City of Desire [Kingdom Building]

Proofread by Thomas F

Baron Nightingale

"Talwatch," I said as the small port city came in front of me. Filling me with relief.

It's a small city, but it looks beautiful against the ocean backdrop, especially now in the dark night. Even if it had been the most ugly city, I would have found it beautiful at this moment.

Since I left the family conclave, I have been traveling non-stop. I mean, non-stop.

I didn't stop at the inn or any hotel; no, I moved with large caravans. They offer movement and safety; they are safer than hotels, given the number of guards they have.

I also have my own guards and a mercenary team, which I had hired.

Since I left the conclave, I had been fearing that I would be killed at any moment. My house isn't merciful, and this time, I didn't bend completely to their will as they were hoping.

I looked at my bag, and a small smile couldn't help but appear on my face.

I got what I had wanted.

The family had sanctioned me with a large amount for the development of my territory, and it was transferred to the barony's account, which means they have no control over it.

Only the Baron has.

They have put only half of the sanctioned amount into the account. I wanted the full amount, but they resisted.

Telling me, the other half would be sanctioned after seeing my progress. It was hard, but I managed it, and now, I am going to break the relationship with my family.

I didn't even think about it a year ago and wouldn't have dared to do it if the council had ruled the Nakar, but Silver gave me the hope and support I needed.

In my bag is a powerful document naming Arthur heir. I signed it; it was a condition for getting the money.

Though it wouldn't be formalized until Lord Silver signed it, and he wouldn't. I am going to tear that document apart and burn it to ashes, the moment my feet touch the dominion.

Soon, we reached the gates. It's midnight, and they are closed.

"Baron Nightingale, welcome to Talwatch," greeted a middle-aged man in a suit, standing along with guards. He is a nephew of the Baron of Talwatch.

"Thank you, Mr. Mork," I replied as the gates began to open in front of me.

"Our lord wishes that you will at least breakfast with him tomorrow," said the man, but I shook my head.

"I can't, I have urgent business in Greltheaven, but please, thank your lord for me and tell him, when he comes to Greltheaven, I will host him in my territory," I replied, and the man smiled.

Talwatch is a small port city. Its most important export is fish. It doesn't have much trade due to the large port cities around it.

I chose it because he is one of the men who has a great relationship with Greltheaven. Lord Siver uses his port to move the people. From what I heard, it's Baron has earned a lot through it.

The gates opened, and the carriage moved through them before entering the city.

A little more relief filled my heart.

I would only be completely relieved when I reached the dominion. There will be danger, especially after I broke with my family, as they will not take it kindly, but Lord Silver had promised me extra security.

It was dangerous, but I understood it from the start and did it, not for me, but for my daughter.

I want her to be someone, and Dominion is the place for her to be that.

Soon, we reached the port. I am not even staying in the city as I said earlier; I am not stopping until I reach the dominion.

Soon, the carriage stopped, and I got out. In front of me is a small ship. It will take me directly to Gailhorn. Going to Inam would be safer, but I would bear the hazard of the undead rather than my family's.

"Thank you, Captain Kerman," I said to the mercenary Captain, who had been protecting me for the past month.

"Have a safe journey, Baron Nightingale. If you and your friends need protection, don't forget to contact us," she replied.

"Of course, Captain," I said and walked toward the ship.

A few minutes later, the ship began to move, filling me with even more relief.

Much greater than all the reliefs so far.

Now, there is only water, and when I step on the land again, it will be in dominion, where it will be safe.

There might be little danger of the undead, but the ship's captain is experienced and used to the route. He transports people; the ship is on the retainer of Greltheaven.

"Inform Lord Silver that I have left Talwatch," I said. The mage closed his eyes. "Done," he replied as he opened them. He had asked me to keep him informed of my movements.

"Contact my daughter," I said, and a few seconds later. He extended his hand toward me.

'Dad,' said Leda as the call connected. I could feel the worry in her voice. "I had embarked on the ship, tomorrow, I will be in dominion," I replied.

Well, today, since it's midnight.

'I am glad, and I hope, you will take care of yourself. Don't let your guard down,' she said. I couldn't help but laugh, hearing her worry and feel joy.

"Don't worry, dear. I am on water now, I am nearly safe, and once I reach dominion, I will be fully safe." I replied.

'I love you, Dad, come home safe,' she rarely says these words, but every time she does, it fills my heart. "Love you too, dear," I replied, before cutting the call.

Now, I can't wait to go home and hug my daughter.

I sighed and looked at the vast sea in front of me. It is a starless night, and even the moon is hidden behind the clouds. Still, it looks beautiful, with the sound of waves and nothing.

I watched for a few minutes before stepping inside the ship.

I am very tired from the constant traveling, and now, I just want to sleep. Soon, I reached my cabin, and my guards opened the door and went inside to check.

"Clear," they said. I nodded and stepped inside before closing the door behind me.

It's a small cabin, with only a bed and a small cupboard, with a bathroom attached. I don't mind it; I have traveled in worse places.

So, I changed and lay down before closing my eyes.

I was nearly asleep when suddenly the Dangersence blared, waking me up. I opened my mouth, but found it closed, but my eyes opened, and I saw a woman above me in rogue gear.

She is completely covered, aside from her deep brown eyes, which are colder than ice.

In her one hand, she is holding a needle-thin dagger while the other is clamping on my mouth. I tried to resist, but found my body was barely moving.

I panicked but forced myself to calm down.

I have fought the monsters in Bram Fortress, taught myself to fight. She froze me, making my fighting skills useless, but there is still something I could use.

Baron's Presence!

I pushed the skill against hers and could see surprise appearing in her eyes.

"I have to say, you are stronger than intelligence about you states. It's a good thing, I came personally. Others wouldn't have been able to handle it without being discovered," she said, and I pushed at her skill with desperation.

She activated the second skill.

I tried to open my mouth to talk to her. Offer her more money than my house had paid her, kill me. There is no doubt in my mind that it is they who sent this assassin.

"Goodbye, Baron, Nightingale, and rot in hell. The last part, the people who asked me to kill you told me to say that," she said. A moment later, I felt cold steel against my neck.

She cut it, and I could feel the life leaking out of me with blood, while she watched coldly.

I stopped struggling; there is no use. Instead, I closed my eyes and remembered my daughter.

I hope you will take care of her, Lord Silver.

…

Revin Nightingale

"It's done, the bastard is dead," I said as I cut the call from the agent, who executed the contract.

"Finally," said Arthur.

I could see the relief appearing in my son's eyes, and I turned to my father. Killing him is only half of the work; we still have to kill one more to clear the way for Arthur.

"I will give the go-ahead, Darian," I said to my father. He nodded.

A moment later, I nodded to the man in the barony, giving him the go-ahead.

"Now, let's hope their deaths will not be discovered before morning." Said Arthur. "They will not, we have planned it perfectly," I replied.

You had to be difficult, bastard.

If he had agreed to hand over the barony to Arthur simply, we wouldn't have gone to this length.

We even prepared to offer him a generous retirement package and found a suitable groom for his daughter, but he rejected our good intentions.

Now both are going to die.

We understood that he had no intention of handing over his barony; he only wanted money.

Leaving us no choice but to kill him.

Once both of them are dead, we will contact our person in court, who is already prepared. With both of them dead, he will make the Crown Prince declare Arthur the Baron.

Then even Silver will have no choice but to accept it. It cost us a lot, but it is worth it.

"Arthur, tomorrow you will leave for the barony with our men. I will contact Silver and smooth things over. He is pragmatic, and with an incentive to sweeten things, he will accept you," said Father.

"I understand, Grandfather," replied Arthur, with eyes filled with joy.

"Now, go both of you to sleep; tomorrow is going to be a busy day," he said. We nodded and walked out of his office with big smiles on our faces.

In the morning, everything is going to change.

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