Alan looked at Hach similar to how he would look at a bag of shit and commented. "You know, sometimes I wish I could feel how it is to be stupid, the world you guys live in sounds so simple."
Hach who didn't fail to notice the condescending tone of his employer explained his thoughts.
"No I mean, the gossip says the women were taken in by the prince. We know that is bullshit as the princess is loyal to his harem like his father right? Then if so the butcher's woman would not be in the Prince's residence but would be in another place. A place you know well."
The merchant gave it some thought and then tried to speak out loud. "Hmm, the prince buys slaves both men and women to add to the Gae-bolg sub harems. To mask his slow acquisition of power from Starfall the men are taken into the fake mercenary outfit the Javelins while the women are taken to the high-class brothel Arcus kiss."
His bodyguard supplemented his understanding. "Right, and when Gae-bolg goes on subjugations, the Javelins and Arcus kiss always accompany them. The mercenaries as guards while the whores as night companions."
Alan inwardly clapped at his bodyguard but to maintain his veneer of intellect he said the opposite. "Right, so the women would be taken to Arcus kiss but other than their names I don't know what they look like. I can't exactly say are you the woman of the trash swordsman?"
Hach then rubbed the back of his head as his ideas only went up to there. "Yeah, I didn't know what to do about that too. The trash swordsman was cool and all but he dead. So not much to say there. Who would even want someone else's women if they were not beautiful."
The merchant then tried to hammer out a plan while analyzing the facts. "The third and sixth strongest battle harems fought for these women though so they must be beyond beautiful.
"They should be kept in a safe place and Arcus kiss has a large guard force due to being frequented by the nobility. The likelihood that they are at Arcus is quite high and the proprietor of Arcus kiss Madam Xing know me due to delivering the prince's sub harem representatives there."
"If only there was some way we can borrow them for a while, when the butcher knows they are safe, he should calm down right?" the bodyguard who seldom used his brain for mental gymnastics took a grinding stone and started sharpening his axe out of boredom.
"Well, money has a way of opening doors, let's go to Arcus I should still have some time before Musashi-sama."
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They eventually arrived at the high-end brothel Arcus kiss, when they neared its gates, two 210 cm knights in heavy armor blocked them at the gates in a domineering fashion.
"Do you have a recommendation? This place does not allow anyone without a recommendation to enter."
Hach who got pissed started to swear at the guard. "Yo, what the fuck is wrong, that place is a whorehouse! They would starve if you block all the dicks at the door."
The guard then prepared to strike the mercenary with the back of his one-sided axe. Until a melodious voice echoed. "Stand down!" a beautiful woman with raven hair and bountiful bosoms walked out accompanied by four maids trailing behind her.
"Rick, what have I told you about being too overbearing at the door? And you Rolland why didn't you rebuke him?"
Both the knights bowed their heads in shame as they apologized. "We are sorry Madame Xing." The woman then opened up her fan and covered her mouth as she replied. "This is the second time you made such a mistake there will not be a third.
"Remember these faces in the future they are not guests but business partners. Mr. Alan is the one who gives us new girls every so often. Treat them with respect. Understood?"
The barbs in her words made Rick and Rolland stand at attention and apologized to the merchant. "We are very sorry Mr. Alan sir!"
Madame Xing and her group then made a beautiful smile as he curtsied to Alan and Hach. "Mr. Alan, please forgive my new guards, they are extremely shortsighted and naive but are good people. Would you like to come inside?"
Alan then returned a bow and greeted his host. "Madam Xing, you are looking more beautiful with every passing day. Yes please, I have a matter I wish to discuss."
The two groups then walked inward the beautiful gardens of Arcus Kiss. Unlike traditional brothels, this place emphasizes appearance and exclusivity. Design-wise it looked similar to a noble's estate. While walking Madame Xing notably walked extremely near Alan.
Taking a hint her maids walked a little back pulling Hach along to leave the two business people to discuss. Hach for the one was extremely elated as he now walked with four beautiful flowers around him.
Madam Xing who wanted to know the purpose of the visit spoke first.
"Alan, It pleases me greatly every time you visit, but I do not believe we have a for delivery today. Or have you finally accepted my offer to partake in our service? If I find favor in your eyes I am more than willing."
The beautiful woman placed her hands on Alan's forearms and massaged them seductively. Her Smokey eyes were full of longing like a mistress who only saw her partner under the cover of darkness.
Unfortunately despite her passionate entreaties the merchant coldly stepped away. "Madam Xing, please do not make this weird, you know my heart belongs to another. But if I do ever want to fall in love again you will be the first one I think of."
A bit disappointed at the clear rejection, even though Alan strung her along, she loved this man so much the fake hope made her joyful. After all, hasn't she done the same to so many of her customers?
Madame Xing was known as the "Butterfly under the moon" one so captivating you would find yourself lost with just a taste. Alan saved her when her noble house went to ruin. She sold herself as a slave and eventually entered the Arcus Kiss as a courtesan. Years passed and she is now the owner.
Alan then gave her a scroll that had three names. The mistress of Arcus Kiss read it in wonder. "Raylene, Vanessa, and Jade? There are hardly any details. All three are as generic as one can be. What are these for Alan?"
"A month ago, Gae-bolg abducted three people from Valor City. The news said the prince wanted to make them his own, he isn't here due to the monster invasion but I need to know if the women are here. It is of vital importance."
Madam Xing, placed her fan in front of her face as she spoke. "Ho? How interesting, this is the first I heard of it. Indeed Javelin took some girls and placed them under my care. But I didn't know they were taken all the way from the capital. I do admit they are quite beautiful, but nothing extremely high class that it would fetch the Prince's eye."
"Then they are indeed here?" Asked Alan in excitement.
The woman grew surprised at the importance of such a matter so she fished for some more info about the three in question.
"I had my people investigate and the only thing they found was that they all promised themselves to a deceased person who had the moniker the trash swordsman. Why are they so important that even you would come for them?"
