After bathing and dressing into all-new (boots, pants, shirt, and coat!), I considered myself ready.

While I am no psychic, I somehow understood that Gris was about to arrive and so did not dally for longer than required before descending to the first floor.

And, indeed, as soon as I did, someone knocked on the door.

Kierra opened the door, confirmed that it was Gris, and invited her in. As I saw her, I almost whistled. Even with the constant dirt, fatigue, battles, and more, Gris looked pretty. But now, she was a beauty.

In place of the simple ponytail, her dark-blonde hair flowed down to her shoulders without restraint. The leather set, meant for travel and combat, was nowhere to be seen as well, replaced by a white tunic tucked into a long skirt. Short boots and a light vest in the same shade of brown completed her attire. She did not wear any accessories except for the same belt she had before, but this time, without the sword or travel pouches strapped to it. To confirm, I checked her status and found that the +10 to [Slashing] and [Strenght] remained. So, it's her belt, huh?

"Kierra, Angelique." Gris greeted both with a nod and then looked at me before lightly laughing elegantly, covering her mouth and everything, "Surprised? Or did you think I would come with sword in hand?"

"Amm, now that you ask, yes, I did." Honestly, I did!

"I see?" She batted her eyes a couple of times as she half muttered.

"Idiot." "Just compliment her." Two whispers entered my ears as the girls approached me. Don't tell me what to do, you two!

"Ah, but you look truly stunning. I mean, look, I am acting dumbly, affected by your radiance!" Well, I did want to compliment her, although I also felt like teasing her, so I did both.

*Clang*

Something metallic hit the ground in the kitchen, but as someone generous, I overlooked it. I also ignored the mixed emotions that crossed Gris's face. Maybe I should have kept the teasing to myself.

"Anyway, should we go?" After a few moments of silence, she just smiled and asked.

"Ah, yes, let's. Kierra, Angelique, we are off, don't do anything that I would do. And especially what I would not do!"

"I don't know what he means, but do take care and don't forget to close the door." She added.

"Yes, yes, don't worry. Just go, and don't return early!" I heard Kierra's voice from the kitchen. Hmm, the last words were more like Angelique's manner of speech. And wait, what does she mean by don't return early? Isn't the opposite the common-sense one?

***

"Sorry for teasing you. But I did mean the words behind it. You do look nice." A few meters away from the house, I corrected my previous slip.

"Thank you." She again threw me one of her light smiles.

"Ahem, and where are we going?" Before I felt any other sudden urges to tease, compliment (likely as well), think with the second brain, and so on, I decided to change topics.

"Soldier tradition dictates that when visiting a new city, one has to pay a visit to at least one of each three kinds of taverns, the luxurious, the middle-tier, and the cheap ones. And when one plans to leave, then it's the same, but in the opposite order." She explained.

"Your description raises a lot of questions, especially about what kind of order we will follow. And, are you a soldier? Because I am certainly not."

"Later, I will explain after we start drinking. For now, follow." But Gris did not answer, only motioning for me to follow as she started walking quicker.

***

Well, the tavern we arrived at was for sure not a luxurious one. I am unsure if it was one of the cheapest ones either, as it looked pretty decent. Well, it wasn't overly clean and smelled of spilled alcohol and what else, but still, not worse than the guild's one we visited and stayed near Drogzilg.

Located just a couple hundred meters or so from the main street, walking into one of that smaller passages that Bruno had mentioned as entrances to the slums. And while that could mean whatever, the surroundings were only slightly messier and dirtier. Still, the houses weren't so different from the ones near the guild or anything. Probably the slums are farther ahead, and this is like the border region or something.

Inside it was a dimly lit room with a fireplace with a cooking pot, a counter in the deepest part, and two long tables with benches affixed to them. A few patrons were present, but most of the benches' length was unoccupied, and as no one cared, we just sat down at the corner closest to the door.

A couple of minutes passed before a middle-aged woman in a greasy apron approached and asked what we would take. She wasn't overly greeting either, but well, in my mind, it was the most stereotypical tavern that I could imagine.

"Two jars, undiluted." Gris curtly answered. Undiluted?

"Four copper, lass." The woman nodded and extended her hand.

I did have the idea to pay, but Gris glared at me, and I immediately assumed a position of counting the darkened, smoked boards of the table.

"Question time, why jars, and what the hell is undiluted?" When the waitress, manager, bartender, cook, or whatever she was, left, I asked.

"Heh, you are inexperienced with such places, aren't you?" Gris flashed me a quick smile and then explained.

So, in the cheaper taverns, they did not give mugs to prevent them from becoming weapons in any bar fight. And if they were, then they would be either old, dirty, or both.

As for undiluted, it was what the world means indeed. The cheaper beer had one-third of water added. So, what Gris ordered was the same beer but with a higher price tag and no water.

"My gratitude, lady. If not for you, I would never have discovered such important facts!"

"Mmm, you can thank me more, no problem. Now, let's drink the jars and then move to the next place." This time she did react to the teasing. And in the way that I expected.

"So..." As I was about to ask, Gris shook her head, so I immediately changed my words, "So, I gather that you will not tell me anything here, right?"

"You are right, but if you have other things to ask, go ahead." She nodded.

And I could only wonder, just what kind of things she wanted to tell me that required getting drunk? Or was she trying to avoid speaking about that? Well, whatever, I should not ask, that's all.

"Fine, then allow me to do so..." I had planned to ask her if approaching Zelindo with a project like cheaper glass would be good anyway. And maybe she had any idea about how to guarantee ownership of an idea?

The jars that Gris had asked for arrived right as I asked the two questions I had in mind, and after we both took a few sips of the half-gallon or so ceramic jugs, she took a few moments more before answering.

"If your idea about glass is doable, then Zelindo is a good partner for it. Although he isn't the most effortless man to deal with, he is fair with his people and companions. Also, if it works well, you will have to enter a partnership with the guild, and Zelindo's influence is good enough to guarantee your initial agreed stakes." She gulped the stout-like beer and motioned for me to do the same.

"Well, cheers to that at least." It was neither better nor worse than the beer I had tasted before. Maybe stronger flavored, but pretty close anyway.

"As for the other question, you should talk it with Zelindo as well. If you register and sell something through the guild, it will keep anyone from imitating it. Still, a noble guarantee of ownership may be better."

"Noble guarantee of ownership?" Is that a patent or something?

"Any noble can establish that something is yours, but it usually only works for his territory. Still, Vis-Count and Count permits work for an entire region. And there is also the Royal one for the entire Kingdom." Gris explained before suddenly downing almost half of the jar in one go.

I followed suit, not that I had any fear of getting drunk anyway, before confirming, "So you mean that I should ask Zelindo about what would be better for my project and act from there, right?"

"More or less." She shrugged and then added, "Basing on what you decide to share with him, he will recommend you the correct way. But if it's promising, and you give him a small share, he will do even more."

"Got it, thank you."

***

After finishing, Gris decided it was time to move out, so we returned to the main street. Our next stop turned out to be one of the three-story buildings that I had seen near the square where the fair took place.

A bronze and wood sign adorned the wall above the door. It depicted a horse's head and the words [Dancing Horse Inn]. Why not Prancing Pony then? Or did they not read that? Heh.

The first floor was a tavern, all right, and I would even consider it a high-tier one. The arrangement was of smaller tables around the center of the room, where a bronze-like statue of a horse on its hind legs stood.

We had only entered when a youthful waitress approached. After confirming we were only two, she pointed us to a free table after asking what we drink to bring.

Surprisingly, the tavern was packed, so I asked Gris about it.

"It is not that the more affluent citizens drink more but because of the day. The one that we went first is for hired workers and their kin. They usually drink a couple of days after being paid. As weekly pay is on the 7th day, it's hard to even enter on the Gods or the next day." She explained in full before excusing herself.

She returned a couple of minutes later, and the waitress from before brought us a couple of pint-like wooden mugs of what Gris called [Megvuroz Own].

"We wash down the cheaper beer and then go for the wine." Gris stated, without any intention to ask or confirm with me. Not that I have to be worried about hangovers, but her?

She wasn't ready, or maybe drunk enough, to speak what was on her mind, and so I took the chance to ask about the task Zelindo had in store for me. Or better said, to get her to explain where to get the combat attire, weapons, and a trainer.

"Hmm, if Zelindo says you will not fight, then it's probably true. But I approve of your willingness to train yourself!" Gris saluted me with the mug and downed whatever remained there.

After she called for the waitress and asked for two full mugs (full mugs!) of a wine called [Merchant's Dew], she returned to my questions.

"If you want to learn the spear, then I would recommend the trainers that work with the Town Guard. If it's a sword, I can recommend someone. For other weapons, I am unsure, but there should be someone good if I ask around. So, what weapon are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking sword." Indeed, it seemed widespread here, and from what I know, it's always a Sword and Magic world.

"I see, and one-handed? With shield? Two-handed?" She inquired further.

"Well, I am not planning to go into the battlefield, so probably one-handed?" Azar said that casting elemental spells without a free hand is nigh impossible, and I do plan to learn magic at some point.

"No one plans to go to the battlefield, but yes, I understand what you mean. I will ask a few people around. And find you someone not later than tomorrow. There is a decent weapon shop on the main street, but if you later have time and money, it's better to visit a swordsmith and have them fit one for you.

She sipped the just brought wine before continuing, "As for the attire, it's far better for you to go with a leather smith and order it customized. Our clothes look simple, but they have several paddings, cushions, and sometimes iron plates inside, so it's a must making it custom."

"Thank you."

"No problem, now, drink!" She exclaimed and almost shoved the mug into my face. And not the other one, but hers.

"It's good!" After taking a small sip from the offered mug, I gave my honest impression and tried to push it back to her.

"No, finish it." She said while grinning.

"Okay, but if you want to get me drunk and take advantage of me, I am sure we can just skip over the drinking part." I teased her while inwardly preparing for anything, even a punch.

"But I do have to get drunk!" But in place of that, she laughed it off.

***

Something around five mugs (each) later and a few bites of a meat and goat cheese plate, we left this tavern as well.

Gris had gotten drunk enough to have an unsure step, but she ignored any of my words about carefulness and started half-jogging towards somewhere.

"The third tavern is a good trek away, so make haste." Surprisingly she did not slur her speech. On the contrary, it was as if she had gotten more concise (and bossy).

Taking a side street and some minutes of a walk later, it was as if we had left the city and entered another one. In place of the one and two-storied buildings adorned with different storefronts of the main street, we found ourselves surrounded by three and even four-storied mansions several times the size of the stores.

Most of these residences were walled and had closed gates. But the ones that were not allowed a glimpse at how rich people live in this city. There were gardens, carriages, luxurious mansions with columns and statues on their front, and even armed guards.

"Is this the noble's district or something?" I asked while looking around.

"Yes, and nobles do like the best, don't they?" A slightly sad note was present in her words, and I could not help but look at her.

"Ah, don't think much of it." She noticed my look and briefly smiled before pointing to the end of the street, near the town wall, to a big, three-storied, palace-like building.

"Our last objective?"

"The last tavern for today!" She corrected me.

***

Inside it was as impressive as from outside. Marble-like stones as the floor. Each table of impressive-looking lacquered wood, potted plants and flowers, and even a working fountain in the center of the enormous room. Not only that, but to enter the table room, you passed through a reception room. Probably there was even a dress code, as the entrance guards and the two stewards in the reception looked at us strangely.

But Gris showed no care to the looks, and before they asked or said anything, she displayed a silver badge she produced from beneath her belt. Inner pockets? I want!

"Oh, Lady, I am truly sorry!" That was more or less the only reaction we got after she showed it. Looking at it closely, I found out that its design was like the one I got from Zelindo. So a Silver-tier merchant guild member is considered high status, at least for the status-checking places like this, huh?

The steward that got to lead us fidgeted with the hem of his vest as he asked us what table we would like. Gris shook her head and made an upward gesture with her finger. This gesture made the man instantly nod before leading us to a richly decorated staircase on the opposite side of the entrance.

If the first floor looked amazingly expensive, the second one was double that.

The detail that was most ingrained into my mind was the illumination. The more expensive, permanent, [Light Orbs] of different colors held by full-height statues that depicted beasts and humans, of the latter most, were knight-like with weapons and armors.

The sounds of a flute and some string instruments entered my ears as well, but even though I looked around, I found no indication of the musicians.

In fact, I could not see even any table or person, as the entire room was bare except for the statues and some plants. What did I see were many doors. And as we moved towards one of them, I understood that it was a private-room system.

The steward opened the door and ushered us into a five for five or so room, with a sofa, two tables, and a couple of chairs.

"The waitress will be here shortly, but do you require anything right away?" He asked with a bow.

"No need for the waitress. Please ask her to bring three bottles of Merchant's Dew, the same amount of Noble's Dew, something to go with the wine, and a bottle of Platenor Sweet." Gris immediately ordered, and I was slightly taken aback by the order. I may not know about prices, but considering that the [Dancing Horse] session amounted to a few silvers, and here she was ordering bottled wine, just how much she was planning to spend?

"I am rich, don't worry." When the steward left, Gris chuckled and answered my unasked question.

"Still, I never expected you to be a knowledgeable person in such things or to indulge in such either."

"There are a lot of things you do not know about me, right? So what is surprising about me liking to spend for good wine?" Gris almost purred in delight as she dropped on the sofa.

"Ahem." I moved my eyes somewhere else, as her actions made her long skirt flutter and move up, dangerously high, revealing far past the knees.

"How very shameful of me. How will I encounter my noble coequals after such a blunder?" She said with a serious expression as she adjusted her skirt. But seeing my bewildered face, she started laughing.

"Now I discover that I have been traveling with someone who speaks like Count Rien! You hid it well!" I could not help but to join her laugh.

"Oh, damn you. Now, drop here as well." She patted the sofa, but I shook my head before motioning to the door.

"Will leave you alone, be right back."

***

I did visit the men's room in the middle-tier tavern, but the number of drinks that passed since then wasn't low.

"And now, where the hell is the bathroom?" I could only mutter as I exited the room. After all, there were close to twenty doors around here, and only one or two would be the correct one.

Thankfully, a closer observation of the doors and the statues nearby allowed me to pinpoint what I was looking for, the toilet.

Indeed, if the raised rear leg of the two lion-like animal statues was not an indicator, then what the hell was one?

I wasn't mistaken and entered a 'normal' restroom. Although if one can consider an enormous, with marble tiles and wood carvings on the walls and roof, room as a 'normal' toilet.

***

"Lady, may I join you?"

"Idiot, just come in normally." Gris motioned for me to enter as I stood by the door with the most solemn expression I could muster.

The wine and everything she ordered were delivered, and while I was away, Gris had not served anything. Thus, I supposed she wanted me to do it, and, well, I did.

"But you know, using crystal glasses does add some kind of flavor to the wine." I had to agree to that, as I sipped the same [Merchant's Dew] from before, and it tasted stronger.

"Maybe it's because of the bottle." I commented as I allowed the concentrated, slightly sour flavor to fill my mouth.

"Well, my uncle always said that bottling simply keeps the wine in the same condition that it was at the moment it left the barrel." She refuted my words in a strange voice. But I immediately looked at her, not because of the tone but because when she said uncle, her voice slightly shook.

"I did plan to tell you anyway, and I think I am drunk enough to spill out everything. But before that, please touch that thing." She motioned towards a silver-colored button-like thing on the wall.

I had no idea what it would do, but as she asked, I stood up from the chair that I had moved closer to the sofa and did it. As soon as I did, the music I continuously heard on the 2nd floor disappeared.

"Huh?"

"Your touch activated the privacy wall, a room-wide muffle spell if you want to call it like that. We do not hear anything from outside, and no one can hear us without entering." She explained, and then motioned first to her glass, and then to the sofa.