The Great Sword is not the Main Body!

"Noah, how are you doing?"

We had left the blacksmith's shop and returned to the spot where we had bumped into someone earlier.

Of course, we had made sure to calculate everything properly before leaving.
...Rubia helped with that.

Once we find the money, I will definitely... pay it back with interest.

"Hmm... there are too many people with money."

I expanded my Giga Sense slightly to check the people around.

But... there were so many people carrying cash.
No, everyone was just carrying it around.

I grumbled to myself, wondering why everyone was carrying cash... but it was pointless grumbling.

There are no check cards here, so it's only natural to carry cash...

But!
The important thing is!

I can't tell the difference between gold and silver!

They're all the same kind of coin... so I can't distinguish any of them...

Plus, the coins in my pocket kept moving around so I couldn’t even count them properly...

"Well, I guess that's the case... But don't overdo it by expanding too much. If you end up bleeding like last time... I won’t buy you any jelly. Same for the snacks."

"U-uh... If I can't find the money... will I... starve...?"

"No... it’s not about starving, you just need to not push yourself too hard."

"Still..."

27 gold.
A whole 27 gold!!

I worked hard for two months, saving up everything.
Even the advance for Rubia's requested mission!

All of my savings!!!

"Still, it’s not a problem. I can handle the money issue... For now, let’s look for it within reasonable limits."

"Okay... I understand."

I reluctantly nodded at Rubia's words.

If I force myself to expand my Giga Sense too much again and get hurt... and still don’t find the money... I might end up starving...

"Ah, by the way... If I tell you what the clothes looked like, would you be able to find them?"

"Clothes? Hmm... I’m not sure in detail, but I might have a rough idea."

The robe Rubia is wearing right now, the armor Hephaestus is wearing, the coat Lucci is wearing, etc.

I don’t know the exact design, but I could tell roughly what kind of clothing it was.

If there’s a big feature, I could find it quickly!

"Please tell me. Was there something special about them...?"

"I’ll tell you first. The face... hmm, about 185 cm tall, thin, around 60 kg. On top, a plain long-sleeve tunic, and the pants... were just regular pants."

"Hmm... What about accessories?"

"No accessories in particular... Ah, the shoes seemed to have metal plates in them. You know, those shoes that adventurers often wear."

Metal plates?

"Ah...! Then, was he... an adventurer...?"

Among the shoes adventurers commonly wear, there are safety boots similar to those worn at construction sites on Earth.

The shoes that have metal plates inside from the tip of the toe to the top of the foot.

I can't wear them since I can't find my size... but most adventurers wear them.

The design is cool, and I’ve wanted to try them on before...

"Yes, that could be it. Shall we try looking for him? Do you think you can do it?"

I immediately nodded and started mentally sorting through the information I had.

"Hmm... There’s no one within a 20-meter radius."

"I see. Then, let’s keep moving. We should head in the direction the man was going."

"Yes...!"

I followed Rubia and we walked around the village without stopping.

Then...

"Oh, it’s Lucci and Hephaestus...!"

I was able to find Lucci and Hephaestus through my Giga Sense.

"Ah, then... Sorry for the trouble, but I’ll go and ask them for help. Where are they?"

"Hmm... Follow me."

I grabbed Rubia's hand and ran in the direction where Lucci and Hephaestus were.

In the middle of it, Rubia seemed to trip a bit, but since she was following well, I just kept running.

"Noah! You’re too fast... too fast!"

"Hold on a little! We’re almost there—ah, Lu... Lucci...! H-Hephaestus...!"

"Oh, you finished the repair and came for a spar?"

"Kid! Come over here and have some of this meat!"

Lucci and Hephaestus were sitting at an outdoor table, tearing into some steak.

The way they were tearing into it with both hands... it looked quite barbaric.

"It’s... it’s not a spar... I lost my money? But... there’s... uh..."

"Ugh... Noah. Let me explain."

Rubia, looking extremely exhausted, stepped forward.

"Right now, Noah lost her money. But... it seems like it was stolen by a pickpocket, and we’re trying to find it... but you’re eating right now."

"How much did you lose that’s making you make such a fuss?"

"Uh... 27 gold... my, my whole... entire... savings..."

"27 gold... huh. Not a small amount..."

Lucci nodded and put down the meat he was eating.

Then, he forcibly grabbed Hephaestus' piece of meat and put it on his plate.

"Hephaestus. Are you going to keep eating?"

"Well, I was about to get up. Just one more bite... I think that’ll give me some energy."

"Alright. Eat your fill. I’ll get up."

"Hahaha! Just kidding! Who would think I’d actually do that!"

Lucci stood up, and Hephaestus got up as well, following him.

He wiped the grease from his hands onto his clothes.

Ugh... disgusting...

"What did the person look like?"@@novelbin@@

"Ah, about 185 cm tall, 60 kg, with a thin build... They were wearing adventurer shoes. And the hair was dark brown with dark circles under their eyes. They had round eyes, thin nostrils, and thick lips. Also... there was a scar running from their mouth to their ear."

Rubia began to explain the man’s appearance in detail.

Well... I can’t see, so even if she explained like that, it didn’t matter much.

I realized how much Rubia had been considering me, but I still felt a bit... bitter.

"Hmm, I think I can get a general idea of what they looked like!"

Hephaestus nodded as he packed his things.

Lucci... I don’t know why, but he was standing there with his fists clenched, not moving.

After standing there silently for a while, Lucci spoke in a heavy voice.

"Priestess... Are you sure about that appearance?"

"Yes. I’m sure. But... I can’t guarantee that they stole the money. There’s just a high probability, but I can’t say for certain..."

"We’ll find out once we catch him! I’m really good at handling these types of requests. Just trust me!"

Hephaestus said, thumping his chest.

And unlike Hephaestus, Lucci still maintained a heavy atmosphere.

Does he really hate thieves that much...?

"I’ll search too. If I find him, how should I signal you?"

"I’ll shout really loudly. So you’ll hear it for sure!"

Yeah, if it’s Hephaestus, it might actually be possible.

Even from far away... I think I’d hear it.

"Then, since you two will stick together, I’ll... shoot this."

A small stick came out of Lucci’s pocket.

"Is that a light magic artifact?"

"Yeah. I’ll shoot it into the sky. Then, just run toward it."

A light magic artifact... hmm...

Ah! That’s the one we used as fireworks in the game!

Oh! Seeing it like this makes me so happy!

"By any chance, do you have one more of those...?"

It’s an item that brings back memories, and I want to have one!

"Well, I have one, but it’s a bit pricey. Noah, do you have any money?"

"Uh, I don’t... I don’t have any... not a single penny..."

Oh right... I don’t have money...

And if it’s expensive, then... there’s no way I can afford it...

I sulked and lowered my head.

Then something lightly bumped into the top of my head.

"Huh...?"

"Here. Don’t shoot it at night, don’t shoot it at people, don’t shoot it at your face, and be careful not to let it explode in your bag."

I looked up, and Lucci was holding out the fireworks.

"Uh, really?! But... I don’t have money..."

"Just take it. I’ve got plenty of them."

"Is it really okay...?"

I turned to Rubia.

Rubia nodded slightly.

"Then... thank you... Hehe..."

Getting an item full of memories made my lips curl up into a smile.

This is an item that’s filled with my memories!

I didn’t have many friends, so I always played solo.

When it was my birthday, or when I wanted to celebrate something, I’d shoot these into the sky and watch them.

When I felt a bit down, I’d shoot them into the dark sky, and it felt like the whole world was celebrating me. It was such a comfort.

When I saved up ten of them and shot them all at once... it was like a dream... I even shed a few tears.

"Hehe, do you want to try shooting them later, Rubia? They’re way brighter than you think, and they go super far! The sound is pretty grand too! If you gather a few and shoot them, it’s really pretty! Oh, and..."

I started happily chatting about the past memories, and Hephaestus said with an expression of disbelief.

"To lose all your wealth and be happy just for a stick... You’re really innocent."

"Ugh... right... my money..."

My thoughts, which had been far away, snapped back to reality.

"Hehe... you’re so cute. Don’t worry, Noah. We’ll find him eventually. Let’s use them together sometime. I’m really looking forward to trying it with multiple ones."

Rubia smiled softly and patted my head.

Still, I didn’t feel that much better.

Reality... hurts so much...

"Alright! Let’s go!"

Hephaestus shouted loudly.

Lucci quietly nodded and headed towards the nearest alley, while Rubia and I moved as well, forming our own plans.

However, there was one thing.

The last quiet sentence Lucci muttered stuck in my mind.

"As long as we find the money, that’s all that matters."

It sounded like a promise to kill the thief once we catch him.

That sentence kept swirling in my mind.

"Does Lucci... hate thieves that much...?"

"Well... I feel like there’s another reason, but... let’s just focus on finding him."

"Yes...!"

I suppressed the growing ominous feeling and quickened my steps.

After walking for a while, Rubia spoke again, her voice slightly strained.

"Noah, are you not hungry? You barely ate earlier."

"Yeah... I’m not really in the mood for food. What about you, Rubia?"

"I’m not really craving anything either. Hah..."

There was a sigh, one that seemed full of exhaustion.

Rubia, having run around nonstop, was clearly getting tired.

She hadn’t had any rest up until now...

"Thanks, Rubia... I’m sorry for dragging you into this..."

"Oh my, you're not apologizing now, are you? It's fine. Honestly, it’s thrilling. I like it."

"I... I don’t find it thrilling."

"Ha... Don't worry too much. We’ll find him, no matter what. Shall we move again?"

Rubia's gentle voice slowly soothed my worries.

"Yes... let’s head south this time...!"

"Alright. But Noah, even if we don’t find him, don’t be too disappointed—"

Boom!

Rubia’s words were interrupted by a bright light shooting up from the sky behind us.

It was Lucci’s fireworks.

All the confusion in my heart vanished, replaced by a sense of anticipation.

Yes, those fireworks always comforted me!

"Rubia...!"

"Let’s go right now."

Rubia and I immediately started running toward where the fireworks had gone off.

On our way there, we ran into Hephaestus, who was laughing loudly.

"Hahaha! Kid! Aren’t you happy? That miserable look you had earlier is completely gone!"

I ignored him out of embarrassment and just kept running.

Everyone was staring at us...!

"Uh, yeah..."

I gritted my teeth and tried to ignore it, but I was a little annoyed at Hephaestus for continuing to act like he knew me.

We reached the location where the fireworks had been shot, and I saw a person standing in a standoff with Lucci.

I focused my Giga Sense and clearly identified that this person had 27 coins in their pocket.

Finally, we found him!

"Lucci! It’s him!"

"Wait a moment, Noah. The situation feels... off."

"Hmm? You’re right. Something’s strange."

Rubia held my hand and stopped us in our tracks.

Then, Hephaestus quietly drew his halberd.

What’s going on? What is this about?

Where’s my money?

While I was still confused, Hephaestus quietly approached Lucci.

"Lucci... hmm, it looks like something’s going on."

Hephaestus, who had been loud earlier, now spoke calmly.

"Lu, Rubia... What’s going on?"

"I’m not sure... But Lucci’s expression is pretty bad..."

I glanced at Lucci.

His hand, gripping the hilt of his sword, was trembling slightly, and his jaw was so clenched that his muscle was bulging out.

I then looked closely at the man who had stolen my money.

He had 27 coins in his pocket.
A strange necklace hanging around his neck.
Eight daggers strapped to his thighs.
Twelve knives hidden under his long sleeves.
And a horn in his right hand.

A horn...?

I’ve seen something like this before...

"Just as I thought. Still... still alive. Thank goodness. I’m really thankful."

There was killing intent in Lucci’s voice.
That malicious intent wiped away all my thoughts.

"Are you the one-eyed Lucci...? Do you know me?"

"Heh... Heh heh... I know you well."

Lucci, speaking quietly, walked toward the man and drew his sword.

"What... what are you... What are you doing...?"

"Do you remember the village you stayed at 30 years ago?"

"30 years? How could I possibly remember that...? And please, put your sword away. Why are you doing this to me?!"

"...You don’t remember, do you? Well. It’s better to know before you die than to die without knowing."

Lucci’s footsteps were heavy.
His voice was heavy.
The weight of the sword in his hand,
the weight of the life he had carried until now,
was palpable.

"30 years ago. Because of your wicked greed, everything collapsed."

A murderous aura erupted from Lucci's body.
His voice, soaked in deep resentment, poured out.

"Do you remember my hometown? ‘Hablon Village’?"