The White Hood

A patrol in the night. I've taken the job requested to me personally since it's rather easy, and I get to be paid as long as I walk around the town and look out for the thief. It doesn't really matter if I catch them or somebody else, so long as I walk around and do my part.

While walking around, I find security to be rather tight as well. A lot of guards are patrolling, and the gates are closed, stopping anyone from leaving. I guess this is going to cause the townspeople to panic.

Now of course I didn't just get out of here without a description of who I should look out for. According to some witnesses, the maids who were working at the Lord's residence here at the town saw a hooded figure running out on the rooftops. And more description about the thief is the white outfit they're wearing. A white hood and cloak. Quite the blinding sight on sunlight. It speaks as to how that thief managed to even go unnoticed with such visually catching attire.

Well if there's any place I think I should start on, well it's got to be where the thief have stolen valuables. The Lord's manor.

It's rather visible from here as well, it's one of the tallest structure in the town, where there is a viewpoint from every side. It's the ideal watchtower. If anything that is the ideal place to look for such a flashy thief, but not exactly where you could relay orders so easily. By the time they get to notify anyone, the thief might have been gone.

Who's to say that the thief is still wearing those hood. Perhaps it's to confuse us. Either way, I don't need to play detective here. I just need to go on my patrol.

"Oh hey, it's the aspiring fighter! How are you? I see you've been running around here and there. Became an adventurer huh?" I hear a man's voice call out from behind. I turn my head around to find the familiar gate guard from when I first came into the this town. Holding his helm on his arm and his spear on the other, he approaches me with a bright smile on his face.

"It's the guard from back then. It's been a long while since we last talked."

It seems that he's accompanied by someone. Not the one at the gate with him. He's tall, a fit build compared to the other guard's more muscular physique. However one unusual trait he has are his feathered shoulders which are openly shown on his sleeveless uniform. He has a tough look on his eyes, an intimidating gaze lands onto me.

"Someone you know?" he asks, crossing his arms while scanning his surroundings.

"He's the one I told you about before, Captain. The traveller who wants to become an arena fighter."

I actually did tell me I want to be strong, but did I mention about fighting in arenas?

The feathered man approaches me and grips my shoulders. He smiles a bit but his intimidating stare remains.

"He's got build, but needs more than this. Have you considered working for us?"

"Right? I told him that before, Captain. He's insistent on becoming a fighter.", the guard nodded in agreement.

"Well that's too bad. We could use the manpower." he said disappointed, letting go of my arms while he muttered the last part.

Judging from the number of soldiers I've seen while on town, I'm not sure they would need more men to guard the gates and patrol the town. Perhaps something else is happening?

"Did something happen?" I asked out of curiosity. Perhaps this could lead me to a quest.

"Forget what I said earlier, if you don't mind. It's official business."

I see, so this is one of these quests that requires me to be part of the group to access. That's too bad.

"Duril, let's continue with the patrol. You, what's your name?" he asks to me.

"Karl Hearth, Sir."

"Good. I'm Noha, Captain of the Holstead Militia. Hailing from the Imperial Union. The three of us can have a drink sometime, but for now work persists."

"Oh yeah, Duril's my name. Citizen of Holstead."

The two saluted before heading off to their patrol. With that done, I headed back to mine as well. And to start with, I would need to patrol around the perimeter of the Lord's manor. Then explore the inner ring of the town, then the outer ring before making my way back to the manor. This would be a lot of walking to do, considering that the morning sunshine is still far from now.

Massive walls cover the Lord's manor. Even bigger than the ones surrounding the town. It is also quite heavily guarded with guards, and while that may be the case because of the thief. Surely this must have been a bit overboard. It's as if the manor has become the barracks of the militia.

This is the manor. Starting my round, I start to wander around the walls. What hides behind these tall walls are not some simple mansion either, it's also a huge structure, around seven stories high from a rough guessing. There must be a lot of things to steal here, I can't imagine the thief settling for just one visit.

What's more is that the distance between the walls here and the roofs in the inner circle are quite far from each other. It's not so easily jumped over, unless our thief here has gadgets that could help them leap over long distances. 

I make my way around to the inner ring, here lies the town's marketplace and its holds the center point of the town. The town center is like a small resting place, where there are benches to rest on and a fountain with drinkable water. I've tried it. Just beside it is the Lord's manor. So essentially, the town center and the manor are enclosed in a ring of buildings, specifically buildings of trade, schools and guilds.

At this time when the night has taken over, those shops have closed and most that are open are taverns, inns and guilds. Most places where players like me go to. Some stalls still do keep around for a while, namely stalls that sells grilled food.

Finishing my round at the inner circle and finding the route to be peaceful, I head to the outer ring. This area that goes around are where the residences of the town reside. It's where I mostly see people go home to, and at morning also the same place where supplies are taken in and out, so this must also be where there storages are.

"That person..." I muttered after noticing a figure at the side of my peripherals. A hooded figure, a white hood slips by my sight before the corners hide it.

Running, I chased after the thief. I ran until I reached that corner and turned around to see the figure walking ahead. The figure has a small frame, and its head moving left and right as if cautious.

Now that I saw the thief, I carefully sneaked towards them. Hoping the sound of my armor doesn't catch its attention. But alas, I am simply not equipped for stealth as my shield hits the crate I was hiding on. The figure's body shook and turned its head to my direction immediately.

I was able to hide myself immediately, leaning onto the crate while hiding my body. It doesn't seem to be as effective as I hear footsteps coming over. Strangely enough, that figure is naively walking towards me instead of escaping.

"Erm, Sir Karl? What are you doing there? Are you drunk?", a voice calls out to me. I look past the crate and saw Rinne. She's clutching onto the hood tightly while holding out a basket.

"Rinne? What are you doing here? Did you stay out of your home again?" I asked back. I stood up, dusting myself and regaining my composure.

Wait, why am I even hiding? If it was the thief it would have certainly ran as soon as it heard me.

"That's right. I...I actually lost my necklace! A thief stole it. Thankfully a kind passerby noticed my plea and went ahead to catch the thief, told me to go to a tavern and take shelter."

"You wore it outside?"

"Our discussion from before made me realize something, Sir Karl. I would like to talk to you about it, but could you help me get my necklace back? While I don't doubt the stranger's abilities, I would feel more reassured if you are there as well."

What? Well, I suppose it is my job right now to catch the thief. If it's not Rinna, then the hood might explain who took the necklace.

"Got it. Where did they go?"

"Back where I came from...the street before this. They went behind me."

So around the outer circle? Then I just have to go straight from here and see if I'll encounter them. I have to keep my senses sharp to notice anything.

"Alright, head to the tavern and I'll see if I can catch up to them." I said to her while patting her shoulder before running. I need to run as fast I could if I were to even get an encounter.

The streets are quiet, only I hear my footsteps and breathing as I ran straight. If I am right with my predictions, this would save time for me to catch up with them, rather than follow the original route and ran twice as fast as they did. I turn my focus on somewhere else, focusing on any disturbance, like another set of footsteps, or perhaps the sound of a fight.

"—!!" then I heard the sound of something breaking. Hurriedly, I turn my aim to where I heard that sound and turned around. Passing by an alley, I see the two people I am chasing on. One wears a white hood, a small figure and her footsteps are light and swift, but something else catches my attention.

Behind that figure is a familiar man, bearing the uniform of the militia and feathers revealed on his shoulders. He doesn't wield a spear, I noticed it before that he wasn't holding one, instead I saw blades, daggers sheathed on his back. But right now he is simply chasing the thief with no weapons, naturally he's only here to apprehend the thief.

Noha notices me and I followed with the chase. Noha and I started to match each other's pace and we met.

"You keep following the White Hood, I'll go around and meet her in front. You're familiar with a pincer attack, yes?"

"Yeah, I'll keep my eyes on the thief. Chase then trap."

Agreeing, the two of us separated our ways. I see Noha's speed picking up as he goes around, leaving dust beside me. That kind of speed would have overtaken the thief, but perhaps there really is something special about this one. Following orders, I keep my eyes on her and followed her tracks. She turns her head at me, glancing for a second before taking a turn to the left, where I followed suit. We're at the inner ring now, there should be plenty of guards on this side.

How should she plan on getting away here with more guards alerted of her presence?

For all the chase, my stamina has been depleted to half now. Anymore and I'm going to start slowing down. Hopefully Noha gets to come up with a way to surround the White Hood.

"Hey! There they are! Follow the White Hood, surround it!"

I hear the guards from a distance, perhaps they caught a glance of us running around. Now guards know where the White Hood is as well, this should make it harder for her to navigate the streets of the inner ring.

A group of guards appear in front of us, however the White Hood simply jumped over them as they tried to jump knock her down. Stomping on one's back as she steps on them before turning around to side, heading into the alley back into the Outer Ring. I hear a faint "Damn it" and footsteps behind me as well, it seems more have followed us and are chasing the thief as well.

The road was getting rather cramp for a group of guards, one more slip up in the front then the rest of us behind would trip on ourselves like bowling pins.

"Stop right there, White Hood! We've got you surrounded. Get through me and you'll encounter more guards on my side!"

That right there, there couldn't be any more good timing for Noha to appear, with guards at his side forming a wall to stop the thief from her tracks. His tall physique serving as a tall pillar. She looks behind her, to see me with the loads of guards behind me as well. It should be rather hard for the White Hood to jump over, then in that case—

"She's climbing the wall!"

Weighing her options, there should only be one route. The route she escaped from before, the roofs! She ran up to the wall, jumped and kicked over the other side, serving it as a foothold for another leap before grabbing the edge of the roof and propelling herself up with her feet. The guards are stunned seeing her climb the walls with ease, even Noha was startled seering her figure launched in the air before flipping back to the roof with a loud thud.

Well I can't really say I'm not impressed. But there should be a way to follow her up, the others can make a group ladder of their own.

I ran up to the wall and leaped as well, I can't exactly follow the way she did it but I can compensate. There are cracks in the walls I can grab onto and pull myself up, too bad my boots are rather thick to stick into it, however pulling it is enough. I exert myself, pulling myself up, then grabbing onto another crevice, repeating this till I get to top.

"There she is..." I muttered while recovering my breathe. She's quite far, but not far enough to lose sight of. I feel a burst of wind behind me and see Noha seemingly having simply jumped over the wall I've climbed on.

"Your display of strength is astonishing, I had to reveal mine as well as to not shame our force.", I hear Noha beside me, standing and watching the thief as well. Though he doesn't seem like he need a rest. "Change of plan, let's be straightforward with the chase."

"And if she escapes?", I started to run and chase after the White Hood. "She won't." Noha simply answered, running beside me.

"Down below it's difficult for me to run at my fullest. There are lots of turns and corners that would stop me. I'm a beastman, areas like these are where I'm at best." the corner of Noha's lips stretches to a smile before his pace starts getting faster and faster, leaving me behind.

Noha's speed increased the further he went, seemingly running over on the roofs as if there isn't any space between the other buildings. Darting over the roofs, he eventually catches up on the White Hood and knocked her over, I see him talking her while his hand grabbing onto her wrists, restraining her with his strength alone. A moment later, I was able to catch up to them and I saw the White Hood with her hands now tied up behind her.

"I'll be leading the White Hood to jail. In the meantime, go back to the tavern and accompany the girl from earlier. Tell her we'll get her stolen item back in a few moments."

I take a look at the White Hood and it doesn't seem like she was knocked out, yet she doesn't seem to be responsive, as if she has completely given up, or perhaps the thief still thinks she can get away with this. While I would like to just follow orders and enjoy the rest of the night in the tavern, Rinne's amulet hasn't been returned yet. It would be bad if the thief were to get away now.

"But Sir Noha, I have to get my friend's amulet back. It's rather important for her." I answered back, but Noha simply patted me on the shoulder.

"I know, but trust me on this. She won't get away while she has the amulet at hand. Now please, get back to your friend and reassure her. Thank you for your contributions. I'll inform the guild of your efforts myself."

Noha then lifts the thief on his shoulders and dropped down from the roof. The moon having only risen up in the middle of the sky, I know there is still going to be quite a long night ahead. I dropped down to the roof and went down to the tavern, where I presume Rinne would go to.

Arriving at the tavern, I found the townspeople inside rather unbothered by the situation. Drinks being served, jolly dancing with the music played the bard...the bard? Hearing her singing voice, I pushed passed all the crowd and saw Rinne's hands holding a lute and playing it so well! Her pitch may be high yet the way she delivers her voice is rather sweet, mellow enough to be gentle to one's ears. Then she sees me, a glance from the side before continuing her song. Understandably, it could be professionalism for a bard.

I sat near the entrance of the tavern and ordered a meal, just a simple meat and vegetable cream soup. Then it came, and chowed it down. Rinne's singing did offer a new experiences at the tavern, it's refreshing compared to the usual ballads of heroes and adventurers. Moments after, the star arrived in front of me, all smiles.

"Sir Karl! How was my singing? I hope that it didn't soured your meal." she asks, her eyes expectant.

"That isn't the case at all, Rinne. It was refreshing! You should do it more often actually. But that makes me think, how were you able to convince the regular bard here to let you sing for the night?"

"Oh! Well, my master...the owner of the farm I was working on was a good friend of that bard. When she heard that I wanted to try it out as well, she happily obliged. She's up there..." Rinne points her fingers up to the second floor, where we saw the lady bard waving at us when she noticed our gaze. She smiles when the two of us waved back.

"How was my amulet, Sir Karl? Were you able to get it back?" she sits down to the other side of the table and whispered.

"Not exactly no, Sir Noha...well was he the Captain? I think he is—well we did caught the thief called White Hood but he said he has to bring her to jail first before retrieving your amulet."

Rinne looks at me confused, or rather bewildered. I can't tell to be honest, but she seems more puzzled than disappointed.

"A White Hood...? I'm sorry, please don't mind what I asked. I think I just can't recall the events from earlier." Immediately retracting her confusion she turns her head down.

"So his name was Noha..." she muttered to herself before relaxing on her seat.

Oho, is this perhaps a crush I'm seeing unfold in front of me? Well Noha is indeed one of those dashing types, in more ways than one.

"Erm...why do you think they're holding onto my amulet?" she asks sheepishly.

"It could be that they need a record for evidence. But it's best to ask the Captain himself." she nodded and Rinne, though she tries to hide her anxiety, it's easily seen through by how she's nervously playing with her fingers and eyes darting all over. The two of us pass the time catching up with each other, telling her the story of my last venture...after all that has been everything that has happened to me so far.

"So...about the thing I was about to tell you last time. This is actually it! I was hoping to invite you out for my first night since you've been a dear friend to me. I'm glad you found my performance enjoyable."

"It's definitely a pleasant surprise! I'm glad to see you didn't let the thief ruin the night for you."

"Oh well, that would be...um, you were there. I thought there would be nothing to worry about. Now that I think about it, perhaps I got used to having my amulet stolen, Sir Karl haha..." she laughs shyly and rubbed her nose with the side of her hand, looking away. She lets out a deep breath and her expression turned serious. "I've also decided to carry out my mother's will."

"Your mother's will?"

"Yes, Sir Karl. I've thought about it the time we first talked about this amulet of mine. It's an inheritance...my mother, she gave it to me and then she was gone. Disappeared to somewhere I do not know. I know my mother wouldn't just abandon me, I was loved by her and that warmth that I still fondly remember feel genuine to me."

As Rinne talks, she draws on the table using her finger, seemingly keeping her focus occupied to just one thing; sliding her finger on the table, drawing something of a pattern to follow. She pauses, then smiles as if she recalled something.

"Few years back I believed this amulet she gave to me might just be the map that would lead me to her. Then a cherished memory, and now I would like it to be a part of me. I believe that's what my mother would like me to do, I shouldn't hide the amulet in my memories. My work as a farmhand as well might have been just me clinging to my past. I would like to make new moments in my life, an adventure like yours but not exactly like yours either. I still think a peaceful life would be best."

An amulet given to her by her mother was weighing this much to her. Being able to confide to me openly I feel honored. 

"Being a bard is your next step eh. I like the sound of that. If you became a star, don't you forget about me, alright?"

But I'm not exactly the type to know what to say on moments like these.

"Hehe, I won't as long as you visit me regularly. Then I might just never forget you."

The two of us joked around for a bit, speculating the things that would happen when Rinne gets so popular to be called an idol. Though she does seem confused about the title.

A few more moments and a strict looking officer opens the door and revealed himself. The tall man with feathered shoulders, Noha looks around only for a slight bit before catching us on his vision.

I knew sitting on this side would make things a lot easier. He glances at me and then to Rinne, nodding to greet us.

"You're Captain Noha, right? Um...may I know if my amulet is safe?", Rinne takes the initiative and asks.

"I'm glad you two are safe. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to recover the amulet." Rinne's expression dims upon hearing the news. "But don't worry! It is safe. We were simply unable to retrieve it since the Lord immediately asked us to deliver the thief to his manor for questioning."

"I do believe that task is still up to the militia however." Noha's look was rather troubled.

"Then in that case, since you're here then there must be something urgent." I asked and Noha nodded, sitting down on the table with us.

"Yes. The Lord wants to meet you. Before arriving here, I made a report about the capture and the Lord has taken interest in rewarding your efforts himself."

"Then perhaps I can ask for the amulet back?"

"That would be of no issue, that is what is intended anyway. I hope that would be fine with your friend here?"

"Certainly! If Sir Karl is needed then that I have no objections." Rinne answered back, almost standing up to respond.

"Then I'll be getting the amulet back to you after I'm done there. I'll be back."

"I'll be waiting! I will be chatting with Madam Leanne here and perhaps get advice for my singing. Stay safe out there!"

Noha and I nodded back and the two of us head out of the tavern to meet with the town's Lord. I wasn't exactly expecting this much development from a robbery, was the stolen item really that important to the Lord? It turns our this quest wasn't turning out as simple as I thought it would be.

The two of us start to walk towards the Lord's manor.