Damn, I can't abandon a softy like you!

First things first, the Breaching Wall Hammer was returned.

We magnificently protected the Divine Artifact from Hermes, and Mie-chan rewarded us with a "Thank you, I love you!" and a kiss on the cheek. Ehehe.

Oh, she also said she'd give us additional rewards, but, well, you see.

Since we're also after the Breaching Wall Hammer ourselves, it was hard to accept, so we declined.

… I mean, we really can't accept it! No way, no how!

If I accepted that, what kind of face would I make while flirting with Mie-chan!? That's what would happen!!

"So, Dea-kun. Why did you have a replica made?"

"I thought it would serve as a practice run for having another one made."

When I asked Dea-kun about something that had been puzzling me, that was the answer I got.

"Another one? Why?"

"I was thinking we could explain our situation honestly and try to reach an agreement to return the current Breaching Wall Hammer to the Goddess."

"Returned to the Goddess."

From my perspective it's more like delivering it to the Goddess, but for the people of this world, it would indeed count as returning it.

"And if it's returned, the display would look lonely, right? So I thought they could display a replica instead."

"Ah. Using replicas for displays is pretty common, after all. I see."

"Oh, is that so? Ah, now that you mention it, there are a bunch of advantages to doing it that way."

"… You came up with that without knowing? That's amazing."

Dea-kun really is a genius, isn't he? He's my pride and joy.

"Of course, if you want to keep your identity hidden, Onee-san, or if you don't want to discuss your connection to the Goddess even using the Healer persona, that's a different matter."

"Nah, yeah, I think it's fine to tell her. As me. I trust Mie-chan."

I mean, Mie-chan is basically my local wife.

It would be convenient to have a door from the dwarven nation connecting to our base, so there's no reason not to tell her.

"I thought you'd say that, Onee-san. Then it's time for negotiations. It will probably take some time though…"

"Well, we're not in a rush anyway. Let's take our time convincing her."

So with that in mind, let me go check on the stolen fake Breaching Wall Hammer.

… Oh? What do you know, Phantom Thief Hermes has already left the country. And fled to Paverkant Kingdom, no less.

That was super fast. Makes sense that in a certain game, the boots named after him have an effect that lets you run at double speed. I wonder what magic he used? A Magic Tool, maybe?

Well, it's no match for Spatial Magic though.

… Oh, and it looks like it's right at the handoff location. Might as well disguise myself as Healer and crash the party. Healer hasn't had much screen time lately anyway!

 

*

 

And so, I arrived at what looked like a slum.

They probably never imagined a Divine Artifact handoff would take place somewhere like this.

That's what they must have thought too, because when Healer appeared, their faces showed shock.

"Wh-Who are you? Where did you come from?"

Phantom Thief Hermes, his face hidden behind a mask, quietly readied his knife without raising his voice.

On the recipient's side, a large man who appeared to be a bodyguard silently stepped between us. His hand was on his sword hilt.

… He's quite well-trained, probably. I don't really know, but that's the vibe I get.

With skills like that, he could get honest work, and yet here he is helping with theft.

"Just thought I'd find out who stole the Breaching Wall Hammer."

I stated my business simply.

"Tch! H-Hey mister, my job's already done. If you wanna negotiate, talk to the gentleman over there."

"Oh?"

Phantom Thief Hermes raised both hands and easily sold out his client.

Meanwhile, the man referred to as "the gentleman" was staring at me with composure.

Whoa, he's definitely someone important. I can feel the dignity radiating off him.

"Kuh… Hermes. You did indeed bring the Divine Artifact. The payment has been arranged as promised, so it doesn't matter if we die here… From here on, we'll handle this ourselves."

"Are you serious? … Damn, I can't abandon a softy like you!"

"How peculiar of you."

"Sh-Shut up! I just thought this country would be better off with people like you around!"

With that, Hermes turned his hostility toward me once again.

The large bodyguard responded to Hermes with a cool smirk, clearly intent on taking me down.

… Uh, what? Why does it feel like I'm the villain here? You're the ones who did the stealing.