City of Desire: Chapter 830 Negotiated Settlement (Patreon)

Proofread by Thomas F

Marquess Grimvale

“He is ready,” informed Mirdo, and my aura moved, touching him, connecting to the spell.

I do not want this, but I genuinely don’t have a choice. Negotiation is the only way forward.

“Marquess Grimvale,” said the voice on the other side. Young, but firm with inherent authority in it. Even most nobles don’t have such authority in their voice as he does.

The bastard had made me angry and frustrated many times through the night. He had proved that he is really an enemy I should never underestimate.

“Lord Silver,” I replied.

There was a silence after; it was a significant call, and every word needed to be deliberate.

If it had been anyone else, I would have used the skills. I have very good skills, with aura, I could make them even more powerful, but this man is the Lord of the Throne.

He had already demonstrated that he could utilize the power of the legacy to enhance his skills.

“The baronies; 50-50 would be a fair distribution.” He said, and I laughed. It is not intentional, but a reaction to the man’s words; he is joking, if he thinks, I will agree to that.

“15%-85% would be the fair distribution, considering I already have fealty from most of the Barons,” I replied.

“Though I am willing to give to raise it to 25%, if you throw in the Lauryl City,” I offered, and this time, the other man laughed.

This is a battle, not of arms, but of the minds.

Our armies are still locked in a stand-off, but we both know, given how things are on the ground, fighting wouldn’t be in any of our favor.

Silver’s forty-five is locked against my eighty-thousand, but twenty-five is coming from the northern baronies to help him, while I had sent another thirty-thousand from here.

He can’t send any more soldiers. Considering that he needs to defend other fronts, and Greltheaven is nearly unprotected.

The same is for me. I may have sent the thirty thousand in the latest group, but I will need at least twenty thousand back very soon to defend against Tabes.

So, for both of us, there is no choice but to negotiate.

“You have the allegiance of sixteen barons at most, Marquess. The majority of whom are in Lauryl city.” He said, and I smiled, but not with joy. There is anger and some surprise as he knows it is also the truth.

 “And you only have the allegiance of eight northern barons,” I replied.

I would have had a stronger hand if he weren’t holding barons and their relatives in Lauryl.

He wouldn’t kill them, but that is not the point. The barons are important, and I have to save them.

It is my duty since they swore allegiance to me, but also because I have to prove to them that I am more capable than Silver to control the whole barony one day.

“How about this, I will give you all the northern baronies,” I offered, and it is a really good offer.

“Northern baronies, do not hold Lauryl. Marquess.” He replied. He has Lauryl; he will not give it up.

Lockridge had a chance to gain the city, but he wasted it.

If he had taken Lauryl, I wouldn’t have even been negotiating with Silver. I would have only needed to fight a couple of times, but I would have gained the whole baronies.

At most, I would have given him the northern baronies. The rest would have been mine.

“I need the northern baronies, along with a few central ones, including the occupied and unoccupied that are on the way to Lauryl,” he demanded.

I am not surprised. He would not leave Lauryl or have it surrounded by hostile forces.

“That is a big ask, Lord Silver,” I said. “It is non-negotiable, Marquess Grimvale,” he replied firmly.

…

Remus Silver

“You will get eight northern baronies, four central ones, and five unoccupied, along with the city of Lauryl, while I will have the rest,” said Grimvale.

“In three days, our people will meet in Namdar to negotiate the distribution of the treasury, debt, arms, trade, and taxes,” I replied.

It has been nearly an hour and a half since we started negotiating.

We had agreed on the territory, but there are many important matters we still need to agree on, such as hostages, taxes, trade, and non-aggression.

Until the terms are formalized and signed, tensions will remain high.

The negotiations will take place in Namdar, as it cannot occur in our territories, with Namdar serving as a neutral party.

Neither of us trusted the imperials, I suggested to Inam, but he considered it too close to me. So, Namdar, it is a place where both of us can trust to conduct fair negotiations.

Although we have agreed to end the temporary standoff, continuing it will not benefit either side, as both of our armies are hungry and tired.

“I hope we will be able to reach the terms that are fair for both of us,” he said, after a moment of silence. “Let’s hope so,” I replied.

The call was cut off, and I turned to the two people sitting in front of me. They are with us the whole night.

“Robin, you will have to go to the Namdar,” I said. He is one of the most capable of leading such negotiations.

“I have time; it’s not like we are making much progress with the undead.” He replied with a tired smile.

He is currently still in negotiations with the undead, but even after three rounds, we haven’t reached an agreement. They want their Lv. 30+ powerhouses, which is non-negotiable for us.

“Lola, you will leave the for Lauryl immediately and take the administration into your hands,” I ordered.

I didn’t have to look back to see her eyes shining and her whole body shaking. She knows what this means; she has been patiently waiting for this.

She had proved herself capable of such responsibility, and her loyalty is unquestionable.

It will be a massive responsibility, not just to handle the city, but also to deal with baronies, the northern front with monsters, and the southern front with Grimvale.

I might hand these responsibilities to others, but right now, she is the only person I trust to do this.

“Thank you for the great honor, Master Silver,” replied Lola, with tears streaming down her face.

“It is a very sensitive time, and a formal agreement hasn’t been signed. You will need to be very careful, and I am not just talking about Grimvale,” I cautioned.

In exchange for allegiance, I promised a few things to my barons—especially my sister and Harrods.

She will be the chief of security of the whole barony. Meaning aside from the northern front, she will be responsible for the army and police in Lauryl City.

While Baron Harrods will be responsible for the northern front.

I am giving them tremendous responsibilities. It is why I will have to shuffle the armies. They might have the responsibilities, but the people they lead will be mine.

I don’t think they will do anything against me, not because they are loyal, but because they cannot deal with Grimvale without me.

Still, caution is necessary.

“I will keep that in mind,” she replied. Now that she is leaving, I will have to find another assistant.

“Do you think Grimvale will try something?” asked Valentina. “Definitely, but not militarily; it will be political. To gain an edge in negotiations,” I replied.

It is why it’s important that a trusted and capable individual quickly take over the reins of Lauryl.

A few minutes later, they had left, including Lola, who would be leaving the city within an hour.

“Connect me to Carla,” I said to Zela. There are a few things I want to discuss with her.

…

Carla Salt

I released the hand of the mage after talking with Remus and leaned back against the chair.

“You should rest, my lady, you haven’t slept since yesterday,” said Kaza, my guard. “I will soon,” I replied and walked out of the office.

As I walked through the castle hallway, I saw the soldiers; they were everywhere, guarding every day. As they looked at me, they bowed their head a little.

Even in the city, not many people bow their heads as they do here. It isn’t just our soldiers, but also of the fortress.

I was a little surprised by such respect until I heard the whispers.

‘Stopped the commander,’ ‘Defeated commander,’

To most, I am still an whore; some call me Silver’s mistress or his whore. It was the first time I saw such genuine respect in people's eyes, and it made me feel things I had never felt before.

I have awakened the aura soon after Remus did, and the circumstances under which I awakened it made me practice it every day, without fail.

I may have been a whore, but I don’t want to experience what I did that day ever again.

It was only a month ago that I successfully practiced the aura method. I only know one move; there are four more I have yet to understand.

I will be trying to understand them all as soon as possible. Today has proven how important it is.

If I had already awakened the aura and knew the method. That bastard would have never dared to do what he did to me.

Soon, I reached our General, he is talking with Lawson and others. He will soon leave the fortress with a company of guards.

The man didn’t want to stay here and wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. There is a fat prize waiting for him there, big enough to last him a lifetime.

It was worth it, seeing not only that it had given the fortress, but also an army of nearly fifty thousand.

“My lady,” they greeted.

Even now, I am not used to being addressed like that. Since I became heir, more and more people have been addressing me in this manner, and I like it—a lot.

“Generals,” I replied.

“Lord Silver had informed me that you will be leaving for Navr tomorrow and had asked me to make the appropriate preparations,” said Cardin, and “Yes, I will appreciate it,” I replied.

We got the fort and baronies and with them, the big army, but now comes the hard part—Paying for it all.

It is why I am going to Navr to inform the leaders and merchants that there will be no disruption to the trade. Remus is also sending the people to the Merchant state to inform them of the same.

He had made a deal with Grimvale that would continue the trade.

He doesn’t want it to stop either; he will get his share of it as well. While he may have money, he is also spending a considerable amount. These taxes would help him alleviate some of the pressure.

I spoke with Cardin for a few minutes before returning to my office.

I didn’t sleep until late at night, as most of the day and part of the night were spent talking with different people and making preparations for the trip the next day.

It was past ten when I finally closed my eyes and let the sweet embrace of sleep take me.

[Condition Met: Castellan of Mist – Lady of Misted Spire]

Lady of Misted Spire Lv. 40

Lady of Misted Spire Lv. 41

[Skill Change: Castellans’ Grace- Lady’s Grace]

[Skill Change: Tally of Dusk – Counting of Coin]

[Skill Change: Like Morning – Blooming Wave ]

[Skill Change: Velvet Whisper – Lady’s Words]

Skill Change: Velvet Step: Misted Glide]

[Skill Change: Castellan’s Presence- Lady’s Presence]

[Skill Gained: Veil of Redirection]

[Skill Gained: Ink of Obedience]

[Heir Skill: Show of Velvet and Blood]

…

Unbroken General of Resolve Lv. 42

…

Elderblood General of Unfaltering Stand Lv. 43

…

Bladebound General of Iron Hand Lv. 42

[Skill Gained: Flowing Balance]

…

Ironblood Lord of Radiant Dreams Lv. 44