Aiden froze for a second as the system chime echoed. In his mind, a whole cluster of "huh?" symbols lit up. Striking charm? Sure, that tracks. Noble actions? Where the hell did that come from? After a moment, the logic fell into place. Citizenship was priceless for players. For an NPC of Lady Riley's status, granting it cost next to nothing. Lady Riley studied him with mild curiosity. "Tell me something. Why are you so intent on becoming a citizen? What goal are you chasing?" "Uh..." Aiden paused before choosing honesty. "I want to buy property here in Leafport. I'm planning to settle down." "I understand." A faint gleam softened her eyes. "Seeking a settled life instead of drifting is a wise step." She followed with quiet interest. "Which district are you aiming for? Tell me, and I might be able to help.""That would be perfect." Aiden felt a tiny spark of satisfaction. He hadn't expected her to offer help so directly. Citizenship allowed land purchases, yet red tape still existed. The Duchess' personal endorsement removed most of it. After a brief thought, Aiden answered, "I want to buy into Westhand as much as possible, especially the stretch along Meridian Row." "Meridian Row?" Lady Riley blinked, her expression shifting into confusion. "You're certain about that?" "Yes." Aiden's nod was firm. Her surprise made complete sense. Leafport divided itself into four major districts. Eastguard shone brightest under the City Lord's management, while Northcrest and Southwell maintained strong reputations under their respective noble families. Westhand, however, was another story entirely. The foot traffic was poor, with shops closing one after another, making Meridian Row feel almost deserted.No one made a profit there; not even con artists could survive. Quiet living was the only perk, although the emptiness meant fewer guards and lower safety. The district carried almost zero commercial value. Buying property in Westhand was treated like volunteering for bankruptcy. Yet, Aiden knew the truth. The world of Doomsday shifted far too quickly to be judged by surface value. A devastating wave of eerie creatures would soon hit Leafport. Players would fall in droves, and the City Lord would perish. Eastguard, Northcrest, and Southwell would be torn apart. Only Westhand would remain mostly untouched. Its emptiness would serve as its shield. Its quiet lanes would slip past the swarm's notice. Its buildings would stay standing. Once the crisis ended, Westhand would become the new heart of Leafport. Prices would skyrocket, attracting players and NPCs alike to rush in. The value gap before and after the catastrophe would exceed tenfold. It wasn't a problem if others were clueless. Aiden understood the future, and choosing another district with that knowledge would be insanity—nothing but wasted money. It seemed like a bad investment now. Before long, everyone would wish they had chosen the same. "What you want is unusual," Lady Riley murmured. "I should warn you—acquiring large amounts of land in the other districts is extremely difficult, even with citizenship. Westhand is simple for a reason." Her brows tightened. "The west side is viewed as a burden. You're new here, so misunderstanding this is normal." She drew a controlled breath. "You helped me greatly. Let me offer honest advice: don't get lured by low prices. At this moment, the smartest purchase is Eastguard. You still have time to reconsider. I have enough influence to secure a place for you in the east."Aiden shook his head. "No need, Your Grace. I fully understand the state of Westhand." "You know, and you still insist?" Her voice carried genuine disbelief. "Yes." Aiden offered a small smile. "I have my own reasons. To me, this is a blessing." Lady Riley wondered, "A blessing?" Aiden nodded. "Yes. A gift from above." For him, this do-over gifted him insight he wasn't letting slip. He intended to ride every opportunity it brought. A bug like this? That had to be divine favor. "Young man, are you absolutely certain about this choice?" Lady Riley asked quietly, worry rising in her voice. "I'm certain," he affirmed the choice, unable to understand why she reacted with such intensity.