After putting on their disguises and washing up, Kawao and Koru cautiously explored the city.

Kawao initially wanted to keep his vest on, but Kinzo insisted it was a very bad idea.

He would learn more about it once they left the city.

The whole rebellion story was starting to seem quite mysterious to him.

Shortly after leaving Kinzo's and Bethany's shop through the back exit, Koru decided it might be better if they split up.

"They surely know from the people on the ship that we are traveling together," he said.

Kawao agreed, and they parted ways.

Kinzo had said their contact would find them, even if they went underground in the city.

What would this contact be like?

Kurani was much larger than the harbor of Isulon.

At least three times as large, Kawao thought.

He was pretty sure he would easily get lost.

The city was surrounded by a small mountain range, with only a small valley in the north providing access.

It would probably not be easy to get out of here.

Shortly afterward, he encountered two soldiers.

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He tried to act normal, and it worked.

The disguise was effective.

He wore a T-shirt with the words "Fire for Kasaka" and deep red shorts with sandals.

Until now, he had always traveled on foot.

It felt strange to wear something so different.

Despite everything, he still didn't know where to go.

Then he saw a tavern nearby.

It was called "The Boiling Cauldron."

He remembered hearing some interesting stories and rumors in the tavern on Isulon.

Without much thought, he entered.

Inside, it was very crowded and stuffy.

He slowly squeezed his way to the bar, where, fortunately, an empty seat awaited him.

Relieved, he sat down.

"Quite crowded here, isn't it?" someone next to him asked.

"Yeah, but it's nice to see the place doing well," he replied.

"Ha, that's true!"

While he waited for the bartender to take his order, the cloaked man next to him struck up a conversation.

"Where are you from?"

Kawao thought for a moment.

Kinzo had given them an alibi if anyone questioned them.

"I'm from Kaisan. Visiting some relatives."

"Kaisan, huh? Quite a long way from here."

"You can say that again."

"I haven't been to the capital in a long time. How are things there? Has much changed?"

"Same as always. I don't know when you were last there, but not much has changed in the past few weeks."

"Oh, really? No big changes in the capital?"

"Not that I know of."

"When did you leave?"

"What's with all the questions?"

"Oh, nothing. Just heard some rumors. For example, that the army recently cleared out the slums in a major operation."

Kawao thought for a moment.

This could be a trap!

Maybe I should just play along.

"Oh, yeah. Now that you mention it. Just before I left, they really..."

BAM!

Suddenly, the man slammed his head against the bar.

Before he could lift his head, he slammed it down again, putting a hole in the bar.

With a jump, everyone in the tavern moved back a few meters.

The man prepared for a third strike, but before he could land it, Kawao dodged and moved away from him.

His head was bleeding slightly, but he was not seriously injured.

"What the hell is this?" he shouted at the man.

The man looked at him nonchalantly and replied, "You are suspected of killing the commander of the 15th unit. In the name of the army of Kasaka, I, Fetu, the commander of the 5th unit, will now arrest you!"