After the shared laughter at Orzhan’s expense died down and the atmosphere in the rented restaurant returned to a focused hum, I steered the conversation back to the heart of the matter. I began to explain the operational mechanics of the Questers Guild in significantly more detail, outlining the boundaries of the tasks we would accept and the various necessities our establishment and its workers would require to function.

  “Our goal is to house different kinds of buildings and specialized services to accommodate as many types of requests as possible. I want this to be a place where you can come whenever you have a need that isn't being met by standard channels. Whether it is hiring bodyguards to eliminate a persistent bandit threat, searching for rare alchemical ingredients in the depths of the Forest of Dungeons, or commissioning the acquisition of specific, hard-to-find equipment already fitted with skill crystals, we will handle it. We can even facilitate networking by arranging meetings with influential figures. I want the Questers Guild to be the first name that enters a person’s mind the moment they require any form of assistance.”

  I emphasized the diversity of our future portfolio, making it clear that we were not just a simple mercenary group.

  “It sounds as though that is your ultimate destination,” one of the merchants interjected, leaning forward with a look of genuine curiosity. He was a man known for his expertise in the textile and clothing industries; I had heard his family origins were deeply rooted in high-end tailoring. As I listened to him, I noticed that Sarya was also watching closely, her interest piqued—hardly surprising, given that their professional interests overlapped significantly. “But since you are just starting out, what exactly will you present as your initial, core services?”

  “Let me give you an example from your own field,” I replied, addressing him directly. “If you ever find yourself in need of exotic foreign clothes, specialized fabrics, or rare weaving materials and tools—or even leather and components harvested from dangerous and rare beasts—you can bring that request to us. We will be actively collecting those materials ourselves, and if we don't have them in stock, we will generate a specific material-gathering quest for our questers to fulfill.”

  I paused to let that sink in before continuing.

  “Because you will always be in need of both ready-made goods to sell and raw materials to produce your own unique merchandise, we intend to be ready to provide both. But my aim is not limited to mere supply. I am looking for long-term partnerships. You can work with us to secure the exact products your own customers are demanding, or you can provide us with a list of your recurring needs, and we will fulfill them as we acquire the items over time. Furthermore, if a small-scale merchant or an artisan is looking for consistent work, they can find a place with us. Since we are in the growth phase, we are looking to gather as many skillful hands into our arsenal as possible.”

  I concluded my explanation, noting the thoughtful expressions on the faces around me.

  “You are indeed thinking on a grand scale,” the clothing merchant said, though his voice held a note of caution. “However, I cannot help but worry that dealing with so many disparate variables at once will become a massive hassle. It is a common belief among those of us here that focusing on one core competency is the safest path to success.”

  “I appreciate the concern, and it is a valid point,” I said, maintaining my composure. “But it is alright. Even if this venture ultimately fails, I believe a man has to dream big to achieve anything of worth. Am I wrong? I only ask that you utilize our facilities when a need arises and recommend our services to your acquaintances. If the business fails, you will be the only ones who truly benefit, as I am planning to offer significant advantages in both pricing and service quality to our initial partners and customers.”

  I spoke with enough conviction to keep their interest from waning, ensuring they felt that trying our services was a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for them.

  Following that exchange, the room became a hive of activity as other merchants chimed in with questions and suggestions. These were men and women with years of hard-won experience, and their input was sharp and relevant. While they were naturally cautious about innovation—especially when it arrived with a logic that seemed a bit "otherworldly" to them—their practical advice was invaluable.

  A part of me wished that Sir Berzan, the owner of the auction hall, had been able to attend. However, given his status as a major power player in the city, he likely wouldn't have felt comfortable mingling with smaller-scale merchants in an outer-city restaurant. Sir Halver was certainly of a similar caliber, but because we were currently in the middle of an active land transaction, his presence here was both necessary and natural.

  Once the final questions had been answered and the last suggestions noted, the guests began to prepare for their departure. Most of them offered words of encouragement, promising to keep the guild in mind for future business. As the room emptied, I noticed that Sir Halver and his son, Eren, remained in their seats. They were speaking quietly to one another, seemingly waiting for the crowd to clear.

  “That was quite a sight to behold, Sir Han,” Halver said as he stood up to approach me. “It was a bold, grand, and remarkably innovative meeting. Your level of planning and the confidence you project are truly surprising. I am glad I decided to attend.”

  “I feel the same way,” Eren added, his tone sincere. “I learned a great deal today watching how you handled the negotiations. Thank you for the invitation.”

  “I am happy to hear that from both of you,” I replied, offering a respectful nod. “I should be the one thanking you for participating. Your presence added a great deal of credibility to the proceedings. By the way, Sir Halver, how is the land transfer process moving along?”

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  “You don't have to worry about the logistics, Sir Han,” Halver said with the ease of a man who had navigated the city’s bureaucracy countless times. “I will secure the Lord’s formal approval, and after that, it is simply a matter of paying the required fees. If you find you need assistance with the actual construction of the facilities, feel free to ask. I have extensive connections with the local building guilds as well.”

  “Thank you. You have been more than helpful already,” I said. “May I ask for an estimate on how many days it will take before the land is officially under my name? I am eager to begin the work.”

  “Because the authority ultimately rests with the Lord, the timeline can vary,” Halver explained. “However, I can safely say that everything should be finalized within two weeks at the most. Once the documents are ready, I will send a message to you immediately.”

  With that settled, he and Eren offered their farewells and left the restaurant.

  I watched them go, reflecting on the encounter. Halver was a remarkably kind and professional individual for someone in his position of power. Even Eren, who was at an age where many young men are plagued by arrogance, was humble and easygoing. I was well aware that they were likely looking into my background—it would be strange if they didn'tinvestigate a man attempting to buy such a large plot of land—but I had no issue with it.

  The meeting had been a resounding success. Beyond the connections made, I had even managed to secure initial investment capital totaling around 10 platinum coins from several of the merchants. I hadn't expected such a high degree of immediate financial involvement, especially given how ambitious the plan sounded. I suspected that my willingness to pay 150 platinum coins for the land upfront, combined with Halver’s public support, had made the others much more willing to take the risk.

  As I went to find Woya and Wyn so we could head home together, I replayed the night’s conversations in my head, refining my next course of action. It was time to go home and enjoy the quiet satisfaction of a successful step forward.

  “How was it?”

  The question came from a man seated upon a grand, ornate throne. His voice was weary, the tone of a ruler who carried the weight of a border city on his shoulders.

  “It was grander and far more profound than I had anticipated, my Lord,” Halver Karzan replied. He stood across from the Lord of Yargan, his posture humble as he delivered his report. “The young man is exceptionally skilled at strategic planning. Initially, the guests—myself included—thought he might just be spouting grandiose, impossible ideas. However, as he detailed his objectives and explained how he had divided the project into short-term, mid-term, and long-term phases, the feasibility of the plan became clear. He even managed to secure nearly 10 platinum coins in direct investments from the other merchants tonight.”

  “Is that so?” the Lord asked, his interest clearly piqued if even a man like Halver was impressed. “Tell me then, what exactly is his ultimate goal?”

  “Of course, my Lord,” Halver said, and he began to recount the details of the Questers Guild and the vision Han had presented.

  “...It is as I suspected when he first mentioned his plans briefly,” the Lord said after listening to the summary. “His focus is the accumulation of both wealth and manpower. If he succeeds, he will be able to mobilize a significant amount of military influence under the guise of a business. I did not expect him to think on such a continental scale, however. It remains to be seen if he can actually pull it off.”

  “As you say, my Lord. We can only wait and see what his first steps yield,” Halver agreed.

  “Hmm… there is a great deal to consider,” the Lord said, massaging his temples. “The Duke of Bergstrom is aggressively expanding his military power. The people of that Empire are always the same. I am certain he will begin making absurd demands in the near future.”

  “They have never truly understood the value of trade,” Halver remarked. “You were the one who showed them that prosperity could be achieved without violence, my Lord. They were growing wealthy through commerce once they moved away from the iron fist, but it seems the Duke now views that very economic welfare as an opportunity to fund an even larger army.”

  “It doesn't matter,” the Lord said, his voice cold. “The Duke will eventually bleed his coffers dry and realize his mistake. But we must be prepared to absorb his provocations if he crosses the line. The difficulty lies in persuading the Ahrims to strengthen our own military presence; those prideful fools will resist any call to arms just to maintain their opposition to the throne.”

  “We simply need to manage their pride, my Lord. You are well-respected. Once they understand the severity of the border situation, I am sure they will fall in line,” Halver said.

  “Manage them, you say? Hahaha… who is the true Lord here?” The Lord gave a bitter laugh before shifting the topic. “Regardless, what did this Han say when you offered to cover the entirety of his land costs?”

  “I apologize, my Lord,” Halver said, his head bowing slightly. “He rejected the offer outright.”

  “It is fine. It was his choice to make,” the Lord replied. “But did he really reject it so easily? He claims to have just over 150 platinum coins, but he will need far more than that to achieve even the short-term goals he described. He must be hiding something. I wanted the leverage to interfere and utilize the workforce he is building when the need arises, but it seems he either has more capital than he let on, or he has other powerful supporters in the shadows.”

  “My investigation suggests his current wealth comes primarily from the auction held two months ago,” Halver explained. “He sold a specialized set of equipment where every piece was fitted with three skill crystals. He also used the event to launch a new enchantment service that guarantees the safety of equipment even upon failure. It is a popular service, even with the requirement of two crystals. He is likely relying on the steady income from those commissions.”

  “...Unpredictable,” the Lord muttered. “Such a man can be a powerful asset if handled correctly, or a significant threat if approached the wrong way.”

  “If you wish, my Lord, I can find a way to force a deeper involvement in the business to ensure he doesn't stray,” Halver suggested.

  “No,” the Lord decided. “We will watch and wait. This city has thrived because our merchants and artisans have been allowed to work independently. I may visit him myself once the business is established to gauge his loyalty. For now, bring me the documents. Let us finalize the land transfer as quickly as possible. I am curious to see what kind of change this young man will bring to Yargan.”

  “Yes, my Lord,” Halver bowed and exited the chamber with quick steps.

  Left alone in the throne room, the Lord of Yargan looked out into the darkness, his mind working through the various futures that might manifest from this new player on the board. He let out a long sigh, letting the weight of the day settle as he turned his gaze away from the void.

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