City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Proofread by Thomas F

“Are you ready?” I asked Ina. “Yes,” she replied with faint nervousness.

“Let’s go, then,” I said and got up, before walking out of her office. This will be just the formality, since everybody already knows that she will be the Governor of Gailhorn.

She has been working in that capacity for the past three days.

I was planning to do this a few days later, but I am leaving for Greltheaven in three hours.

So, I have to do this now.

Soon, we reached the door of one of the halls. The guards bowed and opened them before we walked inside.

There are a lot of people sitting there, military officials, city officials from all three cities, and many important people from Greltheaven.

We have also invited a few from the Army of Daphus, specifically those who once rebelled. They are still recovering, but they could walk around.

“Lord Silver,” they greeted. Everyone is looking at me and Ina, displaying a range of emotions.

Awe, jealousy, curiosity, and many more.

“I want to start by congratulating Lt. General Cardin and his men, who had fought bravely in the liberation of Gailhorn, and pray for those who had lost their lives in this great cause,” I said, and paused for a moment.

“We have liberated Gailhorn, but that is just the beginning.”

“As you all have seen, the past lords and undead have upended the city. It should be bustling with people and trade, but it is riddled with addiction and corruption.”

Many nodded; they had seen the state of the city. It looks okay on the surface, but the rot becomes apparent when one looks deeper into it.

“It will need a firm and experienced hand to wipe away the rot and take the city to its fullest potential, and there is no one better than Lady Ina Knox for that job,” I said, turning to Ina.

Zela handed me the box with the sigil of Gailhorn, and I opened it.

Inside is a beautiful brooch; once more, Eva had done a fantastic job. It is even more exquisite than the one she had designed earlier.

The swirling lines surrounding the sigil of Gailhorn incorporate a drop of Grade IV essence.

The whole brooch was crafted with the Grade IV mist.

I took it out, and the Lord’s presence flowed out of me. Those who still had any doubts about my advancement had those doubts dispelled.

They could feel the power and the suppression from my class.

“I, Remus Silver, Lord of Greltheaven Dominion, declare Lady Ina Knox, Governor of Gailhorn,” I declared.

“I will do my utmost not to disappoint you and this great city, my lord,” she replied and bowed, while I placed the brooch on her chest.

“Congratulations, Governor,” I said, and people applauded a moment later.

I smiled, and I didn’t take back the skill. Instead, I turned to the people with a small smile.

They already know she is going to be the Governor of Gailhorn. So, there is no surprise in their eyes, but they don’t know who will be the Governor of Panar.

It was a hard decision, on which I consulted a lot of people aside from interviewing the candidates.

“It is a difficult time, we can’t leave Panar without any leadership for even a day,” I said, and two people got.

Seeing them, many were surprised. We didn’t have the best of a relationship in the past. Even now, I didn’t much like the man, but I know he is capable.

He had proved that himself, and he had qualities that others didn’t have. That’s why I chose him, not Hendriks, Soren, or others.

Damon Hardt stepped forward with his wife and stood in front of me.

Zela handed me the box with the seal of Panar. I opened it, and inside it was a brooch. It looks nearly the same as the old one that Ina wore, and it was… nearly.

It is reforged by Eva, with Grade IV mist and essence.

“I, Remus Silver, Lord of Greltheaven Dominion, declare Damon Cordelious Hardt, Governor of Panar,” I declared and pinned a broach to his chest.

“I swear on my honour that I will serve the dominion and the city of Panar faithfully,” he swore sombrely, with tears in his eyes.

“I have full confidence in your ability, Governor Hardt,” I replied, with a smile.

Now, one more thing had remained—the General of Gailhorn. That is the easiest of the choices.

“Brigadier General Trask, step forward,” said Cardin, and a middle-aged man stepped forward onto the stage. Many are surprised; they thought it would be either Azalia or Cardin.

General Trask is the right choice because I need Cardin at Greltheaven for a very important task.

As for Azalia, she needs to be in Panar. It is the nexus point; any threat to Greltheaven will need to pass through it.

It is why I am creating a Western Command in Panar, which she will lead. So, she will be the boss of Trask as Gailhorn will be under it.

The man stopped in front of me.

“I, Remus Silver, Lord of Greltheaven Dominion, promote you Major General and declare you the protector of Gailhorn.” I declared and changed the pins and stars on his uniform.

“I will give my all to protect the city, my lord,” he stated, and I smiled.

“I know, you will, General, and this will aid you in that,” I replied and took out the Vros Alor Spear and handed it to him.

He was shocked. I had talked to him about the promotion and responsibility he is getting earlier, but not the artifact. It had just returned an hour ago.

Valentina had taken it to Greltheaven. The legacy healed the damage and sent it back.

Now, it is a perfect artifact.

Trask could use it; he is a man who is proficient in many weapons. It won’t be long before he will be able to master it.

“Thank you for the trust, my lord,” he said finally, taking the artifact with shaking hands.

The ceremony ended a few minutes later. There are many to be promoted, including Cardin, but that will be done in Greltheaven in the bigger ceremony.

Soon, three hours passed, and it was time for me to leave.

“Have a safe journey, Lord Silver,” said Ina, and I nodded. “Take care, Governor,” I replied, before stepping into the carriage.

I would rather ride to the city, but I have to listen to my people and their sensitivities.

The carriage began to move, and soon, we were out of the city. We should be able to reach the Greltheaven by the morning.

I wanted to stop by Panar, at least for the day, but it’s not possible now.

I pushed those thoughts away and focused on the task at hand. I am writing something, an agreement.

An hour passed and then another, before I looked in front of me. Robin hadn’t slept; he was also working.

“Take a look at this,” I said to him. He took the file from my hand and began to read it. It didn’t take him long to finish reading it whole.

“You are asking for legacy and more. They will not agree to it,” he said, handing back the file to me.

“They might. We are offering something good in return,” I replied.

“Besides, they do not have any choice. In a few weeks, the waning will begin, and they will lose the only hope they have,” I added.

It is about the Pawn; Vanis Tavern to be exact.

Carla, Caena, and others of Velvet Garden are opposed to it. They don’t think Vanis Tavern is a good match for us because it didn’t offer anything to enhance us.

They are right, there are many legacies. That could offer us much more.

Some are willing to offer a real artifact, not just a trinket, but I am not looking at this through the lens of legacy, but through the lens of politics.

Inam is very important to me, more than Namdar and any other city in the empire.

If I do this, I will gain political support, the lord’s connections, and other benefits.

The same could be said for Namdar; they’re offering their legacy too, but in the case of Namdar and others, I don’t have the leverage over them as I would on Inam.

Robin, Valentina, Ina, and others on the political side are in favour of it.

If I had been just a master of legacy, not a lord, I wouldn’t have even thought about taking Vanis Tavern as the pawn. Not that, I would have had any choice.

The emperor would have decided for me, as happens with the majority of the legacies.

As a Lord, I must consider dominion in every decision I make. I don’t like it, seeing that I have far better options, but there is no choice.

…

Carla Salt

Click!

The door of my office opened, and Margaux walked in.

“You look tired,” I said as I looked at her. “Just a little. I have just finished my last meeting,” she replied as she took a seat in front of me.

She had an office in the college, but set up a temporary one in the legacy to meet with the mass of people coming.

“How did it go?” I asked. “The same thing. They want the Grade IV essence and for us to consider their legacy for the subject,” she replied.

All three of us, along with Grade II’s, are meeting people. I have met thirteen people today.

“Have you talked to Master Silver?” she asked, and I nodded. “He had chosen Vanis’s Tavern,” I replied with a sigh. She sighed as well.

“A lot of people from the city hall are in favour of it,” she said.

“I understand their reasons, but we have so many better options. A forge, an arena, a garden, and many more,” I replied.

I am frustrated. It’s not like I don’t understand the reason, but those other options could give so much to the Velvet Garden.

“Master Silver understands that as well, but Carla, he isn’t just a Master, but also a Lord; he has to think about the dominion,” said my friend.

“I understand. It’s why I am only voicing my opposition to you,” I replied.

Hearing that, she laughed, and I laughed with her.

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