Morning light spilled through the tall windows of the council chamber, scattering soft gold across the stone floor. The air was calm, almost sacred—the kind of quiet that made you believe change was possible.
I stood at the head of the long table, maps and scribbled notes spread in front of me. For once, there were no blades, no blood, no enemies waiting in the shadows.
Today wasn't about survival. It was about building something that would last.
"Gregor," I called, glancing toward the man standing by the doorway. His armor gleamed faintly in the morning light. "Bring me the city's chief architects and builders. We've got work to start."
He straightened immediately. "At once, Your Majesty."
The heavy doors creaked shut behind him, leaving me alone with the echo of his boots fading down the corridor.
While I waited, I opened a tab I hadn't dared touch until now — the City Management System. The translucent window flickered to life, glowing faintly above the table.
CITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
City Name: Varelius Capital
Population: 243,000
Treasury: 48,000 Gold
Morale: Moderate (57/100)
District Overview:
Western District: Under Renovation (20% Complete)
Merchant Quarter: Moderate (Aging Infrastructure)
Noble Quarter: High (Stable)
Industrial Zone: Low (Needs Repair and Upgrades)
Key Needs:
Sanitation & Housing (Western District / Industrial Zone)
Road Maintenance (Merchant Quarter)
Security (Citywide)
I scanned the numbers and sighed quietly. It wasn't just stats—it was a mirror of a broken city trying to keep itself standing. Crumbling foundations, neglected streets, morale held together by pride alone.
Velzithar's voice slid into my mind, smooth and curious.
"Interesting. This might actually make things easier for you."
"'Easier' isn't exactly the word I'd use," I muttered, scrolling through the data. "But at least it's honest."
The doors opened again. Gregor returned, followed by six people—three men, three women. Their clothes were worn but neat, their hands rough with years of labor. They looked more like survivors than planners, and somehow, that comforted me.
"Your Majesty," Gregor announced. "The city's finest architects and builders."
I nodded, motioning for them to step forward. "Good. Come closer."
They gathered around the table, eyes flicking between the maps and the glowing system window hovering above it.
"I called you here because this city needs change," I began, my voice steady. "And I don't mean patchwork fixes. I mean real progress. We're going to rebuild this place from the ground up."
Their expressions were cautious—curious, even hopeful—but none of them spoke.
"This is our capital," I continued. "It should be the heart of the kingdom. But right now? It's falling apart. Broken roads, cramped homes, rusted water lines, filth in the alleys—and no one's done anything about it in decades."
I pointed to the Western District on the map. "Renovations have started there, but that's just the first piece. The Merchant Quarter needs proper roads to keep trade flowing. The Industrial Zone—that's a disaster waiting to happen. Fix the safety issues, fix the city."
A man in the back murmured, "And the noble quarter?"
"Stable," I said. "For now. But if the rest of the city collapses, their walls won't hold forever."
That shut him up.
One of the older builders, his beard streaked with gray, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, these are... bold plans. But where will the funding come from? Projects like this don't build themselves."
I tapped the Treasury display on the screen. "We'll reallocate funds. Cut waste from unnecessary court luxuries and redirect it here. Prioritize what keeps the city alive."
With a few swipes, I opened the Assign Work tab.
Tasks Assigned:
Western District Renovation: Housing & sanitation.
Merchant Quarter: Road upgrades and material sourcing.
Industrial Zone: Safety and repair assessments.
Workers Allocated: 200
Estimated Duration: 6 Months (Initial Phase)
A soft chime echoed through the chamber as the system confirmed the updates.
The architects leaned in, studying the blueprints I'd drawn by hand. One woman blinked in surprise. "These are… different. Advanced. Where did you learn to design like this?"
I met her eyes. "I....had a friend who was a great a engineer"
The room went quiet. Then, slowly, the older man gave a small, approving nod. "An engineer, huh? Well… that explains it." A faint smile crossed his face. "You have our support, Your Majesty. Tell us what you need, and we'll make it happen."
"Good," I said, exhaling a little. "Then let's not waste any more time."
As they began trading notes and arguing about materials, I leaned against the table, watching. Lines on a map were turning into action—into something real.
Velzithar's voice whispered in my mind, quieter this time.
"You're not just building a city, Alaric. You're building what comes after you."
I didn't answer. I didn't have to.
Because she was right.