Chapter 71

Chapter 71

#71. The Art of the North (4)

The age range of those attending my art lectures was quite diverse.

There were elderly, middle-aged, and young adults evenly represented.

And nearly twenty women filled the space as well.

Their one commonality? They were all at least considered the best artists in their respective neighborhoods.

“Explaining it a hundred times won’t do any good. You need to actually draw a lot to improve your skills.”

I didn’t falter even when I saw the students struggling to understand. After all, the first batch of students struggled just like this.

“Alright, here you go. You’ve got brushes, paints, and canvases. Use them as much as you want, like always.”

Their previously blank expressions lit up the moment they saw the free brushes, paints, and canvases.

For these people, who were used to drawing with graphite on leather or wooden panels, or carving wood or stone with chisels, such an opportunity wasn’t something that came around often.

“While you’re drawing, feel free to ask if anything comes up. And for now, don’t worry about my status.”

In the center of the lecture hall, my paintings were displayed as teaching materials.

There were four in total: two were portraits of Ariana painted after that day, and the other two featured recent depictions of Valkyrie, Sun, and the High Knights.

The students practiced by choosing one of these paintings and attempting to replicate it.

“It’s frustrating that we don’t have printing technology yet; this is the only way we can manage right now.”

Watching the students immerse themselves in their art made me lost in thought.

The influence of painting, which started out as a hobby and side project, was immense.

It had transcended mere monetary and artistic value.

It had become an endless field for PR.

“Who would’ve thought we’d end up with Northern Duchy merchandise! Fanbases! Photo card businesses!”

By the way, the photo cards here referred to the portraits of Ariana and Northern knights that the students were diligently drawing.

Surprisingly, not only Ariana but also Northern knights like Valkyrie and Sun were quite popular across the continent.

Even those imperial citizens who dismissed Northerners as barbarians acknowledged the strength of the Northern knights.

“My drawings might have more flair, but there’s nothing we can do about that. I can’t be tied up here all day either.”

Printing technology in this world is still primitive, barely capable of producing movable type.

It’s far inferior to Gutenberg’s press-style printing machine, and even with Gutenberg’s technology, my detailed artwork couldn’t be reproduced accurately.

Paper is also incredibly rare.

“Eventually, I’ll have to get around to developing the tech tree for printing and paper…”

Of course, I could create a Gutenberg-style printing press right now.

But I’m taking my time.

“What’s the point of advancing printing technology if paper remains scarce in the North and illiteracy rates are high?”

Rapid technological and economic development can also be problematic. The level of consciousness among the people of the North needs to keep pace with technological advancements.

Once the expansion of literacy and mass production of paper are ready, that’s when I’ll proceed.

“Boss, I’m done.”

At that moment, Mary’s voice reached me from behind.

“Hooh.”

I turned around and inspected the papers she handed over.

“They’re getting better and better every time I see them.”

The high-quality stationery Mary handed me featured the personal signature and short greeting of Duchess Ariana of the North.

“To the honorable scholar Lord Longos of the Western Region of the Empire, wishing for his prosperity. -Ariana Rune Renslett, Duchess of the North”

These signatures were meant to accompany the Northern Duchy merchandise.

Obviously, Ariana didn’t write them herself—Mary mimicked her handwriting so well after some practice that it was now indistinguishable.

“But… is this really okay?”

“With the Duchess’s permission, it’s fine.”

“That’s not what I mean… This is the Duchess’s signature. If these start circulating…”

“So what? She uses her seal for official matters anyway, right?”

“True, but…”

“Besides, didn’t I specifically ask Her Majesty for a new signature for this purpose?”

“…”

Mary still hasn’t fully adapted to Earth-style promotions.

“Any other autographs?”

“…Here.”

With a look of lingering confusion, Mary handed over another piece of paper.

“To the illustrious Knight Lord Kindenberk of the Central-North Empire, may your honor shine ever brighter. -Valkyrie Shiochan”

This time, it was a signed note from Valkyrie.

“Did Valkyrie readily agree?”

“She seemed surprisingly pleased.”

“Ahh…”

Behold, this is capitalism.

We sell practically everything under the name of the Northern Duchy.

Tourist goods aside, almost everything has been commercialized.

“Wait… isn’t there a Chimera Automail Tourism Package as a tourist product?”

Correction: We’re doing pretty well with tourism products too.

“This is what you call multi-variety small-batch production. It’s essentially a custom luxury business. In fact, this is where the most profit lies.”

Northern Duchy merchandise is sold to nobles and wealthy commoners, so handmade items are more suitable than mass production.

That’s why I haven’t adopted factory-style division of labor.

“How ingenious of Her Majesty to think of using portraits to generate profits!”

I excitedly told Mary.

Indeed, it all started with Duchess Ariana’s order to find a way to mass-produce and sell her portrait.

“Well… yeah…”

Responding to my comment, Mary looked slightly regretful, as if she felt guilty about mimicking the Duchess’s handwriting.

“The Duchess’s handwriting keeps bothering her, huh?”

Such a loyal woman.

Looking at such a devoted Mary made me feel warm inside.

* * *

Portraits of Duchess Ariana of the North hang in various places within the workshop buildings.

In these portraits, Ariana displays different outfits and moods.

Sometimes she appears as a noble knight, and other times as a graceful lady of the snowy plains.

Some of these portraits were painted by me, but most were created by the artists attending the academy, and their quality was quite impressive.

In certain aspects, they captured the Northern essence better than mine.

“Hanging the ruler’s portrait like this could encourage loyalty competitions, right?”

As my company grows, the number of envious people will increase. Even in the North, we can’t afford to let our guard down.

We need to stack loyalty points early in case of sudden tests.

Don’t countries on Earth also hang portraits of presidents or rulers in homes and public institutions?

After finishing the lecture, Mary and I walked through the workshop, admiring Ariana’s portraits, eventually arriving at the First Factory.

“Is the paint production going smoothly?”

“It’s proceeding without issues. Actually, we’ve been having problems lately due to the lack of work at the First Factory, so this is great timing.”

The interior of the First Factory, which used to produce Chimera Automails, had changed.

While the original Chimera Automail production line still exists, another process dominates the space.

It’s the paint production line.

“Even though Bishop Trading Company helps secure customers, there aren’t many.”

Mary looked at the expanded alchemy line, now three times larger than before.

“Just in time. In a way, this is also thanks to Her Majesty’s grace, isn’t it?”

“…Yes.”

Most of the disabled in the North have already been treated.

Now, the majority of our output is for practitioners outside the North.

However, finding highly motivated customers willing to travel secretly to the North isn’t easy.

Especially among the nobility, who have abundant money and time and are beyond the reach of church pressure, there aren’t many.

Recently, the First Factory has been operating at half capacity. Half the staff were transferred to the second, third, and fourth factories that produce ceramics.

Thanks to the appearance of Northern Duchy merchandise, the First Factory is beginning to revive.

“The First Factory can continue to function as a chemical plant moving forward.”

As I toured the factory, where various powdered magic stones, minerals, and herbs are blended to make paints, I thought.

Unlike Earth, where mana doesn’t exist, this world has magic and mana, making alchemy far more effective than Earth chemistry.

Alchemy in this world follows a similar trajectory to Earth chemistry.

“Branch.”

“Yes.”

After completing the factory inspection, Mary and I decided to move to the office.

“Boss, you’re here!”

At that moment, Manager Te entered the factory and approached us.

“Manager Te, how did the talks with Rune Trading Company go?”

I greeted Theo and asked.

“The talks went well. However…”

Manager Te nodded, glanced around, then whispered to me.

“Really?”

Upon hearing Manager Te’s report, I widened my eyes.

* * *

In front of my office within the workshop complex, visitors were waiting.

“Gard Count! How was your diplomatic mission? Did everything go smoothly?”

“Ah! Lord Jin!”

“Hmph! Long time no see, Mr. Jin.”

“Mr. Bishop, it’s been a while. Your unexpected visit surprises me, but it’s nice to see you.”

Gard, who leads the Northern delegation and serves as the head of the state-sponsored Rune Trading Company, and Entaire Bishop, currently active in the empire, were visiting the workshop.

“But what brings you here? If you visited High City, you should have met with Her Highness first, right?”

I questioned their sudden visit to the workshop without prior notice.

“Her Highness instructed us to discuss things with Mr. Jin here at the workshop first.”

Gard smiled and replied to my question.

“Is that so?”

Although unexpected, it wasn’t unreasonable to overlook.

Since a significant portion of the discussions at the royal court in High City inevitably involve our company, it was beneficial to discuss beforehand.

Her Highness isn’t someone you can meet easily just because she wants to.

“What brings you here, Count Entaire?”

After exchanging brief pleasantries with Gard, I turned my gaze toward Entaire Bishop.

“It’s… ”

Just as Entaire was about to answer my question…

“Are you serious?! Is this thing really selling?”

Another conversation echoed from behind Entaire.

“I can’t believe it…”

It was the infamous Mercenary King Carpe, known for her fiery red hair and piercing blue eyes, along with her Red Wolf mercenaries.

Historically, they caused trouble at the Main Wall and sought asylum in the Kingdom Alliance.

I caught them at the perfect moment. Perhaps my luck stat extended all the way to the eastern part of the empire.

“There’s definitely something wrong here. No matter how much money they have, buying that old man’s portrait for gold coins?!”

Carpe gasped upon seeing Valkyrie’s portrait hanging in the hallway leading to my office.

“You don’t think so, guys? Paying for crap like this… There are sickos out there who buy this…”

“Wow! It includes Valkyrie’s autograph!”

“Should I buy it? Damn it! Let’s just buy it!”

“There’s also a portrait of Northern Icewall Sun!”

“Holy crap! The portrait of the Northern Duchess is stunningly beautiful.”

“Insanely expensive, but I kinda wanna buy it.”

On the other hand, the Red Wolves were enthusiastically admiring the portraits of Valkyrie and Sun, their eyes shining brightly.

“…Sickos who buy this stuff are right here?”

Seeing her subordinates, Carpe sighed in disbelief, her expression deflating.

Incidentally, Carpe retained her signature fiery red hair and striking blue eyes since we were in the North.

“I apologize. These mercenaries are skilled but lack refinement…”

Hearing the exchange between Carpe and the Red Wolves, Entaire closed his eyes tightly and apologized to me.

“Hahahaha…”

Beside him, Gard, who ascended alongside Entaire from High City, chuckled awkwardly.

“Let’s head inside. Manager Te, please keep an eye on the mercenaries.”

I guided the two into my office.

* * *

As we entered the office, Entaire gazed longingly at the embedded magic stones on the ceiling and asked,

“Would you consider selling the heating fire-element magic stones and the lighting light-element magic stones?”

Thanks to the fire-element magic stones crafted intermittently by me and the witches, the office remained cozy and warm.

Additionally, light-element magic stones installed throughout ensured the interior stayed bright despite the lack of sunlight typical in the North.

“Don’t they sell similar items at the Imperial Mage Tower?”

“I know. But they’re sold in such limited quantities at exorbitant prices…”

Not only in the empire but also in other kingdoms, mages create similar magical devices using magic stones.

The problem is that division of labor is difficult due to mage pride.

“That applies here as well.”

“Here too? Aren’t the witches working in the factory?”

“It takes considerable effort to manage them. That’s why we established the academy.”

Given our current shortage of supplies for use in the North, I reiterated that it’s not feasible yet, though he brings it up every time we meet.

“Sigh…”

“Would you like some tea?”

I handed Entaire a cup of tea to soothe him.

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