The Central Prefecture district was the centre of Baylands City, the capital of Baylands city-state, effectively making it the centre of the city-state. The district didn’t just house the city-state’s main governnt authorities but also the headquarters of every faction of significant size and influence.
The top ten freelancer guilds had at least a regional headquarters here, the top twenty-five companies were also based here, and so other forces were based here. Most of all, the top four families with so other powerful ones like the Oder family, had their family grounds set up in the Central Prefecture district.
In the east direction of the Central Prefecture district, a large family estate was set up. Based on how opulent the buildings and layout of the estate, it appeared to be one owned by one of the city’s top fifteen forces — the Dufour family.
The Dufour family was one of the most powerful factions in Baylands city-state. They had existed for decades after starting up as a rchant skilled in selling serums, minerals and ores. With the wealth they amassed, the Dufour family invested in generations of city lord to strengthen their position as a top four family. Over ti, the Dufour family built their reputation as a top two family and developed relations with the Oklo Dynasty.
Inside the estate, the largest mansion —reaching a height of seven floors— belonged to none other than the head of the family and the direct descendants.
Once one stepped into the mansion and headed right for the centre of the sixth floor, they would find a study there that belonged to an influential mber of the Dufour family. This family mber wasn’t the family head, but he had just as much influence as the vice family head in matters.
The butler of the Dufour family, who had t with Lucas [1], currently stood inside this room and reported to the man seated behind the desk.
"He’s back, huh? Just keep an eye on him for now. The city lord position cos first." The man said to the butler.
. . .
"That runaway brat is back?"
The head of external affairs for the Bergs family, Calhner Bergs [2], was surprised at the information he had just received.
Back then, during the entire SS vestige debacle, Calhner was put in charge of recruiting the vestige-smith behind Lucas into the Bergs family. However, after the rtens family’s extended invitation to Lucas which eventually led to his arrest and departure, the deal had collapsed. Although it wasn’t his fault, it had put a dent on Calhner’s record and earned Lucas his ire. But with the passage of ti, Calhner had basically forgotten all about it until today.
"His tily arrival is a bit suspicious." Calhner thought out loud.
During that ti, everyone had estimated that the vestige-smith backing the Seven Stars Forge store was a peak Tier 1 Master, at the very least, or a Tier 1 Grandmaster. In Baylands city-state, such a figure would be treated as a special guest by any faction.
The appearance of soone representing an individual of that calibre at this mont, naturally drew so concerns. However, thinking of the foundation of his family, Calhner wasn’t bothered by it.
"Keep your eyes on him for now. Our focus is the city lord’s position. But make sure we don’t lose him like last ti."
"Understood." The individual who stood behind Calhner like a shadow replied before disappearing.
. . .
Similar events played out among the other top factions of Baylands City. The reappearance of Lucas in the city was an opportunity for one to aim for a teoric rise. Despite, the city lord’s position was even more so attractive to these local forces, so they didn’t make a move yet.
However, this was only limited to the powers at the top. Those below or even just slightly below them were more interested in the secret of the SS vestiges as the city lord’s position was out of their reach. But they were also aware that the secret of those vestiges couldn’t be swallowed by themselves alone. As such, while the top four left Lucas to be, these "weaker" forces decided to create a coalition to control Lucas. But doing so was easier said than done and would take so ti.
While these machinations all took place in the background, Lucas had updated himself on the relevant information. Although there were so details unreported by the mainstream dia houses, Lucas had managed to figure so of them out.
Lucas’ intention on returning to Baylands City wasn’t to compete or influence the city lord situation, but to reopen his shop. That’s right; Lucas was confident that he could hold his ground.
With the financial support from his store in Cas Lego province of Trundel City and the available raw materials from there, Lucas was confident that the Seven Stars Forge store could survive here without collaborating with another company like in the past. As for governnt influence and the rest, Lucas had found a way around that thanks to Damian.
While he had not yet confird the true identities of the Damian and Vienna, it seed like their background was anything but ordinary. Damian seed a lot interested in investing in Lucas. It was to the point that he had made a request to the Trundel City regional branch of the Eretrean Vestige-smith League for a licence for Lucas.
Although it was called a temporary licence, it gave Lucas access to all the facilities and privileges of a registered mber. The only downside was the three years of limit and the fact that the temporary licence couldn’t be renewed. Nonetheless, it was good enough for Lucas.
The temporary licence also had a special privilege. Because it was offered only by certain high level branches, with the majority in Belfargos territory, and the requirents to get it were quite stringent —more so than an official registration— with one of them being the recomndation of a Tier 1 Grandmaster, other branches had to provide a sort of special treatnt to holders of the temporary licence. This was because it was thought that those with the temporary licence were basically backed by a Tier 1 Grandmaster and an influential figure. Usually, those who received this licence were students of Tier 1 Grandmasters who had yet to beco official vestige-smiths, or just didn’t want to take the exam yet.
With such a licence, Lucas basically a guard against Baylands city-state’s EVL branch and the city lord’s office. The private companies and forces would also have to think twice before they can do anything to him. The ire of a Tier 1 Grandmaster wasn’t sothing to play around with, and it was even more so if the individual was treasured by the Grandmaster. The temporary licence was basically an indication of that.
It was only because Lucas lacked anything noteworthy that even despite the suspicions of a Tier 1 Grandmaster backing him, Baylands City’s forces had still made their moves on him. But with this, things would be different.
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