Chapter 96: Knights, Rifles, and Revenue Streams
Once Dullahan and Libera had settled, Karl instructed Leo to summon the others. "Leo, I want you to call Dolrik, Rook, and the three executives. Gather the research team as well. We have something very important to discuss."
"Yes, my lord," Leo nodded, a smile on his face. Rook, walking beside him, also nodded in agreement.
Later, Karl sat on a sofa in the guest room, facing a semicircle of his most trusted subordinates: Dolrik, Rook, Leo, the three executives, the eccentric researchers, Dullahan, and Libera. A silent pressure filled the room, a sense of anticipation for what Karl was about to say.
He began, his voice calm but authoritative. "I have called all of you here today because we have reached a critical threshold in our company’s growth. Though it is early, we must not wait for a crisis to act. But first, before we move to the main discussion, I need a full report on the events that transpired while we were away."
Leo glanced at the three executives and gave a silent nod. The accounting executive began his report. "My lord, our sales have risen significantly during your expedition. Orders for swords and armor have skyrocketed, despite our price controls. This is due to our increasing popularity among the beastkin. Canteen food sales are at an all-time high, and our visitor count surpassed one hundred yesterday alone. Due to high demand, we have had to limit the sales of Ursarok action figures to one per customer. Furniture has also sold out, with over twenty new orders for living and dining sets. Profits are soaring, but we are at a severe bottleneck. Our production cannot keep up with demand, and the acquisition of resources is slow due to the current transportation limitations. Our partner, the Rogina Merchant Company, has just begun outsourcing the resources we require and they will take at least a week to arrive with the first shipment. They currently have fifteen caravans working to acquire the listed resources. That is all on my part."
Karl nodded slowly. "We will maintain this production momentum. We do not need the market, the market needs us. We will ensure the populace that we have no plans saturating the market with our products and skydiving our prices in the process. We will keep our growth slow, steady, and organized. If we were to sell everything at once, other merchant companies would feel threatened by our sudden rise. Sell only what is available and only buy what is offered. The highest form of wisdom is to know when to play and when to stay away."
The accounting executive smiled and nodded in understanding. "By your will, my lord."
Next, the marketing executive began. "As for my department, we have relied on verbal marketing techniques since mass paper production is still out of the question. We have focused on discounting room prices and have introduced a coupon system. If a customer spends a certain amount of silver, they receive a coupon for 10% to 30% off their next purchase. This system was well-received when it was introduced yesterday. We have also introduced a new VIP vacation package, which allows couples to stay in our establishment for up to a week. Overall, the marketing department is ensuring consistent sales by prioritizing reputation and good word over immediate profit."
"Good work," Karl said. "Until our paper production is up, verbal persuasion will be our primary tool."
"It shall be done, my lord," the executive confirmed.
The administrative executive, the last of the three, began his report. "My lord, three popular merchant companies have already rented our available spaces, and others have inquired about future expansions. Our offers have been well-received, as we are not only responsible for their product storage handling and inventories but our rent is also based on their monthly income. Additionally, we have begun investing in villages that will be crucial to your future plans. We are providing a monthly stipend of ten gold worth of supplies to eight villages that have been struggling with famine due to indiscriminate ore prices, ores other than iron are at an all time low. but these villages can procure different ores from their mines that will be crucial to your future plans. We have also invested in our living employees’ village, which produces sulfur. Other than the supplies, we have also given them a set of horses and a wagon which they should be able to bring us 8 to 15 crates of sulfur per week."
A sly smile crept across Karl’s face. He was already picturing the designs for a black-powder rifle. With this, the era of the black powder revolution has begun!
The executive continued, his tone turning serious. "Also, during your expedition, my lord, your first prediction came true."
Karl’s expression turned grim. "It was only a matter of time," he exhaled. "How did the orcs fare?"
"Before the attack, the three executive departments formed a militia of staff volunteers to defend our establishment. Fortunately, Master Dolrik had finished producing the new weapon prototypes—the elemental rifles or LM-Rifles for short. They were crucial to our defense, as the militia members are inexperienced in close-quarters combat. The orcs attempted to raid our establishment, but one lone guard held them at bay at the front gate.
Karl’s face changed to a sudden surprise, "Ohh? He reminds me of a heroic character from the TV series, Game of Thrones, Hodor."
The executive replied, "A heroic action indeed, my lord. His actions bought the militia enough time to deploy and reinforce the position. After that, it was only a matter of time before the squads dominated the orcs with ranged weaponry."
"I am relieved the militia was able to fend them off," Karl said. "But what do we know of these orcs? Where did they come from?"
"The local populace calls them the ’demonic orcs’ from Bloodtusk Fortress, located near the Spinebride forest. The Alliance of Beastkins have been keeping them at bay, but there’s only so much they can handle with the orcs that passed through the borders." the executive explained.
Karl’s expression became even more serious. "It’s odd that they came this far. It almost seems as if we have been purposely targeted."
"That is what we believe, my lord. The beastkins say these orcs are known to raid nearby border villages, but the Alliance has had small success of catching them. For them to travel directly to our establishment—located in the far north of the Spinebridge region—suggests a third party is involved."
Karl nodded, his mind working through the possibilities. "This scenario is similar to corporations or politicians hiring terrorist organizations to destabilize a region. If this is true, the orcs may be working for someone powerful. It could be a merchant company threatened by our rise, or even a noble."
Karl’s expression hardened, his voice steady and commanding. "This is why I am creating new departments. What we have now is a foundation—but if we do not evolve, our enemies will. We cannot be passive. We must be prepared for war in every sense, from the battlefield to the marketplace."
He turned first to Rook, Libera, and Dullahan. "The Department of Risk Intelligence and Security—DRIS. This will be our eyes and ears, and our shield. You will not only guard our people but root out threats before they arrive at our gates. Intelligence gathering, scouting enemy positions, uncovering sabotage, watching nobles and merchants who plot against us—DRIS will be our shadow network. You three will train and lead an elite corps, one that can strike silently or fight openly, depending on what the situation demands."
Dullahan bowed his head. "We will be your sword in the dark, my lord."
Karl nodded, then gestured to Dolrik and the researchers. "The Department of Experimental Warfare Solutions—DEWS. You have already proven your worth with the LM-Rifles. From now on, you will be tasked with staying ahead of the battlefield. Every weapon, every innovation, every mad idea that can give us an edge—you will bring it to life. Where DRIS defends and uncovers threats, DEWS ensures that when the time comes to fight, we fight smarter and harder than anyone else."
Dolrik’s grin widened, his hands twitching with excitement. "I’ve been waiting to hear those words, my lord."
Karl’s gaze shifted to the executives handling production. "The Department of Defense Industry—Diddy. Our weapons and ideas mean nothing without the ability to mass-produce them. Diddy will oversee our factories, workshops, and craftsmen, ensuring quality and supply chains remain unbroken. Efficiency and discipline will be your creed. You will make sure every rifle, every sword, every piece of armor reaches the hands of those who need them, when they need them."
Finally, Karl turned to the administrative executive. "And last—the Strategic Resource Procurement Agency, Serpa. None of this matters if we do not control the flow of raw materials. Iron, sulfur, wood, food, even the rare ores the villages can supply—you will secure them all. Serpa will not just be traders; you will be scouts, negotiators, and even raiders if the situation demands. If another merchant company tries to strangle us with supply shortages, you will break their chokehold. If nobles attempt to starve us out, you will ensure our warehouses are always full."
Karl’s eyes swept across the semicircle of his subordinates. His voice dropped, low and commanding, each word heavy with resolve. "Together, these four departments will form the backbone of our first true legion. Not just soldiers, not just merchants, not just craftsmen—but a machine of war and industry that no rival, no noble, no enemy army can ever ignore or suppress. We will not be caught unprepared again.