Rothester

Chapter 16: Entrepreneurship and Adventure

Factories throughout the world have long been non-existent in the way most people would think of. Specifically, in the Kingdom of Scorcia, mass manufacturing is simply a collective effort of many skilled craftsmen to create whatever is needed. Despite being the same product, every item is individually unique. Ardai Industries aims to introduce interchangeable parts.

From the eyes of the business world, Ardai Industries have seemingly created a new form of manufacturing. Due to Edgar's cooperation with Ardai, Ken heavily invested in him and his workshop subsequently expanded. His once humble workshop grew into a large assembly plant. Carpenters are perpetually hired to make individual wood parts, while Ardai's Development Facility near the docks and several blacksmiths produce steel parts. Edgar's workshop became an assembly plant where the Kingdom's first production line operates.

Ardai's luxury A1 Coach, C1 Work Wagon, and the new mid-range B1 Carriage start life as a skeleton frame on one side. Unskilled workers repetitively attach parts onto the frames as they ever so slowly roll across the building to the finish line, where they would exit as a finished product.

Ken looks around the building as he watches the workers who are mostly hired from Egwater. He is there to inspect for quality and ensure that his instructions and manufacturing techniques are being followed correctly. He sighs in satisfaction as his efforts are beginning to show results.

The robust and reliable C1 Wagons have gained great respect from merchants for being able to haul heavier cargo than every other wagon. The A1 Coach gained traction as an item of luxury and prestige among the wealthy. And the affordable B1 Carriage became a hot product for commoners, mercenaries, and adventurers who traveled often.

"Hey, kid! Come out here!"

Ken turns around to see Edgar peeking his bushy face through the door before pulling back and closing it.

Ken curiously follows after Edgar and exits the building to stand outside in the street. A small commotion surrounds the area as a well-dressed group stands beside a nervous Edgar. Whispers of admiration are heard from the people staring from a distance. Ken immediately straightens himself and tries to look professional.

"Ah, a pleasure to finally meet you, Mister Kai."

Surrounded by a few fancy armored knights wearing capes and Tudor hats, the middle-aged man steps forward to extend his hand at Ken. It is the lord of the city: Duke Dente.

"The pleasure is mine, my lord." Ken shakes his hand.

"I must say, Mister Kai, you are quite the challenge to find."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that few people know of you despite your business' rapid growth. I've noticed the rise of Ardai Industries, but I never even knew the name of the mind behind it all until today. I was just at your headquarters, but your lovely receptionist directed me to come here to find you. And so here I am."

The Duke is a well-respected noble within the Kingdom whom even the King has respect for. A skilled knight at a young age, Duke Dente gained notoriety for his exceptional courage and prowess on the battlefield. His voluntary work to fight both monsters and bandits that threatened the Kingdom's stability drew the Royal Family's attention. Ultimately, he was assigned with the Royal Guards, and his efforts led to his rise as a nobleman, eventually attaining the title of Duke.

Despite the Duke's favorable reputation, Ken is still concerned about why the Duke sought him out. The first thing to cross his mind is the STC, whose attempt to bribe local gangs to harass him failed. Maybe this can be another attempt to scare Ken.

"My apologies, my lord. My absence is because I came here to make sure quality is maintained for my carriages."

"So I've heard. Recently I had the privilege to ride in an 'A1 Coach' through a friend of mine. Needless to say, I am impressed by how comfortable it is. I examined it to try and make sense of how it produced such a smooth and pleasant experience, but your engineering eludes me."