Michael nodded, holding out the chest filled with gold coins. “I’m ready to make an offer. But first…”
He set the chest down on a nearby stone ledge, letting the weight of it thud solidly against the surface.
The agent’s eyes flicked to it, a practiced gleam of curiosity hidden behind a polite smile.
“…I want to see the land deed.”
The agent blinked, then chuckled lightly. “Of course, of course. I brought all the proper documentation, sir.” He reached into the satchel slung over his shoulder and pulled out a thick envelope sealed with the city’s official mark.
From it, he drew out a crisp parchment and unfolded it with care.
“This,” he said, offering the deed, “is the original land deed, complete with the seal of the registrar’s office. It includes all terms of ownership, property boundaries, and tax exemptions for first-time buyers.”
Michael didn’t take it. Instead, he glanced at Ace and nodded. “You read it.”
Ace stepped forward and took the document with both hands. His expression turned serious as he scanned the contents line by line.
Michael stood silently beside him, watching the agent’s face more than the paper. After all, it was often in the reactions, not the words, that truths were revealed.
Minutes passed before Ace finally looked up. “The document appears in order, my lord. No hidden clauses, no missing seals. All standard language.”
Only then did Michael nod, the tension in his posture easing just slightly. “Good. Let’s move forward.”
As for the possibility that he could still be scammed, Michael wasn’t actually worried.
Though he only had one connection in LionHeart, putting together their current situation, Michael knew he could walk sideways in the capital.
Of course, this couldn’t be abused.
Satisfied, Michael turned his attention back to the agent. “Two hundred and fifty gold, correct?”
The agent nodded. “Yes, sir. That was the listed price.”
Michael opened the chest, revealing the glittering coins within. He reached in and, without hesitation, began to count out two hundred and fifty gold pieces onto a nearby cloth he laid out on the ledge. The agent’s expression didn’t change, but Michael noticed the flicker of tension in the way his fingers twitched ever so slightly.
Once the final coin clinked into place, Michael spoke again. “Let’s finalize the deed.”
The agent nodded and pulled out a fresh copy of the land deed, all details filled in except for the new owner’s name. He turned the parchment around and tapped a blank line near the bottom. “Just the full name here, sir, and we’ll be done.”
Michael didn’t take the quill. Instead, he glanced at Ace. “You do it.”
Ace stepped forward without hesitation, taking the quill from the agent’s hand.
“Write: Mic Nor,” Michael said simply.
With steady hands, Ace penned the name in neat, legible script. The ink gleamed on the parchment for a moment before settling.
The moment the ink dried, the agent gave a respectful bow. “Congratulations, my lord. As of now, you are the official owner of this property.”
Michael rolled up the deed and tucked it safely into his robe, his mind already moving to next steps. “Good. Lia, Ace—take the key and go open the door to the house.
The agent, seeing as he wasn’t needed, bowed respectfully and left.
Michael lingered a moment longer at the gate, staring up at the modest but sturdy house.
A place of his own. Not a camp. Not a hideout.
His.
And this was just the beginning.
Michael felt a sense of achievement and fulfillment.
Though it wasn’t in the real world, this was his first proper property.
It wasn’t a mansion, but it was larger than most.
Two stories tall, with smooth grey stone walls and high-arched windows that gave the front a refined yet sturdy look.
A small balcony jutted out from the upper floor, overlooking the street.
There was a side building too, likely a storage room or servant’s quarters, connected to the main house by a covered walkway.
The front yard was fenced with waist-high wrought iron, and a wide wooden gate opened into a paved courtyard large enough for a carriage.
A fountain stood at its center, currently dry but intact, with ivy curling around its base. To the left, a small garden bloomed with herbs and low flowers. Someone had clearly cared for the place once.
Ace returned from the door, key in hand. “It’s unlocked, my lord.”
Michael gave a slight nod and stepped forward.
Inside, the entrance opened to a spacious foyer with polished wooden floors and a wide staircase leading up to the second floor.
Natural light poured in from the tall windows, warming the interior.
To the left, an archway led into a large living room, its walls lined with built-in shelves and an unlit hearth.
To the right, a dining area connected directly to a well-sized kitchen fitted with a sturdy stone oven and long prep counters.
There were four rooms upstairs. Two were bedrooms—one clearly the master, with a private balcony and built-in wardrobe space.
The other two could serve as studies, guest rooms, or even training space.
Lia walked beside him, taking in the space. “Well-built structure, clean layout, good ventilation. It’ll need a few repairs, but nothing critical.”
“Like what?” Michael asked by reflex.
“Bedding , proper lighting, maybe a better cooking setup downstairs. Then on security…Reinforce the windows, check the locks, and maybe hire a local smith to fit a proper barrier at the front gate.”
Michael nodded slowly.
He turned to the others. “We’ll start cleaning and organizing now. I want the place functional by tonight.
“Yes, my lord,” they both responded in unison.
Though the house came with basic furniture, many pieces were missing, and several things still needed fixing.
With the abundance of coins he had, Michael spent the rest of the day with Lia and Ace, busy outfitting and repairing the house until evening settled over the capital.
“It’s indeed looking like home now.”