Proofread by Thomas F
"The first ship with the goods has left for Namdar; the second one will leave for Owlspring tomorrow morning," informed Andrea.
She and Cath are in my office, informing me of the store's status. Carla is in Owlspring to look over the store and deliver an invitation to the Lord of Owlspring.
In three weeks, the stores will be open, and that is not much time.
"What about the security?" I asked. "Namdar had informed me that their ships are outside of Inam's waters; they will escort the ships from there," she replied.
The entire ship is filled with mist-goods; their value is immense.
When we agreed to open the store in Namdar, security was one of the things we had asked for, and they agreed. Namdar has a massive navy, and they patrol strictly.
Especially since that undead incident a few years ago. Salazar was still furious about it.
I would be too if someone attacked my islands and killed thousands of my people. I still remember the massive lightning bolt she had sent toward Vris'alud.
Even with all the strength I had gained. I am no match for that lightning bolt.
It would destroy me instantly.
I nodded and turned to Cath. "The preparations are on time, and almost all the elites we invited have agreed to attend or sent a representative," she stated.
"Though many are asking whether you will be there," she said, and I laughed.
The opening is already going to be tricky, since both stores are going to open on the same day. Both cities wanted to be first, and there is no way to avoid that without displeasing the other party.
So, we are going to inaugurate both of the stores on the same day and at the same time.
Now, to the question of my attendance. I could not attend it, since Carla is doing it. I will not change the policy of one of us always being in the dominion.
Not to mention, both of them want me to be in their cities for the inauguration.
"How is the staff doing?" I asked.
Most of the staff for the Velvet Store came from outside. We didn't have enough people.
"Very good, all of them are professional and experienced," she replied.
We took great care in hiring the best of the best. All those who are over twenty-five are at Lv. 20 and above. The younger ones have the potential to reach it.
We had hired people of all ages, from sixteen to seventy, for their levels, experience, and potential.
"Keep an eye out for the good ones," I said, and she smiled. "I have already started making the list," she replied. We need people, a lot of them.
The college is no longer enough.
So, we take people from other places, mostly from the city halls of the dominion, and also some from House Silver.
We see these people; we know how they work and are capable of. Now, the stores will be another source. I hope we will find some wonderful talent.
"It's enough for today; keep me updated on the progress," I said to them. "We will, Master Silver," they replied and walked out of my office.
I looked at the clock; there were seven minutes before the call.
"Anything from Robin?" I asked. "No change," replied Argys. I nodded and leaned back against the chair.
Time is passing fast, and there are fewer than six months before the opening of the legacy. I prayed for nothing to happen until then, but that is unlikely.
There is a high possibility that I will have to fight Arenthal or Viremont, or possibly both.
That might bring a cascade of attacks from others.
"Are we making a mistake by not selling the territories?" I asked suddenly out loud. Everybody in the region is doing it other than me, and why not?
It brings money and allies.
"I would not say we are absolutely right, but I would say our reasoning is right,"
"We are different from everyone in the region. We are a prime target because of the legacy, and that is why we must have trusted allies."
"Those that buy the territories from us will not be," replied Argys.
It is one of the reasons I didn't sell the territories. Those people could not be trusted. It's not like I am against it; I am quite in favor of it, actually.
Aside from the immediate benefit of huge money. There is also the benefit of the economy, which will help flourish, but the thing is, I do not believe it's the right time.
I will sell territories, but at the right time.
I took a deep breath and calmed myself; the call is important, and I need to be as calm as possible.
"The call is ready," informed Zela as the clock ticked three. I nodded and extended my aura to her, a moment later. I heard the call clicking in.
'Lord Silver,' said the man on the other side in a deep voice. "Marquess Grimvale," I replied.
The non-aggression pact of Nakar had expired. Robin had gone there to negotiate its renewal. The chances are slim, but we have to try at least.
"I hope you have been well, Lord Marquess," I said. 'I am Lord Silver, and would be even better if we came to an agreement,' he replied.
"Me too, Lord Marquess," I agreed.
'Then you will agree to the conditions?' he asked, and I wanted to laugh. "I can't, Lord Marquess." " You want the things, I can't give to you," I replied, rejecting it.
The man wants twenty thousand people to renew the agreement.
Of course, I will not give him that.
People are the things he desperately needs for his own needs and the need for his nobility. He may have sold the territories, but now those territories critically need people.
All of them have mines and green spots which they could use for farming.
Also, to run a business, recruit for their armies, and work in their administration, among many other things.
The massive money and essence I have spent and am still spending are giving me a steady supply of people. The imperials are interfering with it, and even Grimvale and others are also trying through their connections.
They may have succeeded before, but they couldn't now. The network we built is wide and complex, and it is getting wider and more complex as Mariha adds her connections.
Now, it isn't just the nobles we are adding to the network, but also the gangs and criminals.
Their assistance is much cheaper than the nobles'.
It was a wise decision to spend heavily from the beginning when there was barely any attention, because now there is a world of it, and they are all trying to dismantle it.
'Of course you can; twenty thousand is not a big deal for you. If you add another ten, we can increase non-aggression to a year, and I will even offer you the trade concessions that you want.'
I nearly laughed before controlling myself.
"My apologies, Marquess Grimvale; I cannot give you the people. I need them myself," I replied.
Yes, those trade concessions would be great, but once more, I can not agree. Giving him people will increase his economy and calm his nobles.
Why would I do that?
Especially now, when things have improved to the level I want.
Now, I am not desperate for non-aggression as I was half a year ago. The things I started half a year ago have made the baronies more secure.
"Though I will listen if you broaden the agreement to include all of our dominions," I said.
I will do that.
The former aggression agreement only involves Nakar. A wider one, even lasting for six months, would be tremendously useful.
He is the biggest threat to me, not Arenthal or Viremont.
It would help me tremendously if he remained quiet during their attack.
"We can start negotiating on it as soon as we finish with Nakar's non-aggression." He said. You bastard, you will never agree to it. "I will only give you the people if we sign a comprehensive non-aggression," I replied.
There was silence.
'It is not acceptable to me, Lord Silver!' His voice was firm, but I could feel strain in it. "And your offer is not acceptable to me, Lord Marquess," I replied.
"Though I hope we will find a way through it," I added. 'Me too,' he replied. A moment later, his mage took over, and I let go of the aura.
"That went well," said Argys, and I laughed. It went as we had expected.
"Let's see what he does. This time, we are prepared." There is mirth this time in my voice.
We have made preparations. He could attack, but not with as big an army as he wanted.
Like me, he is also stretched thin, and the signal I had sent through the army exercises should be enough to make him understand the decision I will take if he dares to attack me.
He might still, even intelligent people, make impulsive decisions. I am ready to deal with it.
It's why I am not worried too much about the non-aggression. A small part of me wants him to attack. So I could teach him a lesson.
Soon, it was time for my meeting, and I walked out of my office. I had reached it when I felt Zela's eyes on me.
"There is a message from Mage Aldridge," she informed, and I stopped in my tracks. The man calls every evening with a status report.
His calling in the afternoon means something happened.
…
Marquess Grimvale
I walked into the conference room, and all eyes turned to me. Eyes filled with expectation.
There is a Velaniel and Haldraven, also Oliver, and three other nobles.
"Lord Marquess," they greeted. "My lords and ladies," I replied and sat down, feeling the weight of their gaze.
"What did he say?" asked Haldraven, without waiting even for a moment. "He declined," I replied, and could see the disappointment appearing in their eyes.
I didn't promise them the people, but I am their lord, and providing them with people is my responsibility.
I am doing everything I can, but those bastard imperials have started meddling with my gathering of people. I tried to capture Silver's network, but it didn't work. I am not trying to destroy it; I am only trying to take it over.
He made it resilient, and I would need to spend significant monetary and political capital. I won't be able to do anything for now.
I would have done that if I believed I could destroy his network, or at least significantly harm it, but I do not believe I could. The bastard has made resilient and got those dam nobles hooked on essence.
"It is why I am saying, we should attack Silver. I will commit my money and forces for it," said Haldraven.
"What if it didn't work? We still don't know how he is doing those things with alchfire orbs?" asked Velaniel, bringing up the biggest reservation about attacking Greltheaven.
He destroyed a great horde; it's not something I want my army to have to experience.
"In my meeting, and in his army exercise, he implied he would respond if we attacked him, and my city would be his target," said Velaniel.
She glared at Haldraven, and he met her gaze with a grin.
It is another reason for my reservations. Silver is normally reactive; he rarely initiates an attack. He only did it once against Mirador Hold.
All the other times, he responded after he had been attacked.
"It's not the time for an attack," I stated finally, breaking the glaring contest between them.
I will attack. I want Greltheaven and every bit of territory he controls, but it's not the time yet. Those two are coming, and bringing the opportunities with them.
Everyone is dreading them, but I am waiting and preparing for my opportune moment to attack.
"We need people, Marquess. I barely have two and a half thousand citizens, and three hundred of them belong to my army," said Oliver.
"I am trying, but I had told you, when you got the territory, it would be your responsibility to develop the citizens," I replied firmly.
The man opened his mouth, then closed it.
It's all because of that bastard! Seeing Silver sending thousands of people to his nobles, everyone is expecting me to do the same for them.
I need people myself. Despite that, I am giving it to them, but instead of being grateful, all they do is whine.
Only for a few months more. Then it won't be a problem.