City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Proofread by Thomas F

Marquess Grimvale

‘Thank you for the well wishes, Lord Marquess,’ said the man on the other side.

“Of course, Lord Silver, and once more, congratulations,” I replied before the call was cut. A moment later, I took my hand from my mage and turned to the two sitting in front of me.

“Grade IV legacy, the undead are damn lucky!” said Robert, Robard now.

“If we had a few months. You would have been able to conquer it,” added Countess Velaniel. “It’s not going anywhere. It will be here in the region.” I replied, not hiding my intent for the Greltheaven and Velvet Garden.

They smiled hearing that, before their faces turned serious.

“What are we going to do about Deerpond? Even now, he is not willing to muster his forces with us?” asked the Countess Velaniel. To that he smiled.

He had failed to reach any agreement with Greltheaven, but he did sign some with Deerpond and Port Midlet.

“There is no need to worry about it. When the undead come, that man will have no choice but to come running toward us.” I replied.

Nobody in this region is a match for undead but me. Even I understood how difficult it would be for me to deal with the horde, but I have a trump card that will give me a chance.

I might not be able to defeat them, but I have the confidence to keep them at bay.

“Then, we have nothing to be worried about,” said Robard, relieved.

Their survival depends on me, without me. They couldn’t do anything against the undead.

The meeting ended soon. I am going to retire early today. I have to leave tomorrow for Dustorn Fortress, where I will take charge the day after that.

This region might be a wasteland, but it’s not without opportunities. It has a lot of them.

Mines of Deerpond, legacy in Greltheaven, the river route, and port cities. As long as I get them, I will be able to realise my long ambitions.

…

House of Silver

“A bloody throne!” said the old woman sitting to the right of the Head of the House, breaking silence.

The meeting was called the moment they confirmed the news. The Lady of Storms had herself confirmed that Remus’s legacy had advanced to Grade IV.

“It’s completely unexpected. I still can’t believe it,” said Gerald, with many nodding.

They had called Greltheaven and spoke to Hendriks and Graham. Only they are receiving the calls. Remus had only talked to Head and Gerald.

“Believe it or not, but it’s the truth,” replied old-man Everette.

His words made many sitting in front of him sigh with acceptance.

“It may have advanced, but how long will he be able to remain in control, much less help us?” asked Raymond.

“In less than three days, undead will conquer the city and Remus will be prisoner forever,” he added, from behind the chairs.

He had lost his seat. They had given it to someone younger, more useful.

There is some sick joy in his eyes, and others noticed that, glaring at him, but they also understood that he spoke the truth.

Remus was separated from the family, like his sister.

It was done to allow them to develop their own way, but also to insulate the mercantile house from the consequences of their actions.

In reality, relations continued and became even stronger, with the house receiving a monthly supply of emotion essence, essence potions, mist goods, and other items.

It helped them a lot as everybody understood; they had only separated in name.

Now, it had advanced to the throne, and it should have been grand celebrations. Instead, it’s a sombre meeting.

“I spoke to him a few days ago. He seemed hopeful that he would be able to deal with the undead,” said Selina, making Raymond laugh.

He quieted down as all the others glared at him.

“It will be hard, but if anyone could do this, then it would be Remus. He had crushed many challenges before, and he might survive this one too,” said Thompson, but many shook their heads and sighed.

“There is a huge difference between the incoming and the past hordes.”

“It will be massive enough to swallow the whole region, not to mention the Lv. 40’s. This is a force that will make even the powerhouses in the empire think.” Replied Old-man Everrette.

Everybody has their thoughts, but one stood out among them.

That the chance of victory is slim.

“For the first time, in House of Silver’s history. A person has risen with potential to shape the continent.”

“Call me an idiot, but I refuse to believe that even an unending tide of undead hordes will be able to crush him!” “I don’t know how, but he will crush them and come out victorious!” the Head finally spoke.

His words made them all serious; many disagreed with him, including his son, but they respected the faith he was putting in Remus, blind as it may be.

…

“The last call,” said Zela, and my expression became sombre.

It’s the Lord of Owlspring. I had talked to merchants, but his is essential, because he belongs to the state of Meldhorn. Adran Bryndon is a mercenary of Meldhorn.

The merchant state had designated him to negotiate for his release.

The call connected.

“Congratulations, Lord Silver, from me and my city,” said the man. “Thank you, Lord Verulus,” I replied.

“I was in an important meeting when they had informed me about it. I didn’t dare to believe it.”

“However, Safamae did, she said, if anyone could achieve such a feat, it would be the Velvet Garden,” he said. “Please, thank Lady Tylcharis for me,” I replied, with a smile.

“How is she? I hope. She is doing well?” I asked about his mistress.

She is pregnant; she would have given birth by now, but from what I heard. It’s turning out to be a somewhat complicated pregnancy.

I don’t know the exact detail, but I heard she is being monitored by healers twenty-four-seven.

“She is good,” he replied, and I didn’t ask further.

There was a silence after that; the giant elephant was in the room and we had to talk about it, but I didn’t hurry.

“Adran Bryndon, I hope, you will release him,” he said finally. Just hearing his name, anger burned in my heart, but I managed to control it.

“He had injured my staff and tried to force himself on another. Not to mention, he damaged my legacy, which is forbidden, and even tried to kill me, and you want me to release him?” I asked.

The man on the other side sighed.

“Meldhorn is too lenient with their mercenaries. I had been telling the council to keep the tight leash on them, but they didn’t listen.”

“Alas, he is a mercenary of Melhorn and represents the state. I am requesting you as a representative of the state to release him,” he said gently, but there was force of authority in it.

I cannot ignore it, no matter how much I want. The merchants are still too important to me.

“You are asking me to release the man who had tried to kill me,” I said after a moment of silence. “He wouldn’t have killed you, even in his mad state; he understood the consequences of that.”

“But you are also right. He used the artifact of the state and even aura methods for non-sanctioned reasons, which is completely unacceptable, and I promise you, he will be punished for it.”

“Besides, you had already punished him. You had brought him to his knees and arrested him in front of hundreds of people. He will bear this humiliation, for the rest of his life.” He replied.

He is absolutely right; it is one of the reasons why I did. For a highly egotistical person like him, it will be torturous.

“Still,” I said, showing hesitation.

“I understand your hesitation, and the Merchant State will pay you for the damage to your legacy and the mental agony you and your staff have suffered.” He replied.

“Since it is you, Lord Verulus, I will release him, but I have a few conditions,” I said. Follow current novels on novęlfire.net

A few minutes later, the call ended.

There was not really any choice; the merchant state is a humongous mountain. Even with a throne, I am nothing but a boulder in front of them.

So, I used it to get something for me.

I closed my eyes and lay against the chair. I have to take a lot more calls, but I will do it tomorrow and the day after that. I had talked to all the important people I needed to.

Hun!

I was thinking a few things when I sensed Stone. He had reached the city and will be arriving in a few minutes.

I opened my eyes and gave a few orders telepathically, before a book came flying toward me.

Click!

A few minutes later, the door opened and Stone finally walked inside.

“How much?” he asked, and I only smiled.

For a moment, there was confusion, before his eyes widened in shock. It’s not easy to surprise him, much less shock, but here he is.

“We will need to overhaul our complete plan for it,” he said after a few seconds of silence.

“Yes,” I replied with a smile.

“Congratulations on advancement, my lord,” he finally congratulated. “Thank you, General,” I replied. He nodded and walked away.

He didn’t even sit; there is no need for it. He has come to realize the most important thing, and now he has to plan.

I stayed in my office for an hour and a half before walking toward my room to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be very busy.

I would need all the rest I could get.

I am also excited to sleep after months. I am going to advance into my main class. I had been waiting for this moment, and it will finally happen in a few hours.

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