Chương 629: Chapter 628: Big Party

As far as my eyes could see, people were hard at work. Mages dug into the earth, workers carefully laid stones, and enchanters meticulously inscribed runes. The academy's construction was in full swing, a relentless force of progress. Ammellus wasted no time. Construction began within two days, and more hands joined the effort each day, pushing the project forward at an astonishing pace. I asked him to do it in full force. I need the academy to be standing as soon as possible.

However, unlike the academy, The Mage Tower's progress hadn't even started. We don't have the necessary expertise to build a Mage Tower. It is why we are searching for a partner to build one. The company we partnered with to build the legacy builds the towers, but they are not right. The conditions were beyond what we could agree on. However, the biggest problem is the finances. What I had allocated will last for two weeks at most before I need to allocate more money for them.

"Tomorrow, another group of workers will join. It will speed up the progress," Amellus said. I nodded and walked around the site. The population of the city is increasing, but so are the jobs. It might be hard to believe, but there are more jobs than those occupying them. I am paying a good amount to employment guilds across the empire and merchant states to post the openings. My people are also using their connections to bring in more people. There is a huge need for construction workers.

We are pulling in the forest orcs who didn't join the army or have a unique talent. They help a lot, especially the women. In the forest, there is always work for them to do. Here, too, there are things to do, but the convenience of the city helps them do them in a few hours, which used to take a day. The biggest problem was and is cultural, but things are improving. Many tribes and orc men are letting women work. We have also opened schools for them to foster their talents. It is producing a good result.

That is why the academy must open as soon as possible. We need it to foster the young generation of the city to turn them into the pillars of tomorrow. An hour later, I was moving toward the city in my carriage. The days pass quickly, and the month is nearly over. The new stores will open in three days, and I am excited about it. I have already given their members access to the mist, and Eva and others have taught them the basics of using it in their craft. The rest of the improvements were in place.

I glanced out the window at the blocks where the collective's artists, actors, and performers had settled. The energy of creativity was already taking root. I wanted this area to become a proper artist district—and I was determined to make it happen. From subsidizing rent to providing spaces for them to work, most of all, they have the freedom to work on whatever they want. Art is the lifeblood of culture, and I would see Greltheaven rise as a beacon of creativity.

Let it not be merely a city where one views art but where one is consumed by it. The legacy might not be there tomorrow, but I want the city to be. A few minutes later, the carriage stopped, and I got out before walking into the city hall.

"This has come from Barb," said Lola, putting a file in front of me. They had reached the island two days ago and were very impressed by it. I opened the file and began to read. Although it was thick, it didn't take me long to finish. There is nothing secret about the information. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Those with enough connections could access the information presented in the file, but Barb wrote it, and many normal sentences contain secret information when viewed through the lens of Velvet Garden.

"It will be very challenging to swallow the Tranquill Bathhouse. I would suggest we give it up," said Lola. I didn't say anything to that. We knew it would be challenging to swallow it, and now, after reading the information, we understand it would be more challenging than we initially thought. The legacy is as powerful as ours. We do not show the full power of the Velvet Garden; it is always at 50% or less, and even then, we are more powerful than nearly every other Grade III legacy.

The witchcraft made it very powerful, but we lost that advantage against the Tranquill Bathhouse because it was a pawn of the throne for a century and a half. There is also that fucking artifact. Barb and others had seen it, and they had nothing but praise coming from their mouth. From what I heard about it. It's an ancient artifact, over ten thousand years old. It is considered an artifact of average power but an old artifact. There might be something we don't know about it.

I wish I had read about it in more detail in Archmage Tower, but I was more focused on offensive and defensive artifacts. I contacted my connections for more information but couldn't get more than I had. I requested the Archmage Tower, but there is little hope. They don't usually give that information. Synod conference was one unique opportunity. There are other difficulties as well. This is why, despite making all the necessary preparations, I am not fully committed to it.

The contract states that both parties can break it at any moment. This is also why Constance is still contacting many thrones to make Tranquill Bathhouse the pawn. It is the safest choice because a lot of things could happen when we try to swallow each other, including both legacies dying in the process. It had happened many times. I want the Tranquill Bathhouse very much, but I would not sacrifice my legacy for it. Still, I am not without options. I wouldn't have made the move if I didn't have hope.

Still, there is a deep fear that will not go away until I call it off. Hours passed, and soon it was evening. I got out of my office and sat in the carriage. It is going directly to the legacy. Today is an important day for the legacy and the city. A grand gathering of the merchant guild of Owlspring is being hosted on the Legacy's roof. Thousands of their members have descended to the city. Carla pursued it, though she doubted we'd succeed. Yet, a week ago, word arrived—we had secured it.

A week was little time to prepare, but we managed. Now, I can only hope they will be delighted. Soon, the carriage reached the tower, and I stepped out of it and walked toward the door. Even now, in the evening, there are lines of people wanting to enter the tower under the long banner. A huge banner also flows down the tower, announcing the six new stores. Of course, I am publicizing their opening. I put in a few stores from other cities, such as Inam and Namdar.

It is a great opportunity; I would be an idiot if I didn't take it. I entered the lobby before taking the elevator. A few seconds later, I stepped onto the top floor. The girls used to run it, but now Stavad had taken control of it and Velvet Blue. Today, the merchants of Owlspring are in every part of the legacy. They have booked the Velvet Blue, the casino, and the spa. They have also booked Velvet Red; only merchants from Owlspring are in there, but it is unofficial.

It would be a scandal if they booked officially. Bringing the merchant guild here is quite a coup that Carla had made happen. They are the most desired group; they are rich and don't hesitate to spend their money. If they celebrate here once, there is a good chance they will celebrate here the following year. Seeing them, the merchant guilds of other cities and guilds might also decide to celebrate here. It is a legacy, after all, and the one that provides for all their desires.

Soon, I will be in my office and begin to work on things. I will need to finish before ten before joining the party. The first thing I did was talk to Barb. It is morning there, and there are a few things I need to discuss. Zela connected me with her, and I spoke to her briefly before focusing on work. Nobody has come to my office since everybody is busy with the merchant as I want them to be. Click!

I was looking through the expense report for one set of gardens we are planning to build in the city next month when I heard my door open. When I looked, I froze for a moment.

"You look beautiful," I praised Carla. She was wearing a violet embroidered gown that hugged her perfectly like it was made for her, and it was.

"And you are not ready. It is past nine and a half already," she replied. I looked at the clock and saw it was really past nine and a half. The time flew by without me realizing it.

"Give me a few minutes," I said, getting up from my chair. I went to my room and quickly freshened up. When I exited the bathroom, I saw Eudo waiting for me there. I nodded and sat down. This was the first time he had used his hands. Even after gaining them back, he kept using the telekinesis.

"Thank you," I thanked. He smiled and walked away. I returned to my office a minute later, where Carla awaited me.

"Let's go," she said. I smiled and took her hand before walking out of the office.

"Lord Remus Silver, Lord of Greltheaven and Panar. Master of Velvet Garden," announced the Herald as we stepped out of the elevator onto the roof. There are thousands of people here. Some are alone, with their wives, partners, and girlfriends. Over half of the madams are here, including Margaux and Della. Miss Dawnstar is also present, as are officials like Robin, Valentina, Hardt, and others. I am using everything I have to charm these merchants.

I need their money and investments and a stronger connection with the guild. I had just stepped out when a man in his fifties with a goatee and sandy brown hair approached us with his wife.

"Thank you for gracing our party with your illuminating presence, Lord Silver," said the man.

"It is my honor, Guildmaster," I replied to the man. He is Kallan Fraser, the Guildmaster of Owlspring merchant guild, the man we must impress. We talked with the man for a while before meeting the vice guildmasters.

"You have done an amazing thing bringing them here," I told Carla.

"It wasn't easy," she replied.

"I never said it was," I said, kissing her cheek gently.