Treatise Of A Failed Knight

Chapter 345: House Hunting

Monday, 7th January, 2031...

It wasn’t too difficult finding a proper residence to temporarily rest for the night.

However, since we will be in Bawwal for quite some time, it’s best to look for a semi-permanent residence that will cater to our needs.

Since everyone in the group is sufficiently wealthy, we don’t have to be too stingy.

Because of this, after resting on Sunday, Klein and I have decided to enter the housing market to find somewhere we can all stay together. As for the others, it’s not necessary to get them involved in this matter since they lack the experience.

Uncle Damon is a lot more experienced, but I have placed him as a chaperone.

He’s the oldest, so I’m sure he’ll be able to rein everyone in.

Apart from Seth, all of them have money to spend if they wish to roam the Academy City or simply maximize their stay in the luxurious inn we paid for.

Ciel used to be insolvent, but she recently extorted 50,000 Ecliptics from me as a down payment for Seraphina staying among the Vey’lithars. Naturally, I had Klein cover some of this, but I couldn’t allow him to take on all the load since I was the one who suggested this outcome.

We split the fees equally.

I’ll consider this my part to play as Seraphina’s friend.

After all, despite being a Leviathan, I have been pretty useless in finding a solution to her problem. This is the least I could do...

I’ve also sent a letter to Regulus, informing him of my arrival in Bawwal.

I have no idea how long it’ll take him to get here, but it shouldn’t take that long. Although Dustinville is incredibly vast, someone as wealthy as Regulus will not be lacking in means to quickly travel between places.

Right now, I should focus on getting a proper residence before he arrives.

If I don’t, I’m sure he will convince everyone to stay in his family residence. Maybe his family even has a few properties in this city, and he’ll bring those up.

Normally, I wouldn’t mind the favors of others.

But I still cannot fully trust Regulus, especially with his entire thoughts regarding me and my Leviathan origins. I also deeply suspect that he is hiding a deep secret, though it’s very difficult to tell what it is.

I also don’t want to eliminate him, since he clearly isn’t a bad person.

At least, he hasn’t done anything deserving of such.

He even helped the Randalorion Kingdom during the Paranormal Abductions Investigation, and he is the reason I was able to decipher Sir Arthur Snow’s writings in order to gain the Potion Recipe for my Existential Deficiency.

It’s thanks to this message I could also quickly raise my Interference Power.

Regulus is also the main reason I am in Dustinville, to begin with. His influence and knowledge will allow Seth and me to enroll with no problems, and Klein’s chances of getting his desired job will increase thanks to his counsel.

All of these reasons, and many more, are sufficient for me to keep Regulus close.

But... not too close.

Not yet.

.....

"What do you think, Javier?" We just finished scouring the city for some time, getting a solid feel for the prices, so Klein and I decided to recover from this stress at a high-end restaurant.

After being served some native Dustinville cuisine and paying on the spot—even tipping the waiter 0.5 Clips—we begin a proper deliberation. While discussing, I can’t help but notice the grateful stare of the waiter behind me.

’Is it because of my tip? I was too generous again, wasn’t I?’

Sighing deeply, I shrug aside those thoughts and actively participate in the conversation.

A few minutes pass, and the two of us reach a conclusion.

"We’re out of our depths here. It’s best to talk with a housing agent. I suggest venturing into one of the more popular establishments and giving them our issue." Klein states, and I nod in full agreement.

"It will be pricey, but since we have some cash at hand, we don’t have to be so miserly."

"Indeed. It’s only normal to spend a great deal of money when entering a new land. We shouldn’t be averse to spending money for value," Klein smiles, although I can clearly tell that he plans to be very prudent with his resources.

To seek a cure for Seraphina, he decided to join me on this journey.

His aim isn’t simply to find a new life.

He is actively seeking a remedy for his beloved—a venture that will surely cost a lot of time and, more importantly, money.

This must be why he is also interested in using his Grand Scholar job to find a stable job.

’This is wise. Imagine eventually finding a cure, but he is unable to afford it. Klein is well aware of his financial situation, but 700,000 Clips can easily fly away when seeking remedies in the realm of mysticism. Special Resources, Potions, Armaments, and so on, are absurdly expensive wherever you go, especially if you don’t possess the license to legally acquire such materials.’

I also have to be more prudent with my spending.

I currently do not possess any Armament or Potion, which means I’ll have to spend a lot of money acquiring them at some point. I don’t have the legal permit or professional license to acquire these items.

My documents from Randalorion won’t be effective here. This means I’ll have to use the Dark Guild to obtain these resources. I could also use Regulus and his channels, but I’m not sure I want him involved too deeply in my business. I can’t rely on him too much. Besides, no matter how wealthy his family is, they are still civilian merchants. Their access to such resources will be very limited. I need powerful items... at least A Grade Armaments and a considerable number of Grade 5 Potions.

There’s also the matter of Existential Deficiency. We need Special Resources to brew new Potions since our stockpile is about to run out.

All of these things cost money.

If I keep splurging cash and tipping people absurdly, my money will eventually run out.

Especially if I don’t have a method to earn it back.

"Alright. Let’s return to the inn for now. The management should have reliable information on the best establishments around. We’ll look for a trustworthy housing agent first thing tomorrow."

After Klein says this, I nod.

.....

"Good morning, gentlemen. My name is Adui, and I will be responsible for catering to your needs for this session." A middle-aged man, dressed like the amalgamation of a scholar and businessman, walks up to greet us before directing us to the lounge where we have our seats.

His sharp and stern brown eyes show his excessive experience, as though his well-combed gray hair isn’t enough to address this fact.

He is dressed in a deep black and shimmering silk tailored suit. His elegant gait and manners clearly shine as he flashes us a bright smile to reveal his sparkling white teeth. A glamored brooch rests on his chest, while his polished shoes glide silently as he reaches forward to shake our hands.

I can tell that his attire was made from only the best materials available on the market.

What an exceptional gentleman!

With a refinement that matches his handsome look, he sincerely looks at us while proceeding with his explanation.

"It is my understanding that you wish to rent a property for the duration of a few months or a year? In that case, you have come to the right place. You can tell me all your requirements, and we will use that to determine the most suitable area, as well as the properties that will best adhere to your preferences. Of course, you’re also free to look through our brochure while making your decision. Some properties are listed there as well."

Klein and I exchange glances while nodding.

It was the right choice coming here.

When in a strange land, it’s best to leave things to the professionals.

’Maybe we should have actually waited for Regulus to come before showing us the way. No, we are already imposing on him enough as it is. If we can’t sort out this little detail, then our competence should be brought into question.’

Besides, it’s not like Regulus is a housing agent.

In the end, he will simply refer us to an agency so we can better expedite our search.

’Maybe he’ll even take us to his family’s establishment.’ I twitch my lips slightly while picking up the brochure. ’I don’t know many details of the Heathcliff business, but according to him, his family controls a chain of industries. It must be really wealthy... eh?’

My heart nearly stops as I stare at the prices of properties in front of me.

’So... so pricey!’

I quickly control my expression, ensuring I follow Klein’s example of composure.

While Klein describes our needs to the agent, I flip through the brochure and familiarize myself with the listed houses that would suit us best.

Honestly, it’s not like they are unaffordable.

But the prices are too bloated!

And this isn’t considering the agent fee that will be added upon the transaction’s completion.

’All kinds of houses exist, with different prices allocated to them. For example, the monthly rent of a single room in a shared inn would cost only about 1.00 Clips. But, in Dustinville, that amount is doubled.’

Those who stay in such places are itinerant workers, poor travelers, or low-ranking mercenaries.

Then there are small rooms in a boarding house, which cost 2.00–4.00 Clips. These are usually occupied by urban commoners, apprentices, and aspiring scholars. For modest one-room dwellings, the kind that artisans, craftsmen, and mid-rank merchants usually reside in, the monthly rent ranges from 4.00 to as much as 8.00 Clips.

Honestly, 8 Ecliptics for such a place is a little extreme, but only places like Dustinville would have such prices and still have customers.

A two-room dwelling with a kitchen would actually cost 8.00 Clips in Randalorion!

Yet, such an amount can only be used to get a one-room dwelling here.

As for two-room dwellings in Dustinville, they can cost as much as 15.00 Ecliptics per month.

None of these are featured in such a high-end housing agency, however.

It is assumed that anyone who steps into this place has a certain degree of wealth, and since Klein and I are dressed appropriately for the occasion, this sentiment is further established. I even suspect that it’s because of our dressing that someone this prestigious was sent to attend to us.

’People see you before they hear you...’ I chuckle inwardly, nearly coughing aloud. ’This man probably doesn’t realize that I find the listed prices too absurd. Just the monthly rent of the cheapest small townhouse, which has 3–4 rooms, sits at 30.00 Ecliptics.’

There are prices even higher than this!

In the Randalorion Kingdom, such a place would only go for about half the cost, and relatively rich merchants, minor officials, and third-rate scholars often dwell in such residences.

As for a comfortable townhouse of 4–6 rooms, the starting monthly price is 60 Ecliptics.

This would cost only 30 Clips in Randalorion.

Wealthy merchants and the Low Nobility often have such residences in a city or town.

I considered going for this, especially since there are six of us—two of whom will be going to the University in a few months. Seth and I will likely have our dorms there, so we won’t be spending a lot of time in the Academy City.

However, on second thought, I decided against it.

’I will make connections in the University, and I may invite them to my residence in the city. It won’t do well to only have six rooms. We need more room...’

That’s why I am looking at a Noble manor.

This is an urban estate.

In the Randalorion Kingdom, the cost for such a place would be around 100 Clips, but the starting price here is a whopping 300 Ecliptics!

Three times greater!

The cost even climbs depending on the quality of the property, its location in a certain district, and a few other factors. If a certain borough has a lot of bad rumors or a higher rate of crime, the price of the property will naturally fall.

It’s also possible that something horrid has happened in the property before, thus diminishing its value. This is the case for a lot of rented homes, and while many landlords will try to hide such matters, the ability of such a prestigious agency to pry this information should not be underestimated.

Usually, Minor Nobles who reside in a city will rent or even purchase such properties.

The higher-ranked the Noble is, the more properties of such nature would be under their name, giving them a plethora of options to choose from.

Klein isn’t a stranger to these matters, since he was once a Baron.

’As for purchasing properties, we should hold off on that for now...’ I caution myself simply based on the fact that it is uncertain how much time we will be spending here.

Seth and I will likely spend a few years here.

But what about the others?

At the very least, I can guarantee Leon and perhaps Uncle Damon’s presence... but I have my doubts that Ciel will wish to remain here for such an extended period. As for Klein, once he finds a solution to Seraphina’s issues, he may as well return to Randalorion.

There’s a chance he will fully relocate to Dustinville, but nothing has been set in stone yet.

A small rural farmstead of about two hectares costs about 50–120. This includes basic dwelling, but the problem is the remote location. As for a larger rural farmstead, maybe about ten hectares, the selling price should be 200–500 Ecliptics.

Considering the kind of place we’re in, I’d tilt towards the latter.

If I were to purchase a townhouse of six rooms, I’d be spending nothing less than 1,000 Clips.

Honestly, it’s something I can afford.

But no.

Renting for a year—no, half a year—should suffice for now.

This should give us enough time to explore other alternatives in case anything else occurs within this period.

While staring at the brochure, I spot a listing of the sale of a manor house.

This is a rural estate, including the surrounding land.

’It costs 8,000 Clips, huh? Why am I not surprised...’ I chuckle bitterly. ’In Randalorion, this would only go for 2,000... maybe a little more.’

Many Low Nobles would have this as their primary residence.

As for the full estate of said Noble, it would only be about 10,000, though in Dustinville, it would likely spike to around 30,000. Naturally, this would include tenant farmers, basic fortifications, and all the other minor amenities.

For High Nobility, the price would rise considerably.

If I were to estimate, I would consider 50,000 Clips to be a fair start. Even 200,000 Ecliptics will not be too excessive.

After all, Klein’s entire property and structure, along with his title, earned him over 100,000.

This would be enough to buy him a small fortress akin to a castle.

Such property would have top-of-the-line military installations, garrison quarters, and many other infrastructures. I’ve heard that certain Nobles would resort to selling their titles and possessions to obtain such properties and spend the rest of their lives there.

If a Noble ends up making powerful enemies, this is also a good retirement plan.

Maybe it’s because my mind is currently on this topic, but I see a listing in the brochure regarding a castle. It’s still up for sale.

Then, I look at the price.

’500,000 Ecliptics...’ My lips twitch again.