Having quickly gathered all their equipment, the new party of 4 go toward a tavern. Since that, no one but Kir actually seems to know any taverns. He decides to take them to his favorite place called "The Fat Pheasant". Famous for its surprisingly good food and for a rather low price.
"Do you have no favorite tavern, Alessia?" Secessus asks, either trying to make small talk or gather information.
"Me? No, I'm not from here."
"Well, let's start with that topic. Where are you from?"
"From Clearough, I lived there until my father died. Didn't see any reason to stay there. What about you?"
"I'm from Chawbore. Stayed there after I got lost. I was originally from a traveling merchant's band." Cornelius nods slowly whilst listening to Secessus's story. It seems to have been expanded upon with the only city they are familiar with.
"Chawbore? My condolences, A lot of your friends must have joined the rebellion in Ararazi." Kir says, looking at Secessus as if he was an abandoned puppy.
'Really, pity? I almost killed you a few hours ago. Well, I'm not one to judge.' Secessus thinks, analyzing the situation with optimism.
"It's worse for their fathers than it was for me. I try staying out of all that trouble."
"Smart, it's nasty business there."
"I'm confused about something." Alessia says, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Why would people from Chawbore fight for a rebellion in another country?"
Secessus and Cornelius like the deceitful men they can be. Immediately shrug off the question, giving it the attitude of "I don't know, I'm not there, am I?"
"Well, it has many factors. But I guess I can tell you what I know." Kir replies, playing the role of information source and meanwhile guide perfectly.
"Chawbore is a town with quite the militaristic past. Almost all adults went to become knights and only returned there to settle down after their career was over. However, being a knight is not a safe job, especially not during times of war. The death toll became considerably high there and caused a lot of resentment against the knights and general authority. This is something they have in common with the Ararazi rebellion who's trying to overthrow their government."
"How did a rebellion not even bordering us then recruit in Chawbore or did they go to Ararazi first?" Alessia asks, happy that she's getting answers, but rather unhappy that the answers are leading to more questions.
"That's the part that I don't know that well. From what I heard, the rebellion started causing some unwarranted inspiration in their next-door countries. This led them to all condemn the rebellion, so the rebellion couldn't easily recruit there, and somehow they heard about Chawbore?" Kir explains at the end, seemingly asking himself a question. The information whilst useful quickly became speculation, unfortunately.
"Would you say a change in leadership is necessary?" Cornelius asks out of the blue, causing Secessus to look at him with pure confusion.
"I guess that depends on where you live, right? I probably wouldn't be happy if I were a citizen of Ararazi." Kir replies immediately, linking the question with the topic from before. Making it less awkward and weird.
Keeping the rest of the small talk less strange, they finally arrive at "The Fat Pheasant". Just like Kir described, the prices are quite low for the quality of food here, plus the atmosphere is rather calming.
At the beginning of their meal, it was quite silent, seeing that 2 of the 4 cannot tell a lot of stories. Luckily, Kir has started to fill that void tremendously well. Sharing stories about his own adventuring life. Apparently, he's a stone rank like all the other instructors. Until the stone rank, adventurers generally have to stay in the area. To make sure that they can quit at any given time or be promoted when necessary. From the bronze rank onward, the adventurer's guild assumes that you are skillful enough to deal with more threatening issues and probably have a future in adventuring.
"Do you regret not being a bronze rank and going on adventures?" Secessus asks, either trying to gain his trust or genuinely wanting to know more about Kir.
"Not really, I originally started as a greenhorn. I can't complain, I did apply when I was 14 with no magical abilities. I wasn't suited to most of the tasks to get yourself familiar with adventuring. However, luckily they noticed my defensive skills, and I got promoted to the stone rank. Now, keep in mind, that I was already 25 when that happened and was a married man with my second kid on the way. Needless to say, adventuring didn't really seem a priority at that point." Kir explains not hiding any details. He seems to have become accustomed to this new small group of his.
"So you decided to become an instructor or mentor, whatever it is, to spend more time with your family." Secessus says trying to figure something out.
"Family always comes first."
"Yeah, I get that, but then why are you drinking with strangers when your shift is over? Aren't your kids and wife waiting?"
"Don't worry, she's already aware. My wife works as a receptionist at the adventurer's guild with the gold ranks."
"Speaking of ranks, what is the quickest way to rank up? From your experience, at least." Secessus asks, seeing a way to shift the conversation open before him.
"Honestly, from bronze onward it's an entirely new world. The early ranks are focused on helping the community and not doing anything dangerous. However, I've also asked my wife about this before, and there it's simply strength and achievements."
"In the gold rank?"
"All ranks from bronze onward. There are fewer people there, and receptionists of the adventures guild from that point also serve as scouts or administrators to an extent. They can recommend certain adventurers for promotions."
"Your wife sounds like the real deal." Alessia comments feeling rather comfortable as well in this small new group.
"I'm quite the lucky man." kir responds, looking like a schoolboy who has just started dating his crush.
Whilst everyone else feels comfortable and rather happy, one individual cannot force himself to smile. Secessus is painfully slowly rubbing his hands, looking at them with a complicated gaze. Cornelius notices the distracted shade demon and hits his knee underneath the table with his sturdy cane. Hitting him out of his daze.
"Sol." Alessia calls out to her fellow companion. Clearly with the intention of asking something.
"How did you get so strong?" She asks with no hidden intentions. Kir and Alessia both lean closer, seemingly very eager to hear his reply.