Chapter 36 – The Expansion of the Bastion.

Morning in the duplex apartment living room began with Diana staring at the faction's expense record book with her brow deeply furrowed.

She was conducting the weekly audit.

"Five silver coins a week in rent…" Diana murmured, the ink quill tapping rhythmically on paper. "Thirty-five silver coins accumulated in rent over seven weeks. That is mathematically stupid."

Rhea, who was serving tea at the table, looked at the human girl. "Stupid, Diana?"

"Yes." Diana leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "We are staying in the Second Circle until Level 50. Reaching Level 50 is going to take months of hunts, dungeons, and proficiency training. Continuing to pay rent to third parties is throwing money into the trash."

Diana rose from her chair, adjusting her Crystal and Magic Silver Chestplate.

Kael and Aurelia-Elysia entered the room right in time to hear Diana's declaration.

"Today we are buying a property of our own." Diana announced with authority.

Kael's eyes went wide. "Buying a place of our own in the Ivory Citadel, Commander?!"

"Not just a house." Diana smiled, a sharp, calculated smile packed with long-term vision. "My goal is to possess an official property in each of the Seven Circles of Hell as we ascend. In the Second Circle, our headquarters begins today."

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Second Circle Registry of Real Estate and Fiefs

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The Real Estate Registry was located in the noble sector of the citadel.

The broker in charge, a squat demon with yellowish skin named Gideon, attended the squad with a greedy grin upon seeing four well-equipped hunters.

"I have incredible imperial mansions in the north sector for fifty silver coins!" Gideon offered with enthusiasm, showing decorated maps.

"I didn't ask about ornate palaces for vain nobles, broker." Diana said coldly, leaning her hands on the counter. "I want a functional property. Sturdy stone structure, private courtyard for combat training, spacious basement for an alchemy lab, and high protective walls."

Gideon blinked, realizing the human girl didn't fall for soft marketing talk. He rummaged through the south sector archives and pulled out a stone blueprint.

"I have the perfect property." Gideon said. "The Estate of Stone Roses. It's on a quiet street in the south sector. It used to be the workshop of a former Master Alchemist. It has a two-story stone manor, a walled inner courtyard, a reinforced basement for forge and laboratory, and four spacious bedrooms. The list price is twenty-five silver coins."

Diana analyzed the property's blueprint with a clinical gaze.

She used the citadel's tactical map to check the location: it was ten minutes from the Central Plaza, near Master Volkan's Forge District, and in a secure area patrolled by official militia.

"Twenty silver coins." Diana haggled without hesitating for a second. "The outer wall's masonry needs stone reinforcement, and the basement requires magic cleaning. Twenty silver with the property title registration fee included."

Gideon attempted to argue, but the icy pressure in Diana's dark eyes and the presence of Rhea with Agility 36 beside her made the broker cave rapidly.

"Deal! Twenty silver coins!" Gideon stamped the property title.

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[PROPERTY PURCHASE PAYMENT]

- Purchase of 'Estate of Stone Roses' + Title Registration: -20 Silver Coins (2,000 Bronze).

- Fine Furniture + Basement Alchemy Workbenches Installation: -2 Silver Coins (200 Bronze).

TOTAL SPENT: 22 Silver Coins (2,200 Bronze).

[TEMPORARY POCKET BALANCE: 55 SILVER COINS (5,500 Bronze! / 5.5 GOLD COINS!)]

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Fifty-five silver coins safely maintained in the vault.

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Official Arcane Greed Faction HQ - 'Estate of Stone Roses'

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Two hours later, the Arcane Greed Faction stood at the entrance of their new property.

The gray and black stone manor was imposing and solid. The inner courtyard was spacious, enclosed by high stone walls with wrought-iron gates. In the roomy basement, stone benches and arcane exhaust fans allowed the setup of Diana's alchemy lab and a forge space for weapon maintenance.

Diana approached the entrance cornerstone and registered the location on the guild System panel:

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[GUILD HQ REGISTRATION COMPLETED!]

- HQ Name: Bastion of Arcane Greed

- Owners: Arcane Greed Faction (Diana, Rhea, Kael, Aurelia-Elysia)

- Private HQ Benefits:

 - Bastion Protection Aura (+20% Physical/Magic Defense within territory).

 - Bastion Vault (Secure System-linked item storage space).

 - Master Crafting Workbench (+10% potion production speed).

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Kael walked through the inner courtyard with his volcanic steel shield on his back, testing the training space. "Commander Diana! This courtyard is perfect! I can practice [Unshakeable Stance] without smashing the living room furniture!"

Aurelia-Elysia went down to the basement and returned delighted. "The laboratory has a pure mana exhaust system! My support potions will have 10% greater efficacy!"

Rhea went up to the second-floor balcony, taking in the view of the citadel's towers. "The view from here is beautiful, Diana… And the place is completely ours."

Diana walked to the center of the courtyard, looking at the stone manor and the three members of her team smiling and arranging furniture.

—Incredible…

The System's voice echoed in Diana's head, the interface floating in a gentle tone.

—You started out lying in the dirt of an alley in the Dust District with four points of Strength. And today, you own a stone property with your own faction HQ in the Second Circle and five and a half gold coins in the vault.

Diana looked at her hands, feeling the steady pulse of her Intelligence 29 and her Commander class energy.

She said nothing to the System, but a calm, focused smile filled with invincible satisfaction appeared on her lips.

She was no longer a temporary tenant in Hell. The Arcane Greed Faction now had its roots firmly sunk into the stone of the Second Circle. And from that bastion, the conquest toward Level 50 would continue.

Final Notes:

New house acquired!!! What do you guys think? :D