NOVEL NEXT Chapter 94: The Chivalrous Thief
It's almost time for our performance in the capital. Unlike our other performance, we now divide the crowds into different seats. There are the exclusive VIP seats and the free seats and even the floors.
The VIP seats are expensive, very expensive, so only the nobility gets to sit on it. The rest however, are free for all. Though they still need to take their tickets to make sure no one fight for a spot.
We're now standing in the backstage, doing one last sound check. We've been doing this a lot now so we weren't all fazed. Though, the pressure is still in the air and I am still thinking up a plan to save our face if something bad happen.
I mean, some people here paid for it, goddammit! This isn't just a free performance, this is a professional concert!
"You ready everyone?" I asked while strumming my guitar.
Darkness raised a shaky arm.
"Ano, Kazuma, do I really have to sing?" she asked timidly. "I'm not confident it'll sound good…"
"Can you play?"
Darkness clamped her mouth shut and shook her head in defeat.
Then I turned to the rest of the cast. Aqua looked as excited and as optimistic as ever while strumming her guitar. Megumin is playing around with her stick while striking a cool pose on her seat. Yunyun is taking deep breaths to calm herself.
Well, this isn't going to crash and burn…
"Okay, everybody in positions!"
The curtain opened revealing hundreds upon hundreds of people watching us. They all have a look of curiosity and excitement in their eyes as bands are practically unheard of in the capital.
Whispers and mutterings came from the noble's seat near us.
"Is that Lady Dustiness?"
"With her traveling companion, she's going to sing?"
"So beautiful and talented…"
"Ah, Lalatina, please accept my proposal!"
Darkness herself was a bit embarrassed after hearing that. She turned to Aqua with a a begging look on her face, but it seems like the goddess mistook it as something else entirely.
Aqua raised her hand and a flash of light engulfed the crusader. Lalatina glows brighter and look even more beautiful after that. Some people in the crowds started whistling and cheering at her.
Among them are a certain princess of the country. Claire and Rain sat by her sides with a platoon of knights surrounding them. They too stared at Darkness in awe as the goddess's spell do its magic.
Darkness finally steeled herself and stepped forward. "I would like to thank everyone here for participating in this event. I hope you will enjoy our performance, it will be far from perfect, but I hope it will…"
"Just get on with it Darkness!" Aqua yelled, making the audience laugh a little.
"Alright, alright!" Darkness then turned towards me. "Let's go, Kazuma!"
The lights dimmed. Aqua and I began our playing as Darkness started humming to herself. Behind us, Megumin and Yunyun has already started playing. The spotlight swept across the audience and some of them has began cheering.
Then, they began to sing.
A beginning has finally arrived
The tailwind kicked up a cloud of blinding dust
But we cannot afford to stand still
Even if we make it out just fine,
If we don't take hold of what we truly wants
Will we ever be satisfied?
Follow me, together,
Off towards the limitless blue sky!
In this path, the path that we thread, and our footprints
Will stay vividly forever
Together we run!
To the unknown future beyond!
At this moment in our life!
With you beside me!
I could see your eyes shining bright!
A wonderful!
Beautiful tomorrow!
Is already waiting for all of us!
The roars of the audience was deafening. Even the so called nobles and royalty were having a hard time to keep it in. They cheered and shouted just like the rest of the so called plebeians around them.
No matter how we tried to fool ourselves,
This is the reality we're stuck in,You know what?
I won't look away anymore!
Stealing someone else's happiness
Starts to sound like a pretty good idea, But that won't make!
You feel satisfied in the end!
It is more than just a dream,
the truth burns deep within my heart,
the courage, I fixed my eyes on, I'll grasp it tightly
We shall start this together!
The colors of sunrise!
Will illuminate our path beyond!
To the future that we dreamed of
Stand beside me,
And take the leap of fate, together!
A wonderful!
Beautiful tomorrow!
Is already waiting for all of us!
All sorts of people watched our performance. Some came all they from Axel to watch our performance. There's even a few liaison from different countries cheering at our performance.
Every time the crowds cheered for us, Aqua and Darkness glows even brighter. The shower of praises and admiration literally fills the goddess with power which makes her bard skills even more powerful.
As for me? Well, lots of girls cheered for me. I'm the only guy in the band after all. But lately, less girls cheered for me after my 'marriage' with Megumin.
Even if you lose, or lost everything
On the other side, of the blue sky
The colors of that, never-ending story
Continues to change, and twinkle away
Come on now, and open the door for us!
Together we run!
To the unknown future beyond!
At this moment in our life!
With you beside me!
I could see your eyes shining bright!
A wonderful!
Beautiful tomorrow!
Is already waiting for all of us!
---
The day after the concert, Iris held a farewell dinner party for me. It's a semi-formal setting and many nobles were invited. That includes Claire's family, the Dustiness, and even Alderp.
How is that guy not arrested?
Darkness and the rest of the girls were kind enough to distract all the noble's attention. That leaves Iris and I hiding together in the corner with lurk and light refraction. We both ate some sweets while staring at all the nobles.
"I don't know the princess of this country gains wealth through questionable means…" I commented.
"I don't! What makes you think so?"
"I dunno, why else would you ask me to capture the Chivalrous Thief?"
Iris bit her lip and punched me playfully.
"I'm not asking you to capture him, I just… want you to figure out who it is."
I think it's a she. And she's also a goddess, but I kept that to myself.
"You're going for it aren't you?"
Iris nodded confidently.
"Yes, I've found a perfect plan, I just need someone like Chivalrous Thief on my side. But before that, I need to know who he is, and see if I can build a good relationship with him."
"What can you offer anyway?"
"More support to the Eris Church Orphanage and more policy that will help the poor and maybe… arrest to the corrupt nobles,"
Yep, she has learned a lot from me. As expected of my apprentice.
"But you won't just offer them that right?"
"Yes, I will imply that I can give him something… A change to this kingdom… And a good relation with me, the princess of this kingdom."
I gave her a proud smile. "Bet on your luck and go for it!"
With that, I dispelled my spell and we stepped towards the dining table. The princess went to the head table and sat down on it. I motioned the rest of my party to pay attention as the princess is about to make an announcement.
"First of all, I wish to thank you for participating in this event. Kazuma dono, leader of fantastic dreamers has been a great companion for the last few days. Thus I think it is fitting to make a farewell dinner for him."
The nobles simply clapped their hands politely.
"However, that is not all. For you see, it is simply within my best interest to build a good relationship with one of the most powerful Adventuring Party in the Kingdom and the one who has defeated many Demon King Generals. That is why I've been spending a lot of time with him."
Some of the nobles began whispering to each other.
"The princess sure has grown,"
"To think she'd go as far as to make this move,"
"Last time I see her, she was too shy to talk for herself,"
Iris who heard some of it couldn't help but blush nervously. But she kept a straight expression.
"After spending time together him for a while, I decided to test his capability," the princess started. "The test I'm giving him is simple, to bring the elusive Chivalrous Thief who has been plaguing the Kingdom to me."
Some of the nobles gasped a little. Some looks extremely happy after hearing that while others looks a little bit skeptic. They all looked at me and my party, as if judging for our strength.
"Once he's brought to me, I won't immediately arrest him," she held up her hand before some of the nobles could retort. "The Chivalrous Thief is known as a criminal who only targets those with questionable reputation. I realized that although he's method is flawed, he is not evil. That is why I'm planning to put him on a leash for the lack of better words."
A small amount of fear came from the nobles.
"Putting the Chivalrous Thief on a leash?"
"Oi, oi, is this really Princess Iris?"
"How long has she planned for this?"
"She's acting like a real queen already…"
Iris looked at each one of the nobles right in the eye. A satisfied look on her eyes at the look of reverence they gave to her.
"Satou Kazuma dono, step forward," Iris said.
I stepped to her side.
"Tonight, you are to stay in the place that is more likely to be targeted by the Chivalrous Thief," Iris explained. "Then, you are to capture him if possible or just confirm his identity. Then you will reveal his identity to me and me only."
I bowed deeply at the princess.
"I will do my best, Your Highness…"
"Rise, Satou Kazuma dono, I shall wait for your accomplishments…"