“I want to buy an empty piece of land to build a big business site there. It must be either in the inner city or the outer city,” I said, laying my cards on the table.

  Halver Karzan leaned back in his chair, his expression shifting into that of a professional appraiser. He didn't look shocked by the request itself, but his eyes sharpened as he began to calculate. “How big exactly would you like this plot to be?” he asked, his voice steady, sounding like a man who had facilitated hundreds of similar transactions throughout his career.

  “Hmm… I would say around four times the total area this building of yours covers,” I speculated after taking a few seconds to visualize the scale of the headquarters I had in mind.

  Before I had entered the establishment, I had taken a moment to gauge the shop’s exterior dimensions. It appeared to be roughly square-shaped, with each side measuring approximately 50 meters. This meant the footprint of his current land was close to 2,500 square meters. Therefore, the area I was requesting would be approximately 10.000 square meters.

  In a typical city, finding a single, contiguous plot of that size would be an arduous task. However, Yargan is a sprawling metropolis divided into the inner and outer cities, each with its own topographical quirks. I personally preferred the inner city for this venture. The outer city was densely packed, with almost no truly "empty" land remaining; buying there would mean paying a premium for existing buildings that I would likely just have to tear down anyway. The inner city was also crowded, but the northern sector possessed a unique geography—inclined natural walls formed by the surrounding mountain slopes.

  Since the inner city is effectively built within a massive canyon, it is hemmed in by steep mountain inclines. The northern part of the city remains somewhat underdeveloped because the terrain makes standard construction difficult. Buildings simply don't fit well against the slopes. However, if I were to acquire land in the North, I could strategically utilize the terrain. I could use or rebuild existing structures in the flatter southern portion of the plot for administrative offices and housing, while utilizing the rugged northern slope as a training ground or for other outdoor activities essential to the guild’s operations.

  “Huh?! Did I hear you correctly, sir?” Halver asked, his professional composure faltering for a moment. He blinked, looking at me as if he were trying to determine if I was joking. “Finding a contiguous plot of that magnitude would be extremely difficult… and even if we managed to identify a suitable location, it would be staggeringly expensive.”

  He fell into a deep silence as I nodded firmly to confirm I was serious. He began to murmur to himself, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of his chair. “Staggeringly expensive indeed,” he repeated.

  “How much exactly are we talking about?” I asked nonchalantly. I wanted to bypass any unnecessary fluff about the difficulty of the task and get straight to the financial reality. If the price was beyond my current means, I would simply adjust my plans, but I needed the numbers first.

  “Hmm… let’s see,” Halver began, shifting into a more clinical explanation. “If we look toward the outer city, a plot of that size would likely run anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 gold coins, depending entirely on the specific district we choose. The central areas are completely out of the question, of course. Those are not only the most expensive parts of the city, but the merchants established there would never dream of selling their shops. To get 10,000 square meters in the outer city, we would have to buy out dozens of individual owners. You shouldn't assume there's much chance that even 10,000 gold would suffice once you factor in the buyouts.”

  He paused to let that sink in before continuing his assessment of the inner city.

  “If you insist on the inner city, the situation becomes even more complex. You could potentially buy up buildings near the palace if you have the right connections, but acquiring that much land near the dungeon entrance is an absolute impossibility. The shops in that vicinity are already overpriced beyond reason. In other sectors, you’d be looking at a range of 10,000 to 50,000 gold coins. However, I can only promise a realistic chance of success if we focus our search on the northern area. It is largely a slum district, which is the only reason such a large, undivided space might still be attainable.”

  It was exactly as I had expected; he also recognized that the northern slums were the only viable option for a single plot of that scale.

  “It would be significantly cheaper if you were to ask for multiple smaller plots that add up to that size across the city,” Halver added, his gaze searching mine for any sign of hesitation. “But I assume that wouldn't suit your purposes, right? Either way, I have to ask… can you actually afford a transaction of this magnitude?”

  “Yes,” I replied simply. “It would be a significant problem for the business if the land were separated into disconnected pieces. As for the payment… I may not have 50,000 gold coins on hand, but I currently possess more than 150 platinum coins. Therefore, I would like you to focus your efforts on finding a suitable location on the northern side of the inner city for me.”

  Halver’s eyebrows shot up. “One hundred and fifty platinum? Are you truly serious? I had thought you were merely inquiring about possibilities. Are you certain you want to commit that much capital right away?”

  “I intend to buy the land eventually, regardless of the timing, so there is no reason to delay,” I said, as if I were discussing the purchase of a simple meal rather than a massive estate. “And besides, Orzhan mentioned that you are the best choice in Yargan when it comes to identifying suitable land and navigating the local real estate laws.”

  “Orzhan? Orzhan… wait,” Halver muttered, searching his memory. “Oh! I remember now! That’s the young man working at the auction house. I’m glad to hear I made such a positive impression on him. Hahaha!” He let out a hearty, satisfied laugh, clearly pleased by the recommendation.

  “Indeed,” I added, deciding to lean into a bit of flattery—which was admittedly a bit out of character for me. Perhaps it was because Halver seemed like a genuinely resourceful and capable man that I felt a baseline of respect for him. “I heard that you are quite influential and successful merchant when it comes to matters of real estate and large-scale plots.”

  “Is that so? Well, that is certainly pleasant to the ears,” Halver said, a faint, proud smile playing on his lips. He took a moment to savor the compliment before returning to the business at hand. “So, you are truly settled on a location in the northern part of the inner city?”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “Yes, there is no need for further hesitation on that point,” I stated firmly.

  “I understand. I will do my best to meet your demands,” Halver informed me, his tone becoming more formal as he prepared for the next phase. “But before we proceed, I need to collect some specific information to submit for the official approval of your request to buy land. The City Lord requires a formal filing for transactions of this scale.”

  “Sure,” I agreed nonchalantly.

  “First, I need to know exactly whose name this land will be registered under,” Halver said. He turned slightly toward his son. “Halver! Get me the forms.”

  “Yes, father… here!” the boy said, quickly pulling a sheet of high-quality paper from the pad he had been holding throughout our meeting. He handed it to his father with a practiced, efficient motion.

  “Now, Sir Han,” Halver said, holding a pencil from his jacket pocket poised over the paper. “Do you currently hold any form of permanent residence rights in Yargan, or are you classified as a foreigner? Furthermore, what kind of business do you intend to establish on a plot of this size? Since this is a large-scale land acquisition, the authorities will pressure me for a detailed answer to that question.”

  I took a moment to frame my response carefully. “To answer your first question, I am the one who will be buying and registering the land. You can list the name as Han. As for my status, I have been granted the rights of a normal resident and a regular merchant for trade. Those rights were solidified after I participated in various significant transactions over the last several months. If you need the background for the filing, I arrived in Yargan a little over a year ago, originally hailing from the Targonia Kingdom.”

  I paused briefly, noting the flash of surprise on Halver’s face at the mention of my origin. I continued before he could interrupt.

  “As for the business I intend to build, it will function as an agency. It will serve a dual purpose: providing a place for the public to request various tasks to be completed in exchange for fair compensation, and providing a structured environment and employment for the individuals who will be fulfilling those tasks. I have decided to call the establishment the Questers Guild.”

  **(The previously Quest Society changed to Questers Guild)

  Halver stared at the paper for a few seconds, his face etched with a perplexed expression. “...Y-you? I apologize, but may I ask for your family name, Sir Han?” he asked, finally finding his voice.

  “Huh? I don't have a last name at the moment. Is that a significant issue for the paperwork?” I asked, genuinely curious about the local naming conventions for property owners.

  “No, no, it isn't a legal requirement,” Halver explained, his voice rising slightly in excitement. “But if you have lived in this city for over a year, you must know by now that a person's value here is measured by the benefit they provide to the city—either through taxes or by stimulating trade with the goods they bring in. I asked because you appear remarkably young. If you aren't an elf who maintains a youthful appearance into their later years, I would have assumed you were either a high-ranking noble or the scion of an incredibly wealthy merchant family.”

  “Oh, I see,” I said, dismissing the notion with a small wave of my hand. “I’m nothing like that. I have simply been fortunate enough to identify and capitalize on several very profitable business opportunities, that's all.”

  I could have mentioned the enchantment business I was currently scaling, but I knew a man like Halver would likely hear about it through his own networks sooner or later. There was no need to boast.

  “Interesting… truly interesting!” Halver said, looking at me with newfound appreciation. “To possess such a sharp insight into business at your age is a rare thing. I have always considered my son to be exceptionally talented among his peers, but it seems even he could learn a great deal from you.” He placed a heavy, affectionate hand on Eren’s back, a proud smile on his face.

  “You are praising me far too much,” I replied, returning the smile. “I am not inherently a merchant by trade, so it would actually be my honor to receive a tip or two from him in the future.”

  “The honor is entirely mine, Sir Han,” Eren said. He spoke without a hint of the resentment or jealousy one might expect from a teenager being compared to a successful peer. He seemed incredibly mature for his age.

  “Hahaha, excellent,” Halver said, clearly satisfied with the interaction. “Well, while we are on the topic, would you mind telling me a bit more about how this Questers Guild is supposed to operate?”

  It felt as if Halver was trying to prolong the conversation, his curiosity as a merchant overriding his initial professional distance.

  “Of course,” I said. “I can give you the basic framework for now, though the final implementation may shift as the business grows. To discuss the finer details, I am planning to host a meeting with the individuals I intend to involve as suppliers, investors, and primary connections. If you would be interested in participating as well, I would be honored to have you there.”

  I had been looking for a way to bring up the upcoming meeting, and his question had provided the perfect opening.

  “Hmm… I see no problem with that,” Halver said after contemplating the offer for a few seconds. “I wouldn't normally be so enthusiastic about a new venture from a stranger, but since it is a young gentleman of your caliber… I would be happy to lend my support to the younger generation.”

  Based on our conversation so far, Halver seemed to be a rational and generally decent person, at least within the context of the business world. As for his son, I was glad we had met under these circumstances; establishing a rapport now could prove very beneficial down the line.

  “Then let me outline the basic plan I have in mind,” I said.

  I provided a vague enough overview for him to grasp the general mechanics of how the Questers Guild would function as a labor exchange and training hub. Halver listened intently, never interrupting except to ask a few brief, clarifying questions. He even took meticulous notes, which I assumed would be used when he eventually reported the land transaction to the city authorities.

  “Very well. I will inform you the moment I identify a suitable plot and secure the City Lord’s preliminary approval,” Halver said as the conversation drew to a close.

  “Thank you very much. I appreciate your assistance,” I said. “If you need to reach me with any updates, you can always send a message to Orzhan at the auction house. He acts as my primary point of contact.”

  “Understood. Have a good evening, Han,” Halver said.

  “Until next time, Sir Han,” Eren added, offering a polite farewell.

  “Yes, I look forward to it. See you soon,” I said, giving a light bow before turning to leave the shop.

  I walked out into the street, my steps purposeful. Once I had turned the first road junction and put a significant distance between myself and the shop, I focused my hearing.

  “...Eren, I want you to search for the name Han. Bring me a report on every action he has taken since he arrived in the city,” I heard Halver say. “Yes, father.” And Eren replied.

  His voice was so faint that it would have been completely inaudible to anyone else, but my high sense stat picked it up clearly. I wasn't surprised by the order; any merchant acting as a proxy for the City Lord would be expected to vet a buyer looking for ten thousand square meters of inner-city land. It wasn't a problem for me, as I had no ill intentions or hidden agendas that would threaten the city's stability.

  Still, it was a reminder to remain wary. When a transaction involves the City Lord, the stakes are always high. I am sure there are decent rulers out there, but in my experience, it is far more probable to encounter a noble who is less than honorable.

  [Edited]

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