City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Proofread by Thomas F

"My apologies, my lord, but I won't be able to act on the commitment," said the middle-aged man sitting in front of me.

Hearing him apologize, I wanted to hit my hand hard against the table and curse loudly.

"If it is money, then the city would be more than willing to give you a loan or take a share," I offered, but the man shook his bald head.

"I appreciate it, my lord, but the firm had focused on existing investments for the time being rather than making the new investments," he replied.

Briven Kestral from Ralad Armaments, one of the premier weapons manufacturing firms in the empire.

I have been in negotiations with them for the past four months. Offering them free land, tax breaks, and many other things. So they would open a factory here.

They were supposed to start building it at the beginning of next month, but they just canceled.

"I understand, Mr. Kestral. Sometimes, we merchants need to make tough decisions," I said, bringing a small smile to my face. The man seemed surprised by my calm, understanding tone.

I want to rage, but what benefits will that bring?

"Though I hope when your firm looks to invest again, please think about Greltheaven," I added. "Of course, my lord," he replied, sounding relieved.

A few minutes later, he left.

"Who do you think is behind it this time?" asked Valentina. "Hard to say, but I believe it's the imperials," I replied.

This is not the first time something like this has happened. Many companies had abruptly canceled the investments, especially those investing in defense.

Imperials are interfering with it, also Grimvale, Zanav, and others, including the undead.

They issued them direct threats.

Still, I am getting investment, especially from small players, but most of the big players are staying away. It had been the most frustrating thing, because it is one thing I need the most.

The dominion's defense bill is high. Producing locally will not only lower prices but also make us self-sufficient, not to mention create jobs, helping the economy.

We are making progress, but other cities have hundreds of years on us.

It will be a great challenge to reach their height.

"Those bastards, we are giving them so much, but despite that. Instead of helping us, they are interfering with our growth !" she cursed while I laughed.

It is simple politics.

Shortsighted, yes, but not surprising. It happens everywhere, in every world.

"Has the expert been able to find out our problem?" I asked. I am talking about the mage tower; they are facing a problem with a key part and have called an expert from the storm tower.

"Not yet," she replied with a sigh.

It had stopped most of the work on the tower. That is bad; I need that tower to be functional as soon as possible.

It is something that will help me get new mages quickly and advance the ones I have. I have spent a massive amount of money on it. It had already eaten up its entire budget and will need even more money.

I sighed as well and massaged my head when I noticed Valetina's ring lighting up, and a few seconds later, her expression turned bad.

"What happened?" I asked, hoping it would not be more bad news.

"It's Mage Aldridge, the results are out. He is predicting that the stone density will only increase as we dig deeper." She stated, and a loud bang rang out across the office.

This time, I couldn't resist.

This is one of the bad days, where everything that could go wrong is going wrong.

Two days ago, they noticed changes as they dug deeper into the Panar mine. The stone is getting denser; that is not surprising. Things get denser as one explores deeper.

The thing was, this was no ordinary stone.

It absorbs force and magic, making it harder for our miners as well as our mages to dig through. They are all specialized, but even they are struggling against it.

If Mage Aldridge is to be believed, it will get worse, and I am sure it will happen.

The old man wouldn't have made a statement if he didn't believe it. Though I hope he is wrong.

"I am sending the alchemists in there, hope they will have something that will work against it," informed Valentina. "Let's hope," I replied, hoping they would have something.

Aldridge will stay there to research the rock.

"You know, if we find any monsters now inside these dense rocks, they are going to be powerful," she said, and I nodded. It's common sense: the stone is hard to dig; if there are monsters capable of that, they are going to be more powerful.

"I know," I replied after taking a couple of deep breaths.

A few minutes later, I walked out of my office with her and stepped into the carriage.

"Trik is proposing that we should increase the size of the warehouse district." She said. I activated the skill and looked at the warehouse district from above.

"What are you planning to do?" I asked back.

I am leaving more and more decisions of the city to her. Though, since it is the capital of the dominion and my most important city, she needs me to sign off on every important decision.

I usually sign off on over 90% of her decisions.

"I think we should keep it as such for a short while. If there is a sudden notable increase than what it is right now, we will increase the size of the whole district," she replied.

The warehouse district is one of the fastest-growing in the city due to trade and the growing needs of industries, which increase the need for warehouses.

Still, we need to be intelligent about how much land we allot to each district; besides, the warehouse district is already large, and there is ample space for further expansion.

"Not to add to the bad news, but they canceled the order we placed for special earth elemental mage staffs," she informed.

I didn't even get angry this time. I mean, what's the use?

"We have other towers; contact them," I replied. It is just that we will need to pay extra for it, something I didn't want to do. At least there are other suppliers for it.

Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the three-story building.

There is nothing special about it; it's grey, made of stone. The only special thing about the building is that it is in a protected area.

The carriage stopped, and I got out with Valentina before stepping inside.

"Lord Silver, Chief Elar," said the thin orc, in his mid-sixties. "Chief Durall," I replied

He said nothing further and led us inside. We climbed down the stairs before we reached the basement with large, thick iron gates. The guards standing by it opened it for us, and we stepped inside.

Immediately, the air changed. It became dry and cool.

The interior had changed too; it had become stony. This is an old mine. Yes, Greltheaven had mines; small ones, but it had them centuries ago.

It is one of those we excavated.

Soon, we reached another thick iron door, and this time, a key was needed from the man. He put it in and opened the door. The moment we stepped inside, I felt the driest and coolest air I had ever felt.

I barely noticed as I focused on lines of shelves and shelves in front of me.

Each shelf is filled with food, from sacks of grain to salted meat to preserved fish. Everything is carefully labeled, dated, and kept at the perfect temperature.

We use enchantments as well as skills.

This man used to be the leader of a small tribe; he is good at managing things. Most importantly, he has skills related to preserving and guarding food.

This is the first strategic ration stockpile in Greltheaven. I wanted to do it for a long time, but we didn't have enough money. There is always something that is more important.

A few months ago, I earmarked a special budget for it.

This food will be our lifeline in the event of a siege or emergency. This is only one stockpile station. Another three are planned; they will be far from enough for Greltheaven's growing population, but this is a start.

"Is everything working well?" I asked. "Yes, I am keeping a tight eye on the stockpile." He replied.

I could see it; everything is clean and in order. "Still be careful. If our enemies attack, this will be one of the places they will target first," I said.

We haven't had a siege yet, but given that direct attack strategies have failed so far, they might try it.

It's not something they would do lightly, given alchfire, but they will do it if they desire Greltheaven enough. In less than a year, it's going to become a lot more desirable than it already is.

I have created a strategic stockpile in all my cities, especially in Panar and Gailhorn.

I had started on them before Greltheaven, and they already possessed two each. Those two cities have a higher probability of an attack than Greltheaven.

At least in the short term.

I walked through the stockpile, looking at the things that were stored here.

There is nothing fancy here. I focused on things that will keep my people alive; it is the only thing that matters.

Forty minutes later, I walked out of the stockpile station and sat in my carriage, while Valentina went with hers. 

A few minutes passed when Zela's ring lit up, and a frown appeared on her face.

"Viscount Larnis wants to talk to you," she said, and a frown appeared on my face. Viscount Larnis is a neighbor of that bastard Count Raul.

According to the agreement, I can't help his enemies, but there are a few loopholes in it.

So, I provided the man with more emotional essence than I give to other nobles of his power and also a lot of mist goods. He is a fan of them, especially the quills, ink, and paper.

"Okay," I said, and a moment later, my aura extended and touched her hand.

"Viscount Larnis," I greeted. 'Lord Silver,' he replied, with his deep voice.

"It's a sudden call, is everything alright?" I asked. Hoping it wouldn't be bad news, I have had enough of them for today. 'Unfortunately, not!' he replied, and I wanted to curse hard.

…

Count Raul

"Father, please!"

My son begged, and seeing that anger couldn't help but rise in my heart again. He is my eldest; he should have made me proud. Instead, he gave me a powerful enemy.

I was worried a year and a half ago, but not as much as I am right now

I know that, being a master of legacy, he will grow powerful, but I didn't expect him to grow powerful so fast.

The agreement we signed stops him from taking adverse action against the house for two decades, but there is an exception to that rule, Kanas.

One and a half years are over; the protection has ended.

Silver didn't send an assassin, nor do I expect him to. Not because he could not; oh, he could, and I do not have full confidence that I will be able to save my son from them.

Given how much Silver adores his whore, for him, a simple assassination is far from enough.

No, he wants to do much more. It is why I made this decision. For protect, but also my son.

"I thought, after that incident, you would stop drinking and whoring, but you did not; that habit of yours has become worse," I said, feeling angry with him and myself.

"You are behaving like a common slum rat rather than a member of House Raul."

"It's time you did that, and there is only one place it will make it happen: the battlefield," I stated.

I am sending him to Prince Declan. I wanted to send him to Mather, but he is the Crown Prince's ally. I want to maintain the status quo and don't want to choose sides yet.

"Please, Father, don't send me there. I will do everything you want from now on," he said with tears streaming from his eyes.

It disgusts me, and I want to slap him, but he is my son, my blood. I am sending him to the battlefield; anything could happen there, but I believe it is a place that could help him.

"My decision is final," I replied and turned before walking away. He tried to block my path, but the guards stopped him.

It pained me to do it, but I had to for my house and for him. The front line is a death field, but if he survives, he will be able to go against Silver when the time comes.

People are watching Silver, and they will move to clip his wings. Until then, I hope you will survive, my son.

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