The parchment bearing the charter of Betim had arrived at Curral Del Rei beneath a neutral wax seal. Officially, it was nothing more than a civic request: recognition of growing responsibilities, establishment of magistrates, and codification of local regulations.
But in the chambers of the council, where whispers often carried more weight than laws, the charter was read as a statement of power.
The Council's Uneasy Murmurs
At the long oak table, men in formal waistcoats argued without raising their voices.
"He is organizing faster than any village in the province."
"He provides order, yes. But outside our control."
"What would the Empire say if a povoado declared itself a city?"
No vote was cast. No letter was returned. The document was filed for review — which in council terms, meant delay. Yet among the silence, a few allies Marcos had carefully cultivated whispered back:
"Better to have order under Barbosa's banner than chaos under none."
Outside the hall, a pale messenger slipped away. His note was already bound for Betim.
Betim Moves Ahead
While the council hesitated, Betim expanded.
The riverside dock now had lantern posts lit by oil, extending trade hours past sundown. Blacksmiths and masons had arrived from Santa Luzia, joining tilemakers from Igarapé to expand roofwork and housing. A team of carpenters from Esmeraldas laid the foundation for a public warehouse open to small merchants.
Meanwhile, the Guarda Barbosa set up three new outposts along the main routes — one leading to Contagem, another toward Sarzedo, and a third near the river fork beyond Nova Lima. Each post was marked with the family crest and manned by guards trained under Joaquim's direct command.
"We're not just defending Betim," Joaquim said. "We are defining its borders."
Expansion of the Escudo de Honra
The first ten had already become myth.
Children carved Roman numerals into stones. Market women whispered stories of a lone guard halting a caravan raid with only a polearm and a stare. No such event had happened — yet — but the stories served their purpose.
In secret, two more were selected for the next wave: a former scout named Gaspar, known for his sharp vision and patience, and a disciplined ex-cavalryman from Contagem, Mateus, who had once led a retreat through a firelit forest and brought every man back alive.
They would train in the shadows, watched by the original ten. Their induction would be private. Their loyalty, sealed by blood.
The Nove Dedos Strike Quietly
In Sabará, the chronicler sent by the Vilarins received a carefully altered logbook of Betim's trade records — the handiwork of Tobias and his shadow network.
Meanwhile, a second Nove Dedos agent intercepted a coded message suggesting a bribe offered to a Curral Del Rei councilor — an attempt to sabotage Betim's recognition.
The message never reached its target.
Marcos read the transcript in his study and gave no outward sign of anger.
"They send letters. We write the future," he said softly, handing the scroll to Ana to be burned.
From People, Loyalty
At the weekly bench beneath the fig tree, Marcos listened to a potter requesting a well closer to the eastern neighborhood. A teacher proposed using spare rooms in the warehouse to host reading lessons for children. A woman from Sarzedo asked if the guard patrol could be extended to her hamlet — bandits had taken two carts in a single week.
Marcos responded as he always did — with notes, names, and promises kept.
Later, as the crowd cleared, a former soldier approached. His coat was worn, boots cracked, and his salute was imperfect.
"Sir, I heard about the guards who wear no colors. I fought at Itapecerica. I'm not much anymore. But if you'll have me… I'd like to die for something real."
Marcos stood, took the man's hand, and simply said:
"Then let's make sure you live for it instead."
The System Acknowledges
As Marcos reviewed grain reports from Igarapé and tile quotas from Nova Lima, the system flickered once more:
[Mission Complete: Expand Military Prestige – Phase I]
✔ Three outposts established
✔ Escudo de Honra expands silently
✔ Border security reinforced
Reward Unlocked:
Blueprint – "Modular Signal Towers (Visual + Audio Range up to 15km)"
New Mission Available:
"Formalize Political Arm: Build Council House in Betim and Designate First Advisors"
Marcos leaned back, watching the flames dance behind the glass lamp.
His crest no longer marked a merchant house. It marked a state in motion.
And he would give it voice.