City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Proofread by Thomas F

“You should have woken me up sooner,” I said to Zela as I walked out of the room.

She looked rested.

She had taken a few naps after I forced her to yesterday, but she had also fought a brutal battle, and naps were not enough to help her fully recover.

“You needed rest,” she replied, and I want to be angry, but I know she did it for me.

She was right.

I was able to hold off on the need for sleep until I arrived at Panar. I was barely keeping myself standing in the morning.

“How is the battle going? Have they broken through the wall?” I asked, and she smiled. “They conquered the city a few hours ago,” she replied. It shocked me.

So much so that I wasn’t able to react at all before I closed my eyes and focused on my class.

I am such an idiot. If I had just focused on my class, I would have known instantly.

As one advances to a higher level, the classes become more comprehensive. Through my Lord Class, I could feel my domain had expanded, covering a large western part of the region.

“How?” I asked.

There might be fewer undead, but combined with the human army of Daphus, it wouldn’t have been easy.

“The internal rebellion. Daphus’s people rebelled and helped us gain control of the gates. We have captured the city, with minimal losses,” she replied.

It made me happy, but also filled me with a sense of relief. I don’t want to lose more men than I already have.

“I will inform Governor Knox that you have arrived. She wants to meet you as soon as you wake up.” She said. I shook my head.

“Tell her, I will meet her in her office in twenty minutes,” I replied and went back to my room.

I went to the bathroom, freshened up, and took a shower. I had removed all the bandages. Most of the injuries have healed.

The rest won’t take long.

I walked out and changed into the suit. I have a few spares here, and I chose the black one and wore it.

As I did, I activated Get Ready. Immediately, the light covered my body and remained there for three seconds before it disappeared.

When I looked at myself, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

I looked good, my clothes were perfect, without the slightest wrinkle.

The same is my hair and every part of my body. As I had said, many skills might not have upgraded, but they have become powerful.

Taking the one last look. I walked out of the room, and soon, I was out of the governor’s mansion.

There is a carriage already waiting for me. I wish I could ride, but I simply stepped inside the carriage with the Zela.

“Congratulations on advancement, Lord Silver,” she congratulated. “You too,” I replied, and she smiled.

She didn’t level up in a conventional sense. It is difficult for mages. Especially when they reach the higher level, there are conditions they need to fulfil.

I congratulated her because she had passed one of two significant hurdles to reach the level of a Great Mage.

‘I would need to build a damn Mage Tower as soon as possible,’ I thought. She is not the only one at this stage, and there will be more in the future.

Soon, the carriage entered the city hall and came to a stop.

The guard opened the door, and I walked out. People stopped in greeting and bowed.

I nodded at them and stepped into the city hall, and walked toward Ina’s office. Soon, I reached the office, and the guards bowed before opening the door.

I saw Ina in her office, but another person was also present. She is still bandaged and pale.

“You shouldn’t have come so soon, General,” I said to Azalia. She was heavily injured in the battle. A day is far from enough to recover from it.

“It’s my city, my lord,” she replied. I opened my mouth and just sighed.

I motioned Ina to sit back on her chair and sat down on the couch.

“The reinforcements were diverted toward Norke,” informed my General. “The Knight is smart; he knows they wouldn’t be able to take the city back from us,” replied Ina.

“It’s a golden opportunity to take Norke. It’s such a regret that we didn’t have enough forces for it,” said General Azalia with a sigh.

I would love to take Norke, but I just don’t have the forces.

I have only one hundred and ten thousand, of which fifty thousand are at Gailhorn, around thirty in Panar, and Greltheaven each.

That is not enough force to keep my cities safe, much less attack another.

It was already a significant risk to attack Gailhorn. If not for the favourable conditions, I wouldn’t have done that.

If we take the risk and attack Norke, then we will pay a price. I can say without doubt that others will not hesitate to attack me.

We talked for a few minutes before General Azalia got up to leave.

“Congratulations, General,” I said to her. “You too, my lord,” she replied and walked away. It is because of this that she could even walk.

She advanced to a level that very few could reach.

“We have proved ourselves with the undead. So, we will get a relative calm for a while. It is a great opportunity for our growth,” I said. She nodded.

“We had been close to achieving our target before the undead attack. I believe we still could, with some minor adjustment,” Ina replied.

“I am already getting inquiries from the people who had left; many want to return,” she added, but I shook my head.

“No, I need you at Gailhorn,” I replied, and could see the shock on her face. She had not expected it.

I know the state of the Gailhorn when the undead had it and talked to Valentina, on the ride to the city hall. The city is a shambles.

It is not as decrepit and dirty as the Panar had been, nor does it have starving citizens, but it has its own set of problems.

Drugs, corruption, and other things. I would rather have someone I explicitly trust and who understands my vision at the helm.

It is a larger city than Panar, with significantly greater potential due to its status as a port city.

I need to develop it to support the dominion, and I would rather not have anyone other than her leading it.

“There are many capable people,” she said after a few seconds, but I just kept looking at her.

I know, she loves Panar and poured out her blood and sweat, but the dominion is more important than a single city.

“Thank you for your trust, Master Silver,” she said as she finally accepted.

“Who is going to take over after me?” she asked a moment later. “I haven’t made the decision yet,” I replied. It is why I am going to meet those people.

“We are going to leave at midnight for Gailhorn. Make your preparations by then,” I stated and got up, before walking out the door.

There are a few things I have to check at Panar, but I will do it on the way back from the Gailhorn.

“There are a lot of people who want to talk to you,” said Zela. “As do I,” I replied, and walked into the office beside Ina’s.

Hours passed, I talked to people, had dinner, and even took a small nap, before walking out of the city hall with Ina to leave for Gailhorn.

“Please think about it, Lord Silver. It is very risky to travel with such a small force,” requested General Azalia.

“At least take the whole cavalry. A squad is far too small,” she pleaded, looking at fourteen riders of cavalry, along with Zela and Ina.

Some of the essential staff have already left earlier from here, as well as those from Greltheaven.

We will need a lot of our people in Gailhorn. The army could only protect it, but not run the city, and we have only a few such skilled people.

Seeing how many had left, fearing the undead. 

“The smaller force is better, General. This way, we will be able to escape from any danger we might find ourselves in.” I replied.

Another reason is that these are the fastest beats we have.

Taking the whole cavalry will be slow; although it is the fastest force, its speed can’t be compared to that of my horse.

“Be careful, my lord. If you encounter anything strange, send the message immediately,” she said, finally, seeing I won’t be budging from my decision.

“I will, General,” I replied and mounted on Tempest.

Yes, I have finally given him a name. I thought of a pet-like name, but it wouldn’t look good. I am a lord, I can’t just name my horse Jimmy.

I was torn between Lightning and Tempest. Lightning is too obvious; it would seem I didn’t have any imagination at all.

Tempest seemed best; he is like a Tempest. Powerful and destructive. However, it is very good at keeping those powers in control.

…

Soren Arryn

“Lord Silver had left the Panar, and he has taken the Governor of Panar with him,” informed Cooper, my mage.

We have been moving toward the Panar, and plan to reach there by morning. I would have left sooner, but there was work, too much work at the merchant guild.

It wouldn’t have looked good if I left it incomplete.

So, I dealt with the business and handled others to the best of my ability before leaving the city.

“If he is taking her. It is very likely that he will give the Governorship of Gailhorn to her,” said my wife. I wanted her to stay, but she insisted on coming.

“I had gotten that sense when I met with Carla Salt earlier,” I replied sombrely.

She implied that Lord Silver will hand over Gailhorn to an experienced hand.

There is only one experienced hand in the city, unless Lord Silver is planning to give it to some nobles who will newly arrive in the city.

Which was unlikely.

“Panar would still need a Governor,” I said, and she smiled.

I want to become Governor; I am capable of handling such responsibility, but competition is tough. Hendricks, Hercule, Hardt, and many more desire it.

All have left the city and will be in Gailhorn tomorrow. That is our destination now.

“Are you sure it won’t be another woman from Velvet Garden? His assistant has some experience,” she asked. Yes, Lola Monet does have some experience from Lauryl.

“Carla Salt implied that it won’t be anyone from Velvet Garden,” I replied.

My family didn’t buy the title and territory from the Prince in the baronies. They didn’t want to seem aligned with him, which was a wise choice.

Given how Crown Prince hates the House of Hardt, which had thrown their weight behind Prince Grelt.

I supported that decision and still do. I never had an interest in becoming a noble, but being a Governor is different.

Lord Silver has a great future.

He already achieved a remarkable feat, but he will go far beyond it. It is because of this belief that I have not left the city, despite many others having done so.

He is going to leave a significant mark on history, and I want to be part of that.

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