“I noticed a police officer I’m acquainted with meandering through the banquet hall. Curious, I inquired about his presence, and he provided an answer. My intelligent and lovely wife found it intriguing, yet I never anticipated encountering an Astar enthusiast here.”
“Oh, my dear. Are you envious because I’m slightly thrilled about Astar? Surely, you understand you’re the only one for me.”
“Don’t you realize I am narrow-minded more than anyone? It’s clear you’ve been searching for Astar all evening. How can I overlook that when your heart harbors another man?”
“My goodness. Darling…”
“Therefore, I must maintain her interest by gifting her something lustrous. What would you like next?”
She gently traced the diamond necklace, the size of a thumb, adorning her neck. The tale of Viscount Randolph’s divorce due to his wife’s exhaustion from his affairs, followed by his remarriage to a much younger woman, stirred as much controversy as the rumors surrounding Baron Carmon.
The Viscount’s new spouse was three years his daughter’s junior. Yet, she married without a second thought, her affection was sincere. Indeed, her affection for the Viscount’s wealth and title. He indulged her with lavish gifts, satisfying her vanity.
In front of Baron Carmon, the couple unabashedly continued their overly dramatic display, despite it being their first encounter. He watched the spectacle in a daze, then, with a flick of his moustache, turned and walked to the window.
Looking out, he observed a group of men in plain clothes maintaining an orderly vigil. The presence of these plainclothes policemen supported the Viscount’s earlier statement, especially given their excessive number at a nobleman’s banquet.
The gentleman raised the window for a better view. The chilly night breeze caressed his cheek and caused the Viscountess’ skirt to flutter. Observing this, the man warned the gentleman leaning perilously out of the window.
“Excuse me, you seem to have forgotten we’re on the 5th floor.”
The gentleman did not turn but remained focused on the synchronized movement of the crowd below.
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.
“Be cautious. The atmosphere outside seems unusual tonight. But was it wise to share such sensitive information with me?”
“Mbg atf rjxf bo j cfk jmdejlcajcmf, P vbc’a wlcv. Dfrlvfr, la jqqfjgr atja fnfc Crajg klii rageuuif ab frmjqf. Ktf vfafmalnf lr fjufg jcv tjr rbeuta atf lwqfglji mbega’r jlv, rb Crajg’r mjqaegf abvjs lr mfgajlc. Qf’ii olcjiis rff atja jggbujca wjc jqqgftfcvfv. Eluta, wjvjwf?”
“Pcvffv, cb wjaafg tbk ifufcvjgs Crajg wjs yf, tf klii yf mjqaegfv tfgf. Zs mbcvbifcmfr, Djgbc.”
“Hahaha, your concern is appreciated. Now, to speak on behalf of my new friend, that diamond necklace of Madame’s is counterfeit. You should return it to where it was purchased or to the man who presented it to you. Meanwhile, alas, the Viscount probably invested the savings from the counterfeit necklace into his wristwatch.”
“What are you talking about…?”
Before the man could finish, the gentleman seized the windowsill, clinging to it. Below him was a five-story drop. The couple was shocked by his sudden behavior.
“Eek!”
The lady’s shrill scream reverberated through the hall, drawing all eyes to the window. Consequently, everyone’s gaze shifted to the Baron, teetering on the windowsill.
The orchestra’s background melody ceased, and a hushed silence fell over the ballroom. The Baron, now the focus of all, turned to address the assembly.
However, when he looked back, Baron Carmon was nowhere to be seen. His moustache had vanished, and a mask of ink-black feathers now obscured his eyes with flamboyant flair. Turning, he drew something from his pocket and waved it towards Viscount Randolph, his voice crystal clear.
“Thank you for your generosity. A watch is easier to take than a necklace, and I’ll consider it a penny that extends my life by a day, Viscount.”
The Viscount quickly narrowed his eyes, inspecting the object being waved. The blue, crystalline shimmer, gold bands, and twelve emeralds replacing the numbers on the watch face were unmistakable, as if magnified. Without a doubt, it was his wristwatch, bought with the remnants of his wife’s fake necklace fund. Glancing at his wrist, he felt a jolt as if struck by lightning.
As expected, the splendid timepiece that belonged there was missing.
“And one more thing. Forget about that so-called heroism nonsense you were talking about. Everything I’ve said is true, and now you can believe it because you heard it from me. And about the 17, was it an exaggeration? It’s been so long, I hardly recall, hahaha.”
The gentleman burst into loud laughter upon noticing the Viscount’s frantic search for his missing wristwatch, then leapt out of the window and vanished. The Viscount, his face turning a deep shade of scarlet, let out a shriek that surpassed even his wife’s.
“ASTAR-!!”
***
The emperor had a deep appreciation for masterpieces.
Once, the emperor encountered an artisan’s masterpiece and was immediately captivated. He proceeded to nurture craftsmanship at the imperial level, and those who distinguished themselves were appointed as imperial artisans, tasked with creating art for the imperial court. With the emperor’s increasing patronage, the caliber of art emanating from the imperial court soared.
The exquisite works crafted by these artisans not only enchanted the emperors but also the gods above, who bestowed their blessings on pieces that resonated with them. These blessed artworks granted people the ability to wield the gods’ powers.
The emergence of an artifact imbued with divine power was met with celebration by the populace, who named it “Ashtarte” in honor of the deity who first imparted their blessing.
As the empire’s fame flourished, the emperor leveraged the Ashtartes to ambitiously expand his dominion. Tragically, the imperial family’s head craftsman expended his life force to forge his greatest creation.
This final work, a testament to a legendary artisan’s skill, was an artifact of life-altering significance. Its flawless beauty and value were so profound that the gods conveyed an oracle through the temple:
[He who has the Dawn of Ashtarte shall be the sun that illuminates the empire.]
The title ‘Dawn’ was bestowed upon the finest masterpiece among the Ashtartes, swiftly becoming a symbol of power. The Dawn of Ashtarte was closely guarded by the imperial family, who, for security reasons, kept its nature secret from the empire’s populace.
Could it be a magnificent statue of a goddess? A painting depicting a splendid civilization? Perhaps a music box emitting celestial melodies. Or, it might be an exquisitely forged sword. A tapestry narrating the tale of a deity would also merit the title of Dawn. Or possibly, it is a diminutive ring, encrusted with a myriad of diamonds!
The imperial citizens’ curiosity about the oracle intensified with each passing day, yet the imperial family’s lips were sealed regarding Dawn. The emperor, the relic’s possessor, was emboldened by the oracle and aggressively expanded his dominions by waging war on neighboring nations.
The burgeoning empire’s issue lay in the emperor’s disregard for his people. The powerless subjects’ lives deteriorated as he chased his ambitions, overlooking the welfare of the nation that ought to have been his prime concern.
However, criticizing the imperial family was a deadly affair. Did the Holy Emperor indeed prize the Ashtartes above his subjects? Despite being divine relics, discontent over the Ashtartes’ presence grew. It was then that a phantom thief emerged.
A bold and flamboyant thief, he would issue a notice before each heist. His successful raids, aimed solely at the nobility, mysteriously resulted in food for the slums, gradually improving the lives of the destitute. A rumor began to spread across the land:
If the phantom thief pulls off a heist, hunger will not be a concern!
Isn’t it curious how the anonymous benefactor appears right after the phantom thief? While his identity remained hidden, the empire’s citizens had their suspicions. Consequently, the phantom thief’s fame soared.
A private newspaper managed to secure several of the notices the nobles had concealed. These notices predicted the theft of an Ashtarte held by the aristocrats. The notices’ phrasing had become a prophecy destined to come true.
The newspaper that unveiled these notices began publishing articles about the thief with unprecedented speed, quickly rising to prominence. The article that catapulted them to fame reads as follows:
***
What does he want to accomplish by stealing Ashtartes? To what end is he challenging the world? For what purpose? Is his ultimate goal the Dawn of Ashtarte? We have not a single clue.
What is certain is that the thief is at least a great addition to our lives. His heraldry is already food for our empty stomachs. He is a servant of life to sustain life. He is a hero and benefactor to the imperial people. To the citizens of the empire, he is a friend, earning the unanimous recognition of those who once struggled to survive each day.
From now on, we at Sztran Newspaper will henceforth refer to him with the utmost affection and respect.
A champion of the impoverished, targeting only the Ashtartes held by the powerful –
The Phantom Thief Astar!
Thanks for the chapter! <33