City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Proofread by Thomas F

Transcendent Pleasure: Ophelia Alwyn Glynrieth

I walked out of the suite, ready to face the day. Today is an important day.

I’m moving forward with another expansion. We expect twelve new establishments to be completed by the time they’re ready. The first group of girls will complete their training at the college.

I will first test them in my other brothels before sending them to the new ones.

If they performed well, by a significant margin, then I will consider training more girls in college.

My mood was good, but soon, it turned sour. I saw Zamira there, waiting with Gandin, and seeing that smile, my mood turned sour.

We worked well together and could be considered allies, but I don’t like the woman, and the same goes for her.

“They declared the title,” she said, and I got a bad feeling.

I didn’t have to ask who declared the title. It didn’t feel right when Archmage City didn’t release the title the next day of its advancement.

They always do it; they have never missed even once in over two thousand years.

“It’s Aurelus Lysandor,” Gandin informed, mispronouncing the title, but I didn’t care about that. I care about the words.

“It means, Magnificent Lord, Honoured Lady,” said Zamira, mockingly. “I know,” I replied, gritting my teeth, barely stopping myself from snapping at her.

I know the titles.

I have studied the history of the legacies, and that is why I am shocked, because it is the first time. Archmage City had awarded that title in this era.

My title and that of all, lords of Grade IV legacies are Aurelus Vor. It means, Honoured Lord or Lady.

They have given him the title, a distinction they have never bestowed upon any other Grade IV legacy. I quickly recalled the conditions for obtaining it and the benefits it offers.

It soured my mood further.

“He met the conditions for it, albeit barely,” said Zamira, and this time, I glared at the woman, but she only smiled.

…

Vanis Lindgren

“Magnificent Lord,” said Lord Thorn, his face twisted in a bad expression.

He is not angry at the title; he is happy for it. The thing that angers him is the attention it will bring to young Silver, which is the last thing we need.

This is the first time this title has been given to the legacy on the continent in this era. I am surprised, but it disappeared when I remembered the conditions.

He fulfils them in my interpretation. Though many think he does not, and are complaining about it.

It is not good news for us, my Tavern, which I aim to turn into Velvet Garden’s pawn.

It is not something I want; no master of legacy ever wants to become a subject of another legacy, but it is the only option for the survival of my legacy.

Though I am not optimistic.

The Velvet Garden is a powerful legacy, and if it had advanced with the same strength it had when it went from Grade II to Grade III.

Then it is likely to be the strongest Grade IV legacy.

Such legacies do not choose legacies like mine as a pawn. They prefer something that would enhance and add value to them.

I hate to admit it, but my legacy is average. It has nothing that Silver might desire.

I would have had more hope if young Silver had been like most other masters, under the sovereigns. Then, he wouldn’t have any choice.

We are offering a lot of things to him, but others will provide more. Still, we have to try.

It is the only way my legacy could survive.

“Have you made all the preparations?” asked Lord Thorn. “Yes,” I replied.

“Good. I hope you will succeed. The fate of our city depends on it,” he said.

I am leaving for Greltheaven in a few hours; I had come to hash out a few things before leaving.

Earlier, we planned to go together, but since young Silver is not in the city, there is no use for the lord to come.

He will, the day young Silver returns, and I hope he will return soon, because my legacy does not have even a month. Two to three weeks at most, before the waning begins.

…

Silver

The carriage moved through the city and entered the port. I could see its state, and it made my expression turn bad.

We will need to spend a lot of money.

Thankfully, temporary repairs could be done, and then we will start making overhauling repairs and add new things.

The port is nearly empty aside from the guard. There are some ships. They belonged to the city and the undead, including the yacht.

I haven’t checked it out yet, but those who did say it is not as fine as the one I have, but it’s still very good.

Like me, Daphus had got it from the old lord. Now, it is mine, and in a day or two, after all checks are complete. I am going to bring it to Greltheaven.

I need it; there is a lot of diplomatic flurry going on in the next few months, and an extra yacht will help a lot.

“This city will change things for us,” said Robin, looking at the port. Valentina left yesterday, while he came here in the morning.

“It will,” I replied.

I wanted to come yesterday, but I was swamped dealing with a lot of things, talking to a lot of people. I mean, a lot of them, including those who want the job of Governor of Panar.

Many people from the powerful mercantile houses left before the undead, but some stayed. These individuals want their members to become a Governor of Panar.

Their Houses have also contacted me, and they are willing to offer numerous benefits.

I love the benefits, but I won’t be taking them. It is the city’s business, and I won’t allow any interference or influence in it.

The title announcement yesterday kept me busy, as many people called to congratulate me.

Saying the title surprised me would be an understatement. Aurelus Lysandor means Magnificent Lord. It is different from Aurelus Vor, the Honoured Lord.

It isn’t just an empty title; it comes with concrete benefits. One of them is access. It is now equal to Aurelus Veyr; the title of Lords of Grade V legacy.

It also offers access to some things they didn’t even have, as well as many other things.

It had suddenly thrust me into the spotlight, which will have consequences, but it will not be without benefits.

I will be trying to squeeze everything I can out of it. I shouldn’t bear the consequences alone; I should also receive some benefits.

“There are many people who want to meet with you. Lord of Inam is putting a large amount of pressure on meeting you,” said Robin, and I sighed.

I’ve spoken with the man three times already, and he’s eager to meet me as soon as possible.

“I don’t want to leave quickly, but it seemed like I would have to,” I replied. I had planned to stay here for at least a week, but it won’t be possible now.

Old Vanis had already arrived in the city and held a meeting with Carla and others.

He isn’t the only one; many representatives of the states and the legacies have arrived and are arriving in the city. I could already feel the headache, just thinking about the people I will have to meet.

A few minutes passed, and the port had disappeared from view. I could see the vast sea, but no ships were sailing on it.

I want that to change, I want to see hundreds of ships. If not thousands, coming and going out of Gailhorn’s port. It is a daring dream that will take a long time to achieve, but I will make it a reality one day.

I looked at the sea for a while before turning to the other side.

We have now come to a nondescript place. There is not even a paved road, but it has been used heavily, especially recently.

A few minutes later, the carriage stopped, and we got out.

Cardin is already there, along with guards and a few people from Daphus’s army.

“Let’s go,” I said after the pleasantries were over. I mounted the beast, a short one, suitable for the caves.

Soon, we moved and stepped through the entrance of the mine. At first, the entrance was so small that only two horses could move through at once, before widening.

It is a humid mine, and as we got further, the humidity increased.

A minute passed, and I saw the water leaking through the roof of the mines. We have reached the sea; it is a submarine mine we are walking into.

They are not as rare as one might think and about as safe as the regular mines.

Heavy guards stood at every post, all ours, eyes sharp and watchful. As I passed, they saluted and bowed in turn.

Finally, we made a turn and reached a place we had come to see, well, one of the places.

In front of me, a dark place; the only light is coming from the gentle soothing glow of the small plants. There are lines and lines of them.

“Glowleaf,” I said, looking at one of the most dangerous drugs in this world.

This plant requires high humidity, which is why places like this cave are perfect, with some adjustments made.

I could see the enchantments all over this place to help the plants grow.

“The scale of this place is shocking,” said Cardin, looking at the plant. This is just one of many; there are over a hundred of them, and they are big.

This is one of the small ones.

“Not surprising, seeing how long it has been happening,” I replied. These farms are not recent; the farming of them has been going on for hundreds of years.

The farms would change hands, but they would always remain in control of the gangs in the merchant state.

I watched it for a few minutes before moving to other farms. I watched five of them before stopping and turning to Cardin.

“Destroy them all, but be careful of enchantments. We need them,” I ordered.

There will be no mercy against the drug, especially against as dangerous one as glowleaf. The gang had contacted us, offering a large sum of money, but I had declined.

Glowleaf is a scourge, and I have been very strict with it in my cities.

This is one of the most significant challenges Ina will face here. There are thousands of people addicted here, and we will deal with that problem carefully.

Use force, but also the gentle means. A wrong step would cost us a lot.

I didn’t stay for much longer and turned back. There are other things I have to do, and since I am returning soon, I have even less time.

…

White Crown Hideout, Port Belnin

In a conference room of a mansion, six people have gathered. They usually do not need to meet for safety, but this requires it.

“They are destroying our farms,” said the thin man on the left with bloodshot eyes.

“This bastard Silver, first he arrested our people, and now he is destroying our farms,” said the elf woman on the other side of the table.

They have tried to set a foothold in Greltheaven, but every time, their members have been captured.

“It is a massive loss to us. If he had accepted our offer, both of us would have benefited from it,” added the old orc.

“We should attack his whores to teach him a lesson,” replied the thin man, and some nodded.

They are the vice-leaders of a gang, each with great notoriety to anyone who shudders, but no one is more notorious than White Gyrge, the leader.

He didn’t say anything, listened quietly as they spoke, before finally opening his mouth.

When he did, everyone quieted down.

“Our first priority should be getting the load; it will help us cut our losses,” he said in a gentle voice, and turned to the thin man.

“Juras, in two weeks, when it calms down, you will go to Gailhorn and take our load out and be careful. It’s worth a lot; if you get caught, we will suffer a terrible loss.” He ordered.

“You can trust me, boss. I will bring our stuff without anyone noticing,” he replied, with a confident grin.

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