Chapter 92: A Brand Ready to Be Born 2

"We could also make certain editions adapted to different races."

Shiora looked at him.

Adam elaborated:

"For example, certain dwarven motifs for dwarven territories. Elven decorations for elves. Styles inspired by beastmen. Perhaps coin shapes that represent certain cultures."

Shiora remained silent.

Then she shook her head.

"No."

Adam was slightly surprised.

"Why?"

She folded her arms.

"Because that’s not the direction I want to take the product."

Adam waited.

Shiora continued more seriously:

"If we immediately start selling a Reversi for humans, another for elves, another for dwarves, and yet another for beastmen... we’re sending a very simple message."

She placed four different coins on the table.

"This one’s for you."

Then another.

"This one isn’t for you."

Adam slowly understood.

Shiora then brought all the pieces together.

"I prefer a single product that everyone can consider their own."

Her expression hardened slightly.

"We’re already trying to fight forces that constantly seek to divide populations."

Adam immediately thought of the Sacred Empire.

Shiora continued:

"Humans versus non-humans."

"Believers versus non-believers."

"One race against another."

"One region against another."

She shook her head.

"I don’t want to give them another opening."

Adam remained silent.

The argument was sound.

"They could present a different edition as proof of favoritism."

"Exactly."

Shiora nodded.

"Or claim that some versions are superior to others." "

Adam added:

"Then transform a simple aesthetic difference into a cultural conflict."

"There you go."

Shiora put the pieces away.

"We can offer different decorations. Different materials. Artistic versions."

She insisted:

"But not by saying: this is the elven version, this is the dwarven version, this is the human version."

Adam smiled slightly.

"A difference in style, not a separation of identities."

"Exactly."

"You’re right."

Shiora raised an eyebrow.

"You agreed quickly."

Adam shrugged.

"Your argument is better than my idea. I’m not going to defend a bad idea just because it came from me."

A softer smile appeared on her face.

"That’s one of the things I like about you."

Adam paused for a second.

Then, he cautiously chose to return to the files.

"Supply."

Shiora chuckled softly.

"Very subtle."

So they moved on to the next topic.

Production.

For Valoria, the problem was still relatively simple.

Local workshops could manufacture the game boards.

The components.

The boxes.

The various finishes.

The suppliers were nearby.

Quality control could be centralized.

But for more distant cities...

Adam asked the question.

"You really plan to ship every box from Valoria?"

"At first, yes."

"Even over long distances?"

"For the first batches."

Shiora showed him several estimates.

"I want to maintain almost total control over the first batches."

Adam understood.

"To establish the reputation."

"Exactly." "

Poor manufacturing during the first few weeks could damage the brand before it even became well-known."

Shiora continued:

"But this system will become too expensive if we reach enough cities."

"So, local manufacturing."

"Later."

She placed several documents in front of him.

"Once the brand has sufficient authority and the production rules are clearly established, we can authorize certain local factories."

Adam examined the documents.

"Under license."

Shiora smiled.

"I understand the concept."

"Of course."

She continued:

"We provide the authorized plans."

"The material standards."

"The dimensions."

"The quality standards."

"And probably some parts that are difficult to copy directly from Valoria."

Adam nodded.

"In exchange, the local workshops manufacture and sell under the official brand."

"And we receive a share."

"Naturally."

"I’m a merchant, Adam."

"I know."

This solved several problems.

Reduced transportation costs.

Faster production.

Local sourcing.

Creating partnerships.

But only after the brand had enough clout to impose its standards.

Then inevitably came the next problem.

Copies.

Shiora placed a much thinner folder on the table.

"This one worries me more."

Adam read the title.

Imitations and Counterfeits

"It’ll happen," he said immediately.

"I know."

"The Reversi is too easy to reproduce."

There was no extraordinary technology.

A board.

Some pieces.

Some rules.

A skilled craftswoman could very quickly make something similar.

"We can never prevent all copies," Adam continued.

"So we have to make sure people prefer the original."

Shiora nodded immediately.

Adam took a sheet of paper.

"First thing: the brand must be more important than the product itself." "

She stopped.

"Explain."

Adam considered the best way to phrase it.

"People shouldn’t just say, ’I want to buy a game like that.’"

He pointed to the Reversi board.

"They should say, ’I want a Valoria game.’"

Shiora listened intently.

Adam continued:

"If someone simply copies the board, they can copy the product."

He placed a finger on the brand’s provisional emblem.

"But they don’t automatically own our reputation."

Shiora immediately picked up a pen.

"So we don’t just sell Reversi."

"We sell trust in the brand."

She wrote:

Quality.

Official rules.

Standardized pieces.

Service.

Official tournaments.

Warranty.

Future releases.

Adam continued:

"If people know that a product bearing our brand always meets a certain level of quality, a cheap copy becomes less appealing."

Shiora nodded.

"And to reinforce that, every store must have the same identity."

"Yes."

"Same symbol."

"Same overall presentation."

"Same level of service."

Adam nodded.

"Exactly."

Shiora thought for a moment.

"We can also mark each box and each official tray."

"Good idea."

"Perhaps a seal that’s difficult to reproduce."

Adam immediately raised a finger.

"Not too complex for the popular versions."

"Why not?"

"Cost."

Shiora paused.

Then she nodded.

"Obviously."

Adam continued:

"That’s precisely our second defense against copies: price."

She crossed her arms.

"You want to sell for less."

"I want to sell reasonably."

He corrected her:

"Not necessarily at the lowest possible price."

Shiora waited.

"If our popular version is far too expensive, people will have an excellent reason to buy a copy."

She nodded slowly.

"Especially ordinary families."

"Exactly."

Adam continued:

"For the high-end or prestige versions, you can have higher margins. Customers are paying for the materials, the finishes, and the exclusivity."

Then he pointed to the popular version.

"But this one has to remain affordable."

Shiora studied the figures for a long time.

"Less profit per unit."

"But potentially many more units sold."

"And more people aware of the brand."

"That’s it."

She recalculated several columns.

Adam watched her write.

"I just gave you more work."

"Yes."

"Sorry."

"Don’t be."

A few minutes later, the new estimates were ready.

Shiora put down her pen.

"We can slightly reduce the popular price without sacrificing the overall margin if production reaches the projected volume."

Adam studied the figures.

"And if the volume is lower?"

"We reduce production before we accumulate too much stock."

"Perfect."

They then worked on the suppliers.

Wood.

Pigments.

Small metal parts.

Packaging materials.

Tools.

Labor.

Transportation.

Adam wasn’t there to replace Shiora in this area.

She knew the world’s trade networks far better.

But he could ask questions.

"What if this supplier disappears?"

Shiora added a second supplier.

"What if the price of wood goes up?"

She created a reserve.

"What if a city blocks our goods?"

She prepared an alternative route.

"What if a local workshop starts producing poor copies under our name?"

She added controls and penalties to future licensing agreements.

At one point, Adam stopped.

Then he looked at all the new sheets he’d created in less than an hour.

"I’m starting to understand why you enjoy our discussions so much."

Shiora smiled.

"Finally."

"I pose a problem, and you immediately turn its solution into a business procedure."

"It’s extremely entertaining."

Adam shook his head.

They then returned to the precise schedule for launch day.

Morning:

Distribution of the first copies to partner taverns.

Simultaneous opening of the four shops.

Preparation of the main square.

Then the official demonstration.

Isadora versus Vespera.

Elena versus Lyriana.

Next...

Opening of tables to the public.

Free explanation.

Free play.

Ability to purchase immediately in the shops.

Employees would also gather feedback.

Difficulty understanding the rules.

Average game length.

Frequently asked questions.

Manufacturing issues.

Price deemed acceptable or not.

Adam pointed to the last part.

"Very important."

"I know."

Shiora smiled.

"You taught me to test the market instead of just assuming what customers want."

"Sometimes I regret explaining all that to you."

"Too late."

They also talked about advertising.

Not too much before the launch.

Enough to pique people’s curiosity.

But not enough to avoid boring the locals with the product name before they even get a chance to try it.

Then, once the first few games were played...

Posters.

Additional demonstrations.

Challenges in the taverns.

Small local competitions.

And only then...

Promotion in other towns.

Adam finally looked at the clock.

He froze.

"Two o’clock."

Shiora looked up.

"Already?" "

Adam looked at her.

"That’s exactly what I was going to say."

Around them, the office had changed again.

More papers.

More notes.

More decisions.

But the Reversi launch was now almost entirely organized.

Adam summarized one last time.

"Reversi alone for the initial launch."

"Yes."

"Isadora-Vespera demonstration, then Elena-Lyriana."

"Yes."

"Open tables afterward."

"Yes."

"Distribution to taverns the same day."

"Yes."

"Four stores: north, south, east, and west."

"Yes."

"Outdoor promotion after the initial buzz has started to spread."

"Exactly."

"Then local licensed manufacturing only when the brand has enough authority to impose its standards." "

"Yes."

"No separate product lines by race."

Shiora’s expression became a little more serious.

"Absolutely not."

Adam nodded.

"Brand before product. Affordable prices for popular versions. And we make copies less appealing by emphasizing the original rather than trying to prevent all imitation."

Shiora smiled.

"Perfect."

Adam closed the file.

"It’s becoming real."

"It already was."

"I know. But now the products actually exist. The shops are almost ready. The taverns will be receiving their copies..."

He looked at one of the trays on the desk.

An idea he had brought from his old world.

And soon...

Thousands of people could play with it.

Shiora noticed his expression.

"You’re still overthinking it." "

Adam smiled slightly.

"Probably."

She approached.

"It’s just a game, for starters."

Adam looked at her.

Then he looked at the distribution cards.

The stores.

The contracts.

The manufacturing plans.

The future licenses.

The advertising campaigns.

"With you, I no longer believe the phrase ’it’s just a game.’"

Shiora burst out laughing.

"Good answer."

Adam gathered his things.

"I have to go."

"Vespera?"

"Last stop of the day."

Shiora smiled.

"Well, good luck then."

Adam stopped in front of the door.

"Why do you always wish me good luck before I go to see one of you?" "

"Because we know you."

"That answer explains absolutely nothing."

"It explains everything."

Adam shook his head.

Then he opened the door.

Before leaving, he turned around.

"See you later."

"See you later."

Shiora placed two fingers against his cheek.

Then added with a smile:

"And keep taking this kind of initiative."

Adam remained silent for a second.

"I’m starting to regret having started."

"A lie."

He chuckled.

Then he finally left the office.

A few minutes later, he emerged from the Merchants’ Guild.

The light outside was slowly beginning to change.

His body was tired.

His arms were still heavy.

His mana compression was still active.

But his day wasn’t over yet.

Adam looked up at the distant silhouette of the Tower of the Magi.

"Last stop..."

Then he headed towards Vespera.