Magus Reborn

134. Verdis (2)

Once the Sorcerer’s Tower plan gained momentum, Kai wasted no time pulling the Mason, Barret, into the thick of it. Kai walked the grounds with him, marking a prime spot in the heart of the city, right where he envisioned the tower soaring skyward— a grand seven-story structure, capped by an enchantment-laden spire and a lift threading up its core.

Barret looked on, eyes wide with reluctant awe, and muttered about timelines and resources. A seven-story tower with a lift and layer upon layer of enchantments couldn’t rise overnight. But Kai, with his recent coffers brimming thanks to the profits from Heat stone sales, coffee contracts, and his hefty spoils from the beast wave, was undeterred.

Money flowed steadily, and he had every intention of using it to fund not just a tower but a city that would be remembered in the kingdom’s history.

He mobilised Mages as labour, using their spells to fast-track the construction, sparing no expense. The foundation alone buzzed with mana that would support generations of Mages to come. Still, the vision of it remained unfinished in his mind— a few blank corners where future fortunes would fill the gaps.

The nobles who had recently descended upon Veralt to take part in the Count ceremony and win his loyalty didn’t give up after signing the contracts for mana cannons. They draped marriage contracts before him of young, noble ladies, trying to bind him that way. But once he made it clear that he had no intention of taking a fiance, most left in frustration.

Knight Darian and his men still lingered saying he was "awaiting orders to return". Kai didn’t know if it was actually the truth or there was something else, but Duke Blackwood was one noble he had a good relationship with and he didn’t wish to doubt them for now.

When the last noble departed, Kai let out a rare sigh of relief, casting his gaze down toward Verdis, his new domain. Rumours had already reached his ears— flickers of dissent, unrest about the new lord and some voices disgruntled and unhappy with him getting the city.

Just as he was settling into a strategy meeting with Killian, Francis, Orion and the rest of the Enforcers present, a guard entered the chamber, looking visibly disturbed.

"Speak, what is it?"

"My lord," he said, "a man has arrived claiming to be the former administrator of Verdis. He’s bloodied and requests an immediate audience."

Kai’s brows arched in interest. Normally, he’d have the guards verify such a claim, run a few identity checks, but urgency gnawed at him. He ordered his men to tend to the man with healing potions and brought him straight into the meeting. Francis and Killian exchanged wary glances, but said nothing.

***

A few steady minutes passed by as Kai guessed that the guards were taking their time, trying to stabilise the man’s condition.

Finally when the man stumbled into the room, barely held upright by the guards at his side, Kai sensed the trouble that followed him.

"I–Lord Arzan, my name is Zorgar Xarous."

Kai nodded at his immediate introduction.

Despite the healing potion beginning to close his wounds, Zorgar’s face was still ashen, and his clothes remained soaked with dark, dried blood. He looked like he would collapse at any given moment. Especially when he paused before Kai, taking in his calm gaze before dropping into a shallow bow.

"Count Arzan," he rasped, his voice thick with fatigue, "I served as the administrator of Verdis, managing its affairs after the previous lord’s death. I’ve come to beg for your aid. Please— defeat the forces that are attempting to seize Verdis right now. We don’t have much time."

Kai held up a hand, his voice controlled but direct. "Calm yourself, Zorgar. Start from the beginning and don’t leave out any details."

Zorgar’s head bobbed in a shaky nod, and he took a steadying breath. "The previous Baron of Verdis, Lord Morcant took over the territory five years back when he was relatively young. Two years ago, he set out to deal with a goblin infestation threatening the farmlands. He sustained an injury to his heart during that campaign— a blow he never recovered from." Zorgar’s eyes squinted, as though reliving that bleak period. He immediately shook his head as if blocking the images that came to his mind. "His family had a history of heart ailments, and despite the best efforts of Mages and potions, he passed shortly afterward."

He continued, his tone growing more urgent. "I took over the administrative duties after his passing since he had no children, keeping the city afloat as best I could. We’d heard talk of the Ducal succession and how Duke Kellius intended to pass Verdis to one of his sons. We held onto hope that a new lord would arrive to claim the city soon." He paused, swallowing. "But then… your brother refused the territory. His decision left Verdis in the shadow of… well, uncertainty. That’s when Knight Henderson took charge."

Francis sighed loudly next to Kai who assumed it was because he had gone through something similar before Arzan had taken the charge of the city. Even then, the city had been left on its own for a year before Kai had taken over his body.

"Knight Henderson took charge in the meantime," Francis said. "I’ve heard of him, but how did he come to assume control?"

A pained look flickered across Zorgar’s face as he hesitated, then relented. "Knight Henderson… he had a relationship with the late lord’s mother, a scandalous affair kept from most. She helped him secure control, pushing aside any who objected. It’s been a year now since he took charge, claiming it was only until a new lord could be appointed. But with no sign of a new lord on the horizon, people began to believe the city had been abandoned."

Zorgar’s voice grew faint but resolute as he continued. "It was a great relief when King Sullivan appointed you as Count of Verdis, my lord. I’d heard about how you transformed Veralt, how you even withstood the beast wave. But not everyone shared my relief— Knight Henderson least of all. When he learned of your appointment, his ambition reared its head. He sought alliances with nearby nobles, hoping to secure their support to declare himself Baron of Verdis. He even wrote to your brother, Duke Lucian, petitioning for his backing. And he didn’t stop there… Henderson planned to challenge you for the city outright. When I confronted him, he had me locked in jail."

Kai’s gaze sharpened. "How did you escape?"

A brief, weary smile flickered across Zorgar’s face. He rubbed his hands together, fighting a coldness that didn’t linger in the air. "I’d built a rapport with some of the guards over the years. A few sympathised with me and helped me slip out, but Henderson’s men gave chase. That’s how I ended up here, wounded and pleading for your help."

Zorgar’s gaze turned imploring once more. "Count Arzan, Verdis needs you. Please, help us."

Kai shifted his attention to Francis. "Does this line up with the intelligence we have?"

Francis crossed his arms, frowning. "Partially. We knew Henderson was running the city alongside Zorgar here, but his ambition to take over wasn’t clear. Not like this."

Zorgar grimaced. "That’s because Henderson has choked off communication. Once he confirmed the king had chosen you as lord, he forbade anyone from leaving Verdis. He’s kept information tightly controlled, only allowing his own men to monitor the city’s borders."

Kai nodded at that. It was then, Killian, who had been silent for the most part, spoke up. His face held that usual sternness. "What happened to the scout we sent to Verdis for information?"

Zorgar’s expression turned haunted. "Henderson executed him in front of the cityfolk. It was meant as a warning. Fear keeps people silent, keeps them from even trying to resist."

Kai inhaled slowly. He felt the tension creeping up to his shoulder blades and leaving a tinge of headache behind. The situation was brutal, and it needed immediate action. He looked around at the quiet room, his Enforcers watching him with a palpable readiness.

He felt a cold anger inside of him at the scout’s death, but he needed to be calm to take revenge.

He looked back at Zorgar.

"Are there any Mages left in Verdis?"

"The only one," Zorgar replied, "is the former lord’s mother— a second circle Mage. It’s her magic that kept Henderson secure. Without her, he’d have lost control a long time ago."

"What forces does he have at his disposal? Right now?"

Zorgar listed them quickly. "Henderson has recruited about a hundred and fifty guards, mainly from forcefully enlisting commoners. He anticipated an attack, so he shored up every defence he could. But, my lord, they’re poorly trained. Mostly just ordinary folks he’s forced into service."

Kai’s lips twisted into a grim smile. "Then this should be straightforward. We’ll take back Verdis and ensure Henderson answers for every last one of his crimes. The situation calls for a good punishment at its finest."

The gathered Enforcers murmured in agreement. Kai’s gaze swept over them, each prepared for the mission ahead. The tension in the room lifted, replaced with determination.

Zorgar blinked, surprise flickering across his bloodied face. Suddenly, he seemed to be the only person who was opposed to the idea. "My lord… don’t you think that might be a bit hasty? Verdis is fortified, and Henderson’s forces may be commoners, but they’re still positioned to guard every entrance. I know you’re a powerful Mage, but even so—"

Kai’s expression didn’t change, his calm gaze fixed on Zorgar. "I believe you misunderstand," he replied evenly. "I don’t intend to lift a finger. My knights will handle this."

He turned to Killian and the other Enforcers.

A confident smile tugged at the corner of Killian’s mouth, mirrored by the quiet nods from the others.

Zorgar started, a flicker of disbelief on his face. "You truly believe your men can handle this on their own?"

Kai shared a similar smile to Killian when he looked at Zorgar "Henderson relies on fear to command his men, but my knights are bound by something far stronger. They will show Verdis what true leadership looks like."

***

The princess’s carriage rolled gently through the golden fields, its wheels rumbling along the dirt path as sunlight poured through the windows.

Princess Amara leaned forward, her gaze wandering to the view outside, where merchant carriages and travellers bustled past on the well-worn road.

She noted the variety: traders with barrels of goods, carriages full of people, and riders leading wagons brimming with supplies. As she had gotten closer to Veralt, the signs of life had kept increasing.

"Princess, please sit down," Anya urged, a hint of worry in her voice. "What if someone recognizes you?"

Amara tilted her head with a faint smile. "No one knows me outside the noble circles, and I don’t see any noble carriages around." Her eyes flicked to the road again. "But it’s surprising just how many people are moving towards Veralt. There’s so much movement."

Her maid nodded, hands folded in her lap. "It’s because the news of Veralt surviving the beast wave has spread everywhere. When we stopped in town, I asked around, and people mentioned that Lord Arzan’s investing heavily in new projects. They say that merchants and commoners who fled are flocking back, hearing the city’s fortunes are on the rise again."

Amara nodded, a spark of curiosity in her eyes. "Lord Arzan truly is an intriguing man…"

Her words trailed off as something caught her attention through the grassy plains on the opposite side. A retinue of armoured men was cutting through the fields, their polished armour glinting in the sunlight. Banners fluttered above them, bearing a crest— a simple but striking design she’d seen before.

A phoenix… rising from dark ashes. She faintly saw the sun behind the phoenix, bold and glowing.

Amara’s brow lifted with interest, and she gestured subtly to her maid. "Isn’t that… the crest of Veralt?"

Her maid leaned over for a better look, nodding. "Yes, Your Highness, it is. But I’m not certain where they’re headed."

Intrigued, the princess waved to the merchant driver in the front through a small window. "You there— where’s that procession headed?"

The merchant gave a polite smile. "Most likely to Verdis, Your Highness. It’s the closest city from here and recently came under Lord Arzan’s rule after he was made a Count. I assume they are going to establish his rule there, but I can be wrong with so many armoured men moving at the same time."

Her gaze lingered back on the procession, her mind working. Could he be there himself? she wondered. The chance to see the new Count and get a glimpse of the man who saved her was too tempting. She turned to the merchant.

"Follow them," she commanded. "I want to see where they’re headed."

The merchant blinked in surprise but nodded, quickly steering the carriage to follow the road alongside Lord Arzan’s procession.

***

A/N - Dao of money chapters are also accessible by anyone who has bought the Patreon tier for Magus Reborn. There’s no extra cost and you get 15 chaps on both. I am clarifying because I got messages from readers asking about it.