Oh man. You don’t even want to know what happened last night with that crazy innkeeper.

All I’m going to say is that it was awkward with her father in the same room as us… While also being awake… And watching us…

Wait, what? What the fuck you thinking happened? Get your head out the gutter.

After the innkeeper took my measurements last night for whatever reason, she made me wash the floors of both her room and mine. The sun was already peeking out by the time I crashed down onto my bed.

But wanna know the funny part? The damn innkeeper crashes onto bed right beside me! Then tells me ‘to make up for you wasting our beer, you must satisfy me for tonight and all the nights to come…’

Wait, seriously, it’s not what you’re thinking.

She hands me a thing that looks like a violin bow and another thing that looked like a cross between a mini guitar… wait it’s just a violin! I didn’t think these things were invented in this age. Granted I don’t know when other instruments were invented either, but you get my point.

I sat up and retrieved both the items with a sigh as the girl moved up and laid on her side with a hand under her head to sleep on. I couldn’t refuse since I was basically freeloading in this place along with inviting trouble, so I had to make the most of it.

I copied the stances the people did in that one anime called ‘Your Lie In April,’ and just went for broke.

Now I don’t know if she had a goodnight sleep after my rookie violin playing, but I don’t care. Haha, not my fault really if she wakes up with hearing problems. It’s what she asked for without knowing my ability.

***

When I woke up it was already noon. I still don’t know why the foxy innkeeper decided to take my measurements but I assumed it would not benefit my health if I asked, so I didn’t.

I knew what I needed to do. I need to go see Amanda’s brother and convince him to help me. Even if my reputation is shocked, I am still higher in the chain of command so if he refuses I will just have to use my authority as General! Though, I doubt it would have to come to that.

I walked out to the hallway and could hear the next door neighbor practicing with their sword again. Who is that? To be practicing with a sword so vigorously. It can’t be a knight since I see them live in the barracks or close by to it… a mercenary?

I shrugged my shoulders and continued downstairs. Let’s mind our business for now.

When I got downstairs, the tavern was completely empty apart from the old man downing another mug of beer. This old drunk really is having the time of his life here.

“Where’s Kaitlyn?” I asked, wondering where such a minx went.

“To the market or sumthin…” he slurred, then squinted at me. “You really are the old devil Grim. Sigh, however you are no longer the student I’ve once known…”

His slurring made him difficult to understand so I didn’t pressure it anymore. Chalking it up to be some random drunkard's old tales. Sigh, I hope I don’t reach that age. Wait… I take that back. I don’t wish to die either.

I walked out the tavern after bidding farewell and made my way down to the barracks.

The barracks were separated with long arch columns that surrounded a giant circle. There were practice dummies and shooting boards placed throughout the sides while the middle was left spacious enough for people to spar in. The whole place was a training grounds of sorts.

When I walked through, the knights would look at me with contempt but I didn’t mind it. I am already used to such states from the crowds in the city. Sigh, why must my life be so difficult in two lifetimes.

I asked around for where Major Hughes is and most said he was on leave after he requested an audience with the Palace. I thanked them and a small knight saluted me without hesitation. When the others saw him they slowly followed suit.

Ohoho, I like this little guy. I should have him be part of my battalion.

I made a mental note while also giving him plus ten points. However, I was in no time to make small talk as it was already noon and if the Major left the castle already, I would have no idea where he lived.

I got to the steps of the palace that stood at the top of the district. The amount of steps made it seem like I was climbing a mountain! I would probably lose weight significantly if I climbed up and down this thing at least twice. That’s how many steps this place had.

I don’t understand why extravagant places always want lots of stairs. Are stairs equal to elegance and status? More stairs equals power? If so, then I’m finding the biggest fucking tree and making wooden staircase all the way to the freaking sky! Will be the best god damn tree house the realm has ever seen.

I sighed inwardly and took my first step… just sentence me to death.

By the time I made it all the way up the stairs I could feel my face being covered in sweat. The fabric around my neck was already forming a wet spot because of how drenched I was. Truly, stairs fucking suck.

When I made my way to the front of the palace, it really hit me how huge this thing is. From afar the place already looks huge but now, it’s enormous!

There were two guards stationed outside. They looked at me with complicated expressions as they frowned. They were also covered in different type of armor. Their face was seen and they carried a pike in hand. The Kingsom Insignia was etched all over their steel armor. Yet, they were still only door guards.

I straightened my back and held my head high. I swaggered over to between the two guards. After giving them a smile and a nod I placed one foot on the palace steps.

“Halt, General, what is your purpose for visiting the palace?” One of the knights asked.

The two pikes were crossed in front of me, blocking my path.

I widened my smile and stared at the one who talked.

“Do you dare block the path of a General?” I questioned while raising a brow and putting oomph into my words.

Outside I seemed to contain an authoritative prescience. While in reality I was sweating inside and hoping that these two would just let me in. I really should practice my Commanding aura when this matter is resolved.

I heard a creak and I looked up to see that a window was open from one of the rooms in the palace. Was it just my imagination? No one was peeking out.

The guard I asked faltered for a moment but then the other one perked up.

“We have been ordered to deny your entrance into the palace until you are clear of suspicion.”

And with that the two looked at me with hardened eyes before reaffirming their grip on the spear.

Sigh, I really also wanted to get my sword too. That thing looked pretty cool. Tsk. Dumb ministers.

Just as I turned around, the loud latchings of the door began to move.

“Young lady Misa! Come back!” Yelled a woman’s voice from inside.

I turned back to the door to see a small girl in a silky pink dress with ruffles along the ends but still very sleek. Her hair was made into pigtails and they bounced as she stomped out the door. Her face seemed to be livid, her cheeks red and puffed up while her nostrils flared.

Haha, hate to see the poor sucker who made this little kid angry.

I laughed inwardly as I imagined some guy getting killed by the hands of the little girl.

To my surprise, the little kid pointed a finger straight at me. I blinked and looked at her with a blank face.

“Execute him.” She said, making my world go grey.

Why does this loli want me dead!