Hero of Darkness

Right before the two members of the imperial family and one of the top 5 blacksmiths of the Vulcan empire… Kahn declared that he had a plan that would be beneficial to all their sides.

"You… you are going to suggest us a business plan? What do you even know about business, human?

We're not talking about some street shop here." spoke Hector as he didn't like Kahn, a human to meddle in their matter.

"Please listen to me, your highness. Although I may not have much experience in making business deals of this large scale… but I have an idea that fits perfectly to your situation." replied Kahn while bowing in respect.

"Alright, let's listen to him first." said Venessa in an affirmative tone.

Kahn then took a deep breath and brought forth the business tycoon inside him who had been sleeping for quite some time since he became the Sovereign of Verlassen and then came to the Vulcan empire.

"Let's say that both of you declare your support and deliver upon your promises…

Then it's an obvious fact that the company will thrive even more than before.

However… it won't be able to expand regardless given how there will still be people who served the second prince and will hold a grudge against us." started off Kahn as he addressed the main issue.

The old him already knew about how the elite were always able to blacklist someone without backing easily.

"But instead of wasting our time and resources on dealing with these petty businesses…

We will sell all of our products at manufacturing cost to both of you." declared Kahn.

To his declaration, all three of them were stunned.

[What the hell are you doing, boy?! Who are you to make decisions about my company?] argued Throk via the artifact.

[Just watch and learn, you old bastard. You may be a great blacksmith… but this is my area of expertise.] replied Kahn.

"Since both the imperial prince and princess are sponsoring us, I believe you shouldn't lose out on money because of it.

The quality of the weapons will be guaranteed by Oakenshield company.

And you could use companies in your respective names or even clans who need weapons in an abundant quantity.

And you can sell them as the direct source." proposed Kahn.

Because if it was just their company doing everything by themselves to stay in the business… they were too many risks and people he would have to face, whether it was an enemy or some business organization who targeted them.

But if it were the imperial family members… who the hell would dare to go against them?

"Think about it. There are other 4 saint blacksmiths in the empire, all of whom are from the dwarven race… but you know how hard it is to appease them or even have your weapons and armors made by them.

The only ones they care about are the Emperor and his four Advisors. They do not give any preferential treatment to you or your followers. So it's obvious that you won't be able to get such an opportunity to have a saint blacksmith like master Oakenshield on your side easily if not for his current situation." he iterated.

"Imagine if you could provide legendary rank weapons and armors to your top followers and supporting clans via master Oakenshield within months instead of having to wait for 3 to 5 years…

Wouldn't they pledge their wholehearted loyalty to you?" asked Kahn to the two firebornes.

Just then, both Hector and Venessa realized that it was indeed the case. Compared to other prideful blacksmiths, Throk was much more approachable. And if they officially became his sponsors…

They would also get direct access to him and if they went with Kahn's proposal… there were too many benefits.

"Obviously, the work will have the logo of Oakenshield company but since you're the direct distributors…

The amount of profits both of you would make by cutting the middleman…" said Kahn and stopped with a coy expression.

Both Venessa and Hector were astonished as soon as they realized what Kahn was implying.

Because they weren't just talking about some city-level deal. Rather at least more than a billion people who supported them throughout the whole empire.

Just by becoming a direct source… they would be making way too much money.

[What the hell are you doing, you brat?! I've never worked on that big scale. At best, my business was done with local companies of the capital.]

[Think big, old bastard. Don't you want to go from one of the top 5…

To the most popular, the richest and the most influential blacksmith in the whole empire?

The top 3 blacksmiths have support from the Fireborne clans and church, but you…

I'm offering you both the imperial prince and princess on a silver platter.

Think big and you'll make it big.] said Kahn with a smug grin.

Although it looked like it was these three sides who would be earning a lot of wealth…

In reality… it'd be him who was going to milk them dry since his sponsors were going to take care of money, materials, transport, dealerships, connections and other stuff.

On the other end, he'd have his generals manage the company while Throk handled the manufacturing and the forge.

He was going to overwork Throk to the bone and then rake in a huge amount in the name of management of the company.

This wasn't the Rakos Empire where everyone was equal. He couldn't go through the ordeals of setting up a company or face opposition from locals, not even after the recent bans and restrictions lifted on the human race.

Kahn learned a lot from the business mini-arc already. So he knew what to do and what not to do. And now… he had no intentions to waste time on the same repeated plotline again.

So this way… not only was he going to learn blacksmith skills for free, have a saint blacksmith as a teacher… he was going to have Hector and Venessa do all the heavy lifting while they poured in all of their money and wealth to maximize their personal profit.

And the one to mooch off on all the hard work done by the three individuals standing in front would be…

Kahn.