Maybe it was because I sounded too much like a scammer when making the proposal.

“Big money... you say?”

The sect leader narrowed his eyes with a skeptical voice.

If I weren’t the one speaking, I’m sure he would have kicked me out immediately.

“Well, just say it. How do you plan to make big money?”

Since he allowed me to speak, I quickly added explanation before his negative image of me grew.

“This is an investment opportunity.”

“...Investment? Do you have a merchant guild in mind?”

“No, it’s not investing in a guild.”

“Then...?”

“Invest in the land in District 7.”

“Land... you say?”

The sect leader reacted as if I was spouting nonsense again, but it wasn’t surprising.

I had expected as much.

In this world, buying land is not very attractive. Or more precisely, as an ‘investment product,’ it’s not.

Land ownership is only possible for nobles...

And is basically a financial product that provides steady ‘monthly rent’ income.

Most nobles with spare land lease their properties and collect rent.

And they rarely profit from price appreciation.

That’s only natural.

In this bizarre city where magic stones replace all resources and consumption and circulation happen simultaneously, the value of money rarely fluctuates.

So Rapdonia’s real estate prices always remain stable at a high level.

But...

“As you know, the situation in District 7 is far worse than you can say. If you buy now, you can get it cheap.”

“Isn’t that too simple a view? Surely they know District 7 will be rebuilt within years. No one will sell at a loss.”

That’s true.

Most nobles would choose to hold out.

If it were a normal situation.

“Well, aren’t you looking at it too simply?”

The labyrinth closure was a huge event.

And District 7 borders Viphron, which Noark forces occupy.

“I’ve heard many families are trying to save money and not spend lately.”

Uncertainty about the future.

And anxiety from that.

I explained this clearly with confidence.

“If you look carefully, there will definitely be nobles wanting to sell. Once consumption drops sharply, noble businesses will take a big hit.”

“Indeed... more people will need money urgently.”

The sect leader seemed to agree with me now.

Though it didn’t mean I had convinced him fully.

“But the same applies to us. Even if we buy cheap land, the investment won’t pay off for a long time.”

“Right.”

“As you said, in these uncertain times, we don’t have the luxury to wait. Neither I nor anyone else.”

A sharp comment from the experienced sect leader.

Just like other noble families eager to sell land, the Melbes families were also in need of money.

So they couldn’t afford long-term investments.

But...

‘Looks like he’s almost convinced.’

I grinned and lowered my voice.

“What if you could buy land and immediately secure that money? What then?”

For a lifelong Rapdonia native like him, this probably sounded like the delusion of a mere barbarian.

His reaction was predictable.

“That’s... a meaningless assumption.”

“Still, answer me. What would you do if that were true?”

Under my persistent questioning, the sect leader had no choice but to answer.

“Why ask me? If that were possible, no noble would refuse.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“But how could that be realistic? Buying land and still preserving your money? There’s no way to get land for free.”

Watching him mumble skeptically, I spoke firmly.

“There is.”

Strictly speaking, it’s not free land, but almost the same.

“Then tell me. What is this method?”

“Lease out the land without charging rent.”

No monthly or yearly rent at all.

“What? No rent? That sounds absurd—”

Hey, stop interrupting.

“Listen to the end.”

I cut him off and continued.

“You don’t charge rent on purchased land. Instead, you charge a sum equivalent to the land’s value and give them the right to use it freely.”

The sect leader, listening seriously, suddenly burst into laughter.

“Ha! You mean proxy land purchase? That’s clearly against the kingdom’s land laws!”

Proxy land purchase is a method wealthy merchants or rich people use secretly to hold land.

Since there’s almost no crackdown, it’s rarely caught, but can cause problems if someone objects.

But...

“Strictly speaking, it’s not illegal. Proxy purchase contracts must specify permanent rights to the land, but I don’t plan to include such clauses.”

“...Then couldn’t this be interpreted that way? But who would enter like that? Just paying rent is cheaper and better.”

“They will enter. Unlike proxy purchase which demands triple the price, I don’t intend to take any premium at all...”

“.......”

“And when the contract ends, the money is returned.”

“What?!”

Unfortunately, the lifelong Rapdonia native didn’t grasp this new concept at all.

“Return the money? So they rent the land free without paying rent?”

‘Hmm... Is this really so hard to understand?’

The sect leader only thought this method would cause losses for us, so I had to spend more time explaining.

“Sect leader, listen carefully just once.”

Even Koreans interested in real estate are divided on whether this is good or bad.

Why jeonse (long-term deposit leasing) benefits us.

My plan was simple.

Buy land in District 7 from noble families in need of money.

Then rent it out to guilds or wealthy people for a large deposit without charging rent.

And...

‘Use that money to buy more land.’

Repeat the same process.

The sect leader doubted if this would work, but after persuasion, he accepted.

“Certainly... if proper buildings are erected on ruined land, it won’t be hard to find tenants willing to sign contracts. Long term, it’s much cheaper.”

Jeonse requires a large lump sum upfront.

But if you have enough money, it’s economically advantageous.

‘Because you don’t pay monthly rent.’

Besides, this isn’t a world where banks pay interest on deposits, right?

If my guess is right, some might even take loans from banks to pay monthly rent and choose jeonse.

“I plan to coordinate this with Count Alminous, the bank president, to see if ordinary people can get loans backed by the contract for money return—.”

“T-That’s... nonsense...”

When the explanation was about halfway, the sect leader muttered that.

But the tone was different from before.

Before it was critical; now it was more like amazement.

“The royal family agreed to bear most of the cost for rebuilding ruined buildings!”

“Right?”

“If this plan goes well... with money enough to buy a small street, we might buy all of District 7...!”

Though a bit rigid in thinking from being local-born, the sect leader was also business-savvy, and seemed to understand the ‘business’ I described.

Well, not perfect in my eyes though.

“It seems you misunderstand, sect leader. My goal isn’t to buy all of District 7.”

“......?”

“To buy all of District 7 and then sell it later when prices rise.”

“......!!!”

This was the core of the plan.

Because just buying land and renting it out at jeonse wouldn’t bring me any benefit.

If land prices don’t rise, I’d only lose money.

But if prices rise, the profits could be huge.

“Sect leader, you know too, right? Once the situation calms and District 7 normalizes, prices will return to previous levels.”

This was a surefire win.

If only the Noark bastards don’t come out beyond the walls again and wipe out District 7.

‘Uh...’

That really won’t happen, right?

I shook off the anxious thought.

“Anyway, think about it, viscount. How much do you think we’d make then?”

“.........What can I do to help?”

‘Okay, that look tells me no more persuasion is needed...’

I honestly told him everything I needed.

This plan was impossible to execute without the active support of this sect leader.

From finding nobles willing to sell land, to funds for purchase, to capital to hold until buildings go up and tenants come...

Everything required his help.

Since I don’t have many connections, I’d get stuck at finding sellers.

“Once again, don’t buy unless you’re sure not to sell cheap. There’s no sane person besides us trying to buy land now.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve done countless negotiations like that.”

Yes, this was it.

A family with thousands of years of history, their network.

And seasoned political and business negotiation skills. I expected the sect leader to handle things as hoped.

“However, it’s hard to make such a big decision now. [N O V E L I G H T] I’ll think more and contact you.”

Though he tried to back out subtly at the end, I nodded coolly.

I could tell his eyes were already turned.

“Do so.”

Surely I’ll hear from him soon.

**

Creating the jeonse system in Rapdonia.

It was sure to bring me definite profit.

My only worry was whether such capitalist moves might look too evil...

‘It’s not even a special technique; jeonse is something anyone can think of.’

Of course, Koreans familiar with jeonse might be suspicious of my move.

But...

‘There are only three Koreans here anyway.’

Ibaekho, Hyunbyul, and me.

Though there might be others hiding somewhere in this world...

That risk was worth taking.

I wasn’t the same me who trembled before the evil spirit hunters of the secret security agency.

Now I had at least the minimum means to protect myself.

Above all, I had laid some insurance.

“Is this all really your idea, Baron Yandel?”

“Of course not! Our chief administrative officer came up with this! Building houses at the sanctuary made his mind work that way!”

“Administrative officer Shabin Emur, you mean?”

“Yes. He was recently promoted.”

“......I just don’t get it. Is it luck these talented people gather around Baron Yandel? Or do they shine because they are by his side?”

There was a hint of envy mixed in the sect leader’s gaze, making me slightly embarrassed.

But a seasoned warrior never misses any opportunity.

“Well, we’ll see which it is directly.”

I smiled and added a closing remark.

“You’re one of my people now.”

Surprisingly, emotional words like that work well on elders who have seen all kinds of hardship.