I entered the hall, filled with people. I paused and looked out across the crowd.
Everyone who is important had co—Chiefs, rchants, warriors, and guests from other cities.
"Thank you all for being here to attend the ceremony," I declared to them all, and then paused, letting my skill cover the whole hall.
"We have erged victorious from the battles; the road was arduous, and many gave their lives in service."
"We have honoured them and now it's ti to honour those who perford exceptionally by giving them well-deserved promotion," I finished.
"General Thaddeous Maurise Stone, step forward," the herald called, and Stone stepped forward, before stopping in front of .
He is wearing his uniform, with all the dals and stars.
"No one had made a greater contribution to the outco of the battle than General Stone."
"For his great contribution in the defence of Dominion. I, Remus Silver, na him the General of the Army," I declared and added another star on his uniform.
This will be the highest position in the army; there will be no one beyond this.
"I will protect the dominion till the last drop of my blood," declared Stone. "I know, you will, General," he replied with a smile.
He bowed and stepped back.
"Lt. General Leonas Marth Cardin, Lt. General Thomlin Hiren Jr., Lt. General Nicolle Varna Azalia, step forward," the Herald called, and then the three of them ca forward.
I have sent extra forces into the Panar and increased the vigilance around it.
It is very risky to bring her here, but it needs to be public; with her absence, the ceremony wouldn't be complete.
Today is also the day I will announce the formation of the Western Command. I could have waited, but given the danger, I want to start on it as soon as possible.
"All three of you have done great service for the dominion; without your dedication, there wouldn't have been a dominion," I said, voicing an undeniable truth.
"I hereby elevate three of you to the rank of General. May you stand as steadfast pillars, defending the dominion from every threat it may face," I proclaid.
"We will," they replied in unison.
One by one, I promoted the people: Vihra, Axseer, Uram, Cooper, and many others.
The promotion is not only for the outstanding service they have done for the dominion, but also a hedge against the danger we will face.
I didn't want to elevate a General of the Army this early, but after facing a great horde, I realise I need it.
"There is one more thing," I said as we finished with over a hundred promotions.
"I am forming a sub-command in Panar, called Western Command, to keep eyes on and respond to the enemies. General Azalia will head it," I declared, looking at General Azalia standing beside .
"Thank you for the honour, Lord Silver," she replied.
The program lasted for another half an hour before it ended.
Earlier in the morning, I had given a big speech in front of tens of thousands of people. We have just held the promotion ceremony, and tonight, there will be a party.
Today, I have declared the Dominion holiday. It is to celebrate our victory against the undead.
Soon, I reached my office and sat down.
"The call is fixed. You will talk to Lord Zalmas at seven-twenty in the evening," inford Zela. Hearing that, a smile appeared on my face.
I am talking to all mbers of the Synod council.
I talked to nearly all of them, including the Grand Mage from Archmage Tower. Only Ophelia and Zalmas had remained; Ophelia, I will speak with her tomorrow.
Zalmas is the lord of a Grade VI legacy; one of the most powerful on the continent.
Last ti, I got the financing through the muscle of Archmage Tower. I had gotten it, but it didn't work; this ti, I want to do a thorough job.
I want the majority of the council to agree to the proposal I had sent to them.
Unlike the last proposal, the synod made nurous changes. This ti, I am going to present it as I crafted it. I wasn't able to do that earlier, but now, as a Master of a Throne, I could.
Still, it would have taken six months, but my title provides
with unique privileges that are not available to other lords of the Grade IV throne.
I could bring the proposal to the council in the month. I used that privilege.
After what happened last ti, I didn't want to go to the synod again, but I need money. This ti, I am asking more than last ti; it will all go to the tower.
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It isn't sothing I want anymore, but I need it. For the advancent of my mages and to train new ones.
"Good," I replied, before focusing on the work.
It had been ten days since I returned from the Gailhorn, and I am still swamped with the work, and I will be for a few more weeks.
"You also have a call with Lord of Inam at seven forty-five." Inford Lola.
"I didn't forget," I replied.
It had been six days since the negotiations were over, and his office had been pressing
to make Vanis Tavern a subject every day.
He might be thinking, I am waiting for better offers, but I am not.
I would have done it the day negotiations were finished, but we were not ready.
We needed a few grand spells charms; they were not finished until this very morning. With them, we are finally ready to make Vanis Tavern our subject.
Carla and others will be leaving today for Inam after the party is over.
I would need to be here, not that I could go to Inam. Even if I wanted to.
I couldn't go through the river because it's too risky with Deerpond and Riverbell. My strength had increased, but it's no guarantee of safety.
It is even worse if I take the sea route. The undead might declare an open season on . They have killed many powerhouses in the sea with just sheer numbers.
I pushed those thoughts away and focused on the work.
Ti passed, and before I knew it, the whole afternoon had passed by.
"Master Silver, it's one minute to five," inford Lola, breaking
out of the work I was doing. "Has he arrived?" I asked, and she nodded.
…
Beckette Reed
I looked at the clock and there were four minutes more.
I am a little nervous, despite knowing what this eting is about.
He had been eting all the vice-guildmasters in the past week. Only, I had remained. So, I was not that surprised when I was called.
There are three of us now; the fourth vice-Guildmaster had left the city before the battle. He ca back, but lost the position.
The two belong to dium-scale businesses; one of them was a small business owner, but it had grown into a dium-scale business since then.
Now, I am the sole small business owner and Vice-Guildmaster, and I wish to remain that way. My children have their own careers, and I have no ambition to expand.
I could, but that would be counterproductive.
I love my job in the rchant guild; the power and prestige it brings, and the opportunities it provides for fellow small business owners.
I had dread about it, but I never thought I would get it. I did, and I am satisfied with it.
The position of Guildmaster had opened. Now that Guildmaster Arryn had beco chief of trade. That leaves the position empty, and many people are vying for it.
Most of them are deacons, and a few ambitious rchants are vying for the top post.
A mber of a powerful rcantile house always holds the position of the Guildmaster. There are a few deacons from those houses.
All three of us Vice-Guildmasters are from small and dium-sized businesses.
This ans we have no chance of getting that position.
Many had co to et
in the past few days. They offer many things, including a promise of support, after becoming the head of the rchant guild.
I didn't decline them, but I also didn't accept them.
Soren Arryn had suggested Malhad Barus's na. A mber of the rcantile house of Barus. He already got the support of one vice-guildmaster.
Reija, on the other hand, remained non-committal.
Though I don't know whether she had suggested soone in her eting with Lord Silver yesterday.
I already have a person in mind whom I will suggest for the position of head. It is Carlos Bran; he is from the rcantile house of Bran.
He is a deacon, and he offered
support, but that's not the reason I chose him.
I chose him because I know he is capable. He had worked under , and the man is intelligent as well as ambitious. I believe he will be the best match for the rchant guild.
I was lost in thought when a beautiful blond woman stopped in front of .
"Lord Silver will see you now, Vice Guildmaster," said the woman. I nodded and stood up before following the woman toward the door.
The door opened and I stepped inside. There I saw the young man and the familiar woman standing behind him.
I could also see the mage to my right, sitting on the couch. She examined
before turning back to the book she was reading.
"My lord," I greeted. "Vice-Guildmaster Beckette, take a seat," he replied.
"Thank you, my lord," I replied and sat in front of him.
A mont passed, and he didn't speak. I wanted to, but I remained silent. In my experience, the less one said, the better.
Especially with highly intelligent and dangerous people like the one in front of .
"Do you know why I called you, Vice-Guildmaster?" he asked. "Regarding the head of the rchant guild," I replied, and to that he nodded with a slight smile on his face.
"Do you have any opinions?" he asked. "It needs to be soone capable, my lord," I replied.
"Due to the advancent of legacy and our victory over the undead, a lot of business will co to the city."
"Every day, I have been getting inquiries from hundreds of small businesses. The big rcantile houses had also shown their interest as well."
"We will need soone who could manage that. Bring maximum business and investnt to the city," I added.
I wanted to keep it short, but seeing those eyes. The words just slipped out of my mouth.
"You seed to have a person in mind for that?" he asked. "Yes, my lord. Carlos Bran; I had seen him work, he is capable of bearing this responsibility," I replied.
It would have been much safer to remain non-committal. As the lord might bla
if Bran didn't do the job well, but I believed in him.
He will lead the rchant guild well.
"He is good, but I have decided on soone else," he said, and a list of nas flashed in my mind, or it might be soone completely different.
In the last shuffle, aside from the Guildmaster. Everybody was unexpected.
Now, he is saying he had already decided, and I want to ask him who; it will help
prepare better for my new boss.
"If I may be so daring. Can you tell , who have you chosen, my lord?" I asked, and the smile on his face widened a little.
"You," he replied.
His gentle word was like a thunderclap to my ears. It stunned
so much that I wasn't able to react for a few seconds.
When I ca to myself, I wanted to ask him again, but closed my mouth.
"It should be soone from the rcantile houses," I said, and paused for a mont. "They have connections, the pedigree required for the job," I added gently.
I am exceedingly honoured that he considered
for the job, but I don't feel like I would do justice to it.
Soone from rcantile houses would do much better than I ever could. The city deserves it at least that much.
"Do you know what kind of business contributes the most to the city's economy?" he asked after a silence, and I nodded. These numbers have been my proudest achievent.
Increasing these numbers had been the goal of my life, and I increased them.
If not for the undead ssing it all up. I would have made them cross 60%; it had been my biggest goal, and I had co very close to it.
"Small business," I replied finally.
"Big businesses are good, but it is small businesses that are truly important. They provide the most employnt and aid the economy."
"It is from them who are most ingenious and have the high potential. So, why couldn't a Guildmaster be from them?" he asked, looking intensely into my eyes.
For nearly a minute, I didn't speak at all, before finally taking a deep breath and looked at him.
"I will not let you down, my Lord," I finally accepted.
"Good, because I am taking a big risk on you, Beckett. I expect you will not disappoint ," he said, and I could feel the weight of responsibility.
"I will give my all to it, my lord," I replied.
I dared to dream about becoming a Vice-Guildmaster. I had never even dread about becoming a Guildmaster, but here I am, and it is already becoming a reality.
He had trusted , and I will not let him down. I will put every drop of blood and sweat into it and succeed.
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