Chapter 63: Order

"I'm truly sorry that you encountered this sort of thing just after arriving in town."

Karanfor's sheriff "Ingram" apologized sincerely to the two people before him.

The thief Joey, whom he held lifted in his hand, after struggling for a while and realizing he couldn't escape, just lowered his head and said nothing.

Compared to how he'd looked at the inn entrance earlier, right now this sheriff still wore that set of armored uniform, but his originally neatly combed blond hair had already been soaked by rain.

"Any losses, I can compensate on his behalf."

Without any hint of empty words, Ingram's expression was serious and sincere, as if with just one word, he'd even take off the uniform he wore.

About this, Alton just shook his head, his gaze glancing at the thief Joey who silently remained motionless in the other party's hand.

"It's fine, he didn't actually steal anything."

"What's more, I already lost all my money at Full Money Bag. Even if this kid had succeeded, he'd only get an empty pouch."

Hearing this, Joey, who'd been lowering his head, immediately looked up, using an unbelieving gaze to look at the halfling, then glanced somewhat regretfully toward my direction.

As if regretting choosing the wrong target.

My expression remained calm, my face without ripples.

The "huge sum" of 7 silver and 3 copper in my pocket felt somewhat uncomfortable against my side.

Unlike our reactions, thinking we were complaining to him about Full Money Bag's existence as a tavern that was actually a gambling house.

An embarrassed expression appeared on sheriff Ingram's face. He squeezed out a stiff smile, speaking haltingly:

"Full Money Bag over there... I don't have any particularly good solutions either. After all, adventurers... uh, the boss behind it has some connections in town, I..."

"Haha, I didn't mean that."

The sheriff who'd been keeping a straight face since earlier, looking stern, suddenly showing such an expression made Alton find it interesting, his face blooming with a smile again.

"Just leave it at that."

The halfling waved his hand, indicating he'd leave Joey to the other party to handle.

I stood to the side without speaking.

This matter didn't have much to do with me in the first place, and since Alton had said so, I had nothing to interfere with.

In my view, this at most counted as a bad little episode during the mission.

In comparison, I was actually more focused on Ingram himself.

Earlier at the inn entrance it had only been a brief glimpse without careful observation. Now looking at it...

Something was strange.

Unlike other law enforcers I'd seen in River Valley Town and Karanfor, Ingram's equipment was obviously more refined.

Whether the thick, well-fitting plate armor or the single-handed mace with distinct personal style at his waist, both differed from other ordinary guards.

If he added a small shield, he'd practically be an adventurer who looked quite capable in combat.

Even the lining under his armor was more conspicuous yellow-orange cloth.

My gaze suddenly froze.

I suddenly saw, embroidered on the inside of the other party's sleeve—

A golden sun pattern.

Not noticing my gaze, the sheriff who heard the halfling's answer visibly relaxed.

He said earnestly:

"I still need to apologize to you both. In the future, if you encounter any trouble in town, if I can help, please be sure to say so."

The matter was already over, and I hadn't suffered any losses.

Alton wasn't the type of personality who'd think highly of someone because of their sheriff status.

Losing interest, he shook his head, finally greeted the other party, then pulled me away.

As soon as we two left, Ingram immediately furrowed his brow, looking at the thin-framed thief Joey beside him.

"How many times have I told you, if you have difficulties come find me. Why are you still doing this kind of thing?"

Facing the sheriff's questioning, Joey, who'd been silent, seemed to react instinctively, raising his head and loudly saying:

"I need money!"

"Need money? Isn't Krav short-handed over there? They've been recruiting for many days. Why didn't you go?"

"He said I'm physically weak and can't carry things!"

"What about old Harvey's place?" Seeing the other party unapologetically talking back at him, Ingram's volume involuntarily increased. "I personally took you there at the time, right? What other excuse do you have?"

"I listened!"

"Hm?"

"I listened to your words and worked under that old geezer for two months."

"How are you talking? He's at least..."

"Didn't pay me!" Joey curled his lip, his eyes slightly reddening, his face full of rainwater. "Worked for two months, didn't give me a single copper coin."

The sheriff's words had only gotten halfway.

Speechless.

He opened his mouth, not knowing what else to say.

After a long while, he sighed again.

Releasing his grip on Joey's collar, he slowly said:

"I'll go talk to Harvey."

Thinking about it, he took out a slightly deflated money pouch from behind and tossed it to the other party.

"Take this for now. In the future... don't do these things anymore."

Joey didn't respond, caught the money pouch, and disappeared into the depths of the rain without looking back.

"Splash splash."

Beside him came the urgent sound of footsteps stepping in water.

Two men wearing guard uniforms with serious expressions quickly approached. When they got close to the sheriff, they suddenly slowed down.

"Sir, something happened again!"

"What do you mean?"

"We found a prostitute's body in the alley on the south side of town. Same as that sailor before."

Hearing this, Ingram's expression suddenly darkened. He sharply turned around. The single-handed hammer at his waist collided with the leather armor on his thigh, producing a slight sound.

"The left arm again?"

"No, this time it's the entire right leg."

Boom—

Lightning flashed.

The thunder that had been brewing in the depths of the dark clouds all day roared forth with a thunderous boom.

The already fierce rain, catalyzed by the thunder's sound, became violent and chaotic.

In an instant, the entire small town was shrouded in a gray, heavy rain curtain.

Light was dim. Cold rainwater slid down cheeks. Head slightly lowered, the shadow cast by his tall nose bridge made it impossible to see this sheriff's specific expression clearly.

Only in the increasingly clamorous falling rain did a blurred male voice ring out:

"Take me there."

......

"Boom!"

Torrential rain poured with the thunder.

I hid under the eaves of a roadside building, still able to feel those bean-sized raindrops occasionally swept in by the fierce wind, hitting my face painfully.

Beside me, the halfling Alton, facing the heavy rain before him, still had that expression full of interest.

A pair of crystalline eyes rolled around, not knowing what he was thinking about.

"Just now, that sheriff."

Having already walked far away, I ultimately couldn't suppress the confusion in my heart and asked him.

"I saw a sun pattern on his sleeve. It looks familiar. Is it..."

"Amaunator."

The halfling suddenly spoke.

As if already knowing my question, he didn't turn back, only stood on tiptoe, looking through the thick rain curtain ahead toward the eastern side of town.

There, above countless gray, low buildings, seemed to vaguely protrude a towering spire flashing with brilliant golden light.

【Guardian of the Eternal Sun】

【God of Contract and Order】

—Amaunator.

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