City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Proofread by Thomas F

The armor appeared.

It’s armor of green scales with blue metal connecting between them. It resembled a blue iron armor in which the scales are inlaid.

The scales exhibit a distinctive green burst formation, characteristic of an incursion beast.

It is technically enchanted armor, but because of its material, it could be categorized as half-artifact. The most interesting thing about it is the material.

Both the scales and metal are highly sensitive to neural signals, which are further enhanced by the enchantments.

So, one doesn’t need to have an aura to use it, but with an aura, it becomes incredibly powerful.

“This,” he said, turning to the armor, and I felt the speechless pause.

“This is an enchanted armor, but it’s stronger than my old half-artifact armor,” he said, with a clear tone in his voice; “it’s very rare to see such things.”

“It is,” I replied with a smile.

The man approached it, and his facial expression changed drastically as he turned to me.

“Who does it belong to?” he asked. Oh, he likely sensed the extremely faint residue of power that was present in the armor. “Kaelan the limitless,” I replied.

He froze, hearing that; it took a few seconds for him to come to himself.

“The Wavebreaker of the West,” he said softly, and I nodded. It is by that title; he is known worldwide.

His life was such that he earned numerous titles: Kaelan the Limitless, Wavebreaker of the West, Crippled Titan, and so on.

He is now just like him, but unlike him; his condition was natural. He was born without limbs. Still, despite that, he had become one of the greatest heroes of the last incursion.

“Have you raided, House Verulus, Lord Silver?” he asked, of course, in mirth. “I could not, even if I wanted to,” I replied, shaking my head.

He would crush me if I went to raid him, and it wouldn’t even take him too long.

“He is a friend, he let me borrow it for you,” I explained. He gave it to me, even without asking, which was a huge thing. Considering this is an heirloom with immense sentimental value.

“I feel unworthy of it,” he said, looking at the armor. “If anyone is worthy of it, it would be you, Sir Schengen,” I replied, and I believe it.

I respect this man, which is why I have been trying to ransom him, despite knowing his condition. Even when I didn’t even have the ability to heal him.

He paused for a couple of seconds before his aura moved.

A clicking sound rang out from the armor, and soon the middle part of it had opened, including the helm. The old man seemed to stare at it for a moment before floating inside.

As he did, more clicking sounds rang out. It closed, enclosing him inside the armor.

He is now fully enclosed in it; not even his eyes are visible. In its place are translucent scales. Once inside, nobody could know his identity.

It’s a beautiful armor, it suits him well.

As I was looking at it, the armor moved. The movement was odd before, but within seconds, it became smooth and fluid.

“It’s instinctive; it is making me feel like I still have my limbs,” he said, his voice soft as a whisper. It is sensitive armor, but just as powerful.

“Here, wear this; it would be troublesome if someone recognised you,” I said, handing him the green cloak. It is enchanted, made to hide what is inside.

It slid on him like satin, covering him whole before we walked out.

His aura spreads far and wide, but so faintly that even those with an aura wouldn’t sense it. However, the madams with aura noticed it immediately.

They are very sensitive within legacy; barely anything escapes their notice.

Though they just looked and went back to their work, while we walked around.

“I had heard that you had constructed quite a big legacy. He had said, It is one of the biggest on the continent,” he said. He felt everything through his aura as we walked around.

“Currently, the third biggest on the continent, but after reconstruction, it will become the second biggest,” I replied, and could feel the big surprise on his face.

It was easing when suddenly his expression froze; his aura reached out from the floor.

“What floor are we, Lord Silver?” asked the man. “Twenty-fourth floor, Sir Schengen,” I replied. The old man didn’t say anything, but it was clear that he was having a hard time believing it.

“When I left, it was a beautiful, small legacy, but now it has become gigantic. This old man is having a hard time believing it,” he said softly.

“Sometimes, even I couldn’t truly believe it,” I replied with a sigh as I looked around.

There was a silence as I moved around the hall. I could see people looking at us, and I let them. I want them to know there is a new powerhouse in the baronies, but I want to keep them from guessing who.

It will have a deterrent effect, which I very much need.

“I hope the question is not difficult to answer, but how did you survive that archmage spell?” I asked, and the man laughed. Though not with the joy or mirth.

The man hid his tracks well, within a day of leaving the city. Nobody could find him.

Even Darrow didn’t know his location, and he cursed him for leaving despite having initially hurried him to go when the emperor died.

“I was not there; I was ambushed on the way and got captured,” he replied, shaking his head.

He is a powerful man, but there are monsters in the empire. If the empire hadn’t been this strong, it wouldn’t have dared to go against the merchant state.

The enemies are attacking us due to political instability. If the emperor were still alive, they wouldn’t have dared to.

“So, many people had died in that spell. I didn’t know how the Crown Prince was able to access it.” I said. Prince Grelt died along with hundreds of thousands of his men and allies.

“I heard they could only be accessed when the empire is in danger?” I asked, and he laughed once more.

“It was the emperor; he unlocked the few spells for the crown prince before he died,” he replied, and my expression couldn’t help but turn bad.

Not only mine, but also Stone’s.

“Does he have any left?” I asked. To that, he shook his head. “I don’t know,” he replied and sighed.

It made my expressions worse because the Crown Prince had never confirmed or denied it, but also said that his enemies would pay with their lives if they came anywhere near him.

He might not have any spell left, but there is a good chance he might.

That itself provides a deterrent. Those who want to move against him need to think very hard before moving against him, because he could wipe them out with a single spell.

There are very few things that could protect one against such spells.

A few minutes passed, and we walked around, talking about different things—serious, non-serious, everything.

“You have ransomed me from Thalewin, it wouldn’t have been cheap?” he asked suddenly. “It was not,” I replied trustfully; there is no need to lie.

“The spell and the armor didn’t come without a cost either,” he said. “Yes,” I conformed.

“I know you mean well, Lord Silver, but I am sure you wouldn’t have done this without a reason,” he said, turning to me. His fake eyes were focusing on me, making me feel the weight behind them.

“You are absolutely right, Sir Schengen,” I replied.

“So, what can I do for you?” he asked straightforwardly. “I need ten years of service from you, Sir Schengen,” I replied, and there was barely any change in his face.

“I do not want you to fight in the battles. Though if you do, I would appreciate it.”

“The main thing I want from you is to teach my people, both combat and aura,” I stated. He was a Knight Marshal of the Imperial Knights and fought in many campaigns across the empire and beyond.

He has extensive experience that my people could benefit tremendously from. As for teaching aura, he is very good at it. It was his job at the Imperial Knights before he left it to join Prince Grelt’s side.

“Where do I need to sign?” he asked a moment later. I thought he would think about it, but he didn’t.

“There is no need to sign any contract, Sir Schengen. Your word is more than enough,” I replied, with others, I might have, but with him, I do not need to.

The man smiled before kneeling, his posture unwavering and his face solemn.

“I, Braron Schengen, swear on my honour as Knight that I will serve you faithfully for ten years, follow your every order as long as it does not besmirch my honour and creed.” His words rang with conviction, shaking the mist around us.

The sincerity in his voice left no room for doubt, which I never had from the beginning.

His loyalty is pledged, bound by honour above all else. I know he will serve me for ten years. I could have easily asked for more, but my honour would not let me.

Besides, ten years is more than enough.

Though I notice one thing in his oath; he referred to himself as a Knight, not an Imperial Knight. His name is removed from their directory, or maybe he wants to separate himself from them.

I could tell there is a story, but it’s not the time to ask about it.

“It is my great honour to have you in my service, Knight Marshal Schengen,” I replied and put a long black blade in his hand.

I gave him a tour of the entire floor before taking him to the balcony, which was surrounded by beautiful plants surrounded.

There is a table with two seats.

Even on the top floor, it’s a very exclusive space; very few people have the honour of sitting here.

“I am sure you are hungry, Sir Schengen. We have an expansive menu of food that will satisfy you to your soul,” I said, while the man shook his head. “Food is only a means of sustenance for me, my lord. Without a tongue, I cannot enjoy it,” he replied.

“I wouldn’t be so sure, Sir Schengen,” I said, and in that exact moment, two people came in.

The staff walked in, bringing the cart. Behind him was a young woman of nineteen. She is tall with pale green hair and dark blue eyes that are filled with curiosity.

She walked with authority; she might be young, but she is a Grade III and has a special class for which she is here.

“Master Silver,” she greeted with a bow. I nodded at her before turning to the Knight.

“Enjoy the meal, Sir Knight,”

It turned the man’s expressions strange, and a moment later, an embarrassed smile appeared on my face. I shouldn’t have said it that way.

Still, I didn’t explain and nodded at Henna before walking out.

The man had been imprisoned for years. Getting tortured every day. It couldn’t be stressed how much he needs normalcy to heal those psychological wounds.

It is why I didn’t immediately take the old man to the underground arena to spar with him despite desperately wanting to.

He needs to heal a little in mind before we start working him up.

One way to do that is to appreciate simple things like food, companionship, and other everyday pleasures.

She could help with that.

She is very good at talking, and she has a great love for food. It gave her a special secondary class, which I asked her to foster.

It had already reached Lv. 24; a remarkable progress for her age. Her main class is even higher.

Her class is titled ‘Connoisseur of Conversing Feast’.

She has a skill in that class, the one that lets her share the taste of the food she is eating. So, when they eat at the same time, he could taste the food she is eating.

It’s an excellent skill and very suitable for her, considering she is a natural supertaster.

“His addition will help us tremendously,” said Stone as we walked out. “It will,” I replied, and a big smile couldn’t help but appear on my face.

This man will solve one of the most significant problems I am facing—aura training.

I need my people to get control over their aura as soon as possible and learn the aura methods.

Things have become more dangerous with the taking of the fortress and baronies. We will need to be ready to deal with any threat, and aura methods will be tremendously helpful in that regard.

I feel very happy, but I have to be careful. His identity must remain secret, or there will be considerable trouble.

[Conditions Met: Knight Marshal of Entombed Chains – Knight Marshal of Iron Form]

Knight Marshal of Iron Form Lv. 47

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Witch Madam of Resplendent Legacy Lv. 45

[Skill Gained: Hour of Witch]

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