The Witch's Test
She knows who I am. And she's already figured out the reason for my visit. That means the Witch has heard about me from someone. Fine by me. No need to waste time explaining myself—I can cut straight to the chase.
"I have a favor to ask."
"Since you know my nickname, I assume you want a prophecy?"
"Close, but not quite."
What I wanted wasn't a prophecy revealing future events.
"I want to know someone's past."
"Hm. For something that trivial, wouldn't an information broker be faster?"
She sipped her tea with a disinterested reaction.
"I've heard your power lets you see the past too."
"True enough. Past and future are all connected, after all. No idea who told you that, though."
Based on the conversation so far, the odds of her refusing seemed 100%. Her attitude screamed total indifference toward me. She hadn't even properly met my eyes once.
"I'll pay whatever it costs."
"Hmmm."
She let out a hum and finally turned her head to look at me. Her cascading drill curls captured my gaze. So those actually exist in real life.
"I hear you're quite the celebrity in the neighboring country. Phantom Thief Raven, was it?"
Has my name reached Paris already? Or did the Witch tell her?
"Can you really steal anything?"
"I don't steal just anything."
"Oh? Then what?"
"Only the true gems that I deem valuable."
She burst into laughter, clutching her stomach—was my answer that funny? Just as irritation started to bubble up, she wiped a tear from her eye and spoke.
"You're more fun than I expected! You've piqued my interest."
I had no clue what nerve I'd hit, but her positive reaction was a relief, at least.
"Here's the deal! Bring me the most beautiful gem in Paris, and I'll grant your request. How's that?"
"Hm. That's too easy. Deal."
An idea flashed into my mind. I stepped forward and grabbed her hand.
"I've stolen the most beautiful gem right here."
"Ugh, that's gross... You're not serious, are you?"
Huh? Our London Witch loved that sort of thing. They seemed like similar types, so I figured she'd eat it up too. Guess witches have their preferences.
[Don't look so down. I liked it. That was a proper phantom thief moment.]
What's a "proper" phantom thief? Ignoring the Goddess's not-quite-comforting comfort, I put some distance between me and the Witch.
She elegantly dusted off her hand and warned me flatly.
"No more of that, please."
"Got it. Won't happen again."
"And take off that ridiculous mask while you're at it."
The cowboy earlier, and now her—why do so many people see through my disguises? She held the power here, so I removed the disguise and reverted to Phantom Thief Raven.
She nodded in satisfaction.
"Much better!"
"Haha, thanks."
"Wait here then. Hurry back with that gem."
She showed no sign of changing her terms. This was tricky. Steal the most beautiful gem in a foreign country I barely knew, all in one night? My quick improv had failed against her iron wall.
Any gems worth stealing here?
[Plenty if you look... but that's not the issue.]
Finding them wasn't the problem. To meet her demand, I'd have to abandon my usual method: send a notice, steal it, absorb the gem's power. The most crucial part, and I'd have to skip it.
What choice did I have? I'd come all the way to Paris on that magitech train—no way I'd leave empty-handed.
"Understood. Please wait just a bit."
"Until dawn. Any longer, and the chance vanishes."
So strict. Her smiling face made it even more infuriating. Like they say, home is best—I missed our London Witch on this night.
As I started walking, I asked the Goddess.
"So, how do we find the most beautiful gem?"
[To us, isn't the gem with the most power the most beautiful?]
"True enough."
Beauty is subjective, after all. A worn old ring might be a lover's heirloom to someone. What could be more beautiful to them?
In that sense, couldn't I just pick up a roadside pebble, package it nicely, and claim it was Paris's finest? To me, this lowly stone is the city's greatest treasure.
No way that'd work. That picky Witch wouldn't fall for such a shallow trick. She'd judge it objectively against her standards.
So where to? Paris brimmed with historic spots: Louvre Museum, Versailles Palace, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral—even without the Eiffel Tower.
If only I had time, I'd sightsee. For now, follow the Goddess's advice: seek the gem with the most power. No effort needed—her detection radar could pinpoint it.
[Hm? A gem with considerable power nearby.]
"Really? How much?"
[At least several times the pearl from the casino.]
A gem like that in Paris? Tempting to snag it for ourselves... No, better not. Handling Rachel's issue via the Witch first felt right. Ignoring it left a bad aftertaste.
"Then let's head there."
Phantom Thief Raven's first overseas heist. London to Paris straightaway. At this rate, I'd become a global superstar.
A short while later, I sensed something off. The situation was utterly unlike my norm—confusing, even.
"...This is really it?"
[Yes. Definitely.]
I'd expected the Louvre or similar. Instead, I arrived at a dilapidated ruin on the verge of collapse. No maintenance for ages. No guards out front, no signs of inhabitants inside.
No one to even read a notice. Suspicious, but trusting the Goddess, I entered slowly.
Feels like a guts test.
The interior matched my imaginings: rotting wood planks, thick cobwebs everywhere, skittering bugs echoing in my ears. I'm no coward, but I don't enjoy horror vibes either. My neck prickled—better find it quick and leave.
The house wasn't large, so I located the gem fast. A crystal orb emitting mystical yet ominous purple light.
"......"
I stared blankly for a while.
[What's wrong?]
No doubt about it. This was definitely...
A smile crept across my lips unbidden.
"With this gem, even the Prophet Witch will have to acknowledge it."
Of course she would. I could already picture her reaction—excitement bubbled up.
Mars Field in front of the Eiffel Tower. A single woman sat leisurely at a table out of nowhere, enjoying tea time. Recalling their brief meeting, she smiled faintly.
I wonder what gem he'll bring.
A spark of interest in the peculiar profession of phantom thief. She allowed herself a bit of anticipation—would it satisfy her curiosity?
Considering how much that child praised him...
As she thought of the red Witch running the shop in London, she sensed footsteps approaching and looked up.
Already?
Not even an hour had passed. This speedy return—had he given up empty-handed? If so, she'd be quite disappointed.
The phantom thief stopped right before her, his expression ambiguous. Sadness from failure? Or joy at success, barely contained?
"Did you bring the most beautiful gem?"
"You'll have to judge that yourself, Witch."
From his words, he'd brought something. Entrusting judgment entirely to her? That much confidence?
Her eyes narrowed. Annoyed, she toyed with refusing whatever it was. But curiosity won out—she urged him on.
"Fine, show me already."
"Here it is."
Raven produced a crystal orb with an enigmatic purple hue. The Witch stared blankly, her violet eyes flickering.
With a dazed expression, she spoke.
"Huh? That's my orb... Wait, what?"