Chapter 998: Trip

Proofread by Thomas F

I stepped out of the carriage and looked at the empty area in front of me.

It won't be from tomorrow on.

"The plan my people drew is quite good. The enclave will be filled with dense trees surrounding the lake, gardens, beautiful lamps, and other beautiful things," Valentina informed, with her staff projecting the image in front of us.

This is a new quarter. We are planning in the outer ring, by the river.

The whole area would be covered in trees, which is very expensive given the cost of maintaining them, but this is a special area; here we are planning one.

More than half of it will be reserved for meritorious citizens, from soldiers and officers to citizens who performed meritorious deeds for the dominion.

It will be a highly regulated area, from house size to the designs.

We have created such areas in the inner city, and they have been a massive success with both citizens and tourists, but they are very expensive.

These will be too, but we will heavily subsidize them.

It will act as encouragement and a reward.

"It might take a year or more; all depends on the finances," she stated.

Ah, the money.

The financial condition of the dominion is improving steadily, with Mirador Hold and Panar already becoming self-sufficient, while Gailhorn and Lauryl are moving toward it.

"Might be sooner, if the legacy works," I replied.

I had bet a lot on its success; not the money I will gain from it, which will obviously be huge, but that is legacy's money. I am talking about the money the city will earn directly and indirectly.

Tourism, investments, and other things. We are going to need them.

Though it will only happen if we deal with the threats- there are a lot of them, and we will need to be extremely careful. One wrong step, and everyone in the region and beyond will descend on us.

"Let's hope so; there have already been a lot of inquiries," she said.

It will be a beautiful place; one more piece to make the city more beautiful.

We had discussed a few more things before walking toward the carriages.

"She is departing for the region next week, right?" asked Valentina. She is talking about Marchioness Arenthel. She will begin her travel to the region in a week.

It will take her a few weeks to reach Renwell. The distance is large, and also, her army is not in one place. She will gather it as she moves.

"It's unfortunate that we could not convince her to ally with us." I smiled as I heard that.

We knew the chances of that were very low. We are the very reason she and Viremont are coming to the region. I would have been surprised if she had accepted the deal.

Still, we had to try.

We had even tried with Viremont. Unlike Arenthel, he had publicly stated that he wants to conquer Greltheaven and has the support of many factions from the imperial court.

"She seems intelligent, reasonable. She may be powerful, but her army is smaller and has fewer powerhouses."

"She should understand that allying with us is the only choice, because Viremont is a threat to her. Given his tactics, he might decide to finish her and absorb her forces before he comes for us."

Her assessment is quite accurate but incomplete.

Stone had a full assessment based on the intelligence and information we have about her. The woman is highly unpredictable.

Sometimes she plays safe, but other times she takes massive risks.

Stone had guessed it is her style. Also, she likely has a specialized class that helped her with it.

This makes it hard to deal with and predict her actions. We cannot predict what she might do, but we can only prepare for it, including the possibility that she might ally with Viremont.

It wouldn't be a surprise given her nature.

"He might, but it wouldn't be easy," I replied.

Robin had returned yesterday, and he said the woman was highly intelligent and that we shouldn't judge her based on the number of her forces and powerhouses she had.

"We need decades at most to grow. If we have such time, then even imperials will have to take us seriously." Those words had filled her eyes with conviction.

"We will gain that time; we will need to fight tooth and nail for it, but we will," I replied.

I reached the carriage and stepped into it before it moved, watching the city through the window. I didn't have to come, but I needed something to calm me.

I might not show it, but I am stressed.

The enemies aren't weak; if they attack on all fronts, they could destroy us. Greltheaven will hold, but at the cost of its secrets, which will bring another set of troubles.

It is why it mustn't happen. At any cost, we shouldn't allow them to attack from all fronts.

"Anything from Thorn?" I asked, and she shook her head.

I had requested Ralis Thorn to provide me with information on the forces that would pass through his territory in the coming weeks.

Both Arenthel and Viremont would need to pass through Inam to enter the region.

I have collected a lot of intelligence, but they are still hiding many things.

"No," she replied.

Viremont had openly declared that he would respect the deal Thorn has with me. I even heard from my sources that he had promised an extra 30% in benefits to Thorn.

It isn't just him; he had done the same with imperials, nobles, and even merchants.

"Do you think he will do it?" she asked.

"I don't know, but we will have to try for every little edge we can get against our enemies," I replied, shaking my head.

Thorn has a good relationship with Viremont; they had fought together in their younger days, while his daughter-in-law is a blood relative of Arenthel.

The only advantage I have is Thorn's ambition.

Like everybody else, he too wants Greltheaven, and it would not be in his favor if Viremont or Arenthel captured it. So, he could provide me with that information, and I am not asking for free.

I had offered to pay a lot for it.

"There is some good news. Lady Ashenwood had agreed to your request," she stated.

Hearing that, a smile appeared on my face. Since I had fought alongside her husband, I had developed a good relationship with Manris and its ruling house.

In my last battle against the undead, some of the alchfire orbs we used had come from her.

After that, she had helped me buy some more.

"Good, we will need everything we could get our hands on." It might be excessive, but I am buying everything, spending a large amount of money and essence.

I don't know how many fronts we will need to fight on, but I want each of them prepared to deal with any threat that comes their way.

Soon, the carriage crossed the bridge, and a few minutes later, it stopped in front of the city hall.

"She is waiting in your office," Jill informed me. I nodded and stepped inside. Immediately, Margaux, sitting in my office, got up.

"Lord Silver," she greeted.

"Have you finished your preparations?" I asked, and she nodded. "I don't know why I have to go. The opening is barely two months away; there are so many things to do."

I laughed. She is leaving the dominion for two weeks tomorrow.

"I believe I am doing a good job, as headmistress. I do not need to go to some old academy for training." She said she doesn't like it; I wouldn't have, if I had been in her place.

"You are doing an excellent job; that doesn't mean you can't learn more things, Margaux."

"It's one of the oldest schools for ladies in the merchant states; I truly believe that you would learn something in your time there." 

There is a reason these schools are good. There could be so much to learn from it; the things that will make her better, make the college better.

It was something Carla arranged when she met the dean of the school at one party she attended in the Merchant State.

In exchange for training Margaux and the group. We agreed to train the same number of their pupils at Artisan's Garden, which is gaining quite a reputation for the talent it is attracting.

She will not only learn, but will also negotiate the agreement with the school.

Including opening a branch here.

"I will follow your directions," she replied.

I do not blame her for what she is feeling. The opening is not far, and there are tremendous responsibilities on her shoulders, but this is important as well.

"Also, Margaux. Be a little delicate when dealing with these people."

"They have massive influence; it would be great if we could build a good relationship with them," I advised. I didn't have to, seeing as it's Margaux, but it's important.

It's a school where the daughters of the rich and powerful learn. Many powerful women, including the Lady of Manris and her daughter, had attended this school.

I also said those words because places like these are filled with snobs who are set in their ways; some might make things difficult for her.

A few might cross the propriety and will need a delicate hand, but Margaux is more than capable of handling such people.

"I will not disappoint you, Master Silver."

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