[ Chapter IV (4): "LEARN AND INVENT THE PRINTING PRESS" ]

[ Chapter IV (4): "LEARN AND INVENT THE PRINTING PRESS" ]

[ "This... it does look edible does it not?" ]

[ "I-it does, my Lord." ]

[ "Then why don't you try and take a bite?" ]

About to protest against the notion, Alexander the baker wasn't able to do such. As Lloyd the young Lord, Heir of the land that he is standing on smiled at him brightly from below, besides him.

So with fear of being shot, fed by the dogs, or stabbed nth times by daggers to the face. The former Knight, currently disgraced, swallowed his pride and did what he was told. To eat the said bread.

[ "May the Gods bless my soul..." ]

Chanting a prayer to himself, one made-up on the spot. He then was finally able to have enough resolved to grab a few piece of the still steaming hot bread, and taste the very darkened bread. To his surprise, it was actually not bad, and is edible.

[ "H-huh? It actually tastes good, my Lord." ]

[ "Really? Then let me have a bite." ]

Surprised by the emotions being shown by his teacher, Lloyd immediately rushed to grab a piece. Getting burnt in turn, which he endured as he then ate some. [ "Huh, it really isn't that bad." ]

Apparently his reluctant teacher wasn't lying, as the bread contrary to the appearance, olden equipment, and materials which was used. Is still edible, though stale in comparison to what he eats in dinner; but still, it is his work, so he approves of it.

After going and grabbing another small piece of the bread, Lloyd who is known for his big appetite wasn't able to hold himself off from eating some more. As he hadn't eaten anything yet since waking up.

But after realizing he eaten almost half of the bread he cooked, he forcefully stopped himself from devouring more. Especially because the man besides him looks saddened by the bread lessening, the previous baked bread having already eaten by them both— with Lloyd eating the most.

So having stopped himself, he instead gave a nod to confirm that the man could eat the rest. In which he did. All the while Lloyd instead focused on his System, which is only visible to him and have no practical uses except for the digital books it has.

[ 'Claim mission reward.' ]

[ DAILY MISSION: COMPLETED ]

[ +23 CREDITS ]

[ +47 EXPERIENCE ]

There are three ways the System Mission could be cleared, you either claim it after finishing what was tasked of you, or forfeit i.e. abandoning the mission, or lastly the third option which is outright abandoning the mission as you let another day pass.

Out of them all, Lloyd 8/10 usually does the first option, for Credits to buy new reading materials to use and effectively make the land he is standing on rich, or to use for entertainment purposes, or knowledge for knowledge sake, that's it.

The experience points which he gains, even though the worth may not be there in the first glance, or short term to be exact. But the worth is there, as it is free after all, and also because the worth is long term.

You see, the more experience a Player gets. Then the more likely he'll get a discount on books, at the moment that is still in the infancy, he only receiving about 3-5% off the purchases that he does. But in the long term, it stacks, so it's worth it.

Another good reason for claiming the System Mission, clearing it, is for the Player to forcefully reset the System's Shop. In which he did, in realizing that yesterday's options are literal hot shit; all three books written in spanish, one that is hard to read for a non-native speaker like him.

He could read spanish to some extent, fluently count 1-100 in spanish. Or even understand someone speak it. But the titles of the books wasn't appealing, merely fictional dramas, or real dramas exaggerated by the authors. So he didn't liked it, so he ignored it. [ 'Show me something good, please.' ]

[ 'System Shop, open.' ]

[ SHOP: ]

[ "HOW TO AVOID HUGE SHIPS" BY JOHN W. TRIMMER (EXTINCT) ] [ 9 CREDITS ]

[ "BARNARBY THE BEAR" BY LILIAN P. WALTERS (SHORT STORY) ] [ 5 CREDITS ]

[ "LETTERPRESS NOW: A DIY GUIDE TO NEW & OLD PRINTING METHODS" by JESSICA C. WHITE (INVENTIONS) ] [ 142 CREDITS ]

Lloyd skimmed the options today, he was thankful that he was given three options instead of two or just merely one. As being given one, two, or three options have equal percent chance whenever the reset hits.

So he thanked that fact, as he then continues reading the big bold floating imaginary text while the man behind him continues to eat the bread he made. He ignored the first, even though it's cheap, it is practically useless.

First he isn't a sailor, second he doesn't plant to steer a ship himself. So he didn't need it, even though the price is low. If he did in fact kept buying everything that is low, presented by the System, then he wouldn't be able to save up stocks for more interesting items. Like the second option.

In noticing the tagline besides it, calling the second option as short story. Lloyd who's fond of short stories, especially relating to easy to tell ones, quickly bought it. The price which was low was another factor to the decision... But what about the next?

[ 'Huh...?' ] He first though his eyes was deceiving him, so he blinked twice, thrice, and even repeatedly as he tries to read the price tag for the last slot. He even went and faced another direction, which the System adjusted by flickering out of existence, appearing now instead to the direction where he is looking at.

But no matter what he does, the price of the said option still doesn't change. Even though the morning light is now shining brightly, that was in no effect, as the price is highway robbery at that. Something which Lloyd had only seen a handful of times since he acquired the System, for 8 years now.

[ '1-142, what?! Credits!?' ]

Feeling awestruck he stood there for a moment trying to remember each and every single time he had seen a book that costed more than a week's worth of mission. He could only remember quite a bit, but one of them includes J.K Rowling's third Harry Potter Book, which cost about 300 Credits.

In comparison to that, the book which is at the moment on Lloyd's hands, is what you would call a book that doesn't share the fame of the said notorious book. Making it half of it's worth, but still in comparison to that book of the Boy-who-live; the one in front of him have hundred times the worth, especially with him knowing the importance of the Printing Press.

[ 'A Printing Press!' ] He thought about what it could bring, and it sends shiver down his spine as his thoughts then gets filled with golden dragons, silver stags, and copper stars filled his head. The currency of Westeros which he lives in.

He realized that with the blueprint of the Letterpress, i.e. the Printing Press, that he would be able to tap into an untap goldmine that only he knows about. Which made him shiver in delight, as he felt chill run throughout his spine. He wants it, so he bought it as quickly as he could.

[ "My Lord, is everything alright...?" ]

[ "Absolutely! I am alright, everything is alright. More than alright actually." ]

Perhaps curious, the man besides him asked in curiosity. In which he responded with outright joy. The bank account of his depleting from the saved up 550 Credits to a mere 403 Credits, yet, he didn't seem to be dismayed even though they are very difficult to acquire.

Glancing at the face of the distraught man besides him, Lloyd's plan of making the baker rich by using the recipes he know. Which is sketch and recorded in one of the books back in his study, he instead formulates another much more profitable plan for the man. As he then asks;

[ "Hey, uhh- Ser Alexander." ]

[ "I-I am honored for you calling me a "Ser" my Lord. But I'm afraid, I'm disgraced." ]

[ "Doesn't matter, Ser. I have proposition for you. Which will make both of us, and the land, rich! Now are you in, or are you in?" ]

...

[ "My Son is doing... what madness?" ]

Lady Liandra of House Boggs couldn't believe what she is hearing, as outside the window is a bright new day. The birds are chirping, the sun is bright without any signs of rains showing. But yet, the worse news had befallen her first thing in the morning.

[ "T-the young Lord had sneaked out the castle, my Lady. The servants, Knights and guards have already been dispatched to search for him in the t-town." ]

[ "And my Son is still missing?" ]

[ "Y-yes, my Lady." ]

The maid in front of her bowed her head, as she finished reporting. She couldn't blame the maid, this has been almost a daily occurrence now; the young Lord, her son missing and doing something who knows what in the town. It is luck that he hasn't been kidnapped, or mugged once.

When this first occured nearly 10 moons back, she couldn't help but faint from worry. Her Lord Husband, who was busy with a new business dealing, went back instantly to the land that they govern. To say that the town of Frontera was flipped upside down wouldn't be an understatement, as it was.

After a quarter of the day searching, the young troublesome son of her's. Lloyd was then found sketching something in one of his books, inside the home of a rundown blacksmith; the owner of the place apparently paid to not say a thing about the location of the Heir.

He was of course detained, but released after clarifying the misunderstandings, testified by her lovely doting son that is. Apparently he was only writing a blueprint for new machinery, for a new way to create a more tougher and sharp blade.

Not knowing what to do, the Lady and the Lord scolded their son. But in knowing his personality since he was a babe, they also supported his endeavor, in which snowballed unto a full-blown business dealings with their son having made the said blacksmith famous in few moons.

He meanwhile shares 10% of the profit for each sword sold, and also, something-something about conscription in times of need, or war. In short, her son had just made profits in a few short moons, and she accidentally supported that.

Realizing the problem, Mortimer and her, decided to ground the young Lord. But no matter what they do, even with 24/7 of surveillance, even with none of the servants sleeping at one point. The young Lord, her lovely son, was able to escape any time he wants. Causing her dismay each time.

And each time he comes back, it would be with a new business contact, a new merchandise, a story, or something-something which made even her Lord Husband worry to the point of losing sleep as well. But not knowing what to do, they instead allowed him to roam the town; albeit with security.

It works... But... Oftentimes like today, it seems to not work, as the young Lord seems to still love sneaking out the heavily fortified castle in his own way. Which led to today's situation, as all the servants panicked, trying to search for him.

[ "..." ]

[ "What time is it, Joana?" ]

[ "It is still early in the morning, my Lady." ]

Not knowing what that means, she instead get up from the bed. As she instead went to the table containing the new wacky invention that her son had given her the day before. A pocketwatch if she isn't wrong, and it tells time.

She still doesn't fully understand it, but if she isn't wrong. Then it would be revolutionary, something of which would make their House rich. Knowing the genius of her son, she knows that she couldn't hold him back after some point; but still the worries of a Mother is still there.

Her son is still young, still but a small babe in her eyes no matter how ingenious, or how great in business, or storytelling, or socializing, or inventing, or sneaking, or mischief, or even bootlicking.

She glanced down at the small round contraption at her desk, before then picking it up as she reads the time, and could see the time is at 9:05 if she isn't wrong.

[ "Is that so?" ]

[ "Yes, my Lady." ]

[ "Let my Son be for now, but do send him to me once he is found. I am going to scold him for improper conduct, and going against my words." ]

She sighs to herself, as she prays to the Gods of the Old and New. That her one and only mischievous baby, her Lloyd that kept refusing her milk when he was a few moons old. She hopes that same babe would be safe wherever he may be.

[ 'Lloyd, please don't worry your poor old Mother to death. Please be safe, my baby.' ]

A mother's love knows no bounds. She hopes he be safe. But at the moment, the Lady seems to noticed a small book besides her table; as she then picks it up, she realized what it was. As she then smiled at the servant inside her room.

[ "Joana?" ]

[ "Yes, my Lady?" ]

[ "Have you heard yet the newest story my Son wrote? If I wasn't wrong, it's about a a wooden boy that can't lie." ]

[ "I-I believe I hadn't yet, my Lady." ]

[ "Then would you like to listen?" ]

[ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ]

[ 07/10/2025 ]

[ 07/11/2025 ]

[ AN: I still have a common cold, and yes, I hadn't been updating since four days ago, I think. Why? Because I was preparing for the public college entrance exam, it wasn't difficult by the way. Anyways, here's an fun fact. Lloyd is in love, to older women that is, he doesn't see women below the age of 18 as worthy in his eyes, only above. ]