R.L Alencar
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Chapter 130 Vol 4 (From engineer to Conqueror part 2)
🕑 Added 2024-12-23 23:39:10 +0000 UTCMiguel was in his office, seated behind a desk cluttered with maps, documents, and sketches. Beside him, Amélia, his sister, was reviewing some papers with a keen eye, while Jonh, the current Secretary of Defense, stood near the window, gazing out at the city stretching into the distance. The soft light of late afternoon filtered through the half-drawn curtains, bathing the room in a golden glow.
"I've been thinking," Miguel began, crossing his arms over the desk. "We need to refurbish the old ballroom. It's not very large, but it should suffice to host Duke Valmir Eldersbag when he arrives." He turned to Amélia. "Can you handle this, Amélia?"
She lifted her eyes from the papers and gave a faint smile. "Of course, Miguel. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure everything is perfect."
Satisfied, Miguel shifted the topic. "Jonh, how is the war progressing?"
Jonh turned away from the window, clasping his hands behind his back. "For now, the front is stable enough. Ricardo has been sending regular reports, and our defenses are holding strong."
Miguel nodded, relieved. "Thankfully, we've managed to maintain a steady supply of ammunition and provisions, allowing him to coordinate the defense successfully." He paused, adjusting one of the papers on the desk. "The foundry is 90% complete, but the machines built by the dwarves have already been installed. Soon, we’ll have a production capacity that will change the game."
Jonh smiled, admiration gleaming in his eyes. "Miguel, you’re an incredible leader. In such a short time and with limited resources, you’re accomplishing what even the gods might find impossible."
Miguel chuckled, shaking his head. "Thank you, Jonh. But this is a collective effort. All of you have played vital roles. Now, I think I need some rest."
Amélia and Jonh nodded, gathering their papers and leaving, leaving Miguel alone in his office. He remained seated for a few moments, staring at the documents spread out before him. The sense of accomplishment mingled with the weight of the responsibilities he still bore.
Finally, he stood and walked over to a sideboard near the wall. There, a bottle of wine rested on a silver tray next to a single crystal glass. Miguel poured himself a drink carefully, the crimson liquid sliding smoothly into the glass and gleaming in the golden light still streaming through the window. He raised the glass, observing the reflection before taking a small sip. The strong, familiar flavor brought him brief comfort.
Walking to the window, Miguel looked out over the city that had grown so much under his leadership. Now, the city boasted residential buildings lit by simple streetlights he had designed. The population continued to grow, bringing life and movement to the streets below. It was remarkable progress, but he knew there was still much to be done. His thoughts drifted to the education center he wanted to build for the children and the need to professionalize the adults.
Money, however, was running low. All the trades and sales with the beastmen and now the dwarves sustained the kingdom but would not be enough to maintain the pace of growth and innovation for much longer. Miguel sighed, feeling the weight of his future decisions.
He took the last sip of wine and placed the glass back on the tray. Night had fallen over Drakmoor, and the city was beginning to quiet. With slow, contemplative steps, Miguel left his office and made his way to his chambers. Tonight, for at least a few hours, he needed to rest.
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Two weeks had passed since the ballroom renovation began. The work was progressing well, and the space was nearly ready to welcome the distinguished visitor. Duke Valmir Eldersbag was only two days away from arriving in Drakmoor. However, Miguel couldn't shake the worry that lingered. He knew the Duke had managed to cross the defenses Ricardo had set up—something that should have been impossible, save for one unprotected route. It was a vulnerability Miguel had planned to address, but now he feared it might bring trouble.
He walked through the newly refurbished ballroom, observing the finishing touches being made. Some maids were cleaning surfaces and adjusting details in the arrangements. When they noticed his presence, they immediately stopped and bowed respectfully.
"Please, continue," Miguel said gently. "You don’t need to worry about me. You’re doing an excellent job."
The maids nodded and resumed their tasks, but Miguel lingered for a moment, taking in the atmosphere. The ballroom, once a worn and ordinary space, now gleamed with renewed brilliance. The walls had been polished, the cleaned chandeliers sparkled, and the strategically arranged furniture added a touch of sophistication.
As he strolled through the room, his thoughts wandered. What did the Duke truly want? Valmir Eldersbag was not known for making visits without a clear purpose. He was a clever man, a natural strategist, and surely wasn’t coming to Drakmoor just for a friendly chat.
"He wants something," Miguel thought, frowning. "But what? Perhaps he seeks access to the knowledge and technologies we’re developing? Maybe he’s heard of the roads we’re building or the weapons that are changing the course of the war. Or perhaps… he wants to personally assess my kingdom, gauge my resources and strength."
The uncertainty troubled him, but Miguel knew he would have his answers soon. Taking a deep breath, he glanced at the maids again and said, "Thank you for your dedication. You’ve done an excellent job."
He left the ballroom and walked with determined steps toward his office. As he opened the door, he was surprised to find Lila sitting in one of the chairs. She was calmly awaiting his arrival, her expression a mix of patience and serenity.
"Finally, you’ve appeared, my king," said Lila with a slight smile.
Miguel sighed and shook his head. "Lila, you don’t need to call me king. To you, I’m just Miguel." He closed the door and walked closer. "What are you doing here? I thought you were training with Lysandra."
Lila leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees. "I’ve finished my training for the week. But I came because I need to talk to you. It’s important."
Miguel narrowed his eyes, intrigued. What could be so important to interrupt his day? He pulled up a chair and sat in front of her, ready to listen. Lila took a deep breath before starting, clearly gathering her courage. Miguel watched patiently, noting the hesitation in her eyes.
"I... wanted to talk about something important," she began. "It’s about João."
Miguel leaned forward slightly, interested. "What about him?"
Lila gave a small smile but quickly looked away, seemingly struggling to find the right words. "We… care about each other a lot, Miguel. And… I’ve been thinking about it a lot." She paused, her hands nervously intertwining.
"You can speak freely," Miguel said in a reassuring tone.
Lila took another deep breath and finally continued. "I want to marry him. Soon, both João and I will come of age."
Miguel was silent for a moment, processing what she had said. It wasn’t entirely a surprise; he knew how much the two cared for one another. But something in the way Lila hesitated made him question further.
"Why did you come to talk to me about this alone?" Miguel asked, raising an eyebrow. "This is something important. Why haven’t you spoken to João first?"
Lila looked away again, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I haven’t brought it up with him yet. But he’ll agree, Miguel. I know he will. We both want a future together. I just… I just wanted to make sure you would support us before taking this step."
Miguel studied Lila for a moment, seeing the seriousness and determination in her eyes. He knew how much João meant to her and vice versa. With a slight smile, he nodded. "I won’t stand in your way, Lila. You have my blessing."
Lila’s smile lit up her face, and she quickly stood from her chair. "Thank you, Miguel. Truly. I needed to get this off my chest. Now I feel so much more at ease."
"It’s all right," Miguel replied, rising to his feet as well. He placed a hand on her shoulder and teased gently, "And now I’ve got another wedding to help plan—Amélia and Jonh’s. Seems like celebrations are going to be a regular thing around here."
Lila chuckled softly, relief evident in her expression. Without another word, she stepped forward and hugged Miguel. The gesture caught him off guard for a moment, but he quickly returned the embrace, feeling her warmth and gratitude.
"Thank you for everything, Miguel," Lila said as she stepped back.
"Go on, Lila. And be happy."
She smiled once more before leaving, closing the office door behind her. Miguel stood for a few moments, staring at the closed door, reflecting on how, despite the challenges around him, small moments like that were what truly made everything worthwhile.
