City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Proofread by Thomas F

“Very close,” I said with ragged breath as I put down the broken practice sword.

She didn’t reply, other than to smile.

I had reached very close to her, closer than I had ever been before. Aside from my artifact, I had used everything — my skills and aura — but it wasn’t enough.

I had made a lot of progress with aura in the battle, but not enough to reach close to her, much less touch her with my weapon.

Her control surpasses mine; she can wield aura skills with a level of finesse that I can only dream of.

She is also getting better at fighting. It wasn’t that long ago that she could barely fight. Now, it is like walking on thorns to get close to her.

“You have made good progress, but there is a lot more to be done.”

“You have got the very powerful class and skills; you need to improve your control to use them at their greatest efficiency,” she advised.

“I understand, but there is too much work. I could only practice once a day,” I replied with a sigh.

I didn’t even get a minute to practice in the office. So, I practice before sleeping. Still, I will have to find time and practice multiple times a day, like I used to before.

“How are others doing?” I asked.

“The girls are doing well. So, are your people in the army, but you need to find a better teacher, at least for your people in the army,” she replied.

“A soldier or warrior, who at least masters enough control to use the basic aura methods,”

“It will help you, too. For all my control, I had never truly fought with my life on the line,” she added, and she is right.

She is an amazing teacher, and she could teach me anything. The things I had learned during my practice with Kalos had been instrumental.

She does not have that type of experience.

She is teaching Carla, Ina, Barb, Lola, Eudo, Caena, and Margaux, along with Stone and Jon. Carla was teaching the rest of the girls and the people in the army.

Bell’s identity is very sensitive; we could not let people know about it.

It is why even the girls in the tower are being taught by Carla. The risk is too big, not only for her, but also for the dominion.

It’s why Carla teaches, while she guides her from behind. It is not the best option we have, but we could work with it. Although I will soon need to find another teacher.

For my people and me as well.

It will be extremely tough, because the people with such control would be at Lv. 40, and they are hard to get to come here.

Still, I will be trying.

Aura is the most extraordinary power, and I want my people to excel at it. They need to be the best at it, given the dangers that are around us.

A few minutes later, I walked out.

Once I reached my room, I showered and ate breakfast before walking toward my office.

I will be going to the city hall a little late today. I have a funeral to attend at the college. Yesterday was the funeral of the armed forces members who had lost their lives in battle.

The casualties were not as high as we had feared before the battle, but many people died, and we honoured them with the ceremony they deserved.

There is still time. The funeral is an hour and a half away; before that, I have an important meeting.

I sorted out my thoughts and took a look at a few things, including the letter from Lord of Inam, asking me to begin as soon as I can.

Three days had passed since the negotiations had completed, but we hadn’t bonded with Vanis Tavern yet. There are a few preparations we need to make before we do it.

It shouldn’t take us more than a few days.

‘Master Silver, they are here,’ informed Jill. A moment later, Amellus entered, with Valentina.

“Lord Silver,” he greeted. I nodded and asked him to sit.

“Did Valentina tell you why I had called you?” I asked, and he nodded. “She said, it’s about legacy,” he replied, glancing at her, while I smiled.

“It is, but it’s more than that,” I said, looking at Valentina, who still hasn’t gotten over the shock.

Two days ago, I showed her the true size of legacy, and she was entirely shaken.

I looked at the man, and I could feel his excitement. He already has a lot on his plate; the outer city and Mage Tower, whose financing would be accomplished in a few days.

Still, he is the only choice I have; he knows the legacy well and is capable of bringing my vision to reality.

Most importantly, he is one I trust. That is why I am giving him the responsibility. When with a simple word, the best architects from every kingdom would descend on the city.

Everybody wants the chance to work on the legacy.

“Close your eyes, Mr. Amellus,” I said to the man, and he looked confused.

“Just do it,” added Valentina with a sigh. She knew about it; I showed her the same way.

Hearing her, he finally closed his eyes. There were a lot of questions in his eyes, all of which will be answered very soon.

A moment passed, and I covered him with the power of the legacy, revealing its true extent to him. He will be only the third non-member of Velvet Garden to see it.

Gasp!

Immediately, a gasp came out of his mouth, almost the same as the one that came out of Valentina’s.

I kept projecting it for a few seconds, let him explore it, before stopping.

It took him nearly half a minute before he opened his eyes, which were filled with astonishment.

“I expected the size of legacy to increase, but never to this degree!”

“It will be the second biggest legacy, smaller only to Archmage Tower,” he said, his voice thick with wonderment. I nodded.

“It is also not rigid?” he asked. “Yes,” I replied. The skills change has given me much better control over the legacy than before.

“It is going to cost a lot of money,” he said. “That would be a profound understatement,” replied Valentina with a laugh.

“I do not want just that,” I said, and this time, it surprised Valentina. “Do you want to expand the park as well?” she asked, understanding what I meant. I nodded.

“How much?” she asked. “Let’s focus on legacy first,” I replied and turned to Amellus.

“I have four designs in mind; I will choose the one after you refine them,” I said to him, and the next moment, I activated Vision Projection.

I have thought about these designs for years since I began the construction of this tower. After the advancement, they will no longer be just dreams.

One is similar to the current tower; three are very different.

I projected them into the minds of these two; I could have given them rough designs I had drawn, but this is much better.

A minute later, I had stopped.

“It’s ambitious,” said Valentina, her expression serious.

“It needs to be,” I replied. “I want Greltheaven to prosper, and this will be the driver of it,” I added.

“It will also attract a lot of eyes,” she said. I am not oblivious to the massive risks associated with it; I thought a lot about that before I made the decision.

“People coventing us anyway; we might as well go all out,” I replied. I understand the risk, but backing down is not an option.

This way, we will be even more prepared for whatever comes our way.

In the years, I understood. It is not always wise to be too careful. Sometimes, one needs to be bold and make a statement.

“What about the park and garden?” she asked again. The next moment, her eyes widened as I projected my plan for it.

Unlike the four designs, which are only a concept. This is a clear plan. This is my desire, and it will be very expensive.

“It will cover a fifth of the city!” she said, shaken.

The current park area covers less than 5% of the city, but the new one will cover 20% of it. It won’t be just a simple park.

It will be much more. It will be something that fills people’s hearts with awe.

It will be the most magnificent thing after the legacy and will aid the legacy in supercharging the growth of the city.

“I haven’t even told you the best part about it,” I said with a smile.

Forty minutes later, they left with their eyes lost in reflection. I had explained my whole plan, which astonished and shocked them.

There is also burning excitement in there, because it is something that will shock the whole continent.

Click!

A few minutes passed, and my door opened before Carla walked in. She is wearing a plain long black dress with white pearls.

“It’s time,” she said. I nodded and closed the file before getting up.

We walked out of my office and stepped into the elevator. I didn’t speak, nor did she; we stayed in silence.

The elevator stopped, and we got out before walking out of the tower and stepping into the carriage waiting for us outside.

It moved, but not in its usual direction, but toward the college.

The ride passed in silence, and soon we reached the location. Hundreds have already gathered, mostly girls and a few others.

I have given them an hour off for this.

Seeing them, a remorse welled up in my heart. I felt guilty for the soldiers, but I felt more blameworthy here.

All my citizens should be equal to me, but Velvet Garden and its girls have a cherished place in my heart, which is above everyone else.

The carriage stopped, and I got out.

Immediately, I felt their eyes on me. The weight of it nearly made me look away, but I did not. Instead, I bore them despite feeling it was unbearable.

I walked silently before finally reaching the front.

There was the bronze urn, which contained half of Nerissa’s ashes. The other half were buried in the military cemetery with the soldiers.

Many people are standing by it: Barb, the rest of the Embers, those who fought, and those who are in training.

Caena, Margaux, and other madams, along with people like Miss Dawnstar and the tower staff.

I nodded at them and stopped beside the bronze urn.

A hush fell across the gathering as Barb stepped forward, emotions heavy across her face. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she began.

“Her loss was heavy; it left a tremendous void in our hearts,” she paused, steadying herself before continuing.

“But it was honourable. Nerissa wanted her life to mean something; she wished to die more than a whore!”

“And she did!”

“She died honourably protecting the city and her sisters, that she loved more than her life,” Barb smiled gently as she finished and finally wiped tears from her eyes, while her words stood heavily in the air.

The silence was only broken when Caena stepped forward to speak, then it was Margaux and Carla. I spoke as well, but I don’t even remember what I said.

All my focus is on the eyes of the hundreds of girls.

I didn’t see the blame in them, not even a speck of it. There is only pride and love for their sister, who had fallen.

Soon, the speeches were finished, and Bishop Alanis, or I should say Archbishop. In a few days, her church will announce her new position.

She will be the Archbishop of Greltheaven.

Soon she finished and we buried the urn in the earth. Marking the end of the funeral.

I conversed with others for a few minutes before walking toward the carriage with Carla.

“You didn’t have to feel guilty,” said Carla suddenly, and I looked at her. “She was a brave girl who had died for a purpose she believed in,” I kept looking at her.

“In society, a whores life is worth less than an animal. A chance to become more than that, to be remembered with pride, is a blessing from heaven for us,” her words lingered in the quiet air, with weight and resolve.

“A life is lost, Carla,” I said quietly.

“Yes, it is, and everyone will miss her dearly, but remember, she died protecting what she loved, and for her, it was the greatest accomplishment of her life.” Her voice carried a plea for understanding.

“Try to see it from our perspective and you will understand,” she added softly.

I remained silent, my mind tangled in thoughts.

I grew up in a society where every life is considered precious. I was not blind to Earth’s flaws. There were wars and famines, but life still mattered.

“You know, since the battle. Over fifty people applied to join the embers, while a third of them joined the martial class,” she said.

I nodded absently as I was still trying to sift through my thoughts.

Soon, we reached the carriage, and it took us toward the legacy. We arrived, and I dropped Carla off as the carriage moved toward City Hall. All along the way, I was still lost in my thoughts.

The carriage had reached near the city hall when, finally, my eyes became clear and I turned.

“Jon, you can begin,” I said finally.

I still don’t understand it, and I don’t think I ever will, but I can respect it. If they want the opportunities, I will give it to them, despite feeling conflicted about it.

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