[{"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-783":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},1846931,2449,"Chapter 787: Trust and Responsibility","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-783",783,"\u003Cp>Proofread by Thomas F\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I entered the hall, filled with people. I paused and looked out across the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone who is important had come—Chiefs, merchants, warriors, and guests from other cities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you all for being here to attend the ceremony,\" I declared to them all, and then paused, letting my skill cover the whole hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have emerged victorious from the battles; the road was arduous, and many gave their lives in service.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have honoured them and now it's time to honour those who performed exceptionally by giving them well-deserved promotion,\" I finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"General Thaddeous Maurise Stone, step forward,\" the herald called, and Stone stepped forward, before stopping in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is wearing his uniform, with all the medals and stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No one had made a greater contribution to the outcome of the battle than General Stone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For his great contribution in the defence of Dominion. I, Remus Silver, name him the General of the Army,\" I declared and added another star on his uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This will be the highest position in the army; there will be no one beyond this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will protect the dominion till the last drop of my blood,\" declared Stone. \"I know, you will, General,\" he replied with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed and stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lt. General Leonas Marth Cardin, Lt. General Thomlin Hiren Jr., Lt. General Nicolle Varna Azalia, step forward,\" the Herald called, and then the three of them came forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have sent extra forces into the Panar and increased the vigilance around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is very risky to bring her here, but it needs to be public; with her absence, the ceremony wouldn't be complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today is also the day I will announce the formation of the Western Command. I could have waited, but given the danger, I want to start on it as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All three of you have done great service for the dominion; without your dedication, there wouldn't have been a dominion,\" I said, voicing an undeniable truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hereby elevate three of you to the rank of General. May you stand as steadfast pillars, defending the dominion from every threat it may face,\" I proclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We will,\" they replied in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, I promoted the people: Vihra, Axseer, Uram, Cooper, and many others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The promotion is not only for the outstanding service they have done for the dominion, but also a hedge against the danger we will face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't want to elevate a General of the Army this early, but after facing a great horde, I realise I need it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is one more thing,\" I said as we finished with over a hundred promotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am forming a sub-command in Panar, called Western Command, to keep eyes on and respond to the enemies. General Azalia will head it,\" I declared, looking at General Azalia standing beside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for the honour, Lord Silver,\" she replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The programme lasted for another half an hour before it ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier in the morning, I had given a big speech in front of tens of thousands of people. We have just held the promotion ceremony, and tonight, there will be a party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, I have declared the Dominion holiday. It is to celebrate our victory against the undead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, I reached my office and sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The call is fixed. You will talk to Lord Zalmas at seven-twenty in the evening,\" informed Zela. Hearing that, a smile appeared on my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am talking to all members of the Synod council.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I talked to nearly all of them, including the Grand Mage from Archmage Tower. Only Ophelia and Zalmas had remained; Ophelia, I will speak with her tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zalmas is the lord of a Grade VI legacy; one of the most powerful on the continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, I got the financing through the muscle of Archmage Tower. I had gotten it, but it didn't work; this time, I want to do a thorough job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I want the majority of the council to agree to the proposal I had sent to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the last proposal, the synod made numerous changes. This time, I am going to present it as I crafted it. I wasn't able to do that earlier, but now, as a Master of a Throne, I could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, it would have taken six months, but my title provides me with unique privileges that are not available to other lords of the Grade IV throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could bring the proposal to the council in the month. I used that privilege.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After what happened last time, I didn't want to go to the synod again, but I need money. This time, I am asking more than last time; it will all go to the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It isn't something I want anymore, but I need it. For the advancement of my mages and to train new ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good,\" I replied, before focusing on the work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been ten days since I returned from the Gailhorn, and I am still swamped with the work, and I will be for a few more weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You also have a call with Lord of Inam at seven forty-five.\" Informed Lola.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn't forget,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been six days since the negotiations were over, and his office had been pressing me to make Vanis Tavern a subject every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might be thinking, I am waiting for better offers, but I am not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would have done it the day negotiations were finished, but we were not ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We needed a few grand spells charms; they were not finished until this very morning. With them, we are finally ready to make Vanis Tavern our subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carla and others will be leaving today for Inam after the party is over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would need to be here, not that I could go to Inam. Even if I wanted to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't go through the river because it's too risky with Deerpond and Riverbell. My strength had increased, but it's no guarantee of safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is even worse if I take the sea route. The undead might declare an open season on me. They have killed many powerhouses in the sea with just sheer numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pushed those thoughts away and focused on the work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed, and before I knew it, the whole afternoon had passed by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Silver, it's one minute to five,\" informed Lola, breaking me out of the work I was doing. \"Has he arrived?\" I asked, and she nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beckette Reed\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at the clock and there were four minutes more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am a little nervous, despite knowing what this meeting is about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been meeting all the vice-guildmasters in the past week. Only, I had remained. So, I was not that surprised when I was called.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are three of us now; the fourth vice-Guildmaster had left the city before the battle. He came back, but lost the position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two belong to medium-scale businesses; one of them was a small business owner, but it had grown into a medium-scale business since then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, I am the sole small business owner and Vice-Guildmaster, and I wish to remain that way. My children have their own careers, and I have no ambition to expand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could, but that would be counterproductive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I love my job in the merchant guild; the power and prestige it brings, and the opportunities it provides for fellow small business owners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had dreamed about it, but I never thought I would get it. I did, and I am satisfied with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The position of Guildmaster had opened. Now that Guildmaster Arryn had become chief of trade. That leaves the position empty, and many people are vying for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them are deacons, and a few ambitious merchants are vying for the top post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A member of a powerful mercantile house always holds the position of the Guildmaster. There are a few deacons from those houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three of us Vice-Guildmasters are from small and medium-sized businesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This means we have no chance of getting that position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many had come to meet me in the past few days. They offer many things, including a promise of support, after becoming the head of the merchant guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't decline them, but I also didn't accept them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soren Arryn had suggested Malhad Barus's name. A member of the mercantile house of Barus. He already got the support of one vice-guildmaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reija, on the other hand, remained non-committal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I don't know whether she had suggested someone in her meeting with Lord Silver yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already have a person in mind whom I will suggest for the position of head. It is Carlos Bran; he is from the mercantile house of Bran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is a deacon, and he offered me support, but that's not the reason I chose him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chose him because I know he is capable. He had worked under me, and the man is intelligent as well as ambitious. I believe he will be the best match for the merchant guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was lost in thought when a beautiful blond woman stopped in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Silver will see you now, Vice Guildmaster,\" said the woman. I nodded and stood up before following the woman toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened and I stepped inside. There I saw the young man and the familiar woman standing behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could also see the mage to my right, sitting on the couch. She examined me before turning back to the book she was reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord,\" I greeted. \"Vice-Guildmaster Beckette, take a seat,\" he replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, my lord,\" I replied and sat in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment passed, and he didn't speak. I wanted to, but I remained silent. In my experience, the less one said, the better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially with highly intelligent and dangerous people like the one in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know why I called you, Vice-Guildmaster?\" he asked. \"Regarding the head of the merchant guild,\" I replied, and to that he nodded with a slight smile on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you have any opinions?\" he asked. \"It needs to be someone capable, my lord,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Due to the advancement of legacy and our victory over the undead, a lot of business will come to the city.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Every day, I have been getting inquiries from hundreds of small businesses. The big mercantile houses had also shown their interest as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We will need someone who could manage that. Bring maximum business and investment to the city,\" I added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to keep it short, but seeing those eyes. The words just slipped out of my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You seemed to have a person in mind for that?\" he asked. \"Yes, my lord. Carlos Bran; I had seen him work, he is capable of bearing this responsibility,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would have been much safer to remain non-committal. As the lord might blame me if Bran didn't do the job well, but I believed in him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He will lead the merchant guild well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is good, but I have decided on someone else,\" he said, and a list of names flashed in my mind, or it might be someone completely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the last shuffle, aside from the Guildmaster. Everybody was unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he is saying he had already decided, and I want to ask him who; it will help me prepare better for my new boss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I may be so daring. Can you tell me, who have you chosen, my lord?\" I asked, and the smile on his face widened a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You,\" he replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gentle word was like a thunderclap to my ears. It stunned me so much that I wasn't able to react for a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I came to myself, I wanted to ask him again, but closed my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It should be someone from the mercantile houses,\" I said, and paused for a moment. \"They have connections, the pedigree required for the job,\" I added gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am exceedingly honoured that he considered me for the job, but I don't feel like I would do justice to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone from mercantile houses would do much better than I ever could. The city deserves it at least that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know what kind of business contributes the most to the city's economy?\" he asked after a silence, and I nodded. These numbers have been my proudest achievement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Increasing these numbers had been the goal of my life, and I increased them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for the undead messing it all up. I would have made them cross 60%; it had been my biggest goal, and I had come very close to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Small business,\" I replied finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big businesses are good, but it is small businesses that are truly important. They provide the most employment and aid the economy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is from them who are most ingenious and have the high potential. So, why couldn't a Guildmaster be from them?\" he asked, looking intensely into my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For nearly a minute, I didn't speak at all, before finally taking a deep breath and looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will not let you down, my Lord,\" I finally accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, because I am taking a big risk on you, Beckett. I expect you will not disappoint me,\" he said, and I could feel the weight of responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will give my all to it, my lord,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dared to dream about becoming a Vice-Guildmaster. I had never even dreamed about becoming a Guildmaster, but here I am, and it is already becoming a reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had trusted me, and I will not let him down. I will put every drop of blood and sweat into it and succeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too excited to wait? Jump50+ chapters aheadonPatreonand read what others haven’t even reached!\u003C\u002Fp>",2320,"2026-06-09T06:55:06.199Z",1,"novelbin.me","3f6356fca6f96ffe787bd19e6f931c46ab2b98a80102715195e89589229c9555","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-879","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-878",917,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcity-of-desire-kingdom-building-cover.jpg"]