Book 3: Chapter 128 |
The first to suffer oppression were businesspeople like these, with no background or influence.
So, in theory, Will was eligible to join the Lionheart Society.
It’s just that this cocky kid was… too hot-headed.
“What kind of warehouse would hire you as a night watch? Isn’t your ‘Master Thief Will’ reputation already famous across the Mid-District?” Nacho asked.
“Locals might know I’m a chivalrous thief, but outsiders don’t. This warehouse isn’t built by the Mid-District—it’s a temporary one the royals set up on borrowed Mid-District land.”
Will paused, his tone turning indignant,
“Speaking of that, it pisses me off. They took our Mid-District land but only paid half the normal lease fee, calling it ‘royal requisition, you should be honored.’ Tch, *bullshit*! One day, I’ll burn that lousy warehouse down.”
Keywords triggered:
Leon and Roswitha exchanged a subtle glance.
The couple’s默契 was perfect—everything understood without words.
“What’s that warehouse used to store?” Leon asked.
“This.”
Will pulled a folded paper lantern from his pocket.
Since the Thousand Lantern Festival required a massive number of lanterns, they were designed to be foldable for easy transport and storage.
To use, you just stretched them out on both sides.
“Sure enough, *a monkey in the peach orchard*,” Nacho muttered.
“You didn’t just steal one, did you?”
“Nacho-bro, I only took this one!”
“Hm?”
“…Alright, five.”
“Keep talking.”
“…Maybe a dozen or so. Look, that warehouse has so many lanterns, no one’s gonna notice if I take a few!”
Will explained, “I was planning to sell some for cash, like compensation for the Empire’s lease money.”
“You’ve got some pretty dreams, huh.”
“Right, Nacho-bro?”
“Go stand over there.”
“Ugh.”
Will hung his head, slinking to the side.
Nacho stepped closer to Leon, lowering his voice,
“I’m guessing you’re thinking what I’m thinking.”
Leon glanced at Will, not far off, hands in his pockets, idly kicking pebbles.
“After you mentioned Will last night, I asked Rebecca. She said his background’s hard to pin down. I’m worried this kid might crack under pressure and *betray us at the last second*,” Leon voiced his concerns.
Though he didn’t personally dislike this brash, self-proclaimed chivalrous thief, the stakes were too high for Leon to base decisions on subjective feelings.
“He definitely won’t betray us.”
Nacho said, “Though some parts are tricky to verify, I’ve dug up enough on Will’s history these past few days. Aside from his age and impulsive personality, he’s a good fit for the Lionheart Society.”
“Is that so…” Leon mused.
“So, what’s the call?”
Nacho asked, “This is the fastest way we can get lanterns.”
After a moment’s thought, Leon spoke methodically,
“Tonight, take a small team—don’t bring too many, to avoid accidents that could cost the Lionheart Society.”
“Then bring enough recording stones. We don’t need to steal the lanterns from the warehouse—just hide the recording stones in the lanterns there and use illusion magic to conceal them. That’ll save a lot of time.”
“Finally, tally up the number of lanterns we’ve gathered from other sources. Our goal is to cover all the Empire’s districts.”
Nacho nodded, “Got it. I’ll handle it.”
“Mm, try to wrap it up before 3 a.m.”
“No problem.”
With orders received, Nacho turned and walked toward Will.
After a brief exchange, Will jumped three feet in the air, thrilled.
“Thanks, Nacho-bro!”
Will turned back, waving at Leon, “Thanks, Leon-bro, for giving me this chance!”
“Alright, let’s move,” Nacho said, pushing him toward the alley’s exit.
“Huh? Leon-bro’s not coming with us?”
“Nonsense. You ever see a boss go to the front lines himself?”
“Oh, yeah, makes sense.”
The two faded into the distance, their figures soon vanishing into the crowd.
Roswitha glanced at Leon, her eyes twinkling with a smile,
“Honestly, I thought you’d go handle this yourself.”
Leon shrugged, “You taught me: as a leader, I don’t have to do everything myself.”
“But you also—”
“But you also have to be ready to accept the consequences of a failed plan,” Leon cut in.
“Hmph, you remember that pretty well.”
A good leader doesn’t steal credit from their followers.
Take the warehouse job, for example.
Leon’s role was to make the plan and decisions, while the Lionheart Society’s members carried it out.
If the plan succeeded, it would be the collective effort of Leon and the Lionheart Society.
But if it failed, Leon wouldn’t shift the blame to Nacho or the others.
As he’d discussed with Roswitha earlier, this was the pressure of leadership—he’d bear the full consequences of failure.
And Roswitha would always stand by his side.
“So, what do we do now?” Roswitha asked.
Leon thought for a moment, “Let’s go check on Teacher Carolyn and the others.”
…
Kasmod Welfare Home.
The children and several nuns hauled two large crates of paper lanterns to the entrance.
“Good work, kids! Tonight’s dinner is stewed meat~”
“Yay!”
“Teacher Carolyn’s the best!”
Everyone cheered, rushing toward the cafeteria for the rare once-a-year stewed meat feast.
Carolyn shifted her gaze from the children, turning to Leon at the entrance,
“These are the paper lanterns you ordered, sir. We worked overtime to make a lot.”
“Thank you, Teacher Carolyn.”
Carolyn looked at this disguised old friend. Just a fleeting moment was enough to fill her with warmth.
She didn’t know what Leon was planning.
But as Sharon had said, *Leon-bro’s back, we’re saved*.
“Teacher Carolyn!”
Sharon’s voice happened to call out from behind.
They turned to see the young nun holding a paper lantern, running toward the entrance.
“I… I finished the last lantern. Please—please, sir, take it!”