City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Chapter 566: Become A Subject

Secret Place, Archmage City.

Two people appeared before a massive gate that made them look tiny.

One is a human man, and the other is a dwarven woman.

"You said it shook again," said the woman, looking at the massive gate with her staff shining.

She is one of the strongest people in the world, but a flash of fear appeared in her eyes momentarily when she stared at the gate.

"Yes, three and a half months ago," replied the man.

"That would make it the fourth time in this century," said the woman, and the man nodded.

"In the last century. It only shook three times, but now this century isn't half past, and it is four times already," replied the man with worry all over his face.

"You had met the guardians of the seventh gate. What did they say?" asked the man.

"It only shook once at the start of the century. It had been silent since then," replied the woman.

For a minute, nobody spoke. They just kept looking at the gate.

"I was really hoping it wouldn't come for a few centuries. By then, my bones would be buried deep in the sea,"

"But the chance of that happening seems lower and lower," muttered the woman.

"An Archmage is scared?" asked the man with a smile. The woman smiled back, but there was no hint of mirth in her eyes.

"Very much. Those on the other side eat people like us alive," she replied, turning away from the gate.

…

The elevator door opened, and Jill pushed my wheelchair onto the seventh floor of Lunar Palace, where I would meet her.

The Lunar Palace serves not only as lodging for masters of legacies but also as a hub for commerce and diplomacy. It's where many masters convene for meetings, negotiate terms, and strike deals that shape the future. I had come here for the very same purpose.

The meeting was initially set for the fifth day, but she abruptly changed the timing.

I needed to reschedule some of my appointments to make time for this.

Soon, Jill stopped in front of a long wooden door. It has a beautiful carving of people worshiping the sun.

"Lord Silver,"

I looked at it when the greeting of an Otonian man standing by the door brought me back to the real world.

I nodded at him and got up while he opened the door for me.

I walked through it, entering a beautiful parlor with a great view of the garden outside.

However, I barely glanced at it before focusing on the woman sitting longingly on the sofa.

She is wearing a white toga, but this one is a little scandalous. She has the same golden belt, while her other artifact, the falchion, is lying on the table.

Thrown casually like car keys.

I had read about both of these artifacts. They are powerful.

"Prefectus Prisca," I greeted the woman. "Lord Silver," she replied, waving me to sit before her.

I nodded and sat in front of us while she remained in the same position.

"Tea?" she asked.

"Sure," I replied. I do not fear that she is going to poison me.

Even the members of the Heavenly Colosseums aren't that mad despite having the power to go against the Archmage Tower.

A moment later, the teapot moved and poured into the cup.

It is not her skill doing it or the aura which she has, but that belt of hers.

It is a psionic artifact.

"How many cubes?" she asked. "One," I replied. The next moment, the sugar cube moved above the cup smoothly but didn't go inside.

Instead, the cube became a fine powder and fell into the tea.

The tea swirled, melting the sugar inside perfectly before the cup flew toward me with the saucer.

"Thank you," I said as I picked up the cup.

It is a fine display of power and control. It impressed me like she had wanted to do.

I took a sip, and I have to say it's good—the best tea I've ever drank. It is also magical, filling my body with vibrant energy, which has removed the weakness I was feeling.

"It's good," I praised.

"It's cadoloros. It grows naturally in the extreme magic region of Brames," she replied.

I took another sip and another before finally finishing it. I set the cub down and turned toward the woman lounging in front of me.

"I want my mother," I stated directly, each word steady and deliberate. It wasn't a request or a plea; it was a statement.

"That wouldn't be a problem as long as you accept our condition," she replied, her voice smooth but firm.

A chill ran down my spine. Something about her tone unsettled me. "What condition?" I asked cautiously.

Her expression sharpened, the faintest glimmer of amusement fading from her eyes. "Become a subject of the Masal Colosseum," she said, each word deliberate, the weight of her intent palpable.

She wasn't joking. Her gaze locked onto mine, unwavering, her seriousness radiating like an oppressive heat. This wasn't a negotiation; it was a declaration of intent. She wanted my legacy. And she wasn't the only one.

The conclave had barely begun, and the predators had already revealed themselves. This was only the second day, and I had received other offers. One was from a Grade IV power, and the other was from a Grade V. These two said it directly, while a third implied it.

"It's an excellent offer, Lord Silver. Masal Coliseum is part of the heavenly colosseums, one of the most powerful forces in the world,"

"Your legacy will be a great addition," she continued, her voice rich with confidence. "The offer comes with a promise to ascend your legacy to Grade IV in a few years—a feat you might never achieve on your own."

"Aside from that," she added, leaning back slightly as if to emphasize the casual generosity of her terms, "we will also provide you with support against the undead. Powerhouses, artifacts, and anything else you desire."

It was a tantalizing offer, and she knew it.

When viewed through the lens of geopolitics, it was a masterstroke. The Masal Colosseum wasn't just a force but a symbol of power, a name that carried weight in every corner of the world. To be associated with them meant security, prestige, and resources I couldn't even begin to quantify. And their promise to deal with the undead—my most immediate threat—was a prize no other offer had yet included.

"Velvet Garden is off the table. We can discuss everything else for my mother's release," I replied, my voice cutting through the charged air with unwavering firmness. The words left my mouth without even a moment's hesitation.

Being a subject will give them the ultimate power over my legacy and, by extension, me and my domain.

I love my mother despite the complexity of our relationship. Fraught with unspoken words and years of tension, that bond still holds a depth that no other connection could replace. But even for her, I can't hand over the fate of hundreds of thousands to others. Their lives and futures rest on my decisions. To yield my autonomy now would be a betrayal to them—and myself.

Her eyes widened just for a fleeting moment in a flash of surprise, perhaps at my resolve or willingness to draw such a firm line even when family was on the table. But she was skilled, and her composure returned before the moment could linger.

"You have nothing other than Velvet Garden that interests us, Lord Silver," she stated, her tone as final as the closing of a book.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Then we have nothing to talk about. Have a nice day, Prefectus Prisca," I said, rising from my seat. My voice was steady, but inside, a storm raged.

Her gaze followed me, cold and unyielding, as I turned to leave. The weight of defeat pressed against my shoulders, but I didn't falter. I understood all too well—there was no point in continuing the discussion. She wouldn't budge, and I wouldn't either.

"Take this, Lord Silver. If you ever change your mind," she called after me, and a scroll floated toward me.

But I wasn't an idiot. This was a tool, a card to hold close even if I never intended to play it. If the storm of geopolitics and war grew too overwhelming, if I had no other options... I might need it.

I thought I had a chance, but I never did. They want something I could never give them.

It is good that I didn't tell the children about it. It would have raised their hopes and, after this, crushed them hard.

I came out and sat in my wheelchair. Jill pushed it without saying a word.

I could walk. I am recovering faster than I had thought, but I don't want to strain myself when I don't need to. I only need to do this for a few days before I can walk without compromising my recovery.

Soon, I returned to my suite, where Margaux was waiting for me.

"How is the academy?" I asked. She had gone to the academy in the morning to register for her daughter's admission.

"Magnificent," she replied with a smile.

I felt bad. She should be spending the days with her daughter, which she hadn't seen for a year, but she spends most of her time working.

"This arrived for you," she said, sliding the envelope across the table toward me.

I opened the envelope and read it.

When I looked at the number, a smile couldn't help but appear on my face.

"Let's hope the bids won't go too high," I replied before putting the invitation down.

"I had looked at the numbers of past auctions. They will be in range; not many legacies want them," she replied.

"Let's hope so," I said.

…

Myrathra Dawnstar

"Are you really doing this, boss?" asked Halbis as he read the letter that confirmed the meeting.

"Yes," I replied. "Why?" he asked.

"You do not need it. You had built the business in the most competitive city. It is more than enough to live your life comfortably," he added.

He is angry. Worried. He doesn't like my decision.

"I have to do it. It had been years since I had leveled up. If this continues, I might be able to advance a few more levels in my lifetime, but it won't be enough to reach Lv. 50," I said.

I am currently at Lv. 42; a very high level.

There are only a few people in this great city who have reached this level in the class I have.

It's not enough. I want to reach Lv. 50. Only at that level will I be able to leave my mark, or I will be another whore forgotten by history.

I do not want that.

"So, you are willing to leave it all?" he asked. To that, I smiled.

"Of course not. You will handle the business here after I am gone." I replied, and a surprise appeared in his eyes.

I have a hands-on approach to business and use Halbis as my assistant.

"Me?" he asked, surprised.

I had never hinted that I would hand over my business to anyone.

I didn't plan to; I thought I would be in the city forever, but after everything I had tried failed to level up my class, I finally decided to leave the city to find opportunities.

"Of course you. You are the only one I trust to handle my business in my absence," I replied confidently.

It took him a while, but he finally nodded, with excitement flashing in his eyes.

"Why Harsoth? It is dangerous with civil war and undead. The one in a merchant state would be a much better choice," he asked.

"Yes, it's dangerous, but Harsoth feels right," I replied.

I trust my feelings. It helped me survive the harsh world where it left many in our business broken.

It hasn't been confirmed yet, but it will happen.

The meeting is just a formality. Given my level, there is no way he will reject me.

Subscribe to to read more than 20 Advanced Chapters, Character Art, and Maps. Become a Free Member and enjoy the Character Art, Maps, and other interesting things.

THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM