Chapter 37: At the Realty
Ernest was on their way to the Upper District thru horse-drawn carriage. As always, the Upper district looked more elegant than the lower district.
The environment around you truly stimulates the creativity of one’s mind. Moments later, they arrived at the headquarters of Oriel Realty, which is the company they are going to visit today.
The carriage stopped and Ernest paid the fare. After that, they went inside.
One of the male staff approached them.
"Excuse me, do you have business here?" the staff asked while looking at them. He was suspiciously looking at them. Ernest’s clothes were impeccable no doubt but for his parents. He had forgotten to dress the rest of the family properly for the visit.
Compared to Ernest’s clean merchant-style clothing, Victor and Anna still looked noticeably lower district in appearance despite their improved quality of life recently.
Victor wore his usual work coat.
Clean now thankfully.
But still obviously practical labor clothing.
Meanwhile Anna wore a simple dress with an old shawl draped around her shoulders.
Nothing dirty.
Nothing embarrassing.
But compared to the wealthy clients probably entering Oriel Realty daily?
The difference became obvious immediately.
And apparently, the employee noticed that too.
Ernest internally sighed slightly.
Ah.
Class discrimination.
Even in another world, some things never changed.
Still, Ernest remained calm outwardly.
"We have an appointment with Mister Roland," Ernest answered professionally.
The staff blinked once.
"...Mister Roland?"
"Yes."
Ernest reached into his coat afterward before calmly pulling out a folded parchment.
The official appointment letter.
The moment the employee saw the seal stamped onto the parchment, his expression immediately changed slightly.
Because Oriel Realty absolutely recognized the seal of the Helmarte Soap Works now.
And more importantly?
The Merchant Guild seal attached beneath it.
The employee carefully accepted the parchment afterward while quickly scanning the contents.
Then his eyes widened slightly.
"...You are Mister Ernest Teucher?"
"Yes."
Actually, hearing that name caused another nearby employee to glance toward them briefly.
Because over the past several months, Ernest’s reputation quietly spread through Helmarte’s merchant circles already.
The child industrialist.
The soap factory owner.
The young merchant partnered with Hollen.
Even people who never personally met him already heard stories.
The staff member immediately straightened his posture afterward.
"My apologies, sir."
There it was.
The instant attitude adjustment once status became recognized.
Honestly, Ernest already expected this eventually.
People treated appearances one way.
Money another way.
Connections differently entirely.
Then the employee quickly gestured toward the sitting area.
"Please, allow me to escort you."
Victor looked visibly uncomfortable during the entire interaction.
Ernest noticed his father subtly adjusting his sleeves slightly afterward.
Probably becoming self-conscious now that they stood inside a luxury real estate company surrounded by polished furniture, expensive carpets, and upper district clients.
Meanwhile Anna quietly looked around the building with visible curiosity.
And honestly?
The interior itself looked impressive even by upper district standards.
Crystal lanterns.
Decorated walls.
Large property maps displayed behind glass frames.
Miniature architectural models placed atop tables.
Actually, the place resembled a modern high-end real estate office surprisingly well.
Then suddenly, another voice called from deeper inside the building.
"Mister Ernest?"
A middle-aged man wearing elegant dark clothing approached quickly afterward while smiling professionally.
"Mister Roland," Ernest greeted.
The man immediately shook Ernest’s hand politely before looking toward Victor and Anna as well.
"So these must be your parents."
Actually, Roland’s attitude differed heavily compared to the younger staff earlier. No visible judgment.
Because unlike ordinary employees, experienced businessmen cared more about financial capability than appearances.
And Roland absolutely knew who Ernest was.
The man smiled warmly afterward.
"I want to make proper introductions before we begin. I am Roland Hart, the owner and senior property manager of Oriel Realty."
Roland placed one hand lightly over his chest afterward in a polite greeting gesture.
"Oriel specializes in upper district residential properties, merchant estates, investment lots, and private townhouse developments."
"Thank you for the introduction so let’s get to business. Now, I was told that there are three districts in Oriel right? I want you to tell it to my parents too so they can choose."
Roland nodded politely afterward before walking toward the large framed city map mounted against the wall.
Actually, the map itself looked extremely detailed.
Road systems.
Residential blocks.
Private gardens.
Commercial sections.
Even drainage routes and stable districts were carefully marked.
Roland picked up a thin wooden pointer afterward before tapping the southern portion of the map first.
"Oriel is divided into three primary residential districts," he explained calmly and added. "Each designed for different classes of wealthy residents depending on lifestyle, business interests, and social standing."
Victor and Anna quietly listened while Ernest observed the map carefully.
Actually, the entire development already resembled an early modern planned community more than a random medieval district.
Then Roland pointed toward the largest section.
"This is Arcada District."
The pointer slowly moved across the lower half of the map.
"Arcada is the largest residential section inside Oriel."
Unlike the dense merchant blocks near the city center, the district layout here appeared far more open.
Wider roads.
Tree-lined pathways.
Clusters of residential zones separated by gardens and small artificial ponds.
Roland continued.
"The district was designed around quieter living. Less commercial activity, and more residential comfort."
Then he pointed toward several smaller communities marked throughout the map.
"Most properties here are townhouses, family homes, and countryside-style estates."
Actually, Ernest immediately noticed the design philosophy.
Arcada prioritized comfort over prestige.
Less crowded and less noisy.
Probably ideal for wealthy families wanting distance from heavy commercial districts.
Roland smiled slightly afterward.
"Many merchants choose Arcada after retiring from active business operations."
"Safer for children too."
Anna visibly seemed interested hearing that.
Especially the quieter environment part.
Then Roland moved the pointer toward another district located closer toward the western commercial roads.
"This is Beryl District."
Immediately, the map layout looked denser and more luxurious.
Larger estates.
Decorative plazas.
Private bathhouses.
Even artificial canals connected through landscaped sections.
"Beryl serves as the primary upper-middle district," Roland explained and continued. "It is especially popular among successful trading families and wealthy commercial investors."
Ernest immediately understood why.
The district balanced luxury and practicality.
Close enough to business areas.
Still wealthy enough for status.
Roland continued calmly.
"The district contains numerous mansions, private gardens, and entertainment establishments."
"Restaurants."
"Private clubs."
"Merchant gathering halls."
Victor quietly looked around the map afterward before muttering softly—
"...Looks expensive."
Roland politely smiled.
"It is."
Then finally, the pointer moved toward the northern section of Oriel.
The smallest district on the map.
But also the most extravagant-looking.
Large estates dominated nearly the entire area.
Massive gardens.
Wide avenues.
Private carriage roads.
Even spacing between properties looked absurdly luxurious.
"This..." Roland explained carefully, "...is Apex District."
Actually, even the name itself sounded prestigious.
"The wealthiest district inside Oriel."
"Noble families."
"Senior banking houses."
"Guild executives."
"Political elites."
Roland paused briefly afterward before continuing.
"Property ownership inside Apex is considered a symbol of status throughout Helmarte."
That honestly sounded exactly like ultra-exclusive gated communities from Ernest’s previous world.
Old money.
Political influence.
Elite society.
Then Roland looked toward Ernest directly afterward.
"Based on your requested specifications..."
The pointer moved back toward the western edge of Beryl District.
"I believe this area would suit your family best."
"What is the price of the houses in each district?" Ernest asked.
"Well sir it depends but on average, Arcada has a price point of around five hundred thousand to two million riels depending on the size of the property and the surrounding land."
Roland moved the pointer slightly upward afterward.
"Beryl District is considerably more expensive. Most estates there range from four million to fifteen million riels. The closer the property is to the central gardens and lake district, the higher the value."
Then the pointer finally moved toward the northernmost district.
"As for Apex..."
Roland gave a faint smile afterward.
"Well, most people do not ask for prices there unless they are nobles, major merchant families, or high-ranking officials."
"The average estate in Apex starts around twenty million riels. The larger compounds can exceed fifty million."
Victor nearly choked upon hearing the numbers.
"Fifty million?"
Even Anna looked stunned.
To them, the amount sounded less like the price of a house and more like the treasury of an entire town.
Roland gave a polite nod.
"Apex is considered the heart of old money within Oriel. Most of the families living there have possessed wealth for generations."
Ernest remained quiet while looking at the map.
Honestly, the prices were absurd.
But after spending months operating Helmarte Soap Works and reviewing merchant ledgers daily, he already understood one thing.
Wealth in this world was concentrated heavily toward the upper class.
Especially land ownership.
"Well in that case, do you do financing? I have a budget of five million."
