Arc 2: Chimera

Chapter 13: Stonecutter's Village

 

There were four prominent settlements in the Extollan Wastes, all of which were located in its western portion. As they did not belong to any specific nation, these settlements didn't have any official names. The easternmost of the four was known as the Stonecutter's Village - aptly called so because most of its inhabitants mined the strong and sturdy stone from the land.

However, like many towns, Stonecutter's Village had a dirty secret - it was home to the largest whorehouses in the area.

The scholars and sorcerers of the nation of Wisdom, the Nit Magedom, had sworn an oath against the pleasures of the flesh. But of course, not everyone was a stickler for the rules and while prostitution was prohibited in the cities of the Magedom, they would turn a blind eye for those beyond its control.

The Extollan Wastes was conveniently located east of the Desert of Sof, which housed the capital and many illustrious cities of the Magedom. When one wanted to enjoy themselves outside of the scrutiny of the Mage Consul, he or she needed only hire a carriage or a couple of horses and they could easily reach the Waste in half a day.

Stonecutter's Village might look like a small and dusty rural town that would seldomly see a traveler or two, but it carried a lot of inns and pubs that one would question how the hell these establishments would survive. But these structures not only survived, they blossomed and thrived.

Paul was a seventeen-year-old boy that lived in Stonecutter's Village for around a decade. He was a prostitute's son and would have followed the trade if not for a sheer stroke of luck. A widow "innkeeper" took pity on him and gave him a job as a waiter in her "inn". Of course, this inn, "White Chrysanthemum", rented more than its rooms. It was well-known for the "quality" of the men and women who worked there.

Paul's duty on the surface was to bring meals and drinks to the customers' tables, but his greatest mission was to play "matchmaker". He needed to know the client's "preferences", so he could send the correct man or woman for the job. If the customers were satisfied, Paul would get a huge tip, so he became an expert at flattery and socializing. He had a plethora of knowledge regarding the "deed", despite his young age and the fact that he was a virgin.

It wasn't by accident; Paul had no intention of obsessing over sex like a wild animal. His experience with his prostitute mother had deeply embedded a heavy lesson on his young mind. So, Paul made a vow of celibacy - he would never stoop to the level of these lust-ridden men and women that crowded on dens of debauchery.

Paul had recently finished sending a woman to a room, when the inn's owner, Martha called him over.

Martha was a big, chubby woman in her late forties, but she was an expert on the trade. Before she earned herself a couple of kilograms, she was known as a top-tier prostitute until she was bought by a passing noble and got married. However, a few years later, she returned to Stonecutter's Village and started her own business. While no one would call for her nowadays, she still had a semblance of beauty on her fat face and her fair skin was well taken care of.

In White Chrysanthemum, Martha was the boss and as Paul's savior, the boy had deep respect for the woman. "What's the matter, boss?"

Martha was sitting inside her small office, taking a look at the records on the desk before looking up at the boy in front of her. "We seem to have a new client. Looks like a wealthy noble, make sure you take care of it."

Paul nodded and quickly headed out. Martha trusted his judgment, so he usually had to deal with the richer customers. Paul disliked dealing with these types, since they were usually fussy and noisy. Still, if they were satisfied and became loyal clients, he would rake in a lot of cash, which was good enough for him to plaster a fake smile and flatter like the world's most dubious merchant.

Arriving at the inn's dining hall, Paul surveyed the area and got a rare surprise for the first time in a while.

The new "client" seemed to be a young boy, barely a few years older than Paul. He had neat and short blonde hair and gorgeous blue eyes. While he was dressed in simple clothes that would adorn a low-rank noble, his entire body exuded a noble and elegant aura, which was so mind-blowingly attractive that the rest of the guests glanced his way every minute or so.

Paul was astounded - this young man was too handsome, why would he need the service of a brothel? In fact, the people surrounding him were all manners of attractive; they really stood out amongst the throng of dirty workers, ugly rich seniors and nerdy-looking scholars.

Beside the boy were two knights in leather armor - one man and one woman. The man was tall and lean with sun-tanned skin, releasing masculine pheromones that no woman could resist. In fact, Paul caught a few of their beauties eyeing the brown-haired, red-eyed man with hungry looks. The woman was shorter, fairer and slimmer, but she carried a grace befitting of a proud and haughty girl in service of a duke. She had short black hair and deep blue eyes but wore a cold and indifferent expression on her youthful face.

The last person in their entourage was an older woman, but she was no less attractive than the lady knight. She was tall and lithe, with a large bosom that made men salivate. She was dressed in a tight-fitting black-and-white maid's uniform and her long brown hair was tied in a ponytail. With pale white skin, rosy, red lips and a pair of purple eyes, she was the pinnacle of a woman who matured so smoothly like aged high-quality wine.

Paul learned about the incubi and succubi from the old tales, and he wondered if those Lust Demons looked half as good as these people.

When Paul finally escaped his mind's haze and approached their table, the maid was trying to spoon-feed the young master. "Master Addie, say ahhhh~"

"Nova, please stop," said the blonde young master with a shake of his head. "I can do it myself."

"But Master," responded the woman, a small pout on her lips. "I've been doing this since you were a child…"

"I'm no longer a child, Nova," stated the boy in a haughty tone. "In fact, I am here to climb the final step to adulthood."

The lady knight huffed with a contemptible look on her face. "Young master, this filthy establishment is not worthy. Why must you lower yourself to find a dirty whore?"

The other knight merely chuckled. "Ah, dear Minerva, just because you stayed celibate doesn't mean our master should. He will be stuck in the Academy for the next seven years; he should at least get a taste before then, no?"

"You are a bad influence, Damon, I should have struck you down before the master had the chance to pick you up."

The four talked in low voices, their conversation barely above the hubbub of the inn's most crowded area. However, Paul had trained his ears from childhood and could listen in despite the distance and volume. It came in handy, as people were more likely to talk in the company of friends rather than a stranger like him.

After listening in, Paul had quickly taken stock of the situation. It seemed that this foolish young master had taken the advice of his lackadaisical knight, indulging in a small rebellious phase before he was admitted to the famous Arcanum Academy.

The Arcanum Academy was the most prestigious school for mages and scholars in the Nit Magedom. It had stringent requirements for enrollment and both commoners and nobles could be admitted, as long as they were talented. If this handsome young master succeeded in grabbing a seat in the Academy, then his identity was not simple.

Paul tried not to look at the blonde young man as some kind of precious Mana Vein. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Paul, and I am here to assist you for tonight's needs. May I know who will be participating in the night's activities?"

"That would be me and the young master," said the male knight named Damon, pointing to himself and the sitting blonde boy.

Paul nodded; it seemed the women would be staying in a normal room. "I shall now arrange your rooms for the night. Are there any specifications for the pillow on the bed?"

The "pillow on the bed" was a code for the sex partner. Paul figured that Damon was an old hand.

It seemed like Paul's conjecture was correct, as the knight had a small smirk on his face. "We want the long ones. I sleep lying down while the young master sleeps face up."

Paul couldn't help but do a double take. The "long ones" meant that the partners had "that" sexual organ. And "lying down" and "face up" - one liked to top and the other was a bottom. No wonder these attractive men never took a second glance at the women accompanying them!

But Paul was a professional and he knew better than to question someone's sexuality or preferred position. He coughed lightly and continued adopting an amicable smile. "How about other particular features?"

"Hmmm, I like the short ones with a thin filling, something I could embrace fully. The master isn't picky, but I once caught him drooling over the stocky and pleasant-faced ones."

Paul got another surprise and discretely glanced at the two men, who wore unreadable expressions, as if there was nothing wrong with their behavior. These two's preferences were so much like the other - it was a miracle these two didn't get together!

However, Paul had no intention to learn about the inner drama between the gay young lord and his equally gay knight. It was none of his business, after all. "Then I shall arrange it. Take these keys, you may come up once you are done for dinner."

"As for the women," Paul turned to the other people, a little uncomfortable under the indifferent glare of the female knight and the scrutinizing gaze of the maid. "These are your keys. Please take the corridor on the left side."

All four people had the keys to their respective rooms, so the first part of Paul's job was done. He bowed and thanked them and quickly moved to the "kitchen" for the latter half of his duty. Paul chose a young and feminine-looking man for Damon and a famous handsome male prostitute for the young master named Addie. This male prostitute complained that he couldn't do men, but after knowing the young lord's background, quickly changed his tune and promised to do his best.

Paul merely smirked. These whores were all the same, slaves to wealth and glory.

But then again, Paul was the same. For the sake of a future where he could bask in the sunlight in comfort, he would do even the most questionable of acts. Luckily, he hadn't found a situation that he couldn't handle, so his bottom lines were well-preserved.

Paul waited for the night to deepen before doing his "side job". It was something even the boss, Martha, did not even know about. Still, he wasn't that cruel - he made sure that all his actions wouldn't tarnish the boss' name or the reputation of the establishment she had painstakingly built up from scratch.

Pretending that he was checking the surroundings, Paul entered the left corridor, which led to the rooms of the guests' accompanying servants or bodyguards. The quarters here were rarely used, as most people - noble or commoner - who visited White Chrysanthemum were keen to make use of their "services". However, most nobles, like the popular young master of the night, were accompanied by some people who were not so crazy about their sex lives. After all, the nearest nation was known for their dislike of sexual activities.

Paul's current targets were the women that came with the young master named Addie. More particularly, the maid called Nova looked like she could be persuaded to share some information about her charge. Paul knew the type - these women looked motherly and caring at first glance but probably had impure motives for the lords or ladies they serve. He already had a young and handsome male prostitute ready - if Nova took the bait, then he would have some good information on his hands.

Such information was precious and more importantly, pricey. Paul's boss on the other side would pay handsomely for the blackmail material.

Paul knocked on the maid's door, which was quickly opened. The young boy opened his mouth to speak but faltered at the sight of the thin and skimpy nightgown that adorned the woman's mature body.

Noticing the boy's open-mouthed gaze, Nova giggled. "Hm, good evening. How may I help you, young man?"

Paul remembered his manners and avoided the woman's eyes. "Ahem, g-good evening. I-I was wondering if you would like to avail of our establishment's special service?"

"Oh." Paul couldn't help but turn and stare dazedly at the woman as she spoke. "This special service, would it cost me or my master anything?"

"O-of course not!" Though he was young and barely reaching adulthood, Paul received his fair share of seductresses, but this woman named Nova was beyond his reasoning power. He stifled the urge to fall down on his knees and beg and continued speaking with difficulty. "This service… is complimentary… for servants of… guests with… prestige…"

"I see, I should thank my master then." Every word from the woman provoked every nerve of Paul's body, making them tremble in anticipation. "To share the night with such a fresh, young man, I am so delighted~"

Paul's mind was instantly lost, the emphasis on "fresh" echoing for some time before it was completely forgotten in the throes of passion.

~

When Paul woke up on the bed, he was completely naked. It took some time for his head to clear and various images flashed through from the night before.

Paul paled. He completely lost himself and did the deed he hated the most. And he did it with a woman almost twice his age. Worst of all, he enjoyed it - the myriad white stains in the bed covers screamed to his soul like blood in a murder scene.

Still drowning in disappointment at himself, he didn't notice that a body was lying beside him. The woman named Nova moved and pushed her breasts on the boy's back, acting coquettishly as she spoke. "Good morning, my son."

Paul looked like he would vomit. Last night, he moaned and called the woman "Mother" as she had requested.

"Mother" did not mind the boy's silence and smiled. "Now, now, calm yourself. You can tell Mother what you want, your 'service' last night was very satisfactory."

It had been years since Paul last cried, but he felt like shedding big tears of shame right now.