Proofread by Thomas F
"Lord Silver, please do the honour," said Amellus, looking at the tray on which a brown brick with crystalline granules shining through it was placed.
I nodded and placed a ceremonial mana brick on the ground; the first brick.
Immediately, thousands of people who had been watching silently began to applaud; they quieted down as I turned to face them.
I didn't speak immediately. Instead, I looked at them; they have come here to witness something. A thing that has the power to change Greltheaven.
Make it powerful and prosperous. I could see that hope in their eyes; the same one I have in my heart.
"This brick represents a future, not only for the city and our mages, but also for our children," I said, and could see the smiles appearing on their faces.
I have written the article in today's paper, describing my vision for the Mage Tower.
The loan had been approved; they also approved the design quickly. There are only a few conditions this time, nothing harsh like last time.
They needed to put in the conditions, or other members of the synod would think, 'I am getting the money too easily.'
"It will act as the bastion of defence and centre for research dedicated to advancing magical knowledge, but it will be a nurturing ground for our children."
I took a pause and looked at all the people. I have waited for this moment for a long time.
It would have happened earlier. If not for Nehdis messing things up. I pushed those thoughts away. It's in the past; there's no need to dwell on it further.
"Here, young minds will find guidance and inspiration, ensuring the continued prosperity and safety of our home, which we all so cherish and love," I finished, and even bigger applause rang out than before.
Many among them may not understand the actual value of the Mage Tower, but they liked the thought that it would defend them and that one day their children would learn in it.
The tower will be used for defence, research, and teaching purposes. It will produce the new mages that the city needs.
"Best of luck to the three of you. I hope you will make the tower, which is worthy of the dominion," I said to Amellus and the two who will lead the tower construction.
"We will, my lord," they replied in unison. I nodded and walked toward the carriage with Carla and Valentina.
"I can't wait for it to get built," said Valentina, with her eyes shining with hope.
She is a mage and the one who is just a step away from being a Grand Mage. She has the necessary experience; all she needs is knowledge.
The condition that stopped many mages at the level she is at.
The tower is not necessary for the High Mage to advance to Grand Mage, but it helps tremendously.
"It won't be quick," Carla replied. Magic helps in building things quicker in this world, but the Mage Tower is a complex construct.
It is why we have partners, ranging from firms in the merchant state to those in the archmage city. Many of those firms will also be working on legacy designs.
Still, even with their help, it won't be quick.
It will take approximately 1.5 years. However, I will try my best to make it as quick as possible. However, I will not sacrifice quality.
Soon, the carriage reached the city hall. Valentina and I got out, while Carla continued to her office.
As we walked toward the city hall entrance. I saw people and items being moved out of the northern exit; another department is relocating out of City Hall due to space constraints.
"The city hall is becoming smaller and smaller," said Valentina. There is a question in her sentence that made me sigh.
"Yes, expansion is necessary, but not now," I replied.
There is barely any money in the city's coffers. Instead, I am cutting the budget of many things to support the recruitment of the army and other defence needs.
"Speaking of the city hall, we need to decide on the administrative heads of the outer city," she said.
Many tasks need to be completed now that both the Dominion and the city are expanding.
We need to create a separate administration for the city and the dominion. Until now, the scale was small enough that we didn't need to do that, but now we do.
Also, we need to create sub-administrations for the outer city.
The scale of the city was small enough that we did not need it, but now we have the outer city. We will need sub-city halls.
I plan to divide the outer city into four boroughs, with borough halls leading the administration, which will be overseen by City Hall.
"We have time," I replied.
It is necessary, but there is some time to spare. I do not have enough people to manage the separation. It is why I am recruiting.
I didn't want to do anything hastily and pay the price later. I would rather bear the strain for longer and do it properly.
Soon, we reached my office.
"This is the plan," she said, and put a file in front of me. It is something I had asked her to do, under conditions I had set.
I opened the file and read through it carefully, page by page. It was a thick file, and even with the skill, it took some time before I finally finished reading.
"Very good," I praised.
"Any corrections? Suggestions?" she asked. To that, I shook my head.
"You have done an amazing job on it," I praised her once more.
The file is about the plot release of the outer city. I cannot just release the plots and let anyone who wants to buy them. They are divided into several categories.
There are categories such as residential, business, investment, and others, with even subcategories within them.
Take residential categories; they are for people who plan to build a home, but not all do it within weeks or months. This is why it is divided into several subcategories, and rates are fixed accordingly.
Take the first subcategory; it is for individuals who plan to start building the house within three months.
They will get the plots at the cheapest rate. Even among them, soldiers or those who stayed in the city when the undead came will get a further discount compared to those who returned or are new.
To prevent exploitation, there is a lock on selling it.
There is another subcategory for individuals who plan to start building a home within six months to a year. Another option for those buying to build a house but not planning to do so within a year.
We are also offering cheaper plots to influential individuals or those who possess the classes we require.
Same for the business category. If they are willing to set up a business within three months, I will practically give the plots away for free.
Which is an enticing prospect, considering how rapidly property rates are rising in the city.
It is all designed to attract a lot of people and have them make Greltheaven their home. In the next month, Panar will do the same.
We have done that there before, and it worked pretty well.
"Then we will release the plots tomorrow," she said. To that, I nodded.
I am feeling nervous; this is very important. The future of the city and the whole dominion is riding on it.
There have been numerous enquiries, but they would mean nothing if they didn't translate into results, and the city needs results.
She left a few minutes later after discussing a few more things.
"I had talked to Ina earlier; she wants the assistants," informed Lola. "She isn't the only one," I replied and sighed.
Ina had two assistants. Onaz and Argis; Onaz is dead, while Argis stayed in Panar to aid Damon Hardt. The man is a merchant, not a lord; he will need help in managing the city.
At least until he learns all the ropes.
Argis had proved his abilities, and Ina had praised him as well.
Ina is not without an assistant. Currently, Anika is helping her; she is a girl of Velvet Garden. I had sent before Onaz; she was supposed to be temporary.
She stayed back in Panar and worked in the city hall.
Ina had told me that she wants Anika to head an important department and will need new assistants.
I am looking for people, not only for her, but also for Damon Hardt. These are not just assistants, but also the future pillars of dominion.
Their job is not only to assist the governors, but also to learn from them.
I need to send three people, even four. At least one will be from Velvet Garden and one from the orcs; they have proved their loyalty to be trusted with this enormous responsibility.
They are already considering the military, but I also want them to explore civilian administration.
I already have my eyes on a couple of them. Right now, they are going through the little tests with other candidates.
Those who pass will be selected; the same thing is happening in Velvet Garden. Although I gave that responsibility to Carla, I already have enough on my plate.
Not that she is less busy; she is more so now than ever.
She is working with Cardin on a significant thing. If it succeeded, it would greatly benefit the dominion.
It is one of the reasons why the man is in the city, not in Gailhorn.
"Have you talked with Jenna recently?" I asked. I receive a report from her about the Tavern regularly and talk to her every day, but I am not her friend.
"Yes,"
"She said we will need to define clear boundaries of authority between Vanis and Mariha. They don't disagree heavily, but there is an invisible friction between them." She replied.
I noticed that as well, and Jenna had informed me about that in a diplomatic tone.
Leadership is the most essential thing in legacy. Usually, there is one leader, but here there are two, and both have vastly different visions.
I am surprised that there hasn't been a massive disagreement between them yet.
It is the thing I am focusing on most. I already got a pretty good idea of how I am going to deal with it; the next few months will help refine that idea.