The demi-humans staring down from the windows winced. The price given by the royal was beyond anything they could even fathom. Its heavy amount crushed their hopes of retaining their current living situation. There was no doubt—they would soon be forced to return to camping in the woods to survive—or worse, they would be cast out into the Parched Lands.
"Such are the difficulties of living in a capital city," said the innkeeper. "We'll have to find land somewhere else—somewhere a lot more lenient with struggling folk like us."
The man tried to put on a brave face, but the quiver in his voice betrayed his deep sorrow.
"No need," Michael said calmly. "I'll buy the lot myself."
