Chapter 91: A Brand Ready to Be Born 1

After leaving the Craftsmen’s Guild, Adam headed back towards the merchant district.

His body was already crying out for rest.

Between training with Selene and the hours spent at the forge with Elaria, his arms were particularly heavy.

But his day wasn’t over yet.

He still had two destinations to reach.

And the first was the Merchants’ Guild.

A few minutes later, he arrived in front of the imposing building.

Unlike the Craftsmen’s Guild, where activity was methodical and relatively calm, the Merchants’ Guild always seemed to be in motion.

Employees came and went with files.

Merchants chatted near the counters.

Messengers carried sealed letters.

Crates were being checked in before being sent to different warehouses.

Adam crossed the hall.

He knew the place well enough now that he no longer needed directions.

He went straight up to the floor reserved for management.

Then he reached Shiora’s office.

This time...

He stopped in front of the door.

The memory of his conversation with Elaria flashed through his mind.

"Next time, just go in."

Adam looked at Shiora’s door.

Then he shook his head slightly.

"Just because Elaria gave me this permission doesn’t mean I’m going to start barging in everywhere without warning."

He raised his hand.

Knock.

Knock.

A few seconds later, Shiora’s voice rang out.

"Come in!"

Adam opened the door.

The oni’s office was still cluttered.

A large map of Valoria covered part of the wall.

Several files were stacked on the tables.

Temporary posters advertised the Valoria Games.

Sheets of paper with production costs, quantities, trade routes, and partner names were scattered everywhere.

Shiora was behind her desk.

She looked up when Adam entered.

Her expression brightened immediately.

"There you are."

"Hello."

"Hello."

Adam closed the door.

Shiora watched the gesture.

Then raised an eyebrow slightly.

"You knocked."

Adam stopped.

He immediately had a strange feeling of déjà vu.

"Yes?"

Shiora put down her pen.

"You won’t need to do that next time."

Adam remained silent.

Then slowly ran a hand over his face.

Shiora tilted her head slightly.

"Is something wrong?"

"Elaria just told me the exact same thing."

An amused smile immediately appeared on Shiora’s face.

"Oh?"

"Almost word for word."

She sat up slightly in her seat.

"So she had a good idea."

"Did you two plan it?"

"No."

"I don’t know if that reassures me."

Shiora laughed softly.

"We simply don’t need to maintain this kind of distance between us anymore."

Adam finally nodded.

"Very well. Next time, I’ll just walk right in."

"Perfect."

He approached the desk.

Then stopped right in front of Shiora.

She looked up at him.

Adam hesitated for a fraction of a second.

Then he leaned in slightly.

And placed a kiss on her cheek.

This time, Shiora was truly silent.

For a second.

Then two.

Adam sat up straight.

Unlike Elaria, she barely blushed.

However...

Her smile changed immediately.

It became much wider.

"Oh?"

Adam recognized the tone at once.

"What?"

Shiora gently placed two fingers on her cheek.

"Nothing."

She looked at him with amusement.

"I just like this new initiative."

Adam sighed.

"I knew you’d say something."

"Why deprive myself of such an opportunity?"

She leaned slightly toward him.

"You can do it again anytime."

Adam raised an eyebrow.

"Elaria told me that too."

This time, Shiora burst out laughing.

"So you’re making fast progress today."

"Apparently, my training program has expanded into some unexpected areas."

"I can prepare some additional exercises if needed."

Adam looked at her.

"No."

"Too bad."

He shook his head with amusement.

Then his attention returned to the numerous documents.

"Well?" "

Shiora’s expression immediately became more professional.

"So..."

She picked up a thick folder.

Then she placed it in front of him.

"We’re almost ready."

Adam opened it.

The first page had a simple title.

Reversi Launch — Valoria

He looked up.

"So you’ve definitely decided to start with Reversi."

"Yes."

Shiora sat down next to him.

"Just as we planned."

She placed a finger on the folder.

"Simple to explain. Relatively quick games. Easy to watch, even for someone who doesn’t yet know the rules."

Adam nodded.

That was exactly why he had suggested starting with this game.

Reversi required relatively little time to learn the basics.

But it could quickly become strategic.

Ideal for attracting curious newcomers."

Shiora flipped through several pages.

"The first public demonstration will take place in a large square in the merchant district."

Adam looked at the map.

A central area was marked.

A low stage.

Several tables.

Spaces reserved for the public.

Vendors.

Employees tasked with explaining the rules.

"Have you already chosen the players?"

Shiora’s smile returned.

"Yes."

She showed him four names.

Isadora de Valoria.

Vespera Drakharis.

Then:

Elena de Valoria.

Lyriana Noctis Sylvermoon.

Adam looked at the list.

"Two matches?"

"Exactly."

Shiora placed her finger on the first two names.

"Isadora versus Vespera."

Then on the next two.

"Elena versus Lyriana."

Adam understood almost immediately.

"The old and the new generations."

"That’s it."

Shiora smiled.

"The first part will be between two women whose reputations have long been established."

She continued:

"Then a second part between Elena and Lyriana, who represent more of the next generation."

Adam thought for a moment.

"It’s a good contrast."

"And above all, all four are well-known."

She patted the folder.

"People will initially come to see them."

Adam finished:

"Then they’ll discover the game."

"Exactly."

He smiled.

"You’re already applying the ambassador principle."

"Obviously."

Shiora folded her arms.

"An unknown person can perfectly well play Reversi. But if Isadora sits down at a board in the middle of a public square, people stop."

Adam couldn’t really argue.

"And Vespera will probably attract everyone connected to magic." "

"And those simply curious to see the Mistress of the Tower of Mages lose to Isadora."

Adam immediately looked up.

"Have you already decided who will win?"

"Absolutely not."

A short pause.

"But I fully intend to use the result, whatever it may be."

Adam burst out laughing.

"Of course."

Shiora continued:

"After these two games, the tables will be open to the public."

She showed him a second plan.

Several dozen boards would be set up in the square.

Employees would explain the rules to interested people.

People could play for free.

"No official tournament on the first day?"

"No."

Adam agreed.

"Good decision."

Shiora nodded.

"I want people to experience the product first. To play. To discuss." "Let them start challenging their friends."

"Only then do you turn it into a competition."

"Yes."

Adam flipped through the documents again.

"And what about the other cities?"

This time, Shiora pulled out a regional map.

"We’ll wait."

Adam raised an eyebrow.

She continued:

"Not long. But long enough for the first word to naturally spread from Valoria."

She pointed to the main trade routes.

"Merchants. Travelers. Adventurers. Messengers. Nobles."

Her finger traced several paths.

"People will talk about the demonstration."

Adam understood.

"You want the cities to hear about the product first before the advertising arrives."

"Exactly."

Shiora smiled.

"When we then launch the promotion in those cities, the name won’t be completely unfamiliar to them." "

Adam nodded slowly.

"It increases curiosity."

"And it gives the impression that the product is already in demand elsewhere."

Adam looked at Shiora.

"You’re really dangerous."

"Thank you."

"That still wasn’t a compliment."

"I’ll continue to take it as one."

They returned to the calendar.

Reversi.

Then a waiting period.

Only then Go.

Then another waiting period.

Then the failures.

So they would stick to the strategy already decided upon.

Each product would have its own launch.

Its own advertising.

Its own demonstrations.

And above all...

Its own moment of attention.

"No way we’re launching Go two days later," Adam clarified.

"I know."

Shiora tapped the calendar.

"We’ll wait until Reversi has circulated widely enough."

"And when people start asking for something new..."

"We’ll announce the go."

Adam nodded.

"Perfect."

Shiora then showed him another section.

Distribution — Launch Day

Adam quickly scanned the list.

Then he looked up.

"Taverns too?"

"Yes."

"The same day?"

"The same day."

Shiora approached the map of Valoria.

Several markers indicated establishments.

"The free copies intended for certain taverns will be distributed in the morning."

Adam remembered the principle.

To let people try the game for free in places where many people gathered.

Taverns were almost perfect.

Someone played.

Another watched.

Then asked to try.

And soon, several tables could adopt the game.

Shiora continued:

"They will also receive simple rule sheets." "

"And if the game is a hit..."

"Customers can go buy it right away."

She then moved four small markers.

One to the north.

One to the south.

One to the east.

One to the west.

Adam looked at them.

"What are these?"

"Our stores."

He looked up.

"Our what?"

"Four shops dedicated to Valoria Games."

Adam remained silent.

Then he looked at the map again.

"You’ve already created four stores?"

"Rented four locations."

She calmly corrected him:

"The renovations are almost complete."

Adam slowly ran a hand over his face.

"Naturally."

Shiora pointed first.

"North."

Then:

"South."

"East."

"West."

She stepped back slightly.

"That way, most residents won’t have to cross the entire city to buy a game."

Adam observed the layout.

It was indeed quite balanced.

"No central store?"

"Not yet."

Shiora replied immediately:

"The central district is much more expensive. For a product that’s still unknown, four smaller, more strategically placed stores are more efficient."

Adam thought for a moment.

"And they can be used later for other games."

"Exactly."

She smiled.

"For now, they’ll only sell Reversi."

Then she opened her arms.

"But later?"

She began to count.

"Go."

"Chess."

"Card games."

"Noble editions."

"Prestige editions."

"Accessories."

"Replacement platters."

"Custom parts."

Adam stopped him.

"I see."

Shiora smiled.

"So these stores aren’t Reversi boutiques."

Adam finished:

"These are the brand’s first stores."

This time, Shiora’s expression became particularly satisfied.

"Exactly."

The word made Adam think.

The brand.

That was precisely one of the most important points if they wanted to combat future counterfeiting.

But before addressing this issue, another idea came to him.