The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 58

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 58
“What do you mean by that?”
Lucas’s face filled with confusion, as though he couldn’t make sense of her words. Rachel understood why he would react this way.
“Just as I said. We can produce books in large quantities by exploiting a legal loophole.”
Rachel drew in a breath, then spoke the words on her exhale. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she did.
“The Empire’s current laws strictly forbid the use of Metal Type Printing, which is efficient for mass production. But Woodblock Type Printing is different. It fell into disuse long before these laws were ever written, precisely because of its inefficiency.”
Rachel was right. When Metal Type Printing was invented, Woodblock Type Printing became nearly obsolete. Because of this, there was no reason for it to have been prohibited by law.
“I’ve researched the matter, and I’ve learned that there are still a small number of people using Woodblock Type Printing. If we join forces with them and produce books in large quantities, what do you think?”
Of course, Woodblock Type Printing would be less efficient than Metal Type Printing. But it would certainly be far faster than writing by hand. Rachel believed that even this much would constitute considerable success.
“That’s an unexpected countermeasure.”
Lucas appeared somewhat taken aback. But the moment passed quickly, and he soon regained his composure.
“It seems like a reasonable way to navigate this situation.”
Though she had been quite anxious, Lucas’s words of affirmation put her mind at ease. Rachel looked up at him with a bright smile.
“And though I’m embarrassed to say it, I’m truly grateful that you helped me during the noble assembly.”
The words came from her heart. Without Lucas, her identity would have been exposed in moments, and she would have found herself in an extraordinarily difficult position. She could not have been more grateful to him for pulling her out of such a predicament.
“I couldn’t understand why you’d entered that place.”
Lucas answered matter-of-factly.
“Wasn’t it to understand my situation?”
……
“I must confess, I was genuinely moved by how much you cared about my position.”
Lucas laid bare his honest feelings. Rachel’s ears flushed crimson. She hadn’t even been given permission to enter—she’d slipped in uninvited—yet he spoke of her so kindly. The embarrassment was overwhelming.
“Lucas.”
Rachel called his name.
“I witnessed the struggle you’re engaged in. It was a side of you I hadn’t seen before. So all I can do is apologize……”
Rachel opened her heart to him. Then Lucas smiled faintly and slowly took her hand. Rachel’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Rachel.”
“Yes.”
“I know your passion well. At times, that passion and my thinking may collide, but I promise that each time, I will do my best to reconcile your views with mine.”
She had been the one to speak of something unrealistic first, yet he was the one asking for reconciliation. With a heart full of regret, Rachel lowered her head. Looking at his face would surely bring tears to her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
As she offered her cautious apology, Lucas shook his head.
“There’s nothing to apologize for, nothing you’ve done wrong. If anything, I feel good about us growing closer.”
Warmth colored Lucas’s words. Rachel said nothing in return. She couldn’t know how far his generous heart truly extended.
* * *
Lucas moved quietly. He met discreetly with the small number of people who used Woodblock Type Printing, careful to avoid the nobles’ knowledge.
The meeting came about very quickly, and Lucas regarded them with an expressionless face.
“I hear you’ve been producing books.”
Lucas, seated before the table, rested his chin on his hand. Those who had been summoned trembled slightly and managed only a stiff nod.
They were, in fact, creating books by exploiting a legal loophole. For them, a question from Crown Prince Lucas could only inspire fear.
“I don’t intend to interrogate you. I’m asking for your help.”
Lucas spoke honestly. The gathered group exchanged glances with one another.
“Help, you say… What exactly do you mean, Your Highness?”
An elderly man standing at the front spoke cautiously. Lucas’s expression drew into something like a smile.
“I want to produce books for children in large quantities. I hope you’ll help me.”
“Books for children……?”
“Yes. Books that allow children to learn to read.”
The gathered group opened their eyes wide, trying to grasp his meaning. They worked hard to think whether there might be some hidden intent in his words.
Perhaps he noticed their concern. Lucas spoke again.
“There’s no hidden meaning. Simply put, we need books to teach children.”
“If that is the case, then Your Highness the Crown Prince will be taking the lead in educating the children of the nobility?”
Someone asked hesitantly. Lucas immediately shook his head.
“I have no intention of educating the children of nobility. I wish to educate commoner children like yourselves.”
“Pardon…?!”
Everyone gasped in astonishment.
“I intend to provide universal education to the children of the Empire.”
Lucas spoke without hesitation. The gathered group fixed him with wide eyes, staring at him intently.
“I need your help. Can you stand with me?”
Who could refuse the request of a Crown Prince, especially one made not for nobility but for commoners? Without significant difficulty, they joined hands with Lucas.
While Lucas was meeting with those who made Woodblock Type, Rachel was occupied with other matters.
She sat at her desk. Numerous books were stacked upon it, and papers covered in notes were scattered about.
‘Because it’s about making textbooks.’
Not just anything, but textbooks for commoner children. She wanted to create clear, easy-to-read textbooks so anyone could learn to read effortlessly. Rachel pictured a first-grade Korean language textbook for elementary school.
That wasn’t all. Even the teacher certification exam she’d despised back then filled her mind now. She’d studied intensely about how to teach Korean for that test, and that experience proved invaluable.
‘Whatever else, I have to do this properly.’
This work was proceeding in secret from the nobility. For now, her plan was to produce as many textbooks as possible and stockpile them discreetly. Once the school facilities were complete, she would distribute the textbooks across the nation. That was the strategy she’d devised.
‘I never realized making books could be this enjoyable.’
Until now, she’d only read books others had made. Because of that, she’d never once considered making a book herself. But this opportunity had changed that.
Caught in an odd, pleasant sensation—as if she’d become an author—Rachel smiled broadly.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
At the news of Lucas’s arrival, Rachel rose from her seat. Her hands were still covered in ink.
“You seem quite busy.”
“There’s always time to receive you.”
Rachel beamed.
“May I take a look?”
“Of course.”
Rachel promptly showed him her desk. As Lucas gazed at the dozens, perhaps hundreds of pages spread before him, his expression became unreadable.
“You organized all of this alone?”
“Yes, though there’s still much more to do.”
Rachel felt slightly embarrassed. The road to completion seemed long still, and showing him the contents prematurely made her cheeks burn.
“Once it’s finished, I plan to carve the content onto woodblocks.”
“If you give me just another week, I should be able to complete it.”
Rachel said this to Lucas. He nodded slowly, gathered the papers he’d been examining, and set them neatly on the desk.
“Our dream is drawing closer to reality.”
“I’ll do my very best to make sure that dream comes true.”
Rachel made this pledge to Lucas and to herself.
But she truly didn’t know—didn’t realize how arrogant it was to think so confidently that everything would go well.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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