HERALD OF STEEL

(Sorry, I edited the last chapter a bit. Please check it out again.)

During this time of the year, the red light business tended to swell like the tides during a full moon, letting the streets and alleys become dotted with women wearing very distinct clothes- they showed their bare shoulders, and one side of the skirt was tucked into a belt they wore around the waist, letting it hike up to expose their ankles and calves.

This was a tell tale sign of their profession and when dressed so provocatively, it was hard for Menes to believe the men would not be tempted.

Especially as during this time of the year, it was also not too uncommon for many unmarried and even married women to also take up the job part time.

The demand for girls was that high, while many girls would also become strapped for cash.

The ongoing festivals and celebrations after all required a lot of money- be it for themselves or their family. And for most peasant families, it was quite hard to have saved the necessary amount, even when diligently tightening their belt the whole year.

So it did not hurt to make some extra coin on the side.

And as already stated earlier, this was not that big of a deal for the families as there was not as big a stigma against prostitution in Adhania.

Officially it was never condoned, and even condemned, but in reality most fathers usually turned a blind eye if a daughter could get them some extra cash, as did husbands for their wives.

It was just seen as a job, same as any other.

They were just asked to be hush hush about it and only be allowed to do so during this time of the year. If they ‘fraternized’ any other time, there would be grave consequences.

And funnily enough, this restriction actually made these part time ‘workers’ that much more desirable. The others could be savored all day long, but the rare gems were available only for a limited time.

Hence many eager youths and even married men would wait impatiently the whole year, counting the days just to have a chance with them.

The thought of being able to get it on with the next door’s young maiden, the recently married beauty, the elder sister they met every day or even that mature aunt that used to spank them as a child… this recognition and previous relation made the intimate act all the more alluring.

And because of this, many of them were even able to charge much more than even some of the most sought after professionals, even though they were usually not that skilled or even that pretty.

The men actually paid them for that connection. It really went to show- sex was as much about the mind as it was about the body.

Now to be fair, it would also be wrong to think that every other woman in the city took to the streets during this time, like it was a fish market.

Even with the tactic condoning, this profession was still a taboo subject, with relatively few women in total participating.

And even those that did many times went to great lengths to hide themselves from people they knew, often by travelling to far apart parts of the city. This perhaps let them earn fewer coins but for many this loss was worth their dignity.

But a lot of the times they would still get found out in which case, the common etiquette was to simply pretend they did not know each other. Or sometimes, the men could pay them to ‘roleplay’ as that acquaintance. This was all done to keep that veneer of deniability and even a sort of taboo that added to the experience.

While there were a few rare ones who simply did not care about such mundane nuances and simply joined the working girls in the streets, picking quite a high fee for herself because she knew her usual clientele would be unable to deny themselves.

Menes knew all this because such practices were also prevalent in Zanzan. The Jtaama was a cause for celebrations all over the country, and as that time of the year approached, the soldiers started to talk among themselves, discussing which girl or madam living next to their house might be in need of some ‘cash assistance’.

They would seem really excited, eager to snatch the limited offers. So Alxx’s ask about the men not sleeping around did not really work.

However Menes suspected that Alxx was not fully aware of his orders because he was never quite home during that time.

And he was right.

If you will remember, this might be Alxx’s fifth year in Adhanaia but only his second Jtaama, he was away in campaigns during most others, thus creating a blindspot.

So Menes initially wanted to explain the situation, laying out the sweet temptations.

However given Lord Iyazid was already starting to call and wave at Alxx impatiently, the general saw himself running out of time and decided to cut it short.

“Going to the fair and not having a whore…is like going to a bar and having milk for the men. It will be…. difficult to enforce.” The black chiselled face paused a few times with some hesitation, pursing his lips into a helpless smile.

But then quickly promised, “Okay, let me see. I will try my best.”

“Mmm… good!” Alxx succinctly nodded to this, knowing this was really the best he could ask of the man.

Then lightly patting the man’s broad shoulders, added,

“Also, I will give each man 100 ropals as a yearly bonus. That should be enough to stop them from harassing businesses, right?”

“…???…” The promise caused Menes’s eyes to widen significantly, his mind instantly producing the total cost of this generosity- 600,00 ropals.

‘Hissss!’ And the black general then instantly hissed like so in his heart, half terrified.

He was terrified by both the amount and perhaps even more so by how easily Alxx was able to make the promise, like he was simply taking a drink of water.

And this effect was perhaps further exaggerated by the fact that Menes was also a lord, with his own land and income, thus he was able to easily compare apples to apples, letting the number stand out even more.

Now it was no secret among the top powers that Alxx was rich, and filthy rich at that. So it was understandable for him to do something as such.

However very few actually knew the exact amounts. They thought the man was a few hundred million roplas rich, whereas in reality it was multiples of the amount.

Hence the few ubiquitous displays of wealth that Alxx occasionally pulled still shock them, just as now.

Menes thus first turned to give Alxx a very frank jealous look, envious of how easily the man was able to make money, to which the man also silently chuckled, thinking nothing of it as he knew the frank general was always like that- in front of him, he wore his emotions like a sleeve.

While Menes also quickly managed to return to the topic at hand, and regarding the proposal, added with a soft swing of his sturdy arms,

“You are being too generous, Alxx… there is no need to give everyone that much. The slaves and servants do not need anything. And the soldiers too…”

“100 ropals is too much, if you really want, just give them 50 ropals. That’s a week’s wage for them… more than enough! It can be a loan that will be slowly deducted from their salary up to the next year.”

“….” Alxx first lightly pursed his lips at the suggestion in amusement.

Now deep inside, he understood where Menes was coming from- the man was speaking from his position, as a lord with relatively limited means.

So it was always in his interest to cut costs.

Menes was also speaking as a dutiful subordinate- upon seeing the boss wanting to splurge, he wished to advise otherwise.

“No, I want it to be a gift… a bonus for this time of celebrations,” Alxx however rejected his general’s suggestion, musing, “These men have come all the way leaving their family behind at such a time. Let it be their compensation.”

“Also, you already said the men tend to harass shops on prices. So give them that money, and then tell them any more trouble will have heavy consequences. As for the amount… give all of them 100 ropals.”

“….” At this, Menes initially flattered his lips in clear disagreement.

He fundamentally saw no point in giving the soldiers money to go enjoy themselves. The fact that they were being allowed to leave the camp to go enjoy themselves was itself seen as a great boon to the man.

“…Fine. I will let the men know,” But with Alxx insisting, Menes decided not to haggle. It was his army and his money after all.

“But make it half for the slaves,” The black general however then also added this, before quickly flashing his large hands to stop Alxx from interjecting,

“I know you will say you want to reward equally or that everyone should get the same bonus during such a holy time, but trust me… that will be foolish.”

“There is a clear difference in status between the soldiers and servants. If you give the same bonus to both, the men will start complaining… no matter how much you give. I know these

bastards. They can create problems from thin air!”

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