Episode 66: Catching the Jewel Thief

After filling our stomachs, we found ourselves at a certain jewelry store.

Since Isan is located in the coastal area, internationally diverse decorative items gather here. For that reason, stores like this tend to be quite numerous.

“Arcs, look at this. Isn’t this necklace absolutely wonderful?”

What Eleanore pointed to was a necklace adorned with a purple gemstone in the center. It was a design that conveyed elegance within its splendor.

“It certainly is lovely. I think it would suit you well, Eleanore-sama.”

“Really?”

“Yes. That purple brilliance would further enhance your refinement, Eleanore-sama.”

I said this half-teasingly, but she continued to gaze at it seriously.

As befitting a noble, she naturally has an interest in such things.

…Well, I think there are fewer people who wouldn’t be interested.

While relaxing the corners of my mouth at her enthusiastic demeanor, I casually shifted my gaze around.

Inside the luxurious store, beautiful jewels and accessories were neatly arranged, reflecting light and radiating dazzling brilliance.

(Come to think of it, in the game you could buy items to increase affection at stores like this.)

In ‘Celestia Kingdom’, true to being an otome game, you could give presents to the capture targets.

If it matched the character’s preferences, you could greatly increase their affection, but if you gave something too far off the mark, the affection would actually decrease.

Since it was an essential element for collecting endings, hazy memories surfaced of frantically offering gifts to the handsome men with a walkthrough site in hand.

(Maybe I should buy something for Eleanore.)

The showcases in this store didn’t just display ornaments, but also items that served as magical tools.

Glancing over them lightly, I could see sales pitches like “Magic Power Enhancement!” and “Fire Magic Equipped!!” written in the descriptions.

I remember that even in the game, among the decorative presents, there were items that served as combat equipment.

Well, the protagonist and capture targets’ base specs were too strong, so they were mostly just flavor. The combat elements weren’t that prominent either.

But even so, in this world there should be useful items available.

(Hm…? That is…)

Something suddenly caught my eye.

As if drawn to it, I was about to step toward it—when.

“Hey, you wait, stop!!”

A frantic voice rang out, unsuited to the elegant store interior.

As if snapped to attention, I turned my gaze toward the voice and saw a small-statured man clutching jewelry trying to leave.

Apparently, it was shoplifting.

I sent my gaze toward Eleanore.

She smiled at me while lowering the corners of her eyebrows with a troubled expression.

…This makes things easy.

Flipping my cape, I rushed out of the store.

***

In the bustle of the city streets, I ran so as not to lose sight of the small man’s back. Though his steps were light, with my trained leg strength it was only a matter of time before I caught up.

“Stop right there!”

Ignoring my call, the man increased his speed further. But perhaps due to panic, his movements gradually became erratic.

Eventually, the man entered deep into a back alley.

In the darkness, the moment I took a step forward—

“Heh, so ya followed me.”

A voice spoke. What emerged from the shadows of the back alley were clearly rough-looking men. Four or five people who appeared to be accomplices of the shoplifter were waiting.

“Big bro, it’s not good to be too nosy.”

“That’s right, if you turn back here you’ll save your life.”

The delinquent-like men approached with smirking grins. The shoplifter hid behind them while looking at me with provocative eyes.

…I see, so that’s how it is.

This city’s public order isn’t particularly bad, but that doesn’t mean it’s a clean city either.

If you venture into the back alleys a bit, petty villains swarm around like pill bugs hiding under stones.

These guys are probably that type too.

“This area is our turf, ya see. You understand what happens if you oppose us, right?”

That’s what they say, but no matter how you look at it, they’re not grand enough to be called a bandit group or gang.

They seem still young, so they’re probably just idiots who got carried away and turned to misdeeds.

“Return the jewelry and apologize to the store.”

I told them calmly.

“Hah, this guy’s all full of justice!”

“Fine then, let’s knock him down!”

At that moment, one man raised his voice and swung his fist up, rushing at me.

…What a hot-blooded fellow.

I just got these clothes newly tailored, and I don’t really want to dirty them.

While sighing heavily inwardly, I moved half a step.