Reinventing Magic: An Inventor's Tale-Chapter 69: The Future Unveiled

Alric’s mind raced, struggling to keep up with everything he had seen. He had come here with the simple goal of finalizing a transaction and understanding the new lord better. But what he had discovered was something far beyond his expectations. Cement roads, modern structures, a cooling device, and even a spatial ring—artifacts and innovations that were unheard of. And all of them came from the very man sitting in front of him.

Kael Bryndis.

A baron, a mage, an inventor.

Who exactly was this man?

Alric exhaled, gathering his thoughts before finally answering Kael’s question. "Your domain... is unlike anything I have ever seen," he admitted, his voice laced with both admiration and caution. "But I must ask—why offer a partnership to someone who did something so... unacceptable?" He met Kael’s gaze, searching for the reason behind the baron’s surprising generosity.

Kael’s lips curled into a knowing smile. "As I told you before, I am a man of opportunity," he replied smoothly. "What you did was a mistake, but mistakes can be corrected. If I held grudges over every misstep, I would be no better than a petty noble squabbling over trivial offenses."

Alric studied him carefully. This was not a man driven by pride or vengeance—this was a man who saw beyond personal slights, someone who weighed every action for its greater worth.

Before he could respond, Kael stood and gestured for him to follow. "Come. I have something to show you."

Curiosity gnawed at Alric as he trailed behind Kael. They passed through several hallways of the workshop, each one revealing more of Kael’s unusual designs—smooth, polished floors, walls reinforced with unfamiliar materials, and even more of those transparent glass doors that moved on their own. The sheer scale of advancement left him breathless.

Finally, Kael stopped in front of a large set of doors. With a simple push, they swung open, revealing a room unlike any Alric had ever seen.

At the center stood a massive, detailed model of the entire Bryndis territory. But this was no ordinary model. The structures displayed were unlike any city he had encountered. Towering buildings made of glass and stone, a steel bridge connecting the territory to a neighboring region, wide paved roads, a complex water system—everything about it exuded an advanced level of planning and ingenuity.

Alric stepped forward, running a hand over the intricately crafted model. "This... this is Bryndis?"

"Not as it is now," Kael corrected. "This is what it will become."

Alric turned to him, eyes wide.

Kael’s expression was calm but determined. "This is my vision for this domain. A city where people can live comfortably, where trade flourishes, and where advancements make life better for all. I will not settle for mediocrity."

Alric swallowed, his merchant instincts kicking in. He scrutinized the model with a calculating gaze, envisioning the potential profits and opportunities. "This... this city is far beyond anything in the kingdom. Even the royal capital is not this developed."

Kael nodded. "That is why I need a partner. Someone who understands commerce, who can help facilitate trade, and who sees the value in innovation."

Alric took a deep breath, looking at the model once more. This was no mere fantasy—Kael Bryndis had the knowledge, the means, and most importantly, the vision to make it a reality.

And now, he was being offered a chance to be a part of it.

The merchant’s grip on his cane tightened as a slow smile crept onto his face. "You have my attention, Baron Bryndis. Let’s talk business."

Kael smiled as he lifted his hand. With a subtle flick of his fingers, a thick stack of papers materialized out of thin air, landing neatly on the table between them.

"Take a look," Kael said, gesturing to the documents. "These are the businesses I plan to establish here."

Intrigued, Alric reached forward, flipping open the first page. His eyes widened as he skimmed through the contents. Detailed blueprints, architectural designs, and structured business plans were meticulously outlined. He turned another page, then another, unable to hide his astonishment. frёewebηovel.cѳm

"Fast food establishments... hotels... a mall? And this—" He stopped at one of the blueprints, scanning the elegantly designed layout. "A casino?"

Kael leaned back in his chair, watching Alric’s reaction with amusement. "That’s right. My vision for Bryndis is not just to make it a thriving territory, but a city that people will want to visit, live in, and invest in. A place of innovation and comfort, unlike anything else in this kingdom."

Alric remained silent for a long moment, absorbing everything he had just learned. What Kael was proposing was beyond mere trade—it was the foundation of an economic revolution. A city more advanced than even the royal capital. If he partnered with Kael, he wouldn’t just profit; he would be part of something that could redefine commerce itself.

Finally, he closed the document and exhaled. "You are an ambitious man, Lord Bryndis."

Kael’s smile widened. "Ambition is what drives progress, after all. Now, tell me, Alric—do you want to be part of something that will change the world?" His tone was calm, but there was an unmistakable weight to his words. "If you do, then I have an offer for you."

Alric leaned in slightly, intrigued. "And what would that be?"

Kael clasped his hands together and said, "The contract you signed signifies the strategic partnership I have offered you. This agreement grants you exclusive trade rights within Bryndis, allowing you sole access to high-demand goods produced in the city. Furthermore, you will have investment opportunities in these ventures, enabling you to share in the benefits as Bryndis continues to grow. To incentivize this, I will provide tax breaks and reduced tariffs for your businesses, ensuring long-term profitability."

Kael paused before continuing, letting the weight of his words settle. "Additionally, I propose joint ventures on key projects—the casino, the mall, the hotels—all of which will not only generate immense wealth but will solidify Bryndis as a hub of commerce and innovation. And to ensure your voice is heard, I am offering you a seat as an economic advisor, granting you influence over the direction of these developments."

Alric’s fingers drummed against the table as he considered the magnitude of what was being proposed. This wasn’t just a business deal—it was a gateway into the future. A chance to leave his mark on a city that could one day surpass the royal capital itself. A slow, knowing smile formed on his lips as he met Kael’s unwavering gaze.

After a long pause, he stood, and to Kael’s surprise, he bent the knee. "I swear my loyalty to you, Lord Bryndis. I will ensure that your vision becomes a reality."

---

Meanwhile, in the royal capital, King Julius Ardania’s fury roared through the grand halls like a storm unleashed. His piercing glare swept across the room, causing his vassals to lower their heads in fear. "How is it possible that the artifact is missing?" His voice thundered, each word dripping with barely restrained rage.

The chamber remained deathly silent until the knight commander, clad in gleaming black armor, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, our investigation has uncovered troubling news. One of our royal spies has vanished without a trace. We suspect he is responsible for the theft." His voice was steady, but there was an underlying tension, as if he feared how the king would react.

Julius’s fingers curled into a fist. "A spy? One of my own men?" His jaw tightened, and his eyes burned with fury. "Find him. Hunt him down like the traitor he is, and bring me that artifact!"

The knight commander bowed. "As you command, Your Majesty."

Julius exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin. "What of Bryndis and Valteiri?" he demanded, shifting his focus.

Another figure emerged from the shadows—one of the royal spies assigned to monitor the outer territories. He knelt before speaking. "Your Majesty, we have successfully infiltrated Valteiri. Our agents are gathering intelligence, particularly regarding the rumored woman who possesses the ability to transform."

The king leaned forward, his gaze sharpening. "Tell me more."

The spy hesitated for a moment before continuing, "After the war, whispers spread like wildfire. Many claim to have witnessed this woman shift from an ordinary human into something else—a being they called a golem. The people speak of her with both awe and terror."

Julius’s lips curled into a smirk, though his eyes gleamed with dark curiosity. "So, the rumors were true. A woman capable of transformation... intriguing."

He stood, his heavy cloak sweeping behind him as he turned to face his vassals. "All we have are whispers and half-truths. That is unacceptable. I want concrete information. I want proof."

His gaze flicked back to the royal spy. "Continue gathering intelligence. I want to know everything they are hiding. Leave no stone unturned, no whisper unheard. I will not tolerate ignorance on this matter."

The royal spy bowed deeply, his voice steady but cautious. "As you command, Your Majesty. Our agents will intensify their efforts. If there is any truth to these rumors, we will uncover it."

Julius narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. "See that you do. And if this woman truly possesses such a power, I want to know how she obtained it—and how it can be used to serve me."

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