The release of the complete set of books The Principles and Manufacture of Wands generated little interest among the common folk and nobility. However, it caused a stir in several magical sects with a bit of magical knowledge.
The Faceless Men, who had purchased land in Tyrosh and were in the process of building a temple, were the first to approach Wright. After briefly reviewing the books and trying out the wands, they paid 50,000 gold coins to copy the tenth volume on weapon inscriptions, eager to return and study it further.
The Priest of the Red Temple in Tyrosh also shamelessly came over, speaking with Wright about how they weren't at war but merely had small conflicts. After publicly signing a peace proposal with Wright, he, representing the Red Temple of Braavos, spent 500,000 gold coins to purchase a complete set of the ten volumes.
The Moonsingers temple, unable to raise that much money, were more peaceful in nature, and most of their followers were women, focusing on healing and charity. After considering the situation, Wright allowed them to pay 100,000 gold coins, with the remainder being exchanged for fifty priests who would serve Tyrosh for ten years. The priests wouldn't be selected by name, but simply needed to be able to cast basic healing spells. As long as fifty were present in Tyrosh, Wright didn't care about how the Moonsingers rotated their members.
The Dragon Cult, wealthy from their castle in Volantis, were quick to act. Dofas Pennymion didn't hesitate and immediately sent 500,000 Volantis gold coins to the magic school.
The ownership of these books was that of the Tyrosh Magic School. After deducting the trade tax paid to Tyrosh, the remaining funds didn't belong to Wright or Tyrosh but to the School. However, since Wright fully funded the construction and management of the School, he kept tight control over the financial acLords. Although he wasn't one to use the School's funds lightly, he could access them for urgent matters.
In the School's warehouse, Balon, accompanied by his personal guards and Maesters, was Lording the coins. Wright, troubled by the piles of gold before him, realized that the currency he had collected was mostly from Braavos and Volantis. When converted to gold dragons, their value was considerably lower.
Each of the nine trading city-states had its own currency. Even gold coins differed in weight, gold content, and other metal compositions, making trade between them cumbersome.
"Lord Wright, you called for me?" Kana Rogare knocked and entered.
"Yes! Tomorrow you will officially be granted your title. How do you feel about it?" Wright spoke calmly, no longer interested in any woman.
Kana, who was close to Tyene and knew what kind of week Wright had been having, couldn't help but chuckle when she saw Wright's serious demeanor. "This was something we agreed upon. I'm not feeling anything special."
Wright asked, "What do you think about governing Myr? The policies I've received so far are all inadequate. Have you considered becoming the Magister of Myr?"
"Lord Wright, you do know how to joke! I once dyed my hair and changed my appearance, and if I stayed in Myr long enough, I'd be recognized. They might even nail me to a ship's mast, and you'd never see me again." Kana came closer and leaned against Wright's arm.
The scent of her perfume was the most expensive from Lys, a floral fragrance with a sweet note that was very pleasing. Rumor had it that it could make men fall in love with the wearer, but it was completely ineffective on Wright, who was currently in a state of saintliness.
Wright, in his calm manner, said, "If you're not going to Myr, that's fine. But have you thought about what you'll do after being titled Lady? Will you work the land I give you, or would you prefer a public office in Tyrosh, like the other nobles on the Stepstones?"
"I know that every position in Tyrosh is already filled. The only positions left are managing the maids or handling the cleaning duties in your castle. Do you really think it's suitable for a Lady to do such things?" Kana felt Wright was deliberately looking for an excuse to keep her from leaving.
Wright didn't have the time or interest to guess a woman's inner thoughts—he knew it would only get him further from the truth. Reaching for a delicate silk-embroidered coin pouch on the table, he handed it to Kana.
"A gift for me? This is the first time you've given me something!" Kana laughed happily, carefully loosening the drawstring of the pouch. She opened it, holding the bottom of the pouch in one hand and pouring its contents into her palm—twenty or so coins of different styles and brightness.
Kana raised an eyebrow and looked at Wright. "What's this supposed to mean? Is this the overnight fee for a Tyrosh dancer? If you want to spend the night with me, this isn't nearly enough!"
Wright snapped his right hand out, flicking his middle finger lightly on Kana's forehead.
"Don't jump to conclusions. It's something important!"
"You!" Kana, rubbing her forehead where it stung, stopped trying to tempt Wright. "I've seen it—there's no gold dragon among these coins. You're not planning to mint all this currency into gold dragons, are you?"
"Exactly! We will gradually replace these currencies with gold dragons! At this point, I have the power, the wealth, and a dragon. The Stepstones are still at a crucial point in maritime trade, and with the support of the Seven Kingdoms' policies, this is the perfect time to do it!" Wright looked at Kana seriously, his eyes locked on hers. This requires someone who understands banking and is loyal. Training someone from scratch would take years. There are many experts in banking in Lys, but I don't trust them. That's why I want you to take on this important role! House Rogare has already declined, and the branch you're part of only has you left. Tomorrow, you'll be a Lady with a fief. Those distant poor relatives will scramble to please you, but they won't be able to sway your decisions. You'll be the one calling the shots for the entire house. Plus, with Tyrosh's support, I can't think of anyone else you could side with."
Kona stared into Wright's eyes. "What if I get married and have to serve my husband's family?"
Wright: "I don't know the rules in Lys, but in Westeros and Tyrosh, you'll just hold a public office. You can resign or be reassigned at any time. If you have children in the future, you can take leave or resign and return to your fief."
Kona pouted, "Cold!"
Wright remained unaffected. "I want to raise the level of the Tyrosh Bank, making it like any other bank, with the head being called the manager. However, this position will be elevated to the level of my direct Officers, overseeing the banks, minting, currency exchange, loans, and cracking down on counterfeit coins throughout the Stepstone Isles!"
Kona: "Cracking down on counterfeit coins? Won't your first job be to investigate you? Heh."
Wright: "Don't change the subject. That's for the good of the kingdom. I've got royal permission for it! Do you want the position of manager of Tyrosh Bank? I'll announce it tomorrow, and if you don't want it, I'll find someone else."
"Yes! But tonight, tell me more about what I need to do?" Kona wasn't giving up yet.
"Come to the conference room in my castle tonight!"
With that, Wright turned and left the warehouse.
"Really? In that case, I'll take a bath first."
Just as Wright reached the door, he stopped. "Not just you, all the officers will be there tonight!"
"Heartless!"
Tyrosh, as the administrative center of the Stepstone Isles, currently has nine direct officers. With the rapid development of Tyrosh, which is unlike Westeros, along with its unique geographical location, it's gradually becoming the center of both continents in terms of economy, culture, manufacturing, and trade. These nine positions were becoming insufficient to manage the growing number of new enterprises, and expanding the seats was an inevitability.
That night, all nine Officers attended the meeting, and there were dozens of mid-level officials in the audience, all of whom were subordinates of the Officers.
The meeting began with Finance Officer Gunthor Hightower and Logistics Officer Garlan Tyrell complaining about the rapid development of the Stepstone, which had resulted in many new challenges that couldn't be managed with the old methods. They were also short of officials, and half of the audience consisted of their subordinates.
Wright had a lot of regard for both officers. In order to ease their burden, he proposed to the others and, after a vote, the decision to add more seats to the council was unanimously approved.
After dealing with the troublesome matters, they moved on to more pleasant discussions.
Tyrosh had vast territories in disputed areas. After extensive deforestation, shipbuilding, and the migration of wildlings from the North, the region was now ready for large-scale development. Wright tasked the nine lords with preparing plans for its development.
The next morning, Tyrosh's long-absent Odahviing began circling over the city. The banners of the royal stag of House Baratheon and the long spear of House Martell, as well as the royal stag of the Windfall Lord, waved proudly from the top of the castle.
The main road leading to the castle was lined with the banners of all the Stepstones Houses. The banners of the nine lords were placed closest to the castle. In addition, the golden rose of the Tyrell family, the wolf head of the North, and various scorpion skull flags of Dorne were also placed in order. There were also nobles from Lys, Volantis, Myr, and Braavos.
Today was the second coronation ceremony in Tyrosh. Many people had been invited as witnesses, and they had also heard rumors that Lord Wright would make major adjustments to his policy. Given his reputation as the greatest financial genius and the most powerful mage, many people came with the intent to learn from him.
The castle was still under construction, with the third floor already finished and the fourth layer underway. As a result, the outer walls were undecorated and appeared dark, but the interior, with its high-ceilinged halls, had already been furnished.
The white walls matched Tyrosh's style, and the glass windows, imported from Myr, were crystal-clear, letting sunlight flood the room. Hanging from the ceiling was a large iron candelabrum, which illuminated the hall even at night.
Servants had arranged the tables and chairs, and in the corners of the hall, many green plants were placed to give life to the otherwise cool, white space.
Nobles entered in order of their rank, guided by servants. On the raised central dais, the Lord's seat was made of polished obsidian. It was a simple seat with a large dragon carved into the backrest. The dragon's body, claws, and tail curled around the chair, with its head resting on top of the backrest, watching over the guests as Wright sat in it.
Seats were also reserved for Nymeria and Tyene on either side of the Lord's seat, but since their chairs were still being made, they had to sit elsewhere, with Renly and Margaery.
At this moment, around five hundred people were seated in the hall, with all the windows open, but the heat of Tyrosh still made the air unbearably stuffy. Wright pressed his hand on the armrest, and a flash of white light flickered. A magic circle, woven with Valyrian steel wire and embedded in the walls of the hall, activated. The cold of ice and storms quickly lowered the temperature of the room.
"Wright! After this is over, give me the design for this magic circle! Also, give me some of that Valyrian steel. When my dragon grows, I'll melt it down and return it to you!"
Before the ceremony began, Renly approached Wright and whispered, seizing the opportunity to gain some favor.
Wright looked at him, "Does Storm's End really need cooling?"
Renly replied, "After I learn the cooling magic circle, I won't just use it for cooling, you know? I need both hot and cold!"
"No problem!"
With Wright's affirmation, Renly patted his arm and returned to his seat.
The meeting was initially presided over by the castle's steward, who rang a bell to signal the start of the ceremony.
Once the room quieted, Wright announced the first resolution: "First, I would like to thank everyone for coming! Since the Stepstone became part of the Seven Kingdoms, development has been thriving. Last year, the total tax collected from the nine islands has reached the same level as that of the Stormlands!"
The hall erupted in applause.
Although the agricultural and manufacturing taxes of the Stepstone didn't match those of the Stormlands, the income from re-exported trade made up for it.
"According to Westerosi law, the matters I'm announcing have all been approved by the King," Wright continued, standing up. "Maester Maekon!"
Maekon, the second Maester sent from the Citadel to follow Wright in Tyrosh, walked up to the seat. The first Maester, an old man, had been sent back by Wright. Maekon had been with Wright for nearly two years, young and eager to learn. Most importantly, his thinking had been influenced by Wright, and he was a devout follower of the Dragon Cult.
Wearing six different metal ring necklaces and his Maester's robe, Maekon walked to the Lord's seat and bowed. "Archmaester Wright."
Wright nodded at him, "The Citadel's branch in Tyrosh now has over three hundred students, and it will only grow. We urgently need a knowledgeable Maester to manage it. I've already communicated with the Citadel. From today, you will no longer serve as my advisor but will be transferred to the school as its administrator."
The steward walked forward and handed Maekon a parchment. Maekon accepted it with both hands and unrolled it to reveal the formal document issued by the Citadel. "I will do my best to cultivate more Maesters for the Stepstone Isles!"
Wright continued, "Maester Sarella!"
Wearing six metal rings like Maekon, Sarella stepped forward. Unlike any other Maester, she was a woman—currently the only publicly recognized female Maester.
Sarella Sand, Nymeria's half-sister, had earned her Maester title through her own studies and was skilled enough to choke her enemies with the Maester's necklace. She had admired her father Oberyn and brother-in-law Wright, both of whom had studied at the Citadel when they were young, so she disguised herself as a man and spent several years studying at the Citadel before earning her degree. After revealing her true identity as a woman, the Citadel, which had never had a female Maester, attempted to strip her of her title. However, through the mediation of Wright and Nymeria, a compromise was reached. In addition to saving face, Wright had offered to invest money into expanding the Citadel's branch in Tyrosh.
This time, Sarella was not disguised as a man. Her loose Maester's robe was tied with a belt, and her features as a woman were clearly displayed. Her shoulder-length curly hair, paired with her dark skin, gave her an aura of charisma.
Wright said, "Maester Sarella, from today, you will serve as the advisor to the Lord of Tyrosh."
"I will do my utmost!"
Sarella took the formal document from the steward's hands. Both of their appointments had been settled the day before.
Now, the steward stepped aside, and Sarella took over the proceedings as the new presider of the meeting.
"Please, the Master Blacksmith of Tyrosh Castle, Gendry Waters, step forward!"