Chapter 13 – The Town That Smiles With Knives
Grendel was not what Kazuki expected.
For a town warned about by a cryptic, bird-headed wanderer and targeted by assassins from some abyssal death cult, it was… quaint. Peaceful, even. Cobblestone paths twisted between buildings of stone and timber, flower boxes hung from second-story windows, and the scent of baked bread and roasted meat hung warm in the air.
Children ran down the street laughing, weaving between adults who smiled and waved at Kazuki as he passed.
He stiffened. Too many smiles.
"...Celestia."
"Yes?"
"Why is everyone smiling like they're being paid to look wholesome?"
She was silent for a moment. "That's... odd. Their emotional signatures are off. There's happiness, but it's restrained. Forced."
"Creepy cult town confirmed."
A black cat watched him from the rooftop. Its eyes glowed briefly—then blinked normally again. Kazuki tensed and subtly reached for Soulcut, but the cat just yawned and trotted off.
> [System Notification]
Location: Grendel Town
Hidden Traits Detected
Status: 'Veiled Sanctuary' – This town appears peaceful to outsiders. Underneath the surface, dark forces move.
Hidden Quests Available: 3
Kazuki moved toward the center of town, scanning for an inn. His cloak was torn, his boots were dust-covered, and he smelled like burned forest and stress. A rest sounded good… assuming the bed didn't eat him.
A woman sweeping her shop's stoop called out, "You there, traveler! You look worn thin as a scarecrow in winter. Head to the Crooked Candle Inn—just down that alley."
"Thanks," Kazuki said slowly, eyes narrowing. "You always this nice to strangers who reek of forest blood?"
She winked. "Only the interesting ones."
Okay. Suspicion intensifying.
He followed the alley to a crooked wooden sign hanging from a lantern pole. The Crooked Candle Inn – Warm Meals, Quiet Nights, No Questions Asked.
At least they were honest.
Inside, the inn had a low ceiling, warm candlelight, and a soft hum of conversation. A silver-haired woman behind the counter looked up from her ledger. "Room?"
"One night," Kazuki replied. "And something hot to eat."
"Five silver."
Kazuki handed over the coins, glad he'd looted those bandits a few towns back. The innkeeper passed him a key and gestured toward the stairs. "Room three. Food'll be up soon."
The room was small but cozy. The bed didn't try to kill him. Big win.
Kazuki sat heavily and stretched, sighing. "Alright. We're in. Now what?"
Celestia's voice returned, more serious this time. "Grendel used to be neutral ground. Then the Demon Emperor's influence started seeping in. This town's smile is hiding something sharp."
"Then I smile sharper," Kazuki said, flopping back on the bed.
He closed his eyes for a moment—until a knock at the door broke the calm.
Kazuki immediately stood, one hand on Soulcut's hilt. "Who?"
"Your dinner," a soft voice replied.
He opened the door carefully, expecting a trap. Instead, a girl no older than seventeen with auburn hair and a lopsided smile stood with a tray. She wore simple servant clothes and had mismatched eyes—one blue, one gold.
"I brought stew," she said cheerfully. "And bread. And no, it's not poisoned."
"I didn't say it was."
She grinned. "But you were thinking it. Everyone does in Grendel."
He narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
"Aria," she said, stepping into the room and setting the tray down. "I work here. I also happen to know you're not from around here."
Kazuki stared at her, then closed the door slowly. "Do you smile because you're being paid to?"
Aria sat down in the room's only chair. "No. I smile because it's safer than looking scared. Listen, Kazuki—"
He froze. "How do you know my name?"
"You're not the only one with secrets," she said. "Also, I saw your name on the guest log. But that's less mysterious."
Kazuki relaxed slightly. "Alright, Aria. You know who I am. What do you want?"
"I want to help you," she said. "Because whatever you are… you're not like the others. And someone in this town is working for the Demon Emperor."
Kazuki blinked. "I mean, yeah, but usually people don't say it out loud."
"Most people aren't me."
> [System Notification]
Quest Accepted: "Beneath Grendel's Smile"
Objective: Uncover the traitor within Grendel.
Reward: Unknown
Warning: Failure may result in detection by the Demon Emperor's network.
Kazuki sighed and grabbed the bread. "Why is it always me?"
"Because you're the kind of guy who fakes being a Demon Lord to hide his fear of being found," Aria said casually.
He froze with bread halfway to his mouth.
Celestia let out a soft laugh. "I like her."
Kazuki muttered, "I don't."
But maybe he did.