Building A Business Empire From Scratch In Another World-Chapter 217: Second Sales Report

Sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Morningstar Tower, casting a warm golden glow over the marble office.

Below,Astheria bustled with energy, merchants calling out, carriages clattering, and colorful banners fluttering from buildings that proudly bore the Morningstar Group's insignia.

It had been two weeks since the Black Thorn had been wiped out, their name now little more than a memory. The capital was enjoying a period of tranquility again, and tranquility meant profits were on the rise.

Inside the office, Felix sat at his expansive obsidian desk, with organized piles of ledgers, sealed files, and parchment reports spread out in front of him.

Nixie lounged comfortably on a nearby couch, enjoying a cup of chilled fruit tea, while Clara stood nearby, ready to present her information.

"Go ahead," Felix instructed calmly, his gaze fixed on the document in front of him.

Clara nodded and opened the first ledger. Her clear voice echoed through the office.

"The figures for this month's second report are in. Demand hasn't just stabilized; it's actually surpassed our expectations. With the Black Thorn gone, our trade routes are safe, and investments from the nobility have poured in."

Felix raised an eyebrow slightly. "Continue."

"The market among commoners is steadily expanding," Clara explained, flipping to the next page. "However, the most significant change is among the upper class. Nobles, merchants, and guild leaders are now fiercely competing for our premium models. The trend is quite remarkable."

"How remarkable?" Nixie asked, her head tilted, a playful curiosity in her voice.

Clara pointed to a chart. "In the last two weeks, we've sold almost three hundred thousand low-tier units, translating to six hundred and forty million in gross sales. But here's the most surprising part."

She paused to turn the page. "Our mid and high-tier offerings,the noble-grade products, have brought in profits exceeding twenty-one billion, six hundred and eighty-four million gold coins."

A stunned silence filled the room for a moment.

Nixie lowered her cup slowly. "Did you just say… billions?"

Clara met her gaze firmly. "That's right. Twenty-one point six billion in profit, with total revenue hitting thirty-seven billion."

Nixie let out a low whistle. "That's enough to buy half of Astheria."

Felix set down his pen and rested his chin on his hand. "Can we get a detailed breakdown?"

Clara's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "The Emberheart Stoves, Arcane Whirlpools, and Frostborne Vaults are now more than just functional,they've become status symbols. Nobles aren't just buying them for their utility; they're in competition with each other. They're asking for custom designs, personalized inscriptions, unique mana patterns, and even gemstone embellishments."

Nixie leaned in, clearly amused. "So it's fashion warfare now."

"Exactly," Clara replied. "Several noble families are feuding over limited-edition models. There's even one report of a Viscount's wife spending half a million just to outbid a rival for a 'Frostborne Vault Supreme'. We've turned into something of a luxury brand."

Felix's expression softened slightly. "Not surprising."

He leaned back to take in the panoramic view of the city through the window, the golden light accentuating the subtle smile creeping across his face.

"Ego," he mused quietly. "It's the most potent currency."

Nixie chuckled, snapping her fingers. "And we're minting it by the cartload!"

Felix turned his attention back to Clara. "How's the situation with the noble districts?"

"Very fluid," she responded. "Our couriers are overloaded. There's currently a thirty-day waiting list for some models. To keep up with this demand, I've approved the expansion of three new production lines and arranged transport escorts with the Commerce Guard."

Felix nodded in approval. "Excellent. Keep that momentum but avoid oversaturation. Exclusivity enhances value."

"Already on it," Clara assured him. "We'll be releasing limited sets with serial numbers, each one engraved with the buyer's crest."

Nixie grinned mischievously. "And we'll charge a premium for that, of course."

Clara sighed lightly. "Of course."

Nixie got up from her chair and walked over to the desk where a stack of papers lay. "I've been working on something new,the Noble Prestige Line. Consider it more of a piece of art than a mere tool. It uses the same mechanisms but is adorned, reimagined, and… indulgent."

Felix raised an eyebrow. "Indulgent?"

"Excessively beautiful," Nixie replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We're talking polished silver, celestial runes, sapphire valves,each piece radiates luxury. We'll release them in limited batches, and only nobles who receive an exclusive invitation will even be able to see the catalog."

Clara shot her a sharp look. "That's a bit manipulative."

Felix smirked. "It's also highly profitable."

Leaning on the desk, Nixie beamed. "Exactly. People want what they can't easily have. The more we restrict access, the more they'll desire it."

Felix regarded her thoughtfully. "What's the price for each unit?"

"Five hundred thousand gold for the standard prestige model," Nixie said nonchalantly, as if discussing the cost of bread. "And the deluxe versions can reach up to two million."

Clara's eyes widened. "That's highway robbery."

"It's just business," Nixie countered. "And judging by how the nobles act, they'll be eager to buy."

Felix's smile grew subtly. "She's right. Price shapes perception."

The discussion continued, with Clara moving through ledgers, covering logistical routes, merchant partnerships, and new supplier contracts.

Felix listened quietly, occasionally requesting projections or trends, analyzing every detail like a machine.

While the profits were staggering, he showed no signs of eagerness; to him, the figures represented leverage more than wealth.

By late afternoon, Clara wrapped up the final report. "Our total revenue, after taxes, logistics, and manufacturing costs from both lower and upper markets, amounts to forty-eight billion, nine hundred fifty-two million gold coins."

Nixie gasped. "Forty-eight billion! We're officially the wealthiest enterprise in the continent!"

Felix didn't respond right away. He reached for his teacup, took a slow sip, and placed it back down with care.

"Not wealthy. Dominant," he said, finally looking up.

"We've shifted noble luxury into necessity. Our devices aren't just indulgences anymore; they're essential, masquerading as privileges."

Clara nodded slowly, understanding the implication. "And that makes us untouchable."

"Temporarily," Felix emphasized. "Power is always shifting. We must control its next move."

Nixie crossed her arms. "So, what's our next step, boss?"

Felix stood and walked over to the window, gazing at the vibrant city below, its streets buzzing with life, rooftops glowing in the sun.

"Expansion," he stated. "Not only in production, but also in distribution, architecture, and education. The Morningstar brand needs to become a cornerstone in every city within the kingdom."

He turned back to them. "We will transform innovation into influence."

Nixie grinned. "And influence into authority."

Felix locked eyes with her,intense and resolute. "Exactly."

As time passed by, the trio remained in the office. Clara focused on logistics for the new western factories, while Nixie worked on branding sketches for the upcoming luxury lines.

Felix stayed mostly silent, sifting through correspondence from merchant guilds and international delegations. The skyline of Astheria blazed golden as the sun rose higher up.

Clara finally broke the quiet. "We've received requests from several noble houses outside the capital. They're interested in exclusive franchise rights for Morningstar stores in their territories."

Felix didn't look up. "Decline."

"Decline?" Nixie exclaimed, surprised. "But that's easy expansion."

Finally turning his attention to them, Felix replied, "Because control cannot be divided. The second we let others define our market, we lose our status as an authority and become just another brand."

A faint smile crept onto Clara's face as she grasped his reasoning. "Then we'll create our own distribution hubs."

"Exactly," Felix said. "By the end of this quarter, I want Morningstar branches in every major city. Trade is like a battle for roots ,the deeper we plant ours, the harder they are to uproot."

Nixie stretched and let out an exaggerated groan. "You're turning profit into a conquest again, aren't you?"

Felix simply replied, "It's always been a conquest."

The sunrays

spilled into the office, creating warm halos throughout the space.

Clara was busy packing her ledgers, neatly arranging them in her satchel. "I'll put together a comprehensive report for tomorrow's council meeting."

Felix nodded approvingly. "Great job, Clara."

She paused, looking back before stepping out. "Family

Head… you do realize we can't maintain this pace indefinitely. Eventually, the nobles will catch up."

Felix met her gaze steadily. "Then we'll just adapt more quickly."

Once she left, the office fell silent once more.

Nixie lounged on the sofa, doodling ideas for her "Prestige Line" on a notepad. "You know," she mused absentmindedly, "sometimes I think you take more pleasure in outsmarting them than in actually making money."

Felix lifted his eyes, a hint of amusement playing on his lips. "Gold is fleeting. Power endures."

Nixie laughed. "I'll toast to that."

Felix turned his gaze back to the illuminated city. The shimmering reflections from the towers danced in his eyes,countless lights, each representing the extent of their influence.

He whispered softly, almost to himself:

"The thorns are gone. The seeds remain. Now… it's time to grow."

Outside, the sound of commerce surged like a hymn,steady and unending.

Morningstar had evolved into something far greater than just a business.

It had become a world.