The Runic Alchemist

The crowd gasped.

"Needless to say, I do not need an army to win my wars. Looting the region—you have done what any kingdom would do, and I take no offense to it. Still, I do not want a bloody start to my city's name in history. So I am offering a hand in friendship—you will be compensated if control is given to me peacefully."

The tension in the room was almost tangible. No one said a word after he declared his intentions. His friends exchanged nervous glances, but it was clear they were ready to fight alongside him if it came to that. Damian smiled at their unwavering support. They all nodded in silent agreement. Enjoy exclusive chapters from My Virtual Library Empire

"Why take so much trouble?" the first prince of Dawnstar asked. "The birth of a region that could become a future force threatening Dawnstar—or the rest of Ashenvale—cannot simply be ignored. You understand what your declaration means, right?"

Damian nodded, but before he could reply, Maelor spoke up.

"It is one city, not a kingdom, Brother. We will not conquer or threaten others. It will be a sanctuary where people from all five kingdoms who choose peace will be protected. It will belong to none—neither Eldoris nor Ashenvale nor Dawnstar. It will be ours."

When he stopped, Evrin added, "And it will not be a simple city like those in the five kingdoms. It will be the greatest."

One by one, all of Damian's friends began speaking openly about the city of their dreams. They had all discussed it with Damian before, and they knew his vision well. The lords listened in silence as they painted the picture of a place unlike any other—a city with no noble authority, the most technologically advanced in existence, and, most importantly, a refuge for those who had grown weary of the constant oppression and wars of the five kingdoms.

A flicker of surprise appeared in the eyes of many present. Souldealer, the Baron, Lord Silas, and the other lords listened, their expressions shifting from skepticism to something almost like wonder.

Damian knew the task of building an entire city was monumental. But piece by piece, with everyone at his side, it wouldn't feel so impossible. Especially if he became a second-ranker and unlocked new skills and job.

At last, when silence blanketed the courtroom, the king asked a single question:

"Can you make a mana contract stating that your city will never attack Dawnstar?"

Damian smiled.

"A truce from only one side? That would be a foolish promise. But then again, if I wasn't this confident, none of this would ever work. Sure. My city will never attack any region of Dawnstar. Not even a single village."

The entire courtroom fell into stunned silence.

The third-rankers, in particular, were shaken. Damian had boasted of his power, and if any of them had the same abilities, they could rule all five kingdoms. Yet this promise made one thing undeniably clear—Damian had no interest in ruling. His city was not an act of conquest or a display of power. More than any speech, this one promise revealed his true intentions.

At last, breaking the heavy silence, MightyOne burst into laughter—a deep, booming sound that echoed through the hall. It was so abrupt and out of place that the other lords hesitated before joining in awkwardly. Even the king allowed the smallest of smiles, though his eyes remained fixed on Damian and Maelor with a calculating gaze.

"That is one madly ambitious boy!" MightyOne declared. "But each to their own, I suppose.. A place built by the children of all kingdoms—that would be a sight to see."

The king stood, his sword gleaming in the light.

"Release the knights. You shall have your answer by tomorrow morning, Marcus. This gathering is dismissed."

The lords and knights bowed before their king. Damian gave a slight nod in acknowledgment—a small gesture of respect. The man clearly hadn't wanted to return, but for some reason, he had chosen to do so. Perhaps the king of Dawnstar was not as reckless as many believed. Whatever had changed his mind remained a mystery, but the Dawnstar lords who had accompanied him were overjoyed, some even tearing up at the decision.

Prince Leon, uninterested in the moment's weight, simply grabbed another glass of alcohol and walked out of the courtroom with the other nobles.

Damian and his friends were offered accommodations for the night, but he refused. None of them would sleep peacefully under this roof. Instead, he chose to go and see the land he had just claimed as his own.

All of his friends boarded the Dreamlight with him—none of them wished to stay behind, not even Maelor. The third-ranker pugilist attempted to make eye contact with Damian, signaling that he wanted to talk, but Damian merely gestured that they could do so tomorrow. The man nodded in understanding.

Warren and the others were also released. Though they had been confined, they had not been mistreated—likely because their news had been so disastrous that any ruler would wish to never see their faces again.

Camping in the open for a night with his friends was going to be a new experience, and Damian was eager to see the land he had chosen to build his city. It was not safe, nor was it fully controlled by Dawnstar, but he wasn't worried.

The Dawnstar lords, however, had accepted the king's hospitality and remained behind. This was a very public affair, and Damian assumed they would discuss the matter in private all night—calculating their options, weighing the risks.

The king would likely return. However, he might attempt to negotiate a deal with Damian or Vidalia in exchange. The Baron and others would ensure that any such deal was not entirely unreasonable.

Baron Marcus and Lord Silas were particularly impressed upon learning that Lucian would be joining the development of their new city. Though their exchange in the foreign land was brief, every word they shared conveyed nothing but support and approval.