ARC 1: A NEW WORLD
Chapter 11: A Different Kind of Blacksmith
The morning sun had barely risen when Adrian entered the workshop.
Unlike the previous days, he wasn’t carrying raw materials or preparing another batch of soap.
Today, he intended to solve a problem that had been bothering him since production began.
Efficiency.
His current manufacturing process depended heavily on manual labour. Every stage required someone to measure, prepare, mix or transfer materials.
It was manageable with a few workers, but it would become increasingly difficult as orders increased.
Adrian approached Gareth, who was examining a damaged horseshoe.
“I need your help.”
The blacksmith looked up.
“With what?”
“I want to manufacture some equipment.”
Gareth raised an eyebrow.
“Equipment?”
“Metal containers, measuring instruments and a few other things.”
“Then pay me.”
Adrian smiled.
“That’s why I’m here.”
He placed a rough drawing on the table.
Gareth examined it.
“What is this?”
“A larger mixing vessel. I need something that can withstand repeated heating and stirring.”
The blacksmith studied the drawing.
“You want it made from iron?”
“Preferably, although I’d like to discuss the material first.”
Gareth scratched his beard.
“You’re asking me to make something I’ve never seen before.”
“That’s why I’m paying you.”
Gareth laughed.
“At least you’re honest.”
They discussed the design for several minutes.
Adrian explained the dimensions, structural requirements and intended use.
Gareth eventually agreed to manufacture the equipment.
However, he demanded payment upfront.
Adrian accepted.
After all, he couldn’t expect someone to work without compensation.
While Gareth began preparing the materials, Adrian returned to his storage room.
He opened the system interface.
[Knowledge Points: 18]
[Available Knowledge Categories:]
Chemical Engineering.
Industrial Production.
Industrial Management.
Mechanical Design.
The last two remained locked.
He examined the requirements for his current quest.
Five workers.
Two suppliers.
Three independent customers.
Thirty consecutive profitable production days.
He had already made progress towards several objectives.
But he needed to expand carefully.
A business could grow quickly and still collapse because of poor financial management.
That was something he intended to avoid.
Later that afternoon, Gareth approached him.
“Your equipment will take three days.”
“Thank you.”
The blacksmith hesitated.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
“Where did you learn to design things like this?”
Adrian paused.
For a moment, he considered giving an elaborate explanation.
Then he shrugged.
“I’ve always been interested in how things work.”
Gareth looked unconvinced.
But he didn’t press further.
Adrian returned to his workshop.
His first business was slowly developing.
However, he knew that producing soap alone wouldn’t be enough to achieve his ambitions.
He needed an industrial foundation.
And that foundation would begin with something simple.
Better machines.
Chapter 12: The Problem with Traditional Production
Adrian’s first serious production review took place three days later.
Thomas and Peter stood beside a wooden table.
Several completed soap pieces were arranged in rows.
Adrian examined them individually.
“How many were produced this week?”
“One hundred and twelve,” Peter answered.
“How many were rejected?”
“Nine.”
Adrian frowned.
“That’s too many.”
Thomas shrugged.
“Most customers won’t notice.”
Adrian looked at him.
“Would you purchase something knowing that almost one in ten products is defective?”
Thomas remained silent.
Adrian picked up one of the rejected pieces.
The texture was inconsistent.
Some areas were harder than others.
Another piece had an unpleasant smell.
The problem wasn’t simply poor workmanship.
It was the production method.
Adrian explained that they needed standardized measurements and more consistent working conditions.
He divided production into separate stages.
Preparation.
Processing.
Quality inspection.
Finishing.
Packaging.
Each worker would be responsible for a specific task.
Peter would supervise preparation.
Thomas would manage packaging and inventory.
Adrian would oversee the actual manufacturing process.
He also introduced a written production record.
Every batch would have a date, quantity and inspection result.
Thomas complained that the arrangement was unnecessarily complicated.
Adrian ignored him.
He understood something that Thomas didn’t.
A small workshop could survive through improvisation.
A factory could not.
If he wanted to employ hundreds of workers in the future, the production process needed to be predictable.
That evening, he examined the new equipment Gareth had manufactured.
The large mixing vessel was considerably better than his previous containers.
He also acquired several measuring instruments.
They weren’t particularly advanced, but they were sufficient for his current needs.
Adrian tested the equipment.
The results were encouraging.
Production became more consistent.
The number of defective products dropped.
For the first time, he began feeling that he was building something that could eventually operate without his constant supervision.
Then Elena arrived.
“You’ve changed things.”
“Improved them.”
She looked at the workers.
“How many people are employed here now?”
“Three, including me.”
“That’s still small.”
“I intend to change that.”
Elena smiled.
“Good. My father has been asking about you.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Should I be worried?”
“That depends on how much you value your business.”
She said it jokingly.
But Adrian noticed the seriousness in her expression.
Something told him the meeting with the head of the Voss family would be more complicated than he expected.
Chapter 13: An Unusual Business Proposal
The Voss family residence was located in the northern section of Westbrook.
It was one of the largest private properties in the settlement.
Adrian arrived shortly after noon.
A servant escorted him through the entrance and into a spacious reception room.
A middle-aged man sat behind a polished wooden desk.
He had neatly combed brown hair and sharp eyes.
“Adrian Vale?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Sit down.”
Adrian took the offered chair.
The man introduced himself.
“Frederick Voss. Head of the Voss trading family.”
Adrian nodded respectfully.
“I’ve heard about your business,” Frederick continued.
“Then I hope you’ve heard good things.”
Frederick smiled.
“Your soap is selling surprisingly well.”
“Thank you.”
“Miss Elena tells me you’ve received several orders.”
“That’s correct.”
Frederick opened a document.
“My family operates twelve commercial establishments across this region. We have warehouses, transportation arrangements and established relationships with suppliers.”
Adrian listened.
“We could help you expand production considerably.”
“What would you expect in return?”
Frederick smiled.
“Straight to business. I appreciate that.”
He placed another document on the table.
“We provide the capital, transportation and distribution network. You provide the production method and manufacturing expertise.”
Adrian examined the document.
The proposal offered substantial financial assistance.
However, one particular clause caught his attention.
Exclusive ownership of all manufacturing methods developed during the partnership.
Adrian read it twice.
Then he looked up.
“You want ownership of my production methods?”
Frederick nodded.
“Naturally. We would be investing considerable resources.”
“Investment doesn’t automatically mean ownership.”
The room became quiet.
Elena, who was seated nearby, looked between them.
Frederick leaned back.
“Young man, business requires compromise.”
“I agree. But this agreement gives your family control over everything while leaving me dependent on your decisions.”
“You’re being paid.”
“To surrender the foundation of my business?”
Frederick smiled faintly.
“You’re inexperienced. You’ll understand eventually.”
Adrian closed the document.
“I appreciate the offer, but I cannot accept those terms.”
Frederick’s expression changed slightly.
“Then what do you propose?”
Adrian placed his own conditions on the table.
The Voss family could invest in expansion.
They could purchase and distribute the products.
They could even negotiate exclusive distribution rights within specific regions.
But ownership of the production methods would remain with Adrian.
Frederick examined the proposal.
For the first time, he looked genuinely interested.
“You’ve thought about this.”
“I’ve thought about what happens when a business becomes dependent on a single investor.”
Elena smiled.
Frederick eventually nodded.
“We’ll discuss this again.”
Adrian stood.
“Certainly.”
As he left, Frederick watched him thoughtfully.
“Elena.”
“Yes, Father?”
“Find out everything you can about this young man.”
Elena frowned.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t believe a nineteen-year-old apprentice should understand business negotiations this well.”
He returned to his documents.
“And because I suspect his ambitions are considerably larger than a soap workshop.”
Merchant’s Daughter
Elena caught up with Adrian outside the residence.
“Wait!”
He turned.
“Miss Voss?”
She approached him.
“You could have handled that better.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“How?”
“My father doesn’t appreciate being challenged.”
“Then perhaps he shouldn’t offer agreements that disadvantage the other party.”
Elena laughed.
“You really don’t know when to be diplomatic.”
“I was diplomatic.”
“You rejected his proposal in front of me.”
“Would you have preferred that I accepted it?”
She shook her head.
“No. Actually, I thought your response was interesting.”
They began walking towards the commercial district.
Elena explained that her father had spent decades building the Voss trading network.
He was accustomed to negotiating with farmers, craftsmen and smaller merchants.
Most accepted his terms because they lacked alternatives.
Adrian was different.
He possessed something Frederick wanted.
A manufacturing method that could potentially generate considerable wealth.
“Does your father always behave like that?” Adrian asked.
“Like what?”
“Assuming everyone has a price.”
Elena smiled.
“Most people do.”
“That’s a dangerous assumption.”
“Because eventually, he’ll meet someone who doesn’t.”
Elena looked at him.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then she asked:
“What exactly do you intend to build?”
Adrian considered his answer.
“Factories.”
“Factories?”
“Large manufacturing establishments capable of producing goods in quantities that ordinary workshops cannot match.”
Elena laughed.
“You’re thinking too far ahead.”
“Perhaps.”
“What else?”
“Better transportation. Improved machinery. More efficient agricultural equipment.”
She stared at him.
“Are you planning to become a merchant or a noble?”
“Neither.”
“Then what?”
Adrian smiled.
“Someone who doesn’t need permission from either.”
Elena laughed again.
But this time, there was genuine curiosity in her eyes.
They eventually reached the marketplace.
Before leaving, Elena gave him a small card.
“My family’s warehouse supervisor can help you obtain raw materials at better prices.”
Adrian accepted it.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. You’ll have to convince my father first.”
“I thought you were helping me.”
“I am. But I’m not going to start a family argument over your soap.”
Adrian chuckled.
“Fair enough.”
As Elena departed, Adrian examined the card.
The Voss family could become a valuable partner.
But he needed to remain careful.
Business partnerships were useful.
Dependence was dangerous.
Chapter 15: A Partnership with Elena Voss
Two days later, Adrian received an unexpected visitor.
A servant from the Voss residence arrived at the workshop carrying a sealed letter.
The message was brief.
Elena wanted to meet him privately.
Adrian accepted.
That afternoon, he visited the same residence.
However, instead of being taken to Frederick’s office, he was escorted to a garden behind the main building.
Elena was waiting beside a small table.
“You’re here.”
“You sent a letter.”
She gestured towards a chair.
“Sit.”
Adrian did.
Elena placed several documents on the table.
“I’ve been thinking about your proposal.”
“Go on.”
“My father isn’t willing to accept your original conditions.”
Adrian wasn’t surprised.
“But I have another idea.”
She explained that she wanted to establish a separate commercial arrangement with him.
She would personally provide capital and access to the Voss distribution network.
In return, she would receive an agreed percentage of the profits generated through their partnership.
The manufacturing process would remain Adrian’s property.
Adrian examined the documents.
The terms were considerably better than Frederick’s original proposal.
However, he noticed that Elena was investing her personal resources.
“Does your father know?”
“Not yet.”
Adrian looked up.
“You’re going against your family’s wishes?”
“I’m making an independent business decision.”
“That sounds familiar.”
Elena smiled.
“Perhaps that’s why we understand each other.”
They spent the next hour negotiating.
Adrian insisted on maintaining control over production.
Elena would manage distribution and commercial relationships.
Both would contribute capital according to their agreed responsibilities.
They would maintain separate accounts and review profits monthly.
Neither party could sell their share or transfer their responsibilities without the other’s consent.
Eventually, they reached an agreement.
Adrian extended his hand.
“Partners?”
Elena shook it.
“Partners.”
A notification suddenly appeared.
[SYSTEM ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED.]
[Achievement: Establish Your First Strategic Partnership.]
[Reward: 3 Knowledge Points.]
[Current Knowledge Points: 18.]
Adrian almost smiled.
The system was recognizing his progress.
But another notification followed.
[Intermediate Quest Progress Updated.]
Workers employed: 3/5.
Reliable suppliers: 1/2.
Independent customers: 2/3.
Profitable production: 9/30 days.
Adrian examined the figures.
He was getting closer.
Elena noticed his brief distraction.
“Something wrong?”
“Nothing.”
She packed the documents.
“Then I suppose we have a business to build.”
Adrian nodded.
“Yes, we do.”
Neither of them noticed the servant standing near the garden entrance.
He had overheard most of their conversation.
And he had a particular interest in anything that could make the Voss family richer.
That evening, the servant delivered a report to Frederick Voss.
The head of the family read it silently.
His expression gradually darkened.
“Elena has entered a private agreement with that boy?”
“Yes, Master.”
Frederick placed the document on his desk.
For several seconds, he remained silent.
Then he smiled.
“Interesting.”
He looked towards the window.
“Find out how much his production method is worth.”
The servant bowed.
“As you command.”
Frederick returned to his documents.
If Adrian Vale possessed something valuable, the Voss family would eventually obtain it.
One way or another.
End of Chapter 15.