The village doorway feels too small for the truth pressing against it. Tanjiro steps forward with the ledger raised, and the young woman’s face tightens as the crowd sees the seal marks on its cover.
Zenitsu shifts left, pale and rigid, while Inosuke plants himself on the right like a blade in the dirt. Behind Tanjiro, villagers crowd closer, their whispers sharpening into demand.
The Young Woman
Put that down. You do not understand what you are carrying.
Kamado Tanjiro
Then explain the ledger. Explain the names inside it.
Her composure cracks. Her hand twitches toward the doorway, but Zenitsu’s stance blocks the gap, and Inosuke grins like he wants her to try.
The Villager
We saw enough. Read it aloud. Tell us who ordered the offerings.
The young woman glances back into the camp, where armed shadows stir at the far end of the lane. For the first time, the doorway no longer looks like shelter. It looks like a trap about to break.
“I read it”
SUCCESS (Fair Reasoning, rolled +2)
Tanjiro lowers his gaze to the page and reads the seal marks first, then the names. Each line lands like a stone in still water.
Kamado Tanjiro
These are the offerings. These are the names written down.
The crowd shifts hard at once. Heads turn toward the young woman, and the doorway no longer hides her.
The Young Woman
No. You are twisting it. You do not know what happens to anyone who speaks against the camp.
Zenitsu takes one step wider at the threshold, and Inosuke bares his teeth toward the lane where the armed shadows gather. The villager’s relief sharpens into anger.
The Villager
Then say it plain. Who made you keep this ledger?
The young woman falters, glances toward the camp, and the shadow at the gate moves closer. Around her, the village starts to hear the answer before she gives it.
Quest Complete
Reach the camp and expose the warlord's daughter's control
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Fair→Good
