After looking the map over, I tucked it away upstairs then changed into the uniform Kaitlyn gave me like I was some dress up doll except without the ribbons.

Wearing only a simple brown tunic with white undersleeves, I looked nothing like when I was wearing my dazzling tin can armor on the battlefield. Our time together may have been short but I will surely cherish it…

If only those bastards allowed me to pack up before basically kicking me out onto the fucking streets! Wait, there is no basically about it, they fucking kicked me out!

“Why must I wear these garments again? They are pretty similar to the clothes I wore in my last life, but certainly not as comfortable!” I complained when coming down the stairs to confront the innkeeper behind the bar.

I glanced at the beautiful girl who exudes such a temping aura that lures people in like they were flies coming willingly onto her web.

She smiled then walked around the counter to stand in front of me.

“Because…” she enunciated while leaning way too close to me and started fixing the wrinkles on my shirt. “The fabric you were wearing just seems way too expensive. Just where in the world did you get that?”

Ah, finally my time to shine has come.

I stood up straight and tall, puffing my chest out.

“Didn’t I tell you? I am the General Grim after all?”

Ha! How’s she gonna react now? Will she praise me and obey my every whim like how my captains were?

“Pfft.” Kaitlyn broke out into uncontrollable laughter, needing both hands to cover her giggling self.

Why is she laughing so hard? And isn’t the point of putting your hands to mouth is to cover up your amusement? Now you’re just hurting my ego even more...

“Sorry, sorry. Mhm, I haven’t heard such a blatant lie sound so proudly in a long time. Forgive me, General Grim. Hahaha…”

My face twitched as she continued her laughter while doing a mocking curtsy before handing me a broom.

“And here is your sword, General, please make sure to defeat those pesky dust knights in that corner over there! Hurry up, the reinforcements could be coming in at any moment!”

My heart dropped as I stared at the broom in my hand than to the amused backside of the person who was walking away to the counter.

I sighed then shuffled over to the corner. Thinking about life and my time when I commanded an army of hundreds… which was just a week ago.

Why doesn’t she believe me? Is it my voice? Is it because I’m not confident enough? Maybe I should work on my commanding aura before going to bed….

After walking to the corner and sweeping the floor of dirt along with other disgusting shit, I made my way throughout the rest of the tavern. Naturally the place was small to begin with, so there wasn’t much to clean, thank god.

When I was just about done sweeping, a burly fellow along with a lanky figure of a man came through the door. They came wearing some silver knight armor and had the emblem of the kingdom’s logo etched onto their chestplate. Though their armor wasn’t as eye-catching as my own, they are indeed knights of the kingdom.

In a panic, I ripped off my right sleeve and covered half my face. I don’t want anyone from the army to know I’m here! Who knows what they’ll do to this place once they find out.

“Knights! Please, come seat yourselves anywhere you like.” Kaitlyn greeted, like an old friend.

The two pulled out two stools on a table near the counter and plopped down. I looked at them strangely….isn’t sitting like that highly uncomfortable?

And I’m speaking from experience. Those things have like zero movement!

“Don’t worry about the hospitalities, darling. You know we come here every week!” the burly man said jovially.

“Of course, it’s the usual for you two then, correct?” Kaitlyn smiled, getting out two mugs from under the counter.

“Correct! And double it while you’re at it. Major Hughes has been giving us hell since yesterday.”

Kaitlyn gestured me over for assistance to which in turn I left the broom leaning against the wall. I wasn’t that interested in their conversation. I have zero idea who the names are and I doubt I would be able to ask them about it without sounding suspicious.

She laid four mugs filled to the brim with beer and I almost gagged at the sight. Not being a good drinker made me think of having an actual hangover the day after! I take one sip and I have a thumping headache for the rest of the night.

I held two with each hand and headed over to their table.

“Tell me about it! Had us doing sword training till dawnbreak!” The lanky man complained, staring viciously at the two mugs of beer being placed in front of him.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“If only only his sister listened to advice and pledged his allegiance to General Henry, then she wouldn’t be locked up in the damn dungeon. But instead, she insisted on stabbing herself in the foot by following General Grim. Just what in the world was she thinking?”

My hand with the other two drinks froze in the air before I could place them down.

“How many times did we tell her that working under him would bring you no good. With the king’s bias, the General stands no chance against the palace.” the burly man responded, while eyeing the drinks then turning to glare at me.

King’s bias? Amanda’s brother? Has this world gone mad? I just wanted to live my life and they throwing me into a political fuck off!

While deep in thought, I heard the slamming of the table in front of me grow rapid.

“Hey! My drinks!” the burly man ordered.

I shook my head and set down the drinks, to which in turn let the expression on the knight’s face do a one-eighty and become very happy like a girlfriend who received valentines chocolate. It seemed like this alcohol can change one's mood.

Suddenly, a light bulb clicked in my head and an idea started forming. I smiled from ear to ear then sharpened my eyes.

Sigh, Kaitlyn is about to hate what I’m about to do.

“Knights, how about a few more drinks for your troubles? On the house!”

“Now that’s service!” They cheered, before gulping down their mugs and waiting for refills.

My face watched in shock but quickly went to the bar to persuade the temptress into helping me a bit more. She let out a sigh but then reluctantly agreed by placing drink after drink on the counter in order for me to give them.

Bless her heart, she’s too good for this world! I will surely repay all the kindness I have received. Sniffle, sniffle.

However as I turned back, I caught an eerie smile on her face that said ‘Abort!’ It’s too late! I’m going through with it.

After downing a dozen beers or so, the knights pink faces were very pronounced without having a helmet to cover it up. They swayed in their seats while their eyes drooped. They looked as if they would fall over at any moment!

Taking one mug filled with beer, I held it above the middle of the table.

“This the last of beer for the night, who wants it?” I taunted as I moved my hand in a circular motion towards both their noses.

They licked their lips as their eyes sharpened on the mug in my hand.

“Good, very good… How about this, whoever can answer a question of mine will get poured some beer into their cups. What do ya say?” I asked them smoothly, feeling confident even though I was playing some dirty tricks.

To my delight they both nodded their heads enthusiastically without taking their eyes off the mug in front. A smile grew on my face as I grabbed a stool from the counter and plopped my ass down to get comfortable.

“Let’s get started. Who is Major Hughes?” Let’s start with the big question right from the go!

As the burly knight was about to answer, the lanky knight spoke first.

“Major...Hughes is the oldest son of the Hughes family. A vicious man with a hot temper. However, he is looked up to by many knights for his past acccompwishments in the War of Division…” he slurred but answered relatively quickly.

He held his hands out with the mug but as I was about to pour it…

“What is his connection to Captain Amanda?”

“Cute little sister…” he answered quickly which made his cheeks even redder.

Satisfied with his answer, I poured him a little bit of beer with a smile.

So their family has some status if he addressed it as the ‘Hughes Family.’ Do they hold less power than Owen's family? And what is the War of Division? I’ll ask about that from Kaitlyn later. It doesn’t seem like an answer two drunkards could answer.

“Next question… Who is the family of the late Captain Owens?”

This will be important…

The burly man raised a finger about to speak until the lanky man shouted out!

“Owen’s family has the largest private army in the kingdom! A top noble family. One not to be trifled with. Young Owens was the second son of four brothers. Yet wasted his talents to die… a sad tale.” As he finished speaking, he ended with a somber tone but quickly lit back up when I poured him another drink.

The burly knight’s face twitched and looked like he wanted to strangle the person in front of him! Scary, scary!

So basically, getting help from Hughe’s family status will be really damn useless. That’s probably why they were able to lock up a Major’s sister after all.

The time went on like this and I gathered lots of useful information thanks to these kindred spirits. However, what I didn’t expect was that only one of them would be poured most of the drink! Is this guy a Jeopardy contestant?

“Ha! Looks like all that muscle makes up for your empty head!” The lanky man taunted as he gulped down his reward.

“This empty head will be all it takes to smash you into the ground! Come here you walking stick!” The burly man yelled while shooting up from his seat and grabbing the knight by the head.

The two started bickering as the lanky man started slapping the other in the face. Both looked so stupid because of how fucking drunk they are and would’ve made everyone else laugh like a hyena. However, I couldn’t laugh.

I swished the few amounts of beer left as I rhythmically tapped my fingers on the table. This last question had me the most anxious to the point of sweat beating down my brows.

“Finally… who is General Grim and what has he done to offend the Palace?”

The two suddenly stopped fighting and looked at me in unison. The noise turned silent and even the innkeeper behind me seemed to be focused on me.

The burly knight dropped the other man and plopped back down onto his seat. The lanky man stayed standing then a few moments later brushed past the knight.

“I’ll be taking a piss. Come out when you are done.” He said as he waved a hand and walked out.

“Yes, sir.” The burly knight responded…

Sir? What! Is this guy his junior? Their roles should totally be reversed.

“Hey… who are you?” The knight looked up to me with sharpened eyes.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I parted my lips.

“I’m just a simple waiter.” I replied with a nervous laugh and smile.

His gaze sharpened but all of a sudden reached out to take the mug from my hand. He downed it all in one swift motion before slamming it down onto the table.

“General Grim… is a good man. And good men can’t survive in this world. Now it looks like the Order has finally made their move. Even a reputable general like that, feared by many, cannot defeat the Order…” he then slammed both hands on the table and shot up. “I’m really pissed off! I’m headin’ home!”

He dropped a bag of coins onto the counter and actually left as he grumbled on the way out.

A…good man? And the Order? Huh? Huh?

Just what in the hell does that mean!