Chapter 315: The Price of Independence

With a name finally found, Silas wasted no time.

He immediately contacted Marcus and informed him of his decision. Marcus, who had apparently been waiting for this particular piece of information, responded with a level of enthusiasm that made Silas wonder whether his lawyer had secretly been suffering alongside him.

’The Fate Guild. Understood. I’ll inform the contractors and ensure the name is incorporated into the renovation plans.’

’Good. Don’t make the sign look cheap.’

’Of course, Mr. Ashard.’

’And no dragons.’

There was a brief pause.

’Excuse me?’

’Nothing. Just make sure there are no dragons.’

Silas ended the call before Marcus could ask any more questions. After a quick meal and a refreshing shower, he changed into a black shirt, dark trousers, and comfortable shoes. He grabbed his keys and headed straight for the garage. His Ferrari sat waiting beneath the lights, already prepared by Christoph, the estate chauffeur.

A few minutes later, the engine roared to life, and the sports car glided out of the estate.

Silas had spent the previous day agonizing over a name. Now that he finally had one, he wanted to see how everything was progressing. The contractors had already begun work, and he was particularly interested in the main building.

After all, he wasn’t spending a fortune to establish an ordinary guild. He intended to make it something special.

The journey to the western outskirts of City A took a little over thirty minutes.

As Silas approached the property, he noticed several vehicles parked near the entrance. Workers moved materials through the gates while a small construction vehicle transported equipment toward the main building.

The renovations had officially begun.

He slowed down as he approached the security checkpoint. One of the guards recognized his pink hair as he stuck his head out of the car and immediately opened the gate.

"Good evening, Mr. Ashard!"

"Evening."

Silas drove inside, taking in the activity around him.

The compound looked considerably different from his last visit. Workers were clearing sections of the grounds, equipment had been arranged near the training facilities, and several engineers were inspecting the mana circuits embedded along the perimeter wall.

He parked near the main building and stepped out, and immediately, a familiar voice called from the entrance.

"Mr. Ashard! You’re right on time."

Marcus approached with two people following him. One was a middle-aged man wearing a hard hat and a high-visibility vest. The other was a woman carrying a tablet and several rolled-up plans.

"Evening, Marcus. How’s the work progressing?"

"Very well. We’ve started with the main building and the infrastructure that requires the most attention. The contractors are also inspecting the existing defensive systems before making any modifications."

Marcus gestured toward the man beside him.

"This is Daniel Foster, the project manager overseeing the renovations."

Silas shook his hand.

"Good to meet you."

"Likewise, sir. We’ve reviewed your requirements, and the property is in excellent condition for what you have planned. Some areas need substantial upgrades, but the existing structures will save us considerable time."

"That’s good to hear."

Daniel opened his tablet and showed Silas the current plans.

"The main building is our first priority. We’re redesigning the ground floor to accommodate administration, reception, and a central operations room. The upper floors will house meeting rooms and private offices. We’re also reinforcing the training hall and upgrading the medical wing."

Silas studied the plans carefully.

"What about the underground facilities?"

"Those require a more detailed assessment. We’ve started examining the ventilation, power supply, and mana circulation systems. We won’t make structural changes down there until the engineers finish their inspections."

"Excellent. Don’t rush anything that could compromise the building’s stability."

Daniel nodded.

Silas was particular about his money, but not to the point of cutting corners. If he wanted the guild to last, the foundations had to be reliable.

They continued discussing the renovations as they walked through the main entrance. Several workers were installing temporary protective coverings while engineers measured the walls and marked areas for electrical and mana conduits.

Then Marcus brought up the subject Silas had called about.

"Now, regarding the name."

Silas looked at him and said, "The Fate Guild."

Marcus repeated it thoughtfully. "The Fate Guild."

"Does it sound strange?"

"Not at all. It’s distinctive, easy to remember, and carries a certain weight. It also gives us room to develop a recognizable identity."

Daniel nodded in agreement.

"From a design perspective, it’s a strong name. We can incorporate it into the entrance signage, interior plaques, uniforms, and the various buildings across the compound."

"That’s what I want," Silas said. "I don’t want a name slapped onto a random board. Everything should look consistent."

The woman holding the tablet finally spoke.

"We should also consider the signposts around the grounds. With a property this large, visitors and members will need clear directions to the training facilities, dormitories, medical center, administrative building, and other areas."

"Exactly. I don’t want someone arriving here and getting lost for an hour."

Daniel chuckled. "We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen."

Marcus turned to the woman. "Could you contact the designer we discussed earlier? We need someone to develop the guild’s visual identity before the signage is finalized."

She nodded and stepped aside to make the call. Silas glanced toward the entrance, imagining the name displayed above the gates. For some reason, the thought still stirred that strange feeling inside him, but he pushed it aside for the moment.

"Let’s get a proper designer," he said. "Someone who can create a symbol that represents the guild without making it look like some cheap gaming clan."

Marcus smiled. "I’ll make sure of it."

"And please," Silas added, looking directly at Daniel, "no dragons."

Daniel blinked, while Marcus sighed. The project manager looked between them before cautiously nodding.

"Understood, sir."

Silas turned back toward the plans, satisfied. The Fate Guild had a name. Its headquarters were taking shape, and soon, its identity would begin to emerge.

Now he only needed to decide what kind of organization it would become, and knowing his luck, that would probably be another headache.

"I just jinxed myself..."

And he was right.

[New Quest Initiated!]

[Establish your Domain]

[Objective: Establish a Recognized Organization capable of Operating Independently]

[Requirements:]

- Establish a Headquarters (In progress)

- Recruit your First Three Members

- Complete an Expedition as the Organization’s Leader

- Discover the Truth behind an Unknown Fate Connection

[Reward: Domain Development Function]

[Penalty: Unknown]

’I knew it...’