A hoax
( Leo's POV )
Ultimately, Leo managed to sell all the available shop spaces at a tenfold markup, generating a total of 6 million gold coins, far surpassing the initially projected revenue of 600,000.
Given the current level of foot traffic and the purchasing power of the Barony's citizens, it was going to take the major groups at least a decade to break even on their investment, as in terms of pure business, they had significantly overpaid for the shop spots.
However, the major groups were strategic in their decision-making. They understood that an alliance with the master alchemist, Leo Skyshard, was only feasible if they had a base of operations near his manufacturing facilities and hence, despite the exorbitant price of the shops, they still paid for the land to ensure that they did not miss the opportunity to collaborate with him.
With these newly acquired funds, Leo's concerns about raising capital for his Barony were temporarily alleviated.