Chapter 41 - First Move

Wesley and Neal's decision to wait two months was not only intended to ascertain how the four families would react to the rise of the Black Family, but it also served to give Neal enough time to strengthen his base in the seventh district and consolidate his network around it.

Blackreach City has existed for nearly three thousand years, and ever since its establishment, the city has always had six districts: the Central District, where the management of the city occurred; the Main District, which includes the four main roads and most of the businesses in the city; and the final four residential districts.

The central and main districts are controlled by the city. These two districts, although not large in size, serve as the heart of the city for two reasons. First, almost all the businesses in the city are in the main district, along the four main roads, meaning a lot of tax revenue for the city. Second, the Central District is the actual switchboard of the city because that's where the management of the city takes place.

As for the four residential districts, these four districts are far larger than the central and main districts because they house the entirety of the city's population. Although these four districts don’t have many businesses in them, they do have a large population, which in turn generates a significant amount of tax revenue.

The four districts are each ruled by a noble family. These four families are known as the Four Families and are the undisputed hegemons of Blackreach City. Each of the four families governs their respective districts, and they share control of the main and central districts, with no single family being superior to the others.

Blackreach City has existed for countless years, and although its splendor seemed everlasting, it was only inevitable that poverty and destitution arose among its citizens. This inevitably led to the emergence of a seventh district.

This seventh district was located on the fringes of the city, where the Eastern and Southern city walls met, and encompassed only a fifth of the area of the other four districts. This district was instantly transformed into something of a dump for the city, housing the poor, the homeless, the orphans, the incapable, and all sorts of undesirables.

Furthermore, the district was not claimed by any of the four families, causing the central government to turn a blind eye to it. This made the district a hotbed for misery, crime, and lawlessness. The district was governed by whomever had the power to control it, and it would often go without anyone being in charge.

This was the status quo for the city for almost a thousand years. Blackreach City as a whole prospered, while the seventh district only grew more desolate, and everyone seemed to be fine with it. Because, regardless of what was preferable, reality dictated that a place like the seventh was a necessary evil. To save themselves the guilt, words like "lazy" and "incapable" were attached to the residents of the district. But this all changed nearly seven months ago.

Now, a new noble family was in charge of the seventh district. This family, unlike the previous and numerous rulers of the seventh district, was high nobility. Furthermore, under their governorship, the seventh district was transformed from a wretched place of crime and misery to a haven comparable to the four residential districts.

Under the Black Family, every resident of the district was given a decent home to live in. These homes, although neither luxurious nor special, were far better than homelessness. Furthermore, many other structures, such as schools and orphanages, were built.

It was originally unprecedented for anyone to spare any effort in building up such a rundown place, and when you add to that the fact that all this was done with the Black Family's own wealth, and in just five months, it becomes inconceivable. Many people couldn’t understand why the Black Family would do such a thing.

However, before anyone could fully discuss the reason behind the Black Family's actions, the Black Family surprised them once again. They arranged a job for every capable adult in the district. Be it in the various businesses in the district, as guards, constructors, or teachers, no one who was able to work was unemployed.

This mass employment, coupled with the levying of monthly taxes by the Black Family made their message abundantly clear: no free handouts, everyone gets what they work for. Their idea was not very innovative, many people believe that the difference between poor people and wealthy people is simply the opportunities they are given.

Under the governorship of the Black Family, the seventh district that was once a cesspool, was in short seven months transformed into a lively place, and its once hopeless and wretched residents became filled with liveliness and industry as if they were all given purpose and direction.

The Black Family's actions garnered them the admiration of the masses, especially those of the seventh district. They became targets for reverence and respect throughout the city and they were almost seen as saints by those of the seventh district. However, a few of their policies led to a few raised eyebrows.

For example, no one was allowed outside their homes between midnight and dawn. The seventh district was the only district with a curfew making many people surprised as to the reason behind out. When representatives of the central government inquired about the reason, all they received was a simple: So as to ensure the safety of our residents.

Another example, is that if someone who is not from the seventh tried to live in the district, they must not only buy a home, they must also find their own work and the taxes they pay would be slightly higher than the others. This caused many people in the other districts to became angry, however, the Black Family maintained that this was in accordance with the city rules.

No one could really understand the reasons behind these policies, and most people thought them to be either excessive or unfair, but the Black Family's reputation and clout was enough that no one really paid to such minor things. No one really knew the reason behind any of these policies, no one but two people.

- - - - - - -

Wesley and Neal were currently standing in Wesley's study staring down at a map on the table. This map didn’t have any words on it, only lines numbers, numerous dots of different colors, squares, and triangles, but if one looked closely, they would immediately realize that this was a map of Blackreach City.

Using Neal's capacity as a lord, he had access to numerous maps and reports of the city. This specific map, although not an official map, was extremely detailed and had everything he and Wesley would need to move on with their plans.

Wesley and Neal both stared intently at the map, then Wesley put his finger on one of the dots on the map, a red dot, and spoke:

"We'll start here."

Neal stared at where Wesley's finger was pointing. This was not a simple matter, so he was thinking up of possible consequences so that they could correct them or choose another option.

"Are you sure. I think it would be easier if we started here."

Neal spoke as he pointed to another dot that was blue. Wesley instantly looked at where Neal's finger was at and he thought for a short while before speaking again:

"I know it will be easier if we went after the Blume Family first, but if we go after the t after the Blume Family first. But, going after the Ranes would be better in the long run."

"How do you figure so."

Neal was skeptical of Wesley's words. Going after the easier target would not only be faster but also relatively faster. Wesley only nodded his head and spoke again:

"From what you I could glimpse from your reports, the Ranes family is most likely in conflict with the Wayle Family."

"So?"

"So, If something happens to the Ranes Family, then the first suspect would not a third party, but their known adversaries."

"Hmm, I see your point. But, I don't think anyone would believe the four families would act against one another, especially the four families."

"That is true, but what if you used your networks to spread the rumor that an assassin was sent by the Wayle family."

Neal thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up as he seemed to understand what Wesley was getting at. He looked at the issue at hand with a rigid point of view making him only see the obvious road, however, Wesley's manueverings were far more intricate, he seemed to have calculated a few steps ahead.

"Then, regardless of what the four families do know, there would still be some doubts, after all, a lot of people would be talking about the assassin sent by the Wayle Family."

Wesley's face also had a smile on it, half charming and half wicked, as he saw the outline of his plan come together. He once again spoke:

"Right. And If something were to happen to the Wayle family?"

"Then it would be thought of as retaliation from the Ranes Family."

"Indeed. We would have dealt with half of the four families without us bthe four families without the rest becoming on guard from a phantom enemy."

"Then we can deal with the relatively weak Blume Family, however...."

Neal stopped his sentence midway and stared at a green dot. This dot represented the Kader Family, the strongest and oldest of the four families. Out of the four families, the Kader families were the hardest to deal with.

Wesley also looked at the green dot, and the smile on his face almost disappeared. He really couldn’t think of anyway to deal with this specific family. They not only were the strongest of the four families, they also seemed to be the most cautious and diligent. When dealing with them, there is no room for failure. Wesley only shook his head and spoke:

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now we'll do things step by step."

"Indeed. But are you sure you can do this."

Neal was hesitant to let Wesley get involved, after all Wesley was hardly past twelve. Wesley only looked at the smear of worry in Neal's face and he instinctively reached for his dark sword as he spoke:

"Don't worry too much, I am pretty good. And if I do fail, I can always run. Haha"

Wesley's words did indeed hold some merit. He was the best one for the job since the four families are most likely not on guard against a dark mage as they are an earth mage, he also is a prince of the Ject Kingdom, so he could always escape to the protection of his family. However, to Neal, he had some hard time accepting his words at its value.