Chapter 15: Foundations of Legacy
The town was more ruin than refuge.
Cracked walls, empty streets, and a fading memory of better days.
But to build an empire, you needed more than money and companies.
You needed a home — a place your power could grow roots.
I. The Land
The system highlighted a location near a strategic river crossing: Hallowmere, once a bustling trade hub now left to decay after decades of war and famine.
[System Notice: Opportunity – Rebuild Hallowmere]
Advantages:
– Access to river trade routes
– Nearby rich timber and ore deposits
– Ruined walls with potential for magical reinforcement
– Close to your current holdings
II. Vision and Strategy
Ray, ever pragmatic, outlined the stakes:
Restore infrastructure to attract settlers and merchants
Build workshops and mills to fuel production
Secure defenses to protect from bandits and rival lords
Establish tax systems favorable to business but fair enough to avoid rebellion
[New Mission: Rebuild Hallowmere – Build a Town That Lasts]
III. Steps to Rebirth
1. Clearing the Ruins
Laborers and soldiers cleared rubble. Magic wards were placed to stabilize crumbling foundations.
A team of architects blended traditional stonework with enchantments — walls now shimmered faintly, able to absorb impacts.
2. Trade and Industry
We rebuilt docks and marketplaces.
Caravans from the Hollow Rise conglomerate were rerouted here.
A new mill powered by river water started turning grain into flour.
3. Homes and Guilds
Settlers were offered land with reduced taxes.
Guilds arrived — carpenters, smiths, alchemists.
Their presence meant skilled labor and innovation.
IV. The Heartbeat of Hallowmere
The town's centerpiece was a newly built Hall of Commerce, a grand marble building with stained glass windows depicting the empire's crest.
[Town Perks Activated:]
– Trade Hub Status: +20% trade route efficiency
– Local Industry Bonus: +15% production output
– Defensive Wards: +10% protection against raids
The first festival was held in the town square, attracting nobles, merchants, and adventurers alike.
Ray toasted, "This isn't just a town. It's a statement."
V. The System Speaks
[System Update: New Feature Unlocked – "Domain Management"]
– Build and upgrade towns
– Assign governors and managers
– Control taxation and law enforcement
– Develop unique local industries
The empire was no longer just numbers on paper.
It was a living, breathing realm — and Hallowmere was its heart.