Chapter 58: Ch 58: Moving In
"Here we are, Sir and Madam. Please, follow me inside."
Raidan and Naida stepped through the heavy oak door. The interior was not exactly a high end luxury establishment filled with gold trimmings, but it looked incredibly decent and remarkably sturdy. The wooden floors were swept entirely clean, and the air still smelled faintly of dried herbs and old parchment from the previous owner.
"As you can see, the ground floor is split into two distinct sections. This front area is your open shop. It faces the main road directly. Please take a look outside through the display glass."
Naida walked over to the large front window. Even at this midday hour, a continuous stream of people passed by the shop in every direction.
She couldn’t help but praise a little.
"The foot traffic is absolutely incredible. A shop positioned right here will never run out of customers. It is the perfect spot."
"Exactly, madam. And right through this next door is the true heart of the business."
He pushed open a heavy iron reinforced door, revealing a beautifully crafted alchemy lab.
Sturdy stone tables were attached on the walls, complete with proper ventilation shafts, brass burners, and heavy glass vials.
Naida was excited. She ran her fingers over the smooth stone workstations.
"This is wonderful. The ventilation is already set up perfectly. I can start brewing immediately."
Mr Solan showed a toothy smile.
"I am glad it meets your standards. Now, let us head upstairs."
He then led them up a sturdy wooden staircase. They arrived on the second floor, which felt much more intimate and cozy compared to the busy lower level.
"Up here, we have your private living quarters. There are two spacious bedrooms, a fully functional kitchen, and a private bathroom. Finally, we have the open balcony right at the very end of the hall."
Raidan opened the wooden balcony doors, letting in the warm midday breeze and the distant, lively chatter of the market below.
He lookrd to Naida, who was looking around the sunlit space with pure joy shining in her eyes.
"What do you think? Is it decent enough for your needs?" he asked with a smile.
"Decent? Raidan, it is absolutely perfect. This is our new home," Naida smiled happily, stepping out onto the open balcony to stand beside him.
"Then it is officially settled. Mr. Solan, we are extremely pleased with the building. The gold is already yours."
Mr. Solan bowed respectfully, handing over a iron key ring.
"It was a genuine pleasure doing business with you both. Welcome to your new life in the Central District."
---
With the property acquisition officially finalized, it was finally time to move.
And this proved to be the absolute hardest part of the entire day.
The impoverished residents of the outer district, the very people Naida had treated with endless kindness and free medicine, gathered around her small, rundown clinic.
Many were in tears after learning the sudden news of her departure.
"Lady Naida, are you really going to move away to the Central District?" an elderly woman asked, tightly clutching her worn shawl. Her voice trembled with genuine sorrow.
Naida stepped forward and gently took the old woman by the hands.
"I am moving, yes. But please do not cry, Greta. I am not abandoning any of you."
A young boy with a patched shirt stepped up next, looking down at his scuffed boots.
"But sister Naida, the Central District is strictly for rich folks. The guards will never let us past the inner gates if we get sick."
Raidan stood quietly by the wooden cart holding their few belongings. He watched the scene unfold.
He witnessed the immense love these people held for Naida. She truly had been their only shining light in this bleak neighborhood.
"Listen to me, everyone," Naida spoke up, "I may be opening a shop in the central ring, but my purpose remains exactly the same. I have already spoken with Raidan, and we are going to hire a trusted courier. Every single week, a fresh supply of basic health potions and herbal remedies will be delivered right to this very street. Completely free of charge."
The gathered crowd collectively gasped.
"You would really do that for us?" a burly man with a bandaged arm asked, wiping a stray tear from his dirt smudged cheek.
"Always. You all looked out for me and my grandfather when we had nothing. A fancy new building will never change my gratitude toward this community. Whenever you are in need, the medicine will be waiting for you right here."
Tears of sorrow quickly transformed into tears of profound relief and joy.
One by one, the neighbors stepped forward to offer tight hugs, bright smiles, and heartfelt blessings, giving Naida the beautiful farewell she truly deserved.
--
By the time the moon reached its peak, the exhausting process of moving in was finally complete.
The newly furnished bedroom was incredibly quiet, lit only by the soft, silvery moonlight spilling through the glass window.
Raidan and Naida lay perfectly still in their new large bed.
"Raidan, I still cannot believe today was real. A few days ago, me and my grandfather were worried about buying bread for our meal. Now we are sleeping in a beautiful estate in the Central District."
"It is very real. And this is only the beginning for us. We finally have a real home, Naida. A place where we can actually build a future together." Said Raidan.
Naida smiled warmly into the dark room.
"I could easily get used to a future like this. Waking up early, brewing potions in my very own lab, and coming upstairs to a safe home every single night."
"That sounds like a beautiful life. But do you know what else this massive house needs? It feels a little too quiet up here."
Naida looked up at him with curious eyes. "Too quiet? We just moved in a few hours ago. What else could we possibly need?"
"Well, the second bedroom down the hall is completely empty right now. I was thinking it would be the perfect room for our children. Can you imagine two or three little kids running around the alchemy shop and chasing each other down the stairs?"
Naida froze completely. Even in the dim moonlight, Raidan could see a deep, furious blush spreading rapidly across her cheeks and all the way down to her neck.
"K-kids?" she squeaked, suddenly burying her bright red face completely into his shirt.
"Raidan, we just bought a house today! Are you already planning a whole family?"
Raidan laughed warmly, wrapping his arms tighter around her soft waist.
"Why not? We have the space, the gold, and the time. I want a long, happy life with you, Naida. And a noisy house full of kids sounds like an dream come true."
Naida stayed hidden against his chest, though he could clearly feel her heartbeat racing against his own.
"You are moving too fast, Raidan. But... I suppose a noisy house does sound rather nice."
---
The next day began in a fresh new environment.
Upon waking, Raidan received another 250,000 experience points from the quests he had assigned to those five people.
His level rose.
[ Level: 35 | EXP: 130,000 / 475,000 ]
After checking his status, he traveled back to Earth, distributing five more quests to his followers.
Even though they received fewer quests than the previous time, the Verdians were still incredibly happy.
--
The morning sun poured through the wide display window, bathing the pristine ground floor of the apothecary in a warm golden light. It was their very first official day in the new shop, and the air was filled with the lively sounds of unpacking.
Wooden crates were stacked neatly in the center of the room. Naida stood behind the main counter, her sleeves rolled up as she carefully organized dozens of sparkling glass vials onto the wooden shelves.
"Raidan, please tell me you did not put the dried fireweed next to the frost lotus petals," Naida called out without turning around.
Raidan paused, holding a handful of red and blue herbs over a stone sorting table. He slowly pulled his hands back.
"I did not do that, Naida. I know better than to mix those two together."
Naida turned around, raising a skeptical eyebrow with a playful smirk.
"Then why is the left side of the table starting to smoke?"
Raidan quickly grabbed a wooden tong and separated the two bundles, tossing the fireweed into a lead lined box.
"Ahem, minor miscalculation. I am a warrior, Naida. You cannot expect me to know the exact volatile reaction of every single glowing plant."
"Haha, I know. Just stick to carrying the heavy boxes. And leave the delicate sorting to the actual alchemist."
Before Raidan could retort, the bright chime of the silver bell hanging above the front door echoed through the shop.
They both turned as a plump, cheerful woman walked in. She wore a pristine white apron and carried a large basket woven from fresh wicker. The rich, mouthwatering scent of freshly baked pastries immediately filled the room, completely overpowering the smell of the herbs.
"Welcome to the Silver Fountain plaza!" the woman greeted loudly, her voice warm.
"I am Madam Vala, the owner of the bakery three doors down. We saw the lights turn on early this morning and figured you two could use a proper breakfast."
Naida quickly wiped her hands on a cloth and hurried around the counter with a bright smile.
"That is so incredibly kind of you. I am Naida, and this is my partner, Raidan."
"Haha, a beautiful young couple opening an alchemy shop I see. The whole street has been talking about you. It is good to finally have some fresh life in this old building. The previous owner was a grumpy old man who never even opened his windows."
Just as she finished speaking, the door chimed again. A tall man wearing a finely tailored silk vest stepped inside, carrying a small potted plant with vibrant yellow leaves.
"Vala, you always beat me to the introductions," the man sighed dramatically, though a friendly smile played on his lips.
He bowed gracefully to Raidan and Naida.
"I am Elian, the tailor across the street. I brought a sunbell plant to bring your new business good fortune."
"Thank you both so much," Raidan said, stepping forward to accept the gift.
"We are thrilled to be part of this neighborhood."
He exchanged a warm, knowing look with Naida.