“Fifth-rank Merchant Group, Unicorn Guild, confirmed. Please enter.”
When we arrived at the Carriage Exhibition Hall, there was an identity check.
Guards stood watch to prevent just anyone from entering.
After confirming my identity, they handed me a yellow Badge. I was told to pin it to my chest before entering.
I pinned the Badge to my chest and entered with Slot. And we were overwhelmed by the sheer size of the Carriage Exhibition Hall.
“Captain, are all those really carriages?”
“It seems so. I’m surprised myself.”
I had mistakenly assumed there would only be a few carriages on display since it was called an exhibition hall.
But the scale astonished me.
At this level, you could call it not a Motorshow, but a Carriage Show.
In this vast space, carriages in every imaginable color and design were lined up.
Most of the carriages were on display by themselves, and there weren’t any horses tethered in the stables.
“Captain, look over there. There are fake horses too.”
While there were no real horses, there were magnificent horse sculptures.
The sculptures were so lifelike, it was as if the horses were about to leap forward. The horses stood on their hind legs, with their front legs raised into the air.
The sculpted horses’ bodies tilted slightly, their heads lifted upward.
“That one looks exactly like a Ferrari…”
It looked just like the powerful horse emblems on expensive sports cars back on Earth.
There were so many carriages in the exhibition hall it was dizzying just looking at them. Most seemed to aim for utmost luxury.
Such splendid carriages… Any observer would guess they were made for high nobility.
My heart began to race, just like the first time I went to buy a car on Earth, regardless of budget.
“As a horse fanatic, carriages just set my heart pounding…”
“Welcome. Would you like to take a look inside a carriage furnished with the finest leather?”
“This is the Trade Carriage Zone. Please feel free to look around.”
The carriages were sold in designated zones. The area we had just passed was the Luxury Zone.
Now, we were passing through the Trade Carriage Zone.
Even so, most prices were over 30 gold. More expensive than I thought.
“Hoo… This carriage.”
I stopped in my tracks at the sight of a somewhat unique design. At that, a carriage dealer approached me.
“Hello! Nice to meet you. My name is Hiley, and I am in charge of carriage sales.”
He wore a neatly tailored ash-gray robe.
He had the air of a master salesman.
Startup CEO often needs to switch into salesman mode. But I wasn’t always good at sales from the start.
No… I was actually really bad at it.
Just meeting people made my hands shake.
When I started my first business and met many investors and clients, I realized how essential sales skills were.
So I reached out to the most capable Professional Salesman I knew with 509.
One of the most professional salesmen I knew was a car dealer.
He was the dealer I met when I bought my first car.
I was so passionate about learning that I even asked that dealer for private sales lessons.
“I learned a lot, from how to consult with customers to the right attitude to have…”
Clients share an incredible amount of information during consultations.
The information given by the client is quite varied: their occupation, age, family relationships, even why they need the item.
But unless you’re a Veteran Employee, most people let that information slip by or fail to find the key points in it.
A Professional Salesman, however, is different. Not only do they keep track of past consultations, but also the current situation and even future plans, storing the information and pulling it out like a secret weapon when needed.
They make the customer feel as though they’ve met a dedicated attendant who knows them best yet never loses their manners.
The moment a client walks in the door, a professional car dealer already has a strategy laid out for them.
And right now, from Hiley, I could sense that same power of a veteran salesman.
“Hello. My name is William Steven.”
“Ah, a pleasure to serve you, Mr. Steven. We are a specialized shop offering a wide variety of carriages. This line here is crafted by Artisans over many years of dedication. It’s called the Roll Royce.”
The carriage, which exuded luxury at a glance, was just as splendid as the one Frana Bella rode in with me earlier.
“The price for the carriage starts at 100 gold.”
Despite the large sum involved—100 gold (about 200 million)—Hiley said it calmly.
Naturally, this was not a carriage I could afford.
And Hiley read the hesitation in my eyes.
“This carriage, crafted over many years by an Artisan, is as fine as can be. However, such features actually reduce its practicality. Because Artisans spend so much time crafting them, they are very expensive and include a lot of artistic decoration. We receive the right to sell these carriages on consignment from venerable families. But I would not recommend you buy this carriage, sir. Rather, I recommend this more practical and economical model.”
At Hiley’s gesture, three carriages stood open next to the luxurious one.
The carriages all had the same design and were black.
My ears perked up at the words “practical and economical.”
“In fact, this model is unique to our family. We call it Fort Rick 7, named after our family.”
“This carriage is recommended for those who travel long distances and engage in trade. Carriages serve different purposes, depending on the needs of the Merchant. This model, in particular, features a spacious interior for carrying large amounts of cargo.”
Hiley paused to catch his breath, then broadened my knowledge with his expertise.
“Carriages are classified based on how many horses are used: three-horse, two-horse, and single-horse carriages. A single-horse carriage is usually referred to as an ordinary carriage. Naturally, most Merchant Groups just starting out choose a carriage pulled by a single horse, due to cost. But if you’re considering cross-border trade, I recommend a two-horse carriage. This model is designed to be compatible with both one and two horses.”
There was something rugged about its design that reminded me of Earth’s automobiles, prioritizing practicality over looks.
“Fort Rick 7’s frame and wheels are made from sturdy wood and iron, guaranteeing durability even with heavy loads. Additionally, the magic connection points are joined with strong leather. You may not realize it, but if these parts are weak, a terrible accident could occur, separating the horse from the carriage. If you purchase this carriage, we also offer a one-year warranty for basic repairs. And, there are special perks as well.”
It definitely seemed practical—space for six people, plus cargo, and even the name sounded utilitarian.
Overall, I had a good feeling about it. I was intrigued by the word “special.”
“What are these special perks?”
“An exceptional benefit just for first-time fifth-rank Merchant Group leaders. If you buy within this month, you can get a whopping 20% discount on your first carriage. And, we also include options like the driver’s saddle and interior décor set.”
A 20% discount and added options—an attractive offer indeed.
“How did you know I’m a fifth-rank Merchant Group leader?”
“Ha ha. As this is your first visit, you might not know, but to be honest, there’s a hint in the Badge you’re wearing.”
It turns out that the yellow Badge I received at the entrance signifies a novice Merchant Group leader.
Come to think of it, the Badges others were wearing were much more colorful…
“Hiley, how much does this Fort Rick 7 cost?”
“With the discount, this model is 12 gold.”
As expected, it was the cheapest among the carriages I’d considered. But was it really that cheap?
“For the price, it’s a very reasonable offer.
Actually, I’ve seen quite a few carriages today. Why is this one so much cheaper than the others?”
“Ha ha… Sharp of you. Usually, carriages fall under the domain of an Artisan’s artistry. The work of a good Artisan is costly, as each is crafted one by one. Like the Roll Royce earlier, most of those are sold on consignment. Each of those carriages has its own unique qualities, much like a work of art. That’s also why the exhibition hall is filled with such a variety of carriages.”
“However, the Fort Rick+ is the same shape for every model. We specialize in producing affordable carriages. However… though we’re proud of our quality, we haven’t yet gained proper recognition.”
It was 50% cheaper than other carriages. Yet it was sturdy and practical in appearance.
Frankly, it felt much better than a 30-gold carriage.
Despite having such a carriage, Mr. Hiley’s expression was clouded. That bothered me.
“Ha ha, well, I’ll look around a bit more and come back.”
Having been trained by a Professional Salesman myself, I know there’s no need to rush. There might be a better model elsewhere.
Slot and I decided to look around the carriages a bit more.
But just then, another carriage dealer, having noticed how long we’d been talking to Hiley, quietly spoke to me.
“Customer, that’s not a carriage.”
After leaving Hiley, the other dealer approached me and spoke softly. He was a man with a sharp face and a long mustache.
“What do you mean, not a carriage?”
“I don’t understand why a side branch of the great carriage merchants would stoop to that.”
Why did he say it’s not a carriage? However you look at it, it’s still a carriage…
“In what way is it not a carriage?”
Curious, I asked, and he replied with a face full of pride.
“Carriages have a tradition of craftsmanship spanning hundreds of years. Here in Grunvalt, there are many carriage Artisans. The process of handcrafting a carriage requires sophisticated skills and traditional methods. To make a carriage, you must be proficient in woodworking, metalworking, leathercraft, and more.”
He kindly explained the traditional carriage-making process.
“First, the Artisan drafts the plans and designs according to the carriage’s intended use—whether it’s for nobility or for trade. Next, the proper wood, metal, and leather materials are gathered. The wood forms the main structure, so strong and durable wood is selected. Metal is used for the wheel bands, carriage decorations, and connectors. Leather is used for the seats and some decorative elements. Once the materials are carefully selected, the frame is constructed. “
“At this stage, the Artisan carves everything to fit the design. The floor, walls, roof—these are all made at this point. For the wheels, the spokes and rims are perfectly matched, then reinforced with iron bands. Everything must be connected solidly. Finally, the decorations and finishing touches are completed. Waterproofing is applied to the wood, the seats are crafted from leather, and then everything is given a final inspection and adjustment.”
“The carriage Artisan is involved in every step, ensuring the carriage is completed with meticulous attention to detail. In summary, making a carriage involves design, material preparation, frame construction, wheel making, assembly, decoration, and finishing. Each stage requires the sophisticated skill of an Artisan. The Artisan considers all this, using the highest level of skill and precision to create a carriage that’s like a work of art.”
“That’s why, when an Artisan finishes a carriage, they sign their name beneath the frame. Even if carriages may look the same, each one is a living work of art. But that Hiley fellow… he cut corners.”
“Cut corners?”
“The carriage made by that Hiley fellow isn’t crafted by an Artisan. It’s just assembled by several laborers with no sense of artistry, following his orders. The price is cheap, but there’s no trace of an Artisan’s touch—just mass-produced by unskilled hands as instructed. In terms of quality, there are bound to be issues.”
“So, you mean it’s a factory-made carriage?”
I didn’t show it outwardly, but I felt a thrill rising in me.
Honestly, that’s exactly the kind of carriage I’ve always wanted.