Proofread by Thomas F

Alex Rutto

I came out of the shower and wore the suit. Feeling its incredible texture and unique comfort, which only a mist-stitched clothes could provide.

It comes from the velvet garden, just like my shoes, cuffs, and other things.

All of them are mist-crafted.

I love the feeling of it, I love the envy with which the people looked at me when I wore it.

Sharp-eyed people can tell what I’m wearing, and many want it, but it’s not easy to get it. Especially one of this quality; it is made especially for me.

I didn’t buy it; I could have, but I didn’t.

It comes from the city; they want their representative to look their best so they can do their best.

Lord Silver has said, I am doing a good job, but I feel like a failure. He has invested so much, but I am barely bringing any results.

The last mission was a total flop. I was unable to convince even a single noble to join us.

I did acquire some of the weapons we wanted, but that’s not enough.

After I was ready, I looked at the mirror. I like a little colour in my suits, but when I am on the job, I wear plain suits.

At The Best.

I activated the skill, and immediately, small changes began to appear within me.

The hair is fixed, the shirt is perfectly tucked, and numerous other minor changes have been made, but they have made an enormous difference.

I look leaner and more noble. I need to look the part to succeed.

It’s a two-day conference of nobles. Most of them are minor nobles, but a few powerful ones are also attending.

Hun!

I was looking at the mirror when the ring on my finger lit up. I read the message, and my expression couldn’t help but become serious.

I cast the spell and received more details.

“It’s official,” I said to myself and sighed. The merchants have signed the agreement with Vris’alud.

I had been informed of that yesterday, and now, after the signing, the new details had been released. One of the most important is the trade and exchange of prisoners.

It had happened, and it’s going to make things even more difficult, but there is nothing I could do about it other than adapt to it.

A minute later, I walked out of my suite.

When I got out, I sat in a carriage waiting for me. It began to move while I went over the list of nobles I wanted to talk to.

A few minutes later, I looked outside the window and couldn’t help but sigh.

The city had undergone significant changes since the emperor’s death. It was filled with a lot of nobles, wealthy merchants, and other people looking for a safe harbour.

It had already made the most prosperous city in the empire even more prosperous, but it had also created numerous problems for its citizens.

The prices of real estate have skyrocketed, and so have the prices of rent and other essential items.

To make things even more challenging, an increasing number of people are arriving here seeking a safe haven—ordinary individuals searching for safety and a place to call home.

The problem had become so bad that they had started heavily restricting the entry.

Namdar might be huge, but it had limited space.

It is why people started going to other cities on islands. Yes, there are other cities, but they couldn’t be compared to Namdar.

The carriage stopped and I got out.

I looked at a beautiful hotel. It is a twenty-story green spiral tower, with blue lines that glow gently, giving the hotel an otherworldly look.

The Goldwyn.

It’s one of the empire’s largest hotel chains; they used to be headquartered in Marstern, but shifted to Namdar, like many other businesses.

I entered the hotel and took the elevator to the conference room.

I stepped out and walked toward the large doors, flanked by imposing guards who looked every bit as powerful as their armor promised.

“Welcome to the Nobles Conference, Lord Rutto,” said the man waiting at the door.

Looking at him, I was reminded of myself a year ago.

I had lost everything, I didn’t even have money to pay the rent. The same thing happened with this man. He had lost everything, so much that he didn’t have money even for rent.

He is living at the mercy of other nobles and using the hospitality of one friend after another.

Still, when I invited him to Greltheaven, the bastard raised his nose.

“It is my honor, Baron Ringbloom,” I replied with a smile and shook the man’s hand before walking inside the large hall, which was filled with people.

It wasn’t just the nobles; I could see merchants, mercenaries, and officers, including former commanders of many nobles’ forces.

Many nobles have died, and those under their command have either joined others, become mercenaries, or migrated to Namdar and other safe cities.

This conference is billed as the connection event. Where people could recruit others for the war, it isn’t just recruiting, but also financing.

It is why the merchants and mercenaries are here.

“Lord Rutto, it’s been a while,” said the man in his mid-twenties as he appeared in front of me suddenly. It took me a moment, even with I Remember All Faces, to recognise the man.

“Lord Claywell,” I replied, remembering the name.

He is the son of Viscount Claywell. His father is fighting in the front, while he is here to collect the funds, men, and allies for his father.

“How are you? I heard you have started working for Silver of Greltheaven?” he asked.

“I am good and yes, I work for Lord Silver, now,” I replied in one sentence. I want to get away from this man; he will be of no use to me other than wasting my time.

“Good. Then you must have access to the emotion essence?” he asked, with a sugary smile appearing on his face.

“I hope you will contribute a few bottles of emotion essence to my father’s campaign. He will not forget it after he wins his territory back,” he said.

I wanted to slap the bastard. He is so shameless.

Others at least discuss buying the essence at market rate, but this individual wants it for free.

“Lord Silver keeps tight control over the emotional essence, but I can talk to him about you,” I replied.

Of course, I have an emotion essence. I also have permission to give or sell it to anyone as long as it benefits the city.

Giving this man emotion essence will not help, even a little.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lord Claywell,” I wished and walked away from him. He tried to speak, but I was already too far away from him.

Thread The Ballroom.

It is a fantastic skill. A speed skill of events, with this, I could move quickly in parties without being conspicuous. It is instrumental in getting away from people and reaching them.

It is a skill Jenna is most envious of.

I walked into a large hall, seeing Count Allingsward taking the stage, before turning to the people.

“My friends, my kin in title and in loss, I welcome you not as beggars seeking scraps of what once was, but as lions ready to reclaim what was stolen.

Each of us once ruled lands that echoed with our names. Our banners flew high, our people prospered, and our honor stood firm. But war came like a tide of fire—and in its wake, our keeps smolder, our holdings lie in enemy hands, and our titles are whispered in the past tense.

But I ask you—are we not still nobles? Has the flame of our bloodline been snuffed out, or does it burn hotter now, fueled by vengeance and purpose?

I do not speak today as a man clinging to ruins. I speak as a commander of the rising storm. I march not to mourn what was taken—but to take it back. And more.

Join me, not only to reclaim your territories, but to carve your names into a greater history. One forged in steel, sharpened by justice, and crowned in glory.

This is no plea. This is a call to rise. Ride with me—and live”

I stopped listening and focused on the people around me. There are many people scheduled to speak, including imperial representatives and representatives of powerful nobles.

We have also booked the speaking slot, but it is scheduled for tomorrow, and we will have to pay a significant amount of money for it.

Soon, I found the target among the people and saw him as he finished talking with a noble.

“Lord Rutto,” he was surprised, seeing me appear in front of him. I had met him the day before yesterday, and the response had been positive.”

“Viscount Crowhold, how are you?” I asked the red-haired middle-aged man.

He had fought against Tabes and was above Lv. 30 and even had a family artifact.

“I am well, thank you for asking,” he replied.

“Have you thought about my offer?” I asked. I gave it to him two days ago, and it is very generous.

“I was truthfully considering it, but after today’s news. It would be suicide to join, Greltheaven,” he replied, shaking his head, and walked away.

I knew it would have a significant impact, but witnessing it happen made me feel even worse.

It’s terrible news for us. It didn’t change things for me. I have a job, and no matter how challenging it is, I will give it my all.

So, I put a smile on my face and moved toward the commander of the dead noble.

Hours passed, and I met people after people, and everyone had the same answer. There was not a single person who responded encouragingly, much less positively.

“Greltheaven is going to be conquered by the undead. So, suppose Silver has any inventory of emotion essence. In that case, we are willing to buy it, no matter how much it is,” said Lady Esther Lovelstone, representing a group of powerful nobles.

“We have essence, Lady Lovelstone. We will give it to you, as long as you provide the things we need,” I replied with a smile.

A moment later, she walked away, while I wanted to massage my head. People either want nothing to do with Greltheaven or crave the emotion essence of the Velvet Garden.

I have been here since the morning, and it is pretty late at night. Many people had left, and seeing that I have an early morning meeting tomorrow, I decided to goas well.

It’s not like I’m going to make any progress here. I don’t even want to return here tomorrow.

I walked out of the hall and stepped into the elevator, when suddenly a blond man in his early forties flashed beside me.

He nodded at me, and I nodded back as the energy screen appeared and the elevator began to descend.

Hun!

As it did, I felt the skill from him. Privacy, I become alert immediately. Ready to cast a spell to defend myself if he tried something.

Some privacy skills didn’t just mask the sound; they could also do other things.

This one feels like a standard privacy skill, but I’m not going to take the risk.

“I heard you are willing to buy things?” he asked. “It depends on the things,” I replied. Relieved that he is not planning to harm me, but still alert.

I looked at the man. If I remember correctly, his name is Tolen Whetley. He was the commander of Baron Ulvimar’s forces.

The last battle he participated in was three months ago, in the Battle of the Nine Nobles.

It was disastrous. Of the nine nobles who participated, only three returned alive. Two were captured, while the four were killed, including his lord.

The same thing happened with the army. Tabes’s forces decimated it; barely a fifth of it survived.

It was the nobles’ mistake.

They should have listened to the Duke of Dawhall and waited for his forces to join theirs before attacking. However, they sought glory for themselves and the territory they planned to capture.

“I have something you are interested in,” he stated after a moment of silence.

“What is it?” I asked.

We want a lot of things, cannons, enchanted weapons, alchfire orbs, rare gems, and many other things. We had bought a lot of things from men like him.

“Not here, it’s not safe,” he replied. It made me a little suspicious, a little alert, and a little excited.

Given the failure of the trip so far, I need a success. I would be happy if he could provide me, even a single big cannon, a powerful ballista, or even an alchfire orb.

“My place is safe,” I stated.

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