I thanked Mathilda and parted ways with her in front of her shop. Then, I made my way back through the busy street towards the estate. I passed countless people strolling the streets and enjoying the warm air. I could even see tourists mingling with the local people, characterized by their vibrant clothes and accompanied by local guides.

Soon, I reached the Meridian market that was on my way to the estate. There were various items on display. A large vegetable market covered the northern side of the market and the east side had many magical tools for sale, with vendors shouting prices loudly. Large buildings that housed diverse shops lined the west side of the market, selling poor quality items to high end items. As I was looking at the different items for sale, I sensed a group of people in the corner of an alleyway between two shady buildings that were talking quietly. The buildings looked like bars with large build people waiting outside. It looked more like a place of trouble. Due to my heightened senses, I could clearly make out their conversation.

"Hey, I haven't seen the elf," one of them said. It was a bald guy with a scar on his eye that covered half his face.

"You mean the golden haired adventurer?" Another asked.

"Yeah, I heard that someone is looking for her and is paying quite the amount," the man with the scar said.

"I was thinking of asking her to form a party with me." He added.

"You bastard." The rest of them began to laugh.

"Haha, I've been starving for a long time. I was thinking of taking her to a dungeon."

"Wouldn't it be bad if we damaged the goods?" Another asked.

"It's alright. A little damage won't be noticeable." He began to laugh.

"She never forms a party with anyone. How are you going to persuade her?"

"I have an idea."

"You sly fox. I'd like to join that party as well."

They began to laugh.

It eerily felt like they were talking about Ashryn. I remembered what Herbert said about there being very few elf adventurers. And most of the elves I had seen had silver hair with very few having golden hairs. And I haven't seen any other elf adventurers which made my suspicions all the more valid. I promised myself to look after Ashryn.

It was a twenty minutes walk to the estate. As I reached the estate, Elias welcomed me.

"Welcome back, sir."

"Can you contact a furniture shop?"

"Sure. What would you like to buy?"

"I'd like to decorate the house. It seems a bit too empty."

"Certainly. I'll get on it right away."

After sending him away, I walked inside. Revati and Ashryn were talking, sitting near the garden. I slowly walked upto them.

"Did you find anyone?"

"Yeah, they will be here by evening."

"That's good."

"I'll also ask them to create a laboratory for you."

"Oh, alright. I'll be able to work right away then."

"What work?"

"Ah, she's a scien.....a researcher and a craftsman."

"Oh, I see."

"Have you thought about the first item?" I asked Revati.

"Yeah, the washing item. I'd like to work on that."

"Alright. I'll get it and put it inside."

"Oh, and Ashryn. What are your plans?"

"I was thinking of taking on a quest."

"I see. Why don't you stay in the mansion for the time being. Revati will also have company. Later, we can both go together for a quest?"

"Hmm, I don't mind. I already have enough money. Should I pay you something for rent?"

"What? Ahaha, it's not needed. You're my guest."

"Alright. Please cook more delicious dishes!"

"Haha, alright."

This time, we had a simple lunch with steaks. Some of the maids were good at cooking and after I gave them money, they bought the items and made the steaks. Ashryn asked for something else as well so I bought a parfait from the shop and gave it to both Ashryn and Revati. Their eyes sparkled while eating it and many compliments were given to the parfait. As the evening neared, Reuben accompanied by five dwarfs entered the estate. I greeted them.

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"Wow, this is quite grand. Are you a noble?"

"Haha, no, I'm not. I'm just a businessman."

"I see. Alright. Show me the place where you want the building."

I guided them to an empty area beside the mansion. It was a barren plot of land on the left side of the mansion. It was quite large.

'Well, the area seems sufficient. How big do you want the building to be?"

"Let's see. There are ten servants but I'd like a few empty rooms to accomodate more people. I want bathrooms in every room and a study area. A common kitchen will do."

"Sure, we should be able to do that."

"I'd also like you to build a seperate underground room next to the mansion."

I guided them to another empty space near the mansion.

"Please make sure it has enough ventilation and if possible I'd like the entrance to be connected to the basement of the mansion."

"Hmm, alright."

I left them as they took out various measuring instruments. As I slowly walked inside, I saw Elias waiting for me. He told me that he had found a shop that can cater to my needs for furniture.

"Alright, let's go."

I informed Revati and Ashryn and walked out of the estate with Elias. The shop was in the Meridian market so it wasn't that far. As we neared the shop, I saw that it was a huge three story building with glass windows. Many pieces of furniture were on display. Elias opened the door and we went inside.

A thin moustached man wearing neat clothes came to greet us.

"Welcome, customer. How can I help you today?"

"I'm looking for a few pieces of furniture," I told him as I looked around the shop.

It was filled with huge beds, tables, sofa and various magical appliances.

"Of course."

"Do you have someone that can come with us and see the house and recommend furniture?" I asked.

"Oh, we have the perfect person for that."

He went inside a blue door in the back of the store and soon came out with a beautiful woman in her mid thirties.

"Hello I'm Zena."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Rayce."

"Robert has told me that you were looking for designer services. Shall I come with you to look at the house?"

"Yes, that'd be for the best. Thank you."

We moved towards the estate. Zena told me that many customers prefer someone like her to look at their house and give an estimate, as choosing things can be tiring. I agreed. It'd take me a long time if I was to select the furniture one by one and decorate it myself. We soon reached the estate.

"Oh, is that the house?" Zena asked, surprised.

"Yeah, I'd like you to decorate the entire interior and all the rooms. Will that be possible?"

"Of course, customer," She said, rubbing her hand.

I signalled to Elias and he escorted her inside. I went around to look at the dwarfs progress. Reuben came up to me when he saw me.

"Sir Rayce, the foundation is almost done."

I looked at the ground and it was indeed done. They were faster than I expected. I saw many dwarfs using earth magic to complete the job. The number of dwarves had also increased. There were about twenty dwarves now.

"Please continue doing what you were doing." I smiled at him.

I left them and looked around for Revati. I had to ask if she needed anything to help with her work. When I spotted her, I headed in her direction.

"Do you have anything you'd like me to purchase for your laboratory?"

"Oh, I'd like Orichalcum engraving tools if possible."

"Of course. I'll look into it."

"Thank you."

(Master, you might be able to make them yourself.)

(Hmm, but where would we find Orichalcum.)

(Why don't you ask the dwarf girl?)

(Alright, I'll ask her next time.)

Two weeks passed by quickly and the buildings were completed. I sold a few batches of potions as well and the money was coming in regularly.

The garden had been decorated beautifully and the interior of the mansion was also filled with beautiful furnitures and paintings. It cost a total of 2 platinum coins to decorate the whole mansion and now it looked much better. Due to the construction, I didn't have time to take any quests. So, I was planning to fix that soon.

I had also applied for a merchant licence. They had called me today for some paperwork and I was getting ready to leave. The maids and Elias were quickly adapting to the house and us four, which included Otien.

"Are you going to the merchant association?" Ashryn asked, poking her head through the door in my bedroom.

"Yeah, I'm just getting ready."

"Can I come with you?"

"Sure, if you'd like."

"Alright, I'll get ready."

She disappeared after saying that. I finished getting dressed and went out and waited for Ashryn. Soon she came out wearing a beautiful dress with a straw hat.

We set out. Revati was busy tinkering with the washing machine. A big underground laboratory had been made by the dwarves next to the mansion and it was connected to the basement of the mansion. Revati and Otien were inside most of the time. It was actually the first building that was completed.

As we walked through the clean street housing big mansions, the sun brightly illuminated the streets. The sign saying 'High Street' reflected the sun. Occasional cars could be seen passing by carrying what looked like nobles.

"Shouldn't you have gotten a car by now?" Ashryn asked.

"Ahaha, I was thinking about that."

"Or, do you prefer a bike?"

"A car seems nice and Elias told me he was a good driver as well."

"Alright, I'll go and look at one tomorrow," I added.

We hailed a car near the end of our street and directed the driver to the merchant association. We soon reached the five story building. We paid the driver and made our way to the building. A big door inscribed with a quote came into view.

"Fair trade is paramount to the prosperity of the nation."

As we went inside, we saw various people running around carrying papers. They looked like merchants. We slowly made our way to the reception.

"Hello, I'm Nolan. How many I help you today?"

"I was asked to come in for some paperwork. I had applied for a merchant licence."

"I see. Please allow me a moment."

We waited as he looked through a tablet. Soon he directed us to a room at the back. It was a large office where a man with glasses was browsing through a large stack of papers. He was sitting in a large desk and he motioned for us to sit on chairs opposite him.

"Are you the one who applied for a merchant licence?" He asked.

"Yeah, that's me."

"I believe you want to create a trading company for magical tools," He said looking over a paper he was holding.

"That's correct."

"It seems you haven't filled in the name. Have you thought about one?"

"Yes, I have. I'll be naming it Aurora trading company."

"I see," He said, writing it down in the piece of paper.

"The price for the licence, per year will be 20 gold coins. The price of the trading licence may rise according to the scope of the business. Do you agree?"

"Yes."

"I've confirmed your details. The trading licence will be delivered to your address within five days."

"Thank you."

We came out of the building and Ashryn said she wanted to eat something so we visited an eatery near the association. It was a cozy cafe where they were serving tea and different types of cakes.

As I looked at her happily eating the cake, I had a feeling things were going to get even busier.