City of Desire [Kingdom Building] - Chapter 882: Grinned With Teeth’s Out

Proofread by Thomas F

Locke Hercule

“Don’t be nervous, it will be fine. You already have all the votes, so it is just a formality,” said Julia, while petting the black dog in her lap.

It had been nearly three years since I had brought it from Namdar, and it had grown quite big.

And a little too attached to my wife. It growls at me, even when I slightly raise my voice. Sometimes I regret ever buying it, but I would not say it aloud.

I did it once, and I had to sleep in another room. So, I just keep my mouth shut when it comes to the little bastard.

“You are right, but things could change,” I replied.

I didn’t tell her, but Homer, Silver, and Harrods are still trying to convince the barons to vote against the laws, even when we provided them with a lot of men, protection for the baronies, and even a damn artifact.

It needs to pass; it is necessary for strengthening the dominions’ control over the baronies.

If we failed, Remus might need to use the way he really didn’t want to use. That is a proven way; it will tighten our control over baronies, but it will not make the barons happy.

We need them happy until our control over the baronies becomes tighter.

So, no baron could suddenly switch sides or anything detrimental. We are not entirely sure yet, and until we are, we will need to take every step carefully.

“Anything you got from wives of the barons?” I asked. She had talked to them in the past few hours.

“Their husbands are not pleased with it, but they indicated they will vote in favour of the laws,” she replied. It made me feel only slightly relieved.

It took a few minutes, I calmed down and walked out of the suite, after kissing Julia.

I am glad she came earlier than planned. She planned to come to the party in the evening, but she arrived in the morning.

“A lot of people have come,” I said as I walked, watching another group of people arriving through the large window of the Governor’s office.

She will become the true Governor today. She already is, but it will just formalize it.

“More are coming,” she replied.

I could see the hope in her eyes, but there was also nervousness. She had done exceptional work here for the past few months.

We might have conquered the baronies, but there were a lot more things to do. Unlike the last time she was here, when the Barons were barely settling.

This time, they had matured, gained a lot of power, and become nobles from merchants.

Both in class and personality.

She managed them incredibly well. We had expected that one of them might have turned; Grimvale was trying his best to make it happen, but it did not.

After today, it will be even harder, and each day the difficulty will increase.

As many nobles are right, we will be in their business. We need such control for the security of Northern Nakar.

“It’s time,” she said a few minutes later. “Best of luck, both of you,” said Remus and smiled. However, I could feel his tiredness in it.

“Thank you, my lord,” we replied in unison.

He nodded and walked out of the room. He has a busy schedule today; he will be meeting merchants and representatives from Inam, Namdar, Owlspring, and other cities.

“He should rest, he needs it,” she said before sighing, while I shook my head.

We have requested him to rest a couple of times. He had fought in a monster tide for a couple of hours, including personally against that terrifying monster, which just thinking about made my mind shudder.

“You know how he is. If there is something he has to do, he will forgo everything, including rest, until he finishes it,” I replied.

It’s not the first time I have seen him do something like this, but it’s the first time I have seen him so tired.

I wish I could say I am surprised by it, but I am not.

I still remember the young man who sat in front of me as our carriage moved toward the port for my first official trip to Namdar.

I was very hesitant, but the young man was calm.

He looked young, but his eyes and the way he made me feel made me feel like I was talking to a peer rather than someone over a decade younger.

Then there was that attack near Deerpond where he fought, while we all huddled in our rooms.

Though it was nothing compared to what happened on that island, where thousands of undead swarmed, it was the worst experience of my life, and even now, I still have nightmares about it.

For all his faults and the mistakes he made, I am glad that Darrow had left him in charge when he ran away.

If it had been anyone else, forget the City of Greltheaven, the whole region would have been the dominion of the undead. It is only because of Remus that he turned Greltheaven into a shield that protected Northern Renwell.

Instead of being thankful for it, those ungrateful bastards attacked us.

I pushed those thoughts away and focused on the work in front of me.

A few minutes passed, and we got up and stepped out of the office. Walking toward the conference room, where the barons have gathered for the votes.

“I hope there are no surprises,” I said. “Let’s hope not,” Lola replied, with a small smile.

Soon, we reached the conference room, and her face became composed. All the nervousness and hesitation disappeared from her face.

Authority began to radiate from her, which nobody would dare to question.

“Governor Monet, Chief Hercule,”

The guards at the door greeted us before opening them. We nodded at them before stepping inside and immediately felt the eyes of the twelve barons on us.

Many of them looked hesitant and even angry, but there was also relief and greater trust that was not there yesterday.

We have defended them from two dangers simultaneously. I am sure that, with their sources, they would have obtained detailed information about the battles by now.

“Governor Monet, Chief Hercule,” they greeted as they got up.

“Please take a seat, my lords,” said Lola, her voice as smooth as silk. There is a powerful compulsion, but it’s not a heavy one, that would make anyone resist immediately.

No, it is like an embrace of a lover that one would lean into instead.

What is her level?

I couldn’t help but ask myself once more. It isn’t just a level, but also a class, which I know is powerful. Members of Velvet Garden have powerful classes, especially the leadership.

I know, she is above Lv. 30, there is no doubt about it. The question is whether she is at mid or even further.

I am Lv. 36, Counsellor of Works, but I feel weaker than her. She is at least my level, if not higher. She might be closer to Lv. 40, like those three of the legacy.

“Dear Barons, today is a momentous day,” she spoke, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“With these new laws, Nakar will truly become an inseparable part of the Dominion. No enemy will be able to divide us again.”

“The dominion will protect you, help you prosper, and give any help that you will require for the loyalty that you give us,” she said and looked at them.

” Now, let’s not waste any more time and cast the votes, the result of which is going to change the fate of Nakar forever,” she finished.

There is conviction in her words; she believed every word she had said, and so have I.

I have participated in crafting these; when I did, I never thought the barons would accept them. Now, things have changed. Though I am aware, anything could happen.

“Now, my lords, we will begin,” I said, using Counsellor’s Presence and Authority Timbre, before turning to the first baron, the one who owes Remus.

“Baron Halewright,”

He had promised his vote and even helped with convincing two other barons.

“I believe in the Lord Silver’s vision for the baronies and accept the new laws,” he said and raised his hand. He didn’t have to say the words; raising a hand would have been enough.

“Baron Moss,” I said. He was one of the two Baron Halewright who helped to convince. “I accept,” he stated simply as he raised his voice.

“Baron Tharnell,”

The third baron didn’t say any words and simply raised his hand. One by one, I took the names of three others. They all raised their hands wordlessly.

Six votes, one more, and the laws would be passed.

I could tell that the room was becoming serious. This vote means everything. It is the most important vote; if we didn’t get it, the whole thing would collapse.

“Baron Husk,” I stated, and waited for the man. He is Remus’s man from the beginning, providing all the information about the barony, and he is used to leading.

Remus had promised him a few things, and in the past few months, the man had been patient.

“I accept,” he said, and an invisible sigh rang out through the room.

I had to fight hard to keep my expression composed, while inside I was cheering loudly as we succeeded.

“Baron Nightingle,” I said. He is one of the barons sitting on the fence.” “I accept,” He didn’t have a choice. Especially now that we have all the votes.

It will only create a negative perception of him, something he doesn’t want.

I named the two more before turning to the last three. The members of the old council. Homer, Harrods, and Silver.

“Baron Homer,”

For a moment, there was no reaction from him, and I thought he would abstain, when the man sighed and wordlessly raised his hand.

I couldn’t help but be surprised at that. I thought he would be an opponent. Until a few hours ago, he was vehemently opposing the laws.

Like the others, he too understood that there is no benefit in opposing.

“Baron Harrods,” I said, looking at the son of Baron Harrods. “We oppose it,” he stated simply.

I am not surprised. I had personally spoken with the old man and the Governor, but the old man did not change his mind.

“Baroness Silver,” I said, turning to her representative. It’s her friend, her most trusted man.

“We oppose it; we believe these laws infringe on the freedom of our baronies and provide the dominion with undue influence on us,” he said.

Once more, there was no surprise.

There are three baronies that are powerful enough to oppose us in such a way. Homer folded, but these two didn’t. It is a symbolic opposition, but it has its benefits.

It will make them an unofficial opposition leader, giving them more weight.

Only these two could do something like it; both are powerful enough to bear any consequences if we were to turn petty.

Though we will not, despite their opinion on laws. They are the ones Remus trusts most not betray him.

“With the majority vote, the laws are passed.” I declared, and this time, I didn’t stop myself and grinned, with my teeth out.

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