Lorian walked towards the Plaza, accompanied by Kaelan, Elara, and the four guards.
Eldard and the Beastmen, however, were nowhere to be seen. They decided to wait for a bit and try some street foods.
In his past life as Adrian, Lorian loved street foods, and he wanted to taste them in this new world as well.
Although Lorian couldn't identify all of the ingredients, he found the taste unique and exotic.
He felt he should learn more about it.
Meanwhile, Eldard arrived in the plaza with Jax Nightclaw, the Panther-Man, and Zara Sunstreak, the Leopard-Girl.
Zara was now using a crutch and limping, but her face showed she was feeling better.
Both Beastmen approached Lorian and bowed to him.
"Jax Nightclaw, son of Jaya Nightclaw," Jax stated, "and Zara Sunstreak, daughter of Zira Sunstreak, bow to you, Young Lord, and pledge our unending servitude and loyalty to you!"
Lorian was pleased to know their identities. He ordered Eldard to arrange food and lodging for them, not as slaves, but as his own personal staff.
Zara was told to rest and recuperate in her quarter.
Jax, however, was ordered to train under Kaelan for the time being, until Lorian decided otherwise.
Everyone present was surprised by this decision.
Most of them, including the Beastmen themselves, had imagined being purchased by the Young Lord for recreation or for showing off.
On Lorian's command, they all returned to The Auric Spire.
The two Beastmen bowed and followed Eldard and Kaelan.
Lorian, followed by Elara, retired to his room.
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
That evening, the Thorne family gathered for dinner in the grand dining hall of The Auric Spire.
Lord Elmsworth and Lady Seraphina sat at the head of the table.
Lorian sat beside his mother.
His uncle Cassian was also there, sitting nearby, along with his son Lyssian.
Apart from the Thorne family, Gravil had also joined them.
Everyone seemed curious about Lorian's day. Lord Elmsworth cleared his throat and set down his goblet of wine.
"Lorian," Lord Elmsworth began, looking at his son with a keen, appraising gaze,
"Eldard gave us a brief report about your day.
It seems you had... an 'educational' experience in the market.
I'm very keen to hear your own observations.
Tell me, what did you learn about Veridia's commerce firsthand?"
Lady Seraphina smiled warmly at Lorian, silently encouraging him, "Yes, dear," she added gently, "We're very interested."
Cassian leaned forward slightly. There was a smug look on his face, "A first visit to the market is always an eye-opener, isn't it, Lorian? Plenty to see and learn there."
Lyssian, nodded in agreement, "Indeed, the market is the true heart of our city. It's where real business happens."
Gravil, a quieter man, simply watched Lorian with an unreadable expression.
Lorian straightened in his seat.
He took a sip of water, allowing himself a moment to gather his thoughts, much like he would prepare for a presentation in his past life, "Father, Mother, Uncle, Cousin," Lorian started, in a calm and precise voice.
"The market isn't just a place for trading goods. It's the central nervous system of Veridia's economy. I observed several key areas of opportunity and potential risk."
He paused, letting his words sink in, then continued,
"First, Market Efficiency.
The haggling process is inefficient.
It wastes time and resources.
Implementing a standardized pricing system, or at least clearer price ranges for common goods, could significantly boost transaction speed and volume.
This would improve overall market liquidity."
Lord Elmsworth listened closely, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Cassian's eyebrows raised slightly while Lyssian looked a bit puzzled. Lady Seraphina also looked a bit confused, but she remained attentive.
Gravil's expression stayed neutral, but his gaze was sharp.
"Second," Lorian went on, "we have Supply Chain Visibility Issues.
We currently lack real-time data on stock levels and consumer demand across different market sectors.
Improving our information flow would allow for better resource allocation.
We could optimize inventory, reduce spoilage for perishable goods, and anticipate market trends more accurately.
This would minimize financial exposure."
Lord Elmsworth's expression showed deep thought.
Cassian shifted in his seat, seemingly intrigued.
"Third," Lorian added, "there's a clear opportunity for Diversification into local manufacturing.
The market features a wide range of exotic imported products.
Producing some of these goods domestically could reduce import costs.
It would create local employment.
This would also make our economy more resilient against external shocks."
"I also noted significant Unleveraged Human Capital," Lorian added, his tone becoming more serious and concerned, "The demihuman trade, while profitable for some, represents an ethical issue and a missed opportunity.
Forced labor is inherently inefficient. It suffocates innovation.
It also creates negative aspects like social unrest and a reduced consumer base.
A system that integrates these individuals into the free labor market, offering fair wages and skill development, would unlock massive long-term economic benefits for Veridia as a whole.
It would expand our internal consumer market and improve overall productivity."
Lord Elmsworth's expression tightened slightly at the mention of the slave trade.
Cassian's face remained still, but a tension appeared around his eyes.
Lyssian seemed to shrink a bit in his seat.
Gravil still stayed still, not showing any outward reaction.
Lord Elmsworth just gestured for Lorian to continue.
"Finally," Lorian concluded, "the market lacks a Formalized Dispute Resolution Mechanism.
The spur-of-the-moment negotiations I witnessed in conflicts—" he briefly thought of Jax Nightclaw's situation, but did not mention it clearly— "suggest a need for clear, impartial arbitration.
This would protect both vendors and consumers.
It would also foster trust in the market system.
Such trust is vital for sustainable growth."
Lorian finished his summary. He looked calmly at his family, waiting for their reaction.
Lord Elmsworth was silent for a long moment. He gazed at Lorian, with a deep thoughtfulness in his eyes.
This was not the kind of 'observations' he had expected from an eighteen-year-old boy, who regained his soul just a few days ago.
Elmsworth wondered where Lorian's soul had been in those eighteen years.
"Fascinating, Lorian," he said slowly, his voice laced with a new kind of respect, "These are... not the usual thoughts of a boy your age. You see the world as a…....", Elmsworth tried to find a proper word, and then resumed his speech, "….. system, a complex machine with levers and gears.
Even I at your age could not think such a way!"
Lady Seraphina probably could not fully grasp the economic jargon.
But she saw the passion and intelligence in her son's eyes.
She smiled, with a soft pride on her face, "You speak with such clarity, dear. It's truly remarkable."
Cassian, however, scoffed lightly. He crossed his arms, and spoke in a dismissive, almost challenging tone-
"Sounds like a lot of academic theory, Lorian.
The market has always run on its own rules.
'Efficiency' and 'ethical issue' sound like excuses to interfere with profitable ventures."
Lyssian, emboldened by Cassian's words, chimed in, "Yes, cousin. Some of these suggestions might upset the natural order of things. Not everything needs to be... optimized. That's what we have been taught in the Academy!"
Gravil still maintained his silence, although, there was almost undetectable hint of approval in his gaze as he watched Lorian.
Lorian simply nodded, as a slight, almost unnoticeable smile touched his lips.
He knew he had made his point.
And in that process, he hit Cassian's nerve by mentioning the Demihuman Slave Trade. He had poked the snake again, and now was waiting to see its response.