Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Phantom Thief Dauphin (10) - Reunion Under the Full Moon
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The citizens of Levruk gathered every day to chatter about the phantom thief Dauphin.
"There haven't been any announcements from Dauphin lately."
"After failing once, maybe he's laying low? He got away with it last time, but next time he might get caught."
"Plenty of nobles are grinding their teeth over Dauphin. If he's caught, he won't die easy."
"Sigh. Guess it can't be helped..."
People thought Dauphin wouldn't show up again.
Until now, his targets had been no match for him, but now a real opponent had appeared.
From the start, Dauphin's habit of returning all stolen goods to the victims meant most of his crimes brought him no personal gain.
With no profit and now massive risks added, there was no reason for him to appear.
And just like that, Dauphin casually shattered their expectations.
"It's Dauphin! There's an announcement from him in the square!"
"H-He’s back!? Who's the target this time? The tax officer again?"
"Th-That's... not just one or two?"
"Huh?"
Laurent de Valmua, Bernard de Sharl, Guiyon Barber. Dretero Gisha... (abridged) ...Garon de Sarnos. The 87 sinners listed above. Your crimes are so numerous and grave that even writing them all out exhausts me. Thus, I've listed your names collectively for this one warning. Note that the order of visits will vary, so don't despair if you're near the top or rejoice if you're at the bottom. Rest assured, though. If you repent your wrongs and offer proper apologies and compensation to your victims, your name will be removed from the list. If you're clueless about what you've done wrong, tie a white cloth high on your building so it flutters in the wind. I'll then list and explain your misdeeds one by one. The list will be updated periodically, and those removed have successfully atoned. Of course, if removal is possible, so is addition. I sincerely hope no fools think they're safe because their name isn't here and continue their rampages. Otherwise, their name will top the new list—or I'll visit before it even does.
- Phantom Thief Dauphin -
The city erupted in chaos.
Dauphin's flashy return alone drew attention, but the names on his list were all heavyweights.
Those named raged or trembled in fear; the unnamed sighed in relief.
People gathered in groups, buzzing about whether the listed ones would yield to Dauphin's warning.
Of course, the most flustered were the guards.
"This fucking bastard...!!"
A torrent of curses spilled from the company commander's mouth.
He had no choice.
"How the hell are we supposed to catch him now!!"
Dauphin's announcements felt like mockery to the guards, but they also served as guidebooks.
They revealed exact targets and times, allowing full focus on protecting them and their assets.
But now?
Any of the 87 could be next. No clue when.
Worse, unlisted targets were possible too.
No more focused protection. Even their ace, Dalia, couldn't guard everyone.
"Captain! Lord Valmua requests dedicated protection! He emphasized keeping that Dauphin scum away!"
"Guild Officer Gisha is here! Says he has urgent business with you!"
"Captain! Viscount Sharl threatens hell if anything happens to his son!"
"Captain! Messengers are flooding in—"
"Captain!"
"Arrrgh! I only have one body!!"
As the captain clutched his head, in the 8th Platoon's lounge...
"Man, no matter how you look at it, this feels like he's dodging our platoon leader on purpose."
"After seeing her smash a building with one spear thrust? I'd be scared too. Props to him for showing up again, though."
"This means everyone's gonna fight over borrowing our captain from now on."
"Not 'gonna'—it's already happening. Messengers begging to see her. The same snobs who ignore us are bending over backward."
"Don't take any bribes. Trouble."
"You think I'm that dumb?"
"Quiet, everyone."
Dalia's single word silenced the rowdy platoon.
"Can't predict when or who Dauphin targets? That's how it always was with other criminals. We handled it fine."
The platoon nodded.
Truth was, their recent gigs were the anomaly. Thieves struck unpredictably by nature.
They were just intimidated by Dauphin's rep; objectively, it wasn't much different.
"Patrol often, stay vigilant, report issues instead of soloing them. Stick to routine—I'll handle the rest."
"Yes, ma'am!!"
"I'm off to a meeting. Tend to your gear."
They watched her crisp departure with odd looks.
"Hey."
"What."
"Captain looks... happier, no?"
"Not sure about happy, but lighter. Less worry lines. Like she got some comfort."
"A guy...?!"
"Impossible. Who'd dare the strictness incarnate?"
"Cut it out. She just finally rested after nonstop grind. You feel it too after a break."
"Fair."
"Damn it, if only the protectees gathered in one spot! Tighten night patrols! Report any Dauphin sighting to 8th Platoon leader immediately!"
Steady patrols, heightened vigilance, and summoning Dalia to confront Dauphin directly.
The captain's measures were textbook, but unavoidable.
No miracle fixes, or he wouldn't be stressing.
This turned into a time race for thieves and guards alike.
Guards had to detect attacks fast and alert Dalia; Dauphin had to steal and flee before she arrived.
Dauphin seized early momentum, perfectly robbing four targets before guards reacted.
By Dalia's late arrival, it was over.
No matter her strength, she couldn't catch a vanished foe.
Dauphin's street cred soared anew; guards' rep plummeted. Ironically, Dalia and 8th Platoon's value spiked.
Dalia became "Dauphin-proof insurance," with listed bigwigs clamoring for her.
8th Platoon lacked her combat prowess but spotted and reported Dauphin faster than others.
Unlike lax elite patrols, they covered vast commoner areas with few hands, honing instincts for vulnerabilities.
On Dauphin's fifth target night, their skill shone; Dalia finally cornered him before escape.
BOOM!
"Whoa!"
Dauphin's grab for a noble playboy was blocked by Dalia's spear swing.
She stared silently as he flipped back gracefully.
"...O-Oh! Right on time! Perfect! Quick, nab this thieving rat!!"
The pale target clung to her like a savior.
Dalia felt gloomier knowing he'd once beaten 8th Platoon guards blocking his drunken street rampage.
He seemed oblivious to it now.
"Step back. You might get caught in it."
Her curt words were her best effort.
"R-Right!"
He scurried away, unwilling to witness brutality. Only Dauphin and Dalia remained.
Under his face-obscuring mask, she studied him.
Pure looks? Nothing like him.
But he'd altered appearances before, so inconclusive.
Unless—hypothetically—he mentioned her day off to persuade her...
"—That's twice now. Scary guard girl."
Twice.
That word melted the heavy unease in her chest, easing her.
Yes.
He and this thief were different.
Her duty as guard was clear.
"You've run wild long enough. No third time. Thief."
"'Phantom thief' would be nicer?"
"Criminal with demands!"
Her spear sliced air toward him.
He deflected the fearsome strike with spell-laden cards, shouting,
"Criminal! I won't deny it! My acts defy norms and shatter order! But the world overflows with villains law-abiding folk can't punish! For greater good, bending a few laws is fine, no?!"
Past Dalia would've bitten her lip and swung silently, no rebuttal.
Not anymore.
"'Good intentions justify it'? 'Anything goes to punish the bad'? If everyone ignored rules for self-righteous acts! It ends in chaos and terror! The weak you claim to help suffer most!"
She voiced the vague chest-stirrings as clear words.
Refuting him, exposing flaws.
Immature, ignoring his crimes—but growth from before.
Realizing it, the phantom thief smiled faintly.
Unlike their day-off debate, now they clashed spear-to-cards.
Words demanded force.
"Fine words, but can you back them?!"
His cards scattered into a whirlwind, slicing trees, walls, charging her.
In the spectacle, he prepped the next move.
Target couldn't block/evade; she'd have to rescue and flee, burdened.
Then pummel her with artifacts to disable.
"Hah!"
Dalia bulldozed the gale barehanded, ignoring it.
"...?!"
Dauphin's eyes widened.
He tried weakening it, but no need.
Metal-slicing cards couldn't pierce her skin; all blocked.
Aura?
5th rank+ fighters infused mana with physics for offense/defense beyond gear.
He figured her for that—wrong.
No aura. No blade/spear qi even.
Pure body strikes only.
3rd rank body enhancement? Barely, metal+ durability?
Beyond tough; unique constitution.
Before deeper thought, she'd shredded the gale and thrust.
He blocked with draped cloth—shield-tough, rubber-bouncy—but her monstrous strength overwhelmed.
He ricocheted into walls, splashing into the central river.
Ignoring outer clamor, his eyes gleamed.
The wildflower he'd found might be a towering tree.