[{"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-789":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},1846943,2449,"Chapter 793: Master Skills","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-789",789,"\u003Cp>Proofread by Thomas F\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Skill Gained: Euphoric Ale]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Skill Gained: Mug Slam]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Skill Gained: Ruffians' Refuge]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Skill Gained: Ears of Whisper]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Skill Change: Euphoric Ale – Liquorweave]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Skill Change: Mug Slam - Still The Hall]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Skill Change: Ruffians' Refuge – Shaper's Sanctuary]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaper of Desire Lv. 42\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ironblood Lord Radiant Dreams Lv. 42\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is something,\" I said, looking at the lines as I opened my eyes from sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is a little surprising, but a moment later, a smile appeared on my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have got their skills; both of them only had two master skills each. Not everybody gets more than two master skills or swallows other legacies for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The skills, Ruffians' Refuge and Ears of Whisper, are from Mariha, while Euphoric Ale and Mug Slam are from Vanis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Mariha's skills, Vanis's skills seem average, but seeing how they have changed. They will be beneficial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Euphoric Ale had changed to Liquorweave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Euphoric Ale is a skill that infuses merriness and joy into the liquor served, while the Liquorweave enhances their flavour and magic without altering them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My legacy isn't a tavern. Euphoric Ale would have been unsuitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liquorweave, on the other hand, is very suitable for my legacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second master skill of Vanis is Mug Slam. It is an ordinary skill. Even normal Tavern Owners have this skill, which is very useful for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although it may share the function and name with the common Mug Slam, it is far more powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had changed to Still The Hall; it will do what Mug Slam used to do, but with finery and grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to Mariha's skills. Now, they are interesting ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First is Ruffians' Refuge. I knew about her skills, but I asked her about them yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She explained that once a skill is activated on someone who has entered her legacy, it will completely suppress all skills that are upon them. From tracking them to the ones that are harming them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It even suppresses the power of contracts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had changed into Shaper's Sanctuary; I had not read about it, but looking at the name, it should work about the same, minus the Ruffians, which was the condition of the skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruffian's Refuge initially targets ruffians and criminals, but upon advancing to Shaper's Sanctuary, it will work on anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am the Shaper. I could provide sanctuary to anyone I want.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second skill I got is Ears of Whisper. It is an ordinary skill among information peddlers, intelligence officers, and others, but in the context of legacy, it becomes very powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could even listen through Privacy Skills without them knowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rayna has a skill like that; it is the most powerful skill that could breach through Privacy. It isn't just due to skill power, but also her control over it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't change, but in my hands. It becomes more powerful. I wanted to try it immediately, but I controlled myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to the last two lines. It seemed I had levelled up and achieved this in both of my classes. I am surprised I've levelled up so soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The higher one reaches, the harder it is, but I am happy for the level up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought for a moment and added the point to charisma before closing my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The effects didn't last for long; after a few seconds, they disappeared, but I didn't open my eyes. Instead, activate Telepathic Channel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, it had connected to two people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope you like my skills,\" I said to Mariha and Vanis. 'They are very powerful, my lord,' replied Mariha; I could feel the awe through her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave them four skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them got Sight Through Veil, Crowd Flow Harmony, and Keeper of Secrets. The last one is different for both; Vanis got Trendsetting, while Mariha got Artistic Dealings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am glad,\" I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I talked to them for a few minutes, answered their questions, and then cut the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are things I want them to do, but I will give them some time before assigning the tasks. Until then, I will observe how they operate the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carla and Margaux will return after attending the party tonight, while Jenna will stay there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She won't have any other job other than observing. I will be doing that too, but with my current workload, I won't have much time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, Jenna is good at these things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Carla will meet the people who will build the new legacy. We plan to select them in a few weeks and begin construction within a month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I aim to complete it within six months, as I will need it operational when I close Velvet Garden for reconstruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leading firm that will build it will be from Inam, which is one of the compromises we made to secure funding from the Lord of Inam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amellus and his firm will consult on it as he is most familiar with my vision, while I will manage every aspect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't want the Tavern to be a second Velvet Garden. The reconstructed legacy should have elements of Vanis Tavern, Mariha's Inn, and Velvet Garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The project scares me more than Velvet Garden, because with Velvet Garden, I know exactly what I want.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is not the case for the tavern, as I have to include the vision of the two as well. It will not be easy, but we will do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't stay in bed for long. I got up, quickly freshened up, and went to training. When I returned, I showered and ate breakfast before walking to my office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only stayed there for an hour before sitting in the carriage toward the city hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riding is much faster, but I am a Lord. I can't just ride the monster, no matter how powerful it is. I need to maintain the dignity of the position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was different earlier, as enemies were coming, and I was the Lord, trying everything to prepare my city to face them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that we have won, I need to project myself as the Lord, who will bring stability and prosperity to the dominion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, I reached the city hall and got out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have a meeting with Artur Salazar in an hour; he arrived in the city earlier and is currently in the legacy with his people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, I reached my office, and Rutto was already there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Silver,\" he greeted as he got up. \"Lord Rutto,\" I replied as I sat down, before turning to the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Five more nobles have shown the desire to come to Greltheaven,\" he informed. He is keeping me informed about the progress he is making.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The army?\" I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobles are good, but I'm not putting all my effort into them again after failing last time. I would rather focus on the thing I need the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three are willing to transfer us their men. Around 80% of whom agreed to come to Greltheaven,\" he replied, before putting a file in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The army not only helps in the defence of the city. It also increases the population, as many of these people bring their families with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We are offering all the people we recruit a travel expense to bring their families to the city. It helps the economy and increases their loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened the file and read through it by the time I finished. There was a smile on my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We adjusted our approach slightly after the last failure. Unlike last time, we are not inviting nobles and their armies together as we once did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We are dealing with them separately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles didn't have to come to Greltheaven. They could just give us their people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In exchange, we will give them some money, which many desperately need, or emotion essence potions, depending on the numbers and other things they provide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of them could barely afford to keep a force. I am taking it off their hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is not without risks; there will be spies, but it is the risk we have to take to get well-experienced men. My men are also experienced, but these people have gone through war, a different war than we have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They have fought people while we have fought the undead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their experience will help my army improve, as I won't just be fighting the undead anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A ship full of men will be leaving tomorrow evening for Gailhorn. I planned to see it off from Namdar,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did a fantastic job in just a few days. He had got us, six hundred soldiers, and there will be more we will be recruiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The military takes over 30% of the dominion's budget, and in the next few months, it will increase further, but I must recruit as many as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I defeated the undead, I feel eyes on me and know they are sharpening their swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are looking for any weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they sensed one, they would come at me without hesitation. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them allied with each other, even after what happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood that I'm rising fast, which will make some of them feel threatened enough. They will even ally with someone who betrayed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In politics, everything is possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you made all the preparations?\" I asked. \"Yes,\" he replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is leaving for Inam once more, and I hope he will be as successful as the last time. Nobles, men, as well as artifacts, are on the agenda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many nobles have them, but it's hard to get them out of their hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every artifact is a symbol of their house. Selling them is akin to selling their house. It becomes a question of honour for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they have the artifact in their hands, there is a chance that they could rise again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I will try to get them; my army needs them. I have even crafted a special offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. I hope this visit will also be as successful as the last one,\" I wished. \"I will try my all for it,\" he replied, before getting up and leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After he left, I focused back on the work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A lot of people are applying,\" I said, looking at the file, and more than half of them are from the empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They are more than expected, Mage Aldridge and Margaux are quite happy about it,\" Lola replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Academy has been built, but there is no staff. We had planned to open it a month ago, but those plans have been disturbed by the undead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, we are starting again, and this time, with higher criteria for the teachers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, over 80% of the staff we had recruited were from the merchant state. Now, looking at the applications, there would be less than 50%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those of the empire were hesitant to come here, but now we have proved ourselves; they are more than willing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empire is fertile ground for recruiting. The war disrupted many academies. Many professors have lost their jobs and are looking for new ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been only three days since we posted the recruitment, and over a thousand people had applied for various kinds of jobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From tomorrow, the interviews will begin and continue for a few weeks until we recruit all the staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It isn't just the academy, but also the college. We had lost many teachers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We will recruit them; that is why Margaux and others will also be conducting the interviews.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I want to start the Academy as soon as possible, but this time, I will not compromise. If I have to wait a little to get the best people, I will wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reviewed the document, made a few suggestions, and signed off on a few things before moving on to another file.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There seemed to be no end of them. It's my fault for wanting to look at everything. If I wanted to, the workload could be significantly less, but that's not who I am.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Lord Silver, Lord Salazar is here,' informed Jill. I stopped and looked at the clock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is a few minutes late for the meeting, and I want to make him wait, but he is important. Still, I would have, if not for the thing he did in the morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened, and a handsome man walked inside. Seeing me not getting up, an expression of displeasure appeared on his face, like the last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Salazar,\" I greeted first and nodded at the old woman behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could have waited, let the stand-off continue, but honestly, I need the man and the massive money his mother is giving me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Silver,\" he replied, and sat in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for releasing the funds. We want to resume working on the outer city as soon as possible,\" I said. The funds they had blocked were released in the morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wish you had done the same favour for us by choosing our legacy as the subject,\" replied the man angrily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To that, I sighed dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is not an easy decision, Lord Salazar. Vanis Tavern has things that I found aligning with my vision the most,\" I replied, and his expression became worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had used any other excuse, he might have countered it, but he couldn't counter the vision argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knows it as well. It is why it had made him angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wouldn't say anything further about it, but I hope you will show the gratitude to Namdar for all the help we have provided,\" he said, controlling his anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course,\" I replied with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is good. He is using his anger, for which he is famous, to get a better deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many think he is an idiot; even I was fooled by this angry façade, but he is far from an idiot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he may not be as smart as his sisters, he is still the son of Salazar. He understands politics and knows how to leverage his resources to his advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at me. I looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I won't say a number, as that would give him an advantage and encourage him to ask for more. There is no way I'm giving more than the number I have already decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second passed, and then another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, nearly two minutes passed, and he grew angrier, but a smile remained on my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lady of Storms hopes that you will provide us with two hundred vials of Grade IV essence.\" The older woman said from behind, breaking the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is what most thrones produce, Mage Alard,\" I replied to the old woman, and she smiled like a sly old fox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your legacy is not an average throne, Lord Silver,\" she pointed out. To that, I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It may be above average, but it does not produce as much as you are thinking. Besides, I have other obligations, aside from my own needs.\" I replied and turned to the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seventy-five,\" I said finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One-fifty,\" he replied, and I smiled, before shaking my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's not waste any time. I could at most give you one hundred.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even for that, I will have to cut my own needs and what I had planned to give imperials and others,\" I said with finality in my voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his mouth, but closed it as the old woman's hand fell on his shoulder, which is also an act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is using telepathy. I could feel it clearly; I didn't even have to focus. It's clear as day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the advancement, the power of my domain had increased such that I began to sense everything far more clearly than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, we will accept, for now, but we will negotiate again after you expand your legacy,\" he accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't reply, except with a smile. Everybody is expecting an expansion; they had some doubts before, but the Tavern's expansion has eliminated them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many have even asked about the size, but the answer is known by fewer than ten people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too excited to wait? Jump50+ chapters aheadonPatreonand read what others haven’t even reached!\u003C\u002Fp>",2713,"2026-06-09T06:55:06.199Z",1,"novelbin.me","d76f3b22c5f6b394fba778198efec15bfe232b8a103e2450b88023164570843a","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-885","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-884",917,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcity-of-desire-kingdom-building-cover.jpg"]