Pirate Kingship-Chapter 692 - 470: Sugarcane Bagasse Papermaking Technique, Headless Knight Group (7400)_2

After the Dark Millennium of cultural blockade, the literacy rate across the entire Continent was actually less than 5%, with a third of that number being Clergy of the Church.

Papermaking technology in the countries along the East Coast was still very primitive. Its main raw materials were scrap cloth and hemp fibers. The sizing agent used was a gel extracted from sheep hooves, deer legs, bones, and animal skins.

Even imported paper from the West Coast remained prohibitively expensive, and significant quantities of costly parchment made from sheepskin were still prevalent in the market.

It is well known that humans are not Transcendent Species and do not inherit memories. It takes at least a decade or more of learning to be able to undertake societal roles.

Without a widespread and accessible written medium, there would absolutely be no possibility of the proliferation of knowledge or a burst of technological and industrial workers.

The severe lack of paper also meant many individuals with transcendent talents could not receive the corresponding education in grammar, arithmetic, and Extraordinary Knowledge. This made their career advancement difficult.

It can be said that, just after the Dark Millennium of the Church's knowledge blockade and oppression of scholars had ended, the demand for knowledge and books from all social strata was insatiable.

The Pioneer Guiding Colonial Trading Company, under Byron's direction, had already begun inspecting sugarcane plantations and sugar processing workshops, buying up massive amounts of sugarcane waste in preparation for industrial paper production.

The colonies within the Bantaan Archipelago were dotted with countless sugarcane plantations and sugar processing workshops.

Sugarcane waste, the residue after sugar extraction, had always been considered useless trash by the sugar processing workshops.

Paper made from this material might be of slightly inferior quality compared to normal paper, but the key was its cheapness.

It was even cheap enough to mass-produce napkins and toilet paper for the middle and upper classes.

Paired with overseas Spices resources, doubling the number of Transcendents on the Old Continent should not be a problem.

Once the Pioneer Pilot Company accomplished this great feat under Byron's leadership, without the need for recognition from the Church and the Pope, the [Silver Code] itself would surely personally bestow upon him a title far more exalted than "Saint."

At the same time, many would have to acknowledge his favor. These included the large group of artists from Peridot, the Transcendents whose fates were changed by the spread of paper, scholars of the Tower Sequence, the administrative bodies of various countries, and other such beneficiaries.

With [The First Stock Certificate] in hand, Byron's masterstroke was akin to him acquiring shares in the entire human civilized world.

He could confidently beat his chest and proclaim:

"Had Saint Byron not been born, civilization would have remained an eternal night!"

It was foreseeable that another huge wave of Wealth and Spirituality was on its way.

The prospect of a Sacred Relic alone, bound to be extraordinary, was highly anticipated; its effects would surely be no less potent than the special effects of the [Civilisation Gatherer] title from the Sun Empire.

「 」

On the other hand, Violet's current role was that of chief Engineer. She didn't need to maintain the dignified image of a Countess like Catherine.

She simply had her maid tie her hair into a neat ponytail, donned a simple light-blue dress, and let Byron help her with her high heels before hopping out of bed.

"I need to get busy too. The Bolt-Action Rifle has just been developed, and industrialization will take some time. The sooner we complete it, the better our chances of winning," Violet said.

With the creation of the Bolt-Action Rifle, Witch 1472 model, Violet's combat ability had once again been upgraded; in terms of sheer destructive power, she had long surpassed Byron.

Next, she needed to organize the establishment of an assembly line for Bolt-Action Rifles, aiming to arm their Privateer Fleet by October.

This was currently the top priority for the Lancaster Party.

Fortunately, both the Royalist Party and the Earl's Party had begun to place additional orders.

As genuine gold and silver flowed into their coffers, the instructions from all three were implemented immediately.

This followed the standard configurations used when the rival "Army Fools" and "Navy Fools" were hostile to each other. For instance, Army screws were turned to the left, while Navy screws were turned to the right. The calibers of their gun barrels differed by one millimeter, and their cannon calibers followed similarly distinct standards.

By the time the Earl's Party and the Royalist Party finished their civil war, the money they had spent would be more than enough for them to complete their industrial upgrades and phase out outdated production capacity.

After exchanging a kiss with Byron, Violet, showing no partiality, naturally kissed Catherine, who was beside her.

The Little Witch smiled like a cute little squirrel that had stealthily eaten some pine nuts. "So sweet, that's the taste! I knew last night wasn't an illusion. I'm off now, see you tonight, muah."

They had experienced life's four great bonds together: "sharing a classroom," "carrying a rifle," "dividing the spoils," and even... well, ahem, the two of them had done it all.

Clearly, after the baptism of these four great bonds, the relationship between the two girls had grown even closer, leading to a harmonious family and a fulfilling life—truly a cause for celebration.

「 」

Soon, both career-driven women threw themselves back into their respective work.

Before leaving, they both winked at Byron simultaneously, as if, having tasted the marrow after opening new doors, they were eager to continue tomorrow. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Seeing such career-driven sisters, Byron felt a mix of happiness and a faint, nagging worry.

I'm managing quite comfortably for now, but what if, in the future, I face the combined 'suppression' of a Fourth Order Mythical Creature—the [War Witch]—and a young [Mithril Dragon]? Will I be completely exhausted?

It was as if a voice echoed in his ears: "With enough effort, an iron pestle can be ground into a needle."

No, I must redouble my efforts.

Shaking his head, the leisurely mood he had indulged in for half a day instantly vanished. The tension in his mind snapped taut once more.

The burdens he shouldered were ever-increasing, and the day he could finally lie back and enjoy life was still a long way off.