Chapter Five: A merchant arrives and a proclamation

"We are here to fight not only for our home but for our families, our friends, and all of the ones we lost. We must fight for our freedom to not only survive but to LIVE!!!" The crowd erupts in cheers. "Now grab your weapons and let's show them what us Duskins are made of!!!"

The crowd erupted even louder and started gathering their gear. I walked into the back room where the nameless man was waiting. "Excellent speech Lenka. It always amuses me how such petty words makes people willing to die for you." "That's because of their idiots." He gave a small chuckle.

"You're right, but they are useful idiots. People like them will cling to anything hope that passes them by. Whether it be a charismatic leader, some religion, or even an ideology. Those who simply can't think for themselves will always be the most useful pawns. On the other hand, you are smart enough to stay alive and see through all of the bull s***. Which is why I am going to continue to train you." "Why me and not one of the veterans?"

"It's simple Lenka. I don't value my subordinates based on status. I value them based on potential, and I believe you have the potential to surpass me one day." I can't deny this man's skills and knowledge of the battlefield.

I hate him, but at the very least, I can respect his wisdom and teachings. "Well, Lenka, go ahead and gear up. This next mission will be a big one, and I need your skills to pull it off."

I woke up in my bed drenched in sweat again. It wasn't a nightmare this time, but it might as well have been. That man was the last person that I ever wanted to see again. He was my mentor, and I can't deny that he taught me almost everything I know

. All of my skills, strategies, tactics, and even my ability to get people to follow me. He may have helped me when I needed it, but the cost that it took will always haunt me. He's the one who made me into the Angel of Death and sent me down a path to a never-ending war.

"...you have the potential to surpass me one day." He is still taunting me to this day. I may be a monster, but he was far worse than any monster, and I can't fathom ever surpassing him. He was on another level when it came to planning wars and gaining intel.

*sigh* Not that I ever want to be like him, but if I had the skills he did, then I could probably find a way out of fighting these future wars. Well, there's no use moping about the things I can't change. I can only move forward to whatever hell awaits me.

It's been over a year since I have been here in this world. I am nine years old, and in a few months, I will turn ten. Time flies by here when your day consists of eating, sleeping, and the occasional meetings and documents. However, I'm going to start getting a lot busier soon.

I have a ton of plans on how to improve this city's infrastructure and quality of life. For the past few months, I have spent time studying and reading about what resources this world has to offer. Luckily for me, this world seems to have almost the same elements as my world.

The only real difference is there are a few magical items and some different metals, but other than that, iron is still iron, and sulfur is still sulfur. That means with the right resources, I can make things like concrete, bricks, and gunpowder. Making mortar and bricks will be necessary for rebuilding this city's homes and roads.

Other than the Bluerose manor, which is built mainly of cut stone, every other building is built using wood. Normally, building with wood wouldn't be a problem, but since we don't have a fire department, and this place seems to have frequent storms, it does seem like it would be a problem in the future. There is also the fact that building with bricks would help reinforce buildings during a battle.

That's only one of the many problems with this city. I also need to have a sewer system, water reserves, and city defenses built. Let's just say this city needs a complete overhaul. With the money we are now receiving from the king, I have been placing orders to have supplies delivered to us so we can start the overhaul. I just hope that the citizens can keep up with my demands. Maybe I should consider getting more people to come to this city.

Today, I am in the study researching medicines. Medicine is one of the few subjects that I know little about. It will no doubt be a massive help in the future, but there seems to be very limited information on medicines. The books in the study only have fundamental things and nothing that I will need. I take a break from reading and look over at Kate.

She is sitting at the other end of the table, working on her writing skills. Not a second after looking up at her, I see her ears twitch like she has become aware that I am looking at her. Those animal instincts are a strong asset and would do great in battle. After about a minute, her face started to get red, and her writing worsened.

What an odd girl, she always seems to fumble around me. Maybe that's just normal for kids, or perhaps it's normal for beastkin. I really don't know, but at least she is not some cold-blooded monster like me. Right as I go back to my reading, Father comes through the door.

"Lenka." "Yes, father." "A merchant is here to see you." Oh, I guess my order has arrived. "Understood, I will go meet with him." I get up and head for the door, then stop myself. I look back over at Kate, who has stopped and is staring back at me.

I might need help carrying things, so I might as well bring her along. "Kate, come with me. I need your help." She paused there for a few seconds, then stood and almost tripped over the chair. "Ye... yes, my lady." What an odd girl.

We were in the living room sitting down on the sofa when Father brought the merchant and one of his helpers in. The merchant was on the older side with a short gray hair and beard. Despite being on the road for a long time, he seemed well dressed and well-kept.

"So you were the one who made such a large order." The merchant spoke with an old, raspy voice. "Yes, that was me. Now let's talk business." I gesture to him to sit on the sofa in front of me. He and his helper take a seat while Annabelle walks in with a tray of drinks.

"Thank you for the hospitality, my lady." He and his helper, who looks to be his grandson, take the drinks, but I'm not here for drinks and chit-chat. "Is everything I ordered here?" The merchant looks somewhat stunned.

Maybe it's my stern attitude and emotionless gaze, or it could be the beastkin fidgeting next to me. Either way, I need to ensure I received everything I ordered and that they are all in good shape. The merchant puts down his cup.

"Yes, my lady, everything you ordered is here. It may have taken a while to get some of the more unique items, but they are all here." I stand up. "Good then, let's go inspect the items." He and his helper look at each other, and then both nod their head. "Yes, my lady. Right this way."

The merchant and his helper lead us out in front of the manor, where three carriages are lined up. The guards and the merchant's helpers were already at work unloading the carriages. We walked over to the first pile of goods. The merchant gestured for his helper to open the crates.

Inside the crates were pickaxes, shovels, plows, saws, chisels, and other tools needed to quarry stone and build a clay pit. All of the tools were here, and they all looked in good condition. I nodded to the merchant, and we proceeded on to the next pile. The next pile was full of hammers, nails, tool belts, brick molds, towels, and metal buckets.

I again nod, and we move on to the last pile. This one was the unique one. It was full of books, papers, ink, and a few other items. Most of the books I ordered were about things like medicine and history books. There were a few old ones that caught my eye.

I picked one up, and what was left of the cover read the Anatomy of all Races. "That one was very hard to get. I have been told that it is a golden age book." That would make this book very rare and also very hard to get.

The golden age refers to a time very long ago when everyone lived under a single government. However, something happened, and it nearly destroyed the world. Most items and books from that age are rare and considered taboo. "You have my thanks, merchant. Kate, go to the office and fetch the chest and bag next to it."

"Yes, my lady." Kate runs off towards the manor. "Aren't you going to inspect the dresses?" The merchant was right. I almost completely forgot that I ordered some. Granted they are not for me, so it may have slipped my mind. I looked into the crate, grabbed the dress, and took it out.

The dress was red with some black embroidered accents, resembling the one I often wear. The back of the dress has a hole with ribbons tightened down to make it smaller. This hole was designed for Kate's tail to fit in. The other items in the box are some nightgowns and work clothes.

"Very nice merchant. My order is fulfilled, and nothing is damaged." He chuckles. "Of course, my lady. I only offer the best goods." Kate arrived with the chest and bag. "The chest is your payment, and the bag is a bonus for not having anything missing or damaged." His helper takes the payment and bonus and starts counting it.

After a few minutes, they confirmed that the price was right and handed over the documents for me to sign and stamp. "Thank you, my lady, but the bonus is way too much for me to take." "The bonus is to also ensure repeat business, and I also have another special order for you."

"Whatever would you like, my lady?" "I need you to spread the word that Blue City is looking for more citizens." "I understand, my lady, but convincing people to leave everything behind and move to a new city is not a simple task." "Then tell them Blue City has something no other city can offer." "What is that, my lady?" "Freedom."

He and some of the helpers, guards, and Kate look at me, puzzled but interested in what I am saying. "Freedom?" "Yes, the freedom to not only survive but to live, the freedom to choose your family's future, the freedom to prosper regardless of status and class, the freedom to take on the world and show it what we all can create together. That is what this city can offer to anyone who has the determination to live here."

At this point, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at me with undivided attention. I may have said it a little too loud, but everyone seemed to take what I said to heart. Even the guards looked at me in amazement.

Then there was Kate, who, for the first time in a while, stood perfectly still and with eyes full of joy. No one knew what to say or do with my proclamation. Well, I guess I might as well continue with this half-assed speech.

"To show proof of the possibilities that this city will offer. Look at Kate." I point to Kate, whose tail and ears spike up from everyone looking at her. Sorry about this, Kate, but you will be useful in proving my point.

"Kate was abandoned by her family and tossed aside like trash. My family took her in as a ward and gave her the opportunity to become something more. Kate, in the short time she has been here, has learned and accomplished so much. That is why today, Kate will no longer be a simple servant. Today, Kate will now be my lady and waiting and personally assist me in my duties."

I grab the dress and hand it over to Kate, who is already starting to cry. "Anyone in this city has the opportunity to become someone great and break out of the class system that was built to hold us down. With hard work, determination, and grit, we together can build a city that would make even the king, nay the gods themselves, envious of us."

With the ending of my little speech, there was only silence until one person started to clap. Then slowly everyone joined in. "... It always amuses me how such petty words makes people willing to die for you..."

I spent the rest of the day sorting through the goods I bought. Since I will start city planning tomorrow, I decided to head to bed a little early. Once I entered my room, I put down the books I was carrying on my desk.

I could read a little before I go to bed, but I'm not really in the mood after remembering that man's words. Just thinking about it annoys me, and it's mainly because I realized just how much of a hypocrite I am. I said to that failure of a god that I'm done being other people's pawns, yet I'm here using everyone else as pawns.

"..You, on the other hand, are smart enough to not only stay alive but see through all of the bull s***..." Am I smart, or am I just trying to copy him? *sigh* I sit down and rest my head on the desk. Whatever, it's pointless to think about it.*Knock knock* Who could be at my door at this hour?

"Come in." Kate walks through the door. "Sorry to interrupt your reading." "Don't worry about it. I'm too tired to read anyway." "I see... I just wanted to thank you for what you did today." Is that all she wanted? It's a little too dark for me to see her, so I can tell what her ears and tail are doing.

"You should be thanking yourself. After all, it's your hard work and dedication that led me to make you my lady in waiting." She paused for a long time while she processed what to say next. "You're right, but I still wanted to thank you." She bowed and then started to leave.

"Have a good night, my lady." I would say that conversation was odd, but it's Kate, so that's just normal for her. Did she really need to tell me that tonight? Well, whatever, I should get to bed.