The moment Trask Graves finished delivering his formal statement, Remus couldn't suppress the heavy exhalation of relief that left his lips like steam from a pressure valve. The enormous stone of anxiety that had been pressing against his chest for months, finally settled into quietness.
But then, a bitter and ironic smile crept slowly across his face, replacing his fleeting relief with a new form of concern.
Bryan had spoken with such confidence earlier during his presentations, and his tone seemed to show that implementing these innovative business models would be just a matter of signing a few documents and shaking hands. However, the actual workload hidden within those elegantly phrased proposals was anything but small or simple.
For the foreseeable future, both he and Bryan would likely be unable to leave New York.
Since they had decided to pursue marketing authorization through partnerships with influential magical families and established workshops throughout the local community, their first task would require them to quickly screen a large batch of qualified candidates under the supervision of the MACUSA's Department of International Magical Cooperation.
This process would undoubtedly affect the business interests, political positions, and financial prospects of countless individuals and organizations throughout American magical society.
The ripple effects would create winners and losers, and the Cooperation Department itself would likely face intense internal power struggles as different factions would surely manipulate to influence the selection process and secure advantages for their preferred candidates.
After completing the initial screening phase which could take weeks or even months depending on the number of applicants and the thoroughness of the review process, Remus would still need to conduct comprehensive background investigations on all these potential business forces to confirm whether they were truly trustworthy, financially stable, and capable of maintaining the kind of long-term partnerships that would benefit all parties.
Fortunately, this particular step could be completed efficiently using the goblins' intelligence network. Gringotts maintained detailed financial records and reputation assessments for almost every significant magical business and family throughout the wizarding world.
However, the most difficult and time-consuming phase would undoubtedly involve the actual negotiation process with these various interested parties.
Every aspect of the business relationships would require careful discussion and specific agreement: the appropriate amount of franchise fees to collect from distributors; detailed negotiations regarding wholesale prices that the workshop would charge to distributors for bulk purchases;
Technical guidance and patent licensing fees for organizations interested in local production arrangements; export pricing structures for the specialized core components of learning machines that would still need to be manufactured in their European facilities and complex pricing negotiations that would determine final retail costs for consumers throughout the American magical market.
Remus, who had been managing their workshop operations while diligently studying business principles and commercial law during his spare time, was no longer the naive beginner who had once been completely ignorant of complex business operations and international trade negotiations.
His hard-earned experience told him that each of the above-mentioned issues were a potential minefield of competing interests, legal complications, and strategic considerations that wouldn't be easily settled through simple discussion.
Every topic would inevitably lead to difficult, prolonged negotiations involving teams of lawyers, financial advisors, and political representatives who would fight tenaciously to secure the best possible terms for their clients.
The hours immediately following the conclusion of the formal review meeting had already provided a taste of the intensity that lay ahead.
There had been mutual expressions of optimism and detailed discussions about future business prospects to be achieved; interviews with reporters from the New York Ghost; lengthy strategy meetings with Ms. Marcelline White of the Department of International Magical Cooperation and several other high-ranking MACUSA officials to reach preliminary consensus on key procedural issues and a somewhat hastily organized but diplomatically necessary celebration reception where numerous toasts were offered to international cooperation and mutual prosperity.
Following immediately after all these formal obligations came the beginning of what promised to be countless additional tasks requiring direct attention and careful coordination.
The leisurely and pleasant days they had enjoyed before the review meeting had dispersed like a fleeting dream, replaced by relentless demands.
When Bryan, Remus, and Amelia finally emerged from the Woolworth Building, the warm and comfortable morning sun that had received them upon their arrival had long since completed its journey across the sky and rolled to the other side of the earth.
In its place, the moon hung in the sky, partially obscured by a layer of thin haze that gave the entire city a dreamlike, ethereal view.
The streets of magical New York bustled with evening activity as witches and wizards concluded their daily business and headed home to their families.
Bryan cast a glance at Amelia, noticing how she walked with slightly unsteady steps despite her efforts to maintain composure.
His young relative had remarkably low tolerance for alcohol, and after accompanying him in toasting with the sociable officials of the Department of International Magical Cooperation during the celebration reception, she was still somewhat intoxicated and dazed.
"Did Graves provide you with any new instructions before we left, Amelia?" Bryan asked gently.
"Mr. Graves?"
Her voice had a slightly confused tone as her head tilted with innocent uncertainty. Amelia's body swayed slightly as she walked.
The dim yellow light cast by the traditional magical streetlamps created warm pools of lighting that threw shadows across her flushed cheeks.
The alcohol had stripped away her usual disguise of forced maturity and stiff professional composure, revealing what she truly was beneath all the training and responsibility: a young woman who had not yet reached her twentieth birthday.
Faced with Bryan's question, Amelia blinked her eyes several times, then shook her head.
'Graves hadn't issued Amelia a command to terminate her surveillance mission?'
Bryan raised his eyebrows in surprise, as his mind processed this unexpected information. It seemed that the head of the Security Department, still maintained deep-rooted wariness and suspicion toward him.
The problem that had troubled them for half a year finally had substantial progress. Even the typically cautious and worry-prone Remus felt somewhat elated, and under the influence of alcohol, he walked with light steps, humming songs by the Weird Sisters.
Bryan smiled as he looked at Remus, then after some thought said, "Remus, during today's preliminary negotiations with the Department of International Magical Cooperation, there's one very important point I never mentioned, but it involves a very important source of sustained profit in the sales and distribution system we're about to build."
"What point are you referring to?" Remus asked, his curiosity immediately piqued despite the lingering effects of alcohol and celebration.
"All the proposed contractual clauses and business arrangements we discussed today regarding Learning Machine cooperation specifically target new machine sales and initial distribution agreements," Bryan explained.
"However, for all ensuing product maintenance services, ongoing technical upkeep, troubleshooting support, and even learning permission upgrades that customers will inevitably require, I made no promises to Marcelline or anyone else that we would agree to outsourcing these services to local providers."
Bryan paused to let this information sink in before continuing with his analysis.
"This after-sales service sector represents a very large piece of the overall profit pie that can provide us with continuous, reliable income for years or even decades after the initial product sales."
Bryan spoke directly and openly to Remus without making any attempt to exclude Amelia from their business discussion.
"However, successfully capturing this lucrative revenue stream means we must establish a complete after-sales service network system throughout the American magical community.
This will require us to cultivate and train a large number of specialized technical talents who can handle everything from basic maintenance procedures to complex magical troubleshooting. Initially, we'll have no choice but to rely heavily on the goblins' existing infrastructure and expertise, since they already maintain service networks throughout the international magical community."
Bryan's expression grew more serious as he addressed the potential complications of this approach.
"But depending too heavily on goblin services creates two significant strategic problems. First, we must constantly guard against the possibility that they might eventually decide to compete with us by developing their own learning devices, using the technical knowledge they gain from servicing our products.
Second, while goblin efficiency is undeniable, the existence of local service outlets operated by human wizards can solve chronic employment problems for quite a few members of the magical community, creating goodwill and political support that could prove vital in future business actions."
He paused again, allowing Remus to absorb the full scope of what he was describing.
"Ultimately, for both security and political reasons, we need to gradually bring these service outlets back under our control and management, staffed by people whose loyalty and discretion we can trust."
Remus had initially been listening with the casual attention of someone enjoying a pleasant evening stroll, but as he gradually understood the full importance and complexity of Bryan's strategic arrangement, his expression became more solemn and focused.
The alcohol-induced euphoria began to fade from his face, replaced by serious concentration.
"I understand the logic, Bryan, and I can see how the after-sales revenue could indeed become crucial to our long-term financial stability," Remus responded thoughtfully. "However, there's another significant issue that's been weighing on my mind throughout this entire day—"
Remus spoke more softly now. His face showed difficulty as he struggled to finally voice the concern he'd hidden all day: "The upcoming negotiation sessions with various interested parties will inevitably involve extremely detailed discussions of specific benefit distribution arrangements, profit-sharing percentages, and competitive pricing structures. One can imagine that this process will be extraordinarily difficult and contentious."
He paused, clearly struggling as he continued: "I'm worried that my background and experience may not be sufficient for the level of negotiation these arrangements will require."
Bryan nodded with understanding and immediate reassurance, his expression showing no trace of disappointment or criticism at Remus's honest assessment of his capabilities.
"I also certainly can't attend every single negotiation meeting personally. However, if you feel somewhat overwhelmed, I can write to Barnah and have him arrange for several of Gringotts's most experienced commercial negotiators to assist you in all discussions with the American magical community."
The suggestion had an immediate and visible effect on Remus's worried expression. The furrows of concern that had been wrinkling his brow began to relax as he recognized the wisdom of this solution.
No one in the Wizarding world possessed more expertise at calculating complex financial interests, identifying profitable opportunities, and negotiating advantageous business arrangements than the goblins of Gringotts.
"Additionally—"
Bryan suddenly stopped walking in the middle of the street, his attention drawn to something in the distance that the others couldn't perceive.
The boundless night sky spread above them like a dark canvas dotted with stars, and as Bryan gazed into that infinite expanse, the light from countless distant suns seemed to fall into his eyes without creating even the smallest ripple of disturbance.
"The smooth progress we've achieved in establishing access to the American market means that our domestic workshop operations must undergo large-scale capacity expansion and hire significantly more skilled workers if we're going to meet the demand that these new distribution agreements will generate," Bryan continued.
"Remus, the preparatory work for this expansion can and should begin immediately, even before we finalize all the details of our American partnerships."
His strategic thinking continued to unfold as he spoke. "Additionally, we need to establish preliminary contact with thriving magical civilizations on other continents. The cooperation models we develop here in America can serve as templates for all future international partnerships.
Once we reach consensus agreements with interested parties in these other regions, we should collect substantial deposits as quickly as possible to demonstrate serious commitment and provide us with the working capital we'll need. We need a large sum of gold galleons to get through our own difficulties."
Remus was still considering what Bryan had said about capacity expansion and business promotion in other continents. He knew very well that with his strength alone, even with Gringotts' support, he would pale in comparison to such a workload.
Before they could even consider returning to Britain, he would have to begin implementing the most urgent aspects of the expansion plan, which would require large-scale recruitment efforts that went far beyond simply hiring additional workers.
They would need to assemble an elite team of highly skilled wizards capable of supporting their ambitious vision of global product promotion: experts in international magical law, experienced negotiators familiar with different magical cultures, logistics specialists who understood the complexities of intercontinental magical transportation, and senior alchemists capable of training and supervising new production staff.
But then Bryan's final sentence suddenly penetrated through all of Remus's practical concerns and jumped into the forefront of his mind: We need a large sum of gold galleons to get through our own difficulties.
Remus suddenly froze, and the threads of confusion occupying his mind were swept away.
"You mean—"
Remus's expression became solemn as he asked quietly, "Our war with Voldemort?"
Bryan nodded slightly.
"This is also one of the main reasons I insisted on personally traveling to the American magical community to promote our business interests," Bryan explained. "We need large funding to support our efforts in the war that's coming, and we need it much sooner than most people realize."
'Money and war?'
Remus frowned deeply. In his worldview, these seemed to be two unrelated matters.
The last war between them and Voldemort had been filled with conspiracies and betrayals, brutal oppression and desperate resistance, killing and destruction, deception and manipulation, threats and coercion. The ugliness and weakness of human nature were interpreted and displayed thoroughly during those dark years.
But strangely, throughout all those terrible events, the conflict had seemed to have very little direct connection to economic considerations or financial resources.
"Will there really be another war?" Amelia asked, her voice startling Remus through his contemplation.
After standing in the cold night wind for long period, her brown eyes became clear and focused as she raised her face to look at Bryan. Her tone also had a trace of innocent curiosity.
"This Voldemort that you and Remus keep discussing—I heard stories about him when I was studying at Ilvermorny. Our professors told us that he was defeated by that famous Harry Potter several years ago. Has he really managed to return to your magical world?"
Remus remained silent.
"Indeed, Voldemort has returned," Bryan replied with a smile.
"The flames of war are already being ignited throughout Britain and will inevitably spread to other countries as his power and influence grow. Our confrontation with Voldemort and his followers has already begun.
No one, including myself, can guarantee with any certainty that they will definitely survive this war."
Amelia was immediately stunned. She stared blankly at Bryan, who had already resumed walking and was moving away from them along the cobblestone street. His figure appeared somehow lonely under the warm glow of streetlights. For some reason, her heart suddenly began to ache.
Suddenly, she remembered when Bryan had borrowed her wand from her hand, and the wonderful warm current that had flowed from her wand to her palm—that warm feeling was as if the two of them were blood relatives.
"What's wrong, Amelia?"
Bryan, who had walked some distance ahead while lost in his own thoughts, seemed to sense that Amelia wasn't following behind them as expected.
He turned his head and looked strangely at the young girl who remained standing dazed beneath the flickering light of a streetlamp.
"Oh, it's nothing—"
Amelia said in confusion, then ran quickly to catch up.
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