Shadow King Chronicles: Building a Kingdom From Behind the Scenes
The Lambard Trade Union
A week after the auction, nothing special happened. Everything went well and was normal. Just like the academy in the kingdom, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are holidays. That's why this Friday, along with Margaret, Issac spent his time at his clothing store and cafe.
Margaret said she wanted to shop. Issac gladly invited him to his shop. He would treat Margaret as much as a gift because all this time had helped Issac.
"You know, how am I supposed to say this? I'm so grateful you wanted to buy me but. This is too much! I mean.you've paid me. And even now, you're trying to buy...."
"Don't think, don't think. Think of it as a reward for your hard work. Don't hesitate, okay? Choose what you like."
Margaret breathed a tired sigh. He had been completely spoiled by Issac ever since this man was in the empire. This makes it go awry. She's not Issac's girlfriend. It would be more appropriate if he and Issac were best friends. But on the other hand, she begins to fall in love with him.
But he knew it would be difficult to be in a relationship with a man who had six partners. Yeah, that's true. Margaret, Agatha, and Angelica had learned that Issac had six lovers who lived in the kingdom. Lilianne told them. Moreover, one of them is Margaret's childhood friend.
Not that Issac wants to keep this a secret. But he did intend to tell the others. It is not for secret reasons, because somehow, in the Lontus continent, a man who has more than one partner is allowed as long as the man has enough financial strength to finance the life of his wife.
He didn't want to tell because it wasn't important. There is no need to boast that he has many people who love him and show it off to many people. Issac just doesn't want to make trouble for his lovers.
Margaret's a little moody. Perhaps, he would not have the chance to be with Issac. In that case, as long as Issac was in the empire, he would take advantage of this moment to continue standing beside him!
"Don't be moody like that. Like I said. This is a gift from me. That you..."
"Silent stupid man! Insensitive! It sucks!"
Margaret became upset and went into the store first. Leaving the dumbfounded Issac in the shop courtyard. ...What's wrong with Margaret? Well, maybe his mood is a little bad so just let it be like that first. That's what Issac thought.
Of course it's wrong! Margaret became annoyed with Issac because he was insensitive! He was moody not because of the clothes but something much more important than that!
But somehow, Margaret felt herself overdoing it. Issac has been treating him so well all this time. Nor did he ever scold her or treat her harshly even if Margaret made a mistake in her work.
All right, he'll apologize after this! Just as he was thinking like that, Issac suddenly appeared beside him and smiled. He held Margaret's hand tightly. Warm. That's what he thinks. For the rest of that Friday, the two of them spent time in Issac's shop and had a good time.
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Agatha was inside Isac's adventurous supply store. There were also Margaret, Angelica, and Lilianne. They were busy looking through the collection of weapons and magic tools sold by Issac. Because the goods he sold were this good, it was fitting that this store was never deserted.
Issac himself had just finished a meeting with Margaret and the others. Seeing the upward trend in sales while the demand for adventurous gear he sold continued to rise, they began planning to open a branch. Especially in a labyrinth city located five days drive from the Reichstaag.
That was when, suddenly a woman with wavy blonde hair walked into the store. He looked to the right and left. I don't know why that woman was judging this shop.
"Excuse me, can I help you, miss? Are you looking for something you need for an adventure?"
The girl shook her head. He's looking for something else here.
"Ah, no. Sorry this is sudden. Can I meet the owner of this shop? If it's not wrong, it's Mr. Issac Starfall, right?"
"That's me. I thought you'd be here, Miss Carolina Von Lambard. Welcome to my shop."
Although the language was informal, Issac gave the girl a polite welcome. Among the others, only Margaret did not feel unfamiliar with him.
"She's.ah's right too. The girl was the receptionist and host at the Reichstaag's biggest auction. Waitie? A lambard? Means you are....
Lambards. One of the largest trade unions in the Grand Aria empire. When compared to the La-Sa Guild, to be honest, the trade union belonging to Issac was still inferior. The Lambard trade union ruled not only the imperial market, but also the international market.
In fact, no matter if it was the hostile Moskov empire or the barbarian tribes that existed in the west of the empire, they could not escape the dependence of the Lambard trade union.
Issac walked to Carolina and offered a handshake, which Carolina immediately accepted. They both look familiar. Could it be because they were both merchants?
"I didn't think Mr. Issac was the owner of this shop. I've heard the rumors, you know? He said a new store in Reichstaag was selling quality equipment. I guess it's just a regular store, but I guess I'm wrong."
Carolina sees interaction between employees and customers. Also look at how they serve potential customers professionally. No matter even if the prospective customer does not have the money, the employees still serve them professionally.
"Then, miss Carolina, should we talk about the rest inside? Margaret, please prepare some tea. Agatha, Angelica, and Lilianne can come if you want."
Lilianne and the others just looked at each other, then shrugged their shoulders. They didn't know what Issac was going to talk to Carolina about, but well, they just went along.
Issac took them all to the room he used to wear in meetings. This is a very spacious room and enough to accommodate 50 people in one room. Many papers stick to the wall containing motivations and sales targets that can be met by employees who are in the marketing division.
There is also a small kitchen. If employees want to drink tea or eat snacks, they can make it there. Issac made that for them. Even for food, they will use their own money. But from the salary Issac gave them, that was enough.
"I just think that if employees feel comfortable here, their performance and performance will go up and get better over time. That way, my shop will expand thanks to them."
Issac explained that to Carolina who was impressed by this room. They finally sat down and talked. Even though they had just met, they had been completely familiar! They tell each other about each other's childhoods and things. The other girl was also enthusiastic about hearing the childhood story of Issac.
"Now Miss Carolina, you're definitely not here just to talk about childhood nostalgia, are you?"
Thas right. The conversation was just an opening. They are judging each other. Is this guy trustworthy? Is this guy really competent? Is he reliable? And other.
"of course. Fufufu. Looks like the bait you threw managed to lure a big fish huh? Your first move caught our attention."
Ehh, apparently he realized that he was being fished. This is an unexpected catch. Who would have thought the successor of the Lambard trade union would actually come to him?
"The collection you're selling here is of exceptional quality. Although I am not a blacksmith forging weapons and other equipment, I can be sure by sensing the power that is within. You know, I'm interested in marketing your product."
Got hit! Issac did intend to open a branch somewhere else. And for that, he does need the right and trusted partner to be invited to work with. Selling and selling them is not difficult. What makes it difficult is dealing with other competitors.
It would be fine if the competitor Issac was facing was a healthy competition. But if the competition he was about to face was a poisonous one, the name of the Lambard Trade Union would give them a huge bluff. In addition, Lambard has a wider market coverage than its own store. La-Sa guild did have a market in the empire, but it was limited to only the Mariendolf region.
By working with Lambard, Issac hoped that the name La-Sa Guild would gain a good reputation in the eyes of the imperial community and thus, he could expand his business network.
Finally, a fairly difficult conversation took place between Issac and Carolina. Margaret and the others were tense. Issac proposed that he would supply his goods to Lambard's trade union at an affordable price on the condition that he would gain access to Lambard's other products at a lower price.
The proposal was rejected by Carolina. He submitted another proposal and Issac rejected it. So it continues until finally a deal is formed. Issac will be the supplier of his goods to Lambard and in return, Lambard will provide a larger percentage of profits to Issac.
Lambard would then be granted limited rights to become a trade union selling Issac's goods to others outside the authority of Issac. Of course if Lambard breaks the deal and exceeds the agreed limit, there will be sanctions for Lambard. This rule also applies to Issac.
They both shook hands and smiled. A deal has been formed and a letter of agreement has been signed. Actually, this is just the beginning. At least for Issac. Because beyond that, he needed a valuable commodity that became the mainstay of the Lambard Trade Union. Something he really needs.