Proofreader: M_W Miss Fierce

The next topic was about the land that Ethan and Elaine had bought from the Emerald City, specifically a 500 square meters' size of territory located outside the Emerald City and a few kilometers to the north.

The moment Ethan and Elaine along with a few others had arrived in this territory, it was densely covered by tall and vibrant green trees. But Ethan ordered some people to cut the majority of the trees so as to have enough space for what they planned to build and at the same time use those woods as materials for construction purposes.

This 500 square meters size land cost 15 silver coins per square meters, totaling to 7,500 silver coins or 75 gold coins. To keep ownership of the land, one has to pay a monthly tax of 2,500 copper coins or 2 gold coins and 50 silver coins per month. This was after a long time of bargain.

The reason why Ethan and Elaine bought a land outside of the Emerald City rather than inside the territory was because of the fact that the land over there not only cost gold coins per meter with tens of silver coins tax each month but also because they could only own a limited size of the territory, specifically 100 square meters for nonresidents of the Emerald Tree Kingdom. If they want to buy more, then they need to officially become residents of the Emerald Tree Kingdom and also have an official title like Baron.

With their huge number of people and the needed demand for their operation in the Emerald City, a 100 square meters' size territory is just not considered as enough.

To be honest, such a size of territory could only build 1 to 2 houses with a limited defense and similar stuff. And although they could indeed make a second floor and more to create more space, it is still a small territory.

Not to mention, earning the title of Baron is also impossible for them because they are Humans and the Emerald Tree Kingdom is an Elf's territory.

Elves, or even other Foreign races, including Humans, would absolutely not accept other Foreign races to have official titles in their own territory, unless, of course, if such a person has achieved something really great which the royal family of that said territory officially recognized and thus rewarding them the official title.

Because of all of those reasons, Ethan and Elaine could only choose to buy a land outside of Emerald City to be able to buy more.

However, since they were still not a resident of the Emerald Tree Kingdom and also don't have any official title, the limit they could buy was unfortunately only 500 square meters size of land.

Even though it is indeed a big piece of land, it's still not considered as enough for them.

The size of the territory that they need is 5 to 10 square kilometers as they planned to construct a smithy, Alchemist Laboratory, training grounds, a small hospital, Magical Beasts' stable, breeding area for their Magical Beasts, warehouses, Guild members hotel, and houses, and many more other necessary infrastructure.

"Since we could only own a 500 square meters' size of land, then we have no other choice but to remove a small part of our plans," Leo said helplessly.

This was the disadvantage of operating in another territory, especially territories of Foreign races, as there would always exist a lot of limitations and restrictions. One example of that is the amount of land they could own.

Breaking these limitations and restrictions is one of the most difficult challenges to achieve for people like them. One would first need to be recognized by the ruling parties of the said territory to have a chance to achieve it. Without that, then it would be impossible.

Those limitations and restrictions were clearly created to avoid other Foreign races from having a lot of power in the territory.

Taking the Emerald Tree Kingdom, for example; if the Humans or other Foreign races were given a chance to have a lot of resources despite not being Elves, then they would surely use it to grow their own power, which if left unchecked, might just be the reason for a war to happen.

It's just similar to what had happened back then to the Silver Kingdom. The Mischievous Lion organization continued developing until they become so powerful to the point that it could finally threaten the throne of the Silver royal family. And as soon as an opportunity appeared in front of them, they immediately dethroned the Silver royal family, making them the new ruler of the Silver Kingdom, which is now called the Lionheart Kingdom.

In that event, it's even a war caused by a similar race, so it's very easy to guess what would most likely happen if the Emerald Tree Kingdom doesn't limit and restrict Foreign races.

"To decide what we should construct, I propose that a suggestion should have 3 votes to be approved," Leo turned to look at everyone.

"I agree!"

"Sounds fair to me,"

"Much better,"

"..."

Hearing their agreement, Leo nodded his head before saying, "Then, let's begin,"

Cassandra quickly raised her hand and said, "I strongly suggest that we only make two medium-size hotels that occupy a total of 100 square meters size of land with 10 floors each to house members with a lot of contributions while letting the rest stay at hotels inside the Emerald City. There would still be houses, but it would only be given to officials like us and the Guild Leader."

"I also have the same opinion as Cassandra," Elizabeth supported.

"I agree as well," Angel seconded.

Leo nodded his head with a smile as he then motioned his hand to make them continue, "Continue,"

"I suggest that we combined together the Magical Beasts stable and Magical Beasts breeding ground in a 50 square meters' size of land. Additionally, a warehouse would also be included in that piece of land where we could store the Magical Beasts foods and other necessary stuff." Veronica suggested.

Ash quickly added, "I also suggest that we allocate a 100 square meters size of land to construct the buildings for the Craftsman like Blacksmith, Alchemist, Tailors, and others. Those places only need a big enough storage for the items they make and the materials they needed. No need for any warehouses."

"I suggest that instead of having a training ground inside our territory, let's just use the Emerald Forest outside as the place to train our members. It's a natural training ground that will always stimulate the sense of survival and danger for our members, thus always making it a good training experience," Charlotte suggested.

"There is no need to vote for those three, I agree," Leo nodded his head before adding, "Continue with the remaining 150 square meters of land."

"I propose that we take 25 square meters size of land on each side of the wall, totaling to 100 square meters, to make a small barracks for defense purposes. The wall would also be 5 square meters in size, hence reducing the entire land with 20 square meters." Ethan proposed.

"I agree with my husband," Elaine nodded her head.

"Me, as well," Edward added.

"Approve, but change it to 20 square meters size of lands, totaling to 80 square meters," Leo nodded his head, and added, "Continue with the remaining 50 square meters,"

Hearing that there were only 50 square meters of land remaining, Chief Lago, Sebastian, Dan, Sele, old man Torre, Lex, and Virgil turned to look at Cassandra and the others who already suggested something, seemingly asking them that they don't have any idea what to build.

There was still a lot of infrastructure that they want to build, but 50 square meters is just not enough for those, that's why they are having trouble deciding.

While everyone was pondering hard on what to build, Eilajah suddenly raised his hand, which quickly attracted Leo and the other's attention.

"What is it?" Leo asked while motioning his hand to go on.

"Ummm... I know that I'm not part of your Mischievous Lion Guild, but since I am part of this meeting, I can't help but suggest that you should allocate that remaining 50 square meters size of land as a public market," Eilajah suggested.

"Public market?"

Leo and the other's interest was immediately piqued with Eilajah's suggestion.

"I have visited plenty of Guild territories in the past whenever someone hired me to hatch, tame, or to check their Magical Beasts, and I have noticed during those times that the majority of them have a public market. That public market acts as a source of income for their Guild aside from the missions they complete, and it also gives them fame since whenever something good is being sold it would attract a lot of attention to their territory. Although I don't know a lot about Guilds, as a Professional Magical Beast Tamer, I'm still not clear about what fame could give," Eilajah explained.

Leo thought deeply after hearing Eilajah's words. As a City Lord in the past, he knows more than the others here what sort of benefit a public market could give to them. In fact, what Eilajah had said was just one of the few benefits. Aside from fame and monetary gains, it could also make them trustworthy, reliable, and many more, which honestly speaking, are one of the things that they needed to establish a positive image for their Mischievous Lion Guild.

If they could strengthen that and use it to their advantage, then it would be a lot easier to achieve what they were aiming to get in the Emerald Tree Kingdom.

"I agree," Chief Lago expressed his agreement.

"We also agree," Sebastian, Dan, Sele, and old man Torre said.

"Same in our side," Lex and Virgil nodded.

"Okay, then let's build a public market," Leo smiled mischievously.

to in the direction of More (Definitions, Synonyms, Translation)