Leon closed the door behind Elys and stepped back into the hallway, leaving her to settle into the room.
He made his way back to the office, the sound of his boots echoing against the stone floor. The knights gave him respectful nods as he passed, but Leon hardly noticed.
Once inside the office, Leon locked the door behind him and sat down in the city lord's chair again, staring at the parchment in front of him. The bronze ring still rested on the edge of the desk, its intricate patterns catching the faint light streaming through the window.
Taking a deep breath, Leon focused on the shimmering system interface that appeared in the corner of his vision once more.
[Abilities Interface: Active Skills]
Transmuting Touch (Active)
Details: Allows the transformation of mundane materials into something of value.
Leon frowned as he reread the description of the ability. "Transform mundane materials into something of value… but within limits," he murmured. He needed to test it, but recklessness could expose him or cause more harm than good.
His gaze fell on the cracked wooden chair in the corner. Perfect. Grabbing the seat, Leon placed his palm against the splintered surface and closed his eyes, focusing on the image of smooth, polished hardwood. A faint warmth spread from his hand, and a subtle glow encompassed the chair.
When he opened his eyes, the chair had changed—not drastically, but the cracks were gone, and the wood looked sturdier, almost new. "Interesting," Leon muttered, running his hand along the surface. The ability had worked, but it hadn't turned the chair into anything extravagant like gold or silver. It seemed to obey some kind of realistic balance.
He picked up a small, dull pebble from the floor next. Holding it in his hand, he focused harder this time, picturing a polished gemstone—something valuable, but nothing absurd like a diamond. The pebble glimmered briefly, and when the light faded, it had turned into a smooth, translucent stone resembling jade.
Leon smiled faintly, impressed yet cautious. "So, it can reshape and enhance materials into something useful or valuable, but it doesn't just break the laws of reality." He examined the pebble-turned-jade closer. It felt real, but it wasn't flawless or excessively large.
He considered testing the ability further but stopped himself.
"This changes things," Leon said quietly, setting the jade stone aside. "But it's not an infinite cheat code. I'll need to be subtle and strategic about how I use this."
A sharp knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Straightening, he turned toward the sound. "Enter."
A young steward stepped inside, bowing politely. "My lord, the council of merchants has requested an audience. They wish to discuss the current trade conditions."
Leon nodded, already shifting gears in his mind. "Tell them I'll meet them in an hour. Ensure the council chamber is ready and refreshments are provided."
The steward bowed again and left the room.
Leon leaned back in his chair, his mind already racing. The merchants' council would be a good testing ground for his new resources, but he couldn't afford to show too much. The key was control—both over the ability and the people around him.
For now, he would keep Transmuting Touch as his hidden ace, revealing only what was necessary to push his plans forward.
Leon turned back to the desk, his gaze falling on the transformed items—the diamond and the silver chalice. With a satisfied smile, he tucked them into a drawer, careful to ensure no one would stumble upon them.
As he stood, readying himself for the meeting, he straightened his tunic and glanced at his reflection in the window. The faint smirk playing on his lips betrayed his confidence.
"Let's see how this city shapes up under my rule," he murmured.
With that, Leon strode out of the office and into the hallway. The knights posted outside immediately straightened, saluting him as he passed. Their newfound discipline was a good sign, but Leon knew loyalty would take more than just a title to earn.
Making his way toward the council chamber, he took in the sights of the keep. Though its structure was sturdy, signs of neglect were evident—cracked walls, worn banners, and flickering torches in need of replacement. It spoke volumes about the previous lord's complacency, and Leon made a mental note to address these details soon.
"Time to get everything under control," he muttered as he approached the large wooden doors of the council chamber.
The guards stationed there pulled the doors open, revealing a grand hall with a long oak table at its center.
Around it sat the city's most influential merchants, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and wariness as they watched Leon enter. The room was well-lit, with sunlight streaming through high windows and a roaring fire in the hearth casting warm shadows on the stone walls.
Leon walked confidently to the head of the table, his boots clicking against the stone floor. He didn't rush, letting the weight of his presence settle over the room.
Taking his seat, he leaned back slightly, his sharp gaze sweeping across the gathered merchants.
"Good afternoon," he began, his tone calm but commanding. "I've heard there are pressing matters regarding the state of trade in the city. Let's get to it—what's the situation?"
The portly merchant with the oiled mustache spoke first, clearing his throat nervously. "My lord, the state of our trade is... concerning. The eastern roads are overrun with bandits, and caravans have stopped coming. This has crippled our markets. On top of that, the city's current tax policies are stifling business growth."
Leon nodded thoughtfully, folding his hands on the table. "Bandits are a problem, but they're a solvable one. As for taxes, they'll be restructured—but only after we've stabilized the city's finances. I'm not here to cripple trade or discourage investment. On the contrary, my goal is to make this city a hub of commerce and prosperity."
The merchants exchanged skeptical glances, though a few of them seemed intrigued. A sharp-eyed woman in silks leaned forward, her voice smooth. "And what makes you different from your predecessor, my lord? He made similar promises, yet we're worse off than ever."
Leon met her gaze evenly, his expression hardening slightly. "The difference, madam, is that I don't make empty promises. I've already begun taking steps to secure the eastern roads, and I'll personally oversee the implementation of new policies to foster trade."
The woman raised an eyebrow, but a small smile played at her lips. "We'll hold you to that, Lord Leon."
Leon smirked faintly, sensing the tide beginning to shift. "Good. I wouldn't expect anything less."
The discussion continued, with Leon addressing concerns about infrastructure, security, and supply chains.
His responses were measured and practical. By the time the meeting concluded, the atmosphere in the room had noticeably changed.
The merchants, though still cautious, seemed less skeptical and more curious about this new city lord.
Leon's confidence, combined with his willingness to listen and act, had left an impression.
As the last merchant filed out of the chamber, Leon lingered, staring into the crackling flames of the hearth.