Debuff Master

Chapter 520

“The Phantom Thief?” Siegfried asked in response, as this was the first time he had heard about this.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Marquis Keitel replied.

“Who’s the Phantom Thief?”

“The Phantom Thief is... The greatest thief alive,” Marquis Keitel explained.

“The greatest thief...?”

“He is a thief who uses the entire world as his stage. He is infamous for sending a notice before his heist yet still manages to steal valuable treasures.”

Siegfried smirked and muttered under his breath, “Do they all take the same classes? Why the hell are all of them sending out notices before stealing?”

“Pardon me, Your Majesty?”

“N-No, it’s nothing.”

Siegfried had recalled that there were a few thieves portrayed in the media back in reality that would send out notices before their heists just like the Phantom Thief.

“Why don’t they just steal it quietly instead of sending a notice? Do they enjoy the thrill of stealing things that are under heavy security? Are they some kind of a pervert?”

“Haha... Or perhaps they are trying to show their confidence in their skills?” Marquis Keitel said with an awkward laugh.

“Well, I guess that’s possible. But isn’t it too inefficient? Why would they go through all the trouble?”

Siegfried was a very staunch proponent of working efficiently. He valued efficiency over fame, so he could not understand why the Phantom Thief would send out notices before committing a crime.

“So that pervert, the Phantom Thief, is the reason why Martial Law was declared here?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“But what is this pervert trying to steal? I’m just curious.”

“The Phantom Thief is after the Portrait of Evil Ghost, Your Majesty.”

“I guess it’s an expensive painting.”

“It is a painting with an evil ghost trapped inside it. The artistic value of the painting alone is enough to buy an entire small kingdom.”

“Wow?”

“Also, it is one of His Imperial Majesty’s personal favorites, so we had no other choice but to declare Martial Law and limit the movement of outsiders.”

“Ah, is that why you have personally come, Duke Randoll?” Siegfried looked at the duke and asked.

“Precisely. I have come under commands from His Imperial Majesty to protect the Portrait of Evil Ghost from the Phantom Thief.”

“I see...”

“But why have Your Majesty come to Artiur? I heard of Your Majesty’s recent exploits at the Southern Great Jungle, so I thought you would still be there...?”

“Huh? News of that reached all the way to the empire’s capital?” Siegfried asked while slightly shocked.

“The empire’s eyes and ears are everywhere on the continent, Your Majesty,” Duke Randoll replied with a smile. Then, he added, “Those kinds of news come to us even if we do not proactively seek them. And also...”

“Also?”

“Your Majesty is quite rowdy, so your news often comes to us. Hahaha...”

“I-I see...”

“But back to my question, why is Your Majesty here?”

“Ah, I had something I wanted to ask regarding paintings,” Siegfried replied. Then, he placed the painting he received from Deus and showed it, “I wanted to meet Marquis Keitel, and I guess this is what we would call perfect timing?”

Siegfried stared at the marquis and asked, “Do you know anything about this painting by any chance–”

“T-This painting!” Marquis Keitel exclaimed out of shock.

“Huh? Do you know anything about it?”

“This expression... is simply amazing...!”

“Oh?”

“Every stroke of the brush contains the painter’s emotions... Haa...”

Just like Gringore, Marquis Keitel could not hide his amazement the moment he saw the painting.

“So... Do you know anything about this painting?” Siegfried asked with a hint of expectation in his voice.

“About this painting, Your Majesty?”

“Yes, I am not asking about your impression of the painting. I need information about it, such as the person who painted this, for example.”

“Ah, about that...” Marquis Keitel replied. Then, he paused for a moment, looked at Siegfried, and said, “I have no idea.”

Unfortunately, even Marquis Keitel had no information regarding the painter of the painting given by Deus.

***

Siegfried could not hide his disappointment after finding out Marquis Keitel had no information regarding the painting.

“Finding information about this painting is more difficult than I thought...” Siegfried muttered.

Marquis Keitel raised a brow and asked, “If I may, why is Your Majesty inquiring about this painting?”

“I need to find the person who painted this.”

“But this painting seems to be at least one hundred fifty years old... It is highly likely whoever painted this had died long ago.”

Siegfried shook his head and replied, “No, the painter is someone who attained eternal life.”

“Hmm? By eternal life, you mean... Is Your Majesty perhaps talking about Acheron?”

“Oh? You knew?”

“Well, Acheron is a very famous alchemist, so... Ah! No wonder!” Marquis Keitel exclaimed. Then, he inspected the painting closer and said with fascination in his voice, “The boredom and loneliness portrayed in this painting was not normal. As expected, only someone who lived eternally could feel such emotions.”

Lamborghini suddenly spoke up for the first time, “I too... Agree...”

“Oh right, you were quite old too, right?” Siegfried responded.

“Yes, and there are indeed such emotions radiating from this painting,” Lamborghini replied and flashed a faint smile while looking at the painting. Then, he added, “Of course, it is a bit different from my experience... But anyway, whoever drew this painting has certainly lived many years. At least, that is what I think.”

“As expected,” Siegfried muttered in amazement after confirming that Deus was once again right. Then, he looked at the marquis and asked, “So, is there no way to track down the painter?”

“Hmm... It will not be easy, Your Majesty,” Marquis Keitel replied.

“I guess...”

“One needs keen insight to fully understand what this painting is trying to tell. If not, it will be misunderstood as an ordinary painting. In fact, I do believe the masses will not appreciate this just because they do not understand it. It does hold immense emotions, but frankly speaking, the painter lacks the technique to be a pro.”

“So...?”

“Looking for the painter will be akin to searching for James on the continent. Your Majesty could ask around, but you will find dozens of them wherever you go. However, it could be possible to find the painter if we look hard enough.”

“Really?”

“But it will take a long time... Scouring through all of the historical records related to art would be a very difficult and long process.”

“I can wait,” Siegfried replied. He decided to trust the Marquis regarding the matter.

Marquis Keitel was one of the best in the field of arts, so if anyone could pull this off, then it would be him. Besides, it was not like he had any other option available to him right now.

“I understand, Your Majesty. But this matter will have to wait a bit. We cannot spare any of our people to work on this matter due to the warning sent by the Phantom Thief.”

“I-I see... I guess I have no choice but to wait,” Siegfried replied, slightly disappointed.

Duke Randoll suddenly asked, “Your Majesty, if you do not have any other plans, why not join us in arresting the Phantom Thief?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Since you do not have any other plans, you might as well make use of your time going after the Phantom Thief with us, no?”

“Hmm...”

“It is highly likely that His Imperial Majesty will be delighted if Your Majesty manages to apprehend the Phantom Thief. Knowing my lord’s graciousness, I am certain a reward will be bestowed upon Your Majesty.”

It was then.

Siegfried grabbed the duke’s hands and said with fire in his eyes, “I will catch that thief. For His Imperial Majesty’s sake.”

“Y-Your Majesty...? Hahaha...” Duke Randoll laughed awkwardly in response to the sudden change in attitude.

It was quite normal for the duke to be flustered, as it took less than 0.1 seconds for Siegfried to suddenly change his mind after hearing that he could be rewarded if he caught the Phantom Thief.

***

Siegfried ended up joining the strategy briefing of the City of Artiur’s plan to combat the looming threat, which was the Phantom Thief’s declaration to steal the Portrait of Evil Ghost.

Duke Randoll was holding a commander’s baton, and he was the leader of the briefing.

“First of all, the target of the Phantom Thief, the Portrait of Evil Ghost, is kept in the deepest parts of this place, the Palace of Beauty—” Duke Randoll stopped halfway. He looked at Siegfried and asked, “Hmm? Is there a problem, Your Majesty?”

The reason he was asking was that Siegfried had suddenly raised his hand as if he had a question.

“Ah, I was thinking briefing us on the information related to the Phantom Thief should come first,” Siegfried replied.

“Pardon me?”

“Yes, the plan is important, but I am not familiar with the Phantom Thief.”

“Ah!”

“I believe it will be helpful in capturing that perverted thief if I know some details.”

“I see. Your Majesty is an Adventurer, so you must not be familiar with the Phantom Thief.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Understood. Then, we shall start with a briefing on the Phantom Thief for King Siegfried’s sake.”

Duke Randoll proceeded to explain regarding their target.

“Actually, there is nothing known regarding the Phantom Thief. All we know about the thief is that they always warn their target a day or two before stealing the treasure.”

“T-That’s it...?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Even the Thieves’ Guild has no information about the Phantom Thief. They are a phantom just like their name, so trying to catch them with information regarding their personality is useless.”

“...”

“Ah, but there is one other thing we know about this thief.”

“And what is that?”

“They had never killed anyone during their heist. Even in situations where they had no choice but to fight, they would always choose to knock their opponent unconscious rather than kill them. So, we believe the Phantom Thief is against taking lives.”

“Wow... That pervert is living life on hard mode...” Siegfried muttered in awe.

“That is all we know about the Phantom Thief–”

“It seems I have asked a stupid question and wasted everyone’s time. Haha...”

“Not at all, Your Majesty.”

“Please continue with your briefing.”

“Yes.”

Duke Randoll proceeded to lay out their plans to arrest the Phantom Thief.

As for Siegfried...

“Zzz... Phew...! ZzzZzz... Zzzz... Phew...! ZzZzz...”

He plopped on the table and snored as soon as the briefing started.

***

Siegfried was sitting on the roof of the Palace of Beauty under the bright moonlight.

“The moon is very bright today,” Siegfried said.

“Kyu? Is there a problem if the moon is too bright, owner punk?” Hamchi tilted his head in confusion while sitting on Siegfried’s shoulder.

“It’s not. It’s going to be very difficult to sneak in.”

“Kyu?”

“How can you sneak in without anyone noticing with the moon so bright? The entire building is illuminated and do you see how many torches are surrounding this place?”

“Kyuuu! You’re right!”

“But that pervert is coming to steal something on a day like this?”

Siegfried couldn't understand the Phantom Thief. The fact that the thief announced the heist on a day like this meant they had a few loose screws in the head or was just a moron.

“Or does this pervert have cloaking skills on par with the Hunterians?” Siegfried wondered if the thief possessed cloaking skills equal to the Hunterians of the Southern Great Jungle.

Swoosh!

However, the blue magic circle drawn around the Palace of Beauty completely neutralized all cloaking skills, and this was a high-ranking magic circle, so there was no way anyone could get past it without getting caught.

“Just what in the world—”

“Kyu! Will you even find out anything with that head of yours?!”

“What did you say, punk?”

“How will you know the trade secret of a thief called a phantom by people?! Just go with the flow! Kyu!”

“Hmm... I guess you’re right.”

Siegfried raged, thinking that Hamchi was looking down on him yet again, but he soon realized that was not the case.

“How will I know how he does what he does, right?”

“Kyu! That’s right! So forget about trying to figure it out and summon your Night Stalkers and let them patrol the surroundings!”

“Oh? Should I do that?”

Siegfried did exactly as Hamchi suggested and used the Summon Darkness skill.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Then, twenty Night Stalkers emerged and knelt in front of him.

“Hmm... It said these guys are good at hiding their presence at night and serve as excellent scouts, right?” Siegfried muttered to himself while recalling the description of the skill.

Then, he gave the command to the Night Stalkers, “Go and see if there’s anyone suspicious, and report to me at once if you do.”

The moment he gave the order...

Ding!

A message popped up in front of his eyes.

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