CHAPTER 60: 1.23 MILLION

The morning sun cast long shadows across the cobblestone streets of Sorne as Jack made his way toward the new industrial district.

Seraphina accompanied him just like before.. The transformation of the city continued to astound him.

The sound of hammers on anvils rang out from multiple directions, punctuated by the calls of vendors hawking their wares and the rumble of cart wheels on stone. The air carried scents of fresh bread, woodsmoke, and the distinctive tang of metalwork.

All indicators of a thriving economy built on the foundation of a dragon corpse.

"Young Master," Seraphina said, her voice carrying easily over the urban cacophony, "the factory complex has exceeded even your most optimistic projections. Production capacity has tripled since your departure, and the housing units are nearly complete."

Jack nodded approvingly, noting how his personal handmaid had grown into the short time he was gone.

"Any problems with the new workers?" Jack asked, remembering his father’s warnings about rapid expansion creating security vulnerabilities.

"None that couldn’t be handled," Seraphina replied with a slight smile that suggested there were stories behind that simple statement.

"Cedric has proven invaluable in recruiting reliable personnel. His reputation in the former slums carries weight, and people trust his judgment about employment opportunities."

They turned a corner and the factory complex came into view, causing Jack to stop in his tracks with genuine amazement. What had been a single workshop just a week ago had expanded into multiple workshops with housing units behind it.

Multiple buildings connected by covered walkways formed a maze of production facilities, each one specialized for different aspects of his growing product line. Smoke rose from carefully controlled furnaces, while workers moved between buildings with the purposeful efficiency of a well-organized operation.

"The match production facility handles our core business," Seraphina explained as they approached the main gate. "The new processing building manages the embersalt refining, and that smaller structure houses our newest venture."

She gestured toward a building that seemed to 8shimmer slightly in the morning light, its windows tinted with what appeared to be specially treated glass. "The cosmetic production facility. We’ve been waiting for your return to begin full-scale operations."

Jack’s pulse quickened with anticipation. The slime ectoplasm he’d collected in the labyrinth represented an entirely new revenue stream, one that could potentially dwarf even his successful match business. The fact that the raw materials came from a source that everyone in this world thought as useless made it even better.

The factory gates opened at their approach, guards snapping to attention as they recognized the young master. Jack noted with approval that Seraphina managed to convince his father to have guards posted.

Inside the complex, organized chaos reigned supreme. Workers moved with practiced efficiency between stations, their movements coordinated by supervisors who called out instructions over the sounds of production.

The air hummed with productive energy that reminded Jack of the most successful businesses from his previous life.

"Master Jack!" Cedric’s voice boomed across the workshop floor as the former vagrant approached with obvious excitement. The transformation in the man continued to amaze Jack.

Where once had stood a broken individual crushed by the thought of never having work, now walked someone who carried himself with the dignity of meaningful employment.

"Cedric," Jack replied warmly, clasping the man’s calloused hand. "Seraphina tells me you’ve been instrumental in our expansion. How are the new facilities working out?"

"Better than we dared hope, sir," Cedric replied, his weathered face creasing into a grin that spoke of genuine pride. "Production has increased threefold, and quality control remains excellent. The workers you’ve provided with housing are particularly motivated. They understand this isn’t just employment, it’s a chance at a better life."

Jack felt warmth spread through his chest at the man’s words. This was what he’d hoped to achieve. Not just personal wealth, but genuine improvement in people’s lives through opportunity and fair treatment.

"Show me the cosmetic facility," Jack said, eager to see what his team had accomplished during his absence.

"We followed your instructions exactly," Seraphina explained as they toured the facility. "Blue-eyed grass processed through spring water heating, red lavender oil extraction using magic stones, moonsilver tree ash preparation for lye creation. Everything is ready for the final ingredient."

Jack could barely contain his excitement as he surveyed the prepared materials. The chance to introduce products that would revolutionize personal care in a world where such concepts barely existed.

"Time to complete the process," Jack announced, accessing his system storage. The slime ectoplasm materialized in carefully measured quantities, the translucent substance gleaming with an otherworldly sheen that caught the facility’s magical lighting.

"This is the final component," he explained to the gathered workers, noting their expressions of curiosity and slight apprehension. "Slime ectoplasm provides the binding agent that makes these products effective. Follow the procedures exactly, and we’ll have our first commercial batch ready by the end of the day."

Jack emptied his storage into a large bin. 492 ectoplasms were left in the bin for workers to make more shampoo.

When all is said and done. Jack would have 2,460 batches of shampoo. Each one would be a higher quality than anything in the current market.

’If I can sell these puppies at 5 gold a piece, I’ll be able to make 12,300 gold per month! Assuming I sell out of course.’

That would be 1.23 million USD. That would make Jack a millionaire every single month!

The production process began immediately, workers moving with practiced efficiency to combine the new element according to Jack’s carefully written instructions.

"The housing complex is equally impressive," Seraphina said as they left the workers to their tasks. "Every family now has access to clean water, proper sanitation, and enough space for children to grow up healthy. The change in morale has been remarkable."

They walked through streets that had been transformed from slums into what could only be described as a model workers’ district. Neat rows of well-constructed houses lined tree-shaded avenues, each dwelling equipped with the kinds of amenities that had been luxury items just months ago.

Children played in communal gardens while their parents worked in the factories, secure in the knowledge that their families were safe and well-provided for. The sight filled Jack with a profound sense of accomplishment that had nothing to do with personal power or political advancement.

"This is what success looks like," he murmured, watching a group of children chase each other between the garden rows with uninhibited joy.

"The workers speak of you like you’re some kind of saint," Seraphina observed, her voice carrying a note of bemusement. "They’ve started calling this district ’Kaiser’s Haven,’ and there are rumors of families traveling here from other cities seeking employment."

The implications were both exciting and concerning. Rapid growth brought opportunities, but it also attracted attention from those who might view their success as a threat to existing power structures.

"We’ll need to be careful about expansion," Jack said thoughtfully. "Success breeds jealousy, and jealousy breeds enemies."

As if summoned by his words, a commotion erupted near the factory’s main entrance. Raised voices carried across the compound, and Jack could see workers gathering around what appeared to be a heated argument between their security guards and several well-dressed strangers.

"Trouble," Seraphina said grimly, her hand moving instinctively toward a concealed weapon that Jack hadn’t known she carried.

They approached the disturbance quickly, the raven on Jack’s shoulder ruffling its feathers with obvious agitation. Through their soul link, he could sense the creature’s readiness to defend against whatever threat was developing.

"I don’t care what your employer’s policies are!" One of the strangers was saying, his voice carrying the arrogant authority of someone accustomed to getting his way. "Phallanx Solutions has legitimate business interests here, and we demand to inspect your production facilities!"

The speaker was a thin man in expensive robes, his face bearing the soft features of someone who had never known physical hardship. Behind him stood two companions who carried themselves with the disciplined bearing of professional enforcers, their hands resting casually near weapon hilts.

"And I’ve explained that access requires authorization from the owner," the security captain replied with admirable restraint, his own hand moving slowly toward his sword. "No authorization, no entry."

"Perhaps," the thin man said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, "you don’t understand who you’re dealing with. Phallanx Solutions has contracts with noble houses throughout the kingdom. Our influence extends far beyond this provincial backwater."

Jack felt anger kindle in his chest like a carefully banked fire. The casual dismissal of Sorne’s citizens, the implied threats, the obvious attempt at industrial espionage.

"Gentleman," Jack said, his voice carrying across the courtyard with quiet authority that made everyone present turn in his direction. "I believe there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m Jack Kaiser, and these are my families facilities. Perhaps I can help clarify our policies."

The thin man’s expression shifted from arrogant confidence to careful assessment as he took in Jack’s appearance. The simple training clothes couldn’t hide the confident bearing or the subtle signs of dangerous power that radiated from the young noble.

"Lord Kaiser," the man said, offering a bow that managed to be technically respectful while conveying subtle condescension. "I am Marcus Thorne, chief acquisitions specialist for Phallanx Solutions. We’ve heard remarkable things about your family’s innovations."