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Chapter 45 Part 1

The Pickpocket Boy’s Circumstances And What Emmy Saw Through Him

 

The pickpocket boy no longer moving around as if he no longer had the energy to resist.

Sybilla takes the bag from his hand and checks its contents.

 

「By the way, why did you bring this with you?」

 

「That’s, well… I just thought that I would feel bad if you had to keep paying for our stuff.」

 

「You sure you’re not mistaking it with 『It’s uncool to make a woman pay』, hm?」

 

Kuh… this girl sure can say the words I don’t really want to say out loud with such a straight face huh.

 

「But you don’t have to worry about that since that money is technically yours.」

 

「……What?」

 

「It’s the reward for defeating the Fire Dragon and selling the magic stones from the Living Armors in the lower layer.」

 

When Sybilla told me that, I just remembered that I left the management and reports of our party to her. Since there’s no way I, who has a 【Twilight Sorcerer】 job can openly go to the guild to do it myself.

 

「Guys tend to spend a lot of money, don’t they? That’s why I’ve been managing our money, but… I do feel a little bad, since as expected as a guy you’d be more comfortable to be the one paying for the stuff, right? So, here you go.」

 

After she said that, Sybilla took her adventurer tag, tapped mine with it, and used the magic to transfer money.

And when I check it…. a digit of numbers I’ve never seen before was displayed there.

 

「I’m not the type to fuss over things like this, so I don’t mind you paying for us from now on, Russell. I’m looking forward to seeing how cool you are paying for our stuff.」

 

「O-okay… got it.」

 

As I was still surprised Sybilla unexpectedly handed me a large sum of money so easily, she turned to the boy.

 

「Now then…… well, normally I would turn you in to the city guards, but…」

 

For some reason, Sybilla crouches down and stares at the boy.

The boy stares back at Sybilla, and they both stare at each other in silence.

 

Suddenly, Sybilla giggled and moved her hand on top of the boy’s hood. She was giving him a head pat.

 

「Emmy-chan, can you make the boy stand up for a moment, and just in case, keep holding his hands like that.」

 

「Eh? Ah, okay…」

 

Emmy can’t keep up with what’s going on. And frankly, neither do I.

Then Sybilla leaned her face closer to the boy and made a firm declaration.

 

「I won’t turn you in to the guards if you do what I say. In fact, I can even let you go today.」

 

「……And how can I believe you’re telling the truth?」

 

「Well, if you don’t want to, I can just turn you in to the guards like this. Seiris’ guards are strict you know? You will definitely be in for a hard time with them.」

 

It seems this boy knows Seiris’ guards well, as his complexion changes when he hears that.

Finally realizing that he had no choice, he reluctantly agreed to listen to Sybilla.

 

「Alright! Then let’s head to our next destination right away!」

 

Emmy and I looked at each other and followed behind Sybilla.

 

While still feeling puzzled, we arrived at our next destination Sybilla mentioned, which was… a clothing store.

 

「Wait here.」

 

Sybilla briefly looked at the boy from head to toe, then walked into the store and picked out some clothes in a flash, paid for them quickly, and came out.

She didn’t even bother to see if the clothes fit first.

 

「Alright~ to the next place we go~」

 

The “my pace” Goddess just went ahead before we could even respond.

This time my eyes met not only with Emmy’s but also with the boy’s, and we couldn’t help but tilt our heads.

 

「……Is that person always like this?」

 

「Well, sort of.」

 

「……What a weird person.」

 

「I very much agree with that.」

 

When I said that, I could hear the boy let out a small chuckle under his hood.

It’s not like I’m trying to close our distance, but well… this is better than being hated, I guess, right?

 

This time, Emmy said something as we watched Sybilla’s back.

 

「Do you live in an orphanage or something like that?」

 

「……Until just recently, before one of the temporary sisters left and the one who stayed behind ran off with all the money.」

 

「No way…」

 

It was an unexpectedly serious reason.

Could it be that… the reason this young boy decided to risk it and steal from well-off adventurers like us despite how dangerous it could’ve gotten was…

 

「We’re here!」

 

My inner thought was interrupted by Sybilla as we arrived at the next store which is… wait, isn’t this our inn?

Ignoring our surprise, Sybilla quickly entered the building.

 

「We’re back~」

 

「Welcome back, dear customers from『Twilight Pact』. …And who is that person over there?」

 

The man at the reception frowned as he saw the boy wearing what could only be described as a dirty slum hoodie.

Seeing this, Sybilla approached him.

 

「He will be under our care for a while. I’ll give you something for the inconvenience of course~」

 

Sybilla leans closer to the clerk behind the counter and lightly taps her adventurer tag on the magical tool on the reception desk with a look as if she’s already used to this stuff.

She winked at him at close range and quickly moved away as the man at the reception desk froze in embarrassment.

 

The clerk, who finally returned to reality, widened his eyes in surprise when he looked at the magic tool on the desk.

When he looked up again, he looked at the boy with a big, welcoming smile, took a step back, put his hand on his chest, and bowed.

 

「Please enjoy your stay in the suite of this 『Seaside Inn』, the best inn in Seiris!」

 

「E-Eh?」

 

We followed Sybilla’s lead, with our eyes still wide in surprise at the change in the receptionist’s attitude. It was the same as usual, but today especially, we were dragged on Sybilla’s pace.

 

When we returned to our room, the first thing Sybilla did was point her finger at me.

 

「Alright, Russell, can you get out of the room for now?」

 

「Ha? Why should I?」

 

「Just.Get.Out」

 

Sybilla put her hands on her hips and scolded me as if I had done something wrong. I’m sure she must have her reason if she insisted this much.

 

「Alright alright. When can I go inside?」

 

「An hour should be enough I think.」

 

I nodded and put my hand on the door to leave when Emmy suddenly stood up. 

 

「Ah, then I’ll also—」

 

「No, you should stay, Emmy-chan.」

 

「E-Ehhh?」

 

This time it was the opposite of me, Emmy was about to leave the room, but Sybilla told her to stay. ……I don’t know where she’s going with this more and more.

I don’t know, but since it was Sybilla we’re talking about here, it must mean something.

 

「You’re not going to ask for the reason, huh, Russell.」

 

「Well, I believe we’re already close enough that I don’t have to ask such a thing to trust you right?」

 

「……Nn, I guess you’re right.」

 

Sybilla said while playing with her hair, twirling it around her fingertips. She didn’t make any quirky remarks, which was unusual for her. ……What’s with her?

 

「Muu~……」

 

「Emmy, what’s what’s wrong? Ah, right, I haven’t thanked you for your help earlier, huh? Thank you. You’ve really become someone reliable huh. I know it’s not cool to say this as a guy, but… I’m counting on your strength.」

 

「Ah, un! Of course, you can count on me more!」

 

「If there’s anything I can count on as much as you, it’s probably Jannet’s brains. Well then, I’m off.」

 

「Have a safe trip~」

 

I then left the inn while hearing a murmur of 「It’s okay, I’m still winning……!」 behind my back when I left the room.