City of Desire: Chapter 859 Barons (Patreon)

Proofread by Thomas F

“Thank you for the incredible spar, my lord,” said Baron Harrods as we walked out of the sparring hall.

This will be the last contest in this place; after this, it will be converted into offices, and most of the guards will be moved. Already, most of the soldiers had moved out of the castle.

With this, only the guard station will remain. However, there will be no change in security.

“The honor was mine, Baron Harrods,” I replied with a smile. The man smiled back, while Leila’s expression remained complicated.

They have been since the spar ended.

I had sparred with both of them, and they have impressed me, though I am not surprised. Harrods’ strength is known, while Leila is very talented.

Becoming a Baroness didn’t keep her away from rising in strength.

Still, personally witnessing their strength had made me feel relieved. I am now sure that the security of the Nakar on both fronts is in good hands.

A few minutes later, I was in the suite.

I freshened up and showered before walking to breakfast, where Lola and Locke were already sitting. “Lord Silver,” they greeted. I nodded and sat down beside them.

“What is the progress?” I asked. “We have four confirmed,” she replied. Pushing the four names toward me. “The others are more taciturn,” added Locke.

“Four is good,” I replied, looking at names.

We need over 50% of the votes to pass the laws; seven votes, to be exact. Means we will need three more votes.

“Can we count, Husk?” asked Locke. His name is not on the list. “Yes,” I replied. They seemed relieved, and Lola quickly scribbled his name on it.

“What did Baroness Silver, Baron Harrods, say?” she asked. “They are not going to agree,” I replied.

They seemed surprised, they didn’t have. These two might have territories in the most dangerous places, but they are the most secure.

Leila is not as dependent on the family as others.

She has developed a successful monster-processing business. She is also in hospitality, real estate, and other things.

If not for having a border territory that squeezed her considerably on security expenses, she would have been the wealthiest woman in the baronies; right now, she is in the top three.

Baron Harrods, on the other hand, has no family in the empire that could pull his strings.

It had brought him trouble since he had no support system like other Barons, but it had also given him great independence. It is why, among the barons, only he has the church of Dusk in his territory.

There were veiled threats from the church of God of War, but Dusk was offering more than they could, and he accepted it.

Even Leila couldn’t do that. Like me, she is separated from the family, but is more intertwined with it than I am.

“That leaves us only five to work with,” said Lola, and I smiled. It would not be easy, but I have a plan.

“Have you laid the seeds?” I asked Locke. “Yes, I had implied that those who agreed would get the preference on the people and other privileges,” he replied.

If the law were passed, everybody would get people, but the question is: what kind of people?

What their age would be, what their level and classes would be, and their experience and age. These factors can make a big difference.

“Still, it would be hard, even these five might flip.” He stated.

“There would be immense pressure from their families not to agree with it since it would have their power diminished with these laws.” Added Lola.

“Robin would be talking to their families today,” I replied, and I could see the question, but I only smiled.

We are going to tell them that we are enacting these laws, whether they like it or not. I would prefer it happen by votes, but I would bulldoze through it if it didn’t.

So, it’s better if they agree, as this way they will receive good benefits.

I have been setting aside a good number of essence potions for them for the past few months. It will not only help with their resistance, but also with other plans I have for them.

I might give the Barons more freedom from their families, but I also want their families to be more involved in the baronies.

They are rich, and I could use their money for my purposes.

Soon, the breakfast ended, and I walked out. I will meet the city officials before I address the barons two hours later.

I am looking forward to it.

Until now, I had maintained a distance from the Barons. In two hours, I will meet them and give them the guarantee that will ease their worries.

I walked to meet the officials.

It is a meeting with them alone, without Lola; she doesn’t need to be there. I trust her; that doesn’t mean I don't carefully look at her work.

Many officials regularly send me reports not just from here, but also from the other two cities.

To rule well and justly, I must have all the information. From the beginning, I cultivated secret sources, some of which I alone am aware of.

An hour and a half passed by, and I returned to my office. I will be meeting the barons soon.

“Countess Balsozar wants to talk to you,” informed Varza, as I was about to leave to address the barons—Countess Bezsolar, wife of Count Balsozar, a brilliant woman.

Very complementary to her husband, who is not that gifted in politics; duals, on the other hand, he is very good at.

Usually, the call time is fixed, but I asked her to call me as soon as she finishes the request I had made of her.  I had tried other nobles for it; I should have tried her first.

“Ok,” I replied and took her hand.

“Countess, since you had called at this time, I believe you have succeeded,” I said. “Yes, it took an effort, but I did,” replied the woman on the other side, melodically.

Seeing that, a smile couldn’t help but appear on my face. “In fact, I am with a person,” she added.

The slight smile on my face turned into a big one. “For it I will be grateful,” I replied.

“It was not easy; I had to spend a lot of political capital to achieve it,” she stated.

“I understand it, and it's why I am approving the request you had made,” I replied, and the other woman laughed melodically. It’s a skill, and its effects are powerful.

“Thank you, my lord, it will help the Count a lot.” She thanked.

“I have another request, but with your legacy closing soon, you will not be able to entertain it. I will be making it, after you reopen it on a grander scale,” she added.

“I am looking forward to it,” I replied.

I didn’t ask or promise. If she says she will ask about it only after reconstruction, I understand that is a pretty big request. I could already tell what it could be about.

“This news came at the right time,” said Varza as I cut the call.

I didn’t say anything, other than smile, before getting up and walking out of the office. Soon, I reached the hall where the barons had gathered.

The guards bowed and opened the door. I entered and felt the nobles' eyes on me.

I could see the nervousness, fear, and some defiance in their eyes. These are powerful people who want to resist, but unfortunately, they have already failed.

Now, I walked into the room with that confidence, and they could see it; it had made them more nervous.

“Lord Silver, Lord of Velvet Garden and Greltheaven Dominion,” announced the herald.

I would rather he were not here, since it is a very small meeting with only twelve barons, Lola, Locke, and a few other people, but it is protocol.

They greeted me with a bow and nodded at me before I stood in front of them.

There are no chairs or tables in here. This should have been in the conference room, but Lola and Locke already explained every part of the laws to them; there is no need for me to do that.

My only job is to convince them.

“Thank you all for gracing this castle with your presence, Lord Barons,” I said, looking at all of them.

“I know, the Greltheaven Laws had created upheaval in your hearts. Many of you are afraid to lose your political and economic control, but let me assure you, nothing of that sort will happen.”

“You will gain more freedom with it and economic prosperity, which you all want for yourself and your citizens,” I stated, and I could see that many of them still do not believe.

“I know many of you still have doubts, so let me give you. Proof of my sincerity,”

I said and took a grey scroll with beautiful purple designs and the dominion's emblem. Seeing it, many eyes widened, and it is not due to its beauty.

A moment later, the scroll floated up in front of me smoothly. It surprised many as it is not the telekinesis skill or spell, but the aura that did it.

Though soon, the scroll began to unfurl, revealing a contract.

They could feel its power, not just of the hide it is made of, but also the ink. Each contains power; it is crafted from the mist and ink, core essence, and my blood.

I didn’t say anything and let them read the contract.

Nearly all of them are merchants and familiar with the contracts. It is one of the first things taught to the members of mercantile houses.

“This is the guarantee, my legacy,” I declared.

If I didn’t follow through, it would be my legacy that would pay the price.

“You can read the language and can see the safeguards I am offering you. There is no exploitation, only prosperity, mine yours and the whole dominion,”

“With such guarantees, I don’t think we will have any problems in agreeing with it,” said Lanes, and a few nodded, but most remained quiet.

“The vote will be held on the day of celebration.”

“Whatever it may be, I will respect it as I had promised when you all submitted to the dominion,” I finished with a smile before walking out of the hall.

Now, I will meet them individually.

It is where I have to convince them. I need seven votes, but the more I get, the better, as it will provide greater trust and legitimacy for the new laws.