Dom awoke in his bed at the Palace, a snoring Sun Shangxiang beside him, wrapped loosely with the thin sheet that covered the bed. He admired her for a few seconds, before climbing out of bed and putting on a clean outfit. Someone had prepared the outfit and laid it out for him, with another laid out for Sun Shangxiang. Dom was impressed at how Ban Jieyu managed the palace and made sure that everything happened in the background.
He realised that whilst she was an Elite Villager, she had also been a wife to an Emperor. Her management skills were excellent and her people skills even better. He realised that she could be a good candidate for a Mayor of one of the more peaceful located Towns in the future, such as ones that would be built centrally near the Red Woods or the Silver Forest.
After getting changed, his strapped on his Zhan Lu Jian Sword and went to leave the room, with Sun Shangxiang still asleep in their bed. Dom smiled at the sight, as unlike his first Wife who was very much brought up to be the perfect wife, Sun Shangxiang seemed to try and rebel against that in the smallest of ways.
He arrived downstairs and grabbed himself something to eat, before heading outside where Actumerus and another of his Batavi Guards was waiting for him. He had expected Gregorios and Trojan today, however he knew that with the importance of his tasks today, the Batavi's would be a more physical presence.
"Gregorios has an interview to take control of a new Century being built here in the Capital, Trojan has gone with him to support him as he recently received the same promotion." Actumerus explained, his towering frame impressive when compared to a large number of the rest of the Civilians of Riverside who were shorter. "Trojan has asked me to pass on the message that you are scheduled to meet with The San and Senior Officials this afternoon at the Docks, but your morning should be free."
"Thanks Actumerus!" Dom replied, hopeful that Gregorios would get the promotion and some positive news for once. "How are you and the rest of the guards settling?"
"Honestly, the fighting is enjoyable and the entertainment is excellent." Actumerus beamed as Dom began walking towards the Market. "I miss home sometimes, especially my parents. But, this is an amazing adventure and I am confident I will have a strong wife soon to start my own family! With grand battles and a strong wife, what else would I need."
"I am sure you will find one soon, not that you are struggling with choice!" Dom agreed, his Batavi Guards, as well as the Batavi Cavalry were amongst the most popular with the women in the growing Kingdom. Dom hoped that Crassus found other ways to bring in more females through his growing network, or the system would spawn more in, as there was definitely a disproportion of males to females due to the Warriors Halls.
They soon reached the Market area in Riverside, where Dom visited some of the stalls, purchasing some freshly made food, as well as looking at the different pieces of jewellery that were being sold. One stall was selling expensive fabrics which caught Dom's eye, he himself didn't have much interest in them, but he thought it could be a good purchase as a thank you to Ban Jieyu for her work at the Palace.
He also wondered if he could have some dresses made for his wives that were slightly more modern. Unlike a lot of games, you couldn't impact World Conquest Online with real money or purchase anything additional in game, of at least that function didn't currently exist. So he wasn't able to buy outfits and armour as he would normally. Dom felt that a clothing part of the Manufacturing District could be a high earner for them and decided to add it to a list for Crassus, upon his return.
He then passed Crassus's favourite stall, the one that imported animals and exotic goods. Today there was a small glass jar which had some small colourful frogs inside, as well as a some small birds. There was also a thin, bald dog with grey skin that was sat beside the owners feet.
"Actumerus, what happened to the birds we found at The Cove?" Dom asked his guard, who was with him during the battle.
"Gathered and shipped to Riverside for Mayor Lucius to manage." Actumerus replied as he ate a stick covered in fried insects. "They looked enjoyable to eat, so I hope he can increase the numbers of them soon."
Dom didn't disagree with him, the large breasted birds were easy prey for those around them and looked to have a lot of meat available on their bodies. The size of the Kingdom was growing, and whilst the farmlands were spreading, the number of livestock was still limited from a spawning perspective, with most having to be purchases and grown naturally.
They spent the rest of the morning in the Market, before heading towards the docks where both the Bellona and the Sibylla were currently based. The Bellona was tied to the right side of the docks, beside the Shipyard, where the noise of hammers could be heard as reinforced materials were being placed on the inside to protect it from ram attacks at the upcoming Battle of Mycale.
The Sibylla was tied slightly further back, with some conversations seeming to be happening on the deck between Himilco and some grumpy looking crew. Dom decided to avoid heading in that direction, as Helena was busy directing other boats to load and unload. He knew that if she noticed him whilst he was alone, then a long list of requests would come his way.
"We should take a small group of Batavi Cavalry with us, without their horses of course." Actumerus commented as Dom and his Batavi Guards looked across to the Bellona. "They will easily over power the enemies on their ships."
"That's a good idea." Dom agreed, he needed to think wider about what units he had, rather than relying on his Hoplite and Legionaries which he had the most of. The small group continued to watch the work, whilst waiting for the morning to end.
....
"Good Afternoon Brother In Law!" Sun Ce exclaimed as he approached with a big grin, a group of senior people behind him. Lucius, Shang Yang, Xun Yu, Subutai, Xun You and Zhou Yu. In the middle of this group was Chieftain Kung and Elder Kabbo of The San, whilst the group itself was guarded by a group of Batavi Guards and the heavily armoured Forbidden Guards. There was also a small contingent of female Horse Archers, led by Centurion Banas, who seemed to be in charge of both the guards and also as a guide.
"It's good to see you to Sun Ce." Dom smiled back, still unsure on how to approach their in game relationship, Sun Ce was an exciting Hero for Dom, but he was also now his brother in law. Dom wasn't used to having family, and Sun Ce was very much a family orientated person.
"Lord Lazarus, your City is wonderful." Elder Kabbo stated kindly as he bowed slightly towards Dom, the Chieftain doing the same.
"That is all down to Mayor Lucius and the other Heroes for making sure it grows in the correct direction." Dom explained politely, whilst Lucius shook his head with a smile.
"We met Lady Hatshepsut and she explained the wonders of city management, whilst we are more nomadic ourselves, she did give us some good advice." Elder Kabbo continued as he looked up at the Bellona.
"An impressive ship isn't she." Dom stated as the group gathered. "I wish we had more of her, but she has been a welcome addition to our fleet."
"With the Louchuan protecting our Rivers, and the Bellona our sea, our navy is a powerful weapon." Zhou Yu commented. Dom realised that this was very much a political meeting and that every comment was directed at persuasion.
"We saw the destruction your small sea fleet caused, once it is at full power I believe you will be the major force in this area." Chieftain Kung agreed, as Subutai motioned for them to head towards the Military District.
The group began walking, with guards politely motioning for people to make way. The Civilians in Riverside were used to Dom and his Heroes walking through the City and whilst it was strange they were so heavily guarded compared to usual, they still moved out of the way swiftly and watched on in awe.
They passed through the inner wall to the Military District, where Xun Yan was stood in his heavy silver armour with his spear atop the gate, looking outwards with some Forbidden Guard Archers around him. Dom knew that Xun Yan was a strong defensive General, but the display made him smile inside as he had never seen him look so formal.
As they passed through, Dom could see that around five hundred Warriors were going through an exercise regime, with Huang Zhong shouting orders from beside them. The noises of repeated grunts and groans echoed, as they moved through the different motions as instructed.
"Row Seven, Number Eight! Get those legs straighter!" He bellowed, as he passed orders to the crown, with Uriah beside him taking notes.
"A fierce trainer!" Elder Kabbo exclaimed as they passed the large group.
"An even fiercer Warrior." Subutai commented, before grinning slightly. Dom knew what was coming, but it seemed that Sun Ce didn't. "He was originally our foe, and even defeated General Sun Ce here in battle."
"He didn't defeat me, it was a mutual end to the battle." Sun Ce countered quickly, with all of the Heroes laughing, especially Chieftain Kung who had began to form a friendship with Sun Ce over the last few days.
"Do you want to try again?" Huang Zhong asked as he approached the group from the side, the Warriors now training under Uriah for the time being.
"It's probably best that we don't today Old Man, you've had a busy morning and it would be an unfair advantage." Sun Ce teased in response, whilst Zhou Yu beside him rolled his eyes.
"Very well Young Man, when our guests have returned home, I will make sure to find some time for you!" Huang Zhong replied with an evil grin.
"Unfortunately I am needed in the north." Sun Ce countered quickly as he looked towards Subutai for help.
"Lord Lazarus needs you here for Mycale, so you will be here for at least another five to six days." Subutai laughed, as Huang Zhong cracked his knuckles together.
"Then I will need to spend some time with my family, my wife says the kids miss me." Sun Ce put forwards as he now looked towards Dom for help and quickly changed the conversation, "Would you like to visit your niece's?"
Dom hadn't even contemplated that he now technically had niece's and nephews in the game and wondered if he could get Game Support to show him his new in game family tree at some point. Not only did he have links to the Sun Family and their Dynasty, he was also the son in law of an Egyptian Dynasty as well.
"Bring them to Riverside!" Dom countered with a knowing smile, not letting Sun Ce get away from a fight with Huang Zhong. Chieftain Kung was now laughing hard at seeing his new friend get ambushed by all of the other Heroes, whist Elder Kabbo shook his head with a gentle smile.
"Come, you have seen a lot of Riverside over the last few days. Let's head towards the Palace and discuss our Alliance, before you return home." Shang Yang put forwards, finally rescuing Sun Ce from his predicament.
"That would be wonderful Prime Minister Shang." Elder Kabbo replied with a small bow, with Huang Zhong now leaving and heading back to the training grounds.