Chapter 1014: Only Source

Proofread by Thomas F

"… only half of the interior is finished, and the cost ballooned past the budget we had allocated for it," said Valentina. She was talking about the new city hall.

"Of course it would balloon past, with all the fresh changes you had stated," I replied simply, and her cheeks reddened a little.

She used to lead a construction company; she understood the costs would balloon with all the new things she had added.

"All those things are necessary," she defended.

"You don't have to defend it to me. I told you in the beginning to add those things, but it's you who didn't," I said to her, and she sighed.

"I wanted to, but I didn't believe I had the space in budget for them." I didn't say anything to that.

Things are changing rapidly in the city and with its finances. What was not possible before is now possible, and we are changing things accordingly.

"Don't think about it too much. We need those things; the city hall needs all the modern facilities to achieve the things it needs to," I replied to her.

The cost is quite high, but we need it.

We need people to be impressed, and they will be after seeing the amazing interior, much of which is mist-crafted. It is not as frivolous as one thinks; these things matter.

'Lord Silver, I am sending Mr. Tadars in,' informed Jill, and a few seconds later the door opened and a tall, middle-aged man with dark brown hair and blue eyes stepped into the hall.

"Lord Silver," he greeted with a faint bow. "Chief Elar,"

"Guildmaster Tadars, please take a seat," I offered him the seat in front of me.

"Thank you, my lord."

"I will get right to the point. I believe your guild and the city have good relations.

"We have given you a lot of business and privileges. So, I don't understand why you are so hesitant to increase the capacity on the route."

I usually go short on pleasantries, but this is very important.

This man in front of me is Palvan Tadars, the Guildmaster of the Riverwright Guild of Owlspring. His guild comprises members in river passenger transportation, both common and luxury.

The man himself owns one of the biggest river ship companies in Owlspring.

"We have promised you thrice the capacity as before," he replied, and I shook my head.

"That's not enough; we need thrice more than that. I am sure you could already see it, with the bookings you are getting," said Valentina.

People have already started booking travel to Greltheaven to visit the legacy, which will open in less than two months.

Transportation companies play a big part in bringing people to the city. It is one of the first relationships I have cultivated, and this has served me well and made a good profit for these people.

Especially the companies in Owlspring.

Until a year ago, Greltheaven was 15% of their profit, which I believe would double within a year after the legacy opens.

It would make it their most profitable route.

"I tried, but there is hesitation among the members of the guild in committing more capacity, given the situation," he replied.

I wanted to curse, hearing that.

He isn't the first head of the transportation guilds I am talking to. I had talked to others in the merchant states, as well as guilds from Inam, Namdar, and others.

All are hesitant to commit more because of the situation. Meaning the upcoming storm.

"Though many of them are now relieved and more positive about the situation since the news of Headmistress Swan's ascension to Great Mage," he added with a small smile.

I usually keep the power of my men secret, but I made this one public. Not only to put pressure on enemies but also to reassure my citizens and our partners, like him.

The news surprised me as well.

I knew Margaux could achieve this eventually, given how quickly she is learning the spells since I got that spellbook from the Archmage Tower, but I thought it would be at least a year.

So, I was quite shocked when the Great Mage Asin informed me about it. I would have thought it was a joke, if not for the woman who informed me.

"Let me tell you one thing, Guildmaster."

"We are confident in our abilities to deal with any enemy that comes for us. If they attack Greltheaven, you can rest assured they will suffer the same fate as the undead did," I stated directly.

The man was smart enough to understand the meaning behind my words. Other cities might fall, but Greltheaven will not.

I will not let the others fall as well, but he needs to understand that Greltheaven is safe.

It is what matters to him most.

"Let's say we dealt with it by the middle of next month. Will you and your members be able to increase the capacity in the short term that will remain until the opening of Velvet Garden?" asked Valentina.

The man didn't answer immediately; he regarded it seriously for a couple of seconds before opening his mouth.

"If you could deal with the situation cleanly, we could at least double the capacity by the day of opening," he replied measuredly, but confidently.

"That's not enough," said Valentina.

Owlspring is a junction. It is from where 90% of tourists from merchant states come to Greltheaven. There is a route from Amberhold and Gailhorn, but it can't compare to the one from Owlspring.

"Currently, that's all I could say. I will give you a clearer answer once the situation is dealt with."

A few minutes later, he left, while she sighed.

"Everyone is talking about the dam situation. Have we not proven ourselves enough times that they still don't have confidence in us?" she asked, and I laughed.

"You handled a business once. Put yourself in his place and answer the same question?" I asked

It didn't matter how many times we had proven ourselves. Businesses will always try to protect themselves in uncertain situations.

"At least the hotels wouldn't be a problem," she stated, and I smiled. After experiencing a sharp need for hotels in the past, we have moved aggressively on it in the past one and a half years.

Valentina, Carla, all of us focused hard on that. It is one of the things we did very well.

I believe we will need more, but it will be enough for the opening and a few months after.

"So, with much hesitation, we will have to defeat the enemy and defeat it such that it will wipe away all the doubts our enemies have," she said.

"Or scare them enough not to fight at all," I replied. It's another reason I ask Margaux to make her advancement public.

"That will not happen," she said. I nodded as well. I know I am being naive to believe it, but I want to.

I would rather not fight unless I need to, but I will have to. The enemies are coming with a clear purpose. They could not be dissuaded. I tried both threats and diplomacy, but it didn't work.

Though I will keep trying, despite knowing it won't work.

She left a few minutes later, and I turned to Zela. "Any messages?" I asked.

"Yes, there is one from Great Mage Swan; she had reached Oksall City," she replied, with envy and longing in her voice.

Margaux was supposed to return home directly from the academy, but I sent her to Oksall. She is a Great Mage, recognized by Archmage City.

There is weight to that title, and I want to make use of that to get a few things from Oksall.

It will be dangerous, but I have increased her security, and this time Silent Forest will not make the same mistake twice. The Council Head himself has taken responsibility for her security.

They had let the attack happen, which nearly killed her. It would ruin their reputation if it happened again.

White Crown has ceased to exist, but I am not an idiot enough to believe all its members died. The low level might, but a high level would not; they are too useful.

I wanted the attackers dealt with, but I know they would not give them to me.

It could be said to have accepted my first condition, but it was the easiest. It is the second condition I want them to fulfill. I need to know who is behind the attack.

White Gyrge was just an instrument; I need to know who ordered it, and the merchant states have the ability and resources to find that out and do it quickly.

"Ok, ask her to call me when she finishes with the meeting tonight," I replied.

"How are the nobles doing against our enemies?" I asked. I am talking about Viremont and Arenthal.

They might think I am slowing them down. I am not. Instead, I am attacking the morale of their forces and forcing them to spend their political capital dealing with nobles.

I am spending my capital as well, but I am not worried about it. I am confident that I can rebuild it quickly once Velvet Garden opens.

Since they are coming to attack me, I am attacking them as well. The war had already started the moment they decided to attack me.

I will destroy them when they come to the region, but if they somehow survive that, which I will not allow. If they do, then I want to make their lives hell.

They will find no allies or financiers; I will scalp their allies one by one. Make them regret they attacked me.

It will also act as a warning to all those who are thinking about attacking me.

If you do that, I am going to come after you with everything I have.

"They are doing it well, better than we had thought," she replied. "Good, keep encouraging them and ask them to focus on poaching," I said.

Poaching is the best way to weaken them; I have already given the nobles a list of officers they should poach.

The nobles need people as well, and the more they poach, the more essence potions I will sell them. I will not give them free; even I can't afford that.

They are grateful for even a chance to buy them, given the current condition of the empire.

Both imperials have taken complete control over essences. They've even suspended the paltry amount they used to give to masters. So, I am the only source in the market that is selling it to them.

I control most of the supply.

It's why they are so willing to do what I want them to do.

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