Chapter 2-6 : Keemariq Bandit Group (part 2)
「After the guards investigated Keema Shop, they found out that they were dealing in stolen goods. For this purpose, they worked with bandits and formed a group named Keemariq Bandit Group. This group was in charge of bringing the stolen goods to Keema Shop. Not only that, they were also dealing in illegal goods such as illegal medicines and magic tools.」(Maitena)
「I see…」(Kako)
So that adventurer shop was selling stolen goods…?
It’s hard to believe, but it seems to be true…
「This bandit group has skilled thieves and they’re very sneaky. The Merchant Guild has suffered a lot because of them, so they decided to ask us adventurers to deal with them.」(Izack)
「I see. Alright, I understand. But, why did they steal goods in this area? Didn’t they know that all the goods here are made by apprentices? Well, some blacksmith apprentices in this village make good equipment, but I still don’t think they’re worth stealing.」(Madoc)
「Hmm… You’ve got a point, Sir… I wonder ーNo, hold on! I think it’s just for a distraction!」(Izack)
「What do you mean?」(Madoc)
「Their main targets are probably the valuable goods made by professional blacksmiths. They stole the things here just to distract people!」(Izack)
「What!? That meansー」(Madoc)
「For all the blacksmiths and shop owners, check your workshops and shops and see if you’re missing some goods! Hurry up!」(Izack)
「No way!」
「We gotta be quick!」
「Oh, please! Anything but that sword!」(people)
After hearing what Izack said, the blacksmiths and shop owners in the village square, including Madoc-san, hurried back to their workshops and shops.
Not long after, we heard people’s screams from all over the village.
「Noo!! They got me!」
「They stole all my precious armor!」
「My sword!! My expensive sword is gone!」(people)
「Dammit! We’re too late! What sneaky bastards!」(Izack)
Soon after, Madoc-san returned. He was walking toward us while looking down at the ground.
「They got me. I lost some of the equipment I made. I planned to sell them at a high price, but… Dammit!」(Madoc)
「Master… Those bastards! Not only did they steal my ultimate creation, but they also stole Master’s! I’ll never forgive them!」(Sheila)
Sheila looked so frustrated. I can understand her feelings.
「Mr. Izack, we should hurry and capture them now!」(Madoc)
「Yeah, but they are pretty quick and sneaky. They must have left this village as soon as they got the goods.」(Izack)
「But, how? If they were carrying so many stolen goods, people would have noticed them, right?」(Madoc)
「They use magic bags to store the goods they steal. That’s why they can sneak out of this crowd without looking suspicious at all. They might have left this village, but don’t worry because we know where they’re heading to.」(Izack)
「Is that so? It seems that you know a lot about them.」(Madoc)
「We got information from the trusted guards who have been investigating them. This bandit group was once a part of Keema Shop, an adventurer shop in Tranto Town, but they are still active even after we captured the owner of that shop who was also their boss. The guards guessed that they had another boss or someone who could fund them with tons of money, and according to the guards, they were hiding in the eastern capital.」(Izack)
「Eastern capital, huh? I see.」(Madoc)
Hm…? If I’m not mistaken, Nyat said that it was our next destination.
However, I still don’t know anything about that place, so I decided to ask Maitena-san.
「Maitena-san, you know that city?」(Kako)
「Of course. It’s one of the biggest cities in this country, you know?」(Maitena)
「A big city… I see.」(Kako)
I’ve never been to a big city in this world, so I’m kinda curious.
I bet there are a lot of people there.
「We’re going to the eastern capital to chase after those bandits and find out who their new boss or client is. As soon as we get there, we’ll ask the local Merchant Guild to help us figure out their sales route and get back the stolen items.」(Izack)
「I see. There’s not much we can do so we’re counting on you.」(Madoc)
「You can leave it to us. I promise I will bring back the stolen goods to this village.」(Izack)
「Thank you.」(Madoc)
This is great. I’m sure The Wings of Steel members can get Sheila’s and the other people’s goods back.
I was worried at first, but I’m glad that they came to this village.
「By the way, Kako, do you want to come with us?」(Maitena)
「Eh?」(Kako)
「That’s right! Kako ojou-chan, you should come with us. Of course, you can refuse if you’ve already planned to go elsewhere.」(Izack)
「Umm, actually, Nyat and I did plan to go to the eastern capital after leaving this village, but…」(Kako)
「Oh! We’re going the same way anyway, so we should go together. It’s not that I doubt Mr. Catto’s ability, but you will be even safer with us around. The road to that city is quite dangerous. You might get attacked by bandits. You don’t want to be kidnapped for the second time, right?」(Izack)
「Uhh. Of course, I don’t want to go through that kind of experience again.」(Kako)
「Ho, Hold on! Kako, you’ve ever been kidnapped before?」(Sheila)
Suddenly, Sheila looked at me with a somewhat worried yet curious face.
「Uhh… Yeah, while I was in Tranto Town, and it seems that the person who kidnapped me back then was the former boss of this bandit group.」(Kako)
「I see… Another reason for not forgiving those people!」(Sheila)
「What!? So they kidnapped our goddess!?」
「That’s unforgivable!」
「Those lolicon bastards!」(apprentices)
Not only Sheila, but the other apprentices around me looked mad too.
But, hold on… Did I just hear someone say ‘lolicon’?
I’m not a child, and they kidnapped me not because I’m a child, okay!?
「So, Kako, what do you think? We’re still waiting for your answer.」(Maitena)
「Umm, if we’re going the same way, then I’d love to go with you, but… you are chasing those thieves, right? I’m afraid I will only slow you guys down.」(Kako)
「That’s not true. Besides, we won’t go there on foot. We’ve prepared a carriage, so you don’t have to worry about slowing us down.」(Maitena)
Oh! A carriage!
It’s the most common transportation in this world, but I’ve never ridden one because I always ride on Nyat’s back.
「Actually, there’s someone I want you to meet in the eastern capital, so I really want you to go with us if possible.」(Maitena)
「Someone you want me to meet?」(Kako)
「Yes. You are a merchant, right? I have an acquaintance in that city that might be able to help you with your business.」(Maitena)
「I see.」(Kako)
I wonder what kind of person Maitena-san wants to introduce to me.
Since she said they would be able to help me with my business, I guess they’re a rich merchant or something.
Before I answered Maitena-san, Nyat came with a full bag of meatballs in his arms.
He seemed to have been wandering around the food stall area when the commotion happened.
What a carefree cat…
「You guys, it’s been a while-nya!」(Nyat)
「Mr. Catto, seems like you’ve been doing well. I just asked Kako if she wants to go to the eastern capital with us. What do you think? Ah, by the way, we’re going to travel by carriage.」(Maitena)
「Honestly, I prefer to run, but I don’t mind traveling by carriage-nya. Well, it’s up to Kako-nya. I’ll just follow her-nya.」(Nyat)
「Kako, you heard him. So, what do you say?」(Maitena)
「If Nyat doesn’t mind, then… Alright. I will come with you, Maitena-san.」(Kako)
「Great! Don’t worry. You will be safe with us.」(Maitena)
「Un!」(Kako)
So, I decided to go with the Wings of Steel members to the next destination, the eastern capital.
Just when I thought I would go back to the inn to pack my belongings and check out, suddenly Sheila raised her hand.
「Umm… Excuse me, can you take me along too?」(Sheila)
「Hm? You are…」(Maitena)
「Maitena-san, this is my friend, Sheila. Her goods were also stolen by those thieves.」(Kako)
「That’s right! My ultimate creation, the sword I made was stolen! I might be an apprentice, but as a craftsman, I won’t be able to work in peace until I get it back myself! 」(Sheila)
「I see. I know your feelings, but…」(Maitena)
「Oi, oi, Sheila, what are you talking about!? You should leave it to them! There’s nothing you can do!」(Madoc)
「But, Masterー」(Sheila)
「He’s right. You will only slow us down.」(Maitena)
「Don’t worry, I won’t slow you down, instead, I can help you find the stolen goods. As a young apprentice here, I’ve studied all the goods made by blacksmiths and other apprentices in this village, so I’ll be able to recognize them as soon as I see them.」(Sheila)
「Is that so? Hmm… You might be useful, but we can’t take you with us without your master’s permission.」(Maitena)
「Uhh…」(Sheila)
Sheila turned to her master and looked at him with a pleading face.
「Master, please! I was able to make that masterpiece because of Kako. She has high hopes for me! As a craftsman, I can’t just sit back and wait here when something I made with that much trust got stolen! You know what I feel, right?」(Sheila)
「……」(Madoc)
Madoc-san folded his arms and frowned.
He looked concerned about his cute disciple, but at the same time, it seemed that he also understood Sheila’s feelings.
「…Alright. You may go.」(Madoc)
「Thank you, Master!」(Sheila)
Sheila jumped in joy after getting permission from her master.
「She is still young, but she is a talented craftsman, and as she said, she will be able to help you find the stolen goods. Would you please take her along with you?」(Madoc)
「Alright. I understand.」(Maitena)
When Madoc-san said that while politely bowing his head, Maitena replied with a nod and turned to Sheila.
「Sheila, was it? Very well, you may come with us. However, you have to stay out of combat while we’re fighting enemies. You understand?」(Maitena)
「Yes, Ma’am!」(Sheila)
「Good. By the way, I’m Maitena. You can say that I’m Kako’s master. This is our leader, Izack. This cheerful-looking woman is Palfi, and this quiet elf is Martz.」(Maitena)
「Yahoo~」(Palfi)
「Nice to meet you, Sheila ojou-san.」(Izack)
「Nice to meet you.」(Martz)
「Nice to meet you, everyone! I promise I will be useful!」(Sheila)
What an unexpected turn of events. I never thought Sheila would come with us too.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited.
「Kako, seems like we still have plenty of time until we part ways.」(Sheila)
「Un!」(Kako)
I’m happy that I don’t have to say goodbye to Sheila anytime soon.
But, of course, there are some people who aren’t happy about it.
「Wait! You should take us with you too!」(senior A)
「That’s right! Our goods were also stolen!」(senior B)
「There’s no way we can leave them to this brat!」(senior C)
Yup. Those people are Sheila’s seniors… As expected.
But fortunately, Madoc-san forbade them to go.
「No, you guys can’t go.」(Madoc)
「What? Master, why!?」(senior A)
「Do you think I don’t know what you did to Sheila? She almost couldn’t participate in this year’s exam because of the three of you! You can’t harass your junior just because you got jealous of her. As punishment, you three have to stay and make a hundred pieces of plate armor for me starting tomorrow!」(Madoc)
「What!?」(senior A)
「A hundred!?」(senior B)
「Do you want to kill us!?」(senior C)
「Khu khu khu!」(Sheila)
Sheila giggled while watching her master scolding her seniors as if saying, “That’s what you got for bullying me!”
I don’t know how heavy the punishment was, but I could see their faces turn pale.
I’m glad that these people got some punishment from their master.
Looks like Madoc-san is a strict person, but I feel like he’s kind of soft on Sheila.
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Idk why but I have feeling mc is gonna set herself bait for bandit to come to her