The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows through the wide windows of the study room. Papers were strewn across the large wooden table, each neatly stacked and categorized, but the sheer number of them made the room feel almost suffocating. Fornos Dag sat with his parents, his fingers absently tracing lines on a map as he studied the reports spread before him.
Voss leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen against his chin, while Mary flipped through a ledger, marking down important points.
"Hm," Fornos muttered, his eyes narrowing as he scanned a list of investments. "We really need to cut these off."
His mother looked up. "What are you looking at?"
"It's a list of companies trying to develop next-generation golems," Fornos replied, sliding the parchment toward her. "Only four of them are actually showing results. The rest are just soaking up our funds. We should withdraw from the others."
Mary scanned the list and gave a thoughtful nod. "Makes sense. No point in pouring money into failures."
"Agreed," Voss chimed in, marking the paper with a quick stroke of his pen. "Pull our investments from the rest. We'll focus on the few showing promise."
Fornos looked satisfied with the decision, though his mind was already moving to the next issue. Mary, meanwhile, pulled out another stack of papers. "Also, while we're at it, can we divert some funds to jewel purchasing? The market has been seeing increased demand lately."
"Hm," Fornos hummed, taking the reports from her hands. "If we make the move quickly, I can secure a bunch of manufacturers under us in two months."
His father shot him a skeptical look. "No. You aren't allowed to forge a thousand-page contract and exploit them. We're not having a repeat of… that incident."
Fornos didn't even blink. "It wasn't exploitation. Just thorough legal maneuvering."
Mary sighed, rubbing her temples. "I agree with your father. I'd rather not see grown men crying in front of me again."
"Then I'll limit myself to acquiring one manufacturer," Fornos conceded, though his tone made it clear he found the caution unnecessary.
"That should be enough," Mary affirmed, jotting down notes. "We'll also need mining rights. I'm thinking of approaching the Sandigo household for access to their quarries."
Voss nodded. "I'll handle the negotiations myself. Sandigo values traditional agreements, and I don't want to spook them with overly aggressive terms."
Fornos raised a brow. "They'll drag their feet. If I could just—"
"No," Voss interrupted firmly. "We'll do it carefully. Last time you took charge of a negotiation, we almost ended up absorbing the entire company. I had to personally smooth things over."
Fornos sighed, resting his chin on his hand. "Being cautious means being left behind. Sometimes people need a push to realize their own best interests."
Mary gave him a pointed look. "We're merchants, not conquerors. Besides, not everyone thinks like you, Fornos. Your way isn't always the best way."
Fornos grumbled but didn't argue. "Fine. I'll focus on acquiring a jewel source and dealing with freeloaders. Is that really all I get for the next month?"
Voss smiled faintly. "Just control your exploitative tendencies. Other than that, you're free."
"But it's too little," Fornos complained. "I'll be bored."
Mary chuckled. "You always say that. Try to remember that making solid, steady progress is more important than burning through every opportunity at once."
Fornos remained silent, though a small, mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. "If I can't expand aggressively, I might as well improve our internal structure. Some of the trading posts are reporting inefficiencies. I'll draft a plan to consolidate them."
Voss raised an eyebrow. "That's actually a good idea. Just don't intimidate the branch managers. You have a knack for scaring them into compliance."
Fornos smirked. "If they're that easily intimidated, they're not cut out for the job."
His parents exchanged glances. Voss couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and apprehension. Fornos was undeniably talented—sharp, ambitious, and relentless. But that ambition, while admirable, often bordered on ruthless.
"Your drive is commendable, son," Voss said carefully. "But remember, we're in this business to build relationships, not just profits. Trust is more valuable than any contract."
Fornos didn't respond right away, instead shuffling through another set of reports. Relationships were fleeting. Strength and influence were far more reliable. He didn't voice his thoughts, though. Instead, he just nodded, giving the answer his parents wanted to hear.
Mary, sensing the mood, changed the subject. "I heard there's been movement in the Four Cardinals' territory. They're increasing patrols around the corundum mine."
Voss grimaced. "Makes sense. The mine's output has been attracting a lot of attention lately. We should be cautious—no need to get caught in noble conflicts."
Fornos couldn't help but wonder about the power dynamics there. The Four Cardinals were influential, and whoever controlled the corundum mine would have considerable leverage. It made him think of the disparity between nobles and merchants. A title granted power, regardless of competence.
"If only I had a title," he mused aloud, half-joking.
Voss gave him a stern look. "A title would make you a target. We're already treading carefully as it is. Our wealth and influence are enough to draw envy. Let's not add nobility to the list."
Fornos bit back a retort, knowing better than to argue. The discussion shifted to logistics, with Mary outlining plans to streamline deliveries for the next quarter. Fornos contributed here and there, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the problem of power.
After the meeting, his parents left to arrange the necessary paperwork. Fornos stayed behind, staring at the map on the table. His fingers traced a path between their trading posts and the noble domains.
Ambition burned in his chest, the same familiar heat that never seemed to fade. He wasn't content with just maintaining the business. He wanted to elevate it—no, elevate himself. Nobles didn't deserve their titles just because they inherited them.
He glanced at Brassheart, standing by the wall like a silent sentinel. If the world wasn't going to grant him power, he would forge it himself—through innovation, strategy, and, if necessary, force.
Fornos took out a notebook and began sketching ideas for improving Brassheart's design. If he couldn't control the political game directly, he would build something that could. Something the nobles couldn't ignore.
One step at a time, he reminded himself. Build the foundation first, then expand. Eventually, he would have the power to shape his own fate, title or not.
And when that day came, no one would dare to look down on him or his family again.