Chapter 361: Invitation
"Yes."
Upon hearing Bruce, Bruno’s eyes sharpened slightly, not outwardly, but within.
The answer was minimal But it wasn’t vague It carried certainty.
Intent. Bruce continued.
"I’ll need you to show me what you have."
A slight pause followed.
His tone remained calm.
Unhurried.
"Introduce them properly."
There was no demand in his voice.
No edge. No force. Yet, There was something else.
Authority. Natural. Unquestioned.
The kind that didn’t need to assert itself, because it was already there. For a brief second, Sir Bruno studied him again.
More carefully this time. Then, A faint smile touched his lips. Professional. But genuine.
"Of course."
He turned smoothly, gesturing lightly toward the rows of vehicles stretching across the expansive lot.
"ThorneTech specializes in a wide range of automobiles tailored for different needs, civilian transport, long distance endurance travel, armored variants for high risk zones..."
A slight pause.
His tone remained even.
"...and a few customized builds for Awakened individuals."
He began walking at a steady pace, neither too fast nor too slow.
Naturally expecting them to follow.
And they did.
"We prioritize stability, mana efficiency, and structural durability," he continued. "Even our standard models are designed to withstand environments most ordinary vehicles wouldn’t survive."
As they moved deeper into the lot, the scale became more apparent.
Rows upon rows.
Precision in arrangement. Each vehicle positioned with intent. Each one carrying its own presence.
His hand motioned toward the nearest line.
Sleek designs. Low profile frames.
Refined curves that blended elegance with subtle power.
"These are our city class models. Fast, efficient, minimal mana consumption. Ideal for controlled environments and daily use within established zones."
Sophie’s eyes lingered briefly on one of them.
Beautiful. Polished.
But, Bruce’s gaze had already moved past them.
Uninterested.
Sir Bruno noticed.
Of course he did.
So he adjusted.
Without missing a beat, he guided them further.
Toward the next section.
The difference was immediate.
Bulkier frames.
Reinforced exteriors.
Mana conductive plating layered beneath visible armor.
These weren’t built for comfort.
They were built to endure.
"And these..." Sir Bruno said, his tone dipping slightly, carrying a subtle shift in weight, "...are expedition grade."
His hand rested briefly against the side of one.
Solid.
Unyielding.
"Designed for long distance travel. Unstable terrain. Regions where mana fluctuations are... less predictable."
A brief glance over his shoulder.
Measuring.
"...and areas where encounters are not always avoidable."
The implication was clear.
Danger.
The kind that couldn’t be solved with speed alone.
Silence followed for a moment as they walked.
But it wasn’t empty.
It was observant.
Evaluative.
Sir Bruno continued at a steady pace, though now,
There was something beneath his professionalism.
A quiet curiosity.
Because by this point,
He was certain.
These two...
Were not here for something ordinary.
"...Depending on your destination," he added calmly, his gaze shifting back to them once more, sharper now, more deliberate, "I can make more specific recommendations."
And though his tone remained unchanged,
There was now a subtle expectation behind it.
Not of an answer. But of revelation. Because whatever they were looking for, It wasn’t going to be found among ordinary choices.
Sir Bruno didn’t voice that thought.
Not outwardly.
But it lingered quietly at the back of his mind as he continued walking ahead of them, posture straight, pace steady, every movement refined to the point of habit. His shoes made soft, measured contact with the polished ground, each step deliberate, each gesture controlled, as befitting a man who had spent years operating within high value environments where impressions were everything and mistakes were costly.
His hand lifted slightly, gesturing toward another section of the lot where a new lineup of vehicles stood beneath the afternoon light, sleek frames, reinforced builds, each one radiating a quiet sense of engineered precision.
"Beyond durability and mana efficiency, one of the major advantages of ThorneTech automobiles is consistency."
His tone remained smooth. Professional.
Polished to the point where even emphasis felt intentional.
"There’s no dependency on external variables. No temperament to account for. No feeding schedules. No fatigue."
A slight pause followed as he slowed just enough to let the words settle.
His gaze drifted briefly toward one of the larger builds nearby, a heavy duty model reinforced with layered alloy plating, its structure designed not just for travel, but survival.
"With tamed beasts, no matter how well trained they are, there are always... uncertainties."
His eyes shifted back to them.
Measured. Observant.
"Instincts. Environmental reactions. Maintenance requirements."
Then, calmly,
"Automobiles eliminate those variables entirely."
Sophie listened quietly.
Her gaze moved across the vehicles again, slower this time, more attentive, as though reassessing everything she had seen from a new perspective. The polished surfaces reflected faint fragments of her expression, thoughtful, composed, but no longer detached.
Bruno continued, seamlessly.
"No feeding costs. No bonding requirements. No risk of disobedience."
A faint, polite smile formed at the corner of his lips.
"What you purchase... performs exactly as expected. Every time."
Bruce walked beside him in silence.
Hands relaxed.
Expression unchanged. He didn’t interrupt. Didn’t challenge. Didn’t even acknowledge.
And yet,
Something shifted.
Subtle. Barely noticeable. A flicker in his eyes. A thought forming. A connection aligning.
Then, A faint smile touched his lips.
"Bruno..."
His voice cut in calmly. Unhurried. Effortless.
The kind of interruption that didn’t feel like one.
"Surely you’ve heard of the Ackerman Transport Company."
Bruno’s steps didn’t stop. But they slowed, just slightly. A near imperceptible reaction. His brows drew together faintly.
"...Ackerman Transport?" Bruce didn’t look at him directly.
"Mm." He continued walking, gaze forward, tone even.
"From what I know... their beasts are completely loyal."
A brief pause.
"High ranking. SS Class, at minimum."
Sophie’s gaze shifted slightly toward him. Listening. Not interrupting.
Bruce continued. "Which means clients don’t need to worry about feeding, control, or maintenance during use."
His voice remained calm. Almost casual.
"And more importantly..."
A faint glance.
"The beast itself acts as protection. Hidden dangers along routes aren’t just avoided, they’re dealt with."
Silence followed. Not long. But long enough.
Clearly, Bruce was probing wanting to test things out.
Then, Sir Bruno let out a small, controlled cough.
Dry but Composed.
Of course he had heard of them. It would have been impossible not to.
Ackerman Transport had spread across the Thorne’s V Net with unsettling efficiency, their promotions precise, their reach aggressive, their presence... persistent. The kind of marketing that didn’t just inform, but embedded itself into awareness whether one welcomed it or not.
And worse, It worked.
Their model... It had very few flaws. Affordable. Reliable.
And the safety they provided? That was the real issue.
Because it wasn’t theoretical. It wasn’t a claim. It was proven.
For a brief moment, The merchant in him acknowledged it plainly.
Cleanly. Without bias.
Then, It vanished.
Replaced by something sharper.
Faster. Experienced.
"Of course I’ve heard of the Ackerman Transport Company," Bruno replied smoothly, his tone returning to its earlier composure as though that moment of internal calculation had never existed.
"They’re... impressive."
A slight nod followed. Measured. Controlled.
"But comfort," he added, gesturing lightly toward one of the vehicles beside them, "is where ThorneTech automobiles truly excel when compared to Ackerman’s Transport."
His hand brushed lightly along the polished surface, fingers gliding over the metal as though reaffirming its value through touch alone.
"Controlled environment. Refined interiors. No external interference. No unpredictability."
A faint pause. Then, just slightly, He leaned into it.
"Besides..."
His gaze shifted back to Bruce. Sharper now. More intentional.
"Purchasing from ThorneTech isn’t just about the product."
A subtle smile curved along his lips.
"It’s also about association."
Another pause. Measured. Deliberate.
"Building a relationship with the Thorne family is... beneficial."
A fraction of a second passed.
"They are, after all, a Great Ancient Family."
The implication settled naturally. Status. Connection. Influence.
The kind of intangible value that couldn’t be measured in gold, but often outweighed it.
Bruce smiled. Faint. Unbothered.
There was no reaction beyond that. No pushback. No agreement. Just... acceptance.
Because he hadn’t brought it up to argue. Or compete.
He had simply wanted to see. And now, He had.
Sir Bruno, taking the silence as a natural close to the exchange, continued forward without missing a beat, seamlessly returning to his role as though nothing of significance had just been said.
But just as he was about to introduce another line of models, A soft hum interrupted him.
Subtle. Almost unnoticeable. His wrist. His smart bracelet in it.
The faint vibration carried just enough presence to pull his attention without breaking his composure. His steps slowed slightly as he glanced down, fingers moving with practiced ease as he tapped the interface open.
A message had come in. He read it. And then, something changed.
Not dramatically. Not enough for an untrained eye to catch.
But for someone like him, It was unmistakable.
[Young Lord:] [Bring them in to see me... And be polite.]
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A/N:
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