City of Desire: Chapter 1037 Meeting The Storm Mage (Patreon)

Proofread by Thomas F

Carla Salt

‘Why does she have to call me so early?’ I asked as I stepped into the carriage.

I met her son yesterday, and he informed me that his Mother would call me when she found a suitable one, and this is the time she has found suitable.

“They are suppressing the communication spells,” Dina informed me, surprising me.

“What?” I asked, turning to her.

“I can’t send any messages,” she replied, her voice quaking faintly in fear.

I closed my eyes. Trying to feel the blockade, but I sensed nothing. I wasn't surprised; this was Salazar’s domain. If I wanted to sense her doing something, I'd need to be at least Lv. 50.

Even near dawn, the city remained lively, with merchants, carriages, and workers delivering everything from newspapers to food.

I watched the city pass until I crossed the bridge into the Storm Domain.

The massive Storm Tower loomed ahead, piercing the clouds.

Storm clouds always churned around it, contained yet ready to unleash their power at the storm mage’s command.

For years, the tower had felt only oppressive. But as my power grew, I began to perceive more—like the dense mana flowing around it.

It’s a river of charge, which she could tap into to create a storm within a moment.

The emperor once said it would take an Archmage to defeat Helena Salazar in her own domain. That was a decade ago, and I was certain she had only grown stronger since.

Her city certainly had, especially with the way she drew powerhouses from across the empire.

Many of them were now fighting in the war, growing stronger with every battle.

Their strength, in turn, expanded Namdar’s power and influence, so much that even the imperials couldn’t do anything to her, other than try to remain in her good graces.

So she wouldn’t support the other party. That would be the end of their ambitions.

It is why this meeting needs to succeed.

…

Artur Salazar

She will be here in a minute. I thought as I felt her step into the tower.

I looked at my mother in front of me, standing by the enormous glass wall, looking at the churning clouds. I didn’t inform her; there was nothing she didn’t know about what was happening in her tower or the city.

I am alone with her and the questions in my heart. There are so many things about this that I don’t understand.

“Sometimes it is wise to keep questions to yourself; other times, it is better to speak them aloud,” she said, her voice cutting through the silent hall.

I considered that for a moment, then opened my mouth.

“Everyone wants Greltheaven. We could take it easily—along with everything inside, including whatever they found in Panar. So why haven’t we?” I asked.

Mother was never a saint. If she wants something, she takes it.

A few years ago, they found a load of wilthar. The metal was very suited for storm magic.

She effectively took control of it and the viscounty it belonged to. Greltheaven is a much greater prize; I don’t understand why we aren't taking it.

Right now, there is not even an emperor to keep her in check. A few powerful people exist, but they know not to get in her way.

“Because, my son, that place comes with a heavy burden. If we take it, we inherit that burden as well… I’m not willing to do that,” she replied, surprising me.

I had asked many times, but she had never replied to this question until now.

“What burden?” I asked, but she remained silent.

Seeing that, I sighed internally. She would not answer; she would do it when she felt like it. It is frustrating, but I have learned to live with it.

Though her reply had provided answers to a lot of questions, it also raised more questions in my heart.

“Is that why the undead want to conquer the region, and the emperor had even made a secret visit to it?” I asked. She might not have told me things, but I have my sources.

“Yes,” she affirmed.

Something must be really sensational to make the emperor go there personally and have the undead attack, even while they are busy with the island.

“Why can’t we get it?” I asked, and she laughed.

“Your mother may be powerful, but not powerful enough to want to take that burden.”

I shuddered as I heard that.

She is one of the strongest people on the continent, but here, she said, she didn’t want to take it. If others heard it, they would be shocked.

These are not the words Helena Salazar ever speaks.

“What is it?” I asked.

I knew she wouldn't answer, but now I felt that burning curiosity. I did not get an answer.

“Who knows about it?” I asked.

If she couldn’t tell me, I could find out from other people. She might not tell me, but she wouldn’t stop me from getting information from others.

“Our guest has arrived,” she said, and the elevator opened.

As she did, Carla Salt stepped in. Seeing her, I couldn’t help but sigh in my heart. She is one beautiful woman. Unfortunately, she is taken.

“Storm Mage,” she greeted with a bow.

“Lady Carla,” Mom replied and turned, while I watched in surprise. She rarely addresses people by title, only those she respects or likes.

She calls some dukes by name, and they accept with grace, but here she addressed the woman as Lady.

The woman, who was a prostitute until recently. People would be shocked if they found out.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Storm Mage,” Carla said.

Mom only smiled, saying nothing as she studied her.

People often said her gaze was like a storm, calm one moment and ready to strike the next.

I had seen people shudder beneath it—even faint—though it carried no aura or active skill. Mom’s control was perfect; even her passive abilities remained dormant unless she willed otherwise.

“As I told Lord Artur in our meeting yesterday. We have found something in the mines, including the complete knowledge and tools to make them.” She stated.

She had told me yesterday.

We knew they had found something, and I had asked my people to find it out, but we were unsuccessful. Silver is taking extreme precautions, including a very strict contract and tight security.

Though in a few more months, I am sure we would have been able to find out.

We were making progress.

Mother said nothing and kept looking at her. I wanted to ask, but I kept my mouth shut.

“We are willing to share that knowledge with you.”

Inheritances are extremely rare and very helpful. Mom had found one, and it had helped us a lot. If we could get our hands on another one, it would help us even more.

“Just knowledge?” asked Mom.

“Tools could be too, under certain conditions,” replied the woman, meeting Mom's eyes.

“But not the things you have found in there?” Mom asked, making me even more curious about what they had found.

“No,” replied the woman straightforwardly.

Mom didn’t look surprised. Instead, her lips curved in a faint smile.

“Is that powerful artifact on you also from there?” she asked. My eyes sharpened, and I looked at her. I sensed no artifact, and I could not see any.

She was wearing a beautiful green dress and jewelry, all mist-crafted, of course, but not an artifact.

She looked surprised by that, but nodded a moment later.

“Am I the only one you are making the offer to?” asked Mom, and the woman shook her head.

“You and the merchants.”

Hearing that, Mom's lips curved up in a real smile.

“Your Lord is quite intelligent. Willing to share with me to keep the Imperials at bay and merchants to improve the relationship with them further.”

This time, it was Carla Salt who smiled.

“What did you find?” I asked. I couldn’t bear the curiosity any longer; I wanted to see what they found and how it could be used to help Namdar.

“There is no need to rush, dear son. I am sure we will see it in the battle, likely at Panar.”

“Am I right?” asked Mother, and Carla Salt nodded, with surprise appearing in her eyes for a fleeting moment. It had disappeared, just as it came.

“Good, the battle is starting soon,” said Mom, and a moment later, a massive aerial projection appeared.

Showing the grand aerial view of Panar.

This time, a big surprise appeared on Carla’s face. Seeing that, I smiled. Few people know what Mom is capable of; even I, despite being her son, don’t know the limits of her power.

I turned to the projection and saw the city.

Still covered in darkness, there were a few minutes before dawn broke. The city seemed to be well guarded, with soldiers alert on the wall.

The same with the camp, but the army hadn’t gathered to march toward the wall.

But Mom says there will be an attack in a few minutes. Means there will be one. She wouldn’t have said it if she weren’t sure of it.

“It has begun.”

Mom’s voice shattered through the minute of silence, and I turned back to the screen. At first, there was nothing, but then I saw it, and a smile couldn’t help but appear on my face.

He is starting with a bang.