Family system

With the first wave successfully transported, it was time to implement their plan. Jack and his followers did not intend to take over the city in one sweeping show of force. Instead, they would weave themselves into its fabric, securing control without alerting the masses. Their expansion into this world had to be seamless.

Jack stood at the center of their gathering, overlooking the newly arrived followers. The streets of the capital still bore the scars of recent battle—burnt buildings, shattered cobblestones, and remnants of Arbiter banners torn down by the rebellion. But now, it was time to rebuild—on their terms.

"We'll execute as planned," Jack said, calm but commanding. "We take this city from the inside. We don't rush—we make sure every move strengthens our hold. Work alongside the rebellion where necessary, but our goal isn't to follow; it's to lead."

Ela, standing beside him, nodded in agreement. "We've established our cover identities. Our people will integrate into the existing guilds, trade networks, and political seats. We don't replace—we influence."

Jack looked at Amaterasu, who had been scanning the city with her divine senses. "I assume you've already identified the key areas we need to control."

She smirked. "Of course. There are still Arbiter loyalists hiding in the city, remnants who refuse to surrender. We'll either convert them… or eliminate them."

Kali cracked her knuckles, her warriors standing at attention behind her. "I prefer the latter."

Jack chuckled. "We'll do both. Now, let's move."

Jack's forces split into different groups, each assigned a key objective:

Ela would integrate with the trade networks, bringing in Lunaris merchants and setting up strategic businesses. They controlled the economy and the flow of power.

Selene, alongside Kali's elite fighters, would subtly take control of the city's military forces. The rebellion had won the battle, but it needed warriors to maintain order. The cult fighters would become indispensable.

Elise was tasked with securing control over the political sector. While Lira had been named leader, politics was more than just a single figurehead. Elise would make sure their influence spread into every council decision.

Amaterasu had one of the most critical roles—ensuring the people's faith shifted. The Arbiter's old doctrines still clung to the city, and her job was to replace them with the teachings of Jack's growing dominion.

Jack himself would move between groups, ensuring everything was progressing smoothly.

The city was built on trade and wealth, and controlling its marketplace meant controlling the city's pulse. The rebellion may have overthrown the Arbiters, but merchants were creatures of habit, and money didn't care who sat on the throne. This was where Ela and her merchants thrived.

Ela walked through the bustling trade district with the confidence of someone who already owned it. Her stunning red dress clung to her curves, her black stockings accentuating every step she took. Every merchant she passed stole a glance at her, some in admiration, others in curiosity, but all felt the presence of someone important.

Beside her walked a dozen traders, handpicked from Lunaris. Each was an expert in their field, from rare magical artifacts to fine silks, exotic spices, and potent alchemical potions. Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire

The first step was simple: out-compete the existing merchants. Ela's team introduced goods never seen in the city—mana-infused fabrics that regulated temperature, enchanted jewelry that provided minor magical effects, and alchemical brews with potency beyond what local suppliers could offer.

For the first few days, they set their prices absurdly low, just enough to make a profit but well below market standards. The locals flocked to them, and within a week, the older merchants found themselves with dwindling customers.

Ela smirked as she overheard the panicked whispers between the long-standing traders. They were starting to worry. That was good.

By the end of the second week, things got even more interesting. The merchants who refused to cooperate found their supplies mysteriously delayed, and their regular buyers were no longer willing to pay their prices. Some even discovered that Lunaris traders had offered their best artisans better pay.

It was ruthless. It was effective.

Once the old guard started struggling, Ela approached them with a smile that concealed a dagger.

"I know business has been rough lately," she would say, sweet but laced with power. "But I believe we can help each other. Lunaris has vast trade networks, reliable supply lines, and access to high-quality goods. You've seen the difference. Wouldn't working with us rather than against us be better?"

The offer was generous for those willing to bend the knee: exclusive contracts with Lunaris, priority shipments, and a chance to maintain their businesses under new leadership.

For those who refused? Well, their shops either went under or their reputations mysteriously crumbled overnight.

One by one, the city's most influential traders signed on, their contracts tying them to Ela's network. With the economy under her control, the city's stability also improved.

The old Arbiters controlled the city not just through military force but also through the black markets they secretly endorsed. Smuggling, illicit magic trades, and underground gambling dens had long been sources of power for them.

Ela had no intention of letting that continue.

Using Lunaris' spies, she identified key figures in the illegal markets and had them dealt with—some bought out, others eliminated.

For every underground gambling den that shut down, a new, regulated entertainment hall opened in its place. For every illegal artifact dealer that disappeared, a Lunaris-approved merchant took their place, selling the same wares—only now at a price and under control.

Within a month, Ela had turned the city's economic backbone into something she controlled entirely. The city's economy now bent to her will, and through trade and coin, she held the true power of the city in her hands.

And the best part? The people welcomed it.

While Ela and the merchants took control of the city's economy, Selene was busy reshaping its military power. The rebellion had removed the Arbiters from their throne, but that didn't mean the city was safe. Bandits, mercenaries, and remnants of the old regime lurked in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Selene had no intention of letting them.

She stood at the center of the largest training ground in the city, her imposing figure commanding attention. She wore her usual battle gear—tight leather armor that hugged her curves in all the right places, emphasizing her toned thighs and generous chest. Her fiery gaze swept over the recruits before her, most of whom were former city guards, mercenaries, and rebel fighters.

"Listen up," she called, her voice cutting through the early morning mist. "You were soldiers under the Arbiters. You were rebels who fought against them. Some of you were just survivors who used a weapon to defend your homes. But today, you will become warriors. And that means learning discipline, strategy, and most importantly—how to win."

Her tone brooked no argument, and the assembled fighters straightened under her sharp gaze.

Selene wasted no time in restructuring the city's defenses. The old Arbiter military was corrupt, full of officers who bought their positions rather than earning them. The rebellion had shattered their ranks, and a disorganized mess remained.

To fix this, she established a new hierarchy:

The Vanguard: Elite fighters trained in direct combat, responsible for patrolling the city and ensuring public safety. Only the strongest and most disciplined warriors were chosen.

The Shadow Guard: A covert unit trained in infiltration, assassination, and counter-espionage. These warriors were handpicked from former rebels and thieves, trained to root out threats before they could become problems.

The Iron Wardens: The primary city guard responsible for enforcing laws and maintaining order. Unlike the corrupt city watch of old, these men and women answered only to Selene and the ruling council.

Not everyone accepted the rebellion's victory. Small pockets of resistance still operated in secret—former Arbiter loyalists, mercenary groups that profited under the old regime, and rogue knights who refused to bow to the new order.

Selene dealt with them.

One such faction had occupied an abandoned manor on the city's outskirts. Reports indicated they were gathering weapons and planning a counterattack.

Selene didn't wait for them to act first.

With a handpicked squad of elite fighters from the Vanguard, she stormed the manor under cover of night. The battle was over within minutes—steel clashing, bodies falling, screams cut short. The traitors never stood a chance.

By dawn, their heads were displayed at the city gates as a warning to anyone considering rebellion.

With order restored and the major threats eliminated, Selene turned her attention to the future. The city needed more than just soldiers—it needed warriors who could defend it long-term.

She worked closely with the city's combat guilds, ensuring their training regimens aligned with her standards. The warrior guilds, once independent factions, were now fully integrated into the city's defense structure.

The Bladesworn Guild specialized in swordsmanship and melee combat. Selene had them train the next generation of foot soldiers, ensuring that every recruit was deadly in a fight.

The Stormcallers were experts in magic-infused combat, blending spellwork with martial prowess. Under Selene's guidance, they refined their techniques and strengthened their numbers.

The Daggerborn focused on stealth, tracking, and assassination. Selene trained them in silent killing techniques, ensuring they always had eyes and blades in the shadows.

The training grounds became a place of constant motion—warriors sparring, arrows flying, spells crackling in the air.