Chapter 5 Calculations and Transactions

The busy streets of Orario swirled around him, a colorful symphony of activity that Luthar scarcely noticed. As he walked, his mind churned with intricate calculations, contemplating a singular, audacious idea: capturing a god, harnessing their raw power, and transforming them into an energy source—a living battery.

There was no reason he could not replicate the Necrons' archaic techniques. If their malevolent technology could bind and drain divine entities, so could his. Loki's divine essence alone could power an entire battleship, rendering it the most secure fortress in any galaxy.

But that was not the true treasure.

The real value lay in understanding the heavenly blessing itself. If he could decipher its secrets, he could forge warriors superior to even Space Marines—without the burden of their bulky, cumbersome frames.

He might not require such immense physical strength himself—his weapons had always proven effective—but it wouldn't hurt to have a retinue of perfectly sculpted, highly capable servants.

And then he realized: that was precisely why Loki had rejected him.

She had sensed it—the way he looked at her not as a deity deserving reverence, but as a mere resource. A tool to be analyzed and exploited. Even with her divine powers sealed, a god's intuition was not to be underestimated.

Luthar sighed, brushing the thought aside. Loki was not worth the effort or the complications. If he truly wanted divine energy, he would find a less troublesome god to experiment on.

With that, he refocused on his immediate goal—the Guild Hall.

The Guild Hall and a New Beginning

The Guild Hall loomed before him—an imposing, sturdy structure bustling with adventurers of every rank. It stood as a place of order amid the vibrant chaos of Orario, where new recruits were registered, vital information exchanged, and quests assigned.

Stepping inside, Luthar's gaze locked onto the main reception desk, where a half-elf woman with glasses assisted another adventurer. Her voice was a calm murmur within the general hubbub.

He waited patiently.

"Next!" Her clear voice cut through the noise.

The half-elf turned to him, her expression warm but professional. "Welcome to the Guild. Are you here for registration?"

Luthar gave a slow nod.

"All right, I'll need some basic details." She pulled out a form, pen poised. "Name?"

"Luthar Ferranus Cogbane."

"Do you have a Familia?"

He shook his head, the subtle movement barely visible beneath his cowl.

Her brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, but she continued, explaining the process of registering as a solo adventurer. Without a god's blessing, he would not receive a Falna—no stat growth, no divine aid. She expected hesitation, maybe even a reconsideration.

Instead, Luthar simply stated, "Proceed."

His voice was flat, devoid of doubt.

She blinked at his indifference but nodded, finalizing his registration with practiced efficiency.

"All right, with that done…" She placed a newly stamped document in front of him. "This is your adventurer card. Is there anything else you need today?"

Luthar tapped the paper with a gloved finger. "Properties."

Her expression shifted from confusion to professional curiosity. "You're looking to buy a home?"

He nodded once.

She hesitated briefly, taking in his unusual attire and demeanor, before motioning for him to follow. "We can discuss this in a private room. This way, please."

Inside a small, utilitarian meeting room, Eina laid out a stack of property listings across the polished wooden table.

"There are many available buildings in Orario, but their costs vary significantly depending on size and location," she explained, adjusting her glasses. "Do you have any specific requirements?"

"It needs to be large enough to build a workshop."

Luthar's gaze scanned the documents, never lingering on any particular one.

She sighed softly, flipping through her records before pulling out a separate listing. "There's an abandoned church in the outer district. It's in poor condition—structurally unsound in parts—and nobody really wants it. If you're planning to rebuild, this would be an excellent choice. It's also quite cheap."

Luthar took the document, scanning the details with his mechanical eye.

"Secluded. Structurally damaged but repairable. No previous owner complaints."

Perfect.

The words confirmed his silent assessment.

"I'll take it."

Eina blinked. "You're sure? You don't want to check other options? Perhaps see the property first?"

"No need."

His tone was absolute.

"Well… all right." She began writing the paperwork, a faint smile playing at her lips—perhaps amused by his directness. "That'll be two million valis."

Luthar reached into his robes, retrieving a small, unassuming metal case. He flipped it open, revealing a flawless, fist-sized diamond. It caught the room's light with an unnatural brilliance, pulsing faintly with internal glow.

Eina's eyes widened, her jaw slackening. "Is… is that real?" she whispered, leaning closer, mesmerized.

Luthar responded flatly, "Can this be converted?"

She hesitated, tearing her gaze from the gem, then nodded. "We can assess its value, but the price we offer will be far below market value. There's also a significant conversion fee."

"That is acceptable."

She quickly summoned a senior Guild appraiser—a wizened man with a jeweler's loupe seemingly etched into his expression. He examined the diamond carefully, his breath hissing through his teeth. After several intricate calculations, he determined its worth and offered just over three million valis—more than enough for the purchase, with surplus funds remaining.

After finalizing the transaction, Eina handed him the deed to the church, a genuine smile on her face.

"All right, Mr. Cogbane. The property is now officially yours. Congratulations!"

Luthar stood, tucking the document away. After inquiring where he could purchase crafting materials, he turned and left, his red eye a fading point in the bustling Guild Hall.

Eina watched him go, a contemplative look in her eyes. Then she shook her head softly and resumed her work, though her mind lingered on the quiet, strange man and the impossibly large diamond.