567 Expansion of Power Part 2 (1/2)

Saleen was only familiar with some of the warriors behind Gurney. Gurney said warmly, ”My Lord, the mages wanted to welcome you, but I was afraid that something might happen at the temple so it had to be here instead…”

”You did well, Gurney. You have worked hard. Later I will send you to Lex so that you can learn even more from her.”

Gurney was overjoyed. If one wanted to learn swordsmanship, Saleen was the right person to go to. If one wanted to learn command of armies and politics, then Lex would be the right choice. Saleen did not have anyone who had such abilities. By saying this, it meant that Saleen was prepared to groom him.

”My Lord!” The mages rushed to him. Saleen's heart was filled with joy as he saw their familiar faces. Kredian, Francis, and Basta were all here, but what made him happiest was seeing Pasatilo and Kanuka because the both of them had advanced from grade-4 to grade-5 mages and were the same as the rest now.

Although the people around him were getting stronger, it was a pity that he did not have any sorcerers. As Saleen headed towards the temple, there was a huge team behind him now.

The newcomers to his team, including the four demons and the demonic spirit, were all awed by how imposing the temple was.

The construction of the temple had been completed. It stood at six levels, it was eight-hundred yards in width and looked magnificent. In Saleen's eyes, it seemed as if the temple had been totally reconstructed. Every level was twelve yards high, so six levels would equate to seventy-two yards. It was already taller than a grade-9 magical tower.

A grade-9 magical tower was only fifty-four yards tall. The height of the temple might increase even more. Other special constructions would be built on top of this temple in the future. Jason possessed the blueprint of Sky City and while it was impossible to replicate it entirely, they could still build a miniature version; a Floating Tower!

”Finally, I have some capital!” Saleen could not hide his delight as he led everyone into the temple.

Indeed, the temple had been reconstructed. On the interior of both sides of the door were mezzanines and within them were soldiers standing guard. The entire first level had been constructed so that it was a wide space without walls, but with a platform that was six-yards tall in the middle of it and about sixty huge pillars evenly spread around it. The pillars were hollow and their insides were spiraling staircases that led to the second level.

On the exterior of the pillars were stone carvings. With one glance, Saleen knew immediately what the carvings were about legends and myths that had been passed down all these years. Stories of the battle between humans and Gods!

If one walked up the stone steps onto the platform and raised one's head, he would see that there was a small courtyard above it that led directly to the highest level of the temple.

At this moment, extendable metal staircases were let down from the four corners of the courtyard. Everyone took them to reach the second level. Daniel said, ”The second level is for bodyguards. The meeting room is on the third level.”

”Let's not have a meeting first. Everyone is tired,” Saleen said.

”No problem. Constructions here already complete so there are all sorts of facilities.” By the time he finished, they had already reached the third level. Daniel led everyone past the long corridors and reached the meeting room before saying, ”My Lord, there is a resting room here for cleaning up. For meals, you can have them in the meeting room if you like.”

”It's okay. I suppose there is a canteen here?”

”Yes, this level is for meetings and discussions and can hold up to one-thousand people. I did not take in any servants, so my Lord can consider using some puppets.”

Saleen nodded. There were secrets hidden underneath the temple and it would eventually serve as a home for the people from Sregl Island in future, so there should not be any outsiders. In times of insufficient manpower, they would have to make do with puppets.

Some soldiers brought Eleanor and the rest to wash up. These soldiers were also swordsmen from Sregl Island. There were too many sailors in the city after the defences for the port had been constructed and the two combat vessels on patrol only recruited pirates and some newcomers. Daniel was cautious to recruit those sailors that were without a job and were trustworthy enough to work at the temple.

Saleen need not wash up as he could use the Cleaning spell. When mages bathed, it was more out of enjoyment than necessity. Eleanor was uncomfortable to be served by the swordsmen so she stayed behind as well.

Daniel and Diyabannersa led Saleen, Eleanor, and Nailisi into a moderate-sized room. This was a small meeting room. The big meeting room could hold up to one-thousand people so there was no need for them to use it now. Behind them were the mages from Sregl Island.

After everyone had sat down, Saleen asked, ”Daniel, tell me all the things that happened after I left.”

Daniel finally started to talk. Shortly after Saleen and the rest had left, many noblemen, including those from Phoenix and Luolan arrived to take refuge. It seemed that when Lex had went to Caucasus initially, she had also solicited a group of noblemen from Luolan.

After the Grand Duke of Luolan died in battle, these noblemen had neither support nor land anymore. Many of them flooded into Qin while some escaped to Laiyin Duchy.

Daniel followed what was done previously and sold a few houses and lands to these noblemen. The duchies with affiliations to Qin had similar practices to them. When the noblemen escaped, they brought along all their craftsmen as well. A large number of bodyguards, craftsmen, slaves, farm animals, mages, grains, and coins all came together along with the noblemen from Luolan.

Those that were willing to take refuge here must be in it for the long haul. Although the location of the city was remote at least it would not be at risk of being embroiled in the war. When Lex invited them, she also promised that they would have new land and ranks of nobility again. When they arrived, they were led out of the city shortly after to pick their own lands from those that could be cultivated.

Amongst the four empires, only Qin's noblemen treated their farmers decently, so many of them also came along. These farmers should not be mistaken for poor peasants as they were actually farmers with decent fortunes. Some of them might even be richer than the lowest-ranking Baron from the noble families.