The Power Society's hideout turned out to be nearby. It seems this place was quite crowded.
"The Power Society is still considered a recently formed group, but that doesn't mean one should underestimate it," explained Kenneth on the way.
They weren't worried about any passersby overhearing them, as there was still a spell around them to neutralize the sound, which wasn't that rare to have active, as Jack promised.
"Their members are also a bit unusual compared to your regular thug." Kenneth's expression turned a bit weird, like he wanted to sigh but also found it amusing at the same time.
"They have certain... principles they like to follow above all else. Something about how a true man should act. Whenever they make a move, there is always quite a show to watch, as their members try to battle the guards in a dramatic fashion."
Gethyn at the side made a slight smile. "Well, I think that's much better than your regular thug. At least they are interesting."
"I am sure you would love to join them, Gethyn. But I am sorry to say you are stuck with us for now," Jack joked on the side, though he was ignored.
Kenneth continued after a brief pause, "...Anyways. I am trying to say, don't be too surprised at their behavior, and please don't try to provoke them. I am sure they would love nothing more than to have a hearty one-on-one with you, but we shouldn't waste time with this."
Jack interjected again. "He'll just stay in a safe area while we clear the way forward; what's the worst that can happen?" He tempted fate with a carefree voice.
"Don't say things like that! You'll invite misfortune!" Exclaimed Katherine with a bit of panic.
Jack replied with dismissal. "Whatever. You think everything is a sign of misfortune or fortune or who knows what else."
Gethyn heartily laughed, raising his head in the air. "That's true!"
The relationship between the members of this group was surprisingly great. At least on the surface.
"To me it seems like little kids and their mom, Kenneth."
That too, yeah...
...
They walked a little distance towards what they called the 'hideout' and entered right through its front entrance. However, to Cyril, it seemed slightly different.
"Isn't this a brothel?" He voiced his confusion with a frown.
Music was playing somewhere unseen. There were many tables on the first floor separated from each other by partitions.
Despite how early it was, there were already people sitting here. A middle-aged man with a tired face was hugging a wine bottle while talking to a scantily dressed woman who sat nearby. She laughed whenever the man opened his mouth.
A similar picture was playing out on a few other tables here.
"Pathetic"
Jack hurriedly corrected him. "No, it's not that. The Power Society calls these 'hostess clubs'." He wagged his finger.
Cyril dryly looked him in the eyes. "And what's the difference?"
"The girls here are only your conversation partner and nothing else. Anything beyond that is forbidden, at least how they say it," Jack explained with his back straight.
"He sure knows a lot about it," Rhamn said somewhat accusatory.
Meanwhile, Kenneth was talking to a worker who just approached their group. Thankfully everyone was dressed fittingly enough and could pass as customers.
Having finished negotiating something, Kenneth turned towards the group and motioned for them to follow him.
Cyril walked after them while taking a look around the place. He didn't really like the atmosphere.
If someone had said to him only two months ago that he would visit something like a brothel, he would've been greatly offended.
...
The group reached a secluded table in the corner and sat down at a single table.
"Cyril, can your butterfly feel if there are any suspicious magic materials above us right now? If the distance is too far, we can solve that," Kenneth quietly said with focused eyes.
Immediately, Morpho twitched her antennae a few times, and soon Cyril heard from Rhamn the answer.
Still, perhaps to pretend, the butterfly fluttered her wings a few times, as if communicating with Cyril.
"There is," Cyril relayed her findings.
"Good, we got lucky and hit something immediately. I, Jack, and Katherine will go and investigate." Then Kenneth smiled politely. "Please stay here and pay attention to that crystal I gave you. When any changes happen, I will notify you."
At this moment three women have reached their table, workers of this place.
"Hello! Let's have ourselves some fun today!" Energetically greeted one of them.
Each introduced themselves with some fake-sounding name, and all sat down on one side.
Cyril was slightly getting confused at this moment; however, it wasn't over yet.
"You really weren't joking about taking us here? What were you thinking, William? I am leaving!" Katherine suddenly exclaimed, her face a perfect example of fury.
In lively, angry movements, she sprang up from her seat and stormed out of the establishment.
Kenneth, whose name was now William apparently, reached out his hand in a pitiful manner, "Wait, baby, you got the wrong impression!"
With panic and urgency, he got up from his seat and followed after her.
Cyril almost believed that they were a real couple having a conflict.
The three women who just arrived all had forced smiles on their faces, trying to ignore the situation.
Jack, in a never-before-seen moment of seriousness, bowed his head slightly in apology and got up from his seat as well.
"I apologize for my friends. You guys relax and have fun; I'll try to bring them back; no need to wait for us and ruin this day."
He said this to Gethyn and Cyril, acting like they were his superiors at work, and left with urgent footsteps.
Was this really necessary?
Cyril couldn't help but sigh helplessly. They probably wanted him to stay in range of the communication crystal while they were doing their work upstairs, but this was a bit too much drama in his opinion.
One of the women soon regained her composure and started speaking like nothing was wrong, "Hai~ What do you do for a living, everyone?"
Her words awakened the other two as well, and they started paying attention to the two remaining customers.
Their piercing gazes troubled Cyril slightly. His opinion of this mercenary group was falling even lower.