Chapter 278 Stride (Part I)
[Charles' POV]
"City Lord, are you sure this is a great idea? The nobles won't allow such a thing." The head butler came to my room after the execution had finished.
"That's the plan. If any of the nobles show resistance, all I need to do is behead them. The nobles of this city shouldn't have this much power in the first place. They have taken their status for granted, and now I'm taking it back." The head butler was taken aback by what I said. I could sense some fear within him, but that didn't matter.
Ever since I gained my power, it has always been like this. If no one can stand against me, I can do anything I want without many consequences. Besides, what I said wasn't false. The nobles here shouldn't even raise their heads against me since my status alone is above theirs.
"Master! There are important guests wanting to meet you!" I could sense some uneasiness coming from Kelsy.
"Bring them to the living room. I will be there in a second." Kelsy walked out and gathered all the guests.
"City lord, if that's what you plan to do, I hope for the very best." After Kelsy left, the head butler went with her.
I could sense the head butler's concern, but with those words, it seemed like he would soon quit his job. I sighed and thought hiring someone in a state like this would be troublesome, but all I could do was go along.
After sorting my thoughts, I left my room and saw Kelsy trying to entertain the guests. Four different people had arrived, seemingly wanting to speak to me urgently.
"It's a wonderful afternoon, everyone. I know some of you have urgent matters to discuss, and from the looks of it, you would all want to speak to me privately." I looked at all four, and they had agreed to what I said.
"I will start with you and make my way up." I didn't give anyone a chance to decide. The first person I chose was the least important.
Since I have picked one, the person I picked was a merchant. We went to my office and talked in private.
"City lord, I'm Grandeur, from the owner of the Grand Shift. I don't like to brag, but my trading firm is one of the largest on the northern front."
"For the purpose of today's meeting, the contract with the previous city lord has been null since his death. I'm here to renew our contract and change the terms." Grandeur handed me the contract, and I had to look over it.
After a short run, the Grand Shift was a trading firm that took much of my city's space. I had unintentionally frowned when looking at the contract. Luckily, Grandeur himself didn't notice.
Chrome City relied on this company, and their absence alone would do too much damage to my city. Looking at Grandeur, I could say he knew when to take advantage of something.
The contract essentially allowed the Grand Shift to have more privilege, similar to that of a higher noble, for the return of cash. Nevertheless, even if it made me reluctant to sign this contract, I had no choice.
It's a shame this problem couldn't be solved with brute force. If I applied violence, the trading firm might as well leave. Who knows how much damage that would cause?
"There, do you need anything else?" After signing the contract, I handed it back to him.
"No, not at all. I was surprised that you didn't make much fuss. You don't seem like a foolish person." He smugly said this after looking at my signature.
"You know how reliant our city is on your business. Making a fuss would only prolong my annoyance." Telling him this didn't matter. He had already expected this.
That was how much their company's presence has affected my city. As long as nothing troublesome happens, then there will be no problem on our part. However, the thought of relying on one company annoyed me to no end. A countermeasure was needed; luckily, the contract couldn't restrict me.
"City Lord, I'm glad that you're someone who could see it from a business standpoint. With your strong personality, I thought you would be more "difficult" to deal with." He said this, confident in his judgment.
Grandeur's judgment wasn't wrong. I would make it difficult when a better alternative could be made. Since there's nothing I can do now, all I need to do is wait. In the near future, the Grand Shift won't be my only source, and I will ensure that.
"If that's all, then our business has concluded. You saw how many people were waiting for me. I can't let them wait all day long." Understanding where I am coming from, this meeting has ended.
"It seems like it is that time. City Lord, I hope our partnership goes well. Have a wonderful day." With Grandeur leaving the room, I sighed, knowing I had to deal with three more people.
One of them would be easier, but I still didn't know what the other two wanted. After a while, the head butler showed the next person to my office.
Unlike the merchant, the man before me had a less confident demeanor. In fact, he seemed scared of me. If that were the case, then what I would deal with would be easier.
"City Lord, I'm Gray Hansel—an ambassador of Gontz." Gontz? Like Eurgesh, Gontz was a neighboring city that was neutral with our city. I didn't expect someone from a neighboring city to come to this place this quickly.
"Well, Mr. Hansel. What does the ambassador want with me?"
"There are rumors that you weren't part of this city, so you might not have heard. But a three-way war between our other two borders is about to start." The ambassador spoke in a grim tone.
I could see what the ambassador of Gontz wanted. While wars are dangerous, they could also be an opportunity. I smiled, knowing this was another chance for me to grow.
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