Catch the Rabble Rousers!

It looks like just another peaceful day in Unigan. There is no trouble that I can see.

You're pretty serious about your work, aren't you Bria? You check every corner of the city looking for trouble.

As a member of the Order of the Fleareth, it is only natural that I keep an eye out for any problems in the city. Our order is not bound to any one city. Rather, we defend all those that need our help.

The reality is that we never know when something may disturb the peace.

One moment, we are standing here minding our own business, and the next, everything calls apa...

What the, ?!

A-Are you okay, Bria?! Whatever that was, it was sure fast!

Yeah... I am fine.

Y-You two over there!

Who's that?

*huff* *huff*

Are you all right, Miss?

Just what was all that about?

That... That guy...

Grab him!

Who're you talking about?

She must mean the hooded man who knocked me aside. What did he do?

That man... *huff*... Is a thief!

What?!

Is that so...

Bria?!

Uh... I'm sorry... I couldn't... Ugh... Keep up!

It is no use. There are no signs of him anywhere. He was far quicker than any normal person.

Really?! What am I gonna do...

What did he take from you?

He took a very precious gift that I got from my boyfriend... It was the first gift he ever gave me. It was a handbag he made himself, the only one like it in the world.

I am very sorry to hear that...

Aldo, may I ask for your help with this? I want to catch this criminal and make sure he steals nothing else.

I was just thinking the same thing. Let's go nab that guy.

You help is appreciated as always, Aldo.

Are you serious?! I don't know what to say, I have nothing to offer you.

I do not require any reward. This is just part of my job.

We're kinda in the dark on this case though. This isn't going to be easy.

I know! Maybe you can ask around at the tavern. I remember hearing someone else talk about a thief there.

It's a good start at least. Let's go talk to the people at the tavern.

Good afternoon, Sir. I wanted to ask you about something. We heard about someone having a run-in with a thief recently.

A thief, you say?

Yes! I've heard some things. Several of the customers had something stolen, myself included.

What did the thief take from you?

It was a very expensive leather wallet that I had just bought. I shouldn't have been so careless, but I didn't think it would be snatched there on the street.

I had just bought a beautiful gem the other day, when the thief snatched my bag and everything!

He took my fancy, limited-edition, designer umbrella!

He took my... It was a...

Huh... I don't remember, but he took something!

I wouldn't have guessed that so many people were robbed.

Hm... Our thief is exceptionally skilled it seems.

Did anyone get a good look at the thief?

He was wearing a hood so I couldn't really see anything.

He was so fast. There was nothing I could do.

You wouldn't believe me if I told you, but he ran like the wind blows...

It's gonna be hard to find this guy without a good lead.

Quite the contrary...

Huh?

Since we do not have any leads, we just have to make him come to us. Then we will get him to confess to everything.

He'll come to us? How're we going to make him do that?

Oh Aldo, you are such a simple guy sometimes.

What's that supposed to me?

I am going to act as bait. I will pretend to be an unsuspecting victim, and the thief will come to me.

Oh, yeah, I get it.

Our suspect seems to have an eye for expensive-looking items. All I have to do is carry around something that looks expensive and he should make an appearance.

That sounds dangerous. Let me be the bait.

Oh, Aldo...

Huh?

Leave this to an adult. You are still just a boy.

That's got nothing to do with this!

I'm...not a child.

Are you two going to catch the thief?

I can loan you my jewels! I've got large beads at home...

There is no need for that, Miss. We do not want to put your possession in any more danger. I have idea of what our thief is after. But thank you for the offer. Your faith in us is all we require.

Okay, thank you again.

Well then, Aldo, it is time for us to set up our trap.

Sounds good to me!

By the way, you said you had an idea of the kind of items the thief wants.

Correct, look at this.

Is that a pendant?

Yes. It has a crystal that you will not find in any stores around here. I try not to wear it often because my work is so dangerous, but it should entice our thief.

Are you sure about this? What if he really steals it?

It's really important to you, isn't it?

It...was a gift from my little brother.

That's from your brother? Then it's definitely something precious to you.

Do not worry. I have no intention of letting the thief get his hands on it.

I guess not.

Then let's take a walk and show your pendant off. I'll make sure he doesn't lay a finger on you.

How kind... Now, it is time.

I hope he comes out of hiding soon, but...

I'll be taking that!

Bria! Watch out!

Not this time!

What?!

H-How dare you avoid my super-sonic thief skill!

Hmph... That was faster than I expected. If that is as fast as you can go, then you might as well stand still, novice!

Return all the things you stole immediately!

Nrgh... So the thing is...

At a time like this...

The winner is the one who runs away!

Hold it!

Urgh... It seems that running away is his forte. Come on, Aldo! He is heading towards the Karek Swampland!

Got it! We won't let him get away!

Darn it!

You're cornered now!

Just give yourself up!

Is that what you think...

Hah... I can't believe that the one who is going to end my poor, desperate life as a thief... Is one of my own kind.

What?

What does... Wait, does that mean you're an elf too?

Yes, and no...

But that's not what I meant.

Then what?

You are a dark elf?!

Haha... That's right. I am a dark elf through and through, just like you are.

...... Then answer me this, why would one of my own kind be reduced to petty crimes?

That's because I AM a dark elf.

Why would that matter?

That woman understands what I mean, don't you?!

The emptiness of being touched by the great taboo, of being a fallen one, of being an outcast! To be one of the fallen elves, tainted, and all for no good reason!

Dark elves are tainted?

No... Not tainted in the way of sickness at least.

But the elves do not understand everything about the dark elves. They only know that breaking one of the taboos is what causes an elf to fall... That is just the way it is.

That is why they avoid us dark elves.

You see. We live our lives sneaking around amongst the people who hate us.

I can't stand it! I wasn't the one who broke the taboo... It was some distant family member generations ago! I didn't do anything!

I might as well keep living my life as a common thief.

It sounds like a hard life.

......

And I'm guessing you didn't break the taboo yourself either, right? Maybe it was your parents... Or ancestors... Or perhaps your whole village. Surely, you must understand my feelings.

I understand the pain of your situation...

Then you should, !

But! Regardless of that... A crime is still a crime.

My heart really does feel for you, but I cannot forgive criminals just because they have it harder than most.

You just don't get it, do you?!

Fine then! I'll just have to show you!

Come on out, it's about time you made an appearance!

Y-You can control monsters too?!

Hehe... I've always had a talent for handling animals and monsters.

With all that talent, it is a shame you could not contribute to society...

We are not going to hold back!

Come on, Aldo!

Right with you!

M-My favorite monster!

You have lost, novice. Come quietly and return the things you stole to their rightful owners.

O-Okay...

But hey... You...

What is it?

You're the first person to really talk to me like that. I know the things I did were wrong... I knew I'd eventually have to stop... But the crimes kept piling up and I couldn't stop... I just kept justifying my own actions.

Is that so...

Maybe there is some hope left for you yet. I hope you learned a lesson from all this.

Yeah... I'll go apologize to everyone now. Could you come with me?

Of course.

Is that okay, Aldo?

Yeah. Let's go back to Unigan and return the stolen goods.

I was the thief who stole from you all. Here are all the things I took from you. I'm so sorry for the trouble I caused you all.

Ah! My handmade bag! Thank goodness I got it back!

Thank you, both of you, so much!

My leather wallet looks as good as new!

My jewel is also here!

My umbrella looks just as it did the day it was stolen!

Hmm... Nope, not here... Did he really take anything from me?

I am glad to see that all your things have been returned to you.

Everyone, he has apologized and is honestly remorseful for the things he did. Can you all find it in your hearts to forgive him?

You want us to forgive him? As to that...

There's no way we can forgive him! Put him in chains and send him to the guards!

I had a feeling this might happen...

Of course, just getting our things back isn't enough for us!

Yeah, that's right!

Just what I thought. I wonder how cold the floors in my cell will be...

I understand your feelings, but I assure you that he will commit no more crimes.

You want us to trust that guy?

He'll just return to his old ways faster than he can run!

Hold up, he didn't steal anything from you, right?!

Hmph... It looks like I have no other option.

Bria?

Now, will you trust me and forgive him?

The plan was to just put on your helmet?!

There's no way that this angry mob is going to...

Wh-What?! You were Bria this whole time?

Wait... What?!

I feel much safer now!

That was so cool my heart fluttered a bit!

Ooooohh! If Lady Bria believes the kid, then I've got no complaints!

Heehee... I think we can all agree on that!

......

(All she had to do was put on her helmet. Did they really not realize it was her?!)

Well then, punk! We want no more trouble from you!

Huh?! I-I mean...of course!

Be a good boy and listen to what Bria tells you!

Y-Yes sir!

That was pretty crazy, but it looks like everyone has forgiven him.

Seems that way...

You're someone special, aren't you? Bria of the Order of the Fleareth...

I am a little sorry that I had to resort to that.

No, it doesn't matter.

But... You know... Why did you want to help someone like me?

You could have just locked me away and thrown away the key.

The Order of the Fleareth are friends to all people in trouble. When we hear a call for help, we come running whoever it is.

I thought I heard your voice calling for help back there... Perhaps, I was mistaken?

Uh oh!

Bria has always been very considerate of others for as long as I've known her.

I just do what needs to be done.

It's not that simple...

You live an upstanding life even though you're a dark elf like me. That's something you don't see every day. I hope that I can be more like you from now on.

When I look at you, I see a young man with amazing potential. Whenever you feel lost, or need someone to talk to, never hesitate to contact me.