“Uh… W-Why are we here?” Arthur asks, unable to hide his unease as he looks at the building in front of him.

“Ohoho…” Sir Edward grins devilishly. “It seems our innocent new recruit isn’t as innocent as we thought if he already knows what this place is.”

The Magic Palace. Or in other words, the only legal brothel in the kingdom.

‘WHY THE HELL ARE WE HERE!?’

What’s more, it’s only him, Sir Erik, Sir Luis and Sir Edward! The women of the brigade aren’t here!

After having eaten lunch with the rest of the team in the afternoon, everyone left to take care of their own personal business. It seems Lianne returned to her room, as did Sir Luis and Sir Edward. Lady Eliza and Lady Mary-Beth went to the cathedral for some church related business and Sir Erik had to talk to the general.

On his part, Arthur decided to walk around town once more to get a better feel for the city. And so he did until the appointed time. Sir Erik told him to wait by the statue in the Arrow District’s square at 9:00 pm. He got there a little earlier, but so did the others.

Then they brought him here.

“We’re here to celebrate you joining us.” Sir Erik says with an innocent smile. “Well, that’s half the reason. We also like to come here after we finish long missions.”

“B-B-But…!”

What the hell!? Isn’t Sir Erik married!? Arthur understands polygamy is accepted for nobles, but this is…

“Oh, don’t get us wrong. We’re only here for the services on the first floor.” Sir Erik laughs. “The tavern on the first floor is one of the best places in the city. Great food, great drinks…”

“And lovely company.” Sir Edward nods with a dreamy smile that makes Sir Luis sigh and shake his head.

“It’s also a great place to get updates on what’s going on in town.” Sir Luis points out. “Since we’re out for long periods of time, we come here to get an understanding of things that happened while we were away.”

“That’s the gist of it.” Sir Erik nods. “But let’s not just stand outside. Let’s go in.”

They go through the door and are greeted by the chandeliers in the ceiling, the red carpet, the dark wooden tables and chairs of the first floor tavern and, of course, a man in a fancy dark suit. He bows politely, welcoming the group.

“Good evening, gentlemen. Welcome once more to the Magic Palace. Table for four this time?”

“Yes. We’re here to welcome our new team member and introduce him to the adult world.” Sir Erik grins.

“…” While Arthur awkwardly stands there, the man in the suit nods, takes their weapons and leads the group to a table by the wall that’s not actually for four people, but for eight.

“Any request regarding company?” The man asks.

“Please send Becky if she’s available.” Sir Edward says, sounding excited.

“And if Madam Ariana is not too busy, please tell her we’re here.” Sir Erik says politely. “I’d like to speak with her for a moment.”

“Very well, sir.” The man bows once more and leaves.

The four men sit down, and Arthur just can’t shake the awkward feeling off of himself. It’s one thing to come here when nobody knows him, but to be in a brothel with his new teammates who are also full-fledged knights is way too weird.

“Relax, Arthur.” Sir Erik gives him an easy smile, sitting across from him. “I know knights coming to a brothel might seem weird, but Madam Ariana has built such a reputation that this place is far more famous for its tavern services than the others.”

“I’ve heard many nobles have been trying to convince her to move her business to the Holy District so that it’s closer for them.” Sir Edward says.

“Yes, the church isn’t very happy with that, but it’s not an issue because Madam Ariana doesn’t want to move.” Sir Erik laughs.

“So it’s not frowned upon for knights to come here?” Arthur asks, surprised.

“Not at all.” Sir Edward answers happily. “Madam Ariana’s business is slowly cleaning up the bad reputation of brothels. At least in the city. It brings good money, tourists, keeps the citizenship happy and its workers safe.”

“The biggest detractor of it is the Church of the Goddess. Their teachings say that sex should be a matter of love, not of business.” Sir Luis points out solemnly. “And while I agree with that idea, I can’t deny the benefits it brings the country. And neither can the church.”

“There are brothels all around the country, but all of them function outside the law. Do you know what that means, Arthur?” Sir Erik asks, and it sounds more like a test question than anything else.

“…” Arthur keeps quiet as he ponders on it. “If they work outside the law, it means they don’t answer to the state. That means no taxes, but perhaps more importantly, the lack of governmental inspections to make sure everything is up to necessary standards.”

“That’s precisely it, Mr. Arthur. Fufufufu.”

The familiar voice coming from behind makes Arthur flinch.

“Madam Ariana.” Sir Erik smiles politely. “I apologize for calling you so suddenly, but thank you for meeting with us.”

“Please, it’s always a pleasure to share information with the Sanctus Brigade. You’re our strongest link to the church, and we really appreciate you giving us a chance.” Ms. Ariana chuckles. “Are your wives doing okay?”

“Yes, ma’am. They told me to give you their regards.”

“I still don’t understand why you refuse to bring them here.” Ms. Ariana sighs, taking a hand to her cheek. “It’s not like you ever use our second floor services.”

“I’d rather keep them out of gossip as much as I can.” Sir Erik laughs sheepishly. “The sisters at the church can be fearsome in that way.”

“Fufufufu. I understand.”

Ms. Ariana is standing as exotic and beautiful as ever in her red satin dress. And besides her is a smaller girl, about Arthur’s age, wearing a dark green long dress. She has long black hair and features that immediately tell Arthur she’s a country girl.

“Welcome back, everyone.” The girl bows, smiling brightly.

“Becky! Please, sit down.” Sir Edward says amicably as he pats the spot next to him. The girl, Becky, simply laughs at the knight’s enthusiasm and sits next to him.

“I think I’ll take this spot here, if you don’t mind.” Ms. Ariana chuckles sultrily as she sits at Arthur’s left. “Right next to my favorite customer.”

“Eh?”

“Eeh!?”

“EEEEEEH!?”

Sir Erik, Sir Luis and Sir Edward exclaim one after the other.

“Arthur!” Sir Edward points an accusative finger at the newest recruit with a deeply betrayed face. “Don’t tell me you and Madam Ariana…”

“We did. Fufufufu.” Ms. Ariana chuckles mischievously. “He was such an innocent catch I couldn’t resist. I’ve accepted him as my new customer.”

‘It would be a GREAT time for the earth to swallow me right about now.’

Arthur’s face is burning. He opens his mouth to say something, but realizes that trying to make excuses will only make things worse.

“I can’t say I expected that.” Sir Erik hums. “Well, to be able to catch Madam Ariana’s eye is impressive in and of itself. Just make sure you don’t use all your money here.”

“I… Yes, sir.” Arthur sighs, resigned to his fate.

“Gah! Why is it that the innocent looking ones get all the luck!?” Sir Edward complains, leaning back in his seat. “Is the appeal of a knight in shining armor fading?”

“But Sir Edward, the only one wearing shining armor is Sir Erik.” Becky points out casually and making Sir Luis snicker.

“Anyway,” Ms. Ariana giggles. “I see you managed to get the job you wanted, Arthur.”

“Y-Yes. I was able to win the Knight Selection Tournament and was assigned to Captain Erik’s brigade.”

“I’m very happy for you.” She smiles and waves her hand to one of the waiters who immediately comes over. “Bring us a bottle of Great Reserve red wine. It’ll be on me.”

“Please, Madam,” Sir Luis starts. “We couldn’t possibly…”

“Oh, shush, you.” Ms. Ariana frowns at him. “I don’t want to hear a word from you. Do you know how many girls here would love to share a table with you? Or a bed? Yet you keep refusing!”

“It’s starting to become a race.” Becky giggles. “The other girls are trying to see who can seduce Sir Luis first.”

“See? It’s always the innocent looking ones.” Sir Edward groans.

“I… I apologize.” Sir Luis grimaces. “I just don’t feel like it would be fair to any of them.”

“Ugh, you’re my least favorite type of customer.” Ms. Ariana sighs. “Single and too serious to enjoy your youth. You should take some tips from young Arthur here.” She says, grinning and giving the youngest man a tight hug.

“Ma’am…!” Arthur can’t deny how great this is, and even if it’s embarrassing to be seen by the other men, he just lets Ms. Ariana do what she wants.

“Anyway,” Sir Erik starts after a short laugh. “Would it be possible for you to give us an update on the situation around the city?”

“Nothing of note has happened since you left. The biggest thing people are talking about is the selection tournament’s finals.” She says, grinning at Arthur.

In the meantime, the waiter comes and serves everyone a glass of red wine. Arthur takes a small sip and is surprised by the flavor. It’s mellow at first and with a strong aftertaste. It’s way better than the wine he had here before, and certainly better than the ale from the other tavern.

“I wish we could’ve seen it.” Sir Luis sighs and swirls the wine in his glass. “But I guess our little spar earlier gave us a good enough idea of how it went.”

“Not at all.” Arthur says, shaking his head and putting his own glass back on the table. “Though I don’t know if people who did watch got the same feeling I did.”

“Oh?” Sir Erik exclaims, leaning forward with interest. “What do you mean?”

“Mr. Marcus, my opponent in the final fight, was… formidable in various ways. He was incredibly skilled with the bow, but even that paled in comparison to the aggressiveness he showed by the end. He fought like a madman and for the excitement of the fight alone. I’ve fought a few monsters before, but none of them ever gave me such a feeling of danger. And the more I think back to the fight, the more I believe that wasn’t his full strength.” Arthur sighs in frustration and bites his lip.

“Are you saying he held back against you?” Sir Edward asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Not exactly. Sir Samuel told me demigods are born strong and have to learn to control their power. It’s possible that I fought Mr. Marcus at his current safe limit. I think he could’ve easily beaten me if he used all his strength, but maybe it wouldn’t have been safe for him. I’m just guessing, though.”

“You sound frustrated.” Ms. Ariana says, giggling in amusement.

“Do I? I guess I am.” Arthur smiles sheepishly. “It somehow doesn’t feel like I won, but I won’t dwell on it too much. I’m already here, so I just have to keep working to become stronger.”

“And why do you want to become stronger?” Sir Erik asks, crossing his arms and giving the new recruit a calm, but serious look.

“…” Arthur takes a deep breath. “It’s the quickest path to my goals. I want to earn a noble title for myself. I want to earn a lot of money so I can support my mom and, well, to live comfortably.” He chuckles nervously. “Not the most noble of goals, right?”

“And after that?” Sir Erik asks. “What will you do once you have all the money you want?”

“…I don’t know.” Arthur smiles wryly. “I’ve been wondering the same thing for a while.”

He swallows, and his hand instinctively moves to his chest, feeling a small pressure deep inside it.

“I see.” Sir Erik sighs. “Well, if anything, I hope you can experience more of the world while you’re with us. Maybe you’ll find your answer.”

Arthur nods. “I hope so too, captain.”

“Very well, a toast then!” Ms. Ariana says. “To the Sanctus Brigade new recruit and another successful mission, right?”

“That’s right!” Sir Erik lightens up. “We have a couple of days to rest, so don’t hold back, guys!”

“Captain, we should still drink in moderation…” Sir Luis says, hesitant.

“I don’t want to wake up with a hangover ever again.” Arthur agrees, sighing heavily.

“Oh great… Our new guy is another stick in the mud.” Sir Edward gives Arthur an unamused look.

“And if I get home drunk I’ll never hear the end of it from Eliza and Mary.” Sir Erik laughs. “But don’t let us hold you back, Edward.”

“Right-o, sir!”

Well, Arthur doesn’t want to be a stick-in-the-mud, so he’ll try to get to know his new teammates. At least the three of them that are here.

Somehow the odd looks Lianne gave him earlier in the day still bother him.