Proofread by Thomas F. 2nd June, 2025.
"You seemed uncomfortable?" Carla asked as I slowly sat down in my chair. The muscle-numbing cream had helped with the pain but not the damage.
It will take a few hours to heal from all the damage.
"The training was a little intense today," I replied and opened the file; a minute later, a smile appeared on my face.
Yesterday, there was no increase; I was just happy there was no decrease due to the loss of two girls. Today, there was an increase, finally crossing the mark of four hundred and fifty thousand crowns.
If it keeps increasing in this way, then there is a good chance that the earnings will reach half a million a night by the end of the month.
After reading the report, I turned to the letters before me. I opened the first one from my man in Redfawn, whom I had handed the responsibility of the girls.
He had offered them freedom from their contract with severance pay, as I had told him to, and nine decided to leave while fifty-one were coming. They have already started the journey and will reach here in three or four days.
There is a list of names coming, along with their information; I began to read it, but soon stopped at a familiar name.
I stared at it briefly before resuming reading and finishing it a minute late.
"Care to explain how Lola Monet ended up back in Redfawn?" I asked with an arched brow, like she did when she wanted to ask about something silently.
Her expression became serious before a sigh came out of her mouth.
"I did not say or imply anything intentionally to give her the way to come back, but I accidentally wrote something that made her join the old brothel in the hopes of returning," she replied.
I did not say anything about that, as the thing is quite complex.
I had said that I would not take back any girl who left, and I would not, but I have already brought this girl back, which created a loophole.
It was a frustrating choice to make, especially given the risk or daring the girl had shown, going back to the old brothel in those horrendous conditions, at least compared to the establishment.
Most importantly, she had needed to sacrifice her freedom, as one could not enter the brothel without a long contract.
Not to mention the ingenuity she would have needed to make my brother take her in, as he would have definitely thought she was a spy I sent to keep an eye on him.
"I hope you will be careful what you write in the future, Carla," I warned. I like her and am attracted to her, but to me, business comes first.
"It was a mistake; it wouldn't happen again," she replied. I nodded and turned back to the other letters.
After finishing the letters, I read the papers, which were always filled with news of conflicts.
The Empire had few skirmishes on its border, nothing major like Mayhurst Island, where the undead were causing the destruction.
It had already swallowed one kingdom and was moving to swallow all.
Looking at its progress, the undead kingdom might be able to swallow the whole of Mayhurst Island, and that would be a bad thing.
It is in a strategic place; the empire, merchant city-states, or any other coastal nation wouldn't want the undead to control it.
The papers said that they are preparing large amounts of aid.
The Renwell region is currently much safer. The merchant city-states never expand beyond their borders, and Navr has been silent.
There have been a few skirmishes with Tabes' forces, but Dustorn Fortress has handled them.
After reading all the papers, I focused on the work; with expansion, there were many things to do and new ideas to search for before it was too late.
I worked for some time before I got up to go to the guild; I had not gone to the Merchant Guild for two days, so there must be a lot of work for me waiting.
When I reached the hall, I began to hear all manner of sounds, not the sounds of music as I usually do, but other sounds.
As I left the hall, I saw many unknown people around the mansion.
The people from Nielsen are setting up their instruments, and some have already started working.
Soon, I spotted the familiar old man and walked toward him.
"Mister Silver," he greeted as I appeared beside him. "Mr. Davidson, how is the progress?" I asked.
"By evening, everything will be clouded, people won't be able to see anything, and we will be able to do our job in peace," he replied.
"I have no doubt you will," I said, talking to the old man for a few minutes before walking into my carriage.
Knock Knock
Fifteen minutes later, my carriage pulled into the Merchant Guild, and I walked out.
Soon, I entered the legal department on the first floor and walked into my office. I was about to call Kevin when the knock rang out.
"Come in," I said. The door opened, and Mr. Oakley walked in. "Mister Silver, the Guildmaster wants to see you at two," he informed.
"Did he tell you what it is about?" I asked, "No, but he sent a note asking me to tell you about the appointment if you arrive today," he replied.
"Thank you, Mister Oakley," I told the old man.
"It's no bother," he said. I will send you the contracts for your review; there are quite a lot. " He left before I could say anything, and a minute later, Kevin came, bringing twenty contracts.
I activated my skill and began, and immediately, I was impressed by the shocking speed with which I read and understood what was written.
Intelligence increases thought speed, which acts as fuel to power up the Contract and Fast Reading Skills, which also aid me in quickly understanding what I read.
I began flipping one page after another while taking notes on a notepad. I quickly read through the second contract and began on the third before starting on the fourth.
By the time it was ten minutes to two, I had completed more than ten contracts.
I locked the contracts and notes in my desk before getting up and leaving my office.
I have an appointment with the Guildmaster. I don't know what it is about, but it must be important if he calls me into his office instead of sending me a note.
"Remus Silver, I have an appointment with the guild master at two," I told the assistant. "I will inform Guildmaster about your arrival," she replied and tapped on the runes of the plate in front of her.
"You can go inside," she said as she looked up, and the door of the Guildmaster's office began to open.
I walked toward the office, and soon, I entered inside. For the first time, I saw Damon Hardt alone.
"Guildmaster, you have called for me?" I asked as I stopped. "Yes, take a seat, Remus." He said.
"Thank you," I said as I sat.
"I have called you here because I want you to go with the delegation leaving for Namdar in six days," he said, surprising me.
Namdar is an island and also the name of the city; it is a very strategic place for the Empire and one of its most prosperous cities.
Making connections with it will help the Greltheaven tremendously, considering there is a waterway route to it from Greltheaven.
"My apologies, guild master, but it is impossible for me." "I have just begun the expansion of my business, and I want to be present," I replied, declining the offer directly.
He seemed a little surprised by that, but quickly controlled his expression.
"It won't take much of your time; you will be able to return in less than ten days," he said, but I shook my head.
If it involves reviewing the contracts, I will do it, even if I have to stay an hour longer, but I will not leave the city. My business is the most important, and I took this job because it will benefit my business.
"Consider this as a favor to me," he added, and I immediately stopped my open mouth from uttering the word.
"Namdar is too important; I want every contract we sign with them to be perfect. There will be some negotiations; I want you to be part of them, too," he stated, and I wanted to decline it, but the words stopped in my mouth.
Favor.
This word made me hesitate.
One does not use this word carelessly, and if he says he will owe me a favor, then he will, and a favor from the guildmaster of the merchant guild is very valuable.
"Since you asked, Guild-master, I will do it; I just hope it will not take more than ten days," I said finally, with a sigh.
"That's Good. Start making the preparations; you will leave in six days," he said. I nodded and walked out of the office.
Soon, I was back in my office and closed my eyes.
I didn't want to go, but there was no choice; the favor would help me greatly, and I could not let it go. I should be able to return within ten days, and Carla is more than capable of handling everything in my absence.
I opened my eyes, took out the contracts, and began reviewing them; by the time I finished, it was already four.
It took me another half an hour to arrange my notes, type them, and stamp them. Then, I called Kevin, handed over the contract, and got out.
I stayed longer than I usually do but was able to do two days' work; the skills make everything easy and efficient.
Soon, my carriage left the merchant guild and, fifteen minutes late, reached the establishment, which had changed thoroughly in the few hours I had been out.
Aside from the walkway and the mansion, everything is covered in a silvery pink mist: the garden, the back of the mansion, everything.
It gave the establishment quite a mysterious look. I had worried about the appearance of the establishment, as it was what first attracted the patrons, but now that I have seen it, I am no longer worried.
Without special visual skills, nobody would be able to see what is inside the mist.
As I entered inside and walked through the mist, I saw many people and cargo carriages coming from the back entrance and unloading the stuff.
They have started working. I could see that many workers have already begun digging, with the geomancers handling the delicate stuff.
They will create an underground tunnel and build an outer covering; the old and new will become one in the next few days. I will need to close the establishment for the last part, but it won't be for more than a week.
"How are you liking the progress, Mister Silver?" asked Architect Lloyd as he approached me.
"It is happening quite fast," I replied as I looked around.
"Your work is a priority." "The head wants to finish it within one and a half months, so we are working fast," he said, showing me the progress they had made in a few hours.
Looking at the progress, I don't have any doubt about them finishing the work on time.