Published: January 13, 2026
Pluriel’s words were the first to elicit a reaction from Kusala.
“N-no… I think it’s better if you don’t go, you know? No matter what the truth is, those guys over there are probably furious and complaining, right? If Pluriel goes, it’ll just add fuel to the fire…”
“Huh?”
“Ah, sorry about that.”
Under Pluriel’s sharp gaze, Kusala immediately withdrew his opinion. Pluriel frowned at his hesitation. When Pluriel is in a bad mood, she embodies pure irrationality.
“Normally, if a young woman speaks up, the men would calm down a bit… but with Pluriel, it’s the opposite.”
“Ort, did you say something?”
“N-no, I didn’t say anything.”
Though he whispered softly, Pluriel’s eyes immediately flashed. It was best not to say anything unnecessary.
Thinking that, I cleared my throat and looked at the knights involved in the scuffle.
“…So, how exactly did the base collapse?”
I asked again, and the men answered as they recalled the incident.
“If I remember right, about ten of us were resting inside the base when there was a loud noise and part of the wall came crashing down.”
“Yeah, that’s it. We somehow managed to hold up the wall and escape. We were shouting that this base was defective.”
“Just thinking about it makes me angry.”
Listening to their complaints, I tilted my head in confusion.
“Defective? Do you mean the base’s construction was poor?”
When I asked, the men blinked collectively. Pluriel sighed lightly and looked over at me.
“Maybe it’s better if I listen to what they have to say. If it’s better that I don’t get involved, Ort, could you go and ask?”
“What should I ask?”
When I confirmed, Pluriel narrowed her eyes.
“Find out which knight order they belong to and who the commander is. I have a feeling this will happen again — and I bet the same commander will be involved.”
Her words carried a quiet fury. Hearing Pluriel’s prediction, I felt I had come to the same conclusion.
It was just a guess. But even so, I couldn’t help but feel a strong irritation myself.
“…This is not a good situation. Sorry, Kusala, but could you ask them instead?”
When I handed off the task, Kusala let out a dry laugh and nodded.
“Sure thing. Well, everyone seems pretty riled up, so it’s better if I go this time.”
“Thanks. Just stay calm and try to get the information without angering them.”
“Leave it to me.”
Kusala laughed loudly, waved a hand, and headed toward the knights glaring at us.
By nature or training, Kusala could smoothly get close to anyone. He was perfect for this kind of mission.
Sure enough, as Kusala approached the knights, he raised one hand and started talking. Of course, it wasn’t a fun chat, but they didn’t reject him and the conversation continued.
Watching this, Pluriel shrugged.
“You really are good at this.”
“In a way, being an innkeeper might be his true calling.”
The two of us exchanged words while watching Kusala’s back.
Suddenly, Kusala stopped moving and looked up at the knight closest to him. After listening quietly for a moment, he suddenly punched the knight in the face.
“Huh?”
“...Kusala, you idiot!”
I couldn’t believe what I had just seen and was slow to react. Leaving a stunned Pluriel behind, I sprinted forward at full speed.
“Say that again, you third-rate knights! I’ll beat you to death!”
Kusala shouted, his anger blazing. His voice was so fierce and deep that I worried if anyone could stop him.
“What the hell are you?! An adventurer like you dares lay a hand on me…! Do you know what will happen?!”
A middle-aged knight, blood flowing from both nostrils, glared angrily. Kusala gripped his sword hilt.
“Don’t draw it, Kusala!”
I shouted at the top of my lungs, stepping in between them.
Because I barged in so forcefully, the knights faltered. I pulled Kusala away from them and tried hard to calm him down.
“Calm down. They’re a knight order. There might be counts and marquises above them. If it’s the commander, they could be a knight marquis or higher. You might not agree, but at least apologize for appearances.”