In the city hall of Nordingham, a lot of people with luxurious clothes and jewelries gathered.
"Why are we gathered here?"
"It's the new city ruler. He calls all the merchants in this city to come to the town hall."
"Merchants have never been involved in this fight and conquer game. What is going on here?"
Merchants were practically civilians. They only make money and did not care who ruled the city. They would try to find loopholes through tax and laws, but they would never fight against the strong. Their focus was on making as much money as possible unlike nobles whose main goal was usually to create legacy and history.
The merchants had no interest in that. The only legacy they want is to be known to be one of the richest man in their era.
The city hall was filled with murmurs of hearsay as they wondered why the new ruler would gather them. Some of them were worried that the tax will be increased more than twice. It wasn't uncommon for the conquerer to increase tax because war was a very expensive activity. But usually, they wouldn't do it too much, because increasing tax automatically increasing price. And a sudden high inflation could collapse the economy.
Nobles weren't that stupid so this rarely happened thankfully.
Suddenly, the large gate opened and a handsome man with black coat walked in. Behind him was two beautiful mid Diamond Rank maid with peach-colored tight dress. While walking on his side was a tall man covered in mysterious red robe. Light reflected against his metallic fingers.
Whispers spread.
"Who is that?"
"That's the new ruler."
"I know him. He is that Conquerer of the West. They said he killed a noble of Withokere and took over his territory. Funny yet, the king did not give him any punishment at all."
"I heard he has a large powerful golem army."
"No wonder. The king decided not to punish him for his power. He must be desperate to earn contribution."
"Rumors said he has an extremely talented son and he manage to get him to enter Withokere University."
"Who is he truly? He just come in this continent and he manage to do that? He has to have a great backer! An Adamantite Rank must be behind him!"
"That is for sure, otherwise why would the king of Withokere forgive him that easily."
They all looked at Aldred in awe after coming to that conclusion. His image suddenly became so great, and the sound of his footsteps became even clearer as he arrived at the seat of honor.
"Do you all know why I gather you here?" Aldred asked as he eyed them one by one.
The merchants trembled in fear under his gaze.
"I call you all here, because I have a business idea that will make all of us a lot of money."
The merchants looked at each other in disbelief. They all knew about Aldred's large golem and his business empire that had quickly spread all over Withokere kingdom. For some reason, his golems were better, cheaper, and stronger than the other golems. Not to mention, there were numerous of them all over the place, essentially almost dominating the entire golem market in Withokere.
Not to mention his other branch of business such as auctions, potion shops, food shops, magic orbs shops, knowledge shops, and perhaps many other businesses.
Golem masters were known to be wealthy, but Aldred was perhaps the most richest of them all.
If he wanted to make a business deal with them, then that would be very beneficial for the merchants here.
"I want to buy half of your business," Aldred said. "In turn, I will let you open a branch of my businesses."
The merchants began talking, turning the silence town hall into a loud market.
Someone suddenly asked.
"My lord, does that mean we are allowed to open a golem mercenary shop of yours? And if yes, how will the profit be split?"
"Yes, you can. The profit will be split half."
The merchants gasped in shock. Half of the profit was a really great business deal because they basically had to do nothing except building a place where people could come and pay. The golems or the products will be provided by Aldred.
Aldred had a lot of business type, so even if the merchants here compete with each other, there were many business to choose to not overcrowd the city with the same product. But it did not matter that much to be honest, because Aldred's product was always in high demand.
Aldred's Potion Shop company for example. The Mechanicum had synthesized cheap yet effective potions that anyone could afford. And he also had a premium product now that Fordemvak, a potion master, was working for him.
Fordemvak was one of the best potion master in the whole kingdom. The fact that he become a teacher in Withokere University made him much more amazing, and it was no question the quality of his potion would be very high.
Aldred smiled. "I come here with the expectation that all of you accept my offer. It will greatly disappoint me if otherwise."
Suddenly, metallic golems fell from the ceiling and landed all around the merchants, brandishing their blades, and pointing their large guns right at the merchants' face. Standing so close with the killing machine made the merchants gulped in fear of being killed.
They all understood that there was no stepping back from this deal.
"We all agree on this deal, my lord."
"Good."
Aldred then talked about the details with them. He explained everything to them so they all could understand what they got. In reality, he did not come here to scam these merchants. He wanted control over the economy of this city, and to do that he first needed to build an economy that relies on his company. If the entire economy stood on the shoulder of his companies, then the city would have no choice but to keep his companies in the city.
After a few hours, the merchants finally satisfied with the explanation and signed the paper. They all left with a wondering thought if they just get scammed or did they just made the best deal of their life.
After all of them left, Aldred sit still on the seat of honor with a smile.
"Corduul, how's the invasion going?" Aldred asked.
The battalions is advancing towards Dunver City, north from here.
"Show me."
"Yes, master." Corduul waved his hand and a projection appeared.
…
In Dunver City, under the dark night, guards patrolled the wall and the streets at all time. No one was allowed to go outside in this time of war. Everyone was worried. The guards expect for an army to come at anytime now.
One of the captain stood by the window inside a tower.
"Captain Zio," a guard called.
"What is it?" The captain turned around.
"The guards are all in place. Even flies wouldn't be able to pass our sight."
The guard walked to him with a proud smile.
"That's good," Captain Zio replied. "I should check on them to show that their captain is not a lazy person."
Captain Zio stepped down the stairs and then he saw a corpse with a large wound on its neck. Blood puddling up under it.
His eyes widened as he quickly turned around, but he was too late as a sharp blade pierced through his neck. Captain Zio gagged as the blade lodged inside his neck, making him unable to breath.
It was the guard earlier. His right arm had turned into a thick metallic blade. The guard was still smiling until its face turned into a metallic skull.
"Assa…ssin."
That night, a lot of officers were mysteriously killed. The next morning, everyone was panicking because their head officers were all dead with a blade wound on their neck.
"What the fuck is going on? How did this happen?"
"Assassins! There has to be assassins inside the city!"
"How did they get inside?"
"More importantly, what do we do now?"
The guards were in confusion.
Ehlem Puma, a handsome man with long hair, woke up from his comfortable slumber. He grabbed his Grand Bow by the side of his bed and stretched his body with a smile on his face. "Ahh, that feels good. What a great time to start the day."
Suddenly, his door slammed open.
"My lord!"
"Ugh! What is it? Can't you see I just woke up?"
"My lord! All of our head officer is dead!"
Ehlem Puma's eyes widened and then his expression turned into anger. "How dare they! How dare they sent assassins to my city!"
Another guard approached. "My lord, a large army of metallic golems is approaching this city. They all coming from every directions! Without the head officers, we cannot coordinate the soldiers properly on ground level."
"Get out of my way." Ehlem pushed both guards away. "I will take care of it myself." His eyes flashed with anger.
