After being kicked to the streets, glares were aimed at me from all directions. Most were solemn expressions as if their trust has been broken. However, shouldn’t I be the depressed one right now? I’m being accused of a deed I certainly did not do!

It’s like watching tv as a child then your mother comes yelling at you from the other room and when you go to see what happened, your conniving little sister is sticking her tongue at you from behind her!

Overly specific and now I’m upset that I was blamed for messing up the kitchen. I will get my revenge one day sis…well, probably not since I’m dead, but I’ll write my frustrations out into a poem and have some bard or some shit sing it for all to hear.

After being chastised by the king and the people, I stood standing in front of some run down inn with some windows cracked in the front. My shoulders dropped and my feet dragged as I reluctantly walked into the place that smelled of cheese and...what the fuck is that?

Fruit? Meat? Why is this scent so indescribable?

I observed the place with a darkened expression but as soon as I saw someone swaying my way with the ends of her hair bouncing I couldn’t help but brighten up. I mean, how can I resist a pretty face?

Letting out an involuntary smile, the lady responded in similar fashion while stopping her tracks in front of me.

“Are you going to keep staring or are you going to say what you came here for? You don’t seem like the type to be around this area… Did word of our delicious delectables finally make word in the central district?” she spoke in an obvious flirtatious manner.

Being the gentleman that I am, I had to respond with a similar tone of course.

“Delicious delectables? Hm I haven’t heard to my disappointment. If I had known that someone as beautiful as you was working here I would’ve come sooner.” I replied with the utmost sincerness.

I could tell she liked it because her cheeks reddened as she blushed and she looked away before skipping back behind the counter she was working at.

“Are you just going to stand there honeying your words or are you going to request our services?” she questioned still with a playful tone before picking up a glass and pouring something in it.

I propped up my collar mentally as I straightened my back and swaggered my way over onto the seat. I glanced at the glass being placed in front of me as red liquid started filling it to the brim.

This place is the best. I take back all my past complaints. I don’t want to leave. The palace be damned.

“So?”

I shook my head then understood her words.

“Sorry, your beauty had me captivated. Anyways, I came for a room.”

“Silly…” she whispered. “We have three rooms only here since this is a small inn. Luckily for you, we have one unoccupied. How long will you be staying?”

One room? Wait, why am I surprised at that fact. The real question is why are there only three rooms? This place is indeed small but...seriously only three rooms? And another surprise! Is that two are occupied. Strange, very strange indeed.

I grabbed the glass and downed it all in one gulp as I thought to myself that thinking too much is a bad habit.

I cleared my throat and stared at the lady that was almost as cute as Amanda and started to say, “That will be fine and I’ll fortunately be staying until further notice. Will that be an issue?” I said with a smile.

“No, not at all.” she then reached under the counter and dropped a pair of keys onto the counter. “Walk up the stairs and your room is at the end of the corridor.”

She then leaned in close and cupped her mouth with one hand. “Be careful, one of the guests that arrived is a strange one. I would keep my distance.”

She seemed to be warning me of someone but I couldn’t really focus as her clavicle came into view and I, as a gentleman, wouldn’t leave her flirtatious attempts to dismay.

“Great, great, so… how about we take this to my roo-”

“Hush now, I like you but don’t push your luck. The other room is occupied by my father. You best be on your best behavior.” she said slyly as if daring me to make my move.

I punched the air in my head but then kept my smile as I took the key and took one last glance at her before making my way upstairs.

Indeed three doors were in a hallway. One on the right side and two on the left. I assumed mine was on the far end while the father was in the one on the right. I mean, the person can’t be too overbearing right? It’s not like he’ll kill me haha.

I’m a general after all.

I proceeded towards my room and opened the door. When my eyes befell the room, my bright face suddenly lost all brightness. How can a room be so...shabby! It looked like I stepped into a trash bin that was styled after a bedroom!

Floorboards were stained black and there was a half broken chair in the corner of the room. And don’t get me started on the bed…

When I went to feel the fluffiness that I thought was the bed, I was met with the feeling of cardboard and almost yelped in pain.

I sighed inwardly as I looked up the wooden ceiling. I can’t complain. How could I? My cute junior, Amanda, is locked up in some dungeon at this moment. My other captains are nowhere to be found and my army almost died.

Am I truly capable of being a General? Can I really win the battle that is tasked in front of me? Is this my life now?

Fuck!

There’s no use being all doom and gloom now. Now then, how about that hostess downstairs? She is certainly more sly than that junior of mine. Haha, I wonder what it would take to get her name...

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***

The next day came quickly and I was prepared to face it head on. First thing on my list, I need to find the dungeons.

I am in no way acquainted with this city and have zero idea where anything is. All I knew is that I was in a part of town that not many people came to. Probably one of the lower districts because prices weren’t outrageously expensive over here but quite the opposite. They were outrageously cheap.

I walked out the door and turned to walk down the hallway.

Swish! … Swish! … Swish!

The sounds of a sword made my ears perk and had me stop in my tracks. Someone was practicing with a sword?

I looked to my left to stare at the father’s room. I strolled over to it casually and placed my ear on the door. I could hear steps coming closer before…

“Move and I’ll kill you.” the old man grumbled as he opened the door to my surprise.

I almost got a heart attack then and there. I fumbled back upwards and looked at the object in his hands. It was a fucking...wine bottle? So it wasn’t him then it must’ve been the…

“Are you going tell me why ya here for or will I have to beat you senselessly!”

I shook my head then focused on the man while bringing my hands up.

“Haha, this is a misunderstanding. I was… crouched down looking for something. My um, coin you see. To pay the fees for my room since I am now a guest. Where could it have possibly gone? Did it roll down the stairs?” I said quickly as I brought a hand to my chin to stroke it.

The man stared at me for a good few seconds as if he knew who I was. I swallowed a lump in my throat as I stood there taking in the gaze of the man.

He then however, broke into a hearty laugh. “You’re a guest you say? Why didn’t you say so. Here, I am the owner, why don’t I help you look for that coin of yours?” he chuckled as he walked out, already scanning the floor.

“Oh! I don’t want to be a bother, I probably left it in my room. You go on ahead, I’ll go meet that love- I mean you and your daughter downstairs in a bit.”

“Alright then. I’ll cook up some food for you all in the meantime.” he replied before brushing past me and actually walking down the stairs to my surprise.

I let out a breath of air as I felt the tension dissipate. So if he wasn’t practicing slashing the sword then it must be….

I glanced behind me at the door. I walked closer but couldn’t hear the slashing of wind anymore. Matter of fact, I couldn’t hear anything at all. Strange but thinking back to what just happened, I was lucky that the old man didn’t have a sword in his hand. Otherwise if he wasn’t drunk, I swear I could’ve died on the spot.

I slapped my face then decided not to eavesdrop and made my way jovially down the stairs as if nothing happened.

“Kaitlyn Flowers.” the beautiful curly haired girl from yesterday said as I came down the stairs.

Kaitlyn Flowers?

“My name, it’s Kaitlyn Flowers. My father is Benjamin Maxwell. I heard my old man ran into you up there. Considering you aren’t dead yet means that he likes you. Consider yourself lucky.” she gazed up at me with a cute smirk that almost made my heart faint and my knees tremble.

I got her name after a short meeting. I must be getting good at this. Soon my charms will have everyone in the city doting on me. I wonder if the kingdom has a princess?

When I thought about the king my face darkened and my mood grew sullen. I don’t even know the king’s name and I am helpless against him. What am I supposed to do?

I walked up to my previous seat from the night before and laid my back on the counter as I watched Kaitlyn sweep the floors.

“What a beautiful name. It must have been God who gave such a precious name.”

She stopped what she was doing and frowned at me. “Is Benjamin really a beautiful name? I don’t know how I feel about my father having a suitor…”

“Oh, ah, no, what I mean is.”

She brought her hand up to her mouth as she began to laugh.

Am I being bullied?

“Relax, I am only jesting of course. Why thank you mister… say, what is your name? I must have been exhausted from yesterday considering I gave a room to a guest I don’t even know of.”

“Just call me Grim.” I said with a smile.

She looked at me, puzzled.

“Grim, Grim, Grim… where have I heard this name before…” She then snapped her fingers and her eyes lit up as she looked at me.

A proud look grew on my face, But once I thought of the insults from yesterday I quickly shrunk down.

“That’s it! You have the same name as our adored General Grim! That’s interesting. I didn’t think that name was so similar. I heard he came back into town recently. Sigh, if only I could meet such a friendly, strong, kind individual that is loved by others.”

The brightness in my face lit back up. Finally! Someone who likes me!

“Wait, you have never seen the General?”

“Sadly, no. I am stuck here from the moment I wake up to the moment I sleep. The only time I step out is to buy ingredients from the market square. Life in the lower districts has been getting rough as of late. I don’t know how we will make it through Winter.”

Her voice grew low as well as her face. I really wanted to cup her face and tell her to not worry but even I don’t know what was going to happen in the coming months.

After eating a meal from the father and chatting casually with Kaitlyn, I decided I did enough slacking and needed to formulate my plan.

“Do you happen to have a map?” I asked.

“Only a simple one, not very detailed. Will it work?” Kaitlyn responded as she went under the counter and unfurled something in front of me.

It was small but I understood the contents inside.

There were five regions of this city. It was a very huge city indeed. Much expected of the Capital.

“What are these rings inside the city?” I asked, pointing at five multiple rings that outlined inside the city.

She eyed me with suspicion in her eyes.

“Do you not even know the five districts?”

I shook my head into which she was taken aback but then continued to explain.

“This middle circle is called the Royal District. The second ring beside is the Noble District. The third, the Market District, fourth, Common District, and finally the Shadow District.”

My ears perked at the last name. Isn’t that such an ominous title?

“Shadow District? Why is it named that?”

She looked at me strangely but didn’t ask more.

“It’s called that because that is where humans are treated even less than a human.”

“Less than a human? What does that mean?”

“It means that those are people that the city has lost all faith in. Anyone from that district is treated as nothing more than a shadow. Not even looked at unless they do something to anger the people in the higher districts. It's a real shame really. It wasn’t always like this… Luckily for us, we border between the Common and Shadow District, making us still somewhat reputable.”

She smiled a soft smile but I could sense sadness there. I sighed inwardly as my hearts clenched for these people. I can still prove my worth, but these people are stuck here forever…

I smiled then took the map and nodded.

“Thank you, I will surely repay my debts to you and your family. By the way… how much per night for the room?”

“If you are worried about that here, then I will assume you have no money, yes? In that case don’t worry… As long as you help around the tavern when customers come, you can stay for as long as you like. Talkative company is never rejected… I was getting quite lonely here.” she gave me that devious smile before whisking away and continuing to set up the place.

This girl is a bad one. I will surely repay them once I figure out how to get money. Or access my money, a general shouldn’t be poor right? I must have money somewhere.

But enough of that, I need to go back here. To the dungeons.