Chapter 151 EPISODE 151 PHANTOM THIEF (3)

Minister of Defense

had now been changed to

Lord Protector

. Please do note that the Lord Protector used in this series is more of a nickname than an actual title.

Kalium, the capital of the Slen Kingdom, was the second largest metropolis in the world, boasting a population that was more than that of a small country, and of being the wealthiest city in the kingdom.

Tens of thousands of people would travel to and from the royal capital every day, and huge amounts of money were traded daily, enough to fill up a hundred wagons.

The City of Light.

The glorious land that shines the brightest in the Holy Kingdom of Slen.

But the brighter the light was, the darker was the shadow.

The underworld of the royal capital was greater and more threatening than the underworlds of any city in the kingdom.

Because there are several thief guilds in just one city.

A thief guild sounded like a decent organization, but in reality, it was different. It was not an exaggeration to say that the thief guilds were actually comprehensive criminal organizations.

They did not only steal but also did all kinds of shady and illegal things.

The adult entertainment industry such as gambling and prostitution were a given, and if one went further, there were also some guilds involved in violent crimes such as contract killing, kidnapping and abduction.

The Black Moon is the most vicious among them.

The Black Moon dominated more than half of the royal capitals underworld starting from pickpocketing in the back alleys up to human and drug trafficking.

The reason the Black Moon could do all that so boldly no, there were two reasons why they ended up dealing with such dangerous stuff in the first place.

One, their guild leader, Karma, is the embodiment of desire.

There was no good or evil for him.

There was only loss and profit for him.

Will it benefit you? Then kill your parents.

Will it cost you? Then kill even the children.

He was a ruthless and cruel tyrant, and that allowed him to devour the underworld of the royal capital.

He doesnt hesitate.

It was Karmas habit and it was true.

He was a blood and iron ruler who did not hesitate to even kill his own father.

The second reason is that he has the protection of the Lord Protector.

The Black Moon received the full support of the political forces centered on the Lord Protector.

Whatever goods the Black Moon had were able to quickly cross the gates unquestioned, and all kinds of criminal activities that took place every day were buried in the dark and not revealed.

That was the reason.

And as to why that reason came to be.

Karma and the Black Moon were the hounds of the Lord Protector.

They were hunting dogs who earned a lot of money, listened well to him, and handled all kinds of dirty stuff for him.

But even the Black Moon couldnt get its hands on the entire royal capital.

The royal capital was too wide for them.

Since so many people lived there.

Moreover, the Lord Protector wasnt the only influential person as the royal family also possessed a strong influence.

There were political forces that were clearly against him.

And that is why several forces still remained.

Those who were not active in the main part of the royal capital, which was the center, but occupied the outer part instead.

Among those forces was an organization called the Blue Moon.

A so-called thief guild that was proud of their history and tradition, and was the largest force in the royal capital before the Black Moon gained power.

Is she really coming?

When asked by the blonde beauty, Janifer, who was his loyal right arm and the guilds second-in-command, the quite dignified and handsome middle-aged man who was the guild leader and first-in-command, Supp, nodded his head.

She will really come. Because shes the real Rogue Master.

As he spoke in a voice mixed with a bit of delight, he took out the white card again.

It was the calling card of the Rogue Master Pink Bomb, who caused an uproar and became the talk of the town.

The palm-sized card had the following text prettily handwritten.

Ill visit you tonight.

-Rogue Master Pink Bomb

A brief yet meaningful sentence was written, and behind the card was the stamp of a beautiful womans lip mark.

Its pink.

As Supp touched the cards lip mark with an ecstatic face, Janifer said with narrowed eyes.

Im saying this out of concern, but surelyyou havent tried kissing it with your lips, right?

N-no, I did not? I just looked at it. No, Ive only touched it! I-I havent kissed it!

Supp hurriedly answered and glanced at Janifer as he read her expression, and Janifers eyes narrowed more before she said in a chilling tone.

If you want to do it, do it secretly. Without anyone knowing.

B-but I didnt, okay?

Ill trust your words then.

Ahem, ahem.

Supp cleared his throat before he put the card back into the drawer and corrected his posture.

Supp and Janifer.

The number 1 and number 2 of the Blue Moon Guild.

The base of the Blue Moon was located near the east gate of the royal capital and was a large bar that paid its taxes well and operated normally. Supp and Janifer were the bar owner and top bartender respectively.

The place where the two were in as they faced each other was the bar owners office.

Why is the Rogue Master looking for us anyway?

Because she needs information for her thefts?

She didnt go to the Black Moon?

Janifer, youre my guild member, right? And why are your words getting shorter?

Its suspicious. Why is she contacting our Blue Moon instead of the Black Moon? No, perhaps its not just us. She might have already visited the Black Moon.

When Janifer, who was dressed as a bartender, narrowed her eyes again, the tuxedo-wearing Supp frowned and said.

Well, well see about that when we meet her. Because shes a real Rogue Master. That fact alone makes meeting her worth it.

By the way, boss.

When were in the store, call me

chief

.

You care about the trivial things, Mr. Fastidious Chief.

Why do I keep you as number 2?

Because Im competent and beautiful?

Its sad that both are true.

Because Im the chiefs mistress after all.

No, Im single on my family register, right? So the thing between us isnt an affair, right? So please dont say that and just accept the ring.

I tend to avoid dating at work.

Janifer cut him short and Supp pouted before he leant on his chair.

Anyway, what were you saying?

Why are you so sure that Pink Bomb is the Rogue Master? Frankly, Im not convinced. She may have sent a notice and pulled it successfully, but it was only once.

Hohohothats what amateurs think.

Well, she did not fight and only run.

What did you say?

I said that last nights chief was really awesome.

Ahem, ahem, was I a bit intense last night?

Yes, but I want you to tell me in what way Im an amateur.

As Janifer smoothly changed the subject again, Supp stroked his beautifully grown beard and said.

Youre an amateur when it comes to the Rogue Master. On the other hand, I can be called an expert of the Rogue Master.

Are you saying youre crazy about them?

Im a big fan.

Supp smiled as he opened a drawer and took out some well-made cards that he arranged on the desk.

Trading card?

Its my collection. The Rogue Master is the eternal idol of thieves.

Different tools were drawn on the five cards, and Janifer then understood what each card meant.

These are the treasures of the Rogue Master.

Thats right, and the most important of those was the last treasure, the Moon Crystal.

Supp picked up the card with a beautiful crystal drawn on it, and flicked his fingers on it before saying.

Janifer, do you know anything about the past Rogue Masters?

I dont know much.

Then youll know this time. Let me explain.

Supp smiled again as he looked at the remaining four cards and said.

There had been a total of five Rogue Masters so far. But the only one who had all five treasures was the first.

They didnt pass the treasures to the next generation?

The first didnt let them directly inherit it. She hid the five treasures in different places and hoped that the next Rogue Master would find it.

Why?

To test the next Rogue Master. Like whether they truly deserve to be a Rogue Master.

Supp grinned and seemed to be asking if that was cool, but Janifer still didnt smile.

It seems like they werent able to collect all the treasures from the 2

nd

generation onwards.

Yes, the 2

nd

generation only collected four treasures. He couldnt find the last treasure in the end. Buttheres where the tragedy began.

Tragedy?

Yeah, tragedy. The 2

nd

generation hid all the treasure back in their original position before they retired in order to follow the 1

st

generations dying wish. He repaired the traps and stuff like that. But the 3

rd

generation didnt do that. The 3

rd

generation who only found 3 out of the 5 treasures simply handed them over to the 4

th

generationso they handed the treasures over to their child.

I think I understand. They were supposed to find each and every one of them in order but they just handed it over without putting it back to its original location, so they couldnt find the rest of the treasures even if they wanted to?

Janifer spoke in a calm tone, and Supp was surprised and blinked his eyes.

Whathow did you know?

I naturally got it from the context.

Supp furrowed his brows at Janifers answer but soon nodded.

She was second-in-command because she was very competent in the first place.

In any case, the 4

th

generation only got three treasuresand in the 5

th

generation, it became unknown to them on where the original Rogue Master hid her treasures.

And the 5

th

generation disappeared without being followed by a 6

th

generation.

No one knew where the three treasures he got had disappeared to.

And then Pink Bomb appeared. She also had the illusory treasure, the Moon Crystal!

Janifer nodded as Supp excitedly raised the card with the Moon Crystal.

I see, so its real?

Yes, she has the last treasure. She is the new Rogue Master who inherited all the treasures of the first in a true sense, unlike the Rogue Masters of the 2

nd

to the 5

th

generation.

The Moon Crystal was real.

He couldnt imagine it to be fake and just be some staging and special effects.

Shes real. Pink Bomb is the real Rogue Master!

I see. I think she has arrived.

Huh?

Ehhello?

The first was Supp, next was Janifer, and then Supp again, with the last one being the woman with pink hair who was standing in front of the window.

Pi-Pink Bomb?!

Supp stood up from his chair in surprise while Janifer touched the dagger she had hidden in her waist.

And at that moment, another person appeared within a black wind.

A black haired man who wore all black from the clothes to the mask and the cloak.

Tension spread in Janifers face, and Supp nervously observed Jude, the new person who had appeared.

Oh, dont be so vigilant. This is my assistant.

The smiling Cordelia, who had tied up her hair together because she was Pink Bomb now, twirled a lock of her hair with one hand and spoke.

Say hi to them, Black Cloak, my assistant.

At Cordelias introduction, Janifer narrowed her eyes while Supp frowned.

BlackCloak?

Yes, Black Cloak. Right, Black Cloak?

As Cordelia said with a bright smile, Jude hurriedly glanced at her.

Hey, Black Cloak?

Yes, Black Cloak.

You should try it too.

Its exciting.

Cordelia mischievously smiled and snorted, while Jude grinned and politely said to Supp.

Its an honor to meet you. I am Black Cloak who serves Pink Bomb. Pink Bomb named me herself, so Im really proud of my Black Cloak name.

Supp and Janifers gazes turned to Cordelia again at Judes self-introduction.

A gaze that seemed to look at her strangely.

Well, she named herself Pink Bomb in the first place.

Black Cloak is a good one though.

Even though the two werent Jude, it seemed like Cordelia could hear their thoughts by just looking at them.

N-no! Its not me! I didnt create it! So dont look at me with those eyes!

Cordelia shouted in her mind and looked at them in earnest, but the only one who could understand her was Jude.

Therefore, Jude happily smiled to Cordelia whose face and ears had turned red.

Haha, who were you trying to boss around?

I hate you. I really hate you.

Cordelia glared at him as her lips quivered, and she coughed once before she turned to Supp again.

Are you Supp, the guild master of the Blue Moon?

Yes, I am Supp, the guild master of the Blue Moon. This is Janifer, our guilds second-in-command.

I am Janifer.

Following Supps introduction, Janifer bowed and introduced herself, and Cordelia nodded with a satisfied face.

I think well have a wonderful conversation.

The Rogue Master is the envy of Salens- no, of all the thieves in the continent.

Supp gently smiled and spoke, and Cordelias smile grew wider.

She was worried about on what to do if he had doubted her, but he seemed to have believed in her completely.

But dont let your guard down.

I know.

Cordelia shrugged her shoulders and greeted Supp again.

Anyway, nice to meet you. I am the Rogue Master, Pi-PinkBomb.

Cordelia spoke with some difficulty before she stretched out her hand. Supp was embarrassed for a moment before he quickly grabbed Cordelias hand.

Its an honor.

Yes, yes, but dont say that you wont wash your hands in the future.

As she said that with a wink, Supp staggered and grabbed his chest. Because she was so pretty.

Chief, even if Im not your mistress, I think it would be very bad to show that in front of your lover.

When Janifer quickly and quietly spoke with her eyes feeling more sharp than usual, Supp came to his senses and corrected his posture.

But what is the Rogue Master doing here?

The appearance of a Rogue Master wasnt that pleasurable from a guilds perspective.

She was a big figure who would remain even if the existing order was shaken.

At Supps question, Cordelia smiled again and said as she moved closer to Jude.

Because Im a newcomer who had just entered the royal capital. Isnt it natural for me to greet the Blue Moon Guild who has supported the underworld of the royal capital for a long time?

Even if the Black Moon is strong nowits just something temporary. The Blue Moon is the true owner of the traditional underworld.

Jude spoke after Cordelia, and Supp immediately looked at Cordelia instead of smiling.

And Cordelia said as she looked into Supps eyes.

I wont go to the Black Moon. Because they crossed the line. Theres a line that even thieves have to follow, right?

Cordelia provocatively spoke with a little anxiety as she drew her face closer to Supp, who smiled instead of being flustered. He then asked in a quiet voice.

Are you thinking of stirring up the darkness in the royal capital?

Youll have to wait and see.

Cordelia softly spoke and stepped back, and Supp smiled as he found it interesting before he pointed to the sofa in the middle of the office.

Lets listen to some more stories first. You arent just here to say hello, right?

The guild master position in the Blue Moon wasnt an easy task.

Cordelia straightly nodded and sat down on the sofa while Jude sat by Cordelias side and slightly moved forward as he began to speak.

We want to buy information.

For future activities.

And to make them believe that were going to behave in some secret way.

Information didnt just flow in one direction.

The fact that they wanted some information was enough to let the other person know.

That sounds like a good deal.

Supp smiled as he faced Jude.

***

Their conversation didnt last long.

It was literally short but meaningful.

After the deal was done, Supp asked Cordelia who had stepped back after the deal was made.

Pink Bomb.

You can call me Rogue Master.

I mean, please call me that. Please.

Then Rogue Master.

Yes, guild master.

Ill prepare the information you want by tomorrow butwill it be okay? It will be the founding celebration soon.

An event commemorating the 300

th

founding anniversary of the country was just around the corner.

Since many guests would come from abroad, the security in the royal capital was bound to increase.

Is it possible to be active by this time of the year?

Shouldnt we just wait for some time?

Cordelia smiled a little at Supps question. She directly stared at Suppes face and said.

Supp, Im the Rogue Master.

In a way, her declaration was childish yet provocative.

But that mystery captured Supps heart.

There was still the young boy in his mind who considered the Rogue Maser as his hero.

I look forward to it.

Ill look forward to Supp too.

May tomorrows information be perfect.

Cordelia winked before she stood up while Jude widely opened the window for Cordelia.

See you tomorrow.

Cordelia lightly waved her hand and flew out of the window, and Jude bowed in a theatrical manner before he threw himself out of the window.

And a few minutes later.

After they had left the area where the Blue Moon was located, Jude and Cordelia hid in the back alley and quickly changed back to their original clothes.

Because they had to return to Adelias mansion before it was too late.

Get on my back.

Yes, but Jude. Before that, I have a question.

What is it?

Can we think this through first?

Should the Rogue Master just rush over?

Im sure the royal family would be very worried about the security of the royal capital.

At Cordelias question, Jude said with a face that was saying that this was too obvious.

Of course, we have to consider things.

If the royal capital just before the founding anniversary was noisy because of the Rogue Master and the thief guilds, it would be an embarrassment for the royal family.

We have to do it a lot, but two times will be the limit, I think?

Really?

Yes, so we have to pick those two and rob them.

As effectively as possible.

While widely promoting the name of the Rogue Master, it would also deal a blow to the Lord Protector and the Black Moon.

Hmmwill it go well?

Instead of answering Cordelias question, Jude brought up another topic.

You know what, Cordelia?

What?

Absolute power will absolutely corrupt a person.

They shouldnt act foolishly like those demon followers.

Are you saying that we should watch our backs?

There are many things that we shouldnt reveal.

Because there would be too many places for them to be stabbed at.

It would be troubling to not know where they would be stabbed.

Well, good. This kind of work should be left to my Jude. Birds of a feather flock together.

Wait, what?

Cordelia knows nothing. Anyway, lets go quickly, Black Cloak.

Okay, Pink Bomb.

Jude and Cordelia exchanged jabs at each other and awkwardly smiled before they headed to Adelias mansion.