Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: We're Righteous Thieves
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Once the decision to go was made, I couldn't hold back the good mood bubbling up inside me.
"Theo, you seem in a really good mood today."
"Yeah, Isfil?"
"Yeah. Something up?"
Isfil looked at me curiously, and I met her gaze with a grin.
"Well, actually..."
And then I explained everything to her.
"...I can't go with you then."
Isfil stared at me in bewilderment.
"I've got stuff to do... I have to head to the cathedral this time."
With the Holy Kingdom not on the best terms with us right now, it wasn't an exaggeration to say Isfil was the central figure rallying the faithful within the Empire.
So I could understand her running around so busily.
"Yeah, then just handle your business and come back."
What was the big deal?
"..."
Isfil glared at me quietly before letting out a sigh.
"Fine, do whatever."
She's pouting.
Probably because I didn't ask her to come along?
Lately, their feelings were starting to feel more like a woman's heart than a kid's, making it hard for me to understand... but anyway...
I wanted to go.
"Let's go together next time."
"Promise?"
"For now, I'll at least get you a souvenir this time. Anything you want?"
If we're heading to a place with gold mines, I could even afford gold if she asked.
I had that much money.
"...Not really."
But Isfil just shook her head.
"Just come back safe."
"What could happen?"
Unless there's some terrorist attack or something.
"..."
"Clue, let's go see Ravire sis."
"Yes."
"..."
Leaving Isfil with her lips pursed, I headed off to meet Ravire sis.
Wonder where Ravire sis is.
Thinking that, I made my way to the training grounds when—
"Theo!"
With a whoosh, someone threw their arms around me.
"Whoa, sis."
Ravire sis was hugging me, beaming brightly.
"Theo, have you been well?"
"Doing great. We saw each other just yesterday anyway."
"I wanna know about every single day."
Ravire sis grinned, and I met her eyes, smiling back.
"Actually, this time..."
"I know, you're going to the Cassius Kingdom, right?"
Ravire sis nodded.
"Yeah, since you've been to the Cassius Kingdom before, I was wondering if there's anything... um..."
"Nothing dangerous!"
"No, not dangerous stuff. Like... things to watch out for?"
Diplomatic gaffes and such were always something to be cautious about.
"Hmm, things to be careful of..."
Ravire sis closed her eyes, lost in thought, then spoke up.
"The princess there is pretty cute."
"Even by your standards, sis?"
"Oh my, Theo. Gotta give sis some credit too."
I meant it sincerely.
As she ruffled my hair roughly, I waited for her answer, and she nodded.
"Anyway, she's pretty, so... be careful."
"Huh? Why?"
Was she some kind of psycho maybe?
"She might try to steal you away."
"Oh, that's what you mean."
"No, not like that. Theo, you need to treasure yourself a bit more!"
Anyone hearing that would think I was out there fighting for my life every day.
"Anything else?"
"Nope!"
"Got it."
I nodded at Ravire sis's words and pulled away.
"You going this time too, sis?"
"Yeah. It's my first inspection, so there might be some tough parts, but..."
Ravire sis looked at me and patted my head again.
"I have no doubt Theodor will do great!"
"...Thanks, sis."
I gave a slight bow of thanks to sis, then turned my gaze outward.
In the end, all I got was that the princess is pretty.
Well, tomorrow I'll find out anyway.
And so, the next day arrived.
"...?"
I couldn't help but stand there dumbfounded at the sight of the countless carriages, private soldiers, and ornaments before my eyes.
"Your Highness."
"What's all this, Lucy?"
Anyone would think we were heading off to pay tribute or something.
"Oh, this?"
Lucy, the one who'd brought all this, looked at me nonchalantly as if it were no big deal.
"We need to show Your Highness's prestige."
Prestige? What prestige?
I stared at her, unable to hide my bewilderment, but Lucy just met my eyes calmly.
"It's Your Highness's first inspection."
"Y...eah."
"So we need at least this much to spread Your Highness's prestige."
Prestige my foot.
At this rate, we'll bankrupt the treasury.
"...What did Mother say?"
"She seemed pleased?"
Mother.
I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment before opening my mouth.
"I see."
Whatever, I give up.
"And I'm coming along too."
"Why you?"
"Because Your Highness needs someone to assist him, right?"
"Clue's here though?"
I pointed at Clue, who puffed out her chest proudly.
"That's exactly why."
"Huh?"
"Your Highness needs a 'person' to assist him."
Lucy smiled, and Clue's face darkened for a moment.
"...Did you clear this with Mother too?"
"Yes, Her Majesty approved it."
"I see."
If Mother had given permission, I had nothing to say.
Thinking that, I looked back at the carriages.
They expect me to drag all that around?
Me?
My mouth was going dry.
"Oh, Theo... you must be exhausted already?"
And then Ravire sis's voice from behind,
"...Theo, we were trying to help a bit..."
Followed by Lily sis's voice.
Hearing them, I turned around to see two more carriages had been added sometime.
"This one's from me!"
Ravire sis patted the carriage with a laugh,
"...This one's from me too. But I bet mine's better than Ravire's?"
"How would you know?"
"You can tell just by looking."
"Don't talk nonsense."
I watched them bicker, then closed my eyes.
Whatever.
But unlike my ignorance, I still had to board the carriage.
And even after getting on, my worries didn't fade.
"...Is this really okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"No, look at this."
I stuck my head out the window and looked back.
A ton of carriages were following us.
Of course, there were carriages moving ahead too.
"Don't you think seeing this would attract raiders or bandits looking for a big score?"
"I get what you're worried about, Your Highness."
Lucy held up a finger.
"But that won't happen."
"Why?"
"Anyone attacking a caravan like this either doesn't value their life or has insane confidence in their skills..."
Lucy trailed off.
"Anyway, just Your Highness and that doll of mine could wipe out two bandit groups."
"That many—"
"Five groups."
Before I could finish, Clue flatly stated it and spread her fingers wide.
"Five without a scratch."
"...That's what she says."
Lucy shrugged, and Clue snorted.
"...Anyway, still."
This is gonna empty the national treasury.
"And even with all this, we'll come out ahead financially?"
"Huh?"
Lucy smiled softly.
"It's the land of gold mines. The Cassius Kingdom."
"Oh, no way..."
"Yep. Usually, they fill all these carriages with gold on the way back."
Ah, so that's it.
Like bartering goods.
"But why does the Cassius Kingdom do business like that with us... um..."
"You mean us going on inspections?"
"Yeah."
"It's a long story..."
"Just sum up the key points."
"Her Majesty beat them into submission with sheer force."
"Maybe explain a bit more detail."
Mother, what did you do?
Lucy's explanation went like this.
Back when Mother was in her prime, there was a huge war between nations, and in the middle of it, Mother basically smashed everything and told them to stop fighting.
"So I got that right?"
"Yes."
I really shouldn't mess with Mother.
Thinking that, how long had it been since we set off in the carriage when—
Clunk. The carriage came to a stop.
"Huh."
Wait, no way?
I shot to my feet, and Clue did the same.
"No way?"
"Come on, Your Highness."
Lucy smiled gently at me.
"No way that's happening, right? Bandits..."
"Hand over everything you've got!"
And then a booming voice echoed from afar,
"Whoa."
Lucy muttered in surprise, scratching her cheek.
"...Master, stay by my side."
Clue stuck close to me and murmured, while Lucy blinked and spoke up.
"Don't worry. We've got plenty of soldiers, so nothing big will happen."
"Yeah?"
"See? A fight like this—"
But contrary to Lucy's words, no sounds of fighting came from outside,
"...Huh..."
For a brief moment, worry crossed Lucy's face,
Then the carriage started moving again.
"What?"
"Y...eah, what is it?"
Lucy responded to my mutter with equal bewilderment,
"Hold on."
She opened the window and called out to someone.
Soon, a mounted knight approached Lucy,
"...Yes...?"
After talking with the knight, bewilderment spread across Lucy's face.
"What? What's going on?"
I was curious too.
Lucy met my eyes, stammering as she continued.
"Well, uh, you see."
"Yeah."
"Apparently the bandits all got taken down by some... 'righteous thieves' or whatever."
"..."
"So they just decided to continue on..."
"..."
Clue and I exchanged glances,
"Do you know them maybe?"
"Probably...?"
"Probably...?"
"...?"
Lucy just gave us a puzzled look at our answers.