"The clinic seems the most ideal to me, Gideon."

They arrived in their inn room. Luke and Hannah had already left and would not return for four days. Obviously, they couldn't wait for Luke to come back to start their business.

"We need to figure out what illnesses the villagers suffer from, the most common diseases affecting them," Gideon replied.

"Besides that, we'll need a lot of herbal plants. Unlike the Kitsune village, which is abundant with herbs, we don't know the condition of the forests surrounding this village," he added.

"So, what's your suggestion?" Lena asked.

Gideon remained silent, stepping toward the window to look out over the village. That morning, the villagers were beginning their daily routines, heading to the fields or their workplaces.

The population wasn't large compared to Rockvalley. Yet, that was an advantage for Gideon. He wasn't seeking profit; his main goal was recognition from the village.

If the villagers acknowledged that Gideon and his team were part of Nikua Village, any suspicion would disappear on its own.

This way, Gideon and his team could socialize safely while gathering information about the makeshift weapons.

"We don't have a building to open a business. Buying one would be far too expensive. The best option is to open the clinic here, in this inn," Gideon explained.

"Is that allowed?" Lena asked.

"I'll speak with the inn owner. We'll rent a room on the ground floor with a long-term lease. I hope he agrees."

"Then I'll go around the village, meet with Nira, and get information from her about herb sellers," Lena said.

"Sorry, I can't go with you, Lena."

"That's fine. We each have our own tasks, right?"

Gideon nodded with a slight cough. They parted ways after deciding to establish a small clinic.

If they managed to save enough money, they might eventually purchase an empty house and run the business there.

Lena stepped out of the inn, while Gideon approached the inn receptionist. The man suggested meeting with the inn owner, saying there was something Gideon needed to discuss.

The receptionist gladly led Gideon to the owner's house. At first, Gideon thought the owner lived in the inn, but he didn't.

He had his own home, far from the inn where his business operated.

Gideon and the receptionist arrived in front of a simple house with a spacious yard. So far, he hadn't seen any grand homes in the village; most wooden houses, even the larger ones, were only two stories.

The gate opened, and Gideon and the receptionist walked in, stopping at the front door. They knocked, and a middle-aged woman appeared in blue pajamas.

"Madam," the receptionist greeted.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Someone wants to meet with you. He's a tenant renting a room at your inn."

The woman turned, looking at Gideon with a smile. The inn was her business; ignoring a visitor was tantamount to hurting her establishment.

"Oh, and what do you need?"

"I'm Gideon, a refugee from Moko. I've come to discuss a business arrangement."

"A business arrangement? You want to work for me?" the woman asked, teasing slightly.

"No. There's something else I want to discuss. If you don't mind, can we talk privately?" Gideon asked.

"You're rushing, Sir Gideon. But your handsome face and athletic build are certainly appealing," she replied.

"Please, come in," the woman said.

Gideon entered the house, and the receptionist took his leave to return to the inn. Inside, Gideon saw two children eating breakfast. Upon seeing him, they stood and saluted.

Good manners. The woman had raised them well.

"So, what is it you want to discuss?" the woman asked, introducing herself as Lisa.

"My friend and I are planning to establish a clinic."

"A clinic? That's a good idea. Many elderly people here are unwell," Lisa said, interested.

"Exactly. But we have some obstacles."

"Because we are refugees, we don't own a home. We only have the inn room we rent from you," Gideon explained.

"Hmmm, so essentially you want to open a clinic in my inn?"

Gideon paused, then nodded. Lisa remained silent, realizing the village needed a doctor and a clinic. There were herbal sellers, but without alchemical expertise, herbs remained just herbs.

Even so, Lisa worried that Gideon's clinic might negatively impact her inn, reducing the number of guests and leaving it empty due to the influx of clinic visitors.

Yet she knew a clinic could be profitable because the villagers needed it. She felt conflicted.

"I can't say for sure yet. The clinic is an interesting and potentially profitable business, but if it's inside my inn, I worry it could disrupt my guests."

"I understand the concern, Madam Lisa," Gideon replied.

"However, I cannot dismiss your clinic idea. It could bring significant profit for both of us."

"For both of us?" Gideon asked.

"Here's the thing. I have an empty house in the west part of the village, unused for a long time. You and your friend can live there and run your business," Lisa explained, looking at Gideon seriously.

Gideon was taken aback. He hadn't expected such an offer. Of course, he wouldn't refuse. This way, the clinic could operate without disturbing Lisa's inn business.

"Really? I thank you, Madam Lisa," Gideon said.

"Then let's discuss the business arrangement. How about it?" Lisa asked.

He agreed. Lisa would likely ask for a share of the clinic's profits, either through revenue sharing or rent.

She wouldn't let Gideon and his team leave easily, as they might bring significant changes to Nikua Village.

They talked at length, accompanied by warm tea brought from a nearby city. Gideon proposed several options for the arrangement, and Lisa was impressed by his business acumen.

In the end, Lisa couldn't take advantage of Gideon. They agreed on a 30/70 revenue-sharing system.

Gideon and his team would take 70% of the profits, and Lisa, contributing only the empty house, would receive the remaining 30%.

Lisa stood, and Gideon rose as well. They shook hands, agreeing that Gideon and his team would move in quickly, clean the empty house, and make it the best place for the clinic to care for patients.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," Lisa said.

"Of course. I'll rely on you, Madam Lisa," Gideon replied.

With their discussion concluded, Gideon stepped out, already pleased with the good news regarding the clinic.

Now, his focus was helping Lena find the herbal plants she needed. He vaguely heard Lisa mention some herb sellers and immediately set out to locate them.

Along the way, he saw Lena standing in front of one of the sellers—not at a shop, but an elderly woman selling herbs on a mat on the ground. Gideon approached her.

"How's it going?" he asked, startling Lena slightly.

"You? I found her. She sells several herbs," Lena replied, returning her focus to the elderly woman's display.

"These are common herbal ingredients. I can prepare some remedies with them," Lena explained.

"You're a doctor?" the elderly woman asked, surprised.

Lena nodded, her gaze steady as she observed the woman. The old lady smiled, delighted, and asked Lena to examine her because she suffered pains every night.

Lena conducted a brief examination, checking pulse, eyes, tongue, and more. From her observations, the woman had an ailment that required further diagnosis.

"Come to the inn this afternoon. I'll examine you thoroughly there."

"Of course, Miss Doctor."

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