The Marquis’ Daughter Acts As A Pawn

"It's not Sam! Long time no see. Didn't expect to see you here."

"Not at all. Besides, I told you before to stop being a prince.

Me and Edward spoke casually to Sam, sending a message that we wouldn't have to say anything extra.

"You did. Sorry, sorry."

Sam apologizes with his mouth, but on his face it says, 'It looks like something interesting happened'.

Between us, strangely tingly, a resurrected shopkeeper appeared with a large plate of meat served.

"You two from the Black Cat Troupe and Sam know each other, don't you? No, there's such a coincidence. Go ahead and eat as usual. We'll have seats upstairs, so take your time to warm up your old relationship."

"Sorry, store owner!

In their familiar exchange, me and Edward raise a question mark. Even though Sam said he would rename the Diagilev Imperial Army and revamp the store, the guests who saw his face behave as usual, without fear or frustration.

"Well, you can always take care of Sam. Oh, please accept the liquor will be charged separately."

"I know. They'll pay my share today.... Hey, okay?

That said, Sam turns his gaze to Edward for inclusion.

"... fine. But be moderate, okay?

"Looks like we're gonna have a lot of good booze tonight!

Sam ignored Edward's words and ordered the most expensive liquor in this store.

"So the Red Wolf. Why are you in the Diagilev Imperial Army?

There are no guests upstairs but me and Edward, and Sam.

Edward returned to his vegan tone and questioned Sam without trying to hide his discomfort.

"That's a cool way to put it. Ex-husband."

"... what does Edward mean by ex-husband?

"After dismantling the Duke McMillan house, Sam was just letting me work for a while. He wasn't just hired, he wasn't hoping to usurp kingdom. I punished you like that because you seem to be able to use it... dissatisfied, Julianna?

"No. The Lewis family entrusted Edward with the punishment of the church congregation. So there's nothing to be dissatisfied with...... and I just want to say with my chest up, it depends on what Sam is going to say and do."

"Right. Depending on what happens to me, I may regret not killing you."

Sam looked at Edward with a dazed eye as he cheeked the skewer all over his mouth.

"That's a mess. Don't worry about it, I'm not selling you to the top of the Diagilev Empire, okay? I don't have that kind of connection, and it doesn't taste good."

"You're a mercenary, aren't you? And yet, why are you doing the gendarmerie?

"Of course I joined the Diagilev Imperial Army as a mercenary. But it's only a little late. This country has gone understaffed by the Rolands kingdom, and mercenaries like me are being made to imitate the lower end of the gendarmerie."

"Are you insane to let mercenaries do their gendarmerie work? Look at that. It's a lot of neglect."

"You must be. I have a habit of being lazy when I get paid to eat. Well, because this city is the territory of thieves, if you're not serious, the residents will kill you."

"... what is the territory of a thief?

At the same time Edward asks, he hears people screaming with excitement from outside the store.

"Thieves don't miss the prey they're after. I've never had a nobleman send a notice to protect a treasure from a thief. Besides, they have overwhelming support from ordinary people, and they call it a righteous thief."

"A righteous thief? That's a contradictory name."

"The reason you can be righteous... well, it's quicker to see it"

Sam opened the window that was nearby. If you peek into the city from there, the residents are picking something up hard.

"... what are you picking up?

"Blood taxes accumulated by the evil nobles, originally earned by our own common people... well, it's simply gold"

"Who's stupid about spreading money...... oh so that's where the earlier thieves come from"

"That's right. Thieves are part of the treasure we stole. Yeah, we're gonna give it back to the common people. I know you asked for something in return for taking my side."

Whatever the theft, it would be synonymous with the thief from the royal nobility. I have a headache thinking if this had been done in the Kingdom of Rolands.

"No matter how many common people you say you have on your side, the country won't shut up, will it?

"Well, you'd be wary of thieves there, too. Anti-government forces... only sprinkle gold in a city with a lot of power from the Revolutionary Government and other people named after it. Thanks to you, the military has a strong wind."

"It's like everyone else."

"I'm an easy mercenary. It's not what I found out about this country.... I told you about the liquor bill. My employer's waiting for me, and if you'll excuse me."

That's what Sam left behind, and he left lightly.

"... he can't eat."

"Right. I didn't know you'd owe the Red Wolf."

"You just thought about keeping yourself safe. What I don't want to be targeted by the Kingdom of Rolands."

Me and Edward left the tavern early when we finished accounting.

The streets are quiet and not even shadowed by an earlier enthusiasm.

"This city is in the hands of the revolutionary government. Did the thief follow you there?

"If we gain control of the revolutionary government, the thieves will come. Isn't that why some cities are attached to the revolutionary government?

So there's mutual interest.

Edward suddenly stopped as he walked to the inn at a slightly slower rate.

"With that said...... what happened to the cards I put in Julianna's pocket?

"Oh, I shouldn't. I left it in. Should I go give it back?

I stick my hand in my pocket and take out the cards. But it was thinner than I remember... or it only contained one piece.

"... white card?

Weird. Trumps should have pictures on the back and on the surface. It can't be white.

I turned my cards over in surprise.

letter of notice

On the afternoon of the aura crossed by the black cat, you will come to receive the treasure of the goddess.

Better than a righteous thief.