City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Chapter 592: Anniversary

"This is the latest figure," informed Lola, passing me a slip of paper. I opened my eyes and took the slip.

"It seemed like I underestimated the allure of the legacy casino," I said, looking at the number. It is over three times more than what we had estimated.

The figure is the money guests are transferring into the casino's accounts.

It is massive, and it's only the afternoon. The casino will open in the evening.

The day had finally arrived. A year ago, this place became a legacy, and my life was forever changed from that moment.

Since then, I've faced it all—the triumphs, the trials, the victories, and the losses.

I handed the note back and closed my eyes. I am currently listening to Rutto and Hiren's conversation with the noble from Princess Orlena's camp.

He is the thirteenth noble; they had met since yesterday.

I want their armies, but it isn't my only desire. I want them as well. These people may have lost their territories, but they have not lost their fortune.

If they came here, the others would come with their wealth.

While I want them, I do not ask them to live in the city directly. That will make things worse, as it would make me look desperate.

Asking for the army is one thing. It is the thing people always desire, whether it is in war or the piece. Asking for nobles is another.

But they will live here, wanting to be closer to their armies. To keep their loyalties from shifting.

I have no plans to return the armies they'll so generously provide. That's precisely why the clause includes their soldiers' families—leverage is a powerful thing.

I'm offering them even more benefits—if their men bring their families along.

The nobles, of course, see right through my intent, but the choice is neatly wrapped within the contract. Unlike in the empire, where their armies and wealth are simply taken, here, they get the illusion of control.

I've even heard both princes have started demanding artifacts from them—the most prized possessions of any noble house.

Parting with those? That stings more than gold or men ever could.

The Imperials won't allow those with artifacts to leave—or even allow them to bring them into my territory—but that's fine.

Right now, artifacts aren't something I can openly claim anyway.

The Imperials won't be pleased with how I am dealing with the nobles, so I extended them the same offer—on my terms.

Their share depends on what people the nobles provide. As for the emotional essence, I'll sell it, not hand it over for free.@@novelbin@@

They didn't take kindly to that. Their response, laced with stern words, made that clear.

It's a dangerous game, one I wouldn't have played if not for the mounting pressure on the empire. The enemies have been relentless these past few weeks, but their momentum has begun to falter with the chaotic empire regaining its footing.

It might allow them to send an army to subjugate me, but it is unlikely to happen. Things have become more complicated than they were a few months ago despite their slowing down the enemies.

The enemies have come closer, and if one side moves at me, the others will move to stop them.

Most importantly, the Imperials are too consumed with their enemies—and each other—to spare an army. Without one, they have no means to subjugate me. And I have no intention of making it easy for them without one.

I still don't know whether the imperials will let them come to me.

They could stop it, as they could have stopped more than half of the people I am poaching, but they didn't.

They need me strong—strong enough to hold the line against their enemies, especially the undead. That necessity binds them, whether they like it or not.

If the undead seize control of the city, they'll possess this massive Legacy—one they will never relinquish. The Imperials understand that all too well.

They might not support me, but they are letting me build my force to defend myself and my legacy.

However, gaining nobles is a different subject.

It will certainly complicate things. But if nothing else, I am adaptable and always willing to negotiate.

I can't say for certain if it will work, but I'll keep pushing forward. Relying on a single path to gain seasoned soldiers is a fool's gamble—I need multiple ways to secure them.

Our earlier poaching method is getting smoother every week. I bribed, bought, and threatened nobles whose territories formed the supply chain.

Now, I'm receiving a steady flow of soldiers each month. Even these territories have started to help me, sending men in exchange for the opportunity to buy more emotional essence.

Hun!

I was lost in thought when I felt it—a surge of power, raw and undeniable.

Immediately, I got up and moved while my vision shifted to the location.

There, I saw an explosion.

For a fraction of a heartbeat, I thought it was an enemy attack, but I pushed that thought aside when I realized it had happened in the kitchen.

I could see the runes blazing to life to suppress the explosion. At the same time, the hidden power of the witchcraft charms begins to work stealthily with the visible power of skills.

They caused the explosion, which had the power to blast a third of the kitchen apart, to be limited to only a small part of it.

Soon, I reached the kitchen and saw the damaged section. Six people were sitting in the corner, covered by a screen.

The blast was quite powerful. Despite the protection, it burned clothing and injured the chefs.

When such things happen, the protections trigger, and these protections protect the people first.

"Zela," I said, and she walked ahead and started to cast a healing spell on them.

"What happened?" I asked. "The magic ingredients," replied Bass—the head of the second kitchen.

I had expected that much.

Our people were trained in handling them, and there are protocols, but things still happen.

We will have to investigate whether the chef made a mistake or the ingredients, which we test extensively before bringing them into the kitchen, were to blame.

I looked around before activating the Instant Restoration.

The mist moved, and the things began to return to their places. Even some parts embedded in people's skin flew out, fixed back where they had been, and mended smoothly while people watched in awe.

This is my least used legacy skill, but the one I like very much.

Without it, fixing the damage, restoring the enchantment, and other things would have taken days. That would have been bad, especially with the opening.

But with the skill, dealing with such things becomes easy.

However, it does not come without a cost. It uses emotion essence. The greater the damage, the more emotion essence would be used to restore it.

Two and a half minutes later, everything is restored.

"It is fixed. Everyone, go back to work. You six, go home and rest," ordered Caena before we left the kitchen.

"Investigate it. I want to know what caused this," I said to Caena.

If there is any problem with our protocol for handling magical ingredients. We would make changes.

They will also investigate the whole batch of ingredients and the people working on them. Also, sabotage is a real possibility. Seeing how many people want to kill me.

"Already on it," she replied.

I didn't return to the office and began to check things personally from the top floor downward.

Soon, I reached the store floors, where I had granted the mist to over 60% of the stores. They could be seen working with the mist as curious onlookers watched the transformation unfold.

The process of crafting things, many of which are slow and boring, became beautiful with the mist.

The goods they produce are also expensive and in very high demand.

That's why problems are stirring here now. Greed clouds their judgment, driving them to commit crimes they should never have.

We are currently investigating. I want to unearth the whole thing and catch everyone involved.

I shook those thoughts aside and looked around me. Many people had come and could be seen filling the store floors. There was always a long line outside the legacy.

The tower garden is also crowded with a lot more people than usual.

The legacy has its own security under Stena, but today, the police are also helping. It is a significant day; we can not afford to be complacent.

As night fell, the tower and garden came alive with light, casting a mesmerizing glow that made the entire scene feel like something out of a dream.

"You look beautiful," I told Carla as Eudo readied her. "Thank you," she replied, turning to me.

She is wearing a long black gown and a large pink diamond necklace that Eva designed. The necklace brightens up her amber eyes.

I wanted nothing more than to keep my eyes on her, but the anniversary party was calling, and I couldn't ignore it.

A lot of important people have come. Merchants, Lords, and even Masters of Legacys'.

"Ready?" I asked, and she nodded.

I took her hand and walked out. Soon, we reached the door and stepped out into the grand hall while everyone watched.

This time, I didn't use aura. There is no need for that; I have already shown I have it. Using it now will give the enemies the information on my level of mastery.

We stopped and looked at all the guests.

I could see the nobles of the Nakar baronies: merchants, lords, and Masters of Legacys'.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed Lords and Masters," I said, looking at all.

"Welcome to this momentous occasion! Today, we gather to celebrate not just the anniversary of Velvet Garden but also its incredible journey,"

"To most, it seemed to have appeared only a year ago, but its foundations were laid long before that—even before I ever set foot in this city."

I spoke and looked at Carla with a smile.

"The Velvet Garden began as a dream—to be more than what society conforms it to be. Over the years, it has grown into a place where people connect, celebrate, and make memories."

It was not easy, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without Carla and the others.

"Today, we're also thrilled to mark a new chapter with the grand opening of our casino! This addition reflects our commitment to giving you that experience that you will remember your whole lives,"

"None of this would have been possible without you—our patrons, tenants, and dedicated staff. Thank you for your support and for making Velvet Garden what it is today."

"Let's celebrate the past, enjoy the present, and look forward to an even brighter future together. Thank you, and enjoy the festivities!" I finished.

"Your words reminded me of the first day I saw you," she said, looking at me.

"It was quite a day," I replied. Remembering the first time I saw her.

"I thought you were too naïve and idealistic," she said.

"Now?" I asked, flashing a grin.

"You're still naïve about some things, still idealistic," she replied, her eyes locking onto mine. "But that's a good thing. It means you still have those same convictions you had when we first met."

I raised an eyebrow. "So, in other words, I'm still a work in progress?"

She smirked. "Something like that. At least you're consistent."

I wanted to kiss her, but I moved to greet the first guests.

I am excited about greeting all the important guests before the casino opens, but I am also worried.

A lot is riding on it—though, considering it's a casino, I suppose that's just irony at its finest.

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