Cenric was the first to speak. "Congratulations, Mr. Rafael. Knowing how to make paper, I can say with absolute certainty that your future will be filled with gold and women. That is one of the most valuable things nobility seeks." He said this with a smile, tapping Rafael's shoulder.
"Thank you, and I know, I know it's extremely valuable." Rafael was smiling and appeared relaxed, but his mind was racing, ready for anything.
"But if I remember correctly, you mentioned it was an experiment. Why is that? Don't you already know the process?" Cenric found this detail puzzling.
"That... yes, of course, I know the process..."
Goddammit! Think! Why would it be an experiment? Right! Paper is made from trees, so I can say I was just testing if the local trees can be used for it.
"...And when I mentioned the experiment, it was because I wanted to confirm if I can use the tr—"
"Is everything alright?" Cenric raised his eyebrows, noticing Rafael had suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
I can't just say it! Paper is made from trees, and if the process leaks or is discovered because I revealed the main material, then I become unimportant and disposable. Paranoia began to creep into Rafael's mind.
Calm down! The process is so simple that it might be impossible to prevent others from discovering it, so I should just say it now and try to make a deal. That would be the best outcome. Okay, let's try.
"Mr. Cenric, I have a great deal to offer you. Would you like to hear it?"
"The papermaking process?" Cenric's voice was faint, almost drooling at the thought.
"Yes, you guessed it. I need your help to produce a lot of paper and then sell it. Of course, you would receive a share of the profits. What do you think?" Rafael proposed, just as a flock of birds flew overhead.
Cenric's eyes and mouth were wide open as he tried to process what he had just heard. "By my mother! Of course, I accept! Oohohoho... This is a turning point. Baron Frederic will be pleased—really pleased with this. Perhaps so happy that he might even elevate me to nobility in the future. Hehehe..."
Cenric first shouted his answer and then began to talk and laugh to himself about future possibilities, forgetting that Rafael was right there.
"Baron Frederic? Who's that? Isn't Floutt the owner of this village?" Rafael asked, puzzled by Cenric's mention of another baron.
Cenric snapped out of his thoughts as if struck by lightning.
My shit! Should I silence him? If I do, I'll have to torture him until he reveals the papermaking process. Or I could explain the situation to him and hope he makes the right choice because if not...
With a serious expression, Cenric looked back at Rafael and said, "There are some things you should know. Let's continue our talk inside." Then he entered his house. Rafael, a bit suspicious of the situation, followed.
"You can sit there if you want," Cenric pointed to a chair beside the table and then disappeared into another room. Rafael sat down and watched as Cenric returned with another chair, seating himself at the table too. The window was closed, allowing only slivers of light to filter through the small cracks, leaving the room dim.
Neither man said anything. They stared at each other once more.
"So, what's with all the mystery?" Rafael finally broke the silence.
"Clearly, we both have secrets. I propose another deal—we answer each other's questions with only the truth. I don't know who you are, and for all I know, you could be an enemy. What do you say?"
I'll only reveal the real truth as a last resort, Rafael vowed to himself.
"Deal. So, what is—"
"I will start the questions," Cenric interrupted, raising his hand in a stopping gesture. "First, who are you?"
"My name is Rafael. Who is Baron Frederic?"
"He is one of the three barons of this kingdom." Displeased with Rafael's superficial answer, Cenric gave a similarly superficial response.
"Where are you from?" Cenric pressed.
Rafael took a second before answering. "I'm from the east. What is your connection to this Frederic?"
"That's the principal question, but I still don't trust you enough to answer it. Answer three more questions truthfully, and I'll tell you. And another thing—give me real answers, not this vague crap we've been doing." Cenric's voice was serious and deep.
"Go ahead," Rafael replied, feeling his heart beat faster.
"Do you know what that thing inside the forest is?"
After what felt like an eternity, though only a few seconds passed, Rafael said, "No, I don't know what it is." Cenric scrutinized him for a moment before continuing.
"Where are you really from?" Cenric leaned closer to the table, attempting to intimidate Rafael.
After a few more seconds, Rafael answered, "I don't know."
"Explain yourself."
"I have almost no memories. I simply woke up in that forest and began to panic because I didn't know where I was. But then I heard a strange sound. When I approached to see what made the noise, I encountered that thing, and then the farmer."
He's omitting information. The farmer told me he found him inside that thing. And who would believe this story of lost memories? The chances that what he's said so far is the truth are slim.
"What's in that book you're always carrying?" Cenric asked.