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The square was filled with silence, yet tension hung in the air like a storm cloud about to burst.
The traitors kneeled, heads bowed, limbs trembling. The citizens of Grey Forge City stood in attendance, quiet but alert. The recent betrayal had shaken everyone. Resources were low, morale lower—but betrayal? That was poison in the roots. And Leo, freshly appointed City Lord, knew well that if poison wasn't purged publicly, it would spread quietly.
The execution was swift—efficient in its cruelty. Each of the convicted traitors met their fate under the piercing gaze of the citizens and soldiers alike. The screams didn't echo long, but the image burned itself into memory. Justice, Leo believed, had to be clear and unshakable in a world where backstabbing was the easiest way up.
After the deed was done, Leo met Arnold near the temporary command center, which still bore scars from the recent siege. The temple walls remained cracked, the stone floor stained with old blood, but for now, it served as the city's brain. They exchanged a silent nod. Despite their differences in belief—Leo, a pragmatic leader, and Arnold, the enigmatic pope of the Blind Wisdom cult—they shared a single understanding: Grey Forge City could not afford instability.
Later that evening, under flickering crystal lights, Leo gathered his most trusted subordinates and unveiled his plan for the City Management System.
"We need structure," Leo said, gesturing to the parchment spread across the oak table. "Not just muscle and fire. We need order."
Arnold stood beside him, silent but observing everything. He'd already been preaching stability through faith, and part of him relished seeing the 'logical' Leo finally acknowledging that order wasn't born from steel alone.
Leo tapped a portion of the parchment with a short iron rod. "Each district—block, to be precise—will have a Director. These directors are not to interfere in each other's business and will only be responsible for maintaining function within their own area—housing, security, basic services."
He moved his hand upward to reveal a diamond-shaped structure drawn on the page.
"All Directors will answer to the City Committee, composed of five members, each overseeing a major aspect of the city."
The five positions were:
1. Leo himself – holding the title of City Lord and granted the power to veto any committee decision. Not absolute control, but a necessary emergency brake.
2. Arnold, representative of the Blind Wisdom Religion, responsible for faith, public morale, and managing the city's growing religious presence.
3. The General, responsible for defense and military affairs. Chosen from among the mercenary leaders and seasoned soldiers who had proved their loyalty during the siege.
4. The Manager, a cunning merchant named Kelwyn, charged with overseeing the economy, trade, and resource logistics.
5. Lastly, the Inquisitor, formerly a street judge turned administrator, who would now handle laws, justice, and rooting out corruption.
At the meeting, which stretched past midnight, tensions slowly began to rise as Leo finished presenting his plan. He knew the next part would draw blood—if not literally, then politically.
Arnold leaned forward, resting his chin atop steepled fingers. His white robe shimmered faintly with enchanted light. "I find this proposal satisfactory... but I have a request."
Leo raised a brow. "Go on."
Arnold smiled, that carefully crafted smile that revealed nothing. "I believe, given the contributions of my people during the siege—our healing, our protection, our miracles—we should be granted further responsibility."
Leo didn't answer immediately. He was tired. Not from the siege or the countless sleepless nights—but from always having to watch Arnold. The man was dangerous, not in strength but in influence. His words carried weight. His church, dressed in charity, was quietly spreading roots throughout the city.
Still, Leo looked around the room. The General, a stone-faced woman named Mara, gave a short nod in support of Arnold's claim. Kelwyn, ever the opportunist, saw political benefit in appeasing the religious side and followed suit. The Inquisitor remained neutral, but that was equivalent to abstaining. That left Leo isolated.
'So be it,' Leo thought bitterly.
He gave a short nod. "Fine. You'll have a division—an intelligence agency. Your job will be threefold: monitor new trade routes, track enemy movement outside the city, and... handle high-risk targets when necessary."
Arnold bowed slightly. "An honour. We shall serve faithfully."
But Leo didn't miss the flicker of hesitation in his eyes. Everyone in that room knew the intelligence division came with the highest casualty rate of any city department. Spies, assassins, informants—they lived short lives and died anonymously. Refusing the role would have made Arnold look weak or selfish, tarnishing his saintly image. Accepting it, however, forced his hand into bloodier affairs.
And that was Leo's quiet victory.
---
Later that night, when the affairs were settled, Leo and Arnold prepared to log off. Their avatars faded, the city blurred... and soon, their real-world bodies stirred back to life within the cramped but familiar booths of the magical internet café.
The smell of instant noodles and glowing mana-ether screens greeted them like old friends.
They yawned, stretched, and were about to leave when the café owner—the mysterious, seemingly lazy man know only as the "Boss"—waved them down.
"You two," he called, his voice lazy but carrying the tone of authority, "Wait a second."
Confused, they approached.
"We haven't broken any rules, have we?" Leo asked.
"Paid in full," Arnold added, showing his payment crystal.
The Boss yawned. "Relax. You didn't offend anyone. In fact, I've got something special for you two."
From beneath the counter, he pulled out two smooth, rectangular objects encased in dark velvet boxes. He opened them one by one, revealing two Arcane Communication Devices—the newest model of Magical Mobile Phones.
"They come in different colours," the Boss said. "And they function across any distance. Perfect reception. You can message, call, record spells, send pictures, and even use apps tailored to your character build."
Leo blinked. "That... that's amazing."
Arnold picked his up, admiring the elegant design. The arcane patterns across its side glowed faintly as if alive.
"And the cost?" Arnold asked, although he was already sure he'd pay it.
"Only two mana crystals," the Boss replied casually.
Now, that wasn't cheap. But for men like Leo—who controlled 60% of all mana crystal refinery output in the Sparks Empire—and Arnold—whose cult had already absorbed or influenced several baron families—it was pocket change.
They both handed over the crystals without hesitation.
The phones lit up as they powered them for the first time.
[Welcome to ARC-PHONE! Please register your Soul Signature.]
Done.
[Add friends?]
Done.
They tapped their phones together and added each other to their SoulContact List.
Leo couldn't help but grin. "You know... this might actually make coordination way easier."
Arnold nodded, eyes already gleaming with the possibilities. "I can transmit sermons... secret codes... mission orders."
Leo gave him a side-eye. "Try not to start a cover it in religious stuff."
Arnold laughed. "No promises."
As they left the café, the moon overhead blinked like a tired eye.
Leo couldn't shake the feeling that something new had begun—not just in-that world, but also outside it. The previous ambush was the best example, this world.....wa changing.
Still, something tugged at him—a notification he had ignored earlier in-game.
Something about a package... and a reward... and a drumbeat.
But that could wait. For now, there was a city to build, and a cafe that was anything but ordinary.
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