Chapter 623

Chapter 623: The Registration Office of Stormwind

The next day, Jesse met Greed at the Stormwind gate’s registration office. He remembered that in the game, this spot was called the Census Office, where guilds were formed.

He wasn’t sure when it changed names, but he guessed it was after the fall of the Kingdom of Lordaeron, when many people moved here.

Even early in the morning, the entrance was crowded with people, a common sight. Jesse always saw crowds whenever he came.

When Stormwind was rebuilt, this office was made for a city of just tens of thousands. But now, Stormwind had many more people. Daily tasks, especially housing deals, were still handled by a few clerks in this small two-story building, making it very crowded.

"What happened to your neck?" Greed asked, pointing.

Jesse touched his neck, winced at the pain, and found a long scratch.

Last night, he took a careful bath, cleaned his clothes, and changed, making sure no strong scent from the succubus lingered. Yet he still had this unnoticed wound.

"I got it accidentally last night while dealing with that Demonic Rune from Vyletongue with Molofeel," Jesse admitted.

"Yeah, I believe you," Greed said, nodding dramatically.

Jesse gave him a look, sighed, and rested his hands on his hips. But he pressed on the wound at his side and winced.

He had worn himself out carving those complex runes. After drinking a Mana Potion, he was drained again. Without the Living Ice Crystals nourishing him all night, he might not have had the strength to walk here this morning.

After waiting in line for two or three hours, they finally got inside. The room smelled of sweat in the summer heat. A clerk with glasses and a bushy beard, even in a thin shirt, was soaked with sweat. He pushed aside a stack of letters and, without looking up, said, "How can I help you, gentlemen?"

"I want to buy a house," Jesse said.

The clerk sat on a small chair, glanced at the dwarf, then at Jesse, and asked, "Rent?"

"Buy a house," Jesse repeated.

"You want to buy a house in Stormwind, Mr. Dwarf? From Ironforge? Buying in the Dwarven District is already tricky…"

"Not me," Greed cut in, pointing at Jesse. "It’s him."

The clerk looked past Jesse and said, "From your accent, you’re from Lordaeron, right? Buying a house in Stormwind isn’t easy. If you’re new here, I suggest renting first to settle down; I can help with that."

Jesse pulled out the emblem of the Wizard’s Sanctum and said, "Jurke, I’m a mage from the Wizard’s Sanctum; this is my seal."

The clerk took the badge and examined it. "Sorry, Mage, but you’re very young. Many young folks come to Stormwind from all over with just a few gold coins or twenty silver coins, and you look younger than them."

As he spoke, he pulled out a thick, rough notebook. "I wish they could find a home inside the walls, but it’s really hard."

Jesse and Greed exchanged glances but stayed quiet.

The clerk flipped through the notebook. "There are old houses for sale in Old Town and the Dwarven District, small cottages, and single homes near Stormwind, Goldshire, and Eastvale. These are cheaper, and the paperwork is simple. I can connect you directly with the owners."

"Then there are new houses in the Trade District and nicer ones in Old Town. They’re owned by nobles, merchants, or craftsmen—like warehouses, unused shops, or family homes. Some are church properties you can fix up for living or other uses, but that costs money. Contacting them is a hassle, but some use agents; I can find them for you. It’ll take more time and be much pricier."

"What’s the rough price?" Greed asked.

The clerk said, "The first type runs from a few gold to a dozen gold coins, not counting repairs. For repair costs, ask in Old Town or Eastvale. The second type starts cheap at thirty or forty gold, but expensive ones vary. If you’re rich enough, maybe the king would sell you all of Stormwind Keep!"

He smiled, but Greed asked, "How much for Stormwind Keep?" The clerk’s smile vanished, and his face darkened.

"Forget I asked," Greed said.

After this long talk, Jesse regretted not checking things out sooner.

"I plan to buy a house in the Trade District, sir," he said, thinking of his parents’ house in Lordaeron. "I’d like two floors, near the canal and close to the market."

"You mean with a stable on the lower level, right?" the clerk asked.

"Right! The kind that can hold a horse," Jesse added.

He wondered if Aarna remembered him. If he got the chance, he’d ask the king for that horse back. "Houses like that start at sixty gold coins, young sir," the clerk said.

"I told you, Jesse," Greed whispered, leaning close. "The prices I heard are all similar."

Jesse nodded. "If possible, can I see these houses in person?"

Seeing Jesse was serious, the clerk raised an eyebrow. "Let me note your name, contact details, and current address. I’ll contact an agent. He’ll show you the houses, arrange for a craftsman to check quality, and give you a renovation estimate… But this costs money; the craftsmen are pros."

Jesse stiffly nodded and wrote "Jurke" and his rental address on the small brown paper the clerk gave him.

"When can we meet?"

"Afternoon in two days?"

"Okay," Jesse said.

When they finally left the registration office, they both sighed.

A cool breeze blew, and Jesse rubbed his eyes. "Is buying a house in Aerie Peak this hard too?"

"My dad carved that house out himself a hundred years ago with the Thunderfists," Greed said, knocking on a hitching post. "Who’d dare charge?"

"Impressive," Jesse said.