14
“The house is smaller than I thought,” Gavin commented as he looked at his friend’s house critically.
“I live alone, so it’s not comparable to the Coford family mansion,” Faker led Gavin inside his house.
It might not be very large, but it was quite luxurious and fitting for his status.
“Why did you have me open the Mead at the club, especially in front of non-sorceres?”
“Gabild isn’t a sorcerer, true, but he is well-acquainted with the sorcerer society.”
“Even so, isn’t that a bit unreasonable?”
“Not at all.
I am making you known.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.
This is the land of Tier.
You can’t establish a stable life here without connections.
You impressed Gabild today, and others will start to take an interest in you.
The more people know you, the more opportunities you have to build diverse connections.
I’m introducing you to high society.”
“But I don’t like getting to know too many people.
More acquaintances, more problems.”
“Friend, you don’t understand.
You weren’t born into a sorcerer family, didn’t grow up among the elite.
You don’t see the importance of connections.
Without them, you’ll struggle.
Let’s not even mention that right now you’re just a sorcerer with greater magical ability than others.
Without influence, financial power, or connections, you have nothing.”
Hearing Faker’s words, Gavin started to ponder.
Faker was right.
The human world was different from the magical one.
There, power alone could accomplish much, establish influence, and claim territories.
Laws weren’t strong.
But it was not the same here.
There were many rules and regulations.
Actions must be considered in the global community’s eyes, especially here in the land of Tier, where without money and power, one was merely an insignificant ant.
“Today, I introduced you to Gabild.
He has extensive networks in various circles.
If you make a good impression on him, you’ll achieve great success.
He’ll be a good friend to you, and because I’m your close friend, my connection with Gabild will strengthen.”
“So, you’re using me in the end.”
“Come on!
It’s a win-win.” Faker smiled contentedly.
He felt relieved conversing and joking with his close friend again.
For three years, Faker had been burdened, not knowing the fate of his friend.
Everyone thought Gavin was dead, but now he stood right in front of him.
“I’m glad you’re back, friend.”
“I’m happy too, but less so than when I met Eris.”
“Heh, a doting father.”
“What’s wrong with doting?
Eris is so adorable!
When she grows up, she’ll surely be more beautiful than that Ice Witch, I just hope she doesn’t inherit her mother’s stern face.
She will be a warm, loving, beautiful girl,” Gavin mused dreamily, imagining Eris blossoming into a radiant young woman.
Faker didn’t argue but gave a wry smile to his friend.
Among their circle, he knew Eris’s condition second only to Jokerface.
Gavin had just discovered he was a father, but the harsh reality was that his child was dying.
He dared not touch her.
“Don’t make that face; it makes me want to vomit.”
“Wha…” Faker was taken aback.
“I know what you’re thinking, and I tell you to stop it.
Eris won’t die.
She will grow up and recover.
I haven’t given up.
My daughter will not die, understand?”
“I understand,” Faker chose not to argue, recalling the conclusions Jokerface had shared, which he had harbored in his heart for years, showing no sign of healing.
Even if his friend was talented, he wasn’t that miraculous.
Seeing Faker’s skepticism, Gavin recounted his recent conversation with the Coford siblings to his friend.
Faker’s face went blank, stunned into silence.
“You’re insane!”
“So what if I am?
I’d rather be mad than watch my child die.”
“Alright, I agree, but you are insane!
Changing earthly land into a magical world—if you can do it, you’ll be targeted by the world’s elites.
Don’t expect a peaceful life anymore.”
“I figured as much.”
“No, you don’t understand.
If you really manage it, it’s not just about farming; you could breed animals, both magical and spirit ones.
If you succeed, it will be immensely valuable.
Think about herbs; we could produce medicines like in the magical world, not to mention magical cuisine.
When it concerns lifespan, the upper echelons will focus on you,” Faker explained, agitated, analyzing the potential future impacts.
“Your situation is perilous now.
Aside from the elites, you have many enemies because you are [Ashura].
Many want revenge.
If they find out you’re alive, they’ll come after you.”
“Let them come!
Who’s afraid!”
“You should be!
You’re not alone anymore; you have Eris!”
“…”
“Besides, you’re affected by the world’s power, right?
What level is your magic at now?”
“Second-tier sorcerer.”
“Second-tier sorcerer…
Oh, that’s quite modest,” Faker mocked slightly, which annoyed Gavin.
Being just a second-tier sorcerer yet able to knock down international terrorists in a row.
“You’ve dropped from being an emperor sorcerer to a second-tier sorcerer.
Sure, everyone else got demoted too, but you returned three years later than the rest.
People we know have advanced to grand sorcerer by now.”
“You think I can’t take them?”
“It’s not that you can’t handle them.
I’m just pointing out that you’re taking on a lot of risks.
And don’t underestimate the human world.
What we experienced in the magical world is a speck compared to the sorcerers worldwide.
Before us, there were already many formidable sorcerers.
Even our group had to be more modest upon returning to this world.”
Faker offered a wry smile, indicating that even he felt the repercussions.
“As for you, it’s not only about your power diminishing to less than one percent of its former glory; there are many out there who wish for your demise.
You’re not from a sorcerer family, completely lacking influence!
You’re merely a normal individual without connections, without wealth, without power.
You have absolutely nothing, my friend.
You’re no longer the ‘Ashura’ who feared no one.”
“Thanks,” Gavin responded with a grin, grateful for his friend’s deep concern, yet a part of him felt remorse.
They had once been magnificent together, overcoming challenges side by side, but now he was the cause of their plight.
They had roamed freely over grasslands and skies, respected and feared wherever they went.
Now, the situation had reversed.
Kariette wasn’t the Ice Witch seen as a figure of immense power.
In this world, she was just a lady from a business family, not particularly extraordinary.
And Faker was just another gentleman, marginalized for aiding him, enduring the sorcerer society’s pressure from past troubles.
What about their other friends?
Perhaps only Jokerface remained unaffected, being a valued medical professional, beyond reproach.
But what about those without such medical skills or significant influence in the human world?
‘God, I owe you, but after clearing my debts, I realize I am indebted to far too many,’ Gavin contemplated internally, his deep garnet eyes shimmering with sadness.
If he could return with everyone, he would never let anyone oppress his friends and companions.
“Let’s do this, Faker.”
“What?”
“Let’s regain our influence.
Wherever we step, they must bow to us.
There should be no one daring enough to oppress us.”
“Friend…” Faker was touched, delighted by this display of camaraderie.
It reassured him that Gavin remained the determined man he always knew.
“Alright, I trust you.
Just command, and I’m here to support.”
“I need land, lots of it.”
“How much?”
“Seventy hectares.”
“…”
What?
Seventy hectares?
“You’re mad!
What are you planning to do with so much land?
Seventy hectares?
That’s over four hundred thirty acres!
Are you planning to build a city?”
“Not just any city, but one day I will, for sure.
Eris mentioned wanting a floating island.
Just an island isn’t sufficient; I must build a floating city for Eris.”
“…” Faker couldn’t believe his ears.
He pressed his hand to his friend’s forehead to check for a fever.
Had Gavin lost his sanity after staying too long in the magical world?
Building a floating city?
That was even more insane than needing seventy hectares of land.
“Seventy hectares…
that’s over four hundred thirty acres.
That’s practically the size of two of the world’s largest amusement parks combined,” Faker pondered heavily.
“Friend, do you realize that just thirty hectares would cost billions already?”
“I don’t know,” Gavin replied instantly.
“You…” Faker began to feel a headache.
“To accumulate that much land, you’d need to gather it from many people, or if it belonged to a single person, they’d have to be very influential, not just any politician but maybe a general.
Forget it if the land you want is a protected area!
Even combining my wealth with the Coford family’s wouldn’t reach half of what’s needed.
Where exactly do you want this land?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“…”
“I need to see where the natural energy flows best.
That’s the first task I’d like help with, Faker.
I need data on the movement of the earth’s crust in the country of Tier.”
“That’s not hard.
Pay a little, and you’ll get it.
I’ll have Nelson arrange it; you should have the data by tomorrow noon.”
“Hmm, and about the money…”
“If it’s not too much, I can lend you some.”
“No, I won’t borrow your money.
I plan to sell things.
I just need you to find me a broker.”
“What do you want to sell?”
“Well, things like…
Heaven groan liquor, a fine drink from the magical world, one sip and you feel celestial.”
“Shit!
You want to sell items from the magical world?”
“Yes, not just liquor.
I have a collection of memorabilia that could fetch several hundred thousand.”
“Ah…
I think I can help you with that.”
“Hmm?”
“I can help you make a lot of money quickly, but you need a significant capital first.
As for the land…
you can’t afford to buy it.
I recommend renting.”
“How much would it cost to rent seventy hectares a year?”
“It depends on the location.
In the capital, it would be around twelve million cents a year, around nine million in the city of Chiang.
But money isn’t the hard part; it’s whether the landowner would agree to rent.
Not to mention the connections needed to approach a politician or a high-ranking military officer.
And who knows if such people would rent to someone unknown like you.”
“Ah…” Gavin was speechless.
“See how important connections are?
They’re not just about who you know but your credibility.
It’s a bargaining chip with others, it’s influence,” Faker tried to enlighten his friend about the world, and it seemed Gavin was starting to understand.
“But I’m ready to support you.
First, I suggest you find a broker as soon as possible.”
“Can you recommend one for me?”
“No, you already know him,” Faker said with a meaningful smile and glanced at Gavin’s bag.
Gavin was initially confused but then exclaimed in realization.
Besides his ATM card and cash, it seemed he had received a business card from someone today.
“I told you, having connections is better than not having any.”
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Read ‘The Return of Asura Who Suddenly Becomes a Father’ before anyone else with more chapters at http://www.jinovel.com/en