapproval of the "boss" Tyrion had spoken of.

Aeg, however, felt no anger. He had come to see the initial samples, and it was no surprise that they were far from perfect. This was indeed paper, and that was a start.

"This won't do," Aeg murmured, echoing the sentiments of countless project supervisors from his past life. He knew little of papermaking, but he wanted to offer some guidance. Unsure of the technicalities, he opted for safe, generic advice. Direction, he believed, was crucial, and with persistence, the artisans would surely improve their craft.

As Aeg prepared to offer his cliché-laden wisdom, he couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu, a reminder of the world he had left behind.

"Firstly, the uneven thickness is a clear issue with the final stages of production. The soaking, boiling, and pulverizing of the raw materials must be meticulous. If manpower is insufficient, consider enhancing the equipment or harnessing animal power. For now, don't fret over the expenses; money is not a concern." Aeg began, his thoughts crystallizing as he spoke. Despite his lack of experience in papermaking, the fundamental problem-solving skills transcended worlds: "Additionally, enlist craftsmen to weave finer mats for the pulp scooping process. After evenly dispersing the raw materials in water, use a sieve to remove coarse impurities, then carefully scoop them out with the mats without dragging."

"Yes, yes," Nina replied, her eyes shining with admiration as she nodded vigorously.

"Regarding the color, there are two potential improvements. Either use something to bleach the raw materials during processing or add dye at the final stage to achieve a white color. Choose the method that suits you best; money is not a concern. It doesn't need to be snow-white, but the color should be consistent and light enough to provide a stark contrast with the text." Aeg continued, "The surface is excessively rough and uneven... there's no simple fix for this at the moment. For now, have someone sand it during the drying process. Ensure they use something smooth and be careful not to sand it too thin or tear it. Press it when it's semi-dry. How many are in your family? Try to avoid hiring outsiders for now. If you're truly unable to manage, come to me or Lord Tyrion. Remember, money is not a concern."

Nina thought to herself, "This boss seems incredibly capable!" She nodded repeatedly, impressed by his commanding presence and the ease with which he declared, "Money is not a concern."

Arya, the young girl who had tagged along for the adventure, giggled with less restraint. "You know a lot, master," she said.

"Don't interrupt," Aeg gently chided, ruffling his young apprentice's hair. After a moment of contemplation, he added, "There's one more crucial point. All the aforementioned issues are minor compared to the paper's lack of durability, which is a critical flaw. There's no simple solution. Explore the use of different raw materials. If that doesn't work... well, consider adding flour paste or another adhesive in the final step to see if it improves. Money is not a concern; our priority is to produce usable paper before we consider cost reduction."

"Add flour paste?" Nina blinked, suddenly enlightened. "Right, how did I not think of that!"

A brief silence fell over the workshop as several seconds passed without anyone speaking. Then, Tyrion whispered, "Is that all?"

"Yes, that's it," Aeg replied, still savoring the moment of leadership.

"Did you catch all that?" The dwarf nodded, this time addressing Neil and Nina.

"Yes, yes, we did!" they chorused.

"Excellent, you heard the boss. Work diligently, and there will be no shortage of rewards once we have usable paper."

"Ah, I almost forgot," Aeg interjected, "Once we begin mass production of usable paper, ten percent of the paper mill's profits will be allocated to you, the siblings."