Hero Stories: To Catch a Thief

Aww... Come on, Iseria! I can't even remember the last time we hung out! Come have a drink!

I'm here to get Cermia. I don't drink when I'm on duty.

Stop being so boring. A glass or two won't hurt anybody.

At the party you made sure I didn't drink even a single drop, what changed now?

It was a very important party. Any silly mistakes could have been the end of your career.

But with us, who cares if you make a fool of yourself again!

Again? Did I miss something?

Oh, it's a great story. You see, one time she accepted every single drink she was offered, and...

Enough.

*chugging*

THUNK

Are you happy now?

*chuckling* Of course!

Welcome aboard! Now we're accomplices, you can't tell anyone I was drinking while on duty.

You know I've been dealing with a lot lately, why do you need to give me even more to worry about?

Hmm? What's got you so busy?

I'll help.

There's been a sharp increase in thefts lately. Judging by how similar they are, I assume the perpetrator of them all is the same person...

Oh, is this the one that switches the objects they steal with fakes?

That's right. It takes people a while to realize it's a fake, meaning the thief is long gone before it's even reported.

Any helpful evidence must be gone by then as well.

Hmm... I'm not so sure.

I'll help you find this criminal, in the name of justice.

Whoa, you're so cool! Well then, I'll trust you to do enough work for the both of us!

Thank you for your help. There will be a handsome reward for whoever can find them.

Wait, there's money involved? I hadn't heard anything about that. How much?

It's written on this wanted poster, have you seen them around?

Let me see. How many zeroes is that... One, two, three, four...

...Alright Celine, I'll help too! As a hardworking member of the Order of the Sword, I must do what is righteous!

Haha, really? How responsible of you. Let's have another drink to celebrate our new partnership! Cheers!

Ugh, this is the worst hangover ever...

Get it together. We need to look closely for any stolen goods.

I've been looking so closely my eyes are about to fall out. Ugh... I should never have offered to help, it was a stupid, drunken decision.

Oh no, Cermia's here too. I guess the reward money is a lot to turn down...

I can't let them catch the thief first... Wendy, we need to be faster than them!

How about we just give up and take on something else? There must be a reason why they haven't been caught yet.

Oh, come on! If we do our best, I'm sure, Ooooh, these earrings are pretty.

You've got great taste. They're made from one of the rarest of gems.

I see... Aren't they really pretty, Wendy?

Yeah, whatever. You can't afford them anyway. Did you check the price tag?

*gasping* You're right. So pricey!

We have no choice but to catch the thief and get that reward!

Just you wait, thief! I'm coming for you!

Ugh... Who keeps yelling? My head hurts...

That store is always so crowded.

They must have new products in. I don't know how he manages to have such high-quality goods.

He never tells anyone where he buys his stock from.

Oh?

If you were him, would you reveal your trade secrets to your rivals?

I heard he made enough money to pay off all his debts.

*sighing*... I'm dying to know how he did it. Just a few months ago, all he sold was fakes.

Celine, my stomach really doesn't feel good... Can we please go back? I promise I'll do my best tomorrow...

...Alright, let's call it a day.

I think I've got a lead anyway.

Are you sure we can catch them like this?

There's literally no one out there, the market is closed and all the merchants went home.

Shh, be quiet.

*creaking*

...

...Let's follow him.

You're early today. Where's the goods?

Here. It wasn't easy this time, I almost got caught.

Don't be such a crybaby.

I'm serious.

Alright, alright. Good job. When I make new accessories out of this, I promise I'll give you one.

Hmm... Can I get it gift-wrapped?

Oh, you'll get gift-wrapped alright! Wrapped in this rope and delivered straight to jail!

...! You were followed.

Everyone! Get them!

If you want to stop me, you've got to be better than this!

Ack...

Cermia, that's enough! Come on, we've got to follow those two!

Hmph, it's your lucky day today.

Argh!

Tell me, where did the thief go?

Do you think I'll tell you that...!?

Save your loyalty for someone else, no one's watching your back anymore. Celine and I have already dealt with your gang.

You'd better tell me where she went before I get really upset.

If you atone for your crimes and cooperate with the investigation, your sentence will be lowered. Think carefully.

...I won't rat her out to save myself.

If it wasn't for her, that loan shark would have finished me off long ago.

Loan shark?

Same here. She stole from the conman who ruined my family and gave it to us!

Threaten me with whatever you want, I won't tell you!

Hey, you're making me sound like the villain here!

I understand you've all had a hard time...

But nothing can justify stealing from others.

You must pay the price for your wrongdoings, no matter the reasons behind them.

...

...If you're going to keep your mouths shut, we're left with no choice. Cermia, let's apprehend them.

Yes, ma'am!

*panting* ...Surely they won't have followed me all this way.

I wonder what happened to the others... I hope they're safe.

Seems like they're not going to give up any time soon. I should go to Reingar and hide out as an exchange student.

Once the fuss dies down, I'll steal some kind of magic tool and use the money to bail the others out.

*sighing* ...I guess I'll have to use a new name again. What should I choose this time...?

Stop right there, thief!

There's nowhere to run!

Ack... I told you, I'm innocent!

I just picked it up because I thought someone lost it! I was gonna return it straight to the Public Security Club!

Is that really true?

He's lying, Karin!

The student who lost it went straight back to where they lost it, but it was already gone.

And they had to wander around looking for about three hours.

What's your excuse for not turning it in for three hours?

She's right. They lost it in the main square, which is very close to the Public Security Club.

Uhh, w-well...

I'm charging you with theft, evading arrest, making false statements, and obstruction of justice.

You've been caught red-handed!

Ahhhhhh!

Phew, mission complete!

That was amazing, Karin!

I was about to say the same to you! We wouldn't have been able to catch the criminal without your help, Judith.

You've got an incredible insight into the mind of a criminal! We all have a lot to learn from you!

Ha... Haha...

It's only because I was a thief myself, so I know all their tricks...

Who would have thought my experience as a thief would earn me praise one day...

Maybe I was always meant to be a Public Security Club officer.

Anyway, what are you doing here, Karin? I thought you had somewhere to be. You even swapped shifts because of it.

Oh no! I completely forgot!

I was planning to hold a surprise party for my aunt, but I got too carried away...

Ugh... What should I do? I have so many things to prepare. I need to pick up a cake, put up decorations...

That should take at least a couple hours. What time is the party?

Three...

Three? Then you've got a plenty of time.

Three...minutes from now...

...Oh, then you're screwed.

Nooooo! I worked so hard planning for this!

Judith! Please, can you meet my aunt first and buy me some time!?

Umm... Okay. If you need me to.

I don't even know what she looks like... I have this placard with her name on it, but...

Anyway, I wonder if she's like Karin. Maybe she's even better with a sword!

There's no way she's as cool as her though.

Oh? Where's Karin? Are you here to pick me up instead?

...! You...

She's the one who tried to arrest me before!

Umm... Do I know you?

I'm sorry, please don't take it personally if I don't remember. I have a very bad memory. May I ask your name?

Wait, does she really not recognize me...?

I guess it's been a while, and she only saw me at a glance in the dark.

I'm...Judith.

Judith... You seem familiar...or maybe not.

Hmm... Whatever. If I don't remember, why don't we start all over again? Let's make some nice new memories together.

Phew...

Alright, then. Can you take me to Karin now?

Uhh, well...some stuff happened. I think you should wait here for a bit.

Oh, I see what's going on. She's up to something, isn't she?

I suppose I can go have a drink or two in Savara, then. Please tell Karin to take as much time as she wants.

...She's going all the way to Savara? For a drink?

What if she's just pretending she doesn't recognize me and is planning to turn me in?

I should follow her.

Celine! It's been so long since you last visited Savara.

Roozid! How have you been?

Why don't we go for a drink? I've got some time to kill.

Uhh... I'm kind of in the middle of something, actually. I'm looking for a missing cat.

She never usually misses meal time... Where could she have gotten to?

I'll help! A problem shared is a problem halved, after all.

But if we do find her, you owe me a drink!

Here kitty kitty, where are you?

Your uncle is looking for you! It's time to eat!

*hissing* Meowww!

I think I just heard her. Was it coming from that side?

Krrrrrrr...

That monster has her trapped.

Hold on, kitty. I'm coming to rescue you!

It's gone now. Were you scared?

Meow!

Haha, it's nothing. I did what I had to do.

Now, shall we get you back to uncle Roozid...

Ahhhh! S-Stay away from me!

...I guess we should help her first.

This is our district, squeak!

You need to pay a fee to busk here, squeak!

Y-You made that up...

Squeak!

Ahhhhhh, don't come near me! I-I'm scared of mice...

Squeak, squeak. You'd better hand us all the money you earned from your performance, or else!

*sighing* There really are people like this wherever you go.

Who are you, squeak?

Just a passerby, for now.

Think wisely. Apologize now or take that money and you'll be paying for a ticket to the underworld.

Squeak! You can't scare me with empty threats!

No, my money!

Hmm, you've left me with no choice then.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Here you are.

Thank you so much. I'll give you some, you deserv...

I don't need payment. I was only doing what needed to be done.

But I can't just let you go without rewarding you, you saved my life!

If they came even a step closer I would have died of a heart attack.

If you really want to do something for me, you could sing me a song sometime.

Of course! I can sing ten, even twenty songs if you want!

Excuse me, we received reports about a fight. Does anyone know what happened?

You're late. She already took care of it.

Oh, Celine. Thank you, we owe you so much.

It's taking all our time and manpower dealing with some monsters near the city outskirts. They get very aggressive during their mating season. We apologize for coming too late.

Would you like me to help you deal with these monsters?

That'd be great, but...

It's okay, really. I have nothing better to do anyway.

Oh, then we would be happy to accept your help. Thank you.

Phew, I already caught thirty of them. It should be fine for a while.

So far, she doesn't seem to be planning to turn me in...

Did she only come here to help random people out? When is she going back to Reingar?

Oh, wait. I feel like I'm forgetting something... Hmm...

Reingar! You've got to return to Reingar!

Oh, that's it. Roozid owes me a drink.

...She's completely forgotten. What should I so? Should I go back by myself?

Meow...

Hmm? Is there something over there?

...! S-Since when was that cat here!?

Shoo! Shoo! Go away!

Meow!

Huh? We've met before... Did you follow me here from Reingar?

W-Well... I...

You were worried about me, weren't you?

...Huh? Oh, o-of course! I followed you because I was worried!

So why don't we go back to Reingar...

Celine! There you are!

You were a great help. I'd love to buy you dinner as way of thanks.

Oh, that's very nice of you. But I'm afraid we have somewhere to go. Right, Judi...

Huh? Where did she go?

Phew, that was a close call.

Even if Celine doesn't recognize me, that guard might. I need to be careful.

Wendy?

...!

It is, isn't it? What happened to you?!

You have no idea how worried I was! How could you leave a letter saying you're diagnosed with some kind of incurable disease and just disappear!?

...I do not know who this Wendy is.

How can I possibly mistake you for someone else? I've been looking...

I said I'm not Wendy! Stop bugging me!

Wendy!

*panting* She sure doesn't take a hint.

Even though I'm no longer a thief, every day is like walking on thin ice...

I'm constantly worried someone might recognize me and turn me in...

What if everyone in Reingar finds out who I really am?

Then I'll need to abandon Karin and the others just like I did to Armin...

I should hurry back to Reingar first. The risk of encountering somebody I know is too high here.

...I thought she looked familiar.

So you were the thief all along.