A New Time's Roman
Octavian frowned as he exit the meeting His Majesty and the other three (one he believes would result in focusing only the short term and his own pocket, the other being too much of an absolutist prude that would gather the Senate to bring either the Habsburgs or Capetians Dynasties to replace the Cannon King.)
Speaking of the Cannon King, he couldn't help but turn his head back to where the meeting occurred, he knew of his family's humble beginnings. Who wouldn't? They were at the forefront of European Gunpowder Weapons Manufacturing that their son took over and pushed towards new heights no one has ever seen..
It is the will and ingenuity that made Octavian respect him, especially being a rather liberal ruler in case of actually being under a constitution and restoration of the Senate from the Times Old Romans..
Removing such thoughts from his head, he continued towards his Rome-based abode in a quick walk, hand gripping the handle of his pistol in case of any muggers trying to make a quick florin from him..
He frowned, he mentally noted his plans to begin a transition towards restoring Denarii as the Italian Currency, not the French-based one the Italian Kingdom is using as of now..also adding in a proposal for a city-based civilian transportation service someday in the future..
He opens and walks through the front door to his Roman home before closing and locking the door. He turned around and was greeted with what could be described as a messy library, with an open door at the back of the room leading somewhere. Seeing it, he walks towards the open door with a growing excitement and through it to find a printing press with a different lay-out to its common form.
First off, while the press itself remains practically the same, the template used to imprint on paper was quite different. A new text font that he tried and tested to other people on the streets to be readable, clear, and professional. Next was the spacing and boxes for texts to be printed, spaced out, or empty (for now). Finally there was the fact that the press is larger in terms of reach, as can be seen by a longer paper than thought already on a platform..ignoring the already crumbled papers of ink and broken parts/tools at the back of the room.
He smiled, he had made progress ever since he was a young lad in Milan who heard of Gutenburg's process and sought to create his own version..although while he found a much stronger passion in comparison, he still sought to develop such an idea. In no part thanks to Luciano.
He cracked his knuckles with a satisfied smile, and a great plan that his friends in the Senate (If you ask them, they'd claim they don't know who the madman is) would never suspect him to develop.
Once the wooden blocks he ordered from the nearby carpenters arrive, that is.
It took weeks..but it was worth it.
Ottorus smiled his iconic eccentric (in Senator Oca's words: madness) smile while pulling a small wooden cart he had collaborated with the nearby carpenters with a whole stack of folded papers on top of it.
He ignored the curious looks on the people before he stopped in a near distance to the Senate building before he turns and takes a sight at the spectators watching him.
"Friends! Come and see what I offer for today's great morning!" He imbues his excitement into his smile and voice, waving his hands towards him.
Many of the crowd went closer as they couldn't help but be attracted to the energy the more Octavian called for attention of those curious of what he plans to do this time.
"Welcome! Welcome!" He greets all of them with the same energy, before taking a more inquisitive look at the crowd. "Friends, I have brought you a great service no one in Rome has ever seen!
Ever tired of being left in the dark by the Senate? Tired of being unable to pursue knowledge and its spreading without a backer? Tired of being unable to share your opinions before the Prudecharists (Some laughed) and Moderates aligned to their cause backhands you like a common
wench? Be tired no longer! I brought you the most accurate news in Rome today!" He says with his voice and words hand in hand to make the greatest effect with emotions as the bridge.
"How do we know what you say is true?" One of the crowd called out with skepticism.
"My Dear Patron! Have a look at what I have brought today!" Octavian smiled while grabbing a bundle from the pile and threw it to where the voice was called out from.
A hand grabs the bundle, before revealing a woman (que gasps of shock from the men who didn't expect a literate woman to actually be able to read) that began looking through it with the same voice of skepticism from earlier.
"New Prime Minister will be announced today at noon.." She read through the front title as she unfolded the paper, revealing one with multiple pages with the very top having the name 'The
Times New Roman'. "No way is Machiavelli going to retire!"
"What?!"
"Can't Be!"
And just to add more precedence (and ignoring the smirk on Ottorus' face as the senate doors open to reveal a group of senators, and the King himself).
"My Friends! What the paper says is true!" Octavian gestures towards the proceedings as a podium was placed in front of the group, with Machiavelli going upon it..
"In seeing the growing prosperity with the end of the War, I present to you the New Prime Minister.."
Without the group from the senate knowing, Octavian began counting out the bundles before looking back to see a more information-hungry crowd, showing that yes, what he had stated and the accuracy of information was in fact true.
"You, Ma'am! Will have the first edition of my 'Newspaper' (name made up on the spot) for free! Each one now costs a cheap but reasonable amount of coin." He called out to the crowd, happy that he can finally connect information together under his lead..
Speaking of it, he should start buying another space and begin his enterprise there..but for now he'll make do with hidden journalists and more hirings to gain accurate information.
Of course, some drawings he felt included in the wooden blocks amuse him to entertain those who are bored after a hard day's work.
N/A: I feel like
@Magoose became a bit terrified as I was silent for a few days on the thread..
Look out Senator Travioli, Octavian has developed a Newspaper
If Anyone wonders, the First Newspaper was published by the Romans apparently.
