Arad stared at Mira, "How does it work?" He asked.
"You talking about the bringing? It's simple. You crush the stones into a fine powder, then, spread it on the metal and let it rest. The natural flow of mana will move the stone's magic from the dust to the metal." She explained, "The important part is the amount. Use too much or too little powder, and the weapon is ruined."
"I see. Then we'll meet in two days," Arad turned around, and Mira smiled, "You can count on me,"
Aella and Arad left the shop, heading back to the inn, "What should we do now?" She asked with a smile.
"I already had enough for the day." Arad replied, "Let's rest for a bit," He walked into the tavern.
? "Yo! Chief!" Jack was already at the counter, "Got some news for you," He waved his hand.
Aella looked at Arad, "I will go to our room to change. See you soon," she said.
Arad nodded as he approached Jack, "What did you find?" he asked.
Jack smiled, "I found a few decent places. Let me go through them,"
"Ok, let's hear it. Bring us two drinks," Arad waved to the bartender.
"The first one is called the dead stone inn in the city north. A normal inn from the outside, but if you asked, they have multiple options from automated rooms, large, small, and even a massage service." Jack explained the first option with a smile, "I recommend it if you want a gentle experience. But the privacy is lackluster. You can hear everything through the wooden walls."
"The second option is night tomb. They are like any other inn. But they have a single special basement room. I heard you can skin someone in there, and no one would hear the screams." Jack smiled.
"I guess it's always reserved?" Arad sighed.
"Sadly, yes. I asked, and the closed you can get it is a month from now," Jack sighed, "I did want to try it. But there are more options,"
Jack kept talking, "There is a public bath to the south. It's good if you're alone and want to see some things. But I don't recommend taking your girl there." Jack smiled, "But if you did, reserve the private section beforehand. Their system for it is amazing."
"What so special about it?" Arad asked.
"You reserve the private bath and then tell the staffs who can enter beside you. Like, say, only allow women in with you. Or adventurers for example. You can even request one of the staff if you wish. It's like a bath-themed brothel with extra steps." Jack drank his mug and smiled.
"The last one is the place I recommend. They are the priciest of the bunch, but you get a lot for your money."
"Then tell me about it," Arad got excited.
"The place called the roofs of wood. They own multiple tiny homes on the city outskirts and rent them. You can even pay for service, and they have a lot." Jack smiled, "There was a quest about them before in the guild. They looked for female workers."
"Their headquarter is to the east. I will show you on a map. The prices differ between the houses, but the cheapest I saw was ten silvers a day. You get both space and privacy. But the best part is that you can pick someone to accompany you. They have a catalog, and you need to give it a look."
"A prostitute catalog?"
"Yep, the prices differ, but I saw a few astounding choices." Jack smiled.
"Like what?" Arad asked.
"A decent-looking woman was asking for one gold coin in return for accepting any treatment for one day. And another was doing it for free. I even found a man who pays women to take him."
Arad looked at Jack, "I feel like that is sad,"
"It might be," Jack shook his head, "You're a farm girl, and by mistake, you set your neighbor's farm ablaze. Your only choice is between becoming a slave for life. Or enduring one day with a random guy to pay your fine."
"I only need Aella. I won't be using that. What did you and Lydia take?" Arad asked with a smile.
"We took the house outside the city. And naturally, I didn't take any service. The only thing I have to complain about is the cleanliness. It's hit or miss depending on your luck." Jack explained.
"Thank you for the information." Arad smiled.
"By the way, after paying for the house and a few drinks and food, I have fifty silver coins left from that gold coin." Jack pulled out a small pouch.
"Why are you giving me that? You can keep it." Arad drank his mug, standing up.
"Thanks!" Jack smiled, "Are you going now, Chief?"
"Yeah, I would like to look at the homes." Arad smiled, winking, "I will be taking Aella with me. Hold the fort."
"Got it, Chief." Jack gave Arad a thumb's up.
When Aella came down, she headed out with Arad to the place Jack mentioned.
The roofs of the woods. Their headquarter was a normal-looking inn with nothing special from the outside. Upon getting inside, Arad was surprised by how inconspicuous it was. The place's main business is renting and selling homes. What Jack discovered was but a part of their whole service.
The receptionist bowed upon seeing Arad and Aella enter from the door, "Welcome to our establishment. How might I be of service? Are you looking for a house or something more intricate?"
Arad smiled. Sitting beside her desk, "We actually came for the intricate service, but we might stay for something else. What kind of homes do you offer?"
The receptionist smiled, "That intricate service is actually put as a way to market our homes. Nothing beats giving people first-hand experience with the product." their plan was simple, rent homes for new couples, hopefully, get them attached enough to consider buying it, or long term rental.
The woman pulled a small book from underneath her desk, "What is your budget?"
Arad thought about it, "Around ten gold coins, but I could go higher if I got more time."
The woman nodded, "That isn't much for a house. The cheapest we have for sale is at seventeen gold coins, and that is an old shed in the woods."
"But don't worry, we offer slit payment as long as you have someone trustworthy verify you can pay. That includes nobles, nights, the merchant, or the adventurer guilds are also included." The woman explained.
"Let me think about it,"