Proofread by Thomas F
White Crown Hideout, Port Belnin
"He will be coming through the river; he will leave through the river. We could kidnap him, force him to release Juras and our people," said Tynris.
They could never do something like this in a merchant state.
If they dared to kidnap any merchant lord, even the one without any power. They would be hunted to the end of their lives.
A foreign lord is not a significant problem, but one as influential as Silver could bring a lot of trouble, not just from the merchant states.
"No," I rejected.
"He had killed our men and arrested one of the vice-leaders, and we are not going to do anything?" asked Jragr, scrutinizing me intently.
I met his gaze coolly. I know that showing that weakness would bring a challenge. He is the only one who could challenge me, and I would rather not have any at this time.
"I didn't say, we are not going to do anything. I just said, we are not going to kidnap him," I replied simply.
"Are you afraid of him, boss?" asked Alek. "Yes," I admitted, surprising many.
Sometimes, admitting weakness can be used to prove one's strength.
"He may be Lv. 40, but he just advanced, but you have been there for a decade and a half," said Tynris. Hearing that, a laugh couldn't help but escape from my mouth.
"The necromancer must have thought the same thing before he fell to Silver's blade," I replied, turning the room silent.
Many are saying he wasn't even Lv. 40 when he killed the Great Mage.
"We cannot let this go unanswered," said Jragr. "I didn't say we would," I replied sombrely. "There will be retribution and the bloody one, but this is not the time," I replied.
I will have my revenge; there needs to be revenge, but I will not act hastily.
"He is smart, he will be expecting us. So, we will wait until we see the opportunity and make our move."
"I promise you all, it will be such that Silver will not only release our men, but will also never harm us or our interests," I stated, and people across the table began to grin.
…
"Owlspring,"
The city comes into view; it's been quite a while since I last visited the city, and it's beautiful as I remember it to be.
It's vast ports, with boats coming and going in and out.
I want this level of traffic in Greltheaven; it will take time. Years, decades, but it will happen.
I will make sure that it happens.
The yacht drew closer and closer to the port until it reached its destination and came to a stop.
"We have reached Owlspring, my lord," informed Captain Perry. "Thank you for the safe journey, captain," I replied and walked off the ramp.
I have come alone. I could have brought Carla, but since she is the heir, she couldn't leave the city.
One of us always needs to be in the city or in Dominion. If something were to happen to both of us, the legacy would die. It is a chance we can't afford to take.
Especially in times like this, when the assassins of the undead, the gangs, or my other enemies could attack us.
I was somewhat surprised that I didn't get attacked on the trip. I mean, my luck is so bad that I got attacked on nearly every other trip I made outside of my territory.
Or at least fought for some reason.
I just made the first part of the journey; I may get attacked on the way to Yaris or when I return to Greltheaven.
I pushed those thoughts away and looked ahead. I must say, I am surprised to see who is leading the welcome party; I didn't expect to be welcomed by this older man.
"Welcome to Owlspring, Lord Silver." Said the man. "Thank you, Lord Nathil," I replied.
He is the second in command of the Lord of Owlspring and a very powerful individual.
"I hope the journey went well," he said. "It was so peaceful that even I am surprised by it," I replied with a smile, and the old man laughed as well.
We talked for a few minutes before his people led us toward the carriage.
I am swamped throughout the entire day. I have to meet a couple of council members of Meldhorn and Oksall. In the afternoon, Lord Berison of Brock's Brasserie will host me in his legacy.
There, I will meet a couple of important merchants.
In the evening, I will attend the celebration, before leaving at midnight for Nova Alyra.
Last time, Carla had gone there, but this time, I am going. I wanted to go there for a long time and was feeling quite excited about it.
Still, I would have sent Carla, but they have asked me to come personally.
I wouldn't have, if it had been anyone else, but it is a hidden city. The most powerful faction of the merchant states. It could even be said that they rule it.
I sat in the carriage and it began to move; a few turns later, it entered the city through the gates.
It's a beautiful city and very well-maintained in all aspects. House Verulus has been a capable house, and Caelus Verulus is one of the best lords it has ever had.
He is a capable administrator, but even better warrior. However, nobody knows the extent of the man's power.
Since he took over, the man rarely fought other than in a few duels. That ended far too quickly.
I pushed those thoughts away and focused on the city. A few minutes later, the carriage entered the grand hotel, the Weston.
They have also built one in Greltheaven.
In a few months, we are going to meet with the representative of this hotel.
To offer them a massive opportunity.
Soon, the carriage stopped and I stepped out of it. "Welcome to Westson, Lord Silver," welcomed the staff waiting for me.
I nodded and walked inside. There, the staff handed Jill the key, and we moved toward the elevator.
Soon, a few seconds later, the elevator stopped at the eighteenth floor.
I stepped out and walked toward my room. When we reached it, the guard opened the door and inspected it before I was allowed to enter.
I didn't like doing these things, but I know there are many enemies, and I cannot afford to be careless.
I entered the suite and lay on the bed. I have a meeting in half an hour. It will be an important meeting.
I will be meeting many people. Influential people, intelligent people. People, against whom I have to be very careful.
Soon, twenty-five minutes passed by, and I got out of bed and activated Get Ready before walking out of my suite.
It didn't take me long to reach the suite of the person I am meeting. He is on the same floor as me.
As I reached the door, the two orc guards standing by it opened the door for me without a word. I nodded and walked inside.
It's the same-sized suite as mine, but with a better view. Well, he is a councilman of the merchant state.
"Lord Silver, Councilman Grimgore is waiting for you," said the orc woman in her mid-thirties. I nodded and followed after her.
Click!
She opened the door, and I walked into the office with a great view of Owlspring.
Though I had only looked at it for a moment, before I turned to the man. A tall orc with thick, smooth hair wrapped in a ponytail.
He is thin for an orc, which might make one assume he is weak, but far from it.
He is not a warrior, but that doesn't mean he isn't dangerous. The man is one of the most powerful people in Oksall.
"Councilman Grimgore," I greeted as I sat in front of him, without waiting for permission. There was not even the slightest change in the man's face.
"Lord Silver," he replied with a smile. That does not have even a shred of warmth.
It's been two years since I saw the man. The last time I had met him, it was in Oksall in the company of Count Darrow, when we were negotiating the trade route through Amberhold.
"How was the journey?" he asked. "Good. I slept through most of it," I replied.
"That's the beauty of the river. No matter how many enchantments the carriages have or skills applied to them, they can't be compared to the smooth travel of a yacht," he said.
"You are absolutely right, Councilman," I replied, and I honestly agreed with it.
"The council is reviewing your request, Lord Silver. You are asking for things that are only reserved for merchant states' partners." He said, coming to the point.
"Harsoth Empire is still a 'Strategic Rival' of the Merchant States and your city is part of it," he added.
This is not a courtesy visit; it is a business one.
I need things from them, weapons—all types of them, spears and shields, to cannons and mines, to alchfire orbs. Our condition might look good on the surface, but it's far from it.
I need weapons for my increasing army and a powerful cannon, among many other things.
I have been trying to produce many of these things, but I have barely started. I do not have the scale and quality that I need. Only the merchant state could provide me with that.
"I am aware, there are ways around it," I replied, and the man smiled.
"I believe three council members have already agreed. You need my vote for the state to sell you what you need." He said. I am not surprised; he is aware of it.
Robin had met with council members of Oksall and secured a commitment from Councilmember Ashenwood and two others.
"Yes," I replied.
"Good, I will be straight with you. As long as you sell my city two hundred Grade IV essence by the end of the year, I will give you my vote," he stated, and my expressions turned serious.
"I am willing to sell you the essence, but not that much," I replied, shaking my head. "I have other commitments, with the majority of them from the merchant states," I added.
Oksall isn't the only state from which I am buying things. I am also doing it from Meldhorn and Belnin.
I do not have to worry about Meldhorn. Thanks to the Lord of Owlspring, I just needed to hand over a good number of essences to his state.
Belnin is a little tricky; a lord runs it, and I will be meeting his representative in a few hours.
"Hundred and fifty then?" he asked, and I shook my head. "Fifty at most, and even for that, I will need to shuffle around what I promised others," I replied with a sigh.
The next moment, I felt a gentle wind against me, and I thought I should agree, giving him a hundred and fifty.
Immediately, I activated Lord's Presence. I didn't spread the skill, but covered it around me, pushing his skill away, while protecting myself from further harm.
"It might feel like you are disrespecting me, Lord Silver. Giving me less than my colleagues in council," he said while pressing me with his skill, with far greater power than before.
Looking at his face, he does not appear to be. He is using the skill; it feels like we are having a conversation.
"Nonsense. I would have loved to give you more, but I am squeezed." I replied. Careful in my words; I do not need to speak the truth, but definitely not lie.
"I would not ask for more; just give me a hundred," he said, and once more I sighed.
"Sixty is the most I could stretch," I replied.
He is right, I gave others more. Especially Ashenwood, but they helped me tremendously in my time of need, and that one is going to become quite powerful in the council.
This man, on the other hand, was filled with uncertainty.
There are whispers that he was the one pulling the strings for what happened with Blackwell's. It is said that regaining the council seat in the next election would be difficult for him.
It is the reason why I gave him less than others. I might need him, but he needs me as well.
Even more than I need him.
He needs to accumulate as many benefits as possible before the next election, where he might not regain the seat. There are already significant challenges emerging.
"Fine, but I hope you will sell me more next year," he accepted with a smile, turning off his skill.
There is not a faintest flicker of emotion that could be seen on his face. I could not tell if he was angry or disappointed. He is very good at hiding his feelings.
"Definitely," I replied with a smile, and we shook hands on it.