[{"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-903":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},1846606,2449,"Chapter 906: Nightingale","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-903",903,"\u003Cp>Proofread by Thomas F\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baron Nightingale\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are quite ambitious, Yar,\" said the man in front of me, using the name I didn't like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knows it, but still uses it; never once did he use my title to address me; the only time he does is when we are in public; even then, he has that smile on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not an ambition, cousin, but a necessity,\" I replied, keeping my voice even.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Other barons are doing the same, with their houses helping them. If we couldn't make use of this opportunity, they will, and I wouldn't want us to lose it,\" I added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man said nothing, his eyes focused on the large blueprint in front of us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's the blueprint of the small city; it is based on Lord Silver's blueprint for Lauryl. It is 75% the same as the architect's original, with 25% changes according to my requirements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone is planning to build their own little cities, with Silver promising as many people as our territories require.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something we never thought we would have. People are a precious commodity, and when the council used to run. It is the thing we spent a lot of money on to bring here and fight like cats and dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It supercharged the ambitions in the hearts of the nobles, including mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I want to build according to plan; all twelve villages in my territory and the settlement around the keep are well planned, and so will be my city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing I need is money, which only my family could provide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are asking for quite a lot of money from the house,\" said the man. \"I am, but it will benefit the house as well. You can see all the benefits I had laid out here,\" I replied, pointing at the file.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It will, and I would have agreed with it, but your voting in favour of the laws had displeased the house,\" he said, looking me accusingly, and I sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew I would pay the price for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As I had said, my communication with the house. There wasn't really a choice. He had all the votes; if I voted against it, he might have held a grudge against me,\" I replied, and he nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand, but many on the council didn't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I tried to convince them, but couldn't. You will have to do it yourself when you come to the conclave.\" He replied, shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what the hell did you come here for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will,\" I replied, bringing a smile to my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is a member of the House Council. If I need money, I will have to win him over and half of the others who sit on the council.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speaking of which, there is one thing the head asked me to tell you,\" he said, turning his eyes serious. \"Anything for the head,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head is his father, my uncle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He wants you to designate Arthur as heir,\" he stated and handed me the envelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened it and read the order. Yes, it's an order from the head of House Nightingale. He is asking me to name his grandson as the heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The son of the man in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They have given me the position of the baron, with an unsaid understanding that after me, it will not be my daughter inheriting the barony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The position was more or less forced on me. My line was in such a terrible state that I didn't have any choice but to accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the beginning, I was a placeholder and disposable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the gamble paid off, they'd simply replace me. If it failed and I died, the house wouldn't care. I agreed because there was no alternative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's been over three years since I came here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave my blood and sweat to this place. I had faced the bandits, who nearly killed me, and monsters that ravaged my land to take my territory this far, and now they want me to designate the heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It isn't as simple as naming an heir, because once it happens. They will force me to give up the title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It will happen within a year or two, or even sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened my mouth to reply to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have already fixed a meeting with Silver tomorrow; we will talk to him about it, and I am sure he wouldn't have any problem with it,\" he added before I could say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feel crushed, just as I did when they told me I was going to become a baron of the territory that the undead could swarm at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like that time, I didn't have a choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he already fixed the meeting, the head would probably have talked to Silver and made a deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made me feel crushed, and the man in front of me could see it. Seeing how his lips curled ever so slightly in a mocking smile. Seeing that, rage couldn't help but build in my heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I will not accept it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am sixty-two years old, and until a few years ago, I had achieved nothing worthwhile in my life. I squandered opportunities in my youth and didn't fully commit to anything in the years after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This barony is the only thing I have given my everything to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is a thing that helped me feel like I am doing something worthwhile. It is because of this that I could finally connect with my wife and daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I will fight for this territory; I will fight for my family. I will not let them take it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, there is one more piece of good news. The house has found a groom for your daughter; you can meet him in the conclave,\" he informed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I never wanted to hit someone more than I wanted to right now, but I controlled my emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acting on them would be terrible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's good. I have been searching for a suitable groom for my daughter,\" I replied, putting a smile on my face, which is the most difficult thing I have ever done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, we will talk about it more at dinner,\" he said and walked out of my office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I sat down on the chair, tired and worried. Earlier, I had motivated myself, but now that I think about it, I see no other way in front of me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything is closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am a Baron, but powerless before my family. I could not reject it because I know what my family is capable of and what they would do if I did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It overwhelmed me, making my thoughts spiral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Papa!\" I heard a loud shout and saw my daughter looking at me with deep worry in her eyes. 'Sorry, I was just thinking,' I replied. I didn't want to say that I nearly lost myself in a panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did he say?\" She asked as she sat beside me. \"He asked me to name Arthur as heir,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could see her expression becoming heavier. It pained me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you agree?\" she asked. \"What choice do I have?\" I asked back, a mirthless laugh coming out of my mouth. \"The head had already decided and likely had talked to Silver about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that, I could see her losing hope, but a moment later, her eyes firmed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is likely why Lord Silver wants to talk to you,\" she said, and I turned to her with a question in my eyes. \"His office informed me a few minutes ago that he will talk to you at four, which is ten minutes away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed, hearing that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know, what will happen after you name him the heir. You have to convince Lord Silver to give you at least some time,\" she said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, time. It is all I need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver values results. If I have enough time, I will give him the results. My family may be powerful, but it's Silver that holds all the cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will!\" I replied with hope rising in my heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I know very well that the chances of that are slim, my house is powerful, and unlike many houses, we didn't lose much despite being a little closer to Prince Grelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The house helped both princes and is now even rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the financial muscle and connections, it wouldn't be much of a problem for them to convince Silver. Still, I would not give up without a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, I have to convince Silver to bet on me or at least give me some time to prove myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes passed agonisingly slow, and I had paced around my hall until finally the band on my daughter's hand lit up and I appeared beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She extended her hand, and I took it, and a few seconds later, it clicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Silver,\" I greeted.'Baron Nightingale,' hereplied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'How are things, Baron?'He asked a moment later. \"Very busy, my lord, thanks to you, sending me the people my territory desperately needed,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's the truth; things are very busy, but despite that, I was happier than I had ever been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I could see the territory flourishing, not only because of the people coming in but also because of the security. In the past two months, not a single monster had entered my territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver had tightened the territory protection, even after that massive horde a few weeks ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We did not come across a single monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I am glad to hear that,'said the man. There was a silence for a moment as I collected my thoughts. I have to be very careful; it is my only chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Has the head of my family talked to you, my lord?\" I asked finally.'Yes, it's why I had called you,'he replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It nearly made me curse, but I managed to control myself. I need to be calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a deep breath and opened my mouth. I resisted the urge to use my skills. No, doing that would make things worse, and that is the last thing I want.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's been over half a year since I became your subject. I have been loyal to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have provided the soldiers to fight against the monsters, contributed to the domain, and even voted in favour of the laws. So, I hope you take that into consideration and help me, your subject,\" I said with my heart beating wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I calmed myself forcefully before opening my mouth once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do not want much, but time to prove myself to you. If you help with this, my lord, you will have my eternal loyalty,\" I requested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I did not say directly what I want, but he is intelligent enough to understand what I meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment passed and then another, but I didn't hear his reply. I felt as if the ground were sinking beneath my feet when I felt my daughter's hand on my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'You are my Baron, Baron Nightingale, not someone sitting in the empire,'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The new laws state only barons could choose their heirs and no one else,' he replied, in his firm tone. It filled me with relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People can bend laws when incentives are high enough. It gave me great relief and confidence that Silver did not bend them to my family's will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the hardest part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It means a lot to me, my lord, and I hope you will do me a favour and buy me some time from my family,\" I requested. I am asking him to put himself between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It will bring him into odds with my family. It's not something anyone wants to do when allying with the house could bring more benefits than being against them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, I waited, hoping he would agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That's not a problem. I could do that for you, but do you want to do that, Baron Nightingale?'he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'You know your family better than I do,'he added, and I could see deep concern appearing on my daughter's face; she understood what Lord Silver meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's an extremely risky thing I'm doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The least bad outcome would be my family cutting the connection between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I will be on my own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is going to happen if I go against my family, but that is the least bad outcome. The worst is much worse; I have seen the limits my family would go to in order to achieve their objective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I am sure, my lord,' I replied finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They have forced me to make this decision. They shouldn't have, and we could have had a good relationship that would have benefited them, but no.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wanted my territory. I will never give it to them, much less make that bastard my heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Good, then I would wish you the best of luck, Baron Nightingale, because you are going to need it,'he replied before the call was cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you really want to do this, Papa?\" asked my daughter, worry written all over her face. \"Do I have a choice, my daughter?\" I asked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We built this with our blood and sweat; we risked our lives to take it where it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that it is doing well, they want to take it; I will not let that happen. If anyone is to inherit the barony, it will be you, my daughter, and no one else,\" I stated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had suffered her whole life because of me; to make it up to her. I want to leave her with at least one good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Read 50+ chapters early, unlock exclusive Art, Character Cards & Maps onPatreon.\u003C\u002Fp>",2286,"2026-06-09T06:55:07.639Z",1,"novelbin.me","315092641542f2ce9eccca4aed2ae3cf0453cf3806ec13f76b3f9565753f5973","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-904","city-of-desire-kingdom-building-chapter-902",917,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcity-of-desire-kingdom-building-cover.jpg"]