[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-city-of-desire-kingdom-building":3,"chapter-city-of-desire-kingdom-building-city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-571":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","City of Desire [Kingdom Building]",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1846691,2449,"Chapter 573: Meetings and Deals I","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-571",571,"\u003Cp>I walked out of the shower and wore a suit before looking at the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The paleness and weakness had vanished. I now feel fine and complete. I had nearly recovered; the small part won't stop me from projecting my full strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I am refraining from using the skills and the aura. I won't use them unless necessary, at least until I leave this city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Archmage City is the safest place on the continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is a thousand times safer than my city. If it had been Greltheaven, I wouldn't have been able to control myself for more than a few days before activating the skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, it made things more challenging, especially when the other party used the skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, I interact with powerful people. Without Jon and Margaux, I would have had no choice but to activate my aura and skills to defend myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at the mirror, adjusted my suit and hair, and headed downstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty minutes later, I found myself sitting in a parlor with the two men—one the host of the legacy, the other its guardian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure, the mist-forged goods won't be a problem. I can sell them to you, complete with enchantments and all, but...\" I replied, leaving the sentence hanging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged orc with dark hair was Dular Stonemaw, Master of Maw Grill—a Grade IV legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue-haired half beside him is its guardian. They are from Navr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They want everything—grill grates, knives, tongs, trays, and anything else we could offer them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can pay you above the market price,\" said the half-elf, but I shook my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do not want the money, Lord Jarys,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We cannot give you essence. It is off limits,\" he said, to which I shook my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't want the essence either. I have my own legacy,\" I said. \"Though, I would accept it if you offered it—after all, it's a Grade IV essence. But that won't happen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, I want something else. Something I've desired for quite some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want liquor—the aged ones. You've been holding back on that,\" I replied, and a smile spread across their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Velvet Garden ascended to the legacy, I've had access to the finest liquor. I've amassed bottles from the top hundred liquors, some of which are incredibly rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even among them, there are distinctions—certain ages or batches are considered the best. I've managed to get my hands on liquor aged up to a hundred years, but nothing older. Even for a hundred-year-old bottle, I had to pay a steep price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Money isn't an issue. As long as I have the liquor, there will always be people willing to pay for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, it will help me advance my vision of providing the best experience to my patrons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think that shouldn't be a problem, Lord Silver,\" said the half-elf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. Please send your people to Greltheaven to negotiate,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such negotiations are complex. We can only initiate things; others will handle the actual negotiation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Silver, the higher-ups have asked me to inform you that we are interested in essence and are willing to exchange rare items in return,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled at that instead of replying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merchant state had asked me not to sell a single drop to Navr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I plan to follow it because Navr is an enemy who will eventually attack, and I need the merchants and don't want to displease them yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A minute later, I walked out of the parlor with a smile showing on my face. I have made many such deals with other masters of legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They want mist-forged goods because they are best for the legacies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Few legacies produce them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most would focus on weapons, so I concentrate on kitchen goods instead. Most legacies are recreation-type, and they have kitchens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only the legacies want them, but everyone: nobles, powerhouses, and even the royals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had years of orders before coming here, and now they have increased even more. I anticipated that and made Gagarin expand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anything?\" I asked as I got out of the parlor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today is the ninth day of the synod. The new council will be announced soon, yet there has been no reply from the Grand Mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are only a few hours before the announcement, and I am getting worried. The academy is extremely important, and funding will help tremendously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Funding it ourselves will create a lot of problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We need money for other essential things, especially one that will require an insane amount of money in a few months, given the city's growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is no response, but Miss Dawnstar is waiting for you in the office,\" replied Davis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had an appointment with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hope she agrees; the news of her joining alone will help the college tremendously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Myrathra Dawnstar\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened, and the young Lord walked in. He was alone, but I could faintly sense another presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rogue with aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I want an aura. It is one of the reasons I am going to Greltheaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As 99% of people reach Lv. 50 have an aura. Some people considered it a condition to reach Lv. 50.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A whore had awakened an aura. The news of Carla Salt awakening the aura made me seriously consider Greltheaven an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Silver,\" I greeted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Dawnstar,\" he said and sat down before looking at me and awaiting my answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will join the college to take a teaching position, but I have a few conditions,\" I said, and I could see a small smile appearing on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't an easy choice. I have thought about it a lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I told Halbis about it, he laughed and told me not to accept, which is something, seeing the man dreaming about me leaving. So he could control everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked the people I trusted and valued their opinions, but they, too, had asked me to reject the offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying it is disrespectful and beneath me, given my level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to reject it and nearly did, but I decided to read about it in complete detail before deciding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I learned everything: how they operate, what they teach, and many other things. The more I read, the more my opinion changed until I made the opposite decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are your conditions?\" he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, I will need an early termination clause. I could leave if I want if I don't feel the job isn't suitable for me or I feel there is a threat to my life,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The second is that I will need the position of the vice-headmistress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Third, I want my…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I listed one condition after another, and he listened without interrupting me—not once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at him once I finished and saw him deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I could agree to the termination clause, but it would only apply for the first six months. You can leave if you don't feel it's the job you want.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the termination due to danger, I will only add a war clause.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for you getting the position of vice-headmistress, the answer is no. The position needs to be earned; the head of the department is the most I can offer,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will accept your condition on housing, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He responded, accepting some terms outright, modifying others, and rejecting a few altogether.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I countered them, and he countered back. The back and forth continued for over twenty minutes before we finally agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will not regret this decision. Miss Dawnstar,\" he stated. \"I hope so, my lord,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will have a contract drawn and sent to you this evening,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will be waiting,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know, I should be saying this after contracts are signed, but welcome to Velvet Garden, Miss Dawnstar,\" he warmly stated. \"Thank you, Lord Silver,\" I replied and shook his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This decision is daunting and scary, but I have to take it. I hope it will be worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I watched the woman leave, and a big smile couldn't help but appear on my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Getting her is a significant victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is a response from the office of Grand Mage. They want you to meet Great Mage Xarafis at twelve,\" said Davis, and the smile on my face grew even bigger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great Mage Xarafis is Grand Mage Asin's aide and secretary of the synod council.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the council had agreed to my proposal, then Xarafis would be the man I should meet. So, it is very likely that they would have accepted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I did not let myself get too excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Inform, Lady May. That I will not be able to attend her soiree,\" I said. A few minutes later, Oakley came, and we drafted the contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had prepared contracts, but given her level, we would need to craft one suitable for her. It might take some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, I had kept the morning free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had done that intentionally. I knew if I got a response. I must meet in the afternoon before the council election results are announced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Done,\" he said as he finished drafting the contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I read through it once more carefully. Looking at any flaw that might come to bite me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I saw there was none. I activated the power of legacy and Lord's Contract, using a skill for the first time since coming here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wouldn't have, but this contract is too important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sent it to Miss Dawnstar in a few hours,\" I said before getting up. I would have liked to send it now, but I don't want to seem desperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap on to readover 20Advanced Chapters.Become a Free Member and enjoy the Character Art, Maps, and other interesting things.\u003C\u002Fp>",1634,"2026-06-09T06:55:02.855Z",1,"novelbin.me","b430d76b921753bce6a5824ebb36fde5ff4126243b02b26ea022a0b708f21dce","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-572","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-570",917,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcity-of-desire-kingdom-building-cover.jpg"]