The Great Thief Returns

Arrows, huh? You must be a ranger. What business do you have with me?

I got a request from a noble to catch a sneaky little thief.

Nothing little about me, I'm afraid. I'm a master thief.

I don't care what you are. I'm taking you in.

Before you do... Tell me. How well do you know that guy?

I've only taken one request from him before, to hunt a monster.

Then maybe I'm not too late. You should really reconsider who you work for.

What do you mean?

I told you not to move.

Your arrows don't stand a chance against me.

Hey, you're pretty good.

...Er, hold on a sec. You look...

You...

Get away from her!

A child?

I told you not to go running off, Shinnon!

You're late, Kannon.

Sorry. After we left, Shinnon said she wasn't going anywhere until she found you.

Don't bully our boss!

I-I'm doing no such thing.

Wait a minute... Why do you two have the same face?

You're right. They do look really similar... What's going on here?

What's your name, Ranger?

...Laclair.

Whoaaa! They even have the same name!

We do?

Do you think this woman is "you" in this world?

...Say, why don't we call a truce for now? I think we've got lots to talk about, and it'd be easier without the hostility.

......

So you're saying you fled through a mysterious portal to get here?

That's right. And we came out on the Serena Coast.

There's a Unigan and Rinde back where we came from too. But things seem a bit different here.

And that place you came from...is a different world.

...I guess it's a possible. I know a portal pretty similar to the one you mentioned.

I find it hard to believe, but...you don't seem to be lying.

I can see now why we have the same face and name. But it doesn't change the fact that I need to capture you thieves.

You've got it backwards. We were trying to take back what that bad nobleman stole.

What are you talking about?

She's telling the truth. We could explain it all to you, but...

It'd be faster just to go to Rinde.

That's where our client is. If you meet her, you'll see we aren't lying.

Now that that's settled, let's get moving.

W-Wait. We're not done here!

What it is?

You really look just like our boss. And you seem just as nice too!

Are you coming or not, Shinnon?

Yes! Wait for meee!

...What have I gotten myself into?

Guess it's off to Rinde for me too...

Ah, you've returned!

Did you manage to get the item back?

Sorry, but...we ran into some trouble.

I see...

But it ain't over yet. Master thieves don't know the meaning of "give up."

Could I ask you something, miss?

Is it true that nobleman stole something from you?

Yes. A necklace. It was a precious memento of mine.

But everyone thinks quite highly of that man in Unigan. I've even taken a request from him before, but didn't think him suspicious at all.

I was once engaged to him. He begged me for money, saying he needed it for his business... So I gave him all I had.

It wasn't just my necklace either. It was my house, the land I inherited from my parents... Everything.

Then one day, he broke off the engagement. I asked him to return all the things I had given him, but... Ever since then, I've been followed. I've been threatened, told to keep my distance from him...

And all that was his doing? If that's true... that would make him quite an awful person.

I don't care about the money or the land. But that necklace is important to me. That's why I asked this thief to get it back...

I... I... *sniffle*

There you have it, Laclair.

This is a cruel world, but I can't just turn a blind eye to poor woman's plight. As a righteous and noble thief, I...

Let's just be honest here. We're in it for the reward.

And what might that be?

W-Well, it's uh... A house.

I own a house in Rinde. And it is nothing compared to what that memento means to me.

I can't wait to sleep beneath a roof for a change!

Same here. Sleeping in the wild all the time is...tough.

I haven't given up yet. So just sit tight, miss. It's only a matter of time 'til that necklace is back in your hands.

Thank you. I will be waiting with bated breath.

Is it all coming together now? We were just trying to get something back to its rightful owner.

And you said a mean-looking beast was in the mansion too, right? I can't imagine you three are completely innocent in all this, but...

...Fine. I believe you. But what happens next? The nobles tightened security, so sneaking in a second time would be unwise.

There is a second option...starring you, Laclair. Tell the guy you caught me and lure him out.

...I could. But what about the necklace?

He has it on him. Seems pretty keen on it. So once he's out in the open, we can steal it right back.

I see...

Think you could get him to meet you on the Serena Coast?

...Yes. I don't know if this will work, but let's give it a try.

Thanks, Laclair.

All right, girls! Round two! This time, we're gonna get the goods for sure!

Woohoo!

You've done well, Ranger.

Now, where are those thieves?

I have them tied up over there.

But before I hand them over, I want you to tell me something about that necklace of yours.

Ah, I see you have an eye for value!

Yes. And I happen to know someone who owned a necklace just like that. Can you tell me where you got it?

I purchased it off a merchant who happens to be a good friend of mine.

Why do you ask?

......

Did you, perhaps, think I got it through underhanded means?

Hm? Wait a second...

She's got the same scent as those damn thieves! There's no foolin' my nose.

What?!

...I see what's happening here.

You thought you could trick me, did you?

Looks like it's true, you really do keep company with some vulgar beastfolk. Still, I didn't expect you to show your true colors so quickly.

Silence! Now that you've seen the truth, I can't let you live. Get her!

What the?!

I don't need your help against these weaklings.

Oh, there's no need to be upset. It's just as I suspected. You're using beastfolk to clean up your messes, huh?

Grr... Kill them!

Not happening.

AHHHHHH!

Y-You can't just leave me here! I'm your boss!

I ain't about to die here, though.

...And then there was one.

There you are! We were lookin' everywhere for ya, Boss!

Why did you run off all alone like that?

'Cause I thought it was too dangerous to bring you with me.

You're lying. You just don't want me to see you teaching beastfolk a lesson.

......

You don't have to worry about that. After all, I...

A beast...child?

Hah! You accused me of using beasts to do my dirty work, but you're no different.

Wh-What are you doing?!

You shut your mouth! My sister doesn't look down on beastfolk like you do!

Stop, Kannon.

......

I'm taking this back.

Now that you have it, what do you plan to do with this guy?

Feed him to the scarfins!

Y-You're going to KILL me?! J-Just try it and the constabulary will find you...

Oh, please. That'd be too easy.

We're taking you to Rinde. Someone there's dying to see you.

......

There you go. Now take good care of it, all right?

I will. Thank you...

......

Well, what do you have to say for yourself? You've played with this poor woman's feelings for long enough, haven't you?

That's right! Apologize!

...It looks like you've been through quite a lot since we last saw each other.

I couldn't stop thinking of you...

How disgusting. You're a disgrace to all members of the aristocracy.

......!

And to add insult to injury, you've thrown your lot in with these questionable characters... Do you enjoy causing me pain?!

Hey!

Not an ounce of remorse, huh.

...That's fine with me.

Don't see how it could be.

It is. Because I don't plan on forgiving him either.

......!

Boss!

Laclair!

Why are you stopping me?!

When you promised to give us a house, you said it was no big deal compared to that memento.

But the truth is, this guy left you with almost nothing. And after you gave the house to us, you planned on turning that knife on yourself.

......

But then the person you hate more than anything shows up right in front of you and... I get it. I do. But...

Revenge isn't the answer.

......

Laclair...

We don't need a reward. The house is yours to keep.

But you have to go on living. Don't throw your life away for this piece of trash.

*sniffle* *sob*

Oh, quit with the glares, will you? The real bad guy's behind bars. You should be happy.

Yeah, but my ears won't stop ringing!

I already said I was sorry. I didn't wanna have to resort to that.

But these two were in trouble and I didn't have time to explain. If it's another apology you want, I could do this all day.

...It's fiiine. I forgive you. We did catch that bad nobleman, after all. So now he can't use beastfolk to do his dirty work anymore.

But you won't get the better of me next time I'm on duty.

I don't plan on making the same mistake twice either.

You're leaving?

Yes. My client's been arrested, which means my job is over.

No!

H-Hey...

Stay with us! Pleaaase!

Shinnon!

Oh no...

Haha. I've seen that face before.

Hey, Laclair. Why not hang out with the girls just a little longer?

...I suppose one night wouldn't hurt.

I appreciate it. Shall we head to the inn? I've got lots I wanna ask you.

Me too. I want to hear your story, miss.

You hafta wait your turn! She's gonna talk to me first!

Sounds like we got a fun night ahead of us!

Haha... What an odd bunch.

Zzz... I couldn't eat...another bite... Zzz...

Shinnon is sleeping like a rock...

Oh. Where did Laclair go?

We ran out of drinks, so she went to the tavern to get some.

I have to tell her not to get carried away when she gets back.

Hah... You're the most mature of three, I see.

That's not true...

Do you mind if I ask you a question, miss?

Do you think revenge...is bad?

Why do you ask?

I apologize if I'm mistaken, but...

When that woman was about to stab that nobleman, for a second it looked like you weren't sure if you should stop her or not.

You...

I'm baaack!

Still awake, Kannon? It's already pretty late. You should get to bed, kid.

Please answer me, miss.

What're you two talking about? I want in.

...I don't think it's bad.

Some people might say that revenge is meaningless. But for others, it's fulfilling. Only someone who's been wronged can say if it's bad or not. At least, that's how I see it.

All right, enough with all that heavy talk. It'll make the drinks go sour...

I just have one more question. How did you arrive at that conclusion?

It's time for bed, Kannon. Go on...

Please tell me, miss!

Enough, Kannon!

I...

I'm sorry...

Sorry you had to see that.

I don't want to pry into whatever's going on in your little band, but...

I don't think I can just accept this turn of events without at least hearing why you shouted as such a sensible kid.

...I've got my reasons. Nothing we should be talking about here, though.

Is that how you avoid facing her?

Tch... C'mon, aren't we the same person? You could cut some slack here.

I won't ask again. Now tell me the truth.

That girl... She's a sharp cookie, one of the sharpest, in fact. She might be young, but she's always fighting this burning flame inside of her.

What do you mean?

We're all war orphans. We lost our families 'cause of the fighting between the humans and the beastfolk.

And Kannon, she...

Her mind's like a steel trap. Once she sees something, she never forgets it.

So the flames she saw that day... They're still burning for her. In her head, they're the same exact color, shape, size, and heat as they were back then.

So when she asked about revenge...

Yeah. But I don't think I can just put those flames out. They'll die out on their own, so long as she's looking forward with a smile and not back.

In any case, can't take such a little kid so seriously.

But you can't just deny someone's desire for revenge.

Hah. Maybe not, if that someone's as strong as you are.

You don't know the first thing about me.

And what makes you think she lacks that strength? There are some people who live solely for revenge, that same revenge that you deny.

...Let's call it a night. I don't feel like drinking anymore.

Kannon... It's hot...

I know, but you have to stay still. I'm going to take a peek outside.

They're...killing everyone...

Zzz... Zzz... Where is...everybody...

I... I'm going to put out the fire.