Homesteading in a fantasy world

Pov Arabella

We were walking through the market of Connection after just visiting the company's house in this city. It was truly a rundown place, but Rich seemed to have a solid plan to fix it.

I was just thankful that I finally got my freedom from that contract. I honestly still don’t understand why someone was trying to get me killed. It’s not like I could go back and claim my noble title. The whole situation was unsettling.

Now, however, I was under a different contract, and while I was certain Rich was not trying to kill me, I was also pretty sure that he would work me to the bone if it meant he would need to do less work. Sometimes the man was maddening in his logic. Nevertheless, it still felt good to be around him, like it did back in the dungeon. He just seems like a solid rock during a storm.

It was also kind of hard to start a conversation with him. Back in the dungeon, it was easier. We always had something to discuss or to take our minds off the situation we were in. He did talk, but they were one-word answers or really short sentences. It was obvious that there was something on his mind, so I let him have his silence.

It was also nice to have him by my side because, while people still looked, their eyes didn’t linger on me. It also seems like there was never something in our way as we just continued to walk at our pace, never slowing or hurrying. When we made it to the portal station, Rich paid to get a portal opened, and in less than half an hour, we were about to step through to his homeland.

As soon as we stepped through, the temperature dropped immediately as we were further north during the wintertime. Looking around, there were soldiers all around us, ready to fight, but when they saw Rich, their commander immediately called the soldiers back. There was only one portal arch, but it seems like another one was being built.

"So, this is the capital?" I asked. Rich smiled at me and answered, "That it is. While still small, it will grow bigger, but hopefully not too much, as we're actually trying to keep it from getting too big."

I gave him a questioning eyebrow, to which he laughed a bit. "Perhaps I will explain later, or perhaps you'll find out. We will see. Anyways, let me escort you to the City Hall and get you an appointment so you can try to become a citizen."

He now seemed to be a lot less closed off. Did he really just feel so much better in his own land and was now fully relaxed? That might be actually the case. I gave him a sweet smile and then said, "I’ll follow you, big man." And so he led, the soldiers immediately parted to let him through, and I followed.

I had to say that the soldiers looked really disciplined, and the city looked clean, although it was weird to see so many wooden buildings.

This city was a lot smaller than Connection, so it didn’t take us long to reach the City Hall. "Nice to see you again, Rich. Is there something I can help you with?" The receptionist asked when Rich approached.

"Nice to see you as well. I have a person who would like to become a citizen. I believe we already have a file on her, but I can verify that now she has no outside allegiances, so I hope you can get this situation taken care of as fast as possible."

"Of course, it would be my pleasure, Rich. Leave her with me," the receptionist said. Rich thanked the receptionist, then turned to me, "I have some things to take care of, but I will see you later."

With those words, he quickly left, not even giving me time to say goodbye for now. How can he be so understanding at one time and so rude at others?

I introduced myself to the receptionist, who excused herself, and after a few minutes came back holding a file.

"Arabella, I will be truthful, if it wasn't for Rich verifying your allegiances, it would have been a hard road for you to gain citizenship. Now, however, it will be easier. It will still take a while, but I think I will be able to squeeze in your appointments for today. Hope you're ready for a lot of paperwork."

It was hard not to show my disappointment. Paperwork was always complicated and time-consuming, but I had learned to tolerate it. My first appointment was in half an hour; fortunately, the time went by quickly.

Everything went as normal until the person sitting across from me asked me specific question “What are your current affiliations, like are you part of a guild or do you have any contracts?"

I had hoped that I did not have to answer this question because of what Rich said earlier, but it seems like everyone here was thorough in their work.

"My last contract was broken because Rich accepted me into a leadership position in United Freeholds Company." The person’s head immediately snapped up from the paper. "Please repeat that." I did, and immediately after I finished, the person cursed under his breath.

"I will be right back, just wait here." So I did, and about 10 minutes later, four more people came into the office. One of them walked immediately up to me and extended his hand for me to shake. I accepted.

"My name is David, and unfortunately, it seems that we will have a lot to discuss about your future position in United Freehold."

What followed was craziness. Apparently, there was a whole division of people working in what they called Rich management. I should have guessed this, but it was nice to see it confirmed that Rich could do some unorthodox stuff that would need smoothing over and incorporating into the overall structure of United Freeholds.

My appointment to be in a leadership position of United Freeholds Company, which acts as the representative of the United Freeholds nation in the higher rank social structure of the world, was something that needed to be addressed.

Of course, for them, the easiest thing to do was just to remove me and get someone who was more loyal to that position, but going against Rich was something they were not willing to do unless it was absolutely necessary.

To this date, they have yet to find any reason not to take his words and actions seriously. So right now, I was in the city hall's garden with a knife in my hand. I was going to be given a governmental position in the United Freeholds, and for that, I needed to make an oath to the nation itself.

It was honestly quite brilliant, in my opinion. This way, they could ensure that I would not harbour any bad intentions towards the nation, and my position in Rich management would give me a high position without actually giving me any power.

I was more than willing to do all of this, as Rich had truly helped me out, and I really wanted to hear the secret of how Rich was able to make bows from the wood of the sacred tree of Ferlin.

When everything was said and signed, it was already evening, and I found myself in one of their taverns enjoying a nice meal. I wondered when Rich was going to find me and even how. Perhaps there were people watching me all the time, but if they were, they were really good.

Then Rich showed up, ordered himself a plate, and joined me at my table. "So I heard you’re officially part of the United Freeholds, congratulations. After we finish, we'll head towards my home; we can talk there about more sensitive topics."

He seemed a little down for some reason, but I immediately agreed and tried to finish the food in front of me as fast as possible. Somehow, Rich still beat me.

How was that even physically possible? His plate hadn’t even arrived, and I was already eating. There's no way that he has an ability to eat faster. That would be such a waste.