Shane Emerald was a very enigmatic businessman.
Contrary to the nobles, his demeanor and aura were notably different.
While the nobles wore their wealth like armor, showing off expensive robes and extravagant accessories that served no practical use, Shane's understated elegance suggested a confidence borne not of heritage but of hard-won achievements.
As Leo finally spotted him within the Royal Palace, he could immediately notice that Shane was different from the surrounding nobles he was chatting with by a mile.
His smile was sparing but genuine, and his eyes, sharp and assessing seemed to miss nothing—a stark contrast to the often dismissive gazes of the blue-blooded elite.
Raised in the merchant quarters of the Lower Fifth District, Shane's beginnings were humble, a world away from the gilded corridors of power he now navigated with ease.
His father, while a skilled apothecary who instilled in him a love for the trade, only ran a single store in StrongHaven City and it was Shane's own vision that helped transform a single storefront into the largest apothecary chain in the Unity Empire.
He leveraged his deep understanding of the supply chains and his keen sense for market trends to establish trade links that were both lucrative and, often, exclusive.
His ascent had of course not been without its fair share of challenges.
The business world was cutthroat, and Shane learned about the need to mask his intentions behind a veneer of affability.
Each smile and handshake that he made was calculated; every alliance, meticulously planned.
This meticulous attention to detail and a relentless drive to succeed set him apart from his peers, making him a legend among the merchant class.
His business empire was not built on transactions alone but on transformations— as he made most of his wealth by turning underperforming assets into gold mines and identifying market gaps before they became apparent to others.
It was this knack for predicting market fluxes that made his partnerships highly sought after, with his endorsement having the power to make or break fortunes.
As Leo approached Shane Emerald, he could see a flicker of recognition—and perhaps confusion—pass over the merchant's face.
Shane was well-acquainted with the profiles of notable figures in the Unity Empire, but seeing 'TheBoss', a notorious loner from the Grand Tournament, seeking him out was unexpected.
"Please excuse me for a moment-" Shane said, as he excused himself from the baron he was talking with and extended his hand towards Leo with a warm smile on his face.
"Mr. 'TheBoss', I must admit, I'm surprised to see you here," Shane began, his tone a mixture of intrigue and caution. "It's not every day that a top contender of the Tournament seeks out a humble merchant like me. May I say, I'm looking forward to seeing you in the quarterfinals tomorrow. You have quite a few supporters amongst the merchant circles; we admire someone who can shake things up."
Leo was momentarily taken aback by Shane's savvy. Not only was Shane up-to-date with the happenings of the Tournament, but he also knew exactly how to flatter an ego like TheBoss's.
Leo's gaming persona was crafted to be unapproachable and self-sufficient, yet here was Shane, effortlessly bridging the gap with a few well-chosen words.
"Thank you, Mr. Emerald. The support of your community means a lot," Leo responded, mirroring Shane's composed demeanor, as he did not stutter at all.
"Since you're a businessman, I'll give you a tip to make money. Go bet big on me tomorrow, I'm sure to win my fight" Leo said, as he warmly shook Shane's hand as he projected his usual confidence.
"Hahahaha. Confident just like the rumors say….. it's a pleasure to meet you-" Shane said, feeling impressed by Leo's confidence, as his experience in life taught him that it was always people confident in themselves and their abilities that were worth allying yourself with.
"So, how can I help you?" Shane said, picking up the hint that Leo wanted something to do with him, since he exclusively sought him out.
"Actually, I'm here on a different sort of mission today. It's not for me but a close friend of mine that I owe a favor to-
He wants to venture into the business world" Leo began, as Shane's expression shifted from polite interest to keen attentiveness.
"Business, you say? Now that's a conversation I'm always ready for. What brings your friend into the world of trade?" Shane inquired, as Leo expressed the idea he had in mind for the start of his business empire.
"My friend has learnt some unique poison recipes, from very questionable sources, but the effects of those recipes are undeniable.
Love potions, poisons, smoke bombs, constitution enhancement drugs….. he is dabbling in a variety of products that are not currently available on the market, whose ingredients are unique and can help substitute traditional products you are selling.
If you can sit down to have a chat with him someday, I'll be grateful for your help" Leo said, as he subtly hinted that he would be in Shane's debt if he did him this favor.
"Oh? I see…." Shane said, furrowing his brows, as he began contemplating Leo's proposal.
"To be honest, I get such proposals everyday…. No offense to you or your friend, but, every other day someone comes to me with the substitute formula of the products I sell and they are either not viable in terms of cost, or inferior in end quality.
But, I'm not someone who would not look at a new business opportunity with an open mind, and since your friend has such a credible reference in you-
I'll meet him next week, about three days after the end of the grand tournament if it works for him" Shane proposed as he stroked his chin.
"I'll convey the message….. Thank you so much. In the future I've been offered the position of the Baron Of CrestHill Barony, so if you ever need me for something, I'll give your White Tiger Group affable treatment-" Leo said, as Shane almost coughed listening to Leo's words.
'CrestHill Barony? Is he stupid? That Barony is such a nightmare, I wouldn't manage it even if someone paid me for it' Shane thought, as his perception of Leo changed once more.
"Haha, that's so kind of you….. Oh! Please excuse me for now, I have another important engagement, also, please ask your friend to visit me at my office in StrongHaven City" Shane said, as he smoothly ended his conversation with Leo.
Unlike Leo who was clueless about the reality of Crest Hill Barony, Shane already possessed extensive knowledge about the Empire's geography and its best and worst performing economic sectors.
The Crest Hill Barony was a landlocked region, notorious not only for its poor soil and lackluster trade routes but also for its history of economic stagnation.
Historically, it was a region passed over by trade caravans due to its less accessible location and the higher costs associated with transporting goods through its rocky terrain.
The barony had never been self-sufficient, relying heavily on imports for both food and basic supplies, which drove up the cost of living and hindered any form of substantial economic growth.
Its previous barons had struggled not just with cultivating its scant resources but also with attracting businesses or investors to the region.
The local population was sparse and largely consisted of farmers who grappled with the infertile land, yielding crops that were barely enough to sustain the small populace. Additionally, the barony had minimal political leverage within the empire, as it offered little to no strategic value in terms of military or trade advantages.
Shane, well-versed in the economic pulses of the Unity Empire, was immediately aware of these challenges.
In his eyes, taking on the Crest Hill Barony—even with noble intentions—was a setup for inevitable failure, or at best, a career covered in struggles with minimal rewards.
His perception of Leo, while respectful of his prowess as a fighter, now included a note of caution about his judgment in real-world affairs.
From a businessman's perspective, Crest Hill offered no viable opportunities for substantial investments or developments.
It was a region that had been offered up to many ambitious nobles in the past, all of whom had found themselves overwhelmed by the economic woes and bureaucratic challenges that plagued the barony and Leo having accepted such an offer made Shane question his potential as a reliable economic partner.
Unaware of Shane's thoughts however, Leo was simply happy to have secured a business meeting with him, as he planned to brew some of his best items for presentation before meeting Shane in the coming week.
To him, Shane looked like a smart and reliable businessman, partnering with whom could jump-start his merchant career.
Unfortunately, he did not fully understand what it took to be a successful merchant yet, as having a good product and good connections was not even the bare minimum.
Business acumen, ambition and cut-throat business practices was what made a great merchant, and Leo was yet to develop any of those traits.