Paschal

"Look at this city, it is depressing," said my son. Hearing that, I couldn't help but sigh.

He doesn't like that we are investing here. He didn't even want to come here.

His opinion was that we should invest in the Deerpond, where there is a Grade VI crystal mine, but the offer was too amazing to decline.

Silver is funding a quarter of the expense for the refinery and sweeten the deal with a personal promise from Silver himself.

If the city is reconquered by the undead in two and a half years. He will return the invested amount with the interest.

"It is looking much better than the cities that went through a harrowing war," I said, looking around the city through the window of my carriage.

I had come here two days ago, while Jorus had come today.

I had inspected the mines and the quality of crystals that were coming out of them, along with other things. Most of the crystals are average, except for one mine, which is producing the above-average crystals.

"We should have tried, Deerpond," he said. This time, it made me irritated.

"Do you know why, I didn't try Deerpond?" I asked.

I didn't explain things before. Wanting him to learn from observation. It is how I learned the business from my father.

Lester is smart, but his eyes are too focused on the Grade VI crystal of Deerpond's mine. That he couldn't think about anything else.

"It's because there a no benefits there," I replied. With unbelief on his face, he asked back, "It's Grade VI, crystals father. How can there be no benefits?"

To that, I laughed.

"Because, my son, the lord had no intention of giving a slice of that pie to us."

"He may have sent notice for interested parties to apply, but he is not going to give everyone that juicy Grade VI crystal. Especially not us," I replied, with a mirthless smile.

"Only big players are going to get a slice of that pie. The players like us will only have a vague promise and common crystals," I added.

There is a surprised look on his face.

These are the tricks of the nobles. My father had been burned by them, and nearly went bankrupt, when I was the same age as Lester.

They were terrible days and required us years to get out of them.

I don't want my son to suffer the same things, I did. It is why, it's important, that I be careful with my investment.

Our refineries at, Jeril and Vastin are in trouble because of the advancement of the Tabes and Edruin. They are quite close and might capture those cities.

I didn't shut down the refineries, but I am cutting my losses.

Silver had promised to help me bring the equipment and people from there, which had become a nightmare because of attacks from the enemies and ongoing civil war.

"Still the investing here is dangerous. This city, Panar, could be reconquered by the undead at any time," he said, and to that, I smiled.

"So is Deerpond, but it is the risk, we need to take," I replied.

I could have invested in Greltheaven, but Silver was only willing to fund 15% of it and there was no promise, which wasn't surprising, given it was his main city.

If the undead were to take it, he would have nothing to give to me.

Lester opened his mouth to say something but closed it.

I didn't say anything either and looked outside the window at the city.

My experience tells me, it is not that depressing. Lestor hadn't seen the cities ravaged by war. It is doing much better compared to those cities.

Some are scarred as such, that they never recover, but I think, this one will pull through.

Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the city hall, and I turned to my son.

"Behave yourself," I said to him, before getting out, with him following behind.

Lester is a teenager and got his class just a few months ago.

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The Governor is a beautiful woman.

Her new assistant is also a beautiful woman. Like the governor, she is also from the legacy. It is hard for teen boys to control themselves in front of beautiful women.

Soon, we walked into the city hall and moved toward the office, reaching it within a minute.

"Rato Paschal, I have an appointment with the Governor," I said to the beautiful receptionist, that Lester was gawking at.

"The Governor is ready for you," she replied. I nodded and walked toward the door. Looking at my son once more and hoping, that he wouldn't embarrass himself.

Click!

The door opened, and I entered inside, and my eyes fell on the four people in there.

The governor was sitting behind the table. Lester's eyes focused on her and, once again, he began to gawk.

To her left side is the orc. He is her geo-source adviser. There are two people behind her. The woman is heraldan, beautiful, and looks to be my age.

The other is a man in his early thirties. They are the assistants.

"Lord Governor," I greeted.

"Mr. Paschal," she replied and cast a glance at Lestor. Thankfully, there is no anger or irritation. She simply looked at him, before turning to me and asked us to sit.

"Thank you," I said.

Lester sat beside me a moment later, which made me relieved.

"How did you like that location?" she asked. "It was good. Great actually," I replied.

I checked the mines and crystals yesterday and today; I have looked at the location they have allocated me to set up the refinery.

It was a good place. Close to the crystal storehouses.

"Good. If it is to your liking, I could sign off that place to you," she said.

"That would be great," I replied. She smiled and the man behind her placed the file in front of me.

I studied the contract with the Contract skill active.

The format is standard and without any changes, aside from condition. If I didn't start the refinery within six months, It would be returned to the city.

I had already signed the other contracts, and after reviewing it, I had signed this one too.

"I hope, the City of Panar and Pascal refineries will long and prosperous partnership," she said.

"I am sure it will," I replied and shook her hand.

...........

Ina

"The first refinery. I can't wait for it to start," said Argis with a hopeful voice.

He is my new assistant, along with Onaz.

He is good. He used to work in the city hall, before being sent to me. Master Silver wants to foster the talented and give them opportunities, despite their age or experience.

"It will take two months at least," replied Gul.

Gul Maknok. He is my geo-source adviser.

The mining, refining, and selling of crystals is his area of expertise. He was a miner himself, when he was young, before working in a refinery and then trading.

He had started his own company but failed. Still, Lord Silver hired him. The field is saturated, and competition is tough. It is hard to carve a space in such conditions.

It had been only a week since he joined. I don't know, how good the man is, but I hope, he will be helpful.

He left a few minutes later after the discussion, while I focused on work.

There is always more work.

Keeping track of construction that is happening all around the city. The state of the mines, expansion, and movement of the army, along with many other things.

I don't mind it. I enjoy the work. I only hope that the city will truly stand on its own feet as soon as possible.

The mines have started, and we are mining the crystals and selling them, but they are contributing only a fraction to offset the city's expenses.

It might be small, but it is a start.

We need more. More people, more crystals, more refineries and we are making progress toward them.

We do not have any intention of keeping any of these mines in our hands. We are going to sell them, but not now, not until we have the city on its feet and refineries active.

It is when we will get more interest and a fair price.

It is not just mines we have to focus on, but also trade.

People might not expect it, but we are doing the trade. It stopped for a few weeks after we took the city, before resuming two weeks ago.

Now, it is picking up speed every day.

Lord Silver invited everyone. Even those we have an acrimonious relationship with.

Gailhorn, Deerpond. We had invited not their leaders or officials, but merchants. We did the same with Navr; invited hundreds of their merchants.

It is through them that over half of the trade is coming from, and it will increase every week.

The orders are from Gailhorn. For the undead captured cities. They may be keeping the cities destitute, but those cities still have needs.

Whatever food storage they had, the cities had consumed after a few months after their capture.

If they desire to keep some population alive they will need food, along with many other things.

Many people have stated their opposition against trading with enemies, but Master Silver's decision is final, and I agree with it.

We need trade. Even if it is with our enemies.

Time passed and it was nine when I had finished with the last meeting and got out of my office.

I have a suite here, but there is an official residence for the governor. Along with city hall, it is one of the few buildings the undead took great care of.

The carriage was waiting for me outside the city hall and I stepped inside it.

Soon it was out of the city hall and into the big plaza in front. There is a heavy police presence patrolling, but also people.

We have relaxed the curfew until ten. In the next week, we are planning to relax till eleven. However, the plan could change depending on the condition of the city.

We are taking things slowly. We do not want to be hasty and make mistakes.

All the buildings around the square had been fixed. Even one restaurant had opened. It is one of the four restaurants in the city.

Three of them were opened by the locals with a loan from the city. All their owners were running the restaurant before the undead captured the city.

We are providing aid to the many locals to open the businesses.

From restaurants to stores to carriage repair shops. The businesses are slowly opening up.

The money from the Velvet Garden charity auction is very helpful. We have got more than expected. There were thousands of guests and people from floors below had also donated.

We are using that money wisely for the city.

The investments are coming from the Greltheaven too. I got commitments from many at the party. Even if the fifth of them materialized, it would be tremendously helpful to the city.

Slowly the city is standing up, but it is still far away from walking on its own feet, but every day, we are making progress toward it.

Soon, the carriage turned and entered the compound before stopping at a huge mansion.

I got out and walked toward it.

"My lady, there is news from outpost seven," informed my mage. "The undead attacked?" I asked.

They are attacking several times a week. We have created seven outposts and placed a company of soldiers at each one of them.

This way, If the undead crossed into our side from any direction, we could deal with them quickly and efficiently.

"Yes, but this time their numbers are thrice that of usual," she replied, and I stopped in my tracks.