After organizing the manuscript, Malin handed it to a team of Knights from the Sage’s Guild tasked with the collection, and he was surprised to find that it included two Paladins. It was only after an explanation that he learned the Sage Constantine had specifically requested assistance from the Church of Justice for security reasons, fearing any damage to the manuscript that Malin was handing over.
Once the exchange was complete, Malin said his goodbyes, and one of the tall Paladins nodded at him as he walked by: "Please take care of Matilda, Mr. Malin."
Malin immediately nodded, then watched them leave before turning to Matilda: "That person is...""My father’s colleague, Sir Modim, a very formidable Paladin." Matilda blushed slightly: "I thought he was still in the North."
"He must have come back for a break," Jessica suggested.
"Paladins never take a break, there’s too much evil in this world to slow down," Matilda said with pride.
Malin’s gesture of crossing his arms froze momentarily, then he frantically began searching through the small pouch at her waist.
"Your bag is torn," Maya pointed out the tear in Matilda’s small pouch.
"Although the tear is jagged, one can still see the neat cut marks, it’s a cut made by a thief, and a skilled one at that," Jessica confirmed, being experienced with blades herself.
Malin thought for a moment—they had just made contact with the Sage’s Guild, and the girls should not have been far away. The Sage’s Guild typically shared a hall with the Adventurers’ Guild, so it would have been crowded for sure. The thief who managed to cut Matilda’s pouch in broad daylight was indeed bold and skilled.
"I must catch this thief!" Matilda was angry, her wallet had disappeared after all.
"Actually, I’m curious why the thief targeted Matilda. Among us, she doesn’t seem to be the one with the most to take," Clovis analyzed logically.
"Thieves have three ’not to steal’ principles, of which Mages are the first, you and Faye are dressed in Mage’s robes, so naturally you wouldn’t be the target; my hands are all calluses from handling swords, with that person’s skills, he wouldn’t miss that; Lillim obviously looks like a Noble’s daughter, a thief wouldn’t trouble himself with her, and as for Maya... I think it’s really because the thief didn’t have the courage to try it with her," Malin concluded.
Malin glanced over at Maya, who immediately turned her head towards him and then smiled slightly.
"I am a Paladin!" Matilda was very upset.
"You’re not wearing your Paladin’s uniform today. I know it’s to avoid causing trouble for Mr. Malin, especially since we’re in the south of Farole," Jessica said, then reassured her with a smile: "Let’s forget about this incident."
"Why?" Matilda didn’t understand.
"Because the cutting technique was excellent, I wouldn’t be able to make such a neat tear, even with a blade, and if he could cut a hole in your pouch without any of us noticing, my personal suggestion is to let it go," Jessica explained.
"... You’re right, we’re away from home, there’s no need to provoke a master of the Shadow Thieves," Matilda mused and finally decided to accept reality: "But what do you think, Mr. Malin?"
"Catching a thief hidden in the crowd is indeed a headache. I agree with the idea of keeping the peace, but if we do get lucky and find him, we will definitely give him a good thrashing..." Malin was saying this when he noticed a hand reaching toward someone’s waist in the crowd: "Hey! That guy!"
The owner of the wallet turned, and all his belongings spilled out.
The middle-aged man who made the move was stunned, then turned to run, but before he got two steps away, he was knocked down by a Guard rushing over, followed by the eagerly awaited tackling by the crowd.
After that, Matilda’s wallet was returned, and the unfortunate victim expressed his gratitude to Malin. The head of the Guild also came forward to thank Malin.
"There seem to be quite a few thieves around here," Malin said with a smile, then noticed the person’s embarrassed expression.
When they left the Guild, Jessica laughingly explained to Malin—it wasn’t that Bosoli had many thieves, but rather that Thieves Guilds existed everywhere. These guilds of petty thieves occupied a gray area, such as in Carterburg, where the Thieves Guild sometimes acted as the eyes and ears of the city hall, which in turn would grant certain immunities to these thieves.
As for why Malin didn’t feel the presence of thieves around him.
Because of the three ’not to steal’ principles, Thieves avoid Mages, Nobles, and Priests.
"So, Mr. Malin, why not show your Assistant Priest badge and prevent some people from taking the wrong path," Jessica concluded her explanation, which made Malin reevaluate this wolf girl.
"You’re right," Malin nodded, then smiled at the unfriendly-looking crowd at the street corner as he pulled out his red Assistant Priest badge.
Matilda took out her Paladin badge.
The man in the lead, who had a ferocious expression, forcibly transformed it into an ingratiating smile and brought the middle-aged man over to Malin: "I’m sorry, honorable Paladin Miss and Assistant Priest, please forgive my little brother."
Malin sized up the leader and his subordinates in their patch-covered clothes, not knowing if it was their work wear, but his heart softened: "With skills like that, why not pursue a greater venture?"
"I, we don’t have the guts to rob people," the middle-aged man obviously misunderstood.
The leader, being a clever man, gave the middle-aged man a slap on the ear, then turned to Malin with a more sorrowful look: "No one needs our loyalty, sir."