After leaving the inn, Sian and Ophilia soon arrived at the mayor's mansion, despite being referred to as a mansion, it was just larger than a normal house, with almost no ornaments or adornments that usually exist in the houses of the nobles.

But it’s understandable, since it’s not worth investing on a house that can be looted at any time by the enemy army.

When they got there, they were barred in the entrance by the guards, but again, as they were well dressed, it was easy to get them to inform the mayor about their visit.

Soon, one of the guards came to say that the mayor had accepted the hearing and was inviting them to enter.

Entering in the mansion, they were taken to a room, apparently where the visitors should wait, since there were only a few chairs.

Sian sat calmly while Ophilia insisted on standing, but due to Sian's strong persistence, she gave in.

A few minutes later, a servant came to call them to the mayor’s office.

Getting there, the mayor had a face that seemed quite discontent, but despite that, he received them politely.

“Be welcome to my humble residence, you can have a seat.” The mayor said, extending his arm, indicating for them to sit on the sofa that was in front of his.

After both of them sat down, he continued dryly, “What is your visit due to?”

‘Going straight to the matter like this... He surely is dissatisfied with our visit.’

‘Normally I would kick his ass, but since Ophilia is here, for now I’m going to act like a gentleman would do.’

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Priston Ballos, my name is Sian de Castilho and this is my wife, Ophilia.” Sian said with a smile.

‘Somehow, I’m feeling a little proud presenting Ophilia as my wife.’

He continued, “I recently arrived at Solaris, and after looking at it for a while, I noticed an opportunity to open a business, so I wanted to know if there is land available to buy.”

Maybe because he heard Sian giving a surname, the mayor’s attitude changed quickly, possibly because only the nobles have a surname.

“S-So Your Lordship wants to settle in my humble town?” The mayor asked, appearing to be a bit nervous.

“It’s my intention at the moment.” Sian said.

“Since Your Lordship wants to buy land in my town, I can sell it as much as you want, but I must warn you that we are in a pre-war period, so this town can become a battlefield at any time.” The mayor said cautiously.

“I’m aware of that, but I still want to buy.”

“Since Your Lordship wishes, you can buy as much as you want.” The mayor said quickly.

“In that case, I want 6 hectares on the northwest side.” Sian said.

“Your Lordship only needs to say the specific place and I will immediately prepare the paperwork.”

“Near to the river.”

“Wait a minute.” The mayor said as he went to the door and called the maid.

Shortly after, she returned carrying a tray with 3 cups of tea and placed them in the wooden center that was between the two sofas.

“Let’s have some tea while my butler prepares the paperwork.” The mayor said.

Some time passed, and in this meantime, a strange atmosphere permeated the silent room. This lasted until the butler returned with a small silver box and the paperwork in hand, that were handed over to the mayor.

“Now everything is ready, Your Lordship only needs to fill it with your information in both contracts.” The mayor said, handing over the papers and a pen.

‘Maybe it’s my impression, but I think I saw his hand tremble... Could it be that disease that makes the hands tremble?’

“looking at it closely, it looks like a considerable amount of papers.” Sian said while he was receiving them.

“In fact, before, for a purchase like this it was just one sheet or two, but after some reforms that Lady Charlotte made in the marquisate’s policies, a lot of things have changed. Mainly the contracts and financial part, she said it was to keep the contract more concise, secure and without loopholes that can be exploited.” The mayor said.

“I’ve heard of her a few times, she’s apparently a very capable person.” Sian said while he was reading the contract.

“Truly capable, she has been changing and improving many things in the last few years, she is a person graced by gods.” The mayor said.

Sian finished reading the contract quickly and said, “This contract is very well drafted, it seems that she really lives up to her reputation.”

‘This contract it’s similar to what I saw in the Sacred Treasure in the session of ‘How to manage your business’, could it be that she also bought one?’

While Sian was full of doubts in mind, the mayor, who was visibly nervous, asked, “Wh-What Your Lordship thinks of the price? I can make a readjustment if Your Lordship wishes.”

“No need, 36 gold coins it’s a good-”

*Cough Cough Cough*

At this moment, sounds of someone coughing as if it had choked, interrupted Sian.

He turned quickly to Ophilia and saw her red-faced, nervously covering her mouth with both hands.

“Are you ok?” Sian asked, placing a hand on her back and caressing her.

"I'm fine, sorry for interrupting." Ophilia responded quickly with her face still slightly reddish.

"Are you sure?" Sian asked.

"Yes, I'm much better."

Hearing what she said, Sian breathed a sigh of relief.

'Somehow, it scared me, I was very worried about nothing.'

When he returned to look forward, he realized that the mayor was sweating profusely.

“Did something happen, mayor?" Sian asked.

“I-I-It was nothing, j-just happened so fast that I got scared." The mayor said nervously.

Hearing this, Ophilia said as she bowed, "I'm really sorry, it wasn't my intention."

“Don-Don't worry, I'm the one who apologizes for acting like this in front of guests. ” The mayor said.

‘For a knight to be scared by a simple cough, he was certainly one of those young men who used the power of his family to get where he is.'

"Leaving the cough and the scare aside, let's get back to the main subject," Sian said while he was lifting the contract, "36 gold coins is a fair price, despite the fact that it’s close to the border of an enemy kingdom lower the price, being fertile and with running water on the side balances the things."

"I am glad Your Lordship is satisfied with the price." The mayor said.

Soon Sian filled out the contracts and handed them over to the mayor.

After checking and seeing if both contracts were filled correctly, the mayor placed them on top of the center and pulled out two seals from the silver box that the butler brought.

He quickly stamped both contracts with his own seal and the seal of the Rotherham family, the family that rules the marquisate.

Then he handed one back to Sian and took the other.

After receiving the contract, Sian kept it and handed the 36 gold coins to the mayor.

"With that, the contract is concluded." the mayor said, looking relieved.

"Before I go, I’d like to know how much percent is the tax I have to pay." Sian said.

"It will depend on the type of business that Your Lordship wants to open." The mayor said.

"I intend to open an inn and a restaurant, maybe something else in the future, but that's it for now."

"In that case the tax would be 13% of net profit."

Surprised by the mayor's response, Sian said, "This is very cheap, even though I heard that the tax was lower here,I expected something around 18% to 20%."

"That’s why merchants and peasants call her the goddess of fortune, with the lowest tax, consequently the prices of goods sold and bought here also fall." The mayor said.

"I got it, in this case, how often should I pay the tax?" Sian asked.

"That's up to you, it can be weekly, biweekly, monthly, or annual."

"Got it, in that case I'll be going, when I've finished the construction, I'll come back here again." Sian said as he prepared to leave.

“Wait wait!” The mayor suddenly said, "Since Your Lordship is already here, why not make a register for your inn right away?"

"There's no need to be in such a hurry, I haven't even chosen a name yet." Sian said.

"I'm sure that Your Lordship is a busy person, I just want to save some of your time, so you don't have to come back here just to do that." The mayor said.

'This old man is very strange, but since I'm here, let's do it right away.'

"Okay, so let's do the registration." Sian said.

The registration was done quickly, Sian just had to put some basic information and everything was ready.

With the goal completed he and Ophilia left the mayor's mansion and started their way back to the inn.