Chapter 259: House Hunting

Helag remembered that as an official member of Seranthiel, he had a one-time opportunity to buy a house at half price.

So, he asked, “Mr. Pruis, how much does a house in Silvermoon City usually cost?”

Pruis thought for a moment and replied, “It depends on the area. Prices vary a lot. Let’s head out first and get you settled at the inn. Buying a house isn’t something you can finish in a day or two.”

“Thank you, Mr. Pruis,” Helag said gratefully.

Pruis waved it off with a smile. “No need to be so formal. We’re in the same faction. Besides, your introductory task will earn you 20 contribution points. That’s easy points for something with no difficulty.”

Pruis led them through several streets, winding their way to a tall inn at a busy intersection. The area was bustling, and Helag guessed that staying at such a well-located inn wouldn’t be cheap.

Fortunately, Seranthiel was covering their stay for the first half-month, so there was no need to worry about the cost.

After Pruis helped them register at the inn and showed them to their rooms, he checked to make sure everything was in order.

The rooms were smaller than what Helag was used to, likely due to the prime location. Still, they had all the basic amenities, including a bathroom and even a small kitchen.

Pruis said, “Helag, I’ll give you the magic stone number of someone from the property management center. He’s also a member of Seranthiel, so he won’t rip you off. But just to be safe, check with me before you make any payments. If everything checks out, then you can go ahead.”

He sent the contact information through his magic stone, and Helag saved it, noticing the person’s name was James.

“Thank you for your help, Mr. Pruis. If there’s anything I can assist with in the future, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Pruis had been incredibly helpful, and Helag was genuinely grateful. Without him, Helag would have been lost upon arriving in the Land of Dawn.

Pruis chuckled. “It’s no big deal. I’ll be heading out now. Get familiar with the place, and if you need anything, contact me through the magic stone.”

“Will do. Thanks again, Mr. Pruis,” Helag said as he and his companions saw Pruis off at the inn’s entrance.

After returning to his room, Helag noticed his magic stone light up. James had accepted his friend request.

“Mr. Helag, Pruis has already informed me about your situation. Welcome to Silvermoon City, and welcome to Seranthiel,” James greeted him.

Helag replied, “Mr. James, I’m looking to buy a house. Do you have any recommendations?”

“Prices vary greatly depending on the area. Generally, the closer you are to the city center, the more expensive it gets. The closer to the city walls, the cheaper it is. But there are exceptions. Do you have a map of Silvermoon City? I can guide you through it,” James explained.

Magic stones could only send text messages, not images or store pictures.

Helag glanced at his map and replied, “Yes, I have one.”

James asked, “What kind of environment are you looking for?”

“Somewhere quiet, preferably not in a busy area with too much foot traffic,” Helag said after thinking for a moment.

He didn’t like crowded places, as more people usually meant more trouble.

The Land of Dawn was a complex place, and it was best to avoid unnecessary complications.

James replied, “Quiet areas tend to be more expensive. The cheaper places usually have a higher population density. What’s your budget?”

“My budget is around a few tens of thousands of magic stones,” Helag said. He had just over 100,000 magic stones, so his budget was limited.

“That’s doable. Give me a moment, and I’ll find a few options for you,” James replied.

About ten minutes later, James sent a few locations.

Helag checked the map. The first option was a small courtyard in the eastern part of Silvermoon City, far from the city walls, priced at 80,000 magic stones.

The second option was a small courtyard in the southern part of the city, priced more affordably at 50,000 magic stones.

The third option was a small courtyard in the northwest, priced at 70,000 magic stones.

Helag immediately ruled out the southern courtyard because it was too close to the city walls, and the nearby map showed several taverns and inns, which meant the area would likely be noisy and full of strangers.

As for the northwest courtyard, Helag hesitated before ruling it out as well. It was too close to a densely populated residential area, and the map showed a high concentration of homes, meaning it would be crowded.

Although there was some distance between the courtyard and the residential area, Helag wasn’t entirely satisfied.

The courtyard on King’s Street seemed like the best option. The surrounding buildings weren’t densely packed, and there were no large residential areas nearby, so the foot traffic would be minimal.

The only downside was the price—80,000 magic stones.

Helag replied, “Mr. James, could you send me a few more property listings? I’d like to compare a bit more.”

“No problem,” James quickly sent over a few more options.

Helag called Reese and David over to discuss the choices, narrowing it down to three potential locations.

Of course, Reese was the main one involved in the discussion, while David mostly just agreed with whatever was said, saying, “This one’s good” or “That one’s good.”

To him, they all seemed fine.

“Mr. James, would you be available tomorrow to show us these properties?” Helag asked.

“Sure. You’re staying at the Crossroads Inn, right?” James confirmed.

“That’s right.”

“Okay, I’ll pick you up around 10 a.m. tomorrow,” James said.

***

The next morning, Helag and his companions waited downstairs at the agreed time.

A carriage pulled up in front of the inn, and a man stepped out, glancing around before his eyes landed on Helag and his group.

“Mr. Helag?” James asked tentatively as he approached.

Helag nodded. “Yes, and you must be Mr. James?”

James extended his hand with a smile. “That’s right. Nice to meet you.”

After shaking hands, David and Reese introduced themselves, and the group boarded James’s carriage.

As they rode, James said, “Mr. Helag, you have a good eye. The three properties you’ve chosen are all excellent. In my opinion, any of them would be a good choice. After you’ve seen them all, you can decide.”

Helag smiled and nodded. He had chosen the three most expensive options, so naturally, they wouldn’t be bad.

Over the next two days, Helag and his companions visited all three properties with James.