"I have the perfect game for you, my lord," he replied confidently.
Before the noble boy could respond, Aarya interjected, "I will bring the week's supply at the end of the week. Along with that, I'll deliver the game and explain its rules."
With the business deal concluded, he bowed respectfully and left the estate, heading toward the waiting carriage that would escort him back to the city.
Upon arriving at the bustling market, he took a detour to the slums. This time, instead of adhering to his usual hiring limits, he recruited as many people as he could find. He then led this large group to the factory.
The sight of Tiger arriving with so many recruits puzzled the workers. Most were unsure of the reason behind this sudden influx, but Zeus and Moon had a hunch—it must be related to the meeting Tiger had attended with the noble.
Standing in the center of the factory, Tiger called for all the workers to gather. Slowly, they formed a circle around him. Once everyone was assembled, he began to speak:
"Everyone, I have an important announcement. We've received a bulk order from a noble household! To meet this demand, I need all of you to work faster. But don't worry—I won't be extending your working hours. To support you, I've brought in extra hands. So let's focus on increasing production without any stress!"
His speech concluded, Tiger headed to the craftsmen to discuss a new project. Entering the post-production chamber, he noticed an old man instructing a group of children, all of whom were working tirelessly, their faces glistening with sweat.
After observing for a moment, he addressed the elder, "Hey, old man, I need a word with you."
The old man nodded and turned to the children, "Keep working. I'll check on your progress after speaking with the boss."
The two made their way to Tiger's office within the factory. Once there, Tiger grabbed a pencil and paper, carefully sketching a blueprint for a new game he intended to create. Handing it to the old man, he said, "I need it to look exactly like this. Can you produce 20 sets by the end of the week?"
The old man studied the blueprint and replied thoughtfully, "If it's just the boards, it's possible. But if we include the pieces, I can manage a maximum of 15 sets."
Tiger nodded in understanding. "Alright, I can't push for more than that. Make sure to brand it as 'Transform Chess.' Also, I'll assign five additional workers to your team. This order comes from a noblewoman herself."
He then handed the old man another design—a sleek and ornate pencil engraved with names. "These pencils are for the noblewoman and her friends, as well as one bearing her name. Ensure they look elegant and refined, She's requested premium products, so use gold accents to give it a luxurious feel.."
After finalizing plans for the chess sets and premium pencils, Tiger returned to his office. There, he immersed himself in calculating the company's economics, determined to keep operations both efficient and profitable.
[ 1 WEEK LATER ]
All the products were securely loaded onto the carriage, and Tiger began his journey to the estate, tasked with delivering them to the noble lady and her brother, the lord.
After a journey that lasted three hours, the carriage reached the grand entrance of the estate. Tiger presented his pass to the gatekeeper, who carefully examined it.
The gatekeeper then inspected the carriage and its contents with meticulous attention. Once satisfied, he allowed Tiger to enter the estate grounds.
Guiding the carriage through the cobblestone path, Tiger admired the sprawling gardens and the imposing mansion at the heart of the estate.
Upon arriving at the delivery area, Tiger was directed to meet the young lady, who was enjoying a peaceful moment in the garden.
She sat at a table shaded by a canopy of blooming trees, sipping tea from a porcelain cup. Approaching her respectfully, Tiger offered a deep bow.
"My lady," he began, "I have brought the products as requested."
The young lady set her teacup down gracefully and rose to inspect the items. With an air of quiet authority, she examined each product carefully. Her gaze lingered on the finely crafted customized pencils and a wooden board with ornately carved pieces.
"These are impressive," she remarked, nodding her approval. "The customized pencils are particularly well-made. But these boards and pieces—what exactly are they for?"
Tiger straightened slightly. "Thank you, my lady, for your kind words. The board and pieces are part of a game that my lord requested during my last visit. It is called chess, a game of strategy and intellect."
The lady's curiosity deepened. "I see. It sounds intriguing. Very well, I will send a maid to escort you to my brother."
Bowing once more, Tiger replied, "Thank you, my lady."
After a brief wait, a maid arrived and guided Tiger through the grand corridors of the mansion to the lord's chambers. The young nobleman was seated at a large mahogany desk, engrossed in a book, but he set it aside as Tiger entered.
"Good morning, my lord," Tiger said, bowing low. "I have brought the game you requested."
The lord's eyes brightened with interest as he gestured for Tiger to set up the game. For the next hour, Tiger carefully explained the rules of chess, describing each piece's movements and the strategies that could be employed.
The lord listened intently, occasionally asking questions and making observations. Once the explanation was complete, they played a few trial matches, with the lord testing out the moves and learning the game's nuances.
After two hours of instruction and practice, the lord felt ready for an official match. With eager anticipation, they set up the board and began the game.
Although the lord applied what he had learned, Tiger's experience and skill quickly became apparent. Within ten minutes, Tiger successfully checkmated the lord.
The lord leaned back in his chair, a smile of amusement and respect on his face. "This is a brilliant game," he admitted. "And you are exceptionally skilled at it."
Tiger bowed his head humbly. "Thank you, my lord. I am glad you find it enjoyable."
The lord rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If this game delights my friends as much as it has intrigued me, I would like to order additional sets."
"Of course, my lord," Tiger replied. "I will ensure they are crafted to the highest standards."
With the agreement reached, Tiger departed the estate, content with the success of his visit and looking forward to future opportunities.
As the carriage rolled back toward the market, he began planning his next moves, confident that chess would soon become the talk of the nobility.