A Great Thief in Greater Trouble

...So, I know beggars can't be choosers and all that, but couldn't you interrogate me somewhere just a little nicer? Uhh... Are you even listening? Hellooo! Seeeiraaa!

Hellooo. It's actually Soooiraaa.

Honestly, I'm just as surprised as you are to be here. I was taking my usual afternoon nap when I was suddenly asked to keep watch over some self-proclaimed "master thief"....

I'm not a self-proclaimed anything! And why were you sleeping in a well anyway?

I mean, why not? It's nice and cool down here...

Anyhoo, I heard you snuck into a noble's mansion and stole something pretty important...

Not yet, I haven't! I will, though.

Are you sure about that?

Your two accomplices are still on the run. We won't know for sure if anything's been taken unless we catch them both.

(I'd like to get outta here before those two get caught, but for some reason, I can't find an opening with this ditzy knight.) (Well, first things first, I gotta do something about this rope. And to do that, I need a distraction.)

I know you might not believe it, but... I really am a master thief, y'know. So wouldn't it be better to lock me up somewhere proper, like a dungeon?

Maybe, but that's not really an option. We don't have a cell to spare at the moment.

Besides, aren't you just saying that so you can escape?

...I had a feeling you were a lot sharper than you let on.

Thanks for noticing! I may not look it, but I'm an honorable knight.

Now then, let's talk about the whole you- breaking-into-a-mansion thing. If you don't tell me the truth, I won't know for sure if you actually stole anything or not. Got it?

Works for me. I mean, I take pride in what I do.

So go on, ask your questions. I'll tell you everything you wanna know about Laclair, master thief extraordinaire!

For someone who claims they didn't steal anything, you sure talk pretty big about being a thief. Couldn't be me!

So there are three of you, correct?

That's right. I'm the leader of our little band, Clan Laclair, and I've got two protégées...

Kannon, who's the brains...

And Shinnon, who's the brawn!

Er, aren't they children?

You can't judge a book by its cover! Those two are more capable than most adults.

I wasn't doubting their skills. What I meant is, you shouldn't be teaching kids to steal.

I know that. But there's a reason they...

Er, I mean, what else did you expect from a big, bad thief like me?

Anyway, back to the story! We snuck into that big, fancy mansion all gallant-like and started looking for treasure.

We heard our target had plenty of it, stolen from all across the land.

I dunno about that... Everyone in the kingdom says he's a pretty upstanding guy...

Ahem! As I was saying, we were in the mansion, and while we were searching...

This is the only place we haven't looked. It's gotta be here.

There appears to be a trap on the door. You should open it with caution, Laclair.

Ooor you could just wham-bam slam it open! Then we can get outta here and have some cake!

Shinnon, if you're bored, you can wait over there while we handle this.

Okaaay...

Ooh, what's that?

Think you can open it, Kannon?

Probably. If we can remove that wire, then...

Boss! Kannon! Look!

When I touched the wall, this huuuge puppet popped out!

Get down, Shinnon!

Uh, sure?

Aww... It's gone...

That was no puppet. It was a monster. Man, that was one heck of a trap. What's up with this place?

A monster in the mansion? I find that hard to believe...

But it's true! And it got me thinking... Maybe that noble's hiding something he doesn't want anyone to see.

Hm... You sure you weren't just imagining it?

I'm not lying.

Y'know, for a thief, you seem to care a lot about those kids. It kinda makes me see you as more of a...parent on bring-your-kids-to-work day, except your job is robbing people.

Well, you're wrong. A lot happened, and now I'm kinda just looking after 'em. We all lost our homes, y'see, so we've all been working together to survive and...

Dammit, not again! Do you do this to all the villains you capture?!

Do what exactly? You're the one spilling your beans out here....

And what's with that super dramatic way you've been talking? It makes me wonder if you're trying to distract me from something.

(Just as I thought. She's no ordinary airhead.)

Sure. Just gimme ooone sec...

Is something wrong?

The rope's just a little uncomfortable, so I had to change positions.

All right. Now where was I?

At long last, we made it to the treasure room. But...

It's open.

Great work, Kannon. I knew you could.

That was a pretty complex lock, but nothing I can't handle. ...I can sense someone inside, though.

Should I take a peek?

......

What's the matter?

The rumors said the noble who lives here is a good man, right?

Yeah. Heard he's actually pretty awful in reality, though.

...Right. I guess we'll see the truth for ourselves.

So? We gonna look inside or what?

Yeah. But we have to be real careful...

And when we opened the door...

What'd you see?

...Before I answer, I want you to tell me something. Are humans and beastfolk on good terms here?

Good question... We were at war until not long ago, so...even saying things are "good" would be a stretch. Why do you ask?

...No reason.

So, what was inside the room?

Not treasure, unfortunately.

Come ooon. Tell me the truth.

I have been. I really am an evil master thief. And I really was inside the noble's mansion. I didn't take anything, either.

This is quite the pickle... Just what aren't you telling me?

What, indeed.

After hearing your story, I have to say... you don't really seem like a bad person. That's why I want you to tell me the truth and stop being a thief too.

Sorry, but...this is really all I'm good at.

They went that way!

Things sound pretty exciting up top. Wonder what's going on...

There's no doubt about it. It's those kids. After 'em!

They really messed up...

It seems like your friends are about to get caught. Even if you won't tell me the truth, they just might.

C'mon, Soira. Isn't it about time you let me go?

No can do, I'm afraid. I have to stay with you until things calm down.

Then you leave me no choice.

Oh... What happened to the rope?

This is hardly my first rodeo. With enough time, I can get out of anything...

Sorry, but I really can't let you go until I'm absolutely sure you're innocent.

Don't take this personally.

But I can't just let those two get captured. Get outta my way, please.

Nngh...

Don't worry. It was a blank.

Sorry, Soira. Just go back to your nap for now, okay? You probably won't be able to get up anyhow, not after that big bang.

There's our target. And who's that with him?

Huh? What's going on?

...It's just as I suspected.

Heh, I'll be back. Workin' with you pays well.

...Get moving, would you? I should hate for anyone else in the mansion to see you.

Yeah, yeah...

Why're you two lookin' at 'em all funny? It's no different than us hangin' out with Kannon, right?

Quiet down, Shinnon!

Tch... Sounds like ya got rats.

What? Who's there?!

Not good. Run!

Intruders! Get them!

I'll draw their attention. You girls get outta here!

Understood. We'll be waiting at the Serena Coast.

Don't overdo it, Boss!

That nobleman was taking advantage of the beastfolk. People with power do whatever the hell they feel like. Ugh... I knew nobles and knights were trash.

......!

Damn. Where'd they go?

They went that way!

I gotta get to the Serena Coast on the double.

Looks like the girls aren't here yet. I don't think they've been captured, but...

What the hell do we do now? It's not like we can take that info to the knights. We'll be silenced for sure.

That Soira didn't seem like such a bad person, though. Maybe...

Ah!

Stay right where you are.

If you so much as twitch a muscle, I'll pierce you through with an arrow. And trust me, I won't miss.

...Great. Just great.