Wandering Witch: Penance of a thief

Once, I read a book about a criminal who found redemption and retired peacefully. The book taught me about atoning for sins by committing to doing good deeds and helping others, no matter how small.

One particular lesson resonated deeply with me: "To have once been a criminal is no disgrace. To remain a criminal is the disgrace."

Let me share my own story-a tale of a former criminal now fighting against criminals.

It all began when I arrived in a new country. As fate would have it, my first encounter was almost falling victim to a deceitful hotel receptionist. Just as I was about to book a room, I sensed his trickery.

With a firm tone, I warned him, which immediately made him reconsider his deceitful ways.

How did I threaten him? I hung him from a high tower until he promised to mend his dishonest ways. When he urgently needed to use the bathroom, I swiftly let him down.

"Fraudsters are everywhere, aren't they?" I remarked wryly.

Amidst the bustling market, where stalls offered everything from food to magic tricks, I approached a booth showcasing a magician's performance. Two women, similar in appearance, watched with curiosity.

"Miss, may I have two copper coins? I'll turn one into gold," the old man behind the table offered.

"Sis, please don't!" exclaimed the woman with long hair, concern etched on her face.

"Oh, come on, just this once!" urged the short-haired woman, placing two copper coins on the table.

Meanwhile, wearing a hood, I leaned against a nearby wall, observing quietly. I knew there was no magic capable of turning copper into gold; I sensed nothing magical from his performance.

The old man carefully selected one of the copper coins and held it up for the audience to inspect.

"Watch closely," he instructed in a raspy yet confident voice, dipping the coin into a liquid in a small bowl on the table.

"Give me a moment," he murmured, stirring the coin in the liquid. The audience leaned in with hopeful anticipation.

I observed intently. The liquid appeared ordinary; there were no magical flashes or effects that typically accompany genuine sorcery.

The old man lifted the coin from the liquid. It now gleamed silver.

"Now, a touch of heat," he announced, grasping the coin with tweezers and holding it over a large candle.

The coin began to change color, from silver to a brilliant golden hue.

"Voila! A gold coin!" declared the old man with a wide smile, displaying the transformed coin to the two women.

The short-haired woman gasped in excitement. "Look, it's real gold!"

But I knew the truth. This was no magic trick but a clever deception. The old man had merely altered the appearance of a single copper coin, turning it brass, not gold.

Watching the old man successfully dupe the two women with that classic ploy, I couldn't resist exposing the truth.

"So that's the trick," I thought, recalling how I had used similar tactics in the past to swap genuine coins for counterfeits.

"Old tricks," I mused faintly, my smile fading as the old man continued to mislead the women.

"These are genuine gold coins, you know! Perfectly usable for transactions!" he confidently assured them.

It was a blatant lie; the coin remained copper. If the women were caught with counterfeit currency, they could face serious consequences.

"Really?! Wonderful! Thank you!" exclaimed the short-haired woman, thrilled by the prospect.

"But can they truly be spent?" the long-haired woman questioned skeptically.

I felt compelled to intervene.

"They can't. Using them could get you into trouble."

The old man looked irritated by my interference, but I had already retrieved a copper coin from my pocket and approached the table.

"Watch closely, I'll show you how the trick works," I said with a wink.

"It just needs a little 'illusion' magic." Taking my own copper coin, I began to repeat the trick with a touch of showmanship.

"First, we start with this seemingly ordinary copper coin," I announced, displaying the coin. "Then we dip it into this 'magical' solution." I submerged the coin into a bottle of plain water.

"Next, a bit of heat," I continued, striking a match and holding the coin over the flame. True to form, the coin started to transform, gleaming in a golden yellow hue.

"Tadaa! A gold coin! Or more accurately, brass!" I chuckled, showing the now golden coin to the onlookers.

"But, you know, you can't use this to pay for anything unless you're looking for a complimentary meal in jail," I quipped with a wide smile.

"So, you tricked us, huh...?" The woman with long hair appeared emotional, while the short-haired woman remained surprised and perplexed.

"I'm just running a business!" protested the old man. Without hesitation, I grabbed a nearby rope and swiftly bound him.

"Let me go!" he demanded.

I left a note on the rope, ensuring that if the police passed by, they would take him into custody.

"Are those the only two coins you gave him?" I inquired, turning to the two women.

"Yes, thankfully it was just those two coins," replied the long-haired woman, their hair matching in color.

"Thank you for helping us," bowed the short-haired woman gratefully.

"No problem at all," I reassured them. "My name is Arche, the sin redeemer."

"I'm Amnesia, and this is my sister, Avilia," introduced the woman with short hair.

"Nice name, by the way. Seems like there are plenty of scammers in this country," I remarked to her.

"Just earlier, I almost got duped by a hotel receptionist."

"Really? What did you do to the receptionist then?" Amnesia asked curiously.

"Ah... well," I hesitated, not wanting to reveal my method of dealing with dishonest hotel staff.

"Let's just say I had a stern talk with him about honesty and not trying any tricks again!"

"Of course, I didn't hang him from a high tower until he begged to use the bathroom,"

I added hastily, noticing Avilia's disbelieving look. She clearly saw through my embellishment.

"I've got things to attend to. Goodbye! And be careful not to get fooled again, alright?" I quickly excused myself, eager to leave.

"Yes, we'll keep that in mind," Amnesia replied with a nod.

As we parted ways, I couldn't help but be curious about this city. I recognized some faces from my days as a thief.

"Why are they all gathering here?" I muttered to myself as I strolled through town, observing the bustling crowd.

Noticing a juice shop, I decided to cool off with an orange juice to beat the heat.

"I'll have a glass of orange juice, please!" I requested.

"Sure, just a moment," the seller responded, handing me a drink that seemed oddly pale in color.

"Why does this juice look so faded..." I began to question, only to realize the seller was already leaving - a traveling salesman in a hurry.

"There better not be any poison in this drink..." I murmured suspiciously, cautiously sniffing the juice. Detecting no trace of foul play, I took a sip.

To my disappointment, the juice tasted nothing like orange - more like colored water.

"You cheating bastard!" I cursed under my breath, feeling thoroughly irritated.

"I'm so pissed off..." I grumbled in frustration.

Deciding to leave the chaotic scene, I noted the palpable discontent among the people. "Maybe they should rename this city to 'Angry City'," I muttered to myself.

"Or 'Crime City'," a voice added from behind.

Startled, I turned to see Amnesia, looking troubled. "Or that," I replied with a faint smile.

As I mused to myself, a cry for help pierced through the air. Without hesitation, I rushed towards the distressed voice, only to find Amnesia collapsed on the ground. Relief flooded her expression as she saw me approach.

"Amnesia, are you alright?" I asked urgently, kneeling beside her.

"I can't move..." she whispered weakly, clearly affected by whatever had befallen her.

"Damn it... I left the antidote behind," I cursed silently. Without another thought, I lifted her gently. "Let's get you somewhere safe."

"Eh?!" Amnesia's cheeks flushed, her surprise evident at being carried so intimately.

Ignoring her reaction, I swiftly carried her to a nearby park, searching for a secluded bench where I could lay her down comfortably.

"Why are you carrying me like this all of a sudden?" she protested, her face still tinged with red.

"It wasn't safe where you were," I explained calmly, though my heart raced. "Close to that dark alley..."

I wasn't teasing; my instincts drove me to protect her. "Can you tell me what happened?" I asked gently.

Amnesia began recounting the ordeal. "When Avilia and I were heading back to our hotel, a homeless man approached us. He demanded the food we had bought, and when Avilia refused, he threw a potion that paralyzed us both."

"He took Avilia somewhere," she continued, her worry palpable. "I was helpless, and she couldn't resist because she was tied up."

"We have to find her...," Amnesia fretted, her concern for her sister evident.

"I'll help you," I offered without hesitation. "Is that alright?"

"Why would you do that?" she asked, surprised by my readiness to assist.

"Helping others is what I do," I replied earnestly. "It's how I seek redemption for my past sins."

Amnesia nodded, gratitude softening her features. "Thank you..."

We waited until the effects of the potion wore off slightly, both of us aware that she wouldn't want to be carried all the way to my hotel.

"Wait... I don't know why, but I don't feel like teasing her," I pondered, although teasing was usually my default.

"Can you walk, Amnesia?" I inquired after we had waited for what felt like an eternity in the park. Amnesia glanced at her feet and nodded slightly.

"I can manage," she replied softly.

"Let me assist you. I have an antidote that should counteract the potion's effects," I assured her, guiding her slowly towards my hotel.

Amnesia's expression remained troubled; understandably, she must have been consumed with worry for her family.

"Are you alright?" I asked gently.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just... worried," she admitted. Upon reaching my hotel, I motioned for Amnesia to sit on a bench outside while I prepared.

As I gathered my belongings, an unexpected realization struck me-I had hoped for a day of relaxation, yet fate seemed to dictate otherwise.

"Seems like 'rest' and I aren't compatible today!"

I fastened my equipment belt, donned my cloak, and secured a dagger seldom used but kept handy.

Alongside these, I carried various tools concealed within my robe-smoke bombs, flashbangs, and the antidote to neutralize the potion's effects.

"I rely on self-defense too often," I reflected, ensuring the door to my room was securely locked.

"Dagger skills are my forte."

"Sure, martial arts have flair, but a dagger can inflict more precise pain," I remarked as I returned to Amnesia's side.

"Today's been rough for you, huh?"

Handing Amnesia the antidote, I encouraged, "Here, drink this."

"Thank you," Amnesia expressed gratitude, accepting the antidote from someone she had just met.

I couldn't help but wonder if she should have been more cautious-checking for poison or questioning its origin.

The antidote swiftly took effect, visibly easing Amnesia's paralysis.

"It works!" she exclaimed, standing up straight with newfound ease.

"How did you come by this antidote?" she inquired curiously.

"It's a remedy I keep for situations where potions go awry," I admitted. "Well..."

"Ah, no time to waste. Let's track down Avilia's location!" I exclaimed, following closely behind Amnesia as she led the way back to the previous location.

She entered a dimly lit alley and scanned the surroundings. "She couldn't possibly be hidden here... Where would they stash her? Maybe in the dumpster!" With a grimace, Amnesia opened the dumpster, only to recoil at the stench of rotting garbage. "Eww!"

"Are you kidding me?" I teased, wrinkling my nose dramatically.

Suddenly, a man appeared at the alley's entrance, eyeing us suspiciously. I leaned in and whispered to Amnesia, "Let's use him. He might lead us to your sister."

"Hey, you two! What are you doing back here?" the man interrupted, clearly wary of our presence.

"Looking for somewhere romantic, obviously," I quipped, flashing a cheeky grin. "Care to show us around?"

"Sure, why not," he shrugged, oblivious to our true intentions.

"Do you really think this is a good idea, Arche?" Amnesia whispered doubtfully as we trailed behind the man.

"Relax, we just have to play along... well, at least I do," I chuckled softly, earning an annoyed glare from Amnesia.

"What's so funny?" the man inquired, turning to look at us.

"Oh, nothing at all," I replied innocently, trying to suppress a smirk.

He led us to a suspicious-looking house and gestured for us to enter first. As soon as we stepped inside, the man swung a baseball bat at my head from behind. Reacting swiftly, I deflected the blow with my arm.

"Surprise party?" I joked, blocking his next swing and grappling with him.

"Tch!" Amnesia swiftly moved to assist me, restraining the man.

I exchanged a nod with Amnesia, drawing my dagger with a smirk. "Guess we're not playing baseball, huh?"

Enraged, the man lunged at us again, raising the bat menacingly.

"You're gonna regret this!"

Amnesia deftly swung her sword, forcing the man to retreat and defend. I took advantage of the moment to attack from the other side, slashing at him with my dagger. He dodged quickly, but I managed to graze his arm.

The man grew even angrier and swung his bat at me with full force.

I dodged nimbly and slashed at his leg with my dagger, causing him to lose his balance.

Amnesia moved swiftly, swinging her sword to block the man's bat. I seized the opportunity to jump onto his back and bring him down to the ground. He struggled, trying to break free.

"Hold on, be patient. We're just about to tie you up," I said, pulling a rope from my pocket. With Amnesia's help, we quickly managed to tie the man up.

He growled defiantly, still struggling against his restraints.

"You... you'll pay for this!" he spat out angrily.

I patted his shoulder with a menacing grin. "Can you give us the information we need?"

"No! I won't tell you anything!" the man retorted firmly, despite his predicament.

Taking a deep breath, I considered my options. 'Do I need to resort to torture?' I wondered briefly.

"Please, sir! I need to find my sister! She's been kidnapped!" Amnesia pleaded, her expression filled with desperation as she looked at the man.

Her pleading face was unexpectedly endearing. "She's my family... I can't bear the thought of losing her!"

"Your family...?" The man seemed conflicted, unable to withstand Amnesia's heartfelt appeal.

"...Fine," he relented reluctantly, turning away. "But don't think I'm doing this because of your pitiful look!"

"Don't be such a tsundere! It's kind of cute!" I teased lightly

"Thank you," she added earnestly.

"Alright... but if I tell you what you want to know, you have to let me go!" the man insisted, eyeing me expectantly.

Amnesia glanced at me, silently conveying her agreement. "Okay," she said firmly.

"In this city, there's an underground network known as the City of Criminals," the man began to explain. "It's where people like me live."

"It's infamous for harboring criminals and their victims," he continued.

"How do we get in there?" Amnesia interrupted anxiously.

"You can't. Only criminals are allowed entry," he replied with a shake of his head. "They check everyone's identity before they let them in."

"Even ordinary people like-" Before he could finish, I interjected.

"Do they know about the Emerald Thief?" I asked, pulling out the mask I had kept hidden.

I hadn't expected to use this identity again, but Amnesia's desperate need to find her family compelled me to take the risk.

"They definitely know about the thief who eluded the Witch's Circle for years," I said with a sly smile, revealing my true identity to the astonished man on the ground.

"You're... the thief?" he stammered in disbelief.

"Amnesia, did you-" I began to explain.

"You're a thief, Arche?!" she exclaimed, shocked.

"A former thief," I corrected with a wry smile. "Remember, I'm a wanderer seeking penance."

"That's right..." She added thoughtfully.

"You have to pretend to be... my partner!" I whispered urgently to Amnesia.

"O-okay," she nodded hesitantly. "P-partner..."

"So, can you tell us where the entrance to that place is?" I asked the man sternly.

"Uh... in..." He hesitated before reluctantly revealing the location.

"Now, can you let me go?!" he demanded.

"No," I replied flatly.

"But you said you would!" he protested.

"Rule 13: Don't trust anyone. A criminal like you should know that," I retorted coldly.

"Damn it..." He cursed under his breath.

Ignoring his protests, I approached him and swiftly rendered him unconscious with a dose of poison.

That can make him a little forgetful, causing him to forget the events of the past few hours.

"Wouldn't it have been better to just let him go, Arche? He gave us the information," Amnesia questioned, her voice tinged with sympathy.

"He tried to kidnap us earlier," I reminded her sternly.

"But I still feel bad for him," Amnesia persisted.

Sighing, I cut the ropes with my dagger. "Huff... he'll forget what happened shortly."

"Thank you, Arche!" Amnesia smiled gratefully.

"Let's go, Amnesia." I nodded, leading the way to the location the man had disclosed. We halted before an abandoned building, our next destination clear.

"Wow, this place has seen better days..." Amnesia and I cautiously stepped into the dilapidated building, scanning the interior.

"Watch your step, Amnesia, lots of loose rocks around here." Despite my warning, I promptly tripped over one.

"Are you okay, Arche?" Amnesia hurried over, concern etched on her face as I nursed my sore spot.

"Looks like I should take my own advice..." I chuckled sheepishly, noticing the floor was oddly solid.

"Wait a sec." With a grunt, I lifted what I thought was a stone covering the floor, only to reveal it was an iron trapdoor.

"Jackpot! It's the iron door we've been looking for!" I exclaimed triumphantly, excitement building as we got closer to finding her sister.

"A basement, huh? Hope it's not like that time..." I shuddered, remembering my encounter with swarms of insects in the circus sewer.

"What's wrong, Arche?" Amnesia picked up on my unease.

"Oh, just a few bad memories about basements, especially the sewer kind..." I admitted sheepishly.

"Huh? I've had my fair share of sewer mishaps too," she sympathized softly, trying to reassure me. "We've got quite a bit in common, huh?"

"Let's face it together then?" Her kindness made her seem like an angel to me.

I whispered nervously, "You think there won't be bugs down there, right? If there are, I'll be hiding behind you."

"Bugs?" Amnesia looked surprised. "Sure, if that's what's bothering you, I'll protect you."

"Thanks..." I mustered the courage to grab the door handle and pulled with all my might.

But the door wouldn't budge. The handle felt like it might break off any second.

"Let me try, Arche," Amnesia offered, realizing my struggle with the handle.

"You sure about that? I couldn't even get it to move," I admitted reluctantly.

Amnesia pushed the door instead of pulling it, and with a click, it swung open effortlessly.

"Ah..." It dawned on me that the door was meant to be pushed, not pulled. I could feel my face turning as red as a tomato.

"Nice job, Am-Amnesia!" I gave her an awkward thumbs-up, trying to hide my embarrassment.

"Hehe..." Amnesia giggled, sensing my embarrassment but offering no judgment.

"Let's go!" I spotted a staircase leading safely down into the darkness, relieved to move forward.

As we descended the stairs side by side, I kept a vigilant eye out for any traps that might endanger Amnesia.

"Amnesia, put on your hood," I instructed, adjusting my own to ensure my disguise was complete under the masquerade mask.

She complied, but I sensed her lingering gaze beneath the hood. "What's on your mind, Amnesia?"

"It's just... I never imagined you were once a criminal," she confessed softly.

"Surprised?" I chuckled lightly, genuinely curious about her perspective.

"Why?" Her head tilted slightly as she sought understanding.

"I didn't expect you'd choose to trust me after discovering my past," I admitted, pondering her unwavering faith in me.

"You could've been suspicious of me, especially here. We're headed into a city full of criminals. Don't you doubt me?" I queried, genuinely intrigued by her innocence.

"I just... my gut tells me you're not a threat to me," she replied earnestly, her belief in me touching.

"And you even took down that other criminal earlier. It shows you really want to help me, right?" Her observation surprised me; her innocence was something I didn't want to taint.

"Well, I suppose... You're quite perceptive, Amnesia," I conceded, moved by her trust.

"Oh, I'm not-" Before she could finish, we arrived at our destination: two imposing men standing guard at the gate.

"Who are you two?" one of the muscular men demanded sternly.

"Don't you recognize me? Are you new around here? Show some respect to your elders," I retorted with a hint of authority.

"Huh?! Who are you supposed to be?" the other man challenged.

"I am the Emerald Thief," I declared, letting my eyes gleam with the weight of my identity.

"Those eyes, those clothes, that voice..." The two men immediately bowed before me. "Forgive us! We're your big fans!"

"Can we get an autograph?" They approached eagerly. "We're so relieved you've turned over a new leaf. We thought you'd retired."

"Eh..." I hadn't expected to be asked for an autograph.

I signed the blank paper they handed me. "Thank you, gentlemen. No need to apologize."

"Not a problem," I replied casually. One of the men glanced at Amnesia, who had been silently observing.

"Who is she, sir?"

"She's my partner. I'm showing her the ropes of this underworld," I explained.

"Sorry, but she-" The men hesitated, clearly taken aback by the news of my partner.

"What? Are you going to challenge me?" I shot them a sharp glance. "Shouldn't you be honored to know she's my partner before anyone else?"

"We're deeply honored, forgive our ignorance!" They quickly opened the gate, allowing Amnesia and me to enter. The city sprawled before us, larger than I had anticipated.

"Where do we start?" I muttered, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the criminal underworld.

As we walked down the bustling streets, shops and stalls lined our path, each offering dubious goods and services. Signs advertised everything from human organs to illicit substances.

"This place is dreadful... I can barely stand being here," Amnesia whispered to me, clearly unsettled.

"Usually, where do they take kidnapped people?" I wondered aloud, trying to navigate through the maze of possibilities.

"Arche, I have an idea," Amnesia whispered again.

"Hm? What is it?"

"The slave market. They might take kidnapped people there," she suggested earnestly.

"Excellent idea, Amnesia! You're a brilliant partner," I praised her, giving her a reassuring pat on the head. "Now, where can we find this place?"

I spotted a passerby and inquired about where to buy slaves, but the man hurried away without answering.

"Heh... That guy's as cold as they come..."

"How about we keep walking and look around?" Amnesia suggested. I nodded, and together we strolled while scanning our surroundings.

Soon, we spotted a large building with a sign that read 'Slave Market.' It was exactly what we were searching for. "Bingo."

Behind her hood, I could sense Amnesia's serious and angry expression. Keeping her emotions in check was crucial; a display of rage could complicate our mission. "Amnesia, stay behind me."

"I understand," Amnesia nodded in agreement as we entered the building, with her following closely behind.

As we opened the door, a bell chimed, and a man in a suit greeted us warmly. "Ah, welcome and happy shopping!"

"Are you here to buy a slave, sir?" The man asked with a sinister smile.

"Sure, do you think I came here for toiletries?" I quipped, aiming to disarm him with humor and mask our true intentions.

"Hahah! You've come to the right place!" He laughed, his joviality clearly forced. "So, what kind of slave are you looking for?"

The man noticed Amnesia behind me. "Oh? Is she with you, sir?"

"Yes, she's my partner," I confirmed, and we were escorted to a seating area where tea was served.

Amnesia whispered to me, "He's the one who kidnapped Avilia..."

"That confirms we're in the right place," I whispered back to reassure her.

"How rude of me... I haven't introduced myself yet," the man said as he stood up. "My name is Vergus, and I am the finest slave trader in this underground city!"

"I'm the Emerald Thief, and this is my partner," I introduced us, and Amnesia nodded in agreement.

"Wow, you both have striking green eyes. They're quite beautiful!" Vergus praised. "So, once again, what kind of slave are you looking for?"

"I'm interested in a young, beautiful, and lively girl-preferably the newest arrival you have," I replied smoothly, maintaining the charade as we delved deeper into the treacherous world of Vergus's slave trade.

"Oh, what a coincidence! I just got her! Follow me," Vergus exclaimed, leading us down to the basement.

As we descended the stairs, my eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the name 'Lunar Ascendance' painted on the wall. "Lunar Ascendance...?"

Amnesia noticed my sudden halt and nudged me gently. "What's wrong, Arche?"



"It's nothing," I replied curtly, pushing past the unsettling memories associated with that name.

Lunar Ascendance was an organization I loathed deeply. Encountering its name again here was unexpected and disturbing.

When we reached the basement, the scene that greeted us was heart-wrenching-numerous people confined in cages like animals. It was difficult to witness such cruelty.

"This is my newest acquisition!" Vergus announced proudly, unveiling the cage covered in cloth.

As he revealed the captive inside, my heart sank-it was Avilia, lying there helpless. I sensed Amnesia's emotions on the verge of boiling over.

"What have you done to her?!" Amnesia's voice trembled with rage.

"Don't worry, I just had to discipline her to keep her quiet! And rest assured, she's still untouched, sir!" Vergus chuckled sinisterly, his words dripping with malice.

Amnesia's fury was palpable. I instinctively reached for a gun from my utility belt, only to remember I had forgotten to reload it. It was useless as a weapon, but I brandished it nonetheless, trying to intimidate him.

"Release the woman now," I demanded, my voice steadier than I felt.

"Oh, so you're just a concerned friend? Not one of us criminals, I see," Vergus sneered arrogantly, seemingly unafraid of any reprisal. "You'll regret ever setting foot in this city!"

"I'll ensure you regret your actions today," I retorted grimly, removing my mask and stowing it back in its pouch.

As tensions escalated and emotions ran high, the fate of Avilia hung in the balance, and our confrontation with Vergus was just beginning.



"I'm not sure you can do it," I said, my voice steady despite the gun pressed against my own temple. With a defiant grin, I shouted, "Its Showtime!"

In that instant, Amnesia emerged from behind me, sprinting forward with a ferocity aimed directly at Vargus. Her attack was swift and fierce, a testament to her determination to rescue her sister.

"You think you can stop me, girl?" Vargus spat, aiming his pistol at Amnesia.

Without a word, Amnesia charged forward, her movements swift and precise. Vargus fired a shot, but Amnesia dodged effortlessly, her sword slicing through the air. Vargus stumbled back, his eyes wide with surprise.

Meanwhile, I was at the other side of the room, my focus entirely on the cage where Avilia lay unconscious. The rusty lock on the cage resisted my efforts, but I worked quickly, trying to free her.

Vargus fired again, the bullet whizzing past Amnesia. She closed the distance between them, her sword striking Vargus' pistol hand. He cried out in pain, the weapon clattering to the ground.

"You...you'll pay for this!" Vargus yelled, clutching his wounded hand.

Amnesia's face remained expressionless as she delivered a swift kick to Vargus' chest, sending him sprawling to the floor. She stood over him, her sword pointed at his throat.

At that moment, I finally managed to break the lock. "Got it!"

I exclaimed, swinging the cage door open. I gently lifted Avilia, who remained unconscious but appeared unharmed.

Turning my head towards Amnesia, I called out, "We've got her. Let's get out of here!"

Amnesia nodded, her eyes never leaving Vargus. "Don't bother us anymore"Don't bother us anymore" she said quietly, before delivering a final blow to Vargus

We dashed out of the building, the urgency palpable in every stride as Vargus's amplified voice echoed menacingly through the city streets.

"There's someone posing as a criminal! Capture them! They're fleeing with my slave!" His voice reverberated from all corners, a testament to his control over the city.

"Bastard..." I muttered under my breath as we sprinted.

"Amnesia, take Avilia and go!" I instructed, eyeing the guards blocking our path.

"As I suspected! The real Emerald Thief has retired! You fraud!" One of the guards shouted, tearing up the paper with my forged signature.

"What will you do now, Arche?" Amnesia asked, concern etched on her face.

"Fight them," I declared with resolve.

"But there are so many... You could get killed!" she protested.

"Don't worry about me. Focus on getting Avilia to safety. She's your family," I reassured, dispatching the guards with swift, calculated strikes that rendered them unconscious. "They're no match for me."

Reluctantly, Amnesia nodded and hurried up the stairs with Avilia in tow. "I'll come back for you, Arche!" she called over her shoulder.

"Thank you," I replied softly before turning to confront the horde that had encircled me.

"Alright, let's see... 1... 6... 12... 24... 36... 42... 50 people?" I counted aloud, surveying the overwhelming odds stacked against me. "Seems a bit unfair, doesn't it?"

A faint smile crossed my lips, tinged with the gravity of the situation. "Time to get serious." With that, I readied myself for a battle unlike any I'd faced in years.

I tightened my grip on the dagger in my hand, feeling adrenaline surge through my veins.

"Alright, who's up first?" I challenged.

One of them, a large man wielding a rusty chain, stepped forward shouting, "Let's take him down!"

Swiftly, I sidestepped, dodging his chain swing and thrust my dagger into his upper arm. Blood sprayed as he fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

A loud clang echoed as another criminal swung an iron bar at me, narrowly missing my head. I spun around, delivering a hard kick to his gut, sending him sprawling.

"One down," I muttered with a thin smile.

The intensity heightened as three more closed in simultaneously. I ducked under a baseball bat swing, then kicked one of them in the knee, sending him crashing down.

My dagger sliced through the air, leaving a gash across another's chest. The last one, a knife-wielding man, lunged quickly, but I was quicker, locking his wrist and twisting until it audibly snapped.

"One, two, three, four, five," I counted with satisfaction.

Yet, my foes showed no fear. They surged forward more aggressively. I leaped, evading dual attacks and counterattacked with a series of trained punches and kicks. Each move felt like a deadly dance amid the dust storm and chaos.

The sound of knives and chains rang around me. One managed to graze my shoulder, but I retaliated with a swift stab that sent him sprawling.

Sweat mixed with dust on my face, but I couldn't stop now. They had to be defeated.

After what felt like hours but was only minutes, the first fifteen lay on the ground-some moaning in pain, others unconscious. My breath came heavy, but my eyes remained sharp, staring down the dozens of enemies still waiting.

"Fifteen down, who's next?" I challenged, preparing for the next round.

Another 15 emerged, weapons in hand, their faces bearing the same malevolent intent.

A burly man wielding an axe swung his weapon at me. I ducked, feeling the wind of his swing, and swiftly countered with a dagger thrust to his abdomen. He dropped to his knees, sprawling on the ground.

Before I could catch my breath, two others with chains and clubs attacked from both sides. I leaped backward, evading their strikes, then spun with a sweeping kick that connected with one's jaw.

"You should probably take lessons!"

I deflected the chain attack with my dagger, closed the distance, and locked his neck, rendering him helpless.

Five rushed forward simultaneously, attempting to corner me. I moved agilely, slashing and parrying every incoming blow.

"You guys want to fight the greatest dagger user?"

Their knives grazed narrowly while my dagger found its mark on their bodies. One by one, they fell swiftly and decisively.

Midst the melee, a woman wielding an iron staff leaped towards me. I blocked her strike with my left arm, feeling the piercing pain, but I didn't falter.

With a quick motion, I slammed my dagger into her shoulder, causing her to lose her grip and fall.

"Anyone else?" I taunted, though my breath was growing heavy.

The last five gathered, attempting a coordinated assault. They circled me, trying to limit my mobility. I spun my dagger, ready to face them.

One, a man with a short sword, lunged first. I parried his attack and delivered a powerful kick to his chest, sending him sprawling backwards.

The remaining three attacked simultaneously. I moved like a shadow, evading their strikes and thrusts with agility.

My dagger continued its work, slashing and stabbing, neutralizing every threat that came my way. Their attacks grew more chaotic and desperate.

The final one, a young man with a knife, seemed hesitant. "You can surrender," I offered, trying to give him a chance to retreat.

But he pressed on, attempting to stab me. I twisted my body, grabbed his arm, and brought him down to the ground. Swiftly, I immobilized his arm and took his knife.

"Alright, this round over," I murmured, standing amidst the now littered arena with incapacitated foes.

My breath was labored, but I knew this wasn't the end. There were still many left to defeat.

Sweat streamed down my forehead, momentarily blurring my vision. The thick dust added to the stifling atmosphere.

Their weapons glinted in the dim light, ranging from long knives to spiked clubs. I knew this would be a tougher fight.

They moved more coordinated now, no longer attacking recklessly. Two with spiked clubs advanced from the front, while three others attempted to flank from the sides.

I spun, dodging the first strike and parrying the second with my dagger. A swift kick to the knee brought down one attacker, followed by a hard punch to the jaw.

Their movements grew more aggressive. One of them, a burly man with a long knife, managed to graze my arm.

The pain seared, but I pushed it aside. I retaliated with a series of brutal blows that left him staggering.

"Wanna play rough? Let's go, I can play rougher," I muttered in a low voice.

Three attacked simultaneously from the left side. I ducked, avoiding the blows, then slid low to sweep their legs.

The trio tumbled down, and I swiftly slammed my dagger into the ground near them, keeping them from rising without risking serious injury.

The remaining enemies didn't retreat. They seemed more spirited seeing their comrades fall. I knew I had to step up my game.

With swift moves, I tackled the man with the chain, twisting him down hard. The chain slipped from his grip, and I used it to bind his legs, rendering him helpless.

The last four advanced with coordinated strikes. I elbowed one, grabbed the arm of the next attacker, and hurled him towards his companion, causing them both to collapse in a heap.

The final one, a woman with a sharp knife, attacked swiftly and decisively. I blocked her strike, twisted her wrist until her knife fell loose. With a quick move, I brought her down and immobilized her.

"Enough!" I shouted, my breath heavy but my eyes sharp. The dust thickened, adding drama to this brutal battle.

The remaining foes, though sprawled and wounded, were alive. I had ensured that, though they would feel the pain.

Standing amidst them, I regulated my breathing, while groans and moans echoed around me. My hands and dagger were smeared with sweat and dust, but I knew this battle wasn't over.

There was still more to fight, but for now, 40 had been defeated. I prepared for whatever came next, my determination unwavering.

My breath still raced as I stood amidst the arena littered with incapacitated bodies. Sweat and dust mingled, covering my weary yet determined face.

From the shadows, the last 10 emerged, their stares filled with hatred and determination.

They were stronger and more dangerous. I felt a surge of adrenaline, knowing this was the culmination of all battles.

Without much ado, they launched into a coordinated attack. A burly man with a spiked club advanced first.

I dodged and swiftly retaliated, slashing his eyes with my dagger. He screamed and fell, clutching his bloodied face.

Two others closed in with long knives. They attacked simultaneously, forcing me to move faster and more brutally.

I parried their strikes with my dagger, pivoted, and kicked one in the knee, sending him sprawling.

My dagger then pierced the shoulder of the second, causing him to stagger back.

"Get him!" yelled one of them, a woman with a large axe. She swung it at me with full force.

I ducked, evading her deadly swing, then thrust my dagger into her abdomen. She collapsed, and I took a deep breath, feeling the madness of battle take over.

Four rushed me simultaneously, attempting to surround me. I spun with high speed, attacking with ferocity. My dagger sliced through one's arm, blood spraying as he screamed in agony.

I seized the moment to strike another, slamming my dagger into his ribcage with full force.

Two more tried to attack from behind, but I was ready. I turned and cut off one's arm, causing him to scream and fall to the ground.

"Is this what you wanted?" I shouted, my voice mixed with gasps for breath. I felt swept up in the moment, adrenaline surging, driving me to move with unstoppable speed and brutality.

The last five attempted to retreat, fear evident in their eyes. But I gave them no quarter. I attacked with fury and mercilessness.

My dagger stabbed and slashed, leaving them sprawled one by one. Strikes to sensitive areas left them unable to resist.

Finally, only one remained. He trembled, trying to attack with a small knife. I easily parried his feeble strike and, with a powerful blow, broke his arm. He cried out in pain, dropping to the ground, defeated.

I took his fallen knife and pressed it against his chest, pushing him back to the ground, leaving him helpless.

I laughed, a wild, uncontrollable laughter, influenced by the intense atmosphere of battle. The sound echoed among the fallen bodies, marking the end of this brutal fight.

Standing amidst them, my breath still heavy, dust and blood smeared on my skin, but I knew I had defeated them all. With the dagger still in hand, I looked ahead, ready for whatever came next.

The frenzy slowly faded, but the echo of my final laughter lingered in my ears

"Arche!"

Suddenly, a woman's voice called out my name. I turned around to see Amnesia running towards me.

"What have... I done...?" I murmured, staring at my blood-stained hands. "Did anyone... die? Please, let no one have died..."

"I have to look after her... I don't want her innocence to be tarnished by me..." My words slurred as exhaustion and the effects of three sleepless days took their toll. With a groan, I collapsed.

When I regained consciousness, the unfamiliar ceiling above me puzzled me.

"I don't know this ceiling..."

"Arche, are you awake?! Thank goodness..." Amnesia's voice cut through the haze. She appeared beside me, relief evident in her smile.

"Where am I... Ouch... my head hurts..." I rubbed my temples, struggling against the lingering dizziness and blurred memory.

"All I remember is fighting them... but I don't recall how it ended," I admitted, trying to piece together the events.

"Is Avilia safe?" I asked, my concern for her cutting through the fog in my mind.

"Oh, Arche..." Amnesia's voice softened. "You should worry about yourself first. You were amazing. You defeated those criminals."

"Huh...? I can't really remember..."

"Don't push yourself," Amnesia urged gently. "I saw you standing there, confronting them. When I called your name, you collapsed. You've been out for a while."

I nodded weakly, taking in her words. The gravity of the situation and my actions slowly sank in, despite the lingering disorientation.

I glanced to the side and noticed Avilia lying on the edge of my bed. "It's late, isn't it?" I remarked softly.

Avilia stirred awake, and Amnesia hurriedly approached her while I struggled to grasp the full extent of what had transpired.

Somehow, amidst the haze, a sense of satisfaction washed over me. "Satisfied..."

"Eh?! What are you doing here?!" Avilia exclaimed, pointing directly at me.

"Avilia, don't shout at him. He's the one who helped us," Amnesia interjected calmly.

I turned to her. "Good night, Avilia."

Amnesia proceeded to recount the events to Avilia, and we both clarified her explanation.

She explained how after leaving me, Amnesia had promptly taken Avilia back to the hotel before returning to check on me.

"You should thank him, Avilia," Amnesia suggested gently.

Still bewildered, Avilia turned to me. "Thank you... What's his name again?"

"Arche, the sin redeemer. Pleased to meet you!" I chuckled lightly.

A few days later, I left the country, but both Amnesia and Avilia had departed before me.

I had to report the situation to the authorities, leading to the discovery and dismantling of the underground city. My efforts earned praise from the authorities.

Eventually, for reasons unknown to me, my likeness was immortalized and prominently displayed in their office.

A few days later, my wounds had finally healed, and I found myself reclining lazily on my flying broomstick.

"So sleepy..."

Flying while lying down was risky, but exhaustion overcame caution, and I drifted off, losing control. I awoke abruptly as I plummeted towards the ground.

"MOVE, ALL OF YOU!"

Startled, a trio of women below scattered just in time to avoid being crushed by my unexpected descent.

"Ouch... Note to self: no more napping on broomsticks," I groaned as pain shot through my body upon impact.

The three women with radiant hair gazed down at me with a mix of confusion, concern, and surprise, resembling ethereal beings.

"Am I in heaven...?" I murmured half-seriously, recognizing them as Elaina, Amnesia, and Avilia.

"Eh...?" They exchanged puzzled glances, seemingly recognizing my face.

"Arche?!" they exclaimed simultaneously.

"Wait... you know him?!" They turned to each other in disbelief, echoing the same question.

"Looks like I've become a fallen angel," I chuckled weakly, my humor barely masking the pain.

Now, here's a question for you!

What is that gem?

The answer is: It's the strong love between siblings. The affection within blood relatives.