City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Proofread by Thomas F

The carriage moved through the gates of the city.

Yes, the city.

The last time I had been here, there was no city. It was only the castle grounds, which had a capacity of a small town of fifty thousand.

Now, they had built an even bigger wall. It is larger than Greltheaven’s current capacity. It could easily accommodate a million people.

One and a half if needed.

They did it very fast, which is not a surprise. The merchant states of western Zenid had financed 40%. The state of Oksall finances another 40%.

Amberhold finances the remaining 20%. Even for that, they took a very low-interest loan from the state.

If I had such support from the empire, I wouldn’t have been as worried about the undead as I am right now.

I pushed those thoughts away and looked around.

I could see the houses, the wide roads, and people of all races, from humans to orcs to elves. I had also spotted a couple of dwarves and a giant bloods.

The population is approximately 250,000, but it is growing steadily.

There would have been more. If not for the threat of the monsters. It is constantly present, with tides of them attacking repeatedly.

However, they are containing them at the valley where they built a long fort, but some still slip by.

A few times, some small groups of them have attacked the city. No civilians have been killed, but these things affect people.

The carriage moved through the city while I watched through the window, with envy. It isn’t just the money I am feeling envy for, but also the greenery.

The city is lush with greenery. Greltheaven has it too, but it could not compare to this.

In the expansion, I plan to create numerous green spaces—such as gardens, parks, and street trees—across the entire area.

It will not only look good, but it will also help cool the city’s temperature in hot months.

The trees are also calming, helping to improve the psychological well-being of citizens, which is particularly important in places like the wasteland.

Soon, I reached the second gate—the original one.

My carriage didn’t stop and passed through the gate. As it did, I saw the Fort Renin.

They had already fortified the fort the last time I had seen it, but now they had enhanced it further. The size remained the same, but I could feel the hum of power from it.

They completely revamped its enchantments and repainted it.

They have also added those massive cannons, which I want so much, but merchants aren’t selling them to me. It would have helped me a lot with the undead if I had those big beauties.

Around the fort is a massive garden, just like the one around the castle in Amberhold. It is the work of Lady Blackwell and her sister.

I have something similar in my mind for my city, but it is much harder to achieve due to the nature of the soil.

A lot of preparation work is needed before planting, and regular maintenance is required after planting. Still, the greenery is worth it for the effect they bring, especially in the cities of the Renwell Region.

Click!

The carriage stopped, and the door opened.

“Welcome to Renin City, Lord Silver,” greeted the old man in his early sixties. “Thank you, Commander August,” I replied.

The man is the same one who uses the chained weapon. He is now the commander of Renin’s forces.

“How was your journey?” he asked. “Good,” I replied while looking around.

They have now removed the town from the Fort’s compound. It is now off-limits for civilians; they have shifted everything, including most of the administration.

Soon, we reached the large castle doors, where a familiar person stood.

“Welcome, Lord Silver,” said Lady Blackwell. “Thank you for inviting me, Lady Blackwell,” I replied

“How was the journey?” she asked. “It was good,” I replied.

“I am glad to hear that,” she said. I talked to her for a minute before stepping into the fort. It is magnificent; one could feel the humming power of it.

It would be very hard to breach this fort. That is the purpose; it is located in a hazardous area; it needs to be strong enough to protect the people in it if danger arises.

A few minutes later, I am in my suite.

It’s for me to rest, but there I won’t be resting much. I have to meet a lot of people. The first meeting is in forty minutes.

That is why I didn’t waste any time and removed my clothes before walking into the shower. Fifteen minutes later, I came out. Changed into the new suit and stepped out.

Hours passed, and I met person after person. It’s all merchants, the people who could help me get weapons, alchfire orbs, and other things I require.

The nobles are the best option, but they are being hesitant, and those who could help me have already done so.

So, I focused on merchants; they always find a way as long as one is willing to pay enough money for them.

Some of them could get me something before the undead come. I hope they do, every bit will help me against the undead.

An hour passed, and once more, it’s time for me to leave this small gathering.

This time, to attend the party.

“Lord Silver, you have honoured us with your presence,” welcomed Lord Blackwell as he stood at the doors of the ballroom with his wife.

“The honour is all mine, Lord Blackwell,” I replied and entered the ballroom.

It’s big and beautifully decorated with pastel colours and elegant frescoes. I didn’t come too late, but the hall seemed filled with people.

As I entered, I felt the eyes on me. Some just looked, while others looked at me with envy and pity.

There were a lot of familiar people, and I was thinking about whom to move toward first when I saw three people coming toward me, and a smile appeared on my face.

I walked toward them and stopped.

“Miss Ulaxasys, you look beautiful as always,” I greeted her, before nodding to her parents. I had met her mother before, but it was the first time I saw her father.

It seemed like Lady Blackwell took more after her father than her sister.

“Thank you, Lord Silver,” she replied, before turning to her parents. “You have already met my mother, this is my father, Adyrik,” she introduced.

Her father looked to be in his fifties. It’s hard to pin down exactly where at the moment; at first glance, he looked in his early fifties, while at another glance, he looked in his late fifties.

He has silvery-white hair, which none of his daughters inherited, and a handsome, elvish face, which seemed to grow more handsome with age.

“I wanted to meet you for a long time, Lord Silver,” said the man.

“Likewise, Mr. Ulaxaxys,” I replied.

I talked to them for a minute before moving on to other guests. They were mostly merchants, both from the merchant state and that of the Navr.

Yes, a few of them have been invited here. Some of them, I know well.

I talked to a few of them before stopping in front of one of the nobles of the Nakar Baronies, whom I know so well. There are a couple of them who came here, including three from the council, one of whom is my sister.

“Baron Homer, Baroness Uda,” I greeted. “Lord Silver, I didn’t expect to see you here,” Baroness replied.

“I didn’t plan on coming, but decided I need a little change of pace,” I replied.

“That’s wise, things could get stuffy sometimes, lock in territory,” replied Baron Homer, to which I couldn’t help but nod.

I spoke with them, both of us steering clear of the subject we are going to discuss tomorrow. He is a council member and will be attending the meeting tomorrow.

I would have loved to discuss it with them beforehand, but a resolution was passed not to speak with me personally about the subject.

Though I already know the views of all, and there are only two, I have to convince them.

I was talking with the guests when the whole floor fell silent. Ignatius and his parents appeared in the centre.

“Thank you all for coming here and honouring us with your presence,” said Ignatius with his voice spreading across the whole ballroom.

“Fort Renin was built with the intention of expanding the trade routes of the merchant state and harvesting the bounty of the extreme magic region.”

“In the centuries, many tried, but failed, until now,” he stated.

“I will not say I had succeeded, but I will say, thanks to all our efforts, we are on the way to that and would succeed, if we continued to move forward with such efforts.”

People applauded, and he smiled before continuing the speech for a few more minutes.

“To Fort Renin,” he cheered, raising the glass. We did that with him before taking a sip.

Once again, I started mingling. There are many people to meet, including the other nobles of the baronies. A few had come here, I have a lot of information about the baronies, and I had paid them handsomely in return.

Soon, I stopped in front of the middle-aged elf-blood man and the young woman of seventeen.

They share many similarities; both are tall, with brown eyes and a similar facial structure. However, the woman has green eyes instead of blue and pale blond hair, rather than blue.

“Lord Kadyz, Lady Iralyne,” I greeted father and daughter. He is the most influential guest here.

All council members of the Oksall state council had sent their representative, but they were not related to them by blood, like this man and woman.

They are the husband and daughter of Isolde Ashenwood. Lady of Manris, also the council member of Oksall.

“Lord Silver,” replied the man.

“I hope the package was to your desire,” I said, referring to the emotional essence I had sent him. “It was, but it would have made us even happier if it had been a little bigger,” he replied.

Of course, everyone wants more essence. They are selling me good things, but I wanted more.

If they had given me those things. I wouldn’t have minded giving them more emotion essence.

Hun!

I was about to reply when I noticed the movement from the corner of my eye.

I saw nobles of Baronies gathering, even Ignatius, who was talking with some guests, had moved toward his parents, with August beside him.

“Something is happening,” I said, and his expression turned serious as he turned toward them.

Others have also noticed that within a second, the whole ballroom had quieted down and was looking at the Blackwells for the answer.

It took nearly a minute before Ignatius turned toward us.

“Ladies and gentlemen, honoured guests—”

“I had hoped tonight would remain untouched by the burdens of the world beyond these walls. But fate, as ever, does not wait upon our convenience.” He said and sighed.

Confirming my suspicions.

“The scouts have informed us that monsters are rapidly gathering to form the tide.”

“They might not attack, but I will ride immediately to be cautious, while leaving you in the safety of the city and the protection of Commander Wilderwood.”

“You may finish your wine, your dances, your laughter tonight. And you should. Let it echo. Let it defy the fear that marches toward us.”

“Let the tide come. It will find our courage waiting.” He finished and walked out with August.

I also noticed my sister is slipping away.

Which isn’t a surprise, her territory will be the first to be attacked. If the monsters break out, it is why she is always at Bram Valley whenever monsters attack.

It’s such a regret that I wanted to talk to her.

“Blackwell could give a speech. It was much better than the dull one earlier,” said Lord Kadyz, and I couldn’t help but nod at that and turned to Lord Blackwell.

“I know, many of you are thinking of leaving, but I request you stay.”

“If the monsters attack, the city would be the safest place. We have an army protecting us, and if things become serious, then bunkers.”

“As long as you remain in the city, no harm shall come to you. That is our promise,” said Lord Blackwell.

It stopped most of the people, but some still slipped away.

“Are you planning to leave, Lord Silver?” asked Kadyz. “No, my lord. As Lord Blackwell stated, the city is the best place to stay safe,” I replied and walked away.

I have no intention of leaving. I have fought the monsters and know how dangerous they can be.

It is best to remain here, and most people seemed to think the same, as they didn’t leave.

The liquor flowed without limit, and people drank to calm their nerves. I took that chance to mingle.

Drunk people are the best. You could get a lot out of them than when they are sober.

Hun!

I was mingling around when I stopped as I sensed something.

A legacy had died.

It is from Zenid, actually, from the east. I was focused on the feeling when Miss Wells appeared beside me.

“There is a message from Madam Caena. Arta Taurus had passed away,” she informed.

I am not surprised. I had guessed that much.

Arta Taurus is the master of Taurus Theatre. We had paid them a lot of essence not to milk the core. Now, it is coming to the Velvet Garden.

It’s a common legacy, but it has the things I want. The aspect of theatre and emotion that my emotion didn’t have.

I would have liked to be present, but it’s fine. Caena is more than enough to handle it.

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