City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Viscount Kasis

 

Click!

The carriage stopped at the central building of Greltheaven, and the door was opened.

"Viscount Kasis," greeted a blond man with a bow.

"Please, follow me," he said a moment later and led me into the building.

I followed after him, into the bustling city hall. It is smaller than my city's, but seemed more vibrant, despite having less than half of the population.

People could be seen coming and going, with each one busy with their own work.

As I walked through the city hall, it looked average. There are barely any art pieces, paintings, or beautiful tapestries.

Though, what it has is tasteful.

Soon, we reached the office of Silver. It is easier to recognize, given the security. There is also that teen assistant of his, who I had seen following behind him at the party.

"Viscount Kasis, Lord Silver is ready for you," she said, getting up.

I nodded and walked toward the door.

I am irritated with Silver. I wanted to meet him yesterday, the day after the party, but he didn't give me an appointment.

I have come personally. I could have sent my son, but I didn't and hoped to get respect for that.

And also, for those things. I need them, desperately.

The guards opened the door, and I walked in. Seeing me, Silver got up.

"Lord Silver," I greeted the young man. "Viscount Kasis," He replied.

"Please, take a seat," he said. "Thank you," I replied and sat down in front of him.

"I hope you are enjoying the city, my lord?" he asked, and a smile appeared on my face.

I loved my time here, more than I had expected.

Yesterday, I was in the legacy from the morning to the night. Tasting every fruit. From the spa to the theater and, most importantly, the red.

I am really glad now that I didn't bring my wife.

"Yes, your city is beautiful," I replied.

I did a little sightseeing today, while I met some people in this city, and I have to say. It is more beautiful than I had thought.

Beautiful buildings, gardens, wide roads without any filth and high security.

"I am glad," he said.

A silence hung between us; it was not uncomfortable, but not comfortable either.

"I am sure, you know why, I have come here my lord. I would be grateful if you provided me with some emotion essence," I said finally.

I wanted to use my skills, but I uncovered that Silver likes things discussed without skills.

It's not because he isn't powerful enough. I had heard plenty of speculation about his probable level.

Though it would have helped. If he had showed off some at the party.

"I do not have much essence, Viscount. Most of which I had, have been promised to imperials, Namdar, and others," he replied with a pained smile.

My heart skipped a bear hearing that.

I need emotion essence. I need it desperately. Some of the powerhouses under me had threatened to leave if I didn't provide them with it.

So, I opened my mouth to beseech him, with an offer that pains me, but for essence, I will not hesitate to sacrifice those things.

If it had been a peaceful time. I wouldn't have thought about it, but now it is not.

Enemies aren't far. I needed to be ready to defend my territory against them.

"Still, given our family's relations. I am willing to spare some essence potions," he added, just when I was about to offer him some of my family jewels.

I knew his uncle, but not deeply. He is just another merchant for me. Still, I nodded.

"Thank you, Lord Silver," I thanked. Silver smiled before his expressions turned serious.

"Though, I hope. You will be able to do a few things for me," he added.

I am not surprised.

Money isn't enough to buy the essence of emotions. I will need to give him somethings more alongside it to get those things I want.

"If it is in my power, I will," I said after a moment of silence. Hoping it wouldn't be about Raul.

I have seen how much he adores his whore.

I have heard what happened in Ertburn, and I hope he won't ask me to do anything against Raul. That man is powerful, I am not a match for him.

Not personally, financially or martially.

"It is nothing difficult. I only want you to give safe passage to soldiers, alchemists, or other people that are journeying toward my territory through yours," he replied.

I wanted to curse the bastard.

What he had asked wasn't easy. It will create trouble for me.

I have agreements with neighbors and other nobles to capture and return their people that came to my territory. Especially officers, alchemists, and other high-value people.

Hun!

So, I let hesitation show on my face and opened my mouth to refuse the condition cordially when a box appeared in front of me.

The box filled with the colorful bottles of emotion essence potions.

My Noble Eyes immediately told me that there were hundred bottles of potions in the box.

Thirty Grade I, forty Grade II, and twenty Grade III.

Seeing them, my eyes lit up.

I come asking for a few emotion essence bottles, but from the beginning, he is only willing to give emotion essence potions.

Which is just as fine too.

These bottles were worth more than the amount of essence I had been planning to ask for.

Though, I would have preferred bottles of emotion essence. If it was raw emotion essence; I could have used it to make potions or do other things with it, but as I had said, I do not mind the potions.

"I agree. We can sign the contract immediately," I replied, wanting to get my hands on these shiny bottles as soon as possible.

It will solve all my problems.

"There is no need, my lord. I trust your honor," he said, and I cursed him internally.

The contract would have been much easier. It would have been binding, but there would have been loopholes, but without one, things become complicated.

Now, it will be harder to reject his requests. If I did it, I might not be able to get these things again.

These will be enough for now, but I will need more. Silver won't give me more, unless I will do what he has asked.

It is a predicament. I have no choice, but to accept it.

I need the essence and will need it even more in the future. I just hoped the people he sends to my territory wouldn't give me a lot of trouble with the others.

"You can count on that, Lord Silver," I replied, and the man smiled. I left understanding that I can't underestimate this young man.

…

"With him agreeing, a route from Marstern to Belis had become clear," said Lola, as the door closed.

I am creating routes for people to come to the territory safely, but it is not just that.

I have another motive for it, bigger than just bringing people. They will understand with time; some of those sharp-minded had already started to understand it.

The desire for emotion essence resources is incredible.

It is helping me do, within hours, what would have required others to meet powerful nobles, spend months or years in negotiations to achieve.

Still, the work is far from being over. A single route is not enough, I am aiming for five, but need to create at least three.

Thankfully, one route had been completed. The second one was near; one more noble and it will be done too.

"Let's hope, we succeed in others too," I replied, before closing the file. I have thirteen minutes before my next meeting.

Which is enough for the short practice session.

"The Kingdom of Mahal has agreed to the safe passage," informed Zela as I was about to close my eyes.

I smiled upon hearing that.

The archmage city had already made arrangements. I only needed to request the kingdoms from my end.

The Baxzar Dominion had already agreed to the safe passage. So has Tazir, and now with Mahal, the road has been cleared.

I would need to approach the individual lords and cities, but that won't be a problem.

I have decided that I am going to the Archmage City to the continental synod conclave.

It only happens once in a decade. It is for the hosts of legacies where every kingdom sent their representatives.

It is not the right time for me to leave my dominion, but the synod conclave is too much of an opportunity.

The synod conclave will be like a big trade conclave on Earth. Where the who's who of the continent and a small group of the other continents will come.

A moment later, I closed my eyes, and an aura came out of me. It didn't spread, instead, it remained around me, before it started swirling.

It is slow and gentle, unlike a few weeks ago. My aura didn't spill out of my control.

At least not enough for a person to notice.

Slowly, the speed of swirling got faster and faster, till it began to swirl very fast, like a storm. Lola quickly took steps back, while Zela readied her spells.

Not every time did the training go smoothly.

There are signs around my office of things turning bad, which have been fixed, but one could still see them. If they looked carefully.

Seconds passed and turned into minutes. I kept trying to spin as fast as I could.

Sweat started appearing on my brow and soon my whole, but I didn't stop and continued, till I couldn't.

It finally begins to slow it down gently.

It is a challenge, given how tired I am, but I am doing much better than the first week. I wasn't able to do what I just did now.

It would have forced me into unconsciousness because of the shear strain.

.....

Onaz

Click!

The guard opened the door, and I walked inside.

The woman sitting behind the desk looked up and waved me at the chair asking me to sit.

"So, have you decided?" asked Carla.

Have I decided? It is quite a question that I wasn't able to reply to it even now, despite knowing there are girls who would kill for the opportunity.

The only reason she gave me time to think about it is because Ina wants me.

There are others ready for it on one foot. Jenna and others would pack their bag instantly if given the opportunity.

"I agree," I replied finally, steeling myself after a moment of silence.

"You might want the city hall, but Panar is better. Here, you will need to start working from a much lower position despite your advantages."

"There you will directly work for the Governor. That is a far more powerful position, and it will become more powerful as the city grows,"

"It will also provide you with experience. That will help you gain a better position in the future," said Carla.

I know that, but I still wished I could work in this city.

I am old, over forty-five, and a whore. I need to do everything to rise fast, so I can achieve my own dream.

I have worked hard to be recognized. I focused on my lessons, I studied day and night and after becoming an assistant madam, I worked even harder.

Still, I know, I do not have much time nor the luxury to reject it.

If I reject it, others will take it in a heartbeat. If I stayed and joined the city hall. It would be years before I might get a chance to work directly for Master Silver.

I don't know why I didn't accept it right away when she asked. I had wasted precious days overthinking it.

"Thank you," I thanked.

"Pack your stuff, you will be leaving for Panar in the evening," she instructed.

"Thank you for the opportunity," I thanked her once again and walked out of the office.

Feeling grateful and extremely lucky for this and all the other opportunities, I have received here. I know this is the only place in the world, such things can happen.

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