Chapter 386: The Two Thieves

Cornix Dominion.

At Cole, its largest city.

The place is being filled with the screams of suffering from the people due to the enormous difference between the rich and the poor.

However, neither its aristocrats nor its royal family listens to such screams.

The Dominion is not a poor country by any means.

The wealth from maritime trade produces a sizable amount of income for this country. However, most of it is being monopolized by the few on top. That is how the Dominion came to be like this.

Although it is treated as the United Kingdoms vassal state, the Dominion is in fact a semi-independent country.

Most of the interventions from the United Kingdom were normally rejected.

Still, they were forced to participate in the war with the Empire because of the United Kingdoms formal request.

Since the skirmish at its border 3 years ago and the death of the Empires Crown Prince there, the Dominion has been trying to lessen its involvement with the Empire as much as possible.

They knew that no matter what attitude they took, the Empires wrath was already upon them.

However, they participated in the war.

In collaboration with the United Kingdom, they attacked the Empires northern border and gave their support to Gordon.

Everything was fine up until that point.

The reason being, if Gordon takes control of the Empires northern region it will provide the Dominion with a buffer state.

The problem is that it didnt go as planned.

Gordon was defeated and William, the Dragon Prince they had been relying on, escaped.

Now, there is no power to protect the Dominion.

They have to fight the Empire on their own.

Of course, surrendering is not an option.

The Empires Crown Prince who promised the people of the Empire a bright future died at their hands. The grudge the Empire has over the matter is darker and deeper than the abyss.

That grudge and anger also extend to the people of the Dominion. The citizens of this poverty-stricken nation are always trembling at the thought of an invasion from the Imperial Army.

The Royal Family and the Aristocrats may have an option to run away but the normal citizens have no such luxuries.

After the Royal Family and the Aristocrats fled, it will be the people of the Dominion that have to suffer.

Because they knew that, the people of the Dominion are spending each day with darkened expressions.

Boom, desuwa.

There were people running around sabotaging the government in that country.

The Chivalrous Thief donning a red mask who wields magic bow, Vermillion.

Vermillion, who works for the sake of the people during this national crisis, is mentally supporting them.

Instantly disabled the convoys escorts from a distance, Vermillion/ Mia has launched an attack on the carriage carrying treasures made of gold and silver illegally stored by the aristocrats.

The organization that Mia had been hunting down, Grimoire, has already left the Dominion after their failure in the Empire.

Why did Grimoire who has a deep connection with the aristocrats of the Dominion choose to abandon this convenient hideout?

Mia did not understand their reason either.

However, she understood their feeling of wanting to run away from the current Dominion.

Right now, the Dominion has no way to resist the invasion from the Empire.

Just in case, She still keeps watch on any trace of them but she couldnt find any so far.

It seems that Grimoire has already given up on the Dominion.

However, Mia is a Chivalrous Thief who moves for the sake of the Dominion.

It would be one thing if they still base themselves in the Dominion but if they already withdrew from this country then she has no reason to go out of her way to chase them.

After all, there are still many people here that need her help.

Alright, lets get this over with desu wa.

There are four large bags of treasure on the carriage she attacked.

When she easily carries all four bags on her back, Mia tries to leave the place.

However, a large number of soldiers immediately made their appearance as if they were waiting for her.

There he is! Its Vermillion! Capture him!

Early today arent you! (desu wa)

Normally, even if they were being vigilant, it would be some time until they rush in like this.

Thinking that the owner of this carriage was made a decoy, Mia sighs out loud.

These aristocrats have no sense of unity.

Being shown such a thing so clearly here made Mia think that these nobles stand no chance against the Empire.

Thinking so, Mia immediately tries to escape.

However, this time they have set up quite a tight encirclement.

It might be difficult to escape with all the treasure.

Throwing them away is a waste desu wa

Murmuring so, Mia started running on the roof.

Is there any opening she can exploit?

While she was looking for such openings, an arrow suddenly attacked the soldiers.

Ughaa!!

What!? Where was that from!?

Someone is sniping them from a distance using the cover of darkness.

Moreover, that arrow was aimed at the feet of the soldiers to delay their movement.

Such a skill could only be called godly.

Seeing that, Mia immediately passed through the opening and escaped.

You are being a busybody again (Desuwane).

Muttering so, Mia went down to an unpopulated back alley.

She looked around but there was no sign of anyone there.

However, Mia continues to speak.

Why dont you show your face once in a while?

In response, a person appeared from the darkness.

He wears a blue mask and is dressed in black.

In his hand was a bow.

The earlier sniper was this person.

Do you have business with me? Vermillion.

Yes, I didnt need your help earlier. Vater.

Currently, two Chivalrous Thieves are active in the Dominion.

First is Vermillion and the other is this blue masked Vater.

Unlike Vermillion, Vater is not a thief who takes the initiative to help the weak.

However, he is the one that the government is much on guard against.

This is because everything he does frustrates the Dominions government.

During the war, the Dominion was tasked with delivering supply from the United Kingdom to Gordon.

At first, everything was going well but after the appearance of Vater, they couldnt do anything.

No matter how much they tried to keep the delivery route a secret, Vater would see through the whereabouts of the convoy and attack.

The supply plundered from the convoy was delivered to the citizens so the hunger problem was solved.

Due to that, he was called a Chivalrous Thief but what Vater is doing is not for the salvation of the people. Everything he did was to sabotage the Dominion.

That is the difference between him and Vermillion.

If I was overstepping then I apologize. They had 2nd and 3rd units ready to jump in you see.

Eh, Desu wa!?

If you get caught, it would be harder for me to continue my work. You should take better care of yourself.

After saying that Vater disappeared.

Mia frowned at him as he left.

This is not the first time she was helped by Vater.

He always appeared out of nowhere and lend her a small help.

That being said, they are not working together.

She doesnt even know the reason why he is harassing the Dominion.

Just who is he?

With such a question in her mind, Mia left the place.

Inside a vacant house a little away from the back alley.

There, Vater took off his mask.

Good grief..to think that I have to resort to wearing a creepy mask like this too

The true identity of Vater is Jack, the SS-rank adventurer.

AS he promised Silver, Jack hid his identity and sabotaged the Dominions upper management.

In the process, he was able to make contact with Vermillion who is likely to be his daughter.

Right now, Jack is almost certain that Vermillion is indeed his daughter.

After all, the way she is using her bow is similar to himself.

However, she is still wary of him so they still can not fully cooperate with each other.

He can make sure of her identity if he follows Vermillion and sees his master but unless they are fully cooperating with each other, he doesnt want to do that.

If they were followed and her whereabouts were leaked then she might be in danger afterward.

And above all.

I dont want to be hated.

Saying so, Jack sniffs himself.

He has been taking a bath every day but isnt this amount of sweat too much?

If she finds out that her father stinks of sweat then she might hate him.

Come to think of it, I heard that one of the nobles just bought a good perfume right? Lets attack that guy next.

Without hiding his self-interest, Jack immediately put on a mask and became Vater once again.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep