Ever since it was decided to create a trading company, Ethan buried himself in books and work as he began doing extensive research.
There weren't many things from the earth that Ethan knew of that could be made in Akarxia without hassle. Contrary to what one might expect, it was extremely difficult to manufacture Earth's products in a different world as the availability of ingredients and tools was very tricky in the new world.
Even if that wasn't a problem, there weren't many goods that Ethan knew how to produce in the first place. Ethan was a genius in his previous life but he wasn't all-knowing. The little knowledge he had about how to make a certain few products was solely due to reading books.
But even if this was the case, there were still many options that could work. For example, soap or shampoo.
This was a perfect product for Ethan to produce in Akarxia after a chess set. Ethan's goal was to create new items that were never seen in Akarxia and sell them to the nobles for a high price. This way, he could make a lot more money than selling ordinary items to commoners.
After soap, there were other things such as food, garments, design, cosmetics, and a lot more that Ethan knew how to produce and was easy to produce.
Just like the past few days, Ethan was in a large room that was his separate workplace. Books were scattered around along with various items such as herbs and flowers and oily substances.
Ethan was trying to figure out a new formula for soap and shampoo that would make the skin glow and elevate its health. This was something Ethan himself wanted to produce as well as there was no proper soap in Akarxia.
As he was reading, Ethan also took notes in his diary. Often, he would smell the various ingredients and note his observations.
He would blend a few ingredients, the mixtures of oils and fats and leaves and flowers.
In reality, the idea of producing earth's products in Akarxia was in Ethan's mind long ago. And so he had been reading and doing research for a long time. Ethan already knew the recipe to make soaps, he just needed to find a proper blend of oil and fat.
While he was busy at work, the door suddenly knocked, waking Ethan up from his focus. As he gave his permission to enter, the door opened.
"Young Master, I have brought the man here." Albert bowed and said.
Hearing this, Ethan stretched his arms and stood up. He then walked forward and left the room with Albert after locking the door.
They both then went to the office where an old man with a long unshaven beard was waiting along with Ronan and the guards.
Seeing Ethan, a smile appeared on his face as he spoke freely, "Ho-ho! Been a long time young master! You haven't visited for a while?"
Ethan sat on his chair and smiled back as he looked at the old man. With a playful tone, he spoke, "Mr. Brown, I hope you haven't broken your old bones yet. I have work for you."
Hearing this, Dave Brown's playful expression changed to a focused one. Dave was an old, experienced, and one of the best carpenters in Adenberd. Ethan had found the man quite interesting when he heard about him during his outings.
Dave Brown was a man who was only devoted to his work. So much so that his workshop was outside the city walls in the woods. He would wake up early in the morning, cut the wood with his own two hands, and then work all day to complete commissions. This kind of work ethic was nothing but commendable in Ethan's eyes and so he would often visit the old man in his workshop outside the city. This way, he also had an excuse to leave the city once in a while.
"What would you like me to make? As long as it's made of wood, I can make anything!" Dave said in excitement with fiery eyes of passion.
Ethan smiled and brought out a bunch of paper clumped together from his drawer and handed it to Dave through Ronan's hands.
Dave began seeing the papers one by one and a look of confusion flashed in his eyes which kept intensifying as he read and saw more of the well-drawn, elaborate pictures on the papers.
Finally, after reading through the paper, he went silent in bafflement and scratched his head in confusion.
Looking at Ethan with doubt he said, "What is this?"
"Mmm… It's like a game… Something that people can use for entertainment or to pass time. The wooden board should have sixty-four squares as I have drawn. Half squares will be dark and the other half will be light-colored. I have stated the measurements as well.
The 'figurines' are called 'pieces'. They will be placed and moved within the boundaries of certain rules to play this game called 'chess'. Remember that the pieces should be as precise as I have drawn. The whole set should be premium, with polished wood and smooth surface." Ethan explained carefully.
Dave had no idea what this so-called game was all about. However, he couldn't help but admire the strange but interesting design of the chess pieces. The details on the knight piece were very intricate and artistic with complex strokes and characteristics.
Even though Dave didn't understand how the game was supposed to be played—as he had never seen something like this, he only cared about the work anyway.
"Normally, this kind of woodwork wouldn't fall under my expertise but you're in luck. I recently took a very impressive apprentice who is good at carving intricate artwork on wood. It will be done! Which wood should I use for this?"
"Ah, I was worried that it won't be in your expertise. It's good that you have finally taken an apprentice in your care." Ethan congratulated them with a smile.
Stroking the back of his head in embarrassment, Dave muttered, "Haha, he's a good lad!"
"Very well, I trust your judgment. As for wood, please use Elven Wood."
"Elven Wood?! Are you certain?" Dave exclaimed in surprise.
"Of course, if you do this job well, you will have a lot more work coming soon. I want the chess set to look and feel lavish. It's going to be sent to nobles and kings." Ethan said sternly.
Dave was dumbfounded. Even though it was going to be made with Elven Wood, he could see no practical use for the strange item. Would the nobles and kings even find it enjoyable?
"Don't worry, I will deliver the perfect result. But…" Dave hesitated.
"But?"
Awkwardly, Dave said, "Elven Wood is not common… I don't have enough of it right now."
Raising his brows, Ethan looked at Albert and Albert bowed as he said, "It will not be a problem. The Kuber Merchant Company exclusively deals in Elven Wood. I will see to it."
Ethan nodded and then went on to explain the little minor details of the commission. He then paid the advance amount to Dave and Dave left with the stack of paper in exuberance.
"Young Master, we have found a place to set up the headquarters of the company." After Dave left, Albert informed Ethan with a smile.
"Excellent! Where is it?" Ethan asked with enthusiasm.
"As you suggested, I looked for a large settlement in a quiet and adequate place. Down by the river, there is a patch of open land in a small village East of the city. We can set up the company there."
Hearing this, Ethan contemplated for a few moments and said, "How far is it?"
"Not that far, it only takes three hours to reach there by carriage. On horse even less than that."
Ethan once again thought about it. The distance was a bit of an inconvenience but he didn't want to set up the headquarters in Adenberd either. This was mainly because Ethan knew had big plans for the company as he wished to expand into several businesses. Taking this into consideration, it wasn't a bad idea to begin in a village by the riverside.
With a vibrant smile, Ethan said, "Alright, don't let the news leak for now. Begin setting up the infrastructure in the village. Also, after the basic preparations are done, move all those slaves to the village."
"Yes!" Albert nodded.
Suddenly, Ethan asked, "Any letters from the Capital or my father?"
Hearing this, Albert went silent and averted his gaze in hesitation. He then sighed and began speaking, "Three words of news. Your grandfather made quite the ruckus following the assassination attempt and the crown is taking it very seriously. Second is that Miss Earlene has left for the capital."
Without any change in his expression, Ethan asked, "And third?"
"After the news of your and young miss Anicia's engagement spread, the neighboring lord of Stout County who was on the verge of doing something dubious drew back from his intentions. And… The church's people discreetly tried recruiting Miss Anicia again."
Raising his grows, Ethan spouted, "Tch, persistent fellows."
Suddenly remembering something, he asked, "And Elder brother?"
"Nothing new. However, the news of Master Alier's passing should have reached the capital now." Albert said, looking downcast.
Ethan sighed and said, "I see, you can go."
Following the command, Albert bowed and then left.
Ethan simply sat in his chair leaning back as he tapped the armrest in thought. He was thinking about a good formula for herbal soap. Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind and he stood up, then left the office and headed to his workroom from where he had come from.
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