City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

The people started to arrive, just a few seconds after eight, as the gates of velvet blue opened.

"Another ship; they are increasing their numbers fast," said Ina as she closed the file, and I turned off the skill and turned to her.

"Yes," I said with a sigh.

I may have shown bravado and optimism in my speech earlier, but I am worried.

This is not the first ship that had come bringing the undead from the island. It is only the first ship they are showing openly.

They did it intentionally, and it is working.

It's not like I am unaware of them building up their forces. I know it very well, but them showing the ship so openly had made me more worried than before.

It's a signal to me and other lords of the region. That they are here, and they will conquer it all.

Truthfully, their signal is working.

"The recruitment is going fine in both of the cities. We are also getting experienced soldiers and powerhouses from the Empire and other places," she said after a moment of silence.

I nodded.

I am working hard toward that and a large part of the next few days is focused toward making that smoother.

"I wish it could be faster. I want to fight with better odds than we had before," I replied.

All the battles had been hard, and we only gained victory because of an amalgamation of many factors.

It is good. It showed our ability and resolve, but for once, I want to win the battle with the sheer number. It will be a long while before that happens.

"I think the speed is good. Too many people at once and the city won't be able to support them," she replied, and this time, I sighed.

We need money, a massive amount of it.

The army takes the biggest share, and it continues to increase every month as we recruit more people, but as she had said, the recruitment should be gradual.

Our finances aren't good enough to handle the sudden surge of numbers.

Although, that might change a little from this month onward.

"Let's hope, the re-opening of the legacy will give an enormous boost to our economy," I replied.

I have a big hope from the legacy to boost the economy of the city even more than it has. I need it to support the army, infrastructure, and other things.

"How are the mines?" I asked.

She had arrived just an hour before the function. After that, we went to the city hall and entertained and held meetings with important guests.

We didn't have any time to talk.

Only now we could, but that is till the party starts. After it is ended, she is going to leave for Panar, not even able to stay the night.

"Good, all but two have been opened," she replied.

We have intentionally kept the two mines closed. We do not have people to work in the mines. Even the mines that we had opened are not running at their full capacity.

"I need people," she requested.

Her demand isn't small. She doesn't need a few thousand people, but tens of thousands. That's how many we need to make the mines run at full capacity.

Only after that. We would think about opening the other mines.

Panar was a mining city. Its economy is dependent on it, despite the paltry profit it used to get from it, under the old governor.

I am planning to improve that by building the refining business.

A few refining businesses from the empire were interested in investing and had been invited to the party. The city will hold a negotiation with them, and I have prepared a few carrots for them.

It is now becoming even more important to have the refining business because of the Grade VI crystal mine of Deerpond.

I need those businesses before it takes it all.

Grade VI mines are rare and give the lord of Deerpond the advantage to demand the refining plant locally.

He had already started to make a move. Just a few hours ago, we had been notified by businesses we have been in contact with that they were suspending the talks.

I have no doubts about Deerpond being behind it, and this is just the beginning. They will make things even harder for me, as the mine developed further.

"I am trying," I replied. She needs people, and I am trying to give it to her.

I have sent people to the mining cities in the empire. Especially those that are amidst the conflicts. Offering them a job here.

To sweeten the deal. I am paying for their travel. Housing allowance after they come and a few other benefits.

I am offering the same to the orcs, who are coming every week.

I don't want to say it, but monsters of the extreme magic region are making things easier for me. Their attack on the tribes is forcing many of them to migrate.

It will cost me a lot, but it will provide me with the people which I desperately need.

The sooner I get the city of Panar on its feet. The more it will help me, but it's hard, considering its closeness to the undead, which makes many people hesitate to move there.

"I need the skill here," I said, after nearly a minute of silence.

Immediately, she shook her head.

"Panar needs it. The help has been tremendous." She replied. "I do not want much, at least a few weeks more," she added.

I am talking about Public Works.

I have been holding back some of the non-urgent infrastructure, till I get the skill back, which is currently active in Panar.

"Grealtheaven needs it too, Ina," I said with a sigh.

"I know, my lord, but Panar has barely started to make a recovery. I only hope, you will give it a few more weeks, till we finish with all the urgent work, before taking it," she replied.

"Three weeks, then I am taking it back," I said finally.

I really need the skill. It will save me a lot of money here, more than it would save me from it being active in Panar, but money isn't everything.

The skill increases the speed of the public projects and improves their quality, by minimizing the mistakes. For now Panar needs it, more than Greltheaven, but three weeks will be all it gets.

After that, I will deactivate it and activate it on Greltheaven.

She opened her mouth to argue but closed it upon seeing my expression.

"Thank you, Master Silver," she replied.

For a few minutes, nobody spoke before, I opened my mouth for the most important question.

"How are the undead?" I asked.

She had sent me the detailed report, but I like to hear things from her directly.

"They are trying to test us, but our men have pushed them back every time they have made an attempt," she replied.

It didn't make me feel good. The undead are playing with us, keeping us dancing and guessing at every move, which can be tiring and create a gap for them to exploit.

"Tell them to be careful. The undead likes to use such tactics to create weakness in their enemies," I warned.

"I will," she replied.

We talked for a few more minutes before she left. Fifteen minutes later, she is at the party talking to people, focusing on the merchants the most.

She wants investments for Panar.

I am also trying, but it was different with her. She is the governor of the city.

It creates a different impression.

"You can leave, Lola. I am sure you would like to enjoy the party," I said to her.

"Thank you, Master Silver," she said simply, and walked away. She usually stays, but today is different.

There is an hour more before I have to make an entrance. Till then, let the people enjoy the fruits of legacy.

I focused on the work. Even summoned a few files from my office. Which isn't difficult for me; the entire city is my domain.

I have to focus on something, and the thing would enter the vault. From the vault it would appear in my hand.

Things are becoming chaotic in the empire.

The civil war is intensifying, while the other kingdoms attack the empire with greater forces, which the imperials are barely keeping at bay.

It is somewhat good news for me. Especially now, with the advantages I have.

I am going to fish in these troubled waters.

However, how well I do it will depend on the success of the coming days, when I will be negotiating with a lot of nobles from the empire and their representatives.

Until now, I have only sold essence to a select few, but now I will sell to many more.

It is the greatest weapon in my hand, and I want to use it. This time, I have enough power to bear the pressure from the imperials.

Soon it was nine-ten, and important people started coming. The first one is the lord of Owlspring with his mistress.

Ina is welcoming them, along with Heron and Josie. It is an important day for them.

I got up and walked to my room before changing into a suit.

It is from Eva Cain. They have included menswear, and this one was designed by their new chief designer of menswear.

Knock Knock!

"Come in," I said and Eudo came in.

"My lord," he greeted. "Keep it simple, nothing too over the top," I said to him.

"Noted," he replied and began to work on me, while I waited.

It didn't take him long, and fifteen minutes later. He is done; making me look good.

He is really something. It is why he is the highest leveled person, in the legacy. Just step away from Level 40.

He didn't tell me about it, but I could feel it.

"Thank you, Eudo," I said. "It's my pleasure, my lord," he said and walked away.

I watched him through the mirror. Thinking about the gift, I had ordered for him. It cost me a fortune, but he is worth it.

He played a big hand in turning the establishment into a legacy. It is the least I could do for him.

Click!

Soon, there were only five minutes left for us to make our entrance when Carla walked in.

When I saw her, I froze for a moment.

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