Chương 114: 112: A Company of Fools VII
"Is everything ready?" Dean Baxter asked as he sat at his desk. I looked to Jane and Iris who had the most work to do out of all of us for a confirmation.
Jane was flipping through a pamphlet that she had her lawyer Krylessi mock up and drop off yesterday afternoon. The pamphlet gave a basic overview of the services we provided which at the moment was creating a brand new enchanted item or enchanting an item that was brought to us. She also included examples of what type of items I could make which at the moment was limited to rings, bangles, charm bracelets, necklaces, and blade hilts.
Honestly, I was surprised that Jane was able to make something like that as well as devise a whole marketing plan, and cost structure in the short amount of time she had. When I asked her about all that and she presented it to me she simply replied that she started working on all that the moment I announced I was her head of logistics.
Iris was looking over the room, being the ever-dutiful guard that I knew she would be when I told her yesterday that I was naming her the Sho'lajah artifact company's head of security. She was carrying a medium-sized metal briefcase, inside that briefcase were a few enchanted items that I had made as examples. The briefcase was enchanted with the same spell as on my laboratory door, it would only open for me.
<All set girls?> I asked through our telepathic link. Naturally, before we left the door I cast that spell on the three of us.
<I'm ready.> Jane replied.
<Same.> Iris added. Both girls stopped what they were doing and walked over to me. I was seated at the head of a small, but imposing-looking table that the dean had brought into the office for this very meeting. Jane and Iris both took seats on my left and right side facing the opposite end of the table.
"We're ready." I said finally. Dean Baxter nodded then reaches over and pressed a button on his intercom.
"We're ready for the Ascred's." Dean Baxter said gruffly. A few moments later the door opened and the Dean's secretary ushered in three men, they all looked around the room quickly before locking eyes with me.
The three men couldn't have been more different from each other. The tallest one of the bunch was obviously of mixed African descent like myself, while the shortest gave off the same pompous air of superiority that Damon DeCharles did. The middle one was of Japanese descent and looked so prim and professional that it put Jane to shame.
The girls and I stood and Jane made a sweeping motion to the chairs at the other end of the conference table; ever the professional; she quickly started up the conversation.
"The Ascred family? Please have a seat." She said plastering on the fake smile over ever seen in my life. Lasallè
"Ascred Hideyoshi, a pleasure to meet you." The Japanese man said. He gave a slight bow before moving to take his seat.
"Marquee Martin Ascred, future Duke of Lassalé and nineteenth in line for the crown Of France. A pleasure I'm sure." The shortest of the Ascred Brothers said, using the exact same annoying and condescending voice that Damon often used.
"Yeah…sure…I guess…" I muttered, trying to sound as unimpressed as possible then ignored him and looked to the last brother.
"Caspian Ascred." He said quickly then moved to sit. Seeing that he'd been overlooked despite the grandiose introduction Martin took a seat as well, mind you with a slightly redder face.
"Pleasure to meet all of you, my name is Jane Yearwood I'm the chief logistics officer, this is Iris Stone our chief of security, and Chase Kingston, the CEO of Sho'lajah artifact company. Observing is Dean Baxter of Andromeda College." Jane said motioning to each person as she said their name.
"Well now that the introductions are out of the way let's get down to business." I said then pointed at the three brothers. "One of you wanted an engagement ring enchanted, that'll be the quickest and easiest to do so we'll start with that one."
The brothers looked at each other, slightly confused at my choice of words. Hideyoshi recovered quickly and politely cleared his throat before speaking.
"I am the one that requested an engagement ring be enchanted." He said. He reached into his jacket's breast pocket and pulled out a small ring box. He placed the box on the table and then slid it over to me. I caught the box and opened it.
Inside was a small golden band that glowed with a subtle sheen. I plucked the ring out of the box and looked it over. It was rather simple to be a woman's ring, there was no diamond or precious gemstone not to mention whoever the ring was for had massive fingers. I doubted the ring would fit me.
"Your fiancé must have…pretty strong hands…" I said trying to be as subtle as possible.
"Yes, he does." Hideyoshi replied.
"He…!" I exclaimed, louder than I meant. Jane and Iris both glared at me as Jane pinched me in my side.
<It's common in the Holy Japanese Empire for two men to marry in name only then take a concubine to have children. Particularly in nobility, the man from the lesser clan or family takes the name of the man from the more prominent family. That way any children born from the concubines share the same last name and the more prominent clan gets more influence.> Jane explained.
<Gotcha…> I replied. This silent exchange of information was another reason I cast that telepathic link spell. It would keep me from accidentally saying something culturally insensitive.
"Well, why don't you tell us about your fiancé? What sort of spell were you hoping to enchant on your ring?" Jane asked, bringing attention away from my sudden outburst.
"His name is Nobu Oda, he's a lieutenant in the Royal Japanese Defense Force and as such he's constantly being put in dangerous situations. I wanted our engagement ring to be enchanted with a spell that would protect him in battle. He's a little childish so if there is a way to make the spell look like he's donning armor he'd appreciate it." Hideyoshi explained.
<Nobu was a prominent family in the Japanese nobility until about two hundred years ago When they fell out of favor with the Holy emperor of the time. If he's marrying a member of that family his fiancé is probably taking his name. The Ascred's gained a lot of favor when Hideyoshi was born. His mother is the daughter of the current head of the Mitzuki family. When the current head dies Hideyoshi takes over and the Mitzuki clan turns into the Ascred clan.> Jane explained.
<I see…> I projected to Jane. But even as she spoke I was watching Hideyoshi closely. It was barely noticeable but when he spoke about Oda his features relaxed slightly and there was a fondness in his tone of voice.
"I see…" I said aloud and placed the ring back in tossed box. I then pulled my tools out from the backpack I had stashed under the table as well as some paper and my pen filled with Rhank. I placed everything on the table and quickly took up my pen and started writing a spell sigil. When I was done I folded the paper and slid it across the table to Hideyoshi. "…see if that spell us to your liking. Channel mana into it like you're trying to learn a new spell. Have a vivid image of how you want the armor to look in your mind."
Hideyoshi picked up the spell sheet and promptly activated the spell sigil. An axiom spell sigil formed in front of his hand as the spell sheet burned away. Ice started to form on his arms and chest, spreading until it covered all of his extremities up to his neck. The ice then started to change shape, taking the form of samurai armor.
The Ascred Brothers all gasped as the spell resolved. Hideyoshi turned and looked himself over. He lightly hit the ice armor to check its strength, then nodded.
"It's a perfect recreation of my ancestor, Azui Mitzuki's armor exactly as I remembered it…" Hideyoshi remarked. "Can you enchant that ring with this spell?"
"Easily…I can even have it done before this consultation is over since I don't have to make the ring from scratch." I said. Hideyoshi and his brothers all looked surprised as did Jane and Iris.
"Really?" Hideyoshi asked. I nodded then suddenly felt a sharp pain in my sides as Iris and Jane both pinched me.
<DON'T GO PROMISING SOMETHING LIKE THAT!> They both screamed in my head.
<Why not! I could do that!> I barked back. Jane flashed me a glare telling me to shut up then turned and smiled at the Ascred Brothers.
"While Chase might be able to finish enchanting the ring today it goes without saying that we won't turn over the ring without first accepting payment." She said.
"Naturally…" Hideyoshi said disabling the spell. He started casting an axiom spell sigil and the shadow of his hand stretched along the table stopping just before it reached my tools. A metal briefcase materialized out of the shadow as it receded.
Iris stood up and opened the briefcase, it was filled to the brim with universal standard dollars. She gave it a once over then turned nodded and scooted it over to Jane. Jane in turn stood up and started counting right away. She worked quickly and efficiently and finished counting in only a few minutes.
"Two hundred and fifty million, it's all there." Jane said confidently. I nodded and opened my tools and pulled the small clamp I had in my bad to hold onto rings while I scribed on them.
"Okay! I'll start working on this then while I hear your brother's requests for items." I said then picked up Hideyoshi's engagement ring and started scribing the spell on it.
"Hey! Don't you think it's a little rude to start working on our brother's request right in front of us? You won't be giving us your full attention!" Martin exclaimed slamming his foster down on the table.
"Don't you think it's a little rude to try and tell me how to run my business?" I countered, looking down the length of the table and arching an eyebrow at the nobleman. Martin curled his lip at me and crossed his arms.
"I don't know how you Americans conduct business but here in civilized countries when a seller is having a consultation with a potential client he gives that client his full attention. I thought that even a hick from a backward country would know that." Martin cursed.
"I see…" I muttered then went back to scribing the spell on the ring. "...Iris can you show the Marquee Aacred the door."
Everyone gasped and their eyes turned to me. Several seconds of silence were filled with Iris and Jane screaming in my head through the telepathic link.
<WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN SHOW HIM THE DOOR! HE'S A CLIENT!> Iris roared.
<YOU CAN'T BOOT A CLIENT OUT DURING A CONSULTATION! ITS BAD FOR BUSINESS!> Jane roared as well. Martin recovered from his momentary shock and verbalized his outrage.
"The gall! To dare suggest that I, Martin Ascred, Marquee of Eponú and future Duke of Lasallè should leave!" Martin yelled as he jumped from his seat. "I should have known that a peasant from the States wouldn't know how to conduct business, to treat a customer in such a way!!"
"You see but you aren't a customer." I said calmly without looking up from my work. "A customer is someone who buys something. As in actually pays money for a product. Your Brother is a customer. He's paid me to enchant his engagement ring, which I am doing. You are currently someone who's done nothing but insult my home country and me. Right now in my eyes you are no better than a window shopper who can't really afford to buy something and will circle that shop every day just to see the shiny thing they can't afford."
I looked up from my work and narrowed my eyes at the nobleman. I channeled shock attribute mana throughout my whole body and saw sparks start jumping from my skin into the air, dissipating before it made contact with anything. It had the desired affect though. Martin flinched and took a step back, now realizing that I didn't need to cast a spell to hurt him.
"If you have a problem with the way I do business then you are not a person I need to do business with. I am not going to bend over backward or kiss your ass to make a buck. I am not going to sit here and let some noble shit sit here and insult me and then do him the favor of creating an enchanted item for them." I said with an eerily calm voice.
<Iris move towards the door.> I told her using the same calm voice I used on Marin.
<Oh shit! He's at the calm before the storm pissed…> Iris broadcasted as she stood up and walked over to the door.
"Now…you can leave this office willingly or…." I paused and popped my claws. The instant they were out electricity wrapped around them and arched between the tips of both claws. "…I can remove you. And I can promise you won't like it if I have to get up."
Martin looked to his brothers for support however Caspian was looking away from his brother and covering his mouth with his hand to hide his smirk. Hideyoshi gave Marin a stern glare and then looked away. Seeing that he had no support Martin turned his nose up at me and scowled.
"I look forward to seeing this business fail. A young upstart like you is going to have to learn a hard truth about this…"
"Yeah, yeah, fuck off already. You've taxed my attention enough." I interrupted Martin then went back to scribing the ring.
Thanks to Bone-lasher's senses I could see Martin curl his hands into fists and then stomp out of the office like a child without having to look up. I'll admit it was oddly satisfying hearing Iris slam the door on him as he walked out.
"Asshole!" I grumbled as I continued working.
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Hutexa_The_Djinn
Hutexa_The_Djinn HUTEXA_THE_DJINN HERE! Sorry I missed a chapter release last week but I had some more family problems. My sister-in-law had to be rushed to the hospital and I got a little sidetracked with all that. I will resume normal chapter releases. If you like the story please leave a comment, a power stone, and/or (please chose AND) a review.
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