Kleist & Co.

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## Organization

### Key people

* Hugo Kleist
* Wads

v **·** e

**Kleist & Co.** (クライスト商会), is a retail corporation headquartered in Heimdallr.

## Background

Kleist & Co. is a company owned by Hugo Kleist's father. Hugo himself is a legend in the business world, having become head of sales at just seventeen years of age.

Kleist and Co run an extremely enterprising organisation, and actively seek to outcompete other retailers in their target markets as quickly as possible. They make contracts with suppliers and manufacturers in all areas and sign contracts with them for a percentage of stock or resources. They are regarded as a large firm, even by the capital's standards and have connections all over the empire. Because of their efficiency, they are able to offer goods at a much high discounted rate than their competition. they have partnerships with big companies such as the Reinford Group who open branches in their department stores.

Known branches of the Kleist Mall operate in Heimdallr and Ordis. A temporary branch was opened on the Courageous.

### *Trails of Cold Steel I* and *II*

During the October War, Kleist & Co. cooperates with various merchants, such as those from the Celdic Grand Market to create a network of shops to support each other during the conflict. Hugo dissolves this network after the war concludes citing its inefficiency.

### *Trails of Cold Steel III* and *IV*

Kleist & Co. continues their exponential growth, and is actively buying out rivals and smaller stores. They offer extremely fast service and can get supplies in at much cheaper rates, allowing them to quickly absorb other merchants and put competitors out of business. They form a contract with the government, having made big donations to curry favor and assisted in Operation Birdcage.

The Ordis Branch begins making aggressive and unethical moves against Riviera Court, starting a slander campaign after sales manager wads was instructed to crush them in six months. Rean Schwarzer and new Class VII intervene and confront Wads. Hugo also intervenes and puts an end to Wad's unethical business practices. The two stores agree to compete on fair terms from that moment onwards.

After the Great Twilight, the many businesses associated with Kleist & Co. are prospering, with other, unaffiliated businesses struggling. Hugo, who envisioned taking these businesses for their protection initially fails to see how his actions are a vector for the Erebonian Curse driving conflict. They expand into the fine art and rare metal industries, growing up to five times as much as the previous year.

Wads once again makes moves, feigning a subsidy for donated items which he then sells on, and covering illegal activity from the Imperial government. He makes a move to take Alster, intending to raze the town and build a factory. He is once again foiled and severely reprimanded by Hugo, being let go. Wads' feelings of inadequacy compared to Hugo drove him to falling under the curse's influence. Individuals muse that Kleist can expect severe legal action taken against them.

### *Trails into Reverie*

Hugo vows to rebuild Kleist & Co. at a slower pace, working more cooperatively and ethically, even if profits are not as high. Kleist & Co. are revealed to be working with Reinford to run express trains for deliveries to supply the resistance movement. Becky admits she is learning a lot from working with them and is taking advantage of the technology they offer.

## Staff

* **Hugo's Father** - Owner
* **Hugo Kleist** - Managing Director (current) Head of sales department (former)
* **Wads** - Sales Manager
* **Bilse** - Secretary
* **Herman** - security at Ordis branch
* **Huck** - Ordis branch