City of Desire-Chapter 654: Velvet Bathhouse

Barb Utsa

"Madam Utsa, you are looking ravishing," said a Middle-aged man with long red hair.

"Thank you, Mr. Tareli," I replied with a smile.

I am at the party, the opening party of the bathhouse. It had started less than half an hour ago, and most of them had already arrived.

A small fraction of them are from Greltheaven. The majority are from the empire and merchant states.

I talked to the man for a minute more before walking away from him.

"People are lining up to talk to you," said Cath as she appeared beside me. "No, they are not," I replied. It is a party, and people talk to each other; that is its purpose.

I could see people talking with other Madams.

"Let me correct myself. Rich and powerful people are talking with you. The people who usually talk to the triumvirate only," she corrected.

I nearly shook my head when I stopped and went over the people I had talked to.

"Realise that?" she asked, and I smiled.

People want to talk to madams because of our influence in the legacy and the city, but not everyone. The significant people speak just to the three.

The madams may have influence, but these people are also powerful. Commons madams aren't important enough for them to talk to; it is only the three that are.

Now, as she had said, they are talking to me. The reason for that, I didn't even need to think about it.

Aura.

Since the day I woke up after that battle, I have been getting inquiries and offers not just from the Empire and Merchant State, but all over the continent and outside of it.

Some of them are so ridiculous that they tempted me for a moment.

I rejected them all. Greltheaven is my home, and Velvet Garden is my family; I will never leave it.

"The bathhouse is incredibly beautiful," said Cath, looking around before turning to me. "How does it do against the Tranquill Bathhouse?" she asked.

"Better," I replied, without having a single doubt in my heart.

When I first saw it, I was shocked. I thought we might not be able to do it. Even matching Tranquill Bathhouse would be a feat, but they surpassed it.

It made me feel a little more confident about our victory, because swallowing the Tranquill Bathhouse will be a challenging task.

Time passed, and I mingled with a crowd. Most of them were important people I had never met before, but I also made time for those I knew.

Soon, an hour passed, and suddenly everything went quiet. I didn't have to turn to know he had appeared.

….

The herald announced my name as I stepped into the bathhouse with Carla.

"There are a lot of people," said Carla with a smile, looking at the people who filled the floor.

She looks surprised. Bathhouses are a significant feature in Oton, deeply rooted in their culture. In Zenid, not much.

"They're here for the legacy," I replied.

If it had been just a bathhouse, I don't know if so many would have come. It is why I want to see how many would enjoy the bathhouse.

Currently, they can't. The pools are currently restricted, but that will soon change.

I looked at the people before walking inside and stopping near the big pool.

"Citizen and honoured guests, thank you all for coming to the opening of this wonderful bathhouse," I said, and people just smiled.

"I understand that many of you see this as a waste of the legacy's valuable space—but I assure you, it's anything but."

Many of them looked surprised. They didn't expect me to say what most of them were talking about. Yes, I snooped, and many of them thought. This is a waste of the precious legacy space.

"It will be a place of rest and conversation—a place where burdens will be washed away and where laughter, stories, and warmth may rise with the steam."

"The bathhouse has long been a symbol of a civilized society. That conveys we value health, community, and moments of peace as much as people and wealth."

I paused and looked at the changing expressions on the people's faces. I need to make them understand why I am doing this.

The main reason is Tranquill Bathhouse, but there are other reasons as well.

The bathhouse will be a great addition to the city's culture. Helping it forge its unique identity.

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This is why I have enveloped the whole floor in Trendsetting. The moment I had stepped inside.

"Here, troubles may soak away, and friendships may be forged. And perhaps, on occasion, someone may even leave cleaner than they arrived!"

"So I say, with great pride: let the waters run, let the fire be stoked, and let this bathhouse serve as both sanctuary and hearthstone to all who enter it."

"Let the baths be open!" I declared, and the layers of energy covering the pool had disappeared.

In its place, the colourful mist appeared floating gently over it, making the pool look heavenly. It isn't just the pool, but also the whole floor, as the mist got denser at my command.

With my speech finished. I moved to mingle, looking to see if anyone was entering the pool.

They did not, not a single person had even moved toward the changing room.

"Should we use them?" asked Maeve a few minutes later, seeing nobody was entering the pool. "There is no need," I replied to the worried woman.

She looked like she wanted to say something, but she nodded, seeing the smile.

I am not worried. I know why they had not entered the pool. It's me, which is why, after I met the last important person, I turned to Carla.

"I am leaving," I said to her. "Go, I will handle everything," she replied.

I smiled and walked toward the elevator.

I am leaving not only to make people feel at ease but also because I am busy. Only two weeks remain until the protection disappears, and there are manythings to do.

Soon, the elevator stopped and I stepped out of it.

A few seconds later, I am in the carriage moving toward the city hall.

It is afternoon. Usually, I would open the place at night, but I would open the bathhouse in the morning. This is the only time I have since I will be meeting an important person in the evening.

I also wanted to open it as soon as possible.

It had been over three months since the floor was closed. It had barely made any essence. I want essence, I need more emotion essence. Given the speed, I'm spending it.

"Goltan mercenaries had hiked the price," informed Zela. Hearing that, I sighed.

Goltan mercenaries are a powerful mercenary company in the merchant state of Belnin.

A Lv. 40 powerhouse leads it.

I cannot hire the mercenaries, but they have something I need. "How much?" I asked a moment later. "By 25%," she replied.

"Tell them, we are willing to agree to a 10% increase, not a drop more," I replied.

I am making a deal for Alchfire orbs. I am buying them left and right, not only from the cities and states, but also from individuals and organisations like mercenary companies.

People noticed and began jacking up the prices. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

It's not surprising, but it's very frustrating. Other than setting a limit, there is nothing I can do about it.

Alchfire orbs aren't a thing that many people buy, due to their instability and cost. The process of crafting is hazardous, and only a few alchemists have the ability to craft them.

So, when someone like me started buying them like crazy, people took notice.

I hope my enemies are noticing as well and thinking really carefully about attacking me. They should really think about what happened the last time I used them.

This time, the destruction will be far bigger and costly, but it is a price I am willing to pay to protect my city.

I closed my eyes and activated the Eyes of Master, and what I saw put a smile on my face.

I saw people in the pool; ten people to be exact, and all men. I could see a man trying to enter the pool, but the guards stopped him.

It is a communal pool for both genders. I need a ratio of at least 10:5. Until at least five women enter the pool, only these ten men will be able to enjoy it, and they are thoroughly enjoying it.

Swimming, laughing, and talking. Even eating fruits and smoking.

I detest smoking, but I can't let my personal opinions get way into the business.

It is an activity that many love. This is why half of the people smoke while others watch in envy.

Soon, I arrived at the city hall and proceeded directly to the conference room for a meeting. It was short, but I needed to be there.

Fifteen minutes later, I walked out and used Eyes of Master.

What I saw made a smile appear on my face. I saw five men and a woman walking out of the changing rooms and walking toward the pool.

A few seconds later, they stepped into the pool with a self-conscious nervousness, but soon smiles appeared on their faces.

When I looked again, a few minutes later, I saw there were more men and women in the big pool.

"The big pool had completely filled," said Lola. There was some surprise in her eyes. She didn't expect, like many.

It is why I had not used the girls.

People could sense their classes, and it would set the trend. That the pool is for whores; no woman would put the foot in the big pool.

It would have affected the whole bathhouse.

I had actors ready, but I'm glad I don't need to use them. The real people are the best. Now that the precedent is set, the women will use the big pool with men, along with the whole bathhouse.

I would still need to do a few things, but I believe it won't be a problem.

Seeing the enjoyment of the bathhouse made me feel good, and I was able to focus on the work without any distractions.

Although I would look at the bathhouse now and then.

Time passed, and soon it was night.

I walked out of my office for the important meeting with a hopeful heart.

"Thank you, Mr. Marysel. Please tell your superiors that I appreciate all the help your agency is providing us," I said to the half-elf.

"I will, Lord Silver," replied the man before leaving the conference room with his people.

"The news isn't good," said Stone.

The city's top brass is sitting in the conference room: three from the army. Robin, Hardt, Valentina, and Shaun.

"We have never expected it, but hoped for it," replied Robin with a mirthless smile.

"Just a small bit of good news would have helped. Every day, something bad is happening; I wanted to hear something that is not bad news," added Valentina, and sighed.

Forty minutes later, I am in the carriage moving toward my house.

It's late, and I'm tired.

Nearly every day, I am bombarded with bad news. Like my people, I had been hoping for some good news, but there is none.

The enemy is waiting with massive numbers.

Once the protection wears off, they will come at us like a tidal wave, numbering in the millions. Powerful enough to easily swallow the force, more powerful than what we have.

Still, we are going to fight them and we will defeat them.

The carriage turned and entered the compound, then came to a stop. I got out and stepped inside the mansion. When I reached my suite, I saw Carla reading a book.

"You shouldn't have waited," I said to her. "I wanted to," she replied, with a slight smile, before her expression turned serious.

"I guess it's not good news?" she asked, and I nodded. "At least it's not another bad news," she said, making me smile.

She is right, we could have received horrible news. That would have been disastrous.

I changed and freshened up before lying down on the bed.

"Good night," I said, kissing her neck, before closing my eyes. I was tired enough. That, I fell asleep immediately, but it wasn't a smooth sleep.

Knock Knock!

The knock woke me up, and I saw that Carla had already woken up.

"It's Jon," she informed.

Click!

Hearing that, I got up and appeared beside her before opening the door.

"Shaun is here; he wants to talk to you," he informed. "Did he tell why?" I asked, but walked out the door without waiting for the answer.

If he is here in person, it means something significant has happened.

I moved fast with my skills, with Carla and Jon following behind me. It took me a few seconds to reach my office, where I saw Shaun as well as Stone, Cardin, and Hiren.

All four of them had serious expressions on their faces, and not a good kind.

"Duke of Blackwell is dead!" Shaun informed. Making me feel like the earth is collapsing under my feet.