第１１０掘：お祭りと住人達 その２ (Part2)
"Yes, we have him in custody, but it's been quite the... situation."
As Riel's subordinate tried to explain the current state of affairs, the suspect began to shout.
"Let me go!! Do you have any idea who I am? I am a Duke of the ○○ Kingdom! This is an outrage!"
"As you can see, he’s been insisting he’s innocent from the start," the subordinate added with a sigh.
"Ugh, why is a nobleman wandering around in a place meant for general customers all by himself? And committing theft, no less?"
Riel looked toward us while coordinating with the relevant authorities. They clearly needed our testimony.
"So, what exactly is the situation?"
"Ah, Shop Manager, Representative."
One of the clerks had also been called as a witness and began to explain the sequence of events.
"Yes, well..."
To summarize the clerk's explanation: just like the other thieves, the suspect had triggered the paralysis trap placed five meters outside the store entrance. The adventurer hired for security discovered him, restrained him, and called Riel’s team to take him into custody. Now, they had met up with us.
"That clerk forgot to deactivate the trap!! I’m not at fault here!!"
The idiot in question was claiming that the paralysis was caused by the register failing to process his purchase. However, it was obvious he was talking nonsense.
"Is that so? Then, would you mind showing us your receipt?"
"Huh? Re-ceipt?"
"Yes, the paper that records your purchase. If you had actually bought those items, you would have received one."
"That’s right. The pamphlets we hand out explicitly state that it’s important to keep it on your person, don't they?"
Indeed, we provide receipts so that any discrepancies can be identified immediately. There isn't a single resident here foolish enough to throw their receipt away right after shopping.
There were still more reasons to press this fool.
"I don't know!! Nobody gave me anything like that!!"
"I see. Then, what time did you make your purchase?"
"What?"
"The receipt lists the time of purchase, so we can verify immediately whether you bought those items or not. Looking at you, you’re clutching those goods like a complete fool. It should be easy to tell if you actually paid for them. Oh, and speaking of which, where is your shopping bag?"
"Bag?"
"Look around. Every customer here has the same bag. We use them so it’s clear that the items were purchased at our store. You receive one once you pay at the register."
The suspect’s face turned pale, as if he finally understood what I was getting at.
"You’re the only one here who is just clutching items in their arms."
Well, the back-and-forth was getting tedious.
"Look, you are free to keep denying it. However, you will have to explain yourself in front of your attendants and the envoys from other countries. Why you were restrained and arrested. I wonder what everyone’s opinion will be once the facts are laid out?"
"Th-that is..."
It was certain that, given the circumstances, everyone would conclude he was the culprit. Causing a scene at another country's festival would ruin his reputation and lead to all sorts of complications. While the possibility of foreign sabotage wasn't zero, this was just petty theft. He really should have had enough sense not to be swayed into doing something so stupid.
"Now, it’s useless to keep struggling. If you behave yourself, there might be some leniency, don't you think?"
"..."
"Right, take him away. Riel, I’ll leave the rest to you."
"Yes, yes, leave it to me."
With that, Riel dragged him away. Too bad for him. Riel had already contacted the relevant parties; it was already too late. He could spend his time reflecting on his actions.
"Well then, shall we head back?"
"Indeed."
As I exchanged those words with Carly, we began walking back toward the store.
"Oh, Ratz!"
"Big Sister Ratz!!"
"Lady Ratz!!"
"My, Ratz, what are you doing outside?"
"Ratz, we came to buy some food!"
The older brother, the little ones, and Milly were walking toward us. Why on earth would they come to the supermarket on the day of the festival?
"Well then, Representative Ratz, there’s no problem with me running the store alone, so please, go and enjoy yourself."
"Ah, Carly."
Carly slipped into the store without another word. Oh dear, I made her feel obligated to step aside. But, since it was a kind gesture, I might as well take advantage of it.
"That sounds good. Let’s go get something to eat together. But somewhere other than the supermarket."
I answered with a smile and hurried over to them. Yes, being around these people is the most comforting feeling of all.