Enrichment

Estefan departed from the Palace, en route to the Administrative Building at the center of the city.

Rammstein was a massive city home to millions. At its heart stood the old Angeras estate, now repurposed as the City's administrative headquarters. Centuries ago, this had been the stronghold of the Angeras family before they gifted it to the local government once the family chose to not reside in Rammstein much. Eventually, a new palace was constructed on the western edge of the city by Duke Simon, the father of the current Duke Gerin.

Every Duke invested heavily in the city of their birth. Simon gave Rammstein its iconic architecture and organized layout. Gerin, born in Luso, funneled his wealth there instead, leaving Rammstein to rot. This was due to each Duke valuing their own birthplace more than what's necessary or not.

This left a strong legacy of each Duke's, they would be known by how much they have invested in the locations across their country which are aligned. They will be remembered for the things they have done especially for the people.

Since their primary focus has always been developing their favourite places or places where they have been born. It was due to the connection they held for this specific location where they have made good memories to be remembered for.

Also in a way to respond to the riots or anything since the city did face some similar issues causing the master to spend more in order to keep them away from there.

As the carriage rumbled down broken streets, Estefan peered out the window. Everything rather looked messy at best, most of the buildings were run down or just destroyed through nature or by other means.

Whatever it was, he knew that eventually people would find out and the army area would buy underwear. "Shabby." He muttered. Crumbling homes, decaying shops, streets barely fit for carriages, it didn't look like a thriving city. "Bureaucrats." He growled. "They're paid well to serve the people and their lord, but they'd rather chase coin and power, even if it means selling out to thugs."

His gaze hardened. "I don't get it. Why risk everything for alliances with lowlifes who could die at any time? That's just bad business."

He couldn't understand or accept the mentality of the corrupt officials who are paid well every month for their services. They were not only dissatisfied by the salary that they decided to betray their entire nation for the sake of money.

They were willing to betray the land that they were born for the sake of making a bit of cash from others.

The carriage slowed as they reached the gates of the administrative complex. The coachman stepped down and approached the guards, but they were hesitant, even defiant.

Estefan leaned out of the window, voice sharp as a blade, "If you don't open this gate right now, I'll slaughter you, your family, and anyone even remotely tied to you in the most brutal way imaginable." it was a demand or like a warning to them to not prevent him from reaching his destiny.

A chilling silence followed. Then the gates creaked open. The guards kept their heads bowed, fearful. Rumors said Estefan had bested a knight unarmed and even if some thought it propaganda, fear still lingered since they were afraid that with his influence or power, he can easily execute someone like them for their insubordination but Estefan believed them to be normal for now.

"Let's meet those greedy bastards." He muttered as the carriage entered.

He noticed the guards whispering while activating a portal mana communicator. Estefan raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

From a swirl of dark smoke, a shadowed figure emerged. Clad in a spectral cloak, he drew a blade so thin and sharp it looked like mist. With surgical precision, he sliced through the guards' armor, skin, and bones like paper. They collapsed, blood blooming beneath them.

The carriage rolled through silent gates, the bodies left behind. Estefan stepped out. No one had come to greet him. The city's de facto ruler had arrived, yet its officials showed no respect.

"Pity." He said with a stretch. "They're just giving me more reasons to kill them as slowly and brutally as possible."

Estefan did not like the entire attitude of the people here especially since they were behaving badly towards him. He still tried his best to keep his calm to ensure she won't be needing to purge any more people over it.

Two guards inside the building stepped forward. "You cannot enter. There's a council meeting in session." One of them said arrogantly, as if Estefan were some low-born petitioner.

Estefan was treated like a commoner, even though he owned the entire place and the City and anything in the City. He couldn't believe the continuous disrespect shown by his so-called new enemies, they kept on evading it that there were ideas to throw them back using a trebuchet.

He raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze toward the gate. Then, another snap as another cloaked assassin appeared, cleanly severing one guard's head in a single motion.

Estefan walked past the carnage without blinking as he knew this would be necessary to conquer Rammstein, he had to drown in its corruption in blood.

"Let's go." He said to the shadowed men beside him. The Administrative Building awaited.

They did not want him to get near them, albeit he held more power over them but it seems like his father perhaps pulled the strings to ensure that he would have failed in achieving success in this mission.

But Estefan failed to accept defeat in the first place as he aimed to not just disassemble the entire system but also cull all those who have been a problem for years as that was the only way for him to retake the City.

If any of them were remaining alive, they would have tried to sabotage his plans on the City.

At first, he should get rid of the bureaucrats who only care about enrichments and then after the criminals who illegally real the law.

[To be Continued]