The next day came quickly, and Ash spent most of the day running around the garden. After a their walk was finished, Alice pulled out a few books and began to study.
They were the same ones she had been reading on the first day Ash arrived, and probably before then too.
The contents of the books focused on business- how to make connections and bargain, as well as an outline for the prices of some common goods.
Naturally, prices fluctuate, so these prices weren't up to date, but they could still give a decent idea of the pricing landscape.
Aside from these business books, Alice also had a few novels and a singular history book.
The history book could hardly be called a history book though, more historical fiction.
Its subject was a fairly well known one- the story of the Crimson General. The book had an odd origin; no one knew who the author was. Apparently, a few hundred years ago, shortly after the death of the Crimson general, this book showed up.
It was written in an unidentifiable language, and only a few words could be recognized. Crimson General.
After countless years of work by some of the best scholars in the Vosnan Empire, the book had been roughly translated.
It told an in depth story about the Crimson General, and was told from a third person point of view. Who could have written this, and were the stories within true? It was labeled as historical fiction rather than nonfiction.
Rather than holding the story to themselves, the Vosnian scholars made some edits, then made copies of the translated version.
The storytelling in the book was good, and they figured the book could serve as a reminder to others not to make the mistakes that their own nation had made in the past.
Alice read out in the garden, sitting under a small tree. The sun soon past the height of the sky, and began its descent towards the horizon.
Alice grew tired of sitting still and reading, and she had something to do today.
It was time to find out about Ash's past.
Leaving Ash in the garden, she began her search for the butler. Alex was more of a supervisor to the other workers, and even had his own office… but he wasn't there. None of the servants Alice passed seemed to know either.
'Hmm… I'm sure Gary knows! Those two have been best friends forever, I'm sure Gary can find him!'
Making her way to the kitchen, Alice pushed open the door, only to be met with the person she was searching for.
"Alex! Were you trying to hide from me?"
Alice pulled him away, leaving a confused Gary behind.
"M'lady, a bar is no place for a young lass like you. How about I go alone? I will tell you everything word for word, so don't worry!"
"Nope. I'm hearing it first hand. Even if it isn't a happy story, I want to hear what happened."
Alex shook his head, but knew there was nothing he could do to stop her. 'Please don't let it be too bad…'
The Lions Gate pub wasn't far from the Graves manor, and it didn't take long for the pair to arrive.
The young girl was quite out of place at the establishment filled with drunken mercenaries. The pub couldn't quite be called a clean place. The stench of alcohol permeated the air, along with the smell of strong BO and upchuck.
Alice coughed at the stench as she entered, attracting the attention of a few drunkards.
"Oi! Looks like Ol' Jer got us a young one this time, eh? Which brothel is this one from?"
A few other drunkards joined the first, jeering at Alice.
Their disgusting gazes made Alice feel queasy. Combined with the rancid stench, the gazes made some bile start heading for Alice's throat.
Just as she thought she was going to barf, Alex stepped forwards. His glare was even sharper than the sword in his hard, and silence filled the pub. Alex's face was bright red with rage, his sword held forwards threateningly. It was almost like he was daring someone to say another word, his sword itching to pay back these idiots who'd insulted Alice.
A few seconds later, everyone went back to their drinking, completely ignoring Alice. It seemed no one wanted to test Alex's temper.
Jorg was sitting at a table in the corner of the room, and it didn't take long for Alex to recognize him. The duo sat across from him, receiving no reaction.
Jorg was dead drunk already, despite it being just past midday.
Alex waved his hand in front of the merc's dirty orange beard, and finally Jorg awoke.
"Huh? Who are you? Go away or get me -hic- more beer."
Tossing four sil to the bartender, Alex purchased a beer for Jorg… or at least he tried to. With a sneer on his face the bartender motioned for more.
Four sil was already a decent amount of money, definitely enough for a beer. Any more would be a scam… but Alex had to get the drink. Without it, it was unlikely that Jorg would talk.
After giving another two sil to the bartender, he finally got the beer.
As if revived by the scent of alcohol, Jorg straightened up as soon as the drink arrived. He took a sip of the piss yellow liquid, scrunching his face into a frown at the harsh taste.
"Alright… what do ya want, girly?"
Still trying to keep the vomit from earlier down, Alice took a moment before speaking.
"Please tell me about the wolf pups your group brought to the city about a month ago. I want to know what happened to the black wolf pup… and how you caught them in the first place."