In the branch leader's office of Bob's Builders...
The office was meticulously arranged to entertain high-status clientele, boasting rich dark-oak paneling, luxurious velvet-padded armchairs, and a polished obsidian tea table that reflected the soft ambient light.
Yet, the distinct soul of a craftsman leaked through the refined facade. Tucked neatly into a corner stood a sturdy iron-bound workbench scattered with leftover blueprint scrolls, a well-used set of silver engraving chisels, and wood shavings that carried the rich, lingering aroma of spirit-cedar.
Trophies of raw, exotic ores and unrefined spiritual gems sat on side shelves like prized art pieces. It serves as a subtle reminder that despite the corporate decor, this room belonged to the masters of creation.
Aside from Harry and Sir Raul, there was another man in this office. It was John Mayer, the branch leader of Bob's Builders in the Cirrus Cloud Town. All of them were seated in a long table.
John Mayer was the first to speak as he asked Harry, "Harry, I thought you said this was supposed to be a meeting regarding Sir Raul's antics which has now caused an issue with the Schwer Family. Why is an outsider in this meeting?"
Harry hurriedly explained, "He believes that he has a way to resolve it, sir. Just from hearing it, he proposed organizing an auction."
"An auction... I see. That is a very interesting way of resolving the issue and it does address our problems." John Mayer nodded and acknowledged the feasibility of the idea.
"But you do know, you could have simply chased him away by saying its a private matter that the business shall privately deal with. Then we could have still proceeded adapting his idea." John pointed out.
"I..." Harry was stumped and could not refute that was also a possible scenario.
"You still have a lot of learn, Harry. You should consider things more carefully and intuitively while you're assigned as the Operations Manager of the company. We can't have the prospective branch leader to appear lacking. " John said while shaking his head.
"I'm the one who allowed him to come, John. I wanted to hear the idea straight from his mouth. Any problems?" Sir Raul raised his brows as he interjected.
"Ahem, I see." John could not keep the same strict attitude with Sir Raul, considering his status as one of the most demanded figures within Soaring Cloud City.
"If that is the case, then the young man can proceed with his proposal." John faked clearing his throat in order to proceed with the matter at hand.
John was still suspicious of Dylan so he tried threatening him, "Before you continue with your proposal, I would have you know that we intend this matter to be handled discreetly. So please do watch your words during this conversation and even more so outside of it. Also, you better make this proposal worthwhile for us."
Dylan replied calmly and ignoring the underlying threat, "Worry not, I am merely an aspiring businessman and I just saw an opportunity from the problem you're business is seemingly having. In business, it is important to consider a different lens. By reframing this situation, I believe we can transform this logistical headache into a mutually beneficial outcome."
"But before I do present my idea to all of you, I do also want to ask something in exchange for my idea." Dylan smiled.
"So you want to get something out of this?" John's eyes narrowed hearing this.
"Well, if I could ensure that I also gain something out of this encounter, that would be a welcomed blessing." Dylan replied.
"What exactly do you want from us? One of our On-sale Artifacts? A free commission of a crafted artifact? Is it monetary compensation for this advice?" John enumerated possible and likely requests that any man would be asking in this situation.
"No, none of that." Dylan differed as he said, "I wish to simply have a lunch with Sir Raul."
"A lunch?!" John and Harry was shocked by Dylan's request. They thought that he was going to exorbitantly ask for something material yet here he was simply asking for lunch with Sir Raul.
"With me? Why is that?" Sir Raul was also puzzled.
"I simply wish to discuss some interesting ideas that I thought of and wanted to asked your opinion on my thoughts. It is also a great way for me to acquaint myself with a Master Craftsman such as yourself, Sir Raul. That is all." Dylan spoke with clarity and certainty that made the three in front of him doubt what was happening.
"You're not asking for wealth or artifacts?" Harry asked. This was a rational response considering how wealthy and extensive the collection of artifacts Bob Builder's have in their treasury.
"Yes. Connections and networking is more important for a business in the long term than short-term monetary gains." Dylan reasoned which made Harry think.
"I see." Harry nodded while he made a mental note.
"Well, if its simply a lunch..." John felt like the lunch wasn't that much of an ask, compared to what they were thinking Dylan would be asking. He thought that it would be okay to allow it to happen, "That would be up to Sir Raul's discretion."
"So, what say you, Sir Raul? Of course, this is entirely reliant in your availability." Dylan once again raised the matter to Sir Raul.
"Heh, you cannot force me to do something so tedious." Sir Raul immediately declined the offer, snorting softly as he turned his face away.
"Is that so? May I tell you some of the ideas that I have? I assure you that most if not all, will pique your interest." Dylan stood up.
"Fine." Sir Raul acquiesced, harboring a trace of skepticism.
Dylan went up to Sir Raul's side as he whispered a few things. He referenced fundamental concepts of modern Earth machinery, complex gear-train automations, and steam-pressurized kinetic structures masked under the guise of artistic mechanisms.
There was an evident shock, disbelief and wonder in Sir Raul's eyes the more he listened to whatever Dylan was whispering to him. His pupils dilated, and his jaw subtly unclasped.
This reaction was to be expected from a craftsman who strives for strokes of inspiration and wanted to explore the depths of his imagination. To a craftsman, a world of technology and innovation like Earth was a treasure trove of novelty and dreams.
'What is he telling him?' John and Harry was at a lost but they could not help but be curious seeing the myriad of emotions and the rapid change of expressions in Sir Raul's face
A hearty laugh erupted from Sir Raul as he said, "HAHAHA! Wonderful! To think there's someone crazier than me. HAHAHA I agree with that lunch! I will free up my schedule! We can do it at the start of next week!"
"Hahaha, Perfect. I knew you would be someone who can appreciate the novelty of my thoughts." Dylan cheekily said.
"May we ask what you two talked about?" John said.
"Unfortunately, that would be a secret between the two of us, Branch Leader John. My apologies." Dylan bowed to signify his apology.
"This is a matter between two creative minds, John! Stay out of it." Evidently, Sir Raul was quite annoyed.
"I see... *Ahem* Then... we can move on to the proposal." John cleared his throat and changed topics quickly.
"True, let's talk business now." Dylan assented and started his explanation, "As I have said earlier, I propose that we hold an auction for the Dragon-Phoenix Annihilating Entrance."
He took a slow step around his chair, casually resting one hand on its high back while maintaining captivating eye contact with John. "Let us start with how you can explain this with the client. I believe in this case, the truth does not affect how you can explain the story. Mister Harry can simply say the truth that the Master had a sudden epiphany causing the master to create an artifact that was beyond the request's specification."
Harry listened intently, his eyes slowly widening as the weight of the words sank in. He subconsciously nodded along, a faint murmur escaping his lips, "The truth... Yes, coming clean about an sudden epiphany actually elevates Sir Raul's craftsmanship rather than making us look incompetent..."
Dylan raised a finger, gently tapping the mahogany tabletop to emphasize his point. "This epiphany has led to organizing an exclusive auction due to the immense value of the Dragon-Phoenix Annihilating Entrance. You could explain to them that you are fully prepared to offer a complete refund, paired with an exclusive VIP invite to this very auction."
John's sharp, calculating glint softened, replaced by a look of genuine intrigue. He leaned back in his leather chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "A VIP invite to an exclusive auction... Nobles love prestige. Giving them prioritized entry softens the blow of the delay and makes them feel privileged instead of slighted."
He began pacing slowly, his voice smooth and filled with absolute conviction. "A full refund is fine considering the amount of profit you can possible garner from this auction. If Sir Raul does have any other piece of artifact that he has created which caused this problem, they could also be lined up in this auction as well."
Hearing this, Sir Raul threw his head back with a broad, booming laugh, slapping his knee in total approval. "Brilliant! Turning my so-called 'troublesome creations' into the highlights of a grand stage! Now that's how you treat true art!"
Pausing slightly, Dylan turned toward Harry with a reassuring nod. "Plus, I have also heard the brothers' in the corner earlier in the work shop that they will start doing the request again, exactly as the order indicated. That you simply ask a delay in this matter due to this sudden incident and the double door they requested will still be delivered to their doorstep. So, that could answer the problem for the product."
Harry's shoulders visibly relaxed, the heavy tension that had been weighing on him since Sir Raul's stunt completely evaporating. "They get their original order delivered, plus a full refund, and special auction access... There is practically no ground for the Schwer Family to be angry with us. They win on all fronts!"
Dylan leaned in slightly toward John, his expression turning sharp and strategic. "Additionally, to show them your sincerity in the matter, you could offer to tell them in advance about the auction price. This way they could prepare the price before it is revealed to the public. If you really want to sell it to them, you could mention the fact that it carries the power of two early Mortal Severing Realm puppets."
John tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, a satisfied smirk forming on his lips. "It turns a potential public relations nightmare into an exclusive, high-ticket sales opportunity. The Schwer Family will likely thank us for the head start."
He straightened up, brushing his sleeves with a faint, confident smile. "If you ever wish to, you could even build an occasional event for this. Maybe an annual or semiannual auction of Sir Raul's eccentric and masterpiece-quality works."
Sir Raul crossed his arms, grinning ear to ear as he gave an approving nod toward John. "See that, John? The kid gets it! My works aren't meant for mundane commercial orders; they deserve their own grand spectacle!
Dylan concluded his presentation, placing both hands loosely behind his back as he looked over the table. "I sincerely believe that if we follow along this scenario, we can maintain the relationship with the nobles that requested the artifact and reaping the benefits of a profitable outcome while also opening a high-income generating endeavor for the business."
Dylan's plan had accurately struck the pain points of their current problems while also building upon opportunities from what they previously perceived as problematic issues. He was able to masterfully crafted an advantageous business strategy and approach for Bob Builder's in the small window of time that he was here.
While John and Harry looked at him in disbelief, Dylan simply looked calm and nonchalant. To him, this was not different to any business consultations that a lot of leaders from corporate giants would ask of him. Even presidents and prime ministers ask for his advice for economical affairs. Global leaders would pay millions of dollars just for them to be consulted by Dylan Ford!