The First Legendary Beast Master

Chapter 765  City Planning

Karl nodded in understanding. ”I have one more recommendation, not a necessity, but something that was quite popular at home.

Building the base deep underground stabilizes the structure. But as those levels arenʼt really suitable for apartments, you can put in storage areas for shops on the main floor, or even an entire shopping area on the ground floor and first basement, with storage underneath. Then put common areas on the second floor, and start the apartments from the third floor.

At street level, everyone will see the shops, with more hidden behind the ones on the street. And it wonʼt feel like they have to go across the city to get essentials.”

The Exchequer snapped his fingers. ”Like how I order everything to be delivered to the Castle instead of walking to the market to get them!”

The Architect facepalmed at the bit of new information about the manʼs laziness. Or perhaps his shut in nature.

”Yes, Exchequer. Just like that, but with only a few products available in each building, so they might have to go a few blocks.”

The Demon shrugged. ”Good enough. We can try that project with the dozen buildings surrounding the market. Do those first, and if the people react well, we can make more of them after.

The row behind them doesnʼt need all the fancy shops, theyʼre already used to going to the market, and thereʼs nothing wrong with putting the poor in underground apartments.”

The Architect was clearly ignoring the money manʼs opinion, but he nodded along with the recommendations. ”We will add some decoration to the lower levels as well. City beautification. The Sprawl might be the residence for low wage employees. But it doesnʼt have to be an eyesore.”

Karl resisted the urge to point out that it was overrun with gangs, and that most of the basement levels would quickly be turned into brothels and casinos.

The multiple level basements were actually perfect for the purpose, and with the basement entrances being internal, it would move the illicit businessesʼ guards off the street. That made it invisible to people walking by, and should reduce problems between groups. The buildings themselves would likely turn into gang territories, but that also wasnʼt Karlʼs problem. The locals would have to sort that out on their own.

Karl was led up to the Governorʼs office with an increasingly large retinue of Castle workers. Not just finance people and architects, they also now had Castle Guards and a few maids with food and drinks for what was promising to be an important meeting.

The guards knocked and informed the Governor of their presence before letting the important people into the large office.

To everyoneʼs shock, the Governor actually stood to shake Karlʼs hand when he entered. Then he motioned for everyone to sit.

”War Champion, I see that you have once again proven your title. Thank you for your assistance. The battle at the central docks went flawlessly.” Governor Shin greeted.

”Thank you Governor.”

The Exchequer passed over a note, and the Governor smiled. ”It seems that your Guild Branch needs a local home in the Dragon Isles to activate the Guild Functions. Now, I know just the thing for you.

Itʼs not the most glamorous of locations, but I believe that it is perfect for a Guild House. You see, there is a building at the Western Frostfire Gate on the south side of the city. It was once a guard barracks, as its courtyard touches the city wall. But the barracks have been moved, with a location outside the walls and one in the Stone Chapel district, closer to the Castle.

It has more than enough sleeping quarters to be counted as a Guild House, and the courtyard is large enough for your beasts to rest outdoors when you enter the city, or for deliveries to the Guild House to turn around a wagon train.” The Governor explained.

”You would offer such a grand location as a War Reward?” Karl asked.

The Governor laughed. ”I donʼt know if youʼve not yet noticed, or if youʼre just used to it. But your team are heroes to the people of the city. Doing something grand for you is good for publicity.

I had thought about giving you a Guild House in the Redwood Sprawl district, but the overcrowding on that side of the city is already too severe to make room for such a thing, and a Guild House cannot be part of a shared accommodation, no matter how large it is.

So, the Frostfire Gate would be perfect, even if it is a fair walk to the river and the major shopping areas. What do you think?”

Karl considered it for only a few seconds, while Thor sung a nonsensical song about wagons in his head. Being a wagon merchant was a great time.

Slowly, he nodded. ”Even if we happen to move on to take care of tasks outside the city, it would be nice to have a home to come back to. I will gladly accept this reward on behalf of my team.”

The Governor clapped his hands, and a man came forward with a folder. Governor Shin signed off on the bottom of the page, then the folder was passed to Karl. ”Your team can go check it out at your leisure, then come back to adjust your Guild Functions if necessary. Now, about those housing designs.”

Karl settled in for a long day of meetings, while everyone else was beginning to get out of bed at the Laughing Dragon. The Inn was incredibly busy today, mostly with soldiers who had come to greet the group. Some had fought in the streets, some had been at sea, and wanted to thank Hawk for softening the enemy fleet to make it easier to break their shields.

That had saved them many lives during the battle, and while they had fallen into a trap and had been pulled away from the defence of the city, they had still managed to fend off one of the two fleets without any major losses.

The group ate a quick lunch and headed back for the Market square, where Tessa was planning to make lunch again, and Lotus would be a tree for the day. She only had one request.

Keep the local dogs away from her roots. They had no respect at all.

If youʼre in the Discord, there is a map of the city of Drodh for reference.