Guidelines

The bodies of the men were covered with all kinds of different diseases so it was much more difficult to rid them of everything with a single talisman.

The talismans only played a role in curing a single disease at a time while a higher level one may have had more magic within them to help cure more of them or a stronger disease which had the effects strong enough to harm a level two.

Mallory stepped back as her talismans seemed to have made the two guard regain a little of the colour back on their cheeks but they seemed to lose their strength.

They both started panting as they experienced the fatigue after being cured and having a strange energy wash through their bodies many times.

Mallory then spoke to them. "Can one of you take me to the boss of this place?"

One of them staggered as they got back up and showed her the way. "Follow me."

As Mallory was escorted inside, she saw many female figures behind different curtains and some pairs of eyes were watching her from within their rooms or their work space.

Mallory just ignored them as she walked towards the main room where she was escorted and she found the lady boss behind the brothel.

She was a much older lady who had long lost her beauty, her figure and her youth.

Her eyes looked towards Mallory as if she was a potential product but there was also a hint of jealousy and venom in her gaze. "Why have you barged into my business?"

Mallory did not bother to take a seat or get comfortable as she went straight into explaining everything. "I am here because your business has caused damage to the city."

The woman frowned. "Damage? How can I? A little business owner possibly cause damage to the city? Are you here to pick on me because of my small business and because I am weak? Do not even try it.."

There was a look of malice on her face as she warned Mallory not to get out of hand and say something against her.

Mallory shook her head then opened her eye ability to examine the lady boss. "This problem is the result of diseases spreading. It is spreading from your business, to your customers, to their partners, to their partners and so on until it infects many people. Many lives have already been affected and you are among them."

The woman glared at Mallory. "I told you to be quiet, I think it is best that you leave."

Mallory stood in place and took out a talisman as she waved it around. "If I leave this place without you listening then this place will cease to exist. The only reason why I am here is to give you a clear warning so that you can work with me to solve the problem caused and come up with a way forward."

The woman looked a little startled but then began to ask. "A kid like you can decide for such a thing to happen? Who do you work for and who has authorised this?"

Mallory went on to explain. "My backing does not matter too much right now, all you need to know is that I have come with news on your present business. If you fail to meet the requirement that I set then you will not only be stripped of your business but you will also be put into a prison."

The woman looked at Mallory with hatred in her eyes. "I have been through so much and suffered just to get to where I am. How come a kid like you can sit across from me and say that you can determine my fate?"

The woman was once one of the workers in the brothel and like those in the brothel, once her beauty faded she would be thrown out or abused by the masters.

Only through many trials was she able to earn the trust of the other women and overthrow him.

While she had made a few improvements over the years to help earn more Valis, the general situation of those in the brothel did not improve much.

Like most illegal businesses, the bosses or owners tended to change many times due to power struggles and one new boss may not always be the best choice.

The woman had a lifetime of struggles and abuse then when she became the boss and lost her beauty, youth and figure, she started to resent others which were still in their prime.

Although she may have gotten to her position for selfish motives, she did wish to change the brothel once upon a time but her loathing towards the women that worked for her prevented her from making those improvements.

For her to get to where she was and then have a young and pretty cat human girl tell her what to do was simply a big insult.

Mallory passed over a talisman, a document which had been written by the scribes in the city hall and the ones which proved she had the backing of the city guards. "This business needs to meet several conditions and I will assist you in cleaning up this place with these talismans. The talisman can help cure you and those that work for you so I will donate enough to cure everyone first then you can contact me or the Seshat familia to purchase them.

There are disease detection talismans which can be set up within the building or be used by the guards to allow entry for people. The cleansing talismans work to cleanse your bodies of those diseases. Since they will be gifted to you then I expect that you take this as me giving you a chance to survive."

The woman calmed down as she listened. "What are the others?"

Mallory showed a look of approval and explained. "There will be checks done on the cleanliness of the work environment, the health of the workers, the physical and mental wellbeing of the workers but also checks to see how the books are handled and if the workers are being paid properly.

This will be implemented in many other places in the future and you will be the first to test this. If your workers are happy, healthy and are able to earn Valis in a safe environment then you can continue your business. However if you only continue to keep things as they are and watch on as your employees are abused and fall ill then this place will not be accepted by the city.

You have the option to continue to use my talismans or you can seek out a doctor or mage which has the skills to prevent further spreading of diseases. I am not forcing you to rely on me if you do not wish to do so. Please do not think any other thoughts by the way, I have people waiting for me and if I do not return then you will be shown no mercy."

The people she had brought were waiting outside the doors as they were all protected so they would serve as witnesses for everything that happened, if Mallory did not come out alive then they would quickly attack the building.

Even if the woman was a hidden member of a familia or just an ordinary person who got to her position through skill or luck, Mallory did not fear her because of her current status and the measures she had put in place.

When Mallory brought up the discovery of the diseases and the connection to the brothel, the city hall and city guard were very determined to shut it down and put those involved to death.

Had it not been for Mallory's counter plan which was to give them a chance to reform the business completely and turn it into a legal and legitimate business.

Mallory still possessed memories from her previous life so she could come up with some general guidelines for health and safety in the work place.

Although the Danmachi world was still far behind her old one and did not have a solid structure built in many areas, it did possess magic to assist in areas which were more difficult to investigate.

The talismans were very useful to detect and cure diseases while others would have magic spells that may be useful to detect lies or healing magic and potion use to hide wounds.

A couple of documents on signs of mental or physical abuse would also help the investigators to spot the signs early while other documents on modern bookmaking would help spot misuses of funds.

The woman showed hesitation and asked as she held the talisman and papers in her hand. "But why would I trust in you?"

The woman had lost trust in people a long time ago whether it was the men who made promises to take her away or the allies she had which stabbed her in the back.

Mallory saw that the woman was slowly dropping her very thick wall and was starting to look at Mallory as a fellow human. "Cleanse."

The light entered the body of the woman and she felt a little better. "So.. is it really true?"

Mallory nodded as she examined the woman's body. "The state of your body is very bad right now and so are the bodies of the others in this building so I wish to get to work. Can you help me?"

Sexually transmitted diseases were always a topic which most did not wish to bring up even if they had discovered they had it so they would often be left untreated or those infected by those that discovered it would not find out themselves unless they had noticed a problem with their own body.

Those that could not afford a doctor, potion maker or mage with the right spell to cure them would be forced to live with the disease or have to live off painkillers or anti irritants just so they could live a somewhat normal life.

It not only affected the health of many people but put a heavy strain on their finances and their relationships.

Those in more dire situations would have to resort to taking on difficult tasks or work just so they could try to earn enough to hire a doctor, potion maker or mage and in their present state, they may not be in the best mental or physical state to survive.

The woman nodded then stood up. "I will gather everyone and prepare a room for you."

As the woman left, Mallory let put a relieved sigh and patted her chest. 'It was a success. That woman's eyes are scary… it was almost like a venomous serpent..'

Mallory was then later escorted to a room and as the curtains were opened, the woman entered to be treated first.

More followed behind her one after another as the diseases were treated with Mallory's talismans until Mallory was able to finally leave. "Remember the guidelines I have set. I have left a copy for you to look over and follow so do not pet this chance I have given you slip away."

The woman showed a complicated look as she bowed. "Thank you."

Although she had her grudges and own complicated thoughts related to how much effort it would take to reform her business, she was grateful that their biggest problem had been solved.

She then passed a small booklet over. "This should help you a little to locate some of our regular customers. Although we do not keep a strict record of these things, there are those which we cannot help but take note of because they are regulars or are special customers."

Mallory took the book and smiled. "Thank you. Best of look on your business and I hope that you can find a dream or form of hope you can work towards."

As Mallory was leaving and was greeted by many people who were relieved to see that she was safe, the woman looked over with envy in her eyes and said in a low voice. "Dreams? Hope? Is it even okay for me to have such things?"

She entered the building with a slightly depressed mood as she looked very lonely and fragile unlike her previous appearance.