落とし穴外伝：犯人現る (Part1)
Pitfall Side Story: The Culprit Appears
The Culprit Appears
Side: Yayui
“...Is this really necessary?”
We had just purchased some rather flashy equipment at the armory and stepped out into a pungent alleyway. I felt so unfamiliar with this type of weapon that I couldn't bring myself to draw it, so I just kept checking it while it was still in its sheath.
What I held was a dagger with a beautiful blade and ornate decorations, recommended by the shopkeeper. He said it would suit me, a scout-class rogue, but honestly, the weapons provided by Lady Firia were far more practical...
“Ahaha~, it can’t be helped, can it? We have to lure the idiots out, after all. If we’re talking about impractical, look at me~.”
Hovis said this while brandishing a massive mace. As a shield-bearer, I suppose that’s the kind of heavy equipment one expects. Even if she’s well-trained enough that the weight isn't an issue, having your hands occupied by such bulky gear is undeniably a hindrance.
“My cloak’s embroidery is quite something. It’s so... blatant.”
Since Prof was playing the role of a mage, she had been recommended a cloak, but now that we were out in the open, it was clearly shimmering with excessive gaudiness.
“W-well, isn't it fine to stand out?”
Orelia offered a strained attempt at support. Orelia, too, had acquired a sword that was equally conspicuous, so it felt like we were all leaning into this ostentatious look. Just as we were re-evaluating our disguises, a voice called out.
“Hey there, do you have a moment?”
I turned around to find a man standing there, dressed in a way that felt entirely out of place, despite his apparent efforts to look refined. Behind him stood two men in full plate mail, looking like bodyguards.
No one in Weed would ever dress like this—it was the attire of a ridiculous aristocrat. Even the visiting nobles from other nations wouldn't act this way. In Weed, a place of diplomacy, walking around in full gear to intimidate others was considered the height of rudeness.
In other words, these guys were the scammers.
*Good. Let’s kill them.*
Just as that thought crossed my mind:
“...Calm down, Yayui. Your magic power and killing intent are leaking. First, verify these idiots’ identities. Orelia, gather information with Yayui. Hovis, you and I will play along with their little game.”
“““Understood.”””
Prof’s instructions snapped me back to reality. That’s right—I had made a promise to Lady Seraria. This scum would be sent to the guillotine by the hands of justice. We also needed to demand strict penalties from the nation that sent these fools, and make sure to drive the point home so that such a thing never happens again.
So, Orelia and I immediately hid behind Prof and Hovis to perform an appraisal using the Dungeon System. While we did that...
“Who might you be? We don't have any acquaintances among nobles such as yourselves.”
Prof responded with a look of blatant wariness.
“Oh? Are you the leader, then?”
“Yes, despite this appearance. So, are you not going to answer my question?”
As Prof pressed them for an answer, the man gave a wry smile.
“Typical adventurers, I suppose. It helps that you’re quick to the point. You and I have certainly never met. As for who I am, it’s a matter I’d rather not speak of aloud. You understand, don’t you?”
As he said this, he pulled something from his pocket to show us. We couldn't see it from our angle, but in the meantime, the results of the appraisal came back...
Name: Sagianai
Race: Human
(Standard stats, nothing noteworthy.)
In fact, that was all there was.
“Excuse me? What is this...”
No information. If he were doing something illegal, it should have flagged him for fraud or something similar. Just as I was thinking that, Orelia leaned in close.
“The knights behind him aren't nobles or soldiers, either. They’re just tourists. Cross-reference them with the immigration database.”
“Understood.”
I immediately searched for his name, and the results popped up instantly. That was fast. I had expected at least some level of forgery, but I suppose that’s to be expected from someone pulling a scam like this.
The search results:
Name: Sagianai
Status: General
Country of Origin: Kingdom of Swords
Purpose of Entry: Tourism
Duration of Stay: One month (Currently in the third month of an extension)
Notes: Police intervention required several times due to financial disputes. Disputes were settled via payment.
*Ugh.*
What a pathetic description. He was a small-time crook to the core. Still, the "Kingdom of Swords"...
“That’s Lord Nogosh’s territory, isn't it?”
“Yes. Though, I doubt he was dispatched by the state. If he’s engaging in activities like this, he needs to be arrested all the more.”
Indeed. Anyone who pulls stupid stunts within Weed gets dragged off. That’s only natural. While we were busy checking this, the conversation continued.
“You understand now, don’t you? So, it would be best if you just kept quiet.”
“So you are a person of high standing, then?”
“Yes, that is the case.”
“And what business might you have with us?”
This idiot was trying to pass himself off as a noble simply by wearing fancy clothes and showing off a fake crest. Hah! Claiming to be a noble was a serious crime in itself, but in Weed, using a noble’s name to act high and mighty was strictly prohibited. Since he was also using Lord Yuki’s name, he was stacking crimes—three, no, four, if you count the fraud.
“You just came out of that armory. You’re carrying some fine things. May I assume you bought them?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“That shop handles cheap goods, but what you’re carrying is among the more expensive items they have. Am I wrong?”
“Well, it wasn't the cheapest, no.”
For some reason, Prof answered honestly about the price of the items. I wondered why, until...
“She’s doing it to make them utter the words of the scam,” Orelia whispered.
That made sense. So far, they hadn't explicitly called themselves nobles, nor had they demanded money. We couldn't arrest them on the spot. ...And that was likely why they had been able to get away with it until now. They probably framed it as "cooperation" or "donations," avoiding the legal definition of a crime. How malicious.
But for adventurers who didn't know any better—especially those from outside Weed—they wouldn't have the means to investigate, and no reason to be hostile. If it could be settled with a small amount of money, they would likely just pay it.
“In other words, you aren't greenhorn adventurers. You’ve had your fair share of success. Am I wrong?”
“Well, as for success, who can say? We’ve earned enough to outfit ourselves like this, at least.”
“Don’t be so modest. There are few adventurers like you even here in Weed. I have a request, based on your proven capabilities.”
“And what might that be?”