Chapter 24
Seeds of an Empire
Morning sunlight streamed through the tall crystal windows of Alex's study, painting soft golden patterns across the polished marble floor. The room carried the faint scent of parchment, fresh ink, and lavender.
Across the wide oak table sat Selena, slowly turning a pale bar of soap in her hands. She raised it to her nose and inhaled.
The fragrance was gentle and clean—nothing like the rough gray soap commonly used across the empire.
"So…" she said at last, glancing up at Alex, "you're really planning to start a beauty business?"
Alex leaned back in his chair, fingers lightly drumming against the armrest. A faint smile rested on his lips.
"Yes."
His voice was calm, yet carried a quiet certainty.
"I'm not opening a simple shop."
He tapped the soap lightly.
"I'm building a new industry."
Selena raised an eyebrow.
"A whole industry?"
"Think about it," Alex said.
"Most people in this empire wash with crude soap that smells like burnt wood. Noble ladies rely on heavy perfumes just to hide unpleasant odors. As for hair care… there's almost nothing."
He met her gaze steadily.
"That means the market is completely empty."
Selena stared at him for a moment.
Then realization dawned across her face.
"You mean…"
Alex finished the thought.
"Opportunity."
She leaned back slowly, arms crossing.
"And where do I fit in this grand plan of yours?"
"You'll manage it."
Selena froze.
"I… what?"
"You and your family will run the business."
Her eyes widened.
"But people know who we are," she said carefully. "If we suddenly appear running a large shop, someone will recognize us."
Alex chuckled softly.
"I expected that concern."
He reached into his desk and slid a sealed document across the table.
Selena opened it.
As she read, her eyes widened further.
"This is… a new identity?"
"Exactly."
Alex nodded.
"It includes names, birth records, trade history, everything."
"In this version, your family comes from the eastern provinces and has distant connections with my mother's noble relatives."
Selena looked up slowly.
"That's… surprisingly thoughtful."
"It also means anyone investigating you will find legitimate records."
Alex shrugged slightly.
"I prefer preparation over improvisation."
He then pushed a small wooden chest toward her.
Selena opened it cautiously.
Rows of shining gold coins filled the interior.
Her breath caught.
"How much is this?"
"Thirty thousand gold coins."
Her hands froze.
"Thirty thousand?!"
"Starting capital," Alex said casually.
"If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't give it to you."
A small smirk appeared.
"And if you fail… I'll simply make you work for me forever."
Selena rolled her eyes.
"How comforting."
At that moment the door opened.
Her father stepped inside.
Dorian carried the calm confidence of a seasoned merchant.
"You summoned me, Your Highness?"
Alex gestured to the chair.
"Please, sit."
Once Dorian settled down, Alex asked calmly,
"If we wanted to open a large shop in the capital's main commercial district… how much would it cost?"
Dorian rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"For the kind of building you're imagining…"
He paused briefly.
"About ten thousand gold coins."
Selena nearly choked.
"That much?!"
Dorian nodded.
"Prime locations are expensive."
Alex simply nodded.
"That's acceptable."
Dorian raised an eyebrow.
"You're serious."
Alex reached into the air.
A faint blue glow appeared.
A rolled blueprint materialized in his hand.
Selena and Dorian had grown used to his strange abilities by now and didn't question it.
Alex unrolled the blueprint across the table.
"This," he said, "is the shop design."
Dorian leaned forward.
The building was large and divided into three sections.
"What are these areas?" he asked.
"Three market tiers."
Alex pointed to each level.
"First floor—products for commoners."
"Second floor—products for merchants."
"Third floor—luxury products for nobles."
Selena nodded slowly.
"You're dividing customers by social class."
"Exactly."
Alex tapped the blueprint.
"If we sell only luxury products, nobles buy them."
"If we sell only cheap products, commoners buy them."
He looked at them both.
"But if we sell both…"
His eyes gleamed faintly.
"…we control the entire market."
Dorian let out a low chuckle.
"That's brilliant."
Selena uncrossed her arms.
"So what will the shop be called?"
Alex thought briefly.
Then answered.
"Silver Bloom Beauty House."
Selena repeated it quietly.
"Silver Bloom…"
Dorian nodded approvingly.
"A strong name."
Alex handed Selena another parchment.
"A list of materials."
She scanned the page.
Soapberries.
Lavender.
Mint leaves.
Herbal oils.
Animal fat.
Clay molds.
Perfume distillation tools.
Glass bottles.
"This is a lot," she said.
"These are the materials needed for large-scale production."
Alex explained,
"Purchase them quietly through merchants."
"Once they arrive, send everything to the hidden village where the dwarves are working."
Dorian raised an eyebrow.
"You want production there?"
"Yes."
"That village is loyal to the royal family."
"And the dwarves already have the necessary tools."
Alex turned to a nearby servant.
"Send one hundred demihumans to that village."
"They will assist with construction and production."
The servant bowed.
"As you command, Your Highness."
Selena folded the materials list carefully.
"I'll begin purchasing everything today."
"Good."
Dorian studied the blueprint again.
"How long will construction take?"
"At least a month," he answered.
Alex nodded.
"That's fine."
"For now open a temporary shop."
"Introduce the products slowly."
"Start with noble ladies."
Selena smiled confidently.
"That part I can handle."
After the meeting ended, Alex left the manor and walked toward the western courtyard.
Several freed slaves were training there under the morning sun.
Among them stood George
The large man calmly corrected stances and gave quiet instructions.
Alex opened the system window briefly.
Name: George
Age: 35
Rank: C
Talent: Leadership
Potential: C+
George had already reached most of his potential.
But what made him valuable wasn't talent.
It was experience.
Alex called out.
"Geogre."
The man immediately approached and bowed.
"What are your orders, Prince?"
"Take the strongest fifty men."
Geogre looked surprised.
"And?"
"You're going on a mission."
"To where?"
Alex looked toward the distant mountains.
"Labyrinth City."
George stiffened.
That city was infamous for corruption and danger.
"May I ask why, Your Highness?"
Alex smiled faintly.
"Because that city…"
"…is one I intend to rule someday."
George's eyes widened.
"I want you to go there," Alex continued calmly.
"Establish a foothold."
"Find out who controls the guilds."
"Which nobles hold power."
"And how deep the corruption runs."
He tossed George a heavy leather pouch.
George caught it.
The sound of gold clinking echoed softly.
"Ten thousand gold coins," Alex said.
"You'll need it to build connections."
George bowed deeply.
"It will be done."
As George walked away to prepare his men, Alex stood quietly watching the capital beyond the palace walls.
The beauty business.
The hidden production village.
The network of allies slowly forming around him.
And far away…
Labyrinth City.
The first stone of his future kingdom.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"The pieces are moving."
"And the game…"
"…has only just begun."
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