Three days later Will had finished the wall, his house, the farmhouse and farm warehouse, roads, and 1,000 uniform townhouses.
The last thing Will did was use the spell [Erode] to flatten out the farmland and remove the rocks.
Afterward, Will cast [Fertile Soil] and [Nature's Blessing] before falling into bed. Will had not slept for 72 hours.
After finishing all that work Will checked his stats:
Race: Human
Rank: 1 (Baron)/ Lord of Games/ Gaia's Champion
Class: Merchant
Sub Class: Spellsword
Attributes:
Constitution—55
Strength—54
Dexterity—48
Intellect—66
Charisma—15
Ranks Skills: Management (53+7), Diplomacy (35+5), Accounting (52)
Class Skills: Appraisal (15, 100), [Radar]
Abilities: Journeyman Swordsmanship (6, 50), Journeyman Terramancer (22+13, 50), Gaia's Blessing (multiplies your spell strength x2), Apprentice Blacksmith (20, 25).
Since the city was built, Will ordered Kurosawa to greet the new arrivals.
At noon a 50-wagon caravan pulled to a stop in front of the Gates of Gadreel, with a 5,000-soldier escort. Kurosawa checked over the supplies the Baron ordered. Seeds, food, feed, goats, chicken, and pigs were all counted. Will was a multimillionaire, anyone seeing this sight would be amazed.
Kurosawa was amazed at the large supplies, and the slaves and household staff were amazed at the giant empty city.
After checking the supplies, he directed Michael to the manor.
"Listen, each slave shall be paid 30 coppers a mouth and each solider 60 coppers," Kurosawa said.
The slaves cheered at hearing the high salaries
Kurosawa used to assign slaves to their respective areas. Farmers were loaned farmhouses, and the rest were given rental homes. Carpenters were the most important job because there was no furniture in any of the homes.
When Michael, Ms. Park, and the rest of the household staff, saw the mansion they were amazed. Truly they served a powerful lord, to build such an amazing property.
"Alright, enough gawking, let's go. I'm sure a mansion this big hasn't been cleaned in days!" Ms. Park said.
If the outside was a work of art, the inside looked palatial.
"Ms. Park, I quit. I'm afraid to break something," said a nervous maid.
"You didn't come all this way to quit, quickly unload the wagons," Ms. Park said.
The more the staff explored, the more amazed they became. The double helix stairs were marvelous to behold.
"The rooms are in the basement. Men on the right, women on the left," Michael said.
He went to the second floor to find Will only to see him asleep in a tent in his room. Michael refused to let any catch his master this indisposed. He quickly shut and guarded the door.
Outside, Kurosawa was dealing with the soldiers. They were present from the Crown Prince for helping him catch his brother.
"I want 3,000 stationed along the outer wall, 1,500 on the middle wall, and 500 on the inner wall. Sergeant Bubba, the Baron has named you Captain of the City Guard," Kurosawa explained.
This was a dream come true, a city all to his own to manage. A guttersnipe, a street rate from the Rabble Quarter now ran a burgeoning city, under the authority of one of the richest men in the kingdom. If he ever saw the king again he kissed his feet in supplication, thanking him for this opportunity.
From the top of the outer wall, Kurosawa saw farmers planting, foresters felling trees, carpenters cutting planks, blacksmiths making nails, Bakers, Tailors, and candlestick makers. construction workers, and soldiers busy contributing.
Since Will agreed to also accept a slave's family less than 5,500 workers arrived. In one day, the population of Gadreel went from four to 10,427.
That meant ten months later, at the end of the year, the population of Gadreel would be 55,000 and there were only 5,000 soldiers, which was less than ten percent of the population.
As Kurosawa was planning the next year, a horn sounded catching him, the farmers planting, and the soldiers off guard.
A Dwarven company called out after crossing the bridge. The beastmen company called out with a second horn from the forest. Immediately, the slaves thought the demi-humans were attacking.
"A demi-human brigade approaches, your order City Manager," Bubba asked.
"Stand down, they are allies, form two columns to welcome them! Quickly send a soldier to let Baron know," Kurosawa urged.
Kurosawa waited under the gate as Master Duncan and Savage Wolf arrive. It seemed like they were discussing something very important. Finally, half an hour later, Kurosawa greeted them.
"Esteemed guest, welcome to Gadreel! I am the City Manager, Kurosawa vont Sato," he greeted them with a dignified bow.
"Nice to meet you, where's your lord," Master Duncan said.
"He's resting in his manor. He worked 72 hours without sleeping. He's been asleep for 14 hours. I sent someone to wake him. I follow me," Kurosawa led them to Will's manor.
Ms. Park went into a tizzy when she heard guests were heading to the manor.
"Mr. Michael, we have no furniture, how is he to entertain? Ms. Park asked frustratedly.
"Invite them in the garden until the lord decides, Michael said walking into Will's room to wake him.
"I'm up," Will yawned. His hazy eyesight focuses.
"Master, the Dwarven and Beastmen emissaries are in the garden," Michael said.
A short while later, a yawning Will greeted his guest.
When Micheal escorted Will to the garden, he saw Grandmaster Thaddeus and the beastmen speaking. However, what shocked him was that the men were sitting at a table drinking and snacking. What shocked him the most was that not there was no patio furniture, so where had it come from?
"Disciple greets Master Duncan and Elder Thaddeus. Greetings Wolf Clan Leader Savage Wolf," Will greeted everyone.
"Baron, I met Savage Wolf outside the city. We discussed and agreed on the turns," Master Duncan said.
"Baron, the Elder Council agreed to the proposal, with the addendum you can only mine, outside the city. Are you still in favor of our agreement," Savage Wolf asked.
"Oi, you're full of surprises boy, I was expecting you to be a member of Wolf Clan?" Master Duncan said I'm his thick Scottish accent.
"Yes, Savage Wolf congratulated Grandmaster Thaddeus, on his excellent disciple," Savage Wolf bowed deeply as he did to his elders. Will had never seen a beastman lower himself in front of a human before.
"Same here, Doric Stormforged Duncan also congratulates Grandmaster Thaddeus," Master Duncan said.
"Thank you both. I share bare witness to your treaty. If either side should declare war against my disciple, it shall be a war to remember for generations," Elder Thaddeus said.
Immediately, both Master Duncan and Savage Wolf shrieked a little, both were terrified of that promise.
"When the Dwarven King learned you lived here, he sent his crafters and 100 kilos of mithril as a present for your disciple!" Master Duncan said diplomatically
"I accept those gifts. What gifts did you bring, after the kidnappings disciple, or did you think I wouldn't notice?" Elder Thaddeus asked.
"Grandmaster Thaddeus, I apologize. I have already punished the man you kidnapped your disciple?" Savage Wolf said like a shy puppy.
"That's all? Did you know here what happened in Rijilir after I heard they arrest my disciple," Master Thaddeus said.
"Quick bring me the Baron's kidnapper, immediately," Savage Wolf said.
A bloody man, with a swollen face, was brought before, Will.
"I apologize, I didn't recognize it was you. I'm sorry for attacking another clan member," the man kowtowed to Will 10 times before Savage Wolf killed him.
"My anger has appeased. What gifts did you bring?" Grandmaster Thaddeus said.
"We did not bring an offering?" Savage Wolf said.
"It appears my spent in search of a disciple has made people lose respect for me. I shall visit your elders tonight to jog their memories. Now, let's sign this treaty," Elder Thaddeus said uncaringly.
Even Will flinched, at his master's statement. His master was many wonderful things. But, if someone did not give him face or respect, then only pain and suffering awaited.
"Our first agenda item is a non-aggression treaty. This forbids the other parties from attacking each other. If you agree, you only need to drip some blood," Elder Thaddeus said.
After everyone dripped blood, the treaty turned a bright golden color and triplicated itself, with each party receiving a copy.
Will was astonished. Imagined if that happened on Earth, duplicate or triplicate copies magically appearing once they were signed with blood. Suddenly, the copies burst into flame, and Will felt the copy embedded in his heart.
…
In the capital, the king's heart suddenly felt a pinch.
'A new treaty?' The king was surprised. In the kingdom, there were only four people who had the authority to sign a treaty. Besides the king, the Royal Emissary, the Regent, and Grandmaster Thaddeus had the power to sign treaties. The king knew his emissary and son were in the castle, it had to be Grandmaster Thaddeus.
"Quickly see if there's a new treaty in the Royal Archives," the king shouted to his steward.
As the steward ran out, the Crown Prince ran into his father's study.
"Father, did you feel it too? A new treaty has been signed," Prince Roland said animatedly. The prince had undergone the magic ceremony of kings, no he had the same access and government power as his father.
The king wanted to use the remaining time left to mentor his son.
"Yes, a steward should be here shortly with the treaty," the king said.
A short while later a steward ran in and head the contract to the king who read it and then handed it to the prince.
"God's Grace! A nonaggression treaty between Will, the Wolf Clan, and the Dwarves. Father, he's done it! He settled Death Valley," Prince Roland shouted.
"Quickly announce this to the kingdom under my authority as Regent!" Prince Roland said.
"What's your plan?" the king asked his son.
"I mean to claim, his success as my own," Prince Roland said.
"Is that it?" the king asked disappointedly.
"What would you have me do father?" Roland asked.
"Have I not told you to consolidate power? A new ruler needs to kill his enemies and reward his allies. This way your allies gain a stronger allegiance, and some enemies switch to your fraction," the king mentored his son.
"Then you would have me reward Will and put the Easter lords squarely under my thumb. But father, did you not warn that Will could endanger my rule?" the prince asked for clarification.
"As a ruler, you must keep longer-term and short-term agendas.
In the short term your cousin, Will is not a threat and the Eastern lords are.
In the long-term, your cousin Will may become your greatest threat to your rule, or your greatest ally, similar to his demon master!" the king lectured.
"What is your suggestion father?" the prince asked.
"Redistribute large portions of the eastern population south to Death Valley. We don't care who lives or who dies as long as it weakens the Eastern Region," the king advised.
"Yes father," the prince said running out of the room.
…
In Gadreel, Will just finished signing the 40:30:30 mining rights accord.
"Do you wish to stay for lunch?" Will asked.
"No, we dwarves don't wait to prospect," Master Duncan said.
"No, I must return to my clan. I must speak with the Elder Council," Savage Wolf said.
"I shall join you, Savage Wolf," said Elder Thaddeus casting his spatial spell [Gate].
Soon Will was left alone, with 10 kilos of mithril.
"Michel send for Kurosawa and bring me breakfast?" Will said.
Soon Kurosawa came running. My Lord, we have more people than expected," Kurosawa bowed.
"Bring me the construction list and I shall get to work," Will ordered.
"…"
The Regent's announcement and tradesmen's story of Gadreel shocked the kingdom. One impressive story followed another.
"It's true, they said he built his city in two months! When the supply caravan arrived they saw a fully built city," said a merchant.
"I heard the Gates of Gadreel are more opulent than the entire castle," said a noble.
"I heard he signed a treaty with the dwarves and beastmen," said a priest.
"I heard the Regent order General vont Smith to relocate 50,000 commoners to move to Death Valley," said a knight.
Suddenly a city crier shouted, "the Church of Gaia, Church of Aether, Church of Nyx, Merchant Guild, Adventure Guild, Mercenary Guild, Blacksmith Guild, Alchemist Guild, Crafter Guild, and Thieves Guild have all agreed to open a branch in Gadreel," the people in the cities froze.
In the entire kingdom, there were only two cities that had all those guilds, and now there was a third. Didn't that mean, Gadreel had become the third most important city in three months? The news was too astonishing. How could things advance this quickly?
At once Elizabeth celebrity status rose. When the news was announced, Elizabeth was thrilled to learn of Will's success. At the same time young witches and wizards rushed to congratulate and interrogate her.
As the future Lady of Gadreel, people recognized her growing influence. Despite, her increasing fame, she only counted down the days until she could see Will again and visit their new home.
Elizabeth sat in her room, holding Will's letter close to her heart. In two months she'd see him again, and that's the only thing she cared about.