[A Certain Merchant from the Capital POV]
In a few days, we’ll arrive in the new city everyone has been talking about. Many have said that it had become a gateway to connect the empire and the kingdom’s economy, seeing as there have been more imperial products circulating in the kingdom, that is undeniable.
For a long time, spices were a rarity in the kingdom, even the royal family had rarely gotten access to it. But that city created a safe passage for both nations. My company has transferred its wealth to this city due to its zero tax policy towards the company that has incorporated in the city.
Many of our sons and heirs have been sent to study there, due to many companies transitioning to the so-called ‘spreadsheet’ system. It was an efficient process which allowed us to bookkeep and do accounting faster. It made our jobs easier in the process.
“Stop.”
We arrived in the city of Romwell.
“Please leave all slaves in the city of Romwell.”
It was something we expected but it still shocked us that it was happening. Slaves and villagers have been barred from entering the city. This is due to many deciding to settle there leading to a shortage of manpower for the war in the south of the domain.
Many of our products were inspected and some got damaged. In the end, the city took more than what we got taxed before that city gained prominence.
“They took twice the usual huh.”
“Well, that’s to be expected. Their tax income is not something to be proud of.”
This led some merchant guilds to skip Romwell City and instead head directly to Roella. But not us, we were tasked by the company’s head to buy some ale in the city.
We loaded up our waggons with wines and other booze.
“This is sad.”
“Yeah…”
We could see many people lying on the streets of the city, some may have not eaten for days. I could even see corpses lying on the ground.
“They are villagers who wanted to head to the new city. But now the Romwells have barred them from leaving. I believe they came from nearby villages, they wanted to buy some bread here before heading to the new city but then, the guards came.”
“Horrible…”
“Shh, Don’t let the guards hear you.”
Unable to do anything to help those people we decided to move on and leave the city.
The officers, somewhat expecting where those products were heading, taxed the wine we bought in the city 4 times the usual amount.
“I guess this was why many of their streets are empty.”
We continued our journey and we reached the town of Roella. It was more lively than Romwell, the streets were well maintained and smooth to the point that the waggons barely shook as they moved.
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“We’re not at the city yet this is Roella.” one of the veteran merchants said.
“But I heard the new city had smooth roads…”
“I guess they extended it here.”
“The town is lively…”
“Indeed.”
As we continued our journey after resting we headed to the new city. The road continued to be smooth, even at night it was lit, the adventurers we brought noted that they were unable to use magic while on the street in addition there was a barrier that protected us from the outside.
“Stop!”
A man shouted. The adventurers hurriedly prepared their weapons.
“Hehe, don’t even bother, we’re just here to remind you not to litter on the streets, there will be heavy fines if you do, everyone has been marked the moment you entered this place.”
He told us while smiling at us, even if I’m not trained as a fighter I knew this person was strong. He held a black blade on his waste and some tubes on the other side. The rumoured black guards…
“Oh well, no camping on the road, do not worry though there are campsites every 300 meters, and you can use the toilet besides getting drinkable water there. Be careful now!”
He returned to his ride which was something I had never seen before. It was small and thin yet had two wheels, he pedalled to go forward. It was fast.
Before sundown, we reached the campsite.
It only took us a few hours to reach the city. Its wall spanned to the horizon, even I could not see where it ended.
“Next.”
We moved forward.
“Ah, the Alfonso Company! Your company’s president has informed us that you will come. Please head to the office within the day to get yourself documented, there will be a fine if you don’t.”
The lady told me. I was shocked since a woman was working, she had the same tube in her waist as she gave us our temporary ‘ID’ cards.
As we passed through the first wall we saw an empty field of snow. Yet we could see the canals being used by people within the walls.
“This is their farmland, though due to the season, it’s empty. Though many still live in the outer wall, especially since the University’s agricultural department has acquired a massive amount of land to do research in. According to some students, the city might produce sugar soon.”
“SUGAR? No wonder they have walls to protect their farms.”
“Well this is the frontier, if they didn’t bandits or even beasts might eat it before they do. This was out of necessity.”
We followed the straight smooth road and arrived at the second wall.
Even before we passed the second gate, a townlike scenery could be seen. The buildings were tall, and merchants could be seen trading with one another.
“Hold on, don’t get excited people, we’re not at the city proper yet.”
After a few minutes of travelling the atmosphere changed, the amount of people got denser and people started to gather more.
“Welcome to the city of Neverwinter everyone.”
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[A Certain Apprentice Merchant POV]
I wandered around the city of Neverwinter after the veteran merchant took us to the office to get our ID cards. I found it interesting due to our faces being on it. It was more realistic than the paintings I’ve seen in the capital.
At first, I was expecting some rundown place to be in the frontier, yet this place managed to amaze me. It was clean and arranged in a pattern that encouraged walking instead of using carriages. Many parts were under construction. A bridge can even be seen towering everything else in the manufacturing district.
“Oh that’s one of the ongoing projects of the city, they called it, ‘train,’ rumour has it that riding that thing you’d reach the capital in a few days. I doubt it though such a technology can’t exist, the number of mages that they'd need would be impossible to get.”
The veteran merchant laughed it off but I wasn’t…
Such a technology… if it can be made… it would change everything. These old men don’t even realize how much things would change with that… the era of carriages… it would all end… even ravens take a few days to reach the capital… Now imagine you can send people... warfare would change forever.
The things they've built and the layout of this city… It was built for those things… I saw their streets… it seemed like whoever designed this city intentionally left out some spaces for future development… maybe they intended these ‘trains’ to run around the city… But if that’s the case… the main road was too wide… unless… they expect carriages to get bigger… I began to ponder... maybe they're not relying on magic alone...
I felt the hair on my arms stand up as I imagined how far the developer of this city had planned everything… I looked back and yes, even the roads leading to Roella had those spaces… they planned everything from the very start!
The one who rules this city is very dangerous!
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[Meanwhile at Luke’s house]
“Your Highness, you’re a genius.”
“I know right?”
The 6th Prince just made milk tea.
“Brilliant your Highness!”