Specialty Change: Roozid

The criminal just walked into his cell without saying anything? Even after you sentenced him to write a 300 page letter of apology?

That's right, he politely took the paper with two hands and walked right in. He even shut the door behind himself and bowed!

But...do you really intend to lock him up for thirty days like he asked?

Of course. If a criminal wants to pay for their misdeeds, why would I say no? It's best to incarcerate those who commit such social evils as not returning library books.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other duties to attend to.

Hmm, but that prisoner really did seem to have some kind of ulterior motive...

The overdue library book was titled "The Dungeon Guide to Building Muscle in 30 Days," the exact amount of days he asked to be imprisoned for...

I can't help but feel a little uncomfortable, like I've acted as an accomplice to a criminal in some way...

Alright, in the next thirty days down here, I'm going to be reborn.

For the sake of my people...who have lost everything and suffer in poverty...

That sandstorm took everything from us, and yet there is still more catastrophe to come...

The disease that once killed so many of our people has reappeared!

Recently a group of mercenaries working in the outskirts of Savara fell sick and within five days all were dead...

So what are we supposed to do? Just curl up and cower, helpless to stop it?

Everyone! There is no need to worry! We will not allow misfortune to once again devour us!

After a great amount of time and effort, the Jaiman Merchant Guild have acquired a magic stone capable of halting the disease.

A magic stone...? That sounds awfully familiar...

What are you suggesting!? I'm not like that!

If you don't trust me, don't buy it!

Nobody can deny this disease is spreading and there are only a limited number of magic stones available anyway...

Is that the magic stone the Jaiman Merchant Guild sells to stop the disease?

That's right, I'm investigating them for Basar. As expected, they're just normal rocks.

Sales have been suspended, but so many Suin already took out loans from Jaiman in order to afford buying them.

And now those who can't pay him back are being exploited like slaves.

But all the Emporium did was give him a warning. How could they possibly think that was enough...?

Cartuja, please tell me, how much longer must we endure so much degradation?

The reason these tragedies keep befalling us...is because we are too weak.

Too weak?

We lack some place to help keep our hearts steady. We lack a home.

As long as we remain homeless, nothing will change. We're going to keep falling victim to things like this.

You're right, we need a home... But...

Are you saying we just need to put up with this kind of treatment until then?

I...

Sorry, I got too worked up... I don't think I can help you with today's job...

Roozid...

What Cartuja said isn't wrong... But that doesn't mean I can just stand by and not do anything.

Karin Fantaria reporting! The immoral non-returner-of-library-books-in-a-timely-manner Roozid has been released!

Nothing of note to report?

Ah, well... His outward appearance hasn't changed much, but he gives off a feeling of strong determination.

Hmm, judging from his 300 pages of apology, his thirty days of imprisonment appear to have successfully rehabilitated him to re-enter society.

Ah, well, it's not really 300 pages. He wrote on the back of the paper too.

Then...600 pages!? Amazing...

I checked, and he didn't repeat any lines either. I've never seen an apology letter like this...

You said they were called Roozid? I'll have to make sure to remember that name, they don't seem like an ordinary person...

Have you still not caught the disgraceful criminal who attacked my guild!?

Don't worry, we will catch them red-handed this time. But...are you sure they're a Suin?

According to the soldier who witnessed the last attack at least.

Anyhow, this is the last chance I'm giving you. Fail again and I'll fire you just like I did those damn Longtails!

Then you'll have a mark on that upstanding reputation of yours, and of course that may well lead to fewer job offers in the future. Wouldn't that be a shame?

...

So do what I'm paying you for!

I know they're meant to be a criminal, but I'm not sure how I feel about capturing one of our own...

It sounds to me like you'd rather not catch them at all.

You're...not wrong. Especially since they're only targeting the Jaiman and Nehenqui Merchant Guilds, the ones who have mistreated and tricked our people...

And the stolen money always makes it back to the Suin suffering like slaves under them. Thanks to that, so many have been able to pay off their debts and earn their freedom. But...

There are still plenty Suin left still saddled with debt. If we catch the criminal now, those left will need to continue suffering even longer...

Jecht...are you trying to suggest they're some kind of righteous thief? Sure, you could say they're stealing from the rich to give to the poor...

But you're missing the bigger picture. If we don't resolve our problems through our own efforts...

Our people will only continue to make the same mistakes over and over. That's why we need to catch this person.

...I guess you're right. I was being too shortsighted.

Since they're targeting two different guilds, it's hard to say where they may come from. You patrol around the path to Levulin...

I'll take charge of the one to Solayu Forest.

This "righteous thief" guy must be pretty impressive, they've even called in mercenaries to guard them.

It's not just us, I heard they hired a famous Suin mercenary too. I think he's called Cartu...

Ack!

Ha, you think a few mercenaries are enough to stop me? Jaiman is still as foolish as ever...

Are you that righteous thief guy they're all going on about? You look less impressive than I'd imag...

Argghh... This is why I usually don't accept jobs from Jaiman...

There's more stuff here than I expected. I should be able to save a lot more Suin with all this...

Roozid! I was worried after not hearing from you in so long, to think the righteous thief was you this whole time...

Cartuja...? What are you doing here? You're not helping Jaiman, are you!?

What are you doing this for? You should stop, it isn't right!

You told me yourself, Cartuja... Our people need a home.

Of course, you weren't wrong...but I had other ideas.

What are you trying to say?

After we lost our home to that sandstorm, you've thought only of getting land for us to settle down in.

But if we can't go to that land freely...what's the point!?

You're right, I wasn't aware how obsessed I'd become with finding a home and I can't deny that you have a point. But...

But if we always require the help of others to overcome the hardships we bring upon ourselves...there is no future for our people. We will only repeat the same mistakes over and over.

You gave them back their physical freedom, but you took away another!

It's becoming clear at this point neither of us will be able to convince the other.

In accordance with our old customs, allow the victor to decide...

As strong as ever... But, Ack...!

Stay down! I don't want to fight with you! Just pay for your crimes!

You've never seen it, have you, Cartuja? The faces of those who have regained their freedom from oppression...!

As long as there are still people left for me to save, I refuse to give up. If you want to stop me, you'll have to kill me.

Roozid, why must you go so far!?

Because if I don't help them, no one will.

Everyone trusts and follows you, Cartuja, but you turned your back on them!

Oh, doesn't he look like he's on his last legs? I think we arrived just in time.

Armin? Of the Longtail Company? Where did you come from?

Hmm, I'm sorry, but would you mind handing this criminal over to me? Nehenqui is offering quite a handsome bounty.

I'm afraid that's not possible, I've also been hired to capture him.

Come on, don't be so selfish and give him here. If I don't get enough money this month, Bobeda's going to sell all my earrings.

Out of my way, my patience is at its limit.

Hmph, I guess we'll just have to fight over him. I'd be more cautious about facing you usually, but you seem tired from already fighting one round with him. Don't take me lightly!

Is this my chance?

Where are you going, Roozid!? Stop!

Thank you, Armin. I will never forget this.

I...I can't let you capture me. There are still so many left who need my help.

So you're the famous righteous thief everyone is going on about...

Armin, why are you lowering your sword? He doesn't have the strength to escape...

Let's go back. I can't capture Roozid... I can't capture the righteous thief.

What do you mean?

Among the Suin you helped were quite a few of the members of our company. We had a lot of debt left to pay and not long left to pay it...

We tried raising money by selling my earrings, but...it wasn't going to be enough. If nothing changed, we were seriously considering having to sell ourselves into slavery...

I'm so glad to hear I was able to be of help...

Otillie, we're going to have to give up on this one.

Understood... I'll report it back as a failure. I should go tell the backup team to turn back.

Keep on trying as hard as you can. It's a little embarrassing to admit...but I don't think I could do what you're doing.

You're our company's savior. The least I can do to pay back what you've done for us is let you go.

There's no need to pay me back, I'm just doing what needs to be done...

Anyway, I'll be going now! Be extra careful not to get caught again!

Savior...

You're late, Jaiman. It must take up a lot of your time being the kind of unscrupulous merchant who would gladly exploit his own race for the sake of profit.

To think I'd find myself working with Nehenqui, the most shamefully immoral peddler of tricks in the whole Emporium.

I'm not a fan of this arrangement, but we have a mutual interest in finding this "righteous thief" plaguing both our guilds...

I've leaked information that we intend to sell a great number of slaves and other merchandise tonight...

I'm sure we'll see this "righteous thief" of ours turn up before long. And when they do...

We'll have our mercenaries tear them to shreds!

Indeed, and then we can sleep soundly again. And, of course, I will have no more need to associate myself with a scoundrel like you.

Hmph, I could say the same. If not for all this, I'd never have dared lower myself to even looking at y...

W-We have a problem! One of the advance team's mercenaries came back. They found a letter...

A letter? Wait, surely not...

To think you employed an entire troop of mercenaries just to capture me!

Yet all that came of it was the loss of your precious riches and all those Suin whose freedom you unjustly stole from them. But you still don't understand...

Nehenqui. Jaiman. Read my words very carefully.

As long as you continue your foul acts, I will never disappear. Even if you catch me, another just like me will take my place.

Not until your exploitation and persecution of our people comes to an end!

Sooner or later your greed will devour you.

Make sure you never forget that.

Armin... Thanks to you saving me back then, so many more Suin were saved.

Cartuja...even if we have chosen different paths, I always have and always will respect you.

Even if we meet again as enemies, I'm certain I will not regret the choices I've made.

But I hope that if we do meet again, it will be as brothers in a new home for our people. Until that day comes, I wish only the best for you.