In the midst of the blistering midsummer heat, the back alleys remained cool during midday. A child, marred with scratches and wearing tattered clothes marked by footprints, crouched in an alley corner—a clear sign he had been trampled.
Street children were a common sight here, where starvation was so rampant that surviving a few days without food was deemed fortunate. Yet, this child fared better than his peers because he possessed something of value to sell.
Convinced he wouldn’t last if his hunger persisted, he resolved to sell his last belonging: a pocket watch. But lulled into complacency by the midday sun, he let his guard down, a decision he would come to regret.
On this day, he encountered the local infamous gang. He had hoped they would ignore him as they typically did, but fate was not on his side. They noticed his apparent anxiety, and upon their call, he panicked and ran, but a famished child stood no chance against robust adults.
The child’s first concern when caught was the pocket watch; its worth would diminish if damaged. So, he shielded it as best he could, absorbing the blows. Ultimately, he could only watch as they seized his precious timepiece.
He watched bitterly as the gang members reveled in their newfound loot and vanished. Powerless, he recalled his last meal—a piece of bread scavenged from the street, already nibbled by a mouse.
Now, with nothing left, his hunger overshadowed the pain from his injured back. How would he survive?
Just then, a boy approached the child.
“That thing of yours. Sell it to me.”
“…?”
The child looked up with difficulty. In contrast to his own ragged attire, the boy who spoke was dressed in fine clothes. Such attire would make him a target in this place, yet the boy seemed oblivious.
But the child’s current predicament was of greater concern than understanding the boy. With his watch stolen, he was left with nothing. The thieves were already disappearing from sight.
However, the boy’s gaze lingered on the departing figures, indicating that “that thing” he referred to was indeed the pocket watch.
In a society ruled by a corrupt government, strength was essential for survival. The laws meant to protect the citizens’ rights served only the nobility. The child, well aware of this, had resigned himself to the loss of the watch. It was those thieves the boy should be bargaining with, not him.
The child whispered to the boy, who seemed as if he had stepped out of Wonderland.
“…my everything.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Huh?”
“Ktf kjamt atfs abbx kjr jii P tjv.”
Qlat atja jvwlrrlbc, atf mtliv’r olcufgalqr yfujc ab agfwyif—j vfajli cba wlrrfv ys atf byrfgnjca ybs. Gfrqlaf atf jiifs’r rtjvbkr, atf ybs’r yibcvf tjlg rtbcf ilxf j ragjs recyfjw.
“Ktfc lo P ulnf sbe ws fnfgsatlcu obg la, sbe’ii ufa j ubbv vfji.”
The boy’s slate-grey eyes sparkled with confidence as he watched the gang vanish into the distance.
***
“So, the deal was successful?”
“Indeed, madame. It’s told he dashed past the gang that had purloined the watch, deftly retrieved it with a swift move, and triumphantly displayed it before the slouched child. The gang comprised 17 hardened local ruffians. Yet, he managed to outwit them all.”
“My goodness, all 17?”
A distinguished gentleman with a splendid moustache entertained a refined lady of noble bearing. She listened intently, fluttering a delicate pink fan before her visage.
“And then? Did he truly give the lad all he possessed?”
“Most assuredly, madame. They say he emptied his pockets to such an extent, not a single mote of dust was left behind.”
“But the boy must have had mere pennies to his name? You mentioned he was but a youth.”
“Ha! Even with such a paltry sum, the lad who bartered with him likely lived comfortably for a full year. That old pocket watch cost him a handsome sum, indeed.”
“How curious that he grasped the notion of trade. I presumed he was merely a pilferer skilled in nothing but thievery.”
No sooner had the lady spoken than the banquet’s music shifted to a spirited dance melody. She veiled her lips with her fan, her gaze flitting about the chamber in search of the disturbance. Finding naught amiss, she refocused on the gentleman before her.
“As for the Phantom Thief Astar…”
The man beside her cut in.
“That’s quite an embellishment. Regardless of his current renown, Astar would have been a mere child back then. A nobleman wouldn’t stoop to larceny, and if he were common-born, he wouldn’t have had a year’s sustenance in his pocket as a boy, claiming it as his entire wealth.”
Although the man managed to maintain a semblance of composure in his tone, his furrowed brow betrayed his agitation. The gentleman who initiated the topic proceeded, unabated in his fervor.
“Oh, monsieur. Are we not discussing Astar, whose talents have always set him apart? He devoted himself entirely for the child’s sake at that time. From a young age, he possessed a righteous nature, intolerant of any injustice! Moreover, he has an almost spectral ability to achieve his objectives, regardless of the challenge! And let’s not overlook his bravery to sacrifice all he has for the vulnerable! This is exactly why he enjoys such popularity among the empire’s populace.”
“Good heavens. To use righteousness as a pretext is laughable even to a dog. Are not the nobles citizens of the empire as well? Who would admire a man who victimizes his own kind? He targets nobles likely because they possess what catches his eye. And should a commoner possess a treasure? Rest assured, Astar would not hesitate to rob them.”
“That is a curious theory. Indeed, only time will reveal the truth.”
“I am astonished that you would subscribe to such folly. My friend, you are more gullible than I presumed. It appears you hold some affection for that trivial burglar? Given how you are dazzled by his purported heroism and recount these exaggerated stories as fact. It is peculiar for a noble not to bear any animosity towards him.”
While swirling the wine glass, the man covertly observed the gentleman, feigning interest in the wine’s scent. The gentleman’s attire was lavishly ornate, with cufflinks inlaid with sparkling yellow topaz and a gleaming cravat of the finest Eastern fabric, renowned for its luxury. His fingers were extravagantly adorned with twelve shimmering rings, as if ten were insufficient.
Despite not recognizing the gentleman, the man noted the clear indicators of wealth. He reasoned that someone of such affluence should have been known to him. Overcome with curiosity, he inquired about the gentleman’s identity. Although it might have seemed impolite, the gentleman responded with a smile and a warm handshake.
“I appear to have delayed my introduction. I am Baron Carmon.”
Upon hearing the introduction, the man finally grasped the gentleman’s perspective towards Astar. In this era of magic, titles and lands could be acquired for astronomical sums. Carmon, the man rumored to have amassed a fortune when gold was found on his property, reportedly purchased his Barony with his abundant riches.
Having been a baron for less than a month, he couldn’t suppress his empathy for the petty thief. The man inwardly scoffed at this yet acknowledged the value of wealthy acquaintances. He abandoned his earlier standoffishness and greeted the gentleman warmly.
“Viscount Randolph, and this is my wife.”
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” said the lady, who had been engrossed in the Baron’s tale, as she flicked her fan and offered a warm greeting.
Viscount Randolph, with an exaggerated grin, exchanged pleasantries with the newly titled nobleman.
“Haha, indeed, I must make an appearance at these gatherings more often. It’s the only way to forge new friendships. I’m delighted to hear the latest stories of Astar. You seem quite taken with him, knowing rumors even I haven’t heard.”
“Indeed, who in the empire isn’t intrigued by Astar?”
The man’s words, spoken with genuine interest, carried a peculiar warmth.
“And is that your reason for attending tonight’s banquet?”
“What are you implying?”
The Baron, taken aback, listened as the man cleared his throat and stated with a hint of arrogance.
“The notices Astar distributed mark today’s date and this location.”
“Astar is here?!”
The Baron’s exclamation echoed across the banquet hall. Fortuitously, the orchestra’s crescendo masked his near shout. Nonetheless, it drew the curious gazes of those nearby. The Viscountess, under their scrutiny, swiftly opened her fan and veiled her flushed face.
The Viscount raised his index finger to the corner of his mouth, signaling the man to be silent.
“Shhh! This information is highly confidential.”
“Oh dear, my apologies. It’s just that I overheard something quite unexpected… But how are you privy to such confidential information, Viscount?”
Basking in the Baron’s look of admiration, the Viscount swelled with pride and openly boasted of his influential connections.
Thanks for the chapter! <3