With new bombs in my backpack and belt pouch, I enter a tavern. This is one of the few places that didn't have a 'no alfr'-sign and while Ara-san could have waited outside another tavern, I wouldn't have been at ease with that. Not that I don't trust her not causing any mischief, she knows when to hold back, but It was too easy picturing the city guard arresting her for being there on her own...

I hate this town!

The tavern is called Dinn's Drinkyard, the shop the city guards have recommended to us. If what they told us is true and there are good drinks, I think that there is a chance that we’ll find some mercenaries. This is a rather big building as well, most likely able to house a lot of people.

The moment the door opens, the smell of booze and salt enters my nostrils. Having [Perception] as an [Ability] enhances all of my senses, it even counters my nearsightedness, but in moments like this I hate this feature. I can smell the sweat, the burned ash from yesterday's fire, several kinds of grease, dirt, vomit, and blood.

I guess this means we're right. I look at Ara-san, who is lucky enough to have a weak sense of smell, but I notice how her two irises adjust to the lighting conditions within a second. In moments like these, she reminds me of a cat, just with more adjustable parts than her pupils.

Well, time to look at the interior myself. The taproom is large and there are a lot of tables. I guess around eighty people are inside, it's so loud that even I can barely hear the musicians that try to play some merry music, which kinda sounds pitiful in here.

I notice that the whole taproom is separated into three groups of people: Ones that sit close to the stage and try to listen, those who mind their own business, and a large group of people that are chummy with each other. “I guess, I found them,” I say to Ara-san while pointing at that particular group.

“The scars and weapons make them suspicious. Please be watchful, I see a lot of hungry looks on me. It's like they're raping me with their eyes.”

“It's more like contempt. Phew.” It may have been too much to ask for a tavern that lacks a 'no alfr'-sign to be actually acceptable. If people would look at me that way, I'd definitely snub them at some point. Other than humans, though, Ara-san is an alfr and she's always proud about how alfar acts upon logic, instead of emotions. Maybe a twisted logic, that makes them racist beyond belief, but logic nonetheless.

...how easy things would be, if alfar would be less... like themselves.

Nonetheless, we're here for a reason. I feel some stares also on me, I hear someone asking his seatmate if I may be the Red Ranger. ...why!? Why do they even know who I am here!? I'm not even in armor! The guards at least asked for the ones accompanying the alfr!

“Hey,” says a middle-aged man, with half of a beard. The dark brown hair was similarly pitiful. “An el- alfr? And a man with a face I've never seen... Are you the Red Ranger, boy?” Is this their leader? He has the presence of an unpacked chocolate bar on a pile of shit.

“Not by choice. You're the boss of these ragtags?”

“Ragtags? Well, we're mercenaries, of course people look down at us sometimes, but I expected better from you.” He laughs it off like it's not a big deal and then looks straight into my eyes: “I'm Gunsar, the Flamebane.” That name is actually not too bad. Now that he mentions it, the skin between his sorry excuse of hair seems odd, maybe burned and healed by magic?

“What does that name mean?” asks Ara-san curiously: “Did you make your name by smoldering chimney fires? Or did you work your way up to campfires?” I seriously should shove a gag into her mouth sometimes.

“I've slain a hundred firemoths in a single subjugation. Y'know, the fire-breathing monsters that comes like a plague every few years to Sabwoth?” I have no idea where that is.

“Then the people of Sabwoth should move to another place.”

“Ara-san,” I ask her calmly to shut up. While she may have a point, it's definitely neither the time nor the person to make this suggestion to.

“Oh,” she answers in disappointment, but stops speaking nonetheless.

“You have your alfr under control,” Flamebane praises me and I certainly don't feel happy about that. “As you were the one to come to us, let's talk business. Also, drinks. My treat.” While he looks happy on the surface, I can feel how this is just a facade. That's a calculating bastard. Serves me well, it's easier to deal with them than with honest-to-goodness people.

While Ara-san and I sit down at the table, we don't even touch our drinks. I wish I could talk to her with eye-contact only, basically what I do with Kyou-san, but that doesn't work. Usually, I would just use a low whisper only she can hear with her good hearing, but for that I'd move my lips and give Flamebane a tell.

After taking a deep sip of his chalice, Flamebane asks us directly: “What do you want from us? Looking for mercenaries?”

I guess, I’ll do the talking, now that I hushed Ara-san. “Looking for work. More precisely, a caravan.”

“Ah, guarding duty, I see. But work... you're mercenaries as well? Which rank?”

“One.” Mercenaries don't have a guild or something like that, so at some point a semi-official system of ranks was established. The more people recognize your work, the higher the rank, though only people in higher positions can grant ranks above 3. With our letter of recognition from Goldbrunn, we count at least as an official band.

“Ah, so still rather new, I presume? I mean, in terms of skill you would belong in a rank 3 or higher company, as you're a ranger, after all.” He's talking like a bigmouth, just acting like the senpais at my school that think that being older makes them automatically respectable. Newsflash, it doesn't. “So the four of you are the whole company? Or are there more?” So he even knows that? How? “Small pointer when you become bigger: Have people at the gates that report who comes in and out. The reason why you're asking me for possible employers is because you have no idea what's going on in this city.” He takes another sip, even though I glare daggers at him.

That arrogant asshole!

“I see,” says Ara-san while suddenly having paper and a coal-pen in her hand. She notes it down quickly: “So the key is to look for possible employers and approach them on your own?”

“That's just a small part. You also have to know the power-groups of your location and the area. If they need mercenaries, they’ll make it known, but then you're in a competition. If you're quick enough, you'll get the job even before they ask publicly.”

“I see,” Ara-san replies while writing, without looking up.

“Eager to learn, huh? Unexpected from an alfr, I like you.“ Can't he just shut up!?

Ara-san's ears lower a bit while she asks her next question. “So why are you not working right now?”

“Soon. We got a nice offer for caravan duty, just like what you want, right? It's going to Zethtrin, for the games. A bit rushed, if you ask me, there's still time, but the pay is good. Our employer wants to establish themselves there early enough, I guess. Where do you want to head?”

Ara-san looks at me blandly, and I sigh: “Phew... also Zethtrin.” I really wish that I didn't need to tell that, but if they're heading towards Zethtrin, if they have an employer, this is a chance I can't let slip by, even if I'm not really into this whole 'join a caravan'-idea to begin with.

“What a coincidence! Hahaha!” Flamebane takes another sip. “So you want to finance the journey by staying with a caravan, right? I totally understand.” Then his joyful demeanor abruptly changes into a calm and calculating tone: “So you want in?” He rests his hand on his fist while observing us.

I look at Ara-san, who seems to look at nothing. I'm sure she’s checking my or her status right now. I guess she wants to observe what happens during negotiations. She clearly doesn't care either way.

“Why should I?”

“Because it's a chance right now. Even if I told you my employer, getting the job will be difficult. She hired my fifty men, after all, and we have a contract. Of course it would be fine, if I take you in as a sub-employee, as underlings. I mean, you are a ranger, right? You faced off with Crusaders, that's impressive. Dangerous, but impressive. And the story about the demons? If even half of it is true, you alone would be a true asset.” So that's his case. He wants us, no, me to join him. “We can make it work. You can learn about the whole mercenary business under us Rank 4s, I'll pay you like an officer and if your companions can do shit, I'll pay them like regular members. We'll even be able to deal with your alfr and any trouble that may arise.”

I look at Ara-san again, who remains calm despite that comment, though I see her ears move. Her decisions are led by logic, that's an alfr trait. Despite their love for fun, they can easily decide to shut that impulse down whenever needed. That's why she doesn't complain or even comment on his words.

*SMACK*

That's the sound of my fist, that buries itself into Flamebane's face. Full force. I'm almost scared of myself, of how I can feel so much cold anger. I have to look like a psychopath right now. This asshole thinks he can talk like that about Ara-san, not once, not twice, but constantly!?

Of course, we're surrounded by Flamebane's underlings and they draw small daggers and chairs, ready to beat me up.

Despite my hit, Flamebane stays in his chair, but is immediately on his feet. He rubs his nose once with his fist, looking at his hand without seeing any blood. He gives a sign to his people to halt and says: “Not bad. It actually hurts. Fast, sharp, strong, even though you barely stood up. Sorry, if I've rubbed you the wrong way.”

This attitude... does he think I'm a joke!? Also, it's not about me! “Fuck you.”

“...you better apologize,” he says in a low voice, now showing his true colors. “You're outnumbered and if you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us. If you apologize, I’ll take it as a slip and you can decide whether you want to take my offer or decline it without any consequences.”

That's rich! Who does he think he's anyway!? Me, apologize!? No way! “Didn't you hear? I’ll say it again so that you can understand it: Fuck you!” How about that?

I move to the side to evade his punch, then I try to connect one myself, but he blocked it with his arm. “Apologize,” Flamebane demands another time. The people around are standing up, trying to intimidate me.

Well, I'm not alone. I still have Ara-san, who sighs while cleanly folding her paper and putting it into her backpack. I mean, she's not pretending to sleep at least! “Why is it that whenever we meet mercenaries, we're outnumbered?” This is a callback from when she saved my ass against some other mercenaries in Goldbrunn.

“Because we don't get along with people.”

“I guess.” She changes into [Acrobat]. Unlike me, she can change her class without anyone noticing, because of her alfr body. While I'd love to use [Pikeman] for that tavern brawl, I'd rather be beaten up than giving them the slightest hint that I may be a hero.

“No weapons!” Flamebane yells while he tries to hit me again. This time, his punch is faster and heavier, but I have [Focus] and see the minute movements he does before he initiates the attack.

Ara-san jump-kicks the grunt closest to her, then she uses the table close to him, she puts her hand at the table, swings her leg while being in some sort of handstand. She hits hard with a strange sound there. “Kenta-kun, I may have sprained my ankle. I'm not used to fighting without weapons, after all.”

…

… … “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” I jump in to hit a grunt who is about to bean a chair on her. “Do it properly!” I know she can still fight, she's a hero, after all. It may hurt, but the body will continue moving like it's nothing as long as she wants to.

This time, Flamebane connects an attack, a blow to my side. I want to crouch and hold it, it hurts badly, but instead I try to repay him. Shit, that guy is better than I thought.

I may argue that I don't use any weapons, but he doesn't either. It's obvious that he may be used to brawling, but rather likes to work with whatever he has at hand. Nonetheless, his defense is good, he never misses an opportunity when I lower my guard to deal with one of his goons.

Ara-san jumps and flings through the room, using her mobility to the fullest. I try to dodge and block whatever I can and only hit someone when I think I can get away with that. Spectators are cheering, the proprietor is yelling, and I think I K.O.ed his bouncers at some point. I think less and less, as I just try to stay somewhat whole.

Suddenly, the mercenaries stop. I hear something aside from my strong heartbeat, then my blurry sight follows the eyes of Flamebane. The city-guard... shit!

This is the second time I get arrested today...

―○●○―

“*Sigh*” Tired of the negotiations, I fall onto the bed. The moment I thought I had that hag, she blindsided me with little trouble. I'm starting to develop hatred towards taxes. Why are the sellers supposed to pay them anyway!? I mean, I didn't need to in Goldbrunn or Esse, so why here?

According to Rine-chan, it's true however. In most cases, the seller pays taxes and certain countries make exceptions. I was about to break off negotiations and sell it in the next city, but I was afraid to let that chance slip by only to learn that the next city has even higher taxes.

My head feels heavy and I want to sleep. Rine-chan is in the common room, most likely waiting for Arako and Ken to return.

…

I lift my head a bit and open my status screen. Yes, my SP is down. I guess that I used my [Conversation]-ability too much. …no, I’m already thinking like the two of them. I may be friends with Arako and like Ken a bit at least, but I don't want to become like them!

What have they been doing for so long anyway? I mean, they were only supposed to look around a bit, right? They won't really go on a date. I mean, they're the most unromantic pair I've ever met. ...they didn't cause any trouble, right?

…what have I done!? Or rather, what didn't I prevent!?

The last time Ken was in a city on his own, he was able to turn the whole city against him! Why did I think that he could keep Arako under control, if he's a source of trouble on his own!? Maybe I thought they would cancel each other out, but logically speaking, they should-

“Kyou,” Rine-chan barges into the room, “someone from the city guard is here and told me that they apprehended Kenta and Ara for causing a tavern brawl.”

I was right!

I stand up while touching the ring on my finger. It calms me down, though I feel hotness and coolness churning inside my stomach. “I'm coming.”

It's a short conversation, mostly only to inform us that by the law of the city, Ken and Arako will spend the night in a cell and there will be a fine of 4,000 Newgold...

“Kyou? Are you alright? You look pale. Don't worry, we have earned more than that today. We can pay it easily.” Of course, Rine-chan doesn't understand that I want to rip both of them apart! I just went through hell to get every Newgold I could and then they just lost 4,000 of it!? No, they wasted them!

What are you doing to me! They are lucky to be imprisoned, otherwise I would personally murder them... At least Arako! I know I can't overcome Ken physically, but maybe I could yell and yell at him until his ears start to bleed?

You idiots! I'm also stupid, as I could have prevented it if I thought about what both of them are capable of together! Next time, I will send Rine-chan with them, then...

…

“Kyou! You're looking like Kenta. How was it called... double facepalm?”

“Please, Rine-chan... be quiet. Let me be in dismay for a minute.” Why am I the only person in this party that has common sense?

...maybe that's why we never go into civilization? Because everyone except me is bad at it? I mean, Rine-chan is certainly adept, but I'm sure she would easily cause problems as well. On the other hand, she has the talent to make everything work out for her.

Also, why hasn't the curse messaged us? Usually, it should say something if we were separated forcefully, so why didn't it? Because it's still in date-mode? When Ken went on a 'date' with Rine-chan, it was also quiet until the date was over, so-

Your husband and sister-wife have been captured! The date came to an unexpected end when both of them were taken into custody. This time it doesn't look like they will be released for a while.

What does it mean, 'this time'? Do I even want to know? What does the rest say?

You and your other sister-wife have to rescue them. Think about it, a prison break for your loved ones! Use this opportunity to show them how much you love them.

Oh right, breaking into prison is the most sensible choice. Of course it is!

If you're separated for too long, the curse will reactivate within Katsuragi Kenta again and slowly wander towards you and your sister-wives. You have to save them.

“*Sigh* I'm going to bed.”

“Kyou!? We have to save them!”

“Rine-chan, they'll be released tomorrow anyway. So why bother? Geez, we even looked for an inn that is willing to rent a room to an alfr and paid for four people and now they even wasted that time and effort.”

“You're angry?”

“Not really. I don't care about it at all. It just showed how little they care about what we do for them.”

“I'm sure that there was a good reason for that.”

“...” A good reason... Ken said that he will trust me... “Nonetheless, let them spend the night in a cell. That's their punishment for breaking the law, so it's only just, right?”

“Ah, you're right. Though we may visit them, make sure that they're alright and ask them how it happened.”

“Let's be honest: If they were in danger, the ring would either tell us or they could easily break out whenever they want. We'll keep an eye on their statuses and just fetch them tomorrow. How about a girl's night out in the meantime?”

“...I don't know.” I see it. She wants to have one. Of course she does, because she never had one before. To be honest, I haven't either, as I'm just a highschool student and had to adhere to the curfew my parents set. Though I did pajama parties several times! Rine-chan continues: “I think I would feel guilty about it.”

“Then let's have a relaxed evening at the bar here, have some drinks, and other than the occasional look at their statuses, we forget about them just for this evening altogether.” I smile at her.

You gain 1 WP. Even in a situation like this, your husband and sister-wife are jovial and can joke with each other.

No, it doesn't matter. Let's forget about those two for now, have a nice evening, and celebrate what the two of us have accomplished today.

I hope, for Ken and Arako’s sakes, that they give us a good reason for everything tomorrow.