First Steps

Michael sits at his desk, he looks down from the third floor watching the city of Rosalia start their day. He sits and thinks of his next moves, as the sounds of chatter enter through his ears. 'I already have a textile industry going, of course having it all made in cotton is damn expensive." He smirks to himself as he mutters, "Though I'm pretty sure it's gonna be worth it for the long run."

Michael then spins in his swivel chair, one which he made Jake do. 'Then non-magical printing press seems to be working, though I've devoted a few machines for mostly printing pamphlets for reading. Just to make sure I have an actual working population once I get a need for it.'

He then looks up as he thought of Jake, 'The guy was certainly excited when I showed him heating magic, from it he designed a furnace. Then again, using magic made it all the easier. Since I can emit more heat without much damage nor danger from fire. And with his personally designed mill, Jake has been pumping out metal sheets after metal sheets' His eyes light up in delight as he thought, 'Magic really is the best cheat code.'

He then stops in thought, 'I have been in this world for seven years, most of which was spent learning about magical artifacts and doing chores.' He looks to his wrist and plays with his bracelet as he continued thinking, 'Then again it has been a fruitful time at least, I wouldn't learn so much about the runes if I wasn't handed every artifact Vincent came across.'

He laughs loudly, both happy and amused. Since his current situation mostly came from time with House Dunsten. 'I guess there was at least a silver lining in living my life as a slave.' His laughter dies down as he continues to watch the morning sun rising.

A knock came from the door as face peeks in, Madelaine enters as she held her clipboard, her short brown frames her bright smile as she wears a long-skirted dress. Michael notices the hair before he asks her about it. "You got a new haircut?" Madelaine smiles brightly before she replied, "Yup," She shyly twirls her hair, "Do you like it?."

Michael smiles at her as he spoke, "It looks good on you." She reddens a bit as she hides behind her clipboard a bit flustered, she lowers her clipboard before she clears her throat and continuing. "Well, it was too long already and I had to like walk around more now since." She furiously shakes her head an act which Michael found endearing making him chuckle.

Madelaine breathes deeply for a few seconds, calming herself down. She then spoke with a professional atmosphere, she reads from her clipboard, "I have employed about fifty seamstresses and thirty of which has been given their sewing machine." Michael raises an eyebrow and questioned her "What has stalled production then?"

Madelaine looks at the note holding Jake's complaint. "He said that the iron supply he already has is quickly being forged, the unbought monthly supply near Rosalia is already being bought." Madelaine also narrows her eyes, "There have also been some rumours that the increased productivity and quality have gained the attention of other blacksmiths."

Madelaine then continues, "Those blacksmiths with noble backing have begun quickly buying up any iron coming into Rosalia." Michael nods in understanding as he ruminates on the current situation, "Then what of the iron contracts we already have?"

Madelaine frowns as she flips another page of her clipboard, "They are being quickly eaten up by your recent project." Michael smiles as he nods, "That's good, I can't move my plans forward without it." Madelaine nods back as she replies, "I suppose so, but even the supply for those is at risk of being bought off."

Michael then ruminates on the new information as she looks to Madelaine, "Have you tried buying up some iron mines." Madelain flips a page of her clipboard, "Yes. Unfortunately, they owners are the certain type of demons that don't wish to associate with humans." Michael groans as he glances, "Those types huh." Madelaine nods affirmatively, a dreary atmosphere settling within the office knowing that the current predicament cant be bought off like before.

Michael then stands, a smile gracing his face. "It's fine, I have been trying to find a new city we can expand to." He takes out a map of the Rosalian Kingdom from underneath his desk and flats it out. He points to two spots as he looks to Madelaine for her input "There have been a few candidates, but I am mostly picking between Altona and Avern.

Madelaine steps closer to him and thinks for a few minutes before she points to Avern, "I believe Avern will be a better spot for a new expansion. Not only is it closer to the Iridian Principalities, it is also a great source of wool and holds vast farmlands." She glances at him as he thinks of her words, she then continues "Not only that, I believe that Avern has a larger population than that of Alton."

Michael nods his head in agreement and taps his chin in thought, "That is perhaps true, but Alton has untapped iron mines, does it not?" Madelaine hurriedly nods as she replies back "That is perhaps true, but the need for iron can be solved with imports using the wealth we can accrue from both the farmlands and pastures."

Michael sits back down to his chair and spins, Madelaine watches this with wry smile, knowing that this is him thinking. Michael then puts his foot down and looks to Madelaine, "What you said is reasonable, though I believe Alton will be a much worthwhile investment." Madelaine looks at him in confusion, unable to find as to what reason could it possibly be.

Michael grins, "The First Prince Lenard." Madelaine widens her eyes, realizing she forgot such a simple fact. Michael continues, "Alton despite its low development is one of the few cities where a concentration of power lies." He points to Alton located in the middle half of Rosalian Kingdom.

He grins as he looks to the nobles around Alton, "His Majesty Rinar, has put him there away from City of Rosalia to consolidate power and protect him from Rivider influence." He watches the map closely as he takes out his fountain pen. "If we could be a great asset to Prince Lenard, we can create a connection to his followers."

Michael lowers his pen to the cities surrounding Alton, "Each of this can become a source of revenue and the most important part is, we could be untouchable." Michael clenches his hand in excitement while Madelaine listens in filled with curiosity before asking him a question, "How will we be untouchable?"

Michael grins before he continued, "Untouchable by the fact that nobility won't be able to touch us through normal means." He shrugs as he spins in his chair, now more than expressive in his display of excitement. "Since His Majesty Rinar is so supportive of Lenard's ascension, there's no way he'll allow someone so useful to get picked off."

Madelaine listening to all of this nods in assent, accepting that the expansion to Alton will be more beneficial "Then shall I prepare for an expansion to Alton." Michael nods his assent as he grins out the window, "Oh can you also buy pastures? Then fill them with sheep for wool?"

Madelaine replies hesitantly, "Yes, I can order someone to buy available pastures in Avern." Michael looks back as if realizing something, "Oh and start a trading post at Avern, we can use its proximity to branch out around the Iridian Principalities."

Madelaine nods as she writes down her work for the day. But before she could walk to the door Michael stands unexpectedly, he runs to the door as he grins. A grin which flusters Madelaine, but before she could react he shouts by the door as he gesture for her.

"You know what. Let's go together, I have nothing else to do anyway."