A few minutes later, they arrive at the very center of the city.

It is a huge Merchant Guild building. It is a massive stone-made building. Despite the crowded street before it, no one enters and exits the building.

"The merchant guild is the biggest building here?" Ivanna asks the Brita.

"Yes, sir. Trades here are very popular, so the Merchant Guild became the biggest influence. In this city, they can decide your future," Brita explains.

"Interesting." Kurotsuchi mutters.

They enter into uniquely decorated door.

Only one receptionist sits behind the guild counter. She wears a small, white hat, silver around the edges and a uniform that matches. A long skirt, and a coat that closes in front, with sleeves that grow wider. Quite a strange outfit. She is quite a beauty with short brown hair and slightly tense features. She looks to be about twenty years old.

I walk to the counter.

"Good morning. I would like to register as member of merchant guild."

She puzzles for a moment before politely says,

"Sorry, Sir, you have to make an appointment at the first place."

"So a guild staff is just going to sit there, doing nothing even though there is someone eager to be a member?"

Sekrit retorts.

"…What?" The receptionist furrows her eyebrows.

"We are saying you’re neglecting your duty. This organization is a joke I suppose, given they’re ignoring potential criminals." Kurotsuchi adds to the fuel.

"What was that?!"

She most likely doesn’t expect a rebuttal. The receptionist raises her voice, her gaze fills with anger.

"You want to make an enemy of the Merchants’ Guild?"

"I see. Even the staff resorts to threats." Sekrit says and grins.

"I’m not threatening you. This is simply a warning…"

"Just make him a guild card already. You have to if someone asks, am I correct?" Ivanna instructs her with stern voice.

The receptionist is silent, her gaze sharp.

What a waste of her beauty, Hiro thought, his face calm and composed.

She holds out a smooth piece of paper and write something on it.

The receptionist draws a document and heaves a deep sigh.

"I don’t really want to explain, but rules are rules so I have no choice."

She grudgingly commences explaining.

"The registration fee is 10 copper coins."

Once she says that, Hiro puts 10 copper coins on her desk. 

"Your name?" She asks him without the title"Sir".

"Hiro."

"Hmm. Hiro....?" She ceases writing and look up to his face.

He smiles and clarifies,

"I have no family name as I came from peasant family." This answer by is already prepared beforehand.

She grins.

"Why? Are you looking down on us?" Ivanna slaps the desk.

"It's fine. Ivanna, calm down." I tap her shoulder.

"Hmmm." The receptionist glances at as if he is a pest.

She then starts her story telling,

"When the Abram founder Count Aub Lambert moved to the newly re-crismed city, the Blare Company was already one of the most influential trade companies in Ferelden. Due to their position, the new Count often relied on them as third-party negotiators in business deals with commoners. Due to how useful this informal arrangement proofed to be, the Count later formalized it, which was the birth of the Merchant's Guild. 

Then King of Ferelden was indebted to them. Count Lambert was promoted to Margrave while Blare was made  into noble family with the title Baron. After Blare  was granted peerage rank, merchant guild was managed by Gustav family who served Blare. 

It has been under the care of Gustav's family since this very inception. Due to impressive achievements by Blare family who develops Abram and Lothering as well Denerim, Blare was gradually promoted in ranks until becoming Margrave. Meanwhile, Gustav family was made into nobility and became Count. Gustav family is still in charge of the merchant guild until now."

She further adds, 

"Its charter is to help the nobles interact with the commoners as well as settling disputes between stores by overseeing the rules as well as providing neutral third-party negotiators."

Hiro asks,

"How about acquisition of shops and building?"

The receptionist stares at him and grins,

"The land in Lothering is under the rule of Margrave Blare. Only noble families is allowed to own land in Ferelden kingdom. However, anyone including commoners and foreigners can own buildings in town and city  owned by the ruler provided one must be a member of merchant guild."

Sekrit interjects, "Here we now registering as member."

The receptionist seems annoyed but continues,

"Once one become a member of merchant guild, one can sell anything in any region in Ferelden. With merchant guild membership, one can acquire any building in any town and city in sovereign country of Ferelden."

Everyone nods to show their comprehension including Brita. The receptionist's is very clear and fluent, as expected of a professional, Hiro thinks.

Then, she proudly introduces herself,

"My name is Jill Enel Gustav."

It seems Jill who work here is also the member of powerful Gustav family.

"Let's get down to business." Ivanna urges.

The receptionist grins and says,

"The cheapest plot you can buy is 300 copper coins."

"How big is the cheapest plot?" Hanabi who is always silent suddenly voices up.

The receptionist points to outside. Everyone looks at to where she points at.

"What? We don't understand." Sekrit complains.

Brita brings them out and points to a man who is holding a basket of fruits.

"Apple! Orang! One is 2 copper coins!" The man yells to the crowd on the street. 

He is standing in one very small spot beside the street. 

"That small spot is where the man bought."

They re-enter the guild building.

The receptionist smiles. But Hiro states firmly.

"We don't need such small spot. We need to buy a large building as we need to sleep in it."

The receptionist furrows her pretty eyebrows.

"What is your budget?"

"3,000 gold coins." Ivanna steps before her and answers.

The receptionist is dumbfounded for a while before asking,

"Please don't play with me."

"Do you have hidden private space. We need to withdraw our money." Ivanna asks seriously.

"There."

There is small room beside the counter.

Kurotsuchi and Ivanna enter the room. 

Not even minutes passed, they come out with a large bag with sounds of metal clanking.

Kurotsuchi opens the bag and show the coins inside. Ivanna place several Federation coins on the desk.

The receptionist stands up and her face becomes pale.

Even Brita us trembling behind them.

"Please wait a minute."

The receptionist panics and takes one of the coin with her and runs to the upper floor.

They don't wait for long before the receptionist comes back panting.

"F-Follow me!"

They follow behind her as she lead them to the first floor via the stairs. She then leads them  through the vast hallway of the merchant guild. Compared to the somewhat noisy lobby of the Merchant Guild, this part of the guild is quiet.

The receptionist leads them left and right before she stops in front of a door.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

"Guild Master, the buyer  is here," the receptionist said through the door.

"Enter," a deep male voice replies.

The receptionist opens the door and makes way for Hiro's group.