Chapter 220 The Proposal

Suzuka's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she sealed the deal. 

"Excellent, Walter. Thirty gold coins it is, and I look forward to seeing the magic you'll work with those tools and shelters. Your shop will have a front-row seat in our bustling town center, and who knows what opportunities might arise from our collaboration. It's a pleasure doing business with you. But all said, the fun will have to wait, I am not going to build the town tomorrow or the next day, it will be a bit longer until I begin. For now, I was just running around gathering funds and people who can contribute."

Walter nodded with a sly grin on his face, already thinking about all the possible ways he could wrinkle more coins.

 "No worries, Helen. Take your time gathering funds and contributors. Designing all those tools and shelters will take a bit of time anyway. When you're ready to kick things off, I'll be here to work my magic."

He leaned in, a twinkle in his eye suggesting another idea. 

"Speaking of magic, ever thought of a magic rune letter item storage? It's a nifty little thing. You could use one of those dragon scales you showed me the other day as a base. It would be the perfect canvas for the rune letter. Carving it is a pain in the butt, I won't lie, but the payoff is well worth it. Imagine the convenience of storing your most valuable items in a stylish, magically-warded container for safekeeping. What do you think?"

Suzuka's eyes narrowed with a hint of skepticism at Walter's suggestion, but she soon warmed up to the idea. 

"A magic item storage, huh? Not a bad thought, Walter. I can handle the carving part easily; it's not the first time I've dabbled in rune letters. But here's the problem - I'd need a void mage to infuse it with void magic to work. And you know as well as I do, those mages don't come cheap." She sighed, her mind calculating the costs. 

"As much as I'd love to have a fancy magical item, my pockets are feeling a bit light at the moment. Void magic isn't exactly a budget-friendly thing. Still, it's a great idea. It might even align perfectly with my Magic Box University exam for rune letters. The final exam is to craft a working rune, which could be the ticket. Unfortunately, funds are the only thing standing in my way."

Walter let out a slightly annoyed sigh, clicking his tongue in frustration at the inconvenience. After a moment of deep thought, he looked back at Suzuka with a serious expression. 

"You're putting me in a tight spot, Helen. Look... I've got a guy who owes me big time, and I'm not too keen on burning those favors. But you know what, I'm putting a great deal of trust in you. This is an investment, and I don't throw those around lightly."

He leaned in, his tone earnest.

 "I know a void mage. I'll pull some strings, and introduce you to him. But just so you know - I'm doing this because I believe in your grand plans. You get that rune infused for free, and in return, I'm counting on you to make this town of yours a success. You scratch my back, I scratch yours, and all that."

Suzuka's eyes softened with gratitude as she thanked Walter for his willingness to pull strings on her behalf. 

"Walter, I can't thank you enough for this. Your trust means a lot, and I promise you won't be disappointed. Consider this town of mine as good as built." She smiled, masking the excitement behind her eyes with a polite demeanor.

 "Now, about that rune carving, I'll need some time to get it to be just right. Let's not rush, Walter. I want it to be perfect, after all. I'll keep you posted on my progress, and when it's ready, we can introduce this void mage friend of yours to my dragon scale canvas."

With a firm handshake and nods of agreement, Suzuka and Walter concluded their business for the day. 

"Until next time, Walter. I'll be in touch once the rune is ready. And who knows, maybe we'll be achieving our success together sooner than we think." 

Walter, with a dramatic tip of his imaginary hat and a sly grin on his face, performed a noble bow.

 "Looking forward to it, Ruler Helen. This town of yours better be worth all the trouble. Until then, take care, and don't let the goblins run too wild, will you?"

With the business concluded with Walter, Suzuka stepped out into the stormy street. The raindrops battered against her raincoat like a rhythmic drumbeat. To her, the intense downpour was no bother; instead, it felt like a natural symphony of nature, each raindrop contributing to the calming music that resonated with her thoughts. She enjoyed the soothing pitter-patter, finding ease in the storm.

Underneath the dim glow of the streetlights, Suzuka's mind buzzed with the next steps of her ambitious project. She pondered on the individuals she could approach for support - people who might share her vision and contribute to the realization of her grand town.

As Suzuka strolled through the stormy night, her thoughts meandered, considering the various possibilities for support. However, like a beacon in the tempest, her focus soon honed in on Wara, the guild master. It made sense; after all, the guild held sway over a considerable influence, and Wara himself seemed to align with her vision of uniting races and monster kin.

 Suzuka's mind settled on the decision.

 "Wara it is," she thought, the mental wheels turning as she envisioned the conversation ahead. The guild master could potentially offer not only resources but also a network that could significantly boost her cause.

Suzuka made her way through the streets to the guild. The rain-drenched cobblestones reflected the shimmering glow of the street lamps in a dance with the falling drops.

Upon reaching the guild, she shook off the rain from her coat and entered the guild. The familiar hum of activity filled the air - the clinking of mugs, the chatter of adventurers, and the occasional laughter. The scent of ale and the warmth of the hearth embraced her as she scanned the room searching for Lisanna, her friend and quest coordinator. Spotting her amidst the lively atmosphere, Suzuka approached. Lisanna looked up from her paperwork as Suzuka approached.

"Lisanna, hi," Suzuka greeted with a warm smile.

"I hope you're doing well buried in all the paperwork. I need a moment with the guild master. Any chance I could have a word with Wara?"

Lisanna returned the smile and greeted, "Helen! Always a pleasure. Wara is in his office on the second floor. Just head up the stairs, and you can't miss it. Lucky for you, he got a free minute."

Thanking Lisanna, Suzuka made her way up the wooden stairs, the sounds of merriment below fading with each step. Reaching the second floor, she navigated the familiar halls until she reached the sturdy door marked "Guild Master's Office." Without hesitation, she knocked, waiting for Wara to grant her entry into the heart of the guild's command center.

As Suzuka knocked on the door of the Guild Master's Office, a deep and commanding voice resonated from within, "Come in."

The door swung open, revealing the imposing figure of Wara, the guild master. His tall and robust frame dominated the room, and the stern expression on his face conveyed a sense of authority. Despite his handsome looks, there was an undeniable intensity about him that commanded respect.

"Helen," he greeted with a nod, his voice a resonant timbre that echoed in the room.

 "What brings you here today?"

"Guild Master Wara," Suzuka greeted respectfully, stepping into the room.

 "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

Wara, his golden hair catching the flicker of candlelight, looked up from his paperwork, his piercing eyes concealed behind light-tinted sunglasses. 

"Not at all. What brings you here, Helen? I trust it's something important."

With her easygoing yet commanding demeanor, Suzuka met Wara's gaze with a respectful nod. 

"Guild Master Wara, I've got a vision, a dream, and I believe the guild could play a crucial role in making it a reality. I'm here to discuss a partnership that could benefit us both."

Wara leaned back in his chair, his demeanor unyielding. 

"I see, no small talk. Straight to the point, I like that. Well then, speak, Helen. Tell me about your vision."

Suzuka began her pitch with a genuine smile, her eyes reflecting the sincerity of her words.

 "Guild Master, I appreciate you taking the time to hear me out. My vision is simple but holds the potential for tremendous benefits for both our ventures. I want to build a town where people and peaceful monster kin could live together. Before I go deeper into details I would like to say that Valerius is on board with my plan. I've secured his support, and together, we plan to provide shelter to goblins for starters, fostering unity between races and monster kin. This, in turn, will allow the guild to be at the forefront of a movement toward greater understanding and cooperation among the diverse dwellers of our world."

She leaned forward, making sure to maintain eye contact to convey the seriousness of her proposal.

 "Now, let's talk about your guild. I propose to reserve the rights for you to establish the first guild branch in our town. The strategic location and the easy access to magic boxes. Meaning - your guild will have exceptional growth potential. Picture it - adventurers coming and going, their every need met within the town walls. Your guild will become a hub of power and influence, with the magic boxes facilitating faster and more efficient operations. Adventurers will flock to your guild for the convenience of easy access to the magic box, making it a powerful magnet for talent."

Suzuka continued, laying out the economic benefits. 

"I have plans to build well-maintained roads to the three closest towns surrounding ours. These roads will serve as routes for escort missions, generating massive profits. Your guild's adventurers will handle these missions, ensuring a steady influx of jobs and revenue. With the roads connecting the towns, travelers, merchants, and traders will flock to the area, further adding to the town's prosperity. I propose a tiny share as tax, a fair contribution to support the infrastructure and services that make it all possible."

She paused, letting the weight of her proposal sink in.

 "Guild Master Wara, I believe this partnership will not only benefit our respective ventures but also contribute to a more harmonious and prosperous future for all. I'm open to discussion and negotiation, and willing to tailor the arrangement to ensure it aligns with the guild's vision and interests. So, what are your thoughts?"