CHAPTER 74: CHILDREN OF WHITE LIGHTNING

The sounds of commerce filled the air as transactions flowed with mechanical precision.

Octavia handled the high-value customers with diplomatic grace, while Annabelle managed the rapid-fire sales that characterized the general rush.

Lady Genevieve moved through the crowd like a queen holding court, her presence commanding respect while she fielded questions about exclusive distribution agreements and bulk purchase arrangements.

"The Duchess of Cordelia wants territorial exclusivity," she reported to Jack as they met near the store’s center. "Offering fifty thousand gold for rights to the entire eastern kingdom."

Jack’s eyes widened at the sum. Fifty thousand gold was enough to fund a small army or purchase a significant city. "Just for distribution rights?"

"Just for the knowledge that she’ll be the only source of our products in her territory," Lady Genevieve confirmed with obvious satisfaction. "Scarcity breeds desperation, and desperation breeds profit."

The mathematics of their success were becoming clear. Each product line represented not just immediate sales but ongoing revenue streams that could generate wealth for generations.

The matches and tinderboxes provided steady income from repeat customers, while the luxury items commanded premium prices from nobility desperate to maintain their status.

"DING!"

"DING!"

"DING!"

The sound of transaction bells filled the air as sales continued at a frantic pace. Jack watched with growing amazement as their inventory disappeared before his eyes, each item sold generating profits that exceeded their most optimistic projections.

"Current sales figures," Annabelle called out during a brief lull in customers, consulting a ledger that was rapidly filling with entries. "Five thousand match packages at one silver each. Five thousand tinderboxes at one silver each. That’s ten thousand silver total."

"Twenty-five hundred bottles of shampoo at five gold each," Octavia added from her position near the luxury displays. "Twelve thousand five hundred gold."

"Two thousand bottles of embersalt at five gold each," Lady Genevieve contributed with obvious pride. "Ten thousand gold."

Jack’s mind raced through the calculations, converting everything to gold coins for easier comprehension. Ten thousand silver equaled one hundred gold, bringing their total to twenty-two thousand six hundred gold pieces from a single day’s sales.

"Twenty-two thousand six hundred gold," Jack said aloud, his voice carrying a note of amazement that he couldn’t quite suppress. "In one day."

"Just from the opening," Lady Genevieve corrected with a smile that could have illuminated the deepest dungeon. "We have orders for next month that triple those numbers, plus exclusive distribution agreements that guarantee ongoing revenue streams."

The scope of their success was breathtaking. Jack had expected the business to be profitable, but this level of immediate success suggested they’d tapped into demand that went far beyond simple market opportunity.

"The nobility has been starving for genuine innovation," Octavia observed, noting Jack’s expression of amazement. "Most of what passes for luxury goods in our society are just expensive versions of existing products. You’ve created things that actually deliver results."

As the afternoon wore on, the celebration continued with increasing intensity. Customers who had intended to purchase single items found themselves buying in bulk, driven by combination of quality results and fear that supplies might run out.

"SOLD OUT!"

"COMPLETELY SOLD OUT!"

"NEXT SHIPMENT NEXT MONTH!"

The sounds of commercial triumph filled the air as their carefully planned inventory disappeared entirely. What had been meant to last weeks had been consumed in hours, leaving behind nothing but empty display cases and very satisfied customers.

By evening, the store had been transformed from bustling retail space to celebratory gathering place. The Kaiser family stood among their closest supporters and most valued customers, wine flowing freely as stories of the day’s success were shared and embellished.

"A toast!" Lady Genevieve raised her crystal glass high, her voice carrying clearly over the assembled crowd. "To innovation, to success, and to the future of Kaiser Holdings!"

"HEAR! HEAR!"

"TO THE KAISERS!"

"TO JACK KAISER!"

The response was thunderous, voices joining in celebration of achievement that had exceeded everyone’s expectations. Jack felt warmth spread through his chest as he basked in the approval of family and friends.

But as the evening progressed and the crowd began to thin, Jack found his thoughts turning to other matters.

The Luminous Labyrinth still waited with its growing horde of monsters, Draven’s request for communion remained unanswered, and the larger questions about his destiny continued to loom over everything like storm clouds.

"I should head home," Jack announced as the last customers departed into the evening air.

His family exchanged meaningful glances, clearly understanding that their son and brother had responsibilities beyond business success.

The dragon slaying had marked him for greatness, but greatness came with prices that couldn’t be paid in gold.

"Of course, dear," Lady Genevieve said, kissing his forehead with maternal warmth. "You’ve done magnificently today. Rest well."

Jack made his farewells and stepped out into the cool evening air, Corvin settling onto his shoulder as they began the walk back toward the estate. The city streets were quieter now, though lights blazed from windows where families gathered for evening meals purchased with the prosperity his innovations had brought.

He was halfway home when footsteps echoed behind him, the measured pace of someone following him.

Jack’s senses had been sharpened by weeks of combat training, picked up the subtle signs of pursuit immediately.

Through their soul link, Corvin tensed with predatory awareness, the raven’s supernatural senses detecting something that normal perception couldn’t grasp.

Jack continued walking at the same casual pace, but his hand moved subtly toward where his weapon would normally rest. Sera’s training had taught him to always be prepared for ambush, and the footsteps behind him carried the careful rhythm of someone trying to remain unnoticed.

"STEP."

"STEP."

"STEP."

The sounds grew closer, more distinct, until Jack could make out at least three separate sets of footsteps.

’Phallanx Solutions?’ Jack wondered, his muscles tensing as he prepared for potential combat. ’Stupid enough to try revenge after this afternoon’s humiliation?’

But the voice that called out from the darkness was unlike anything he’d expected.

"Lord Kaiser!" The voice was rich and cultured, carrying an accent that spoke of education and refinement rather than street violence. "Please, if I might have a moment of your valuable time!"

Jack turned slowly, his hand still ready to draw a weapon that wasn’t there, to find himself facing something that defied all his expectations.

A man in pristine white robes approached through the evening gloom. Behind him walked two companions, also robed in white, their faces hidden by deep hoods that cast their features in shadow.

But it was the lead figure’s expression that made Jack’s breath catch in his throat. The man’s face showed an combination of reverence and desperate hope that belonged in churches rather than city streets.

Without warning, the robed figure dropped to his knees in the middle of the cobblestone street, his white robes spreading around him like spilled milk. His companions followed suit, creating a scene so surreal that Jack found himself momentarily speechless.

"Great Lord," the man said, his voice trembling with emotion that seemed genuine, "Blessed Avatar of the White Lightning, Chosen of the Storm God, we have traveled far to witness your divine presence."

Jack stared in complete bewilderment as the man leaned forward and pressed his lips to Jack’s boot, the gesture so unexpected and bizarre that every instinct screamed at him to step backward.

"What the hell are you doing?" Jack’s voice cracked with disbelief, electrical energy beginning to crackle around his form as confusion transformed into alarm.

But the man’s only response was to press his forehead against the cobblestones in a prostration so complete it bordered on worship.

"We are the Children of the White Lightning," he said, his voice muffled by his position but carrying clearly in the evening air. "We have witnessed your glory, felt the truth of your divine mission, and pledge ourselves to your sacred cause."

"WHAT!"

"CHILDREN OF THE WHAT!"

"DIVINE MISSION!"

The sounds of Jack’s confusion echoed through the empty street, but the robed figures remained in their positions of absolute submission.

But Jack could only stare in complete bewilderment at the scene unfolding before him. Religious fanatics worshipping him in the middle of a city street, kissing his boots like he was some kind of divine avatar.

And as the man’s voice rose in what sounded suspiciously like prayer, Jack realized that fame and power came with consequences he’d never imagined, followers he’d never wanted, and responsibilities that extended far beyond personal advancement.

The white-robed figures remained kneeling in the gathering darkness, their devotion absolute and utterly incomprehensible.

Jack stood frozen above them.

What did they want? How had they found him? And most importantly, what kind of divine mission did they think he was supposed to be fulfilling?