Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 408 The Parliament (Tower)
City construction has always been a long-term project, spanning centuries. Looking to the future, powerful cities like those in the world of heroes may last for tens of millions of years, since the lifespan of extraordinary beings may be even longer.

When it comes to city construction, Forrest was always meticulous, thorough in his planning, and thorough in his execution.

People's livelihood, trade, military, water conservancy, transportation...

The content involved is too complex, and only a profession like architect can take a comprehensive view and make the layout of the city more in line with the development plan.

Legend has it that there was a town in the valley that had always been arid and without rain, with only one river flowing through it that was dry all year round. However, the town's administrators at the time insisted on building a sufficiently wide flood control channel, and based on the local characteristics, they used earthen walls for defense during droughts and two rivers to the east and west to isolate the town during floods, so as to be prepared for any eventuality.

The people at the time did not understand this decision, believing that leaving such a wide waterway was completely useless, a waste of resources and manpower, and that the money should be invested elsewhere. However, since it was a decision made by the lords, no additional taxes were levied, and given the city's already good management capabilities, it was able to continue its construction while it was still powerful.

After hundreds of years and several generations, the climate and magical power underwent drastic changes, and the area became rainy with numerous rivers.

Many cities, lacking adequate flood control measures, were submerged and became history. Only this city, no matter how turbulent the river, was able to drain and release the floodwaters in time, withstanding the test. It even successfully used the river channels during the flood season to defend against savage orc attacks.

This is Ellig, the duchy of the Bucks, a story that remains legendary to this day.

Forrest's construction of the city naturally had its shortcomings. Developing its largest function consumed a huge amount of resources. If it weren't for Su Mu's abnormal governance and fiscal revenue, it would probably have taken decades to build under a different lord, by which time the architect would be almost dead.

But as I said before, the only downside of expensive buildings is that they are expensive, but the resulting structures are indeed impressive.

A large number of boundary stones were transported to the site and immediately disassembled to make boundary markers, which were then buried in the snow-covered ground of Silvertop City. This was to further stimulate the powerful control of the earth spirit, change the city's illusion, and enhance the magical abilities of the tower.

The towering pillars, composed of a mixture of boundary stones, rise from the ground, and the parliament building stands majestically and magnificently in the very center of the city, inspiring awe.

The architectural styles of each ruling faction are quite different. The towers showcase the unique highland style of the snowy region, which is grand and majestic. There are not many extra decorations. The entire structure is gray and white, giving off a sacred and mysterious feeling that inspires longing.

Often, height itself is a form of grandeur. When you have climbed countless snow-capped mountains, a tower comparable to a sacred snow-capped peak comes into view, filling your heart with piety and awe.

The tower stands atop the mountain range, the pinnacle of wisdom in the magical world!
[Council (Tower): Collect tax payments and refine magical energy; earn 2000 gold coins daily.]

【Castle (Level 3 Main City): The castle increases the base growth rate of creatures by 100%, strengthens the town's defenses, has two secondary arrow towers with longer range, and enhances the defensive magic array.

Resources required: 5000 gold coins, 10 primal stones, 10 logs

At this stage, the resources required for the castle are negligible, but its strengthening is still a qualitative change.

Unlike the human's level 3 main city, the secondary arrow towers built by the Tower have a longer range and a +50% attack range bonus. This is determined by the Tower's own characteristics. After all, a faction with three types of ranged units is unparalleled in the world of heroes.

Based on this, Forrest's senior civil engineer chose to continue strengthening town defenses and magical research.

The castle required a considerable amount of wood and stone, but with Kuraki's current wealth, it was easily achievable.

【Castle (Advanced Civil Engineering Choice): Adds a magic shield to all inner walls, increasing the walls' ability to defend against magic (catapults can also withstand elemental attacks), increases the range of garrisoned ranged soldiers by 100% (including the base camp's upgrade), and allows the construction of Magic Ring Towers.

Additional costs: 50000 gold coins, 50 raw stones, 50 logs, and 10 each of rare resources.

【Magic Ring Tower: A tower formed from powerful magical energy, creating a magical interference barrier. In siege warfare, enemy heroes have a 20% chance of their spells being nullified.】

Consumes 10000 gold coins, and 15 of each rare resource.

As expected of the highest temple of magic, Silvertop City is now more resistant to magic. If we also take into account the characteristics of the Divine Mirror Tower, there is a 10% chance to automatically cast the Magic Divine Mirror when defending the city, giving it a one-third resistance to magic.

This is almost equivalent to a magic mirror that covers the entire army with intermediate-level air elemental mastery, and it cannot be dispelled, which is quite abnormal.

Especially in the later stages of the war, even the catapults were mostly equipped with magical projectiles, greatly enhancing Silvertop City's defensive capabilities.

With the Magic Ring Tower and the castle, coupled with an elite legion, they can withstand a million-strong army.

After the castle is built, the most attention-grabbing structures are naturally the level 5 barracks tower and the prayer altar.

[Advanced Prayer Altar: Allows the cultivation of deities and monsters here.]

Basic production: 3/week (Castle bonus: 6/week);

Recruitment cost: 600 gold coins per person
Special Effect (Advanced Civil Engineering): Enhances the wishing ability of gods and monsters (and upgraded units), converting it into research speed. It provides a bonus to research topics, with the effect increasing as the number of units increases (up to 150%). It also allows the construction of wishing defense towers.

Special Costs: 10000 Gold, 10 Primogems, 10 Logs, 6 Gems, 6 Crystals, 6 Sulfur, 6 Mercury

As Sidelos had said before, gods and monsters also possess the ability to pray. Theology and alchemy are closely linked, and the person who came up with the idea of ​​turning prayer into alchemical productivity must be a genius.

Cedrus studied in the Arcane Empire, acquiring a wealth of additional knowledge, which enabled him to conceive of such a breakthrough. Forrest, as the architect, only needed to listen to the tower heroes' suggestions and construct according to practical feasibility; the final result often depended on the ideas of those who provided the advice.

Since the Arcane Empire can build it, Forrest can certainly build it too.

However, converting prayer into research speed requires a large number of gods and monsters to pray, and currently there are not enough troops.

Of course, the speed of research conversion, troop requirements, and research projects are also related. For alchemy projects like level 3 potions, it's conservatively estimated that 300 monsters are needed to achieve the maximum bonus; for level 4 potions, it would probably require 1000 monsters to achieve the maximum bonus.

As the difficulty of research increases, the required manpower will also increase exponentially.

But this is not a problem at all. After all, it's not just the gods and monsters that are accelerating Silvertop City's research. With the addition of various enhancements, Silvertop City will become a veritable city of alchemy.

[Prayer Tower: Divine creatures can garrison this tower, providing special buffs to the defending troops, extending the duration of spells and enhancing their effects.]

This defensive tower differs from ordinary arrow towers or magic towers; it can perfectly utilize the characteristics of the gods and monsters to apply buff magic to the defending troops.

The magic is random, but the effects are enhanced. For example, the original +6 defense Earth Shield Stone Skin can be upgraded to +8 defense, which is a pretty good improvement.

Overall, the combination of gods and monsters with city wall defense aligns with Silvertop City's development strategy, and Su Mu even feels it's no worse than Kuraki's wave of council promotions.

To recruit Naga and the Naga Queen, we'll have to wait until the Parliament. Judging from the current amount of Boundary Stones, it probably won't be enough. However, Silver Peak City isn't strong in terms of troop types, so the current progress is sufficient.

After completing the construction of the Prayer Altar, it will naturally become a level 3 magic guild.

Unlike human castles, the tower focuses on alchemy and magic, so the magic guild has high expectations for it.

【3级魔法行会：新增1项3级魔法与2项2级魔法。

Resources required: 1000 gold coins, 5 logs, 5 raw stones, and 6 different rare resources.

Special Effect (Advanced Civil Engineering): Enhances the speed and efficiency of alchemy potion research, and grants a special magical wind tunnel acceleration.

Additional Resources: 5000 Gold, 5 Logs, 5 Ore, and 4 of each rare resource. [Wind Tunnel Acceleration (Level 3 Air Element Special Magic): Can create a special wind tunnel in the Magic Guild to accelerate a specific alchemy project, temporarily increasing its research speed by 30%. Can only be cast once per Astrological Month, lasting for 3 days.]

Advanced Air Element Bonus: Increases research speed by 100%. Lasts for one week within an astrological month.

I originally thought that since there were no new buildings in the level 3 magic guild, there wouldn't be much of a qualitative change. But I didn't expect to get a new production magic, and it's wind tunnel acceleration, which is very suitable for research.

Kuraki also has high-level air element heroes; he only needs to send one over each month to provide assistance, which is perfectly adequate.

I was initially worried that I would be too busy to research things like potions, alchemy workshops, and cloud eyes, since there were too few troops. But now, with the speed improvements for several research projects, the efficiency can be increased by up to four times.

"It's been a long time since I've seen magic produced. It's a pity I'm not a hero who's proficient in air element, otherwise it would be awesome."

Forrest actually loved this kind of magic the most. His usual techniques of shaping earth and wood and building sand into towers were key to Kuraki's rapid development. However, he wasn't very good at magic that involved air elemental magic. Even so, once the Magic Guild was established, he would learn this new magic as soon as possible.

As far as he knew, this level 3 magic did not exist in the entire Kingdom of Elton. The Arcane Empire might have it, but it would be extremely rare, definitely a rare spell.

"As expected of the Tower, it never disappoints at the Magic Guild!"

Su Mu was generous with his praise, and at this moment the value of the tower became apparent, with its high-level and special magic output making this force unique.

If this were a magic guild of a castle power, even with collective wisdom and an architect like Forrest, it would be difficult to create such a special magic.

The three of them looked at the magic guild that had almost reached the top of the cloud, and a sense of emotion appeared on their faces.

"When it comes to magic, the Tower faction is the best. One day, we will be able to build a magic guild as tall as the Watchtower!"

This has always been Su Mu's ultimate dream: a level 9 magic guild, the only magic guild in the world.

Of course, it's still a long way off, but it's the goal that heroes are striving for.

Beside the Magic Guild, a massive aerial library was built. On the ground, it was just a small pavilion, but once it rose to a height of tens of meters, the building began to grow enormous.

[Library: The library will increase magic in the magic field.]

Resources needed: 1500 gold coins, 5 sets of various resources.

Special Effect (Advanced Civil Engineering): Open a forbidden library and research forbidden secret arts. Progress Stage 1: 1/1000000. Completing the progress requires spending special resources, which will expand hero skills.

Additional resources: 50000 gold coins, 20 logs, 20 gems, and 10 of each rare resource.

Su Mu had already given up hope for the library, as it appeared too late. Kuraki possessed a level 4 magic guild, and Maggie had Dream Domain Academy. The heroes had also mastered most of the magic they needed, covering all low-level spells, which was the norm. Apart from some rare special spells, the heroes generally didn't lack magic.

The Forbidden Library project was still beyond expectations; the research progress, reaching millions of copies, was terrifyingly rapid. However, the effects were worthy of being called a forbidden technique, and it justified the cost of the research.

While people like Cedrus might not yet understand the significance of skill expansion, Su Mu knew that heroes generally have a limit to the number of skills they can possess before reaching the Legendary level. Even upon reaching the Legendary level, they only acquire new Legendary skills and cannot cultivate any more new skills because a hero's magical energy container has an upper limit.

Therefore, many heroes are very cautious when learning skills, and they must match them with the most suitable skills, often having to make some trade-offs.

This also demonstrates the power of the ruler, who can guide heroes toward a path more suited to them.

However, the Forbidden Library allows for the expansion of hero skills. If a hero can master more skills, even just one more, it is an extremely powerful existence.

"This research is a bit outdated, but it's a rare opportunity. Once the other research is finished, we'll upgrade the Forbidden Library. Even if it requires a huge amount of resources, we'll get it done."

Su Mu had spoken, and Sederos naturally obeyed.

In fact, even Kuraki's most powerful hero is still far from being able to overcome skill limitations, but that doesn't prevent the Forbidden Library from operating simultaneously.

It seems that the various buildings and units that have just increased research speed are still not enough.

[Sculpture House: The Sculpture House increases the production of Gargoyles (clay gargoyles) by 4 per week.]

Required resources: 1500 gold coins.

Special Effect (Advanced Civil Engineering): Increases the production of Gargoyles (Clay Gargoyles) by an additional 6.

Additional resources: 8000 gold, 20 primal gems.

The Sculpture House isn't anything special; it adds 10 gargoyles, which is a decent troop-boosting building.

As for the supply depot, there's not much to say. The tower's supply depot mainly provides gems, and both Titans and Archangels are gem-devouring beasts, so naturally, this special effect is enhanced.

[Supply Warehouse: The supply warehouse provides you with an extra 1 gem every day.]

Resources required: 5000 gold coins, 5 primal stones.

Special Effect (Advanced Civil Engineering): Provides an additional 2 gems.

Additional resources required: 10000 gold, 10 logs, 10 gems.

With this, all the buildings that the Tower Council could construct were completed, and the effectiveness of the defensive magic array was also enhanced.

【Strong Arcane Aura (Level 3 Town Defense Magic Circle): When activated, it enhances the power of the garrisoned hero's magic and increases the duration of the magic by 30%.

Cost: 10000 gold coins, 10 mercury.

【High Tower Cloud Shield (Level 3 Town Defense Magic Array): After activation, the selected friendly unit receives 30% less ranged damage and 30% less air elemental magic damage.

Cost: 10000 gold coins, 10 gems.

There's basically no suspense; Silvertop City will still choose the magic circle of the Tower Cloud Shield. Although a level 3 magic circle can be expanded to include new reserve magic circles, it will still take time to research them. For now, the Tower Cloud Shield is sufficient.

After this major upgrade, Silvertop City's defensive and research capabilities have been further enhanced.

Su Mu also gave orders to let the people of Silvertop City celebrate for a few days, as a way to make up for the ceremony he missed when the duchy was established.

Just then, a special message came from the hinterland.

"It seems the Kingdom Parliament has obtained information about Cloud City!"

(End of this chapter)