Chapter 36:"City Planning."

Recognizing the need for a larger workforce, Vahaemorys decided to reach out to other Freehold cities to request more slaves. He understood that relying solely on former slaves and his own people would be unsustainable.  Vahaemorys had already given his word that the former slaves would not be overworked, and he intended to honor that promise. Therefore, he sought additional labor to support both the construction and operation of the new city.

To address this need, many of the slaves brought in were skilled builders and laborers, primarily tasked with the construction of the city. This strategic choice allowed Vahaemorys to utilize the former slaves, Eldians, and Dwarves for the day-to-day functioning of the city. However, Vahaemorys was also cautious about calling his new realm a "kingdom," as he didn't want to offend the Freehold. He recognized the importance of maintaining good relations and seeking as much assistance as possible from neighboring Freehold cities and Valyria at this moment. This approach was not only practical but also a wise diplomatic move.

After a week, over 15,000 ships set sail toward Athens, carrying a vast array of goods and slaves. Simultaneously, Vahaemorys's army, which numbered over 5,00,000 soldiers, not including the forces of his vassal houses, began its march toward Athens by land. Three hundred dragon riders had already taken to the skies.

True dragons had constructed a new tunnel on one of the hills near Andalos, using their magic to create a passage where lesser dragons could be safely housed. While Dwarves played a crucial role in stabilizing the tunnel, providing it with sturdy foundation pillars that guaranteed its structural integrity.

Back in Athens, although some residents had managed to learn High Valyrian for trade and city operations, many remained unaware of the full extent of Vahaemorys's power in this land. The awe-inspiring view of endless ships crowding the sea, majestic dragons soaring in the skies, and Vahaemorys's well-trained army marching toward Athens on land left a profound impression on all the Eldians and Dwarves who had yet to fully comprehend Vahaemorys's true identity. It was a breathtaking sight that left the residents of Athens in wonder.

With the influx of slaves from other Freehold cities and the existing residents of Athens, the population now exceeded 5.3 million people, which makes Athens city is the city with highest population compared to the known world. The completion of the port marked the beginning of the city's construction phase. The newly constructed port was a magnificent addition to the city, but now it was time to create a city with a solid foundation. Much of the early city structures were made of wood, but Vahaemorys recognized the need for more substantial foundations.

Vahaemorys assembled a team of skilled builders, comprising the slaves he had brought, Eldians, and Dwarves, and tasked them with designing a proper and sustainable city layout. In just a week, they presented a comprehensive design, complete with detailed drawings. While Vahaemorys didn't explicitly mention a castle, he was pleased to have one in the new port city.

However, Vahaemorys had some suggestions for refinement. He proposed the construction of canals connected to the sea for efficient transportation and trade. Additionally, he emphasized the need for a reliable source of pure drinking water. When the issue of converting seawater into potable water arose, the Dwarves recommended a distillation process, which could be automated to meet the city's needs.

Another crucial element of the design was the implementation of an efficient wastewater system to replace traditional drainage, along with the reconfiguration of main roads into two-way thoroughfares.

One of the most eye-catching aspects of their design was the castle itself, which featured five towers reminiscent of those in Valyria. At its center, a white castle was connected to the towers by a bridge, creating a striking architectural centerpiece for the city. The combination of these design elements promised to make Athens a city of both beauty and practicality. Vahaemorys was certain that both Valyrian slaves and Eldians had collaborated on this design.

During the planning, an Eldian builder suggested planting trees in between the roads to enhance the city's aesthetics. However, a Dwarf builder expressed concerns about potential damage to the waste water tunnels due to tree roots. Vahaemorys didn't dismiss the idea entirely but proposed the creation of pedestrian walkways on both sides of the roads to accommodate those who wished to walk amidst greenery. The discussion continued throughout the day.

With the city's design finalized, construction in Athens commenced in earnest. The vision was clear: Athens was destined to become a rival to Valyria itself. Vahaemorys made sure that every resource and material needed for the ambitious project was readily available, from cements and clear glass to Valyrian steel and a myriad of tools. Some of these acquisitions were by legal means, others by methods that skirted legality.

The construction process proceeded smoothly, a testament to the meticulous planning that had gone into the endeavor. It was anticipated that the entire project would span at least 40 years, but Vahaemorys was in no rush. Quality and precision were paramount, and time was to be taken to ensure every detail was executed flawlessly.

During the construction phase, former nobles from both the Dwarves and Eldians approached Vahaemorys, seeking permission to build grand castles for themselves in Athens. Vahaemorys granted their requests but placed limitations on the size of these new residences, making them considerably smaller than their former massive castles. Additionally, Vahaemorys imposed strict conditions, permitting them to maintain no more than 100 guards and 30 servants while offering them fair wages, which made them regret following Vahaemorys more.

With the construction of Athens well underway and the nobles' situation addressed, Vahaemorys's next challenge was to ensure the loyalty of his current vassal houses. House Narnareon had 40 vassal houses under its banner, and Vahaemorys was well aware that some of them might be considering switching their allegiance to another dragon lord in Valyria. These houses might have found other dragon lords' promises more appealing than Vahaemorys's, posing a potential threat to his rule.