In a quiet corner of the tavern, Kairo noticed Inspector Adamma approaching. The inspector's face, once filled with awe, was now stern. Kairo felt a wave of unease as the inspector neared.

"Mr. Kairo, a moment, please?" Adamma's official tone put Kairo on alert.

"Of course, Inspector," Kairo answered, trying to appear calm. He played the role of a clueless tavern owner, aiming to allay any suspicion. "How can I help?"

Adamma's voice lowered. "The drink your new bartender made earlier, it was... peculiar. What do you know about it?"

Kairo acted surprised, shaking his head. "Not much, I'm afraid. Linai has her own methods. I leave her to it; it's part of our appeal." He glanced around, looking for Linai, who was nowhere to be seen.

Adamma's gaze was probing. "Where is this Linai now? I need to speak with her."

Kairo concealed his worry. "She might have taken a break," he suggested nonchalantly. Internally, he was concerned. He hadn’t seen her since he decided to talk to her. Linai's disappearance could be misinterpreted. He needed to find her and handle the situation before it worsened.

Inspector Adamma's questions grew more specific, yet his condition seemed to deteriorate. "Tell me, Mr. Kairo, how often does Linai experiment with new drink recipes?" he asked, his speech slightly slurred.

“She’s new, so I can’t really say.”

“How new?”

“She just started.”

“She seems to know a lot of drinks for someone new to the job.”

"She's got experience somewhere.” Kairo replied, watching the inspector's unsteady stance. “She’s brought a lot of new drinks to the menu.”

"And these recipes," Adamma said. He blinked, apparently struggling to maintain focus. “These recipes. Do they always produce such... strong effects?"

"Not usually, no," Kairo answered. "Most are just unique flavors."

As Adamma's words began to slur, and his balance wavered, Kairo's approach changed. "Inspector, are you okay?" he asked, concern in his voice. He moved closer, ready to help.

Adamma sniffed slowly. "I'm... just light-headed," he said, his shaky voice contradicting his words.

Kairo, maintaining calm but feeling a rush of panic, saw the tavern's patrons watching. "Maybe sit down, Inspector," he suggested, guiding Adamma to a chair. "These drinks can be stronger than expected."

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Helping Adamma sit, Kairo thought fast. He needed to ensure the inspector's safety.

The tavern's atmosphere shifted into the surreal as Inspector Adamma's confusion worsened. He glanced around wildly, reacting to invisible sights. His quiet mutterings grew into loud shouts, drawing attention from the patrons. Kairo's attempt to quietly handle the situation was now a struggle against the rising commotion.

"Hower-Ba! Three of them, in the rafters!" Adamma yelled, pointing to an empty space above. The mention of the fearsome "Hornbeast" stirred a mix of amusement and worry among the patrons. The room buzzed with whispers, heightening the tension.

Kairo stood by Adamma, trying to soothe him. "There's nothing there, Inspector. It's the drink's effect. It will fade," he said calmly.

But Adamma seemed lost to his hallucinations. In a moment of seeming clarity, he asked for a bed.

"Of course, Inspector," Kairo quickly responded, guiding the disoriented man to a spare room. The patrons' eyes followed them, their expressions a blend of curiosity and concern.

In the room, Kairo helped Adamma into bed. The inspector soon fell into a troubled sleep, still mumbling. The immediate crisis was handled, but the issues with Linai and Adamma's suspicions lingered, clouding the future of his tavern.

Closing the door, Kairo knew that he had to find Linai and grasp the full situation.

#

Kairo thought of Nyaogi, another resident with arcane interests. His previous leniency towards Nyaogi's activities now seemed like a risky precedent.

As he entered the hallway, deep in thought, he saw Nyaogi at the end, walking down the hall. She appeared to be sneaking out.

Kairo, acting instinctively, approached her. "Nyaogi," he called softly, to avoid startling her or waking the inspector. Her surprised look confirmed his suspicion.

"Kairo, I was just..." Nyaogi began, faltering.

Kairo sighed, a mix of understanding and worry on his face. "I know. But we need to discuss this. The tavern's safety and legality are my priorities."

Nyaogi clutched her satchel, defensive. "I'm moving my things," she replied quietly.

Kairo's expression softened. "You're a friend, Nyaogi. I've supported your practices out of trust. You've helped people. But now I face a dilemma."

Kairo leaned against the wall, his eyes meeting Nyaogi's. "I suspect Linai is using magic too," he confessed.

Nyaogi, tilting her head slightly, asked, "Who's Linai?"

"My new bartender," Kairo replied, his voice low.

"I've seen her," Nyaogi said, a hint of recognition in her tone.

“There’s an inspector here. Linai drew his atten.”

“An inspector?” Nyaogi looked around, panicked. “Where?”

“In his room.”

“Oh no.”

Kairo looked down, his hands clasped tightly. "I could report her, but I don't want to," he admitted.

"Then don't," Nyaogi responded simply.

Kairo paused, his forehead creased with worry. "There might be another way. But letting Linai go... would that make me a hypocrite? I've overlooked things before, and it's... well, it's not simple."

Kairo's eyes, filled with conflict, met Nyaogi's. "I need to sort this out. For everyone's sake, for the tavern." His statement echoed in the hallway.

“You won’t report me, will you?”

“Of course not!”

Nyaogi said, "Kairo, handle this delicately. The inspector, they're not just passing through; they're actively searching for unlawful magic."

Nyaogi's words sharpened Kairo's determination. The threat of legal action was too serious to overlook. His top priority was the safety of his tavern and its patrons. He had to uncover the truth about Linai's abilities and their potential impact on his business.

"I appreciate it, Nyaogi. I'll be cautious," Kairo said, a resolute expression on his face. "I need to speak with Linai, to grasp her intentions and techniques. It's vital to know if she poses any risk to the tavern."