EPISODE 8: IMPER DISTRICT
-Edryan Queendom. Year 7286, Season: New Beginning
“Ey, ‘ave you ‘eard about the ‘Oly Son’s new district?”
“It's like not’ing I’ve ever seen! I ‘eard they ‘ave water t’at runs into t’eir ‘omes!”
“Fuck if I know. ‘Aven’t you ‘eard bout them new colosseum being built in it? I ‘eard they're going to ‘ave golem battlin within.”
“Too bad the ‘Oly Son ain’t buy the district we’s set up in. I ‘ear business is booming in the Imper District. Gold falling from the s’ingles.”
-Street Urchins Discussing the Imper District
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“Is such change bad?”
“Only when it affects the Crown, Your Highness.”
“Why so?”
“Because blood is always spilled in such cases.”
I glanced out from my ‘Big Ben’ better known as Imper Clock Tower. Located in what I aptly named Imper Time’s Square. Not that's what the Edryans called it. There also weren’t many stores located here. Only the nicest apartments. I only modeled it to look like New York’s Time Square. However, the district was more styled in Chicago’s open and airy streets. Having both alleys and main streets.
Edrya would cover 30 miles of wall land once the construction was complete. Excluding the incomplete expansion, the city was split into three different parts. The royal palace – Edryani Palace was the center and covered a diameter of five miles. Outside of the palace grounds was the noble area with 9 districts splitting each section of this part of the city. The higher your district number meant you were most likely from a high noble or extremely prominent family. The same followed for the commoner's homes as their area followed the same patterns, district numbering and all. This area covered roughly 10 miles of area. The newly crowned second to last was for the commoners and the rest and where the Imper District was located.
The under-renovation district covered roughly 15 miles of land as specialized farmlands were within the city walls. Edrya was located near some of the most dangerous areas within the queendom and had suffered attacks that devastated an unwalled population. This district would extend into the fourth wall in terms of style and as the fourth walled area was only adding on an additional five miles.
A month at the most and the newly renovated area would be complete. The project was funded by LSG. The money the company received was spent almost as quickly as it came. Liana gazed out next to me. Her expression was unreadable. I smiled.
My clock tower served as an observatory, restaurant, and it even held a public garden. Every single house received fresh running water. The river, Acari, now held several diverting pathways that would make its way into the Imper District through a series of purifying tunnels. Why did I spend hundreds of Edri Coins to buy land and rebuild a district? Just because.
Partly because I can. Partly because I want to revolutionize Edryans. My overall plan had several steps. Imperius Law was the first. To free all men and create a bigger sense of unity. To start a public educational system that could easily produce a standard level of competence. Yet what was all this for I truly asked myself.
Just because.
Because I had the power to do so. Because I did not know what quest Madris would send me on. Because I did not truly understand the dangers of this world. Edryan had wyvern riders. Trained for around a dozen years. They were one of our most feared aerial units in the Low Kingdoms. A single squad could subdue a city. Edryan had dragons. Edri the capital city was located on the edge of a Mythical Magical zone. The zone was stated to be sustained by a dragon of legendary strength.
I’ve met Gods.
I wasn’t afraid of dragons but of what they represented. Since my birth, I’ve seen all types of magical creatures. Some were used as unique mounts and others were a staple food source. I did not know what this world would throw at me. So, I would ready myself and Edryan for anything.
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The Imper District was constructed into three zones. Residential, Trade, and Play. The residential area was built mainly as three-story apartments. A family to each floor. These floors could be rented for three different periods. Extending from a season or two, until 10 or so years. Each had three bedrooms, one bath/toilet, one shower/toilet, and one kitchen/dining area. Much better than the accommodations families had available to them before me. Bachelors had similar accommodations. They would be given a decent size room while sharing a communal restroom and kitchen. These styled apartments would not have baths but small, quick shower rooms. If they wanted a bath, they’d need to go to Play Zone for it. I even had all female or male-designated apartments. Something that was quickly become popular. I think [Prostitutes] were quickly taking these over.
Middle-class owners could possess family homes. These were the townhomes you’d see in an American city but with far more grandeur. Labor in Edryan was cheap as it was one of the most sought-after classes for the commoners. It was also one of the most guaranteed jobs as [Labors] were needed everywhere.
There was no upper-class zone as I did not want to cater to them just yet. Besides any upper class was most likely a noble. They are in the second-walled area and their district is based on the strength of their House. There they would have the production facilities for their family home and businesses. Usually several dozen per zone.
With my new design for the streets, guards could patrol in a more orderly fashion. Before the Imper District. You could see how different areas of the city were built by different hands. Small houses and homes cobbled in one area with trade markets and zones in another. No centralized area held one or the other but a mix of them all. Certain zones were controlled by a gang or two but there was never order. Not that I could blame my ancestors. Edri had been worked and expanded upon for over a millennium. With different architects touching parts of the city in different eras. The city had never been torn down and rebuilt until I began with the Imper District.
One of the only exceptions to the new layout was the small zones in the residential area for vendors to sell foodstuff and other small items. One was available on every corner. That and shops with owners had their residents above the house in the Trade Zone.
The Trade Zone was built for a single purpose. To never stop the flow of trade. Several large warehouses for merchant goods were located here. From the warehouses, these goods were sold to vendors. Those vendors in turn would make something out of the good. Whether it was raw meat turned into skewers and meals. Or iron ore is sent to a blacksmith workshop to turn into forged items. The trade district was separated from the residential so the trade would continue all hours into the night. It was also where the main branch Adventurer Association was now located. The organization had several offices throughout the city. The AA was a continent-expanding organization built by the God El that included all races. No exceptions. God El was from Elysium, the proclaimed most powerful country on the continent. Adventure was only one of his domains. Elysium was located in the High Kingdoms which were really empires with outstanding might. El had created the Adventurer Association in the year 2184 of the continent's recorded history. For it to be allowed in all countries. Several laws were created by El himself for all to follow.
1. Any adventurer party of over six people must form a guild or join one.
2. Every guild must have the support of a noble and establish a headquarter.
3. Adventurers are to stay out of noble affairs.
4. Adventurers must fight monsters.
5. …
The first three were the main laws although there were plenty of minor ones. These laws served as the backbone of a united Adventurer Association throughout the continent. Of course, as a human from Earth. I believed there were several loopholes. Only to find out these laws are not so easily broken. Especially ones decreed by a god.
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The final zone of the Imper District, the Play Zone, was still under construction. Only because of several more ideas coming to mind. Ideas stemming from talks with my mom. It was here that the people would go to have fun. Parks for young couples and children to play in. With domesticated animals for people to interact with. Animals nurtured by [Tamers]. The Play Zone was an area for people to relax and enjoy the company of one another. From a red-light zone to fancy restaurants and eateries. It was by far the most popular area. Even while under construction. All the taverns and inns were located here. That way any trouble from outside of Edri would stay in one area of the district. The biggest hold-ups from the Play Zone being complete were a few simple things. The colosseum, the shopping mall, the theater, and the water park.
What type of Chosen One would I be if I didn’t introduce something new to the Edryans? The city did have a colosseum in the second walled zone. That was available for the nobles and rich houses to enjoy. There was not much for the middle class and slightly well-off to spend their money on. With the introduction to the new parks and upcoming areas. Any hard-saved Edryan cash would funnel right back into LSG. After all, I owned everything in the district. Houses, apartments, and stores could only be rented not brought. I spent too much money to give up generating a profit for years down the line.
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Simra ran to the corner stores. A wild smile on her face as the ten-year-old girl dodge through the crowds and pulled up in front of her favorite food vendor. Melius was a middle-aged magi human who served the best skewers in the new Imper District. At least according to Simra’s taste buds. The stall owner chuckled as he saw the girl stumble up to his shop.
“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite customer,” he said with a laugh greeting her.
“What can this humble stall owner prepare for you?”
Simra let out a brilliant smile before making her order. “Two Cowi skewers, four Lambi, and four Sheepi please!” As she said this, she held out 1 small silver Edri coin. The ten-year-old looked quite proud of herself as she did so.
Melius hissed before quickly snatching the coin from Simra's hands. Not because the merchant was greedy but because a ten-year-old shouldn’t be showing off this type of money.
“Girl, don’t you know your overpaying!” The merchant scolded as he counted 11 large Edri coppers and two small ones away in a pouch.
“This was your allowance for the week?”
Simra gave a shy nod after the merchant finished scolding her.
Melius's eyes softened at her answer. The merchant quickly packed her skewers away and put her money in a small pouch. Secretly, he gifted her an extra two Cowi skewers. Laughing as the girl scampered off.
Simra ran through the early morning crowds dodging around adults and other kids alike. Gnawing on a skewer as she made her way towards the Imper Clock Tower. The view from the top always amazed her. The young girl began to skip over the smooth road. The Holy Son of Goddess Madris brought the entire district. Simra wondered how many skewers she’d be able to buy with that type of money. She began to hum a happy tune as the wind picked up. Ruffling her freshly brushed, curly, shoulder-length black hair. Simra did her best to smooth it out as her mother would be none too happy to see her return in a devilish state. Unknowingly getting the juices from her skewers into her hair. Creating an even bigger mess. As she finished the last of her skewers, she skipped over happily to one of the large black cans and dumped her waste into them. The Holy Son liked cleanliness and trash areas were now stationed all throughout the city. They would be collected later and moved to an area where they would be turned into fertilizer for the farms.
Wiping her hands on her clothes Simra looked up at the tallest building in the Imper District. The building everyone who lived here visited at least once. Her blue eyes shined with a twinkle and her steps quickened as she made her way to the entrance. Good-naturedly waving to the guards who by now long since recognized the girl. Simra spent as much of her free time looking over the Imper District from the public garden as possible. Her mind loved to wander as she watched the twinkling of mage lights and the people living out their lives. Simra thanked the mage who raised the platform to the public gardens. Stepping off she took in a deep breath as she moved deeper into the garden.
Simra imagined herself as a princess walking through her garden. If Laura and Kal were here, they’d be serving as her knight-protectors. Or perhaps Kal would be a demon lord and Simra would be the hero to vanish her. The young girl pictured herself in shiny silver armor as the knights of the royal guards wore. She wields her imaginary sword and pictures Laura and Kal before her. Laura would be the captured princess that Simra would majestically swoop in to save. She twirled and danced spinning as she slashed at various figures in a mock battle. As she spun, she caught sight of red-gold eyes watching her from the plants. She finished her thrust in the direction the eyes appeared from. Out of the bushes stepped a young boy dressed in noble garments. Simra paused instantly on guard. Not many nobles visited the Imper District. Those that did were usually here to explore the Holy Son's various achievements. Not all were friendly.
The young boy seemed to be around the same age as her. He stared at her as she did the same. His beguiling eyes pierced into hers and Simra felt her heart flutter. Her blue eyes turned away first as a small blush appeared on her light brown skin. She shook her head to break the feeling away before opening her mouth to speak. Breaking the awkwardness of the situation before it could fully develop.
“S-s-s-sorry for disturbing you, young master! I’ll take my leave,” Simra said. Quickly turning to go. Her mother warned her to never interact with nobles.
“Wait.”
His voice was not yet deep. Still possessing the childish innocence of youth. Yet it held weight and heaviness to it. He was not asking her. He was telling her. She paused in her steps. Before slowly turning to face the young noble.
“Yes?”
“What is your name?”
“Simra.”
“What do you think of this? Of the Holy Son and his Imper District?”
Simra breathes a sigh of relief. Watching the noble wave his hands around as he asked. She wasn’t clear of the woods yet, but it was clear this was just an eccentric young noble away from home. She measured his expression as she prepared her words. Recalling all the times her mother made her practice.
“I think it is wonderful…,” she began. Drawing out the L in case she needed to change it to something more negative. Seeing his expression not deteriorating Simra continued.
“The Holy Son has changed my home district into something amazing. I can’t believe I don’t have to hall water in the morning anymore! I love the feeling of the shower. Have you ever had a shower? School is pretty fun even if it's only early morning. I absolutely despise math!” Once Simra began, she didn’t stop. Getting lost in all the new sights and things she’s experienced in the past few months. Her eyes grew bright as she talked. The young noble smiled as he listened. Nodding aloud as she talked.
“If you could add anything to the Imper District, what would it be?”
Simra paused in her impromptu praise of the Imper District as the Young Noble asked his question.
“Hmmmmm,” Simra began putting a finger to her chin. While her other hand held onto her elbow. “It's harder to see the cool adventurers since they live so far away now. My mom like it though cause we no longer hear anything rowdy at random hours. I think I would change the distance some of the stores are. It is much harder to get to a blacksmith or tailor since they’re in a different zone. We have to get a carriage ride now if we want to buy new clothing and a bunch of other small things. It would be nice if all the small items were in a general location and easy to pick up or if transportation around the city was free! Not having to learn math at school would be the greatest thing ever.”
Simra's eyes refocused on the young noble only to see him deep in thought. Deciding that this was a chance. She slowly backed away. Disappearing into the garden and towards the stairs. She wouldn’t want the noble to catch her on the platform.
‘Should I have asked him his name?’
‘Nah, better to stay out of trouble. I hope Mom brought Chicki tonight. I’m starving.’
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‘She looks like her…’
I watched the girl go. My thoughts drifted to her words and ideas on fixing them. I came from a society where everyone had to have cars to get around. In my design of the Imper District, I built this with that sort of fast travel in mind. This was no America, and I didn’t want to inconvenience the people purposely. I had to keep that in my thoughts when I acted. Fortunately, the girl gave me brilliant ideas.
Law’s Sweet General Store.
It was time to open a new branch of LSG. A branch that further focused on improving the life quality of the citizens in the Imper District. I could easily build a few general stores in a few of the corner areas. While buying small miscellaneous items from the various shop owners to sell in Law’s Sweet General Store. Although I didn’t expect much profit from these actions. This would further cement me into the hearts and minds of the Edryans. It was something that would not take much effort. Tomorrow I would meet Bucca. Bucca was one of the elven slaves I freed during my third birthday. She was fantastic at management and was quickly becoming an asset and assistant to me. When given the choice of being returned home or working for me directly with pay and benefits. A surprising amount of the former slaves chose to remain in the capital and work for me. I integrated most of those people into LSG.
Simra and I would meet again if fate willed it so.
System Unlock:
1,739 Days
8 Hours
12 Minutes
16 Seconds