William made a discreet entrance and left quietly, leaving no trace of his presence behind. No one could ascertain how many delectable items the petite witch by his side had managed to procure.
As for the nature of his conversation with Caesar, it remained a well-guarded secret. Each faction attending Caesar Jack's wedding had their unique requirements and methods of offering support.
For instance, the Eastern Regional Federation Chamber of Commerce contributed both monetary resources and the president's daughter. While they did offer some military support, it was not the primary focus of their assistance.
William sighed inwardly. He had never encountered such an accommodating host. Even the little princess seemed to have been captivated by William's charm, showering him with gifts and admiration.
The Temple of Light and the Mercenary Union, on the other hand, offered a variety of support, encompassing a wide range of assistance. In case of any disputes, they were often called upon to mediate between the Magic Temple and the Dark Temple. However, both of these major forces refrained from actively participating in the struggle for succession within the Human Empire. They were content with maintaining their independence and preserving their respective statuses.
Caesar's true strength came from the major factions within the Empire, the combat academies, and numerous Professionals who sought refuge under his protection. In the conflict between the two princes, it was primarily Caesar's loyal Professionals who suffered the most significant losses.
Representatives like William not only provided material support but also contributed manpower. Moreover, they had the ability to encircle and support from outside the War-Ending Empire, ensuring that Caesar had additional resources at his disposal.
For instance, Dawn City, a neutral power, had declared war on the Royal Beast City, which supported the Grand Prince.
In the city of Dawn, picturesque landscapes of rivers, lush greenery, and ascending terrain stretched from lowlands to the Black Leaf Forest. In a world that needed no further landscaping, William felt no guilt in expanding the city by cutting down trees when necessary.
The vastness of the Legendary Continent and the relatively small population meant that vast expanses of unoccupied land were available in the form of forests, grasslands, rivers, and lakes. Presently, Dawn City boasted a population of 1.8 million citizens, with half of them being Professionals.
"In five years, I want this city to have at least 3.5 million inhabitants," William declared from his elevated position above Dawn City. This goal was set with determination, and it was well within reach.
Achieving a population of 3.5 million was not an unreasonable target, especially considering that Dawn City did not need to rely on slave labor to boost its population. As the largest neutral stronghold in the southern region, it offered attractive incentives to its residents, including civilians and Professionals alike, guaranteeing a high standard of living and excellent welfare policies.
Countless civilians desired to settle in Dawn City, drawn by its unique appeal. The presence of the Douqi and Magic Colleges, coupled with William's burgeoning reputation, elevated Dawn City's status in the southern region to rival that of the Three Kingdoms.
The influx of civilians seeking to make Dawn City their home consisted primarily of junior Professionals. When William initially shared his vision with Thea, he had expressed his intention to make an inch of land in Dawn City worth an inch of gold. That goal had now been successfully realized.
William recognized that the increasing population of Dawn City would significantly improve the innate potential of newborns. With the second Magic Revival expected in the second year of the current version update, the residents of the God's Continent were on the cusp of witnessing a substantial boost in their magical abilities. It was estimated that nearly 70% of civilians would gain the ability to cultivate.
With the advent of the third Magic Revival, even more remarkable enhancements would follow. From that Point onward, there would be no ordinary individuals in the world of gods, as all NPCs would possess the ability to cultivate fighting spirit and magic.
"Except for many orcs and fish people," William added with a chuckle.
Magic Revival occurred in three stages, and each stage was more potent and impactful than the last. After the third stage, the average magical concentration across the nine continents would be nearly 100 times higher than it was at the end of the third era.
Magic veins, magic crystals, magic energy crystals, and various gem deposits would become increasingly prevalent.
"In light of this, Dawn City's population must continue to grow, and we need to implement a 'more children, more benefits' policy to keep up with the changing times and strengthen the city further," William contemplated.
With these thoughts in mind, he entrusted the idea of the policy and its promotion plan to Deputy Mayor Odom, with Blondie overseeing the implementation.
The Prince of the Lonely Mountain Dwarf Empire remained a constant presence, as he believed that Dawn City's growing strength could eventually lead to the recovery of his homeland.
Meanwhile, William received news of Moses' recent breakthrough, allowing her to ascend to the rank of Grand Enchanter within her department. However, her transformation had resulted in the revelation of her true identity as a woman.
This development provided Dawn City with a significant boost in security, as Moses' newfound strength ensured that it could withstand threats from rival kingdoms and powerful neutral camps. William felt secure in the knowledge that the city was protected, as long as Moses kept her identity concealed from the Magic Temple.
William decided to visit Moses, and upon entering the divination shop, he found that nothing had changed since his last visit. The crystal ball sat on its shelf in the back, and the shop's simple structure remained unaltered. Moses reclined lazily in the boss's chair, idly petting a cat. Her demeanor was carefree, and the Blood Moon Dark Witch stood nearby, resembling a little maid.
"Ah, my Lord, what brings you here today? Seeking fortune-telling or a glimpse into the future?" Moses greeted him with a smile as he entered.
"Your choice of words is quite peculiar," thought the prince, as he settled into a chair opposite Moses.
Moses playfully tapped her fingers on the table and looked to the Blood Moon Dark Witch, who spoke up, "Lord, I once heard Moses tell a Professional named Thunder God that she is your woman."
William's face darkened, and he immediately pounded the table, Pointing an accusatory finger at the Blood Moon Dark Witch. "You can eat whatever you like, but you can't blurt out nonsense like that! I've been kind enough to bring you to Prince War-Ending Empire's wedding so that you, a sealed little princess, can enjoy some delicacies. Yet, this is how you repay me?"
"You know, it hurts my heart. That's it; I'm leaving. Goodbye," William the prince attempted to make a swift exit.
Moses, however, gestured for the Blood Moon Dark Witch to step aside and confronted William with a smile. "Why, are you trying to evade her because you want me to warm your bed?"
William stuttered, "Of course not! I've been living independently since childhood, taking care of all my needs, eating, drinking, and growing up. I don't need…"
"Ah, but I thought you were a dragon, not a Half-Elf. Or perhaps you'd like me to warm your bed?" Moses' appearance began to shift dramatically.
Her figure became more alluring, her features transitioning from a
masculine appearance to a captivatingly feminine one. She exuded an irresistible charm and self-confidence that left people helpless to resist her allure or the desire to conquer her.
Caught off guard, William gazed blankly for a moment. His eyes briefly flickered to a certain area, causing his pupils to contract slightly. He quickly averted his gaze and began rubbing his hands awkwardly, unsure of how to respond.
Warming the bed was one thing, but Prince Ben was far from that type of person. Even if she were a goddess, she would not have the power to touch a single finger of Prince Ben.
Unaware of his inner turmoil, Moses continued to jest, saying, "I see, perhaps you'd like me to warm your bed with a single finger?"
William winced, feeling a sharp pain on his right arm as he was unexpectedly slapped. It stung terribly.
"Just say it; I've long suspected you're not just a mage," William muttered, nursing his arm.
Moses showed no surprise; instead, she nodded approvingly. "Yes, I thought you had figured it out long ago. So now, the goddess requires your assistance. Will you help?"
"Tell me," William replied eagerly.
"Take this list of materials and procure them for me. I wish to construct a magic tower."
William glanced at the list and felt a twinge of pain in his heart. He was more than willing to build not just one but ten magic towers for her.
The goddess had decided to settle permanently in Dawn City and had no intention of seeking revenge against the Magic Temple. The more crucial aspect was that the construction of a magic tower signaled the presence of a Legendary Grand Enchanter, a Grand Enchanter belonging to Dawn City.
With Moses now openly a Grand Enchanter, her strength had undergone a qualitative leap. William was aware that the news of her ascension would contribute to the city's sense of security, making it less susceptible to threats from rival kingdoms or powerful neutral camps.
After quickly considering the materials required, William departed, leaving Moses to her preparations for the magic tower. He noted that the shift in their relationship was not as comfortable as it once had been, as he had always been more adept at communicating with males. The sudden change made him long for simpler times.
Nonetheless, his focus remained on Caesar, and his ability to maintain a delicate balance between two opposing forces. The prince was unapologetic about his actions, confident in his ability to navigate the complex political landscape and maintain his double-agent status.