#63 Dauphin the Phantom Thief (7) – A Thief’s Holiday, A Guard’s Holiday

“Did you hear? Dauphin failed to punish his target for the first time.”

“Hmm, a bit disappointing. Though, I suppose he’d been doing too well until now.”

“He’s not going to get caught, is he? There are still so many who deserve to be punished!”

A man walks through the disquieted streets of Levreuk.

His appearance is utterly ordinary.

So ordinary, in fact, that if you asked people, “Describe the man who just passed,” no one could give a decent answer.

Well, it *was* a disguise intended to avoid attention, so in a way, it was only natural.

[Hahaha! Everyone’s buzzing about your failure. Considering you weren’t even caught, this reaction must sting a little, eh?]

From within the man’s shadow, the Great Demon cackled, taunting him.

Lucidra, having worked day and night to pay off the debt of their wager, and finally returning to the Crown Prince’s side, was delighted by the turn of events.

For the experience of failure is all the more profound to those who have seldom tasted it.

The Crown Prince, who with his exceptional talent had always handled things smoothly, had now failed to achieve his objective for the first time. How sweet the reaction!

Would he get angry at the demon mocking him?

Or would he try to appear nonchalant, secretly nursing his wounds?

Lucidra watched with sparkling eyes, anticipating his response.

‘Indeed, you speak truly! A most vexing affair! That guardswoman is proving to be far more formidable than anticipated! If I’m not careful, she may even disrupt my plans!’

[……?]

Huh, that’s not right?

Lucidra stared from within the shadow at Dauphin – or rather, the Dauphin disguised as a plain civilian.

A hint of excitement could be sensed in his otherwise utterly ordinary and harmless face. Was it just his imagination?

‘Last night’s experience forced me to acknowledge that I had become overly arrogant, and prejudiced. Frankly, I hadn’t expected a worthy opponent until the Sarnos House dispatched their celebrated knights. And yet, a mere guard possesses such abilities! Is that not remarkable!’

[F-For someone who says that, you seem rather… happy?]

At Lucidra’s question, Dauphin couldn’t quite suppress the smile that crept across his lips.

‘If that is what you see, then it is surely because the joy I feel is outweighing the disappointment.’

What defines a Phantom Thief as a Phantom Thief?

A flawless trick? A daring performance? A grand scale?

Each might offer a different answer, but at least for the Phantom Dophin, the answer was this:

A worthy adversary.

Police, detectives, inspectors.

Minor differences aside, those who seek to capture phantoms under the banner of law and order, they are the ones who complete a phantom’s being.

‘But simultaneously, I considered it an impossible dream. Because this land, truly, was the absolute worst.’

The territory ruled by the Marquis of Redvel, to put it plainly, was not a place where the people thrived or found comfort.

They did not hesitate to squeeze their subjects dry for the wealth of the estate, and they displayed an authoritarian and oppressive demeanor to strengthen their rule.

However, at least that behavior was born of ‘efficiency’ and ‘economy.’

The Marquis of Redvel, though lacking in compassion, was not such a fool as to not know what benefited or harmed himself and his family.

Of course, sometimes problems arose because middle managers didn’t understand it correctly, but at least the overall policy of the power structure was along those lines.

It wasn’t to the Crown Prince’s tastes, but at least it meant that if one were to present him with ‘moral, yet more profitable long-term solutions’, there was a foundation upon which he could apply them.

But this place, the territory of the Earl of Sarnos, was even worse.

There is no reason or efficiency in the crimes committed by the ruling class here.

They do it simply because they want to torment, because they are angry, because they find it amusing, because they believe they are special beings who can treat lowly underlings however they please.

The lord does not fulfill his duty as ruler, the knight does not uphold his pride as an honorable man, and the bureaucrat flatters those above and ignores the voices below.

Dophin calling himself a ‘phantom,’ yet acting more like a vigilante with how violent and reckless he was, was because if he simply stole items and returned them to the victims, it wouldn’t be surprising if they were harassed again in broad daylight by those criminals. The social order itself was a complete mess.

In such a land, how could one meet a truly worthy ‘adversary,’ one that would truly make a phantom, a phantom?

So Dophin abandoned the notion of clashing with an equal long ago, and simply switched his approach to a ‘smash everything in sight’ style.

[Is that what you’re saying about that guy you met yesterday? That he’s a person suited to ‘an adversary that seeks good and order’ that you desire?]

‘How could I say for sure after only exchanging glances? But at least I sensed the potential. I am on my way to confirm it now.’

What is the great thing about being a phantom?

Is it not the ability to disguise yourself, to adopt different appearances through transformation, to wear many faces?

Approaching her and announcing myself as a phantom outright would make proper conversation impossible, so Dophin planned to approach Dahlia disguised as a civilian first.

Suppressing his excited mood, Dophin searched for Dahlia.

“Get out of here, you wretched thing!!”

*Splaaash!*

He witnessed Dahlia being splashed with water by an old woman.

Dophin’s eyes narrowed.

*

“Hiyah! It looks like it really pays to be under a competent captain. I never thought the treatment would change this much after the leader made a name for himself.”

One of the squad, attempting a joke, broke the silence, prompting others to chime in.

“Right? Who would’ve thought they’d actually convert all those unused days off into paid leave. Knowing the Captain, he probably would have just wiped them all clean away.”

“See, people, if you want good labor, you gotta give them some time off. After just one day off, my body feels so light!”

“Didn’t you, just last time, try sucking up to the squad leader, saying that life felt fuller when working without breaks?”

“Ahem, what are you talking about? When did I ever?”

“I’m happier about how the other squads are acting now than I am about the time off. Before, they’d give us those annoying condescending, sneering looks as they walked by, but now, they’re watching *us*.”

“Really? I think they look at us with even more resentment. Their eyes are practically burning with jealousy.”

“Even if they do, it’s not like they can say anything out loud, so who cares.”

“It’s just… when it’s easy work, like catching petty thieves, they treat the Captain like dirt because they don’t need his abilities, but then they flip their hands like this. Its not good see it.”

“Tell me about it. Hail Dalia ─ *cough*!”

“Hey, you idiot. Is that something you should be saying?”

The squad member, who was raising his arms in a theatrical gesture, got punched in the back of the head by another member and crumpled to the ground.

Seeing the squad members subtly glancing at her, Dalia scratched her cheek, looking troubled.

Praising a brigand was something that should be disciplined properly as a guard, but when considering how the squad members had been treated within the guard, and the resulting dissatisfaction, it was difficult to scold them outright.

Yet, she couldn’t exactly agree with them either.

So, what could she do?

Just remain silent.

To ease the awkward atmosphere, the adjutant spoke.

“Ahem. Anyway, Captain, please get plenty of rest today. I’ll have your armor and spear thoroughly prepared like new.”

Dalia nodded.

“Alright. I’ll be patrolling streets six through eight, so call me if anything urgent comes up.”

“…You *are* actually going to rest, right? You’re not going to patrol even on your days off like last time, are you?”

Dalia flinched slightly, then waved her hand dismissively.

“N-no way! Even *I* wouldn’t do that without my armor or spear.”

“You’re the kind of person who can beat them all here even with your bare hand.”

“Anyway, it’s fine, don’t worry. I’ll be off then!”

Cutting off the conversation, somewhat forcibly, Dalia left the guardhouse behind.

Of course, she only said that, but in reality, she fully intended to check on the streets she had mentioned.

The Company Commander gave his warning, so it was unlikely that any guards would dare commit anything strange, but it was still possible that those who felt they had been pushed aside would act rashly on site.

Dalia was quite well-known in the city, but surprisingly few people recognized her.

When working as a guard, Dalia always wore her armor properly and kept the visor of her helmet down. Even those who had received her help or often talked to her had rarely, if ever, seen her bare face.

Well, thanks to her casual attire, she did attract attention in a different sense, but Dahlia didn’t particularly care.

As her adjutant had said, she could easily take down most opponents with her bare hands.

‘…They’re actually working properly, I guess?’

Dahlia, observing the guards as she patrolled the streets, wore a faint smile.

Contrary to her worries, she didn’t see any guards taking their anger out on the residents.

Their actions and demeanor were somewhat laced with boredom, and they seemed to just follow their designated routes instead of actively searching the area, but even that much was enough to maintain order.

Most criminals focused on the fact that armed guards were patrolling nearby, not on whether they were enthusiastic or not.

‘I wish they’d keep this up.’

Dahlia thought so, but she also knew that it was unrealistic.

This situation was only a temporary anomaly caused by the existence of Dauphin; once Dauphin was captured, the company commander would no longer need to treat Dahlia so favorably.

It wouldn’t lead to a purge the moment he was caught, and her treatment would be somewhat better than before, just in case, but things wouldn’t flow in the way she wished, like they did now.

It was absurd of her to think about what would happen after Dauphin was captured before they even captured him, but Dahlia couldn’t help but worry about her platoon’s treatment reverting to its previous poor state after they had been in high spirits for a while.

“…Platoon Leader of the 8th?”

Lost in thought as she walked, Dahlia turned her head at the voice calling her name.

There stood a middle-aged shopkeeper she had helped in the past, looking at her with a hesitant expression.

Dahlia gave a slight bow.

“Hello, shopkeeper.”

“Ah, hearing your voice, I’m certain now. I suspected it from your hair and the way you walk, but I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“I wasn’t particularly trying to hide, but it ended up that way. Have the guards from other platoons been harassing anyone?”

“Not as far as I know. They aren’t exactly friendly or enthusiastic, but the sheer number of them seems to be keeping the thugs at bay.”

“That’s a relief.”

“I heard you made a great contribution recently and were promoted to the upper-class district. I’m glad things are working out for you.”

Dahlia shook her head.

“It’s not a promotion. This is still a street I have to protect, just like over there. It’s just a temporary change of scenery.”

“Haha, you’re the only one who would say this place is the same as that.”

As if they had been eavesdropping on their conversation, other shopkeepers nearby began to poke their heads out.

“Is that really the Platoon Leader? She looks completely different without her armor.”

“Wow, I kind of suspected it even when she was wearing armor, but her figure is definitely… Cough! Why did you hit me! You old hag!!”

“Why did I hit you, you ask?! Are you senile?! Don’t you dare run your mouth like that?!”

“No, I was just complimenting, Ack! Ack! I’m sorry! I said I’m sorry!”

The couple’s bantering drew laughter from Dahlia and the others, but then—

“…Miss, you’re really the squad leader? The one who protected the tax officer from Dauphin this time?”

An old woman, tending a small stall at the corner of the street, approached Dahlia and asked this question.

She was the same old woman who, during Dahlia’s patrols as a guard, had offered thanks with a smile or a drink of water. Dahlia greeted her with a smile, feeling no particular wariness.

“Yes, Grandma.”

“Ah, so it is…”

The old woman lowered her head and mumbled, then disappeared inside her shop.

Dahlia watched, thinking she might be bringing out some water as usual, but then she froze.

When the old woman emerged again, her face was twisted with a deep, dark fury and hatred.

“Get out of here! You wretched thing!!”

*Splaash!*

A deluge of water, flung from the old woman’s hand, left Dahlia soaked and shivering. The shopkeepers, who had just been laughing and chatting, were all struck dumb with shock.

Even amidst this, the old woman continued, her face venomous.

“That scum! He tormented my daughter until she took her own life! I could tear his belly open and devour his entrails while he’s still breathing and it wouldn’t be enough!! And you… you saved him! You helped him!! You should have left him be!! Dauphin should have punished him!! Everyone else has paid the price, but why not him!! Why—!!”

*Thwack!*

A tomato, thrown by the old woman, stained Dahlia’s hair red.

The old woman grabbed anything within reach on her stall and hurled it at Dahlia, who could only stare, unable to defend herself or evade the assault.

The old woman’s rage, the screams of a mother who had lost her daughter, paralyzed Dahlia completely.

“What kind of guard are you!! What kind of protector of the people!! You leave the real trash, the ones who should be hanging from the gallows, to walk free!! You cozy up to those scoundrels and side with them, and then you call this a street you’re supposed to protect! You’re laughing at us inside!!”

The old woman’s words were full of prejudice, riddled with misunderstanding.

I never cozied up to anyone.

I never laughed at you.

I only ever wanted to protect people, with all my heart.

Ah, but…

Faced with such anger and sorrow and lamentation, what could one possibly say?

Dahlia remained silent, but her silence was not the right choice.

Believing herself ignored, the old woman seized a small paring knife used for preparing fruit and lunged at Dahlia.

It was the movement of an old woman, someone who ran a small shop and not some specially trained expert.

Objectively speaking, it was slow, clumsy, full of unnecessary movements.

Dahlia didn’t even need to intervene herself; any one of the merchants could have easily stopped the old woman.

Yet, none among them could stir.

Before the vile energy and desperate bloodlust emanating from the old woman, they were frozen solid.

Dahlia closed her eyes quietly.

The feeble old woman’s blade might not kill her body.

But, at the very least, it would surely shred her heart to pieces.

There was no one who could stop it.

No one qualified to stop it.

“Enough, elder.”

—Except perhaps a phantom thief who cared not for qualifications, moving only according to his own heart.