Chapter 21 Building the New City

How significant can the influence of a legend be?

The simplest and most direct manifestation is in the distribution of benefits. Regardless of location, even within the Kingdom, as soon as someone is promoted to legend, they immediately receive a title and fief matching their new status, and if they wish, they can establish a Duchy on the spot.

A single individual can establish a nation; that's what a legend is.

Noah could hardly imagine just how prosperous his life would become once his adoptive father became a legend, especially considering that his biological parents weren't even legends yet. They were merely adult Golden Dragons.

"Noah, I came by to discuss something with you."

"Uncle, please go ahead."

Noah felt a bit puzzled but still responded, for he couldn't think of anything that would require his adoptive father to discuss with him.

"I've already solved part of the population problem in the territory."

"Did you use the method I suggested?"

The Golden Dragon's eyes brightened.

"The Nobles in the Capital don't have a great impression of me. On my way back, I noticed that many noble territories had numerous displaced refugees. I reached an agreement with these Nobles where they wouldn't stop the refugees from leaving."

Casius smiled and explained.

"That's because, Uncle, your current prestige is quite high."

Noah immediately understood the situation. Refugees can also create value for the Nobles and can equally be exploited.

Without sufficient prestige, or if those Nobles didn't wish to curry favor with his adoptive father, these agreements might not have gone through so easily, after all, this involves real benefits.

"Since last month, adventurer parties have been escorting refugees and they have gradually arrived in the territory."

"That's great news!"

His adoptive father said it lightly, but Noah knew that the operation was anything but simple. The mass migration of refugees inevitably demands substantial manpower and resources, even if the Nobles along the way showed face, they couldn't possibly send people to escort them all the way, and it would still be up to his adoptive father to spend money.

"Moreover, I've also reached an agreement with some slave traders. They will regularly send slaves."

"Hmm."

Noah's brow scales furrowed, but he didn't say anything.

Even though slavery is a primitive and outdated system, in the borderlands, purchasing slaves as a means to supplement the population isn't unthinkable.

Especially considering that in the current era, slavery widely exists throughout the world, one can criticize it, but to abolish it would be against the tide of times.

"The population of the territory has increased significantly. I originally planned to expand Uther City, but Selena stopped me and suggested that it would be better to plan and build a new city."

"Does this new city have any relation to me?"

Noah understood.

"I've discussed it with her. Selena believes that the area at the foot of the mountain is the best place to build the new city. The terrain here is flat, and there's a river."

Casius pointed to the foot of the mountain and explained to Noah at the same time.

"Hmm, I have no objection to choosing the site for the new city at the foot of the mountain, but I want to be involved in the design of the new city."

Of course, Noah wouldn't object. This is someone else's territory, and they already showed him the courtesy of consulting him on the site selection before making a decision. However, though he agreed, Noah still had his conditions.

"You want to be involved in the design? That's fine, but you'll need to discuss it with Selena, she's in charge of this matter."

The request Noah made didn't seem like much to Casius. The reason he came to ask this young dragon's opinion was due to the aversion and resistance this dragon had previously shown towards human cities.

"Alright!"

Noah wanted to be involved in the design mainly to see if the plans for the new city included an underground drainage and water diversion system. If not, they must be added. He couldn't tolerate having an open cesspool of human waste right outside the Dragon Nest.

"Little dragon, your thoughts align with mine. I've long had enough of Uther's lousy town. The Augustus family's brutes don't know the first thing about managing and constructing. With this opportunity, I must design a city that's fit to live in."

When the veiled Lady ascended to the Dragon Nest to listen to Noah's thoughts on the new city's design, she instantly expressed her feelings.

"Seems like I won't have to explain then."

Observing the female mage before him, surrounded by elemental radiance, Noah breathed a sigh of relief and then carefully scrutinized this Lady, who was also his adoptive mother in name.

He had minimal contact with this adoptive mother, merely knowing her. Her body and appearance needed no mention as with her youthful figure and visage, she could easily pass for Tidel's sister.

"Tell me your thoughts; I'm quite curious about what kind of understanding a dragon species would have on city construction."

"My thoughts are like this..."

Since this city would stand at the entrance of his Dragon Nest, Noah took it quite seriously. More importantly, he wanted to see if his involvement in designing and building a city would earn him any rewards from the Golden Tree.

"Hmm, very nice ideas, but they're quite difficult to implement..."

Selena patiently listened out of curiosity, but as she continued to listen, an expression of surprise appeared on the young and beautiful face of the Lady. She then rejected Noah's ideas.

"Construction must consider cost, this isn't about building a Floating City; economic practicality is the primary factor."

"Alright, but the cityscape must be clean and tidy."

Noah naturally offered suggestions according to the urban standards remembered from his memory.

In a supernatural world where spells exist, all sorts of outlandish ideas can be realized. Even constructing a city in the sky is possible, but costs must be considered.

"That's what I want as well."

Though many ideas were rejected, there was no denying that working with the Lady on the city design was enjoyable. The only troublesome aspect for Noah was that as he became more familiar with this Lady, she no longer maintained a dignified and elegant manner, becoming instead rather presumptuous.

"Little dragon, you smell so nice, let auntie hug you."

"I refuse!"

Golden Dragons emit a scent akin to a mixture of incense. Among the many dragon species, the scent of a Golden Dragon is indeed the most pleasant, naturally earning the favor of some humanoid females.

Noah refused because this Lady's hands weren't very decent; his adoptive mother would feel all over his body and then stealthily pluck loose dragon scales about to fall.

Golden Dragon scales are materials that spellcasters can hardly resist or desire deeply.

"I want to sleep now!"

Once the underground design of the new city was mostly completed, Noah hurried into the Dragon Nest to avoid his adoptive mother's pestering. Even though whenever his adoptive mother plucked his dragon scales, she would stuff a handful of Elemental Crystals into his mouth, it gave Noah a very strange feeling.