Chubu, or the inner city, was something else, especially after passing through the outer part of it. Yet, as I compared what I saw, there was nothing so eye-catching in sight, at least nothing I had not seen before in cities like Megvuroz or Bigradh.

From the gate, one crossed the few meters of security (against fire? or invasion?) and would take the clean, even polished stone-laid road from the entrance to end, with smaller streets visible to the sides. The buildings around were clean and everything, but it was the same white plaster and non-glass windows as everywhere else. The only difference was in their roofs, as in place of the nearly flat, tiled roof of new cities like Bigradh, one would see more conical-shaped, wood and iron inlaid ones.

The main street was lined with stores, inns, eateries, and taverns as I was getting accustomed to, with the only exception being an unexpected abundance of banners, pennons, or even carved emblems. This latter did attract my attention for a few moments, but because of them having more text than expected and that nearly none had any symbols except the Trade Guild or the tower and bird, I learned to be the emblem of Old Anea's Barony.

"In most cities, nearly half of the stores on the streets are owned by either the city or individual merchants, the Trade Guild owning the rest. It was the same as everywhere else just a few years ago. But now? Each ninth of ten city's properties are now the Baron's or of one of his associates, and between them and the Guild, there's no place for anyone else." Yuld explained after I requested an explanation of the oddity.

As for the part of the text, in place of just saying the name and sometimes occupation, the local ones had entire slogans, almost like the commercials back on Earth, Aison explained.

And he did so not without a hint of mockery, "They think that writing is something noble, so they want to show how, ahem, noble are their places in comparison to others, like outside."

Just as a note for whenever I need to do something like promotion, I decided to [Record] a few. And the one that gets the prize was a small building with a decently sized roofed yard, which turned out to be a horse shop and, to put it somehow, parking;

[Dorden's Stables, the place for all your mount needs. The best, fastest, and most noble equines.`] [The best food, horseshoes, and care.] [Let your mount wait for you as it deserves!] [Allow us to serve and prepare your horse for your noble self!]

A cloth banner that occupied nearly half of the 2nd floor of the pretty small building, and several flags with the Baron's emblems, it's all it took to publicize all that stuff.

What I did pay attention to was the people I saw around. I was interested in how they, who considered themselves high and mighty, existed in this greenhouse of theirs. Regretfully, I only saw a couple of patrician or noble looking people, with the most being the average workers who were nearly running to someplace.

Probably better dressed than the ones in the other cities, as if we take Yuld as the average worker anywhere, they were far cleaner and looked as if they did bathe each day. Yet, the detail I caught on was the badge or plate made from some rose-colored wood that each carried on themselves, be it on their clothes or hanging from the belt in case of being barechested as a few men hauling cargo.

"Entrance permits. The people in Chubu are too noble to live in the same place as the common workers, and the latter are too poor to do so anyway, so they get this mark that allows them to enter the city on the morrow and forces them to leave at sunset." Yuld explained as he followed my gaze.

"And don't expect to see much around anyway, this stores and houses are more for the odd merchant, maester, and visitor. Actual Chubu citizens don't come to the city's first half." Aison informed me in the same mocking tone from before, before chuckling and adding, "They have an inner Chubu inside inner Chubu, hah!"

***

In any case, by following the main road for a few minutes and then turning right and walking some hundred meters, we arrived at what looked like our destination. A compound of warehouses, stables, houses, and an undersized-looking building meant as the Guild's quarters, all obviously with the barrel and coin emblem.

Unwalled and actually unprotected, as I saw none of the usual Guild guards around, I left everything to Aison, who drove the wagon toward one of the warehouses.

As the horses stopped right in front of the several meters high and wide doors, we were probably heard or noticed as a youthful man rushed out, asking who we were and why we were there.

"Open your eyes, fool! Don't you see the badge on Maester Rador's belt?!" No sign of his usual calm, slightly mocking travel demeanor, Aison roared as if the youngster was one of his trainees.

My status was one of a Guild's silver member, Aison's own words, the iron meaning I was yet to be established, so the effect was instantaneous. The youngster paled, shivered, then paled a bit more and nearly dropped to his knees.

"We were supposed to arrive tomorrow, so if Maester Rador agrees to forget such offense-" Aison paused to look at me. I generously bobbed my head on this badly-concealed cue, containing my laughter by making an overly grave face.

After my noble (heh) nod, he continued, "-which it seems he's inclined to do, we will have you store this until tomorrow and forget about the lack of respect."

Although it looked like a freaking staged-up play, the words and actions had their results, the youngster running towards us with thanks. The youngster did commit another blunder in Aison's eyes, though, when the worker asked about Maester Gudea's permit. "We will meet the Branch Manager now, so be assured that he will know if something happens!"

***

Now on foot, I assumed we would walk toward the small administrative-looking building I (mis-)took as the local branch quarters, but it wasn't so. In place of that, Aison walked away from the Guild's compound and motioned for me to follow as we returned to the main street.

As I was about to ask, Yuld interrupted to excuse himself, stating he had nothing else to do for us today and that I would find him near the warehouse tomorrow morning. And so, it was only Aison and me walking towards someplace where by his words, we would meet Maester Gudea.

As we moved while avoiding the odd passerby, with the sun setting down, there weren't many, so I was planning to ask a few questions. But before I could, Aison moved close to me and began instructing me on what to say, do, and general plan for tomorrow, after I finished the matter with Yuld.

"While I had a slightly different backstory in mind for the local Guild people, your explanation at the gate will serve the same, so continue with it. Now, while Xiela was hesitant to use you, I convinced her that you would be of help. But, before moving to that, I need to update you on some stuff about Maester Gudea and other people you may meet." I knew that my visit to Chubu would imply some Hounds business, but hearing Aison's serious tone, I again felt that there was far more going on. And well, there was.

_______

From the explanations I obtained before, Baron Farald was running both city and region, and it looked like his grasp was total, with even the guards at the gate being his and not the Viscounty ones.

Yet, Aison added other details now, making me understand that it wasn't only Baron Farald but also his two daughters and partially Gudea, the local Trade Guild manager. While we would do the possible to avoid crossing their path, Aison believed it impossible as the [Garden of Pleasure] was definitively under the control of that family, even if indirect.

Plus, while he did not exactly say it, it was clear that the [Royal Hounds] were interested in finding the proof that it was actually direct control or ownership. I could easily guess the reason from the few bits of information I knew. After all, Baron Farald was very close to the [Royal Council], and all the resources of the Viscounty went into supporting the Counts that virtually opposed the King, the [Hounds] only master.

With the mix of my status and not being here officially, Aison considered that Gudea would try to get me into my good graces as means to learn some Guild stuff he may be unaware of, as while his status was authentic, the Guild kept him out of the loop. "No wonder why. The Head of the Guild doesn't like anyone, even the King, meddling in trade matters. And here they were forced to give a silver badge to some upstart merchant while being pressured by a Count."

While Zelindo told me to avoid Gudea entirely, Aison actually wanted me to act without refusing prospective relationships. He also instructed me to play as rotten as I could. Deliberately attacking my inferiors, overpraising my superiors, spending money (that seemingly would be repaid to or via Zelindo), throwing one or two commentaries about friends back in Vruz who know how to relax, and so on.

For today, I should refuse any given offers about staying, dining, or else by citing that I needed to complete the deal before relaxing, but then accept to join or even propose something for tomorrow. "I am sure they will know about what we told the guards at the gate already, and if you reinforce it, along with your skillset, all that will convince them that you are a mercenary. Someone who the Guild recruited with promises of money and status."

Summing up our talk, I was to be a bad apple and get invited to something. And as Aison hoped, if I played my part right, Gudea could even bring me to the [Garden of Pleasure], where he conducted deals, seen and confirmed by the [Hounds] of the city.

It was unclear what would turn out of that, but I should try to gather whatever information I could, and if I ended up best buds with Gudea, even spare a few words about slavery in general and the stupid laws of the King about it. "I doubt he will share much, but plant the seeds anyway. The reason, you will learn later when the actual plan starts."

I was again kept in the dark, mostly. But I could more-or-less guess what would happen, using my extensive knowledge and wisdom (heh). Indeed, what if someone, perchance, started openly snooping around the [Garden of Pleasure] and found what no one shouldn't? And what if that someone somehow slipped that everyone connected to the place was under watch?

I could not be sure that the plan was like that, but something told me that I wasn't wrong, maybe the dozens of schemes I remembered from all that consumed media.

_______

With the ongoing talk and my thoughts, I paid no attention to the surroundings, so I never noticed how we had entered what appeared to be the noble Chubu or the inner city of the inner city, as Aison called it.

Honestly, it was a true sight to behold.

Gone were the white plaster, semi-identical buildings. Replaced by enormous edifices, three floors each at least, stretching for dozens of meters, of different styles and decorations, all with flower-covered verandas and actual magic lights hanging from the roofs or walls. Damn, the few windows I could see had real glass, even if it appeared opaque compared to the one I was used to from Earth.

Gone were your average shops and utility facilities. The few of these majestic, palace-like buildings that were businesses were, honestly, overly luxurious. I could see servers, guards, and other personnel dressed in clothes better than mine standing and moving around.

There were few people on the street, and most appeared to be workers of the establishments or mansions, even if they did look more like the affluent citizens back in Megvuroz. "People living around here rarely walk. They use carriages or carts. You will see a few later when the sun sets down entirely." Aison kindly informed me, even though I didn't ask.

But really, how much was spent on this part of the city? Even the stone-covered roads, which weren't inadequate before, were now so clean, almost polished, and changed color from grey to a nearly-glowing white. As I would find just a moment later, when my gaze landed on a corner where the last rays of the sun didn't reach, it actually released a faint blue glow, "Simple rune-magic, expensive as an entire village though." Such was Aison's commentary, one that, while neutral, I could not help but feel the agitation behind.

***

"Well, that's our destination." Aison recovered from whatever he inwardly felt and pointed me to one of the manors while speaking in his usual manner.

"So, we just crash in?" As I examined the gigantic building, easily a hundred meters in front and twenty tall, I could only wonder if we would be well-received...