Chapter 137 – Kelopan
[I know you want to learn it, but there is nothing we can do.] (Syrus)
Of course, Syrus would prefer, if the situation allowed for it, for Luna to learn that skill. The quick, successive teleporting solved the main issue of Luna's Space attribute, the cost. The cost was currently far too high to realistically use in most combat encounters or even in escape situations where it would be the most useful.
Not only that, but there was also the keeping of momentum. That was appealing to Syrus, as through their practice, having to exert strength from a stop after teleporting was exhausting. Especially if they went from mid-swing, teleported, and had to keep swinging. That situation hadn’t occurred in proper combat in their current state, only in training, but it was something Syrus was aware of.
[Can you at least remember their face?] (Luna)
[I can’t see through masks.] (Syrus)
[Just do what you do best.] (Luna)
[Your hopes are way too high.] (Syrus)
“Sigh…” Syrus still decided to try her best. Worst case, she found nothing and went to sleep; best case, she figured out enough that they might be able to recognise something later.
Syrus stared for the rest of the duration of the chase, which only lasted for another minute before the thief vanished for the last time.
[I’ve done my best.] Syrus sighed and blinked her eyes a few times before walking back to her bed.
[What were you able to find?] (Luna)
[They are one and a half metres tall; I’d say likely a girl, but don’t lock that in. Hair appeared to be dark brown or black; eyes were a pale orange.] Syrus stopped. [They are just the basic features, of course; there is always the chance that they have dyed their hair.]
[I see…] Luna was ready to be on the lookout for those features.
[Luna, we have a schedule to keep.] Syrus warned.
They were still on the timer to rescue the children. The sooner, the better, before anything unexpected happens.
[I know, this is just for the future.] (Luna)
[Well… if she is a thief and is still important stuff, there is the chance she might also go to Kelopan.] (Eva)
[That’s a bit–] (Syrus)
[That would be amazing!] (Luna)
Luna was partially in dreamland, which might’ve been due to the lack of sleep.
[That is very unlikely.] (Syrus)
[Might be more likely than unlikely.] Eva answered.
[You would need to update me on that.] Replied Syrus, she trusted there to be a logical reason why Eva would think that.
Luna answered. [They recently had a series of heists in the Jenate Republic, west of Cancole. Considering they repeatedly hit the same country in a row, it is likely they planned to be in the Nevald Kingdom for a while.]
[Why didn’t they hit Cancole?] (Syrus)
[Don't have much of significance there.] Luna’s mind went over the list of Cancole’s historical treasures. [They do have a few, but far less than other countries, and their main ones are like historic weapons that have been sealed in large glass containers. Not too easy or practical to steal those.]
The conversation died down, and Anlesa went to sleep. Their body still needed the rest.
In the morning, they packed up their things quickly and were ready to leave immediately.
The city was unsurprisingly still riled up about the whole thing.
Tried guards still patrolling the streets, and the citizens gossiping all around. Some were speaking about how amazing last night's events were, while others were saying all manner of swears about the thief.
Anlesa didn’t actually know what was stolen until the morning. It was a large piece of gold that was formed into the rough shape of a deer head.
None of them saw the appeal in such ornaments. Luna knew the history of it, it was part of the reason this city was made into a mining city.
The chaos did make the city folk greatly suspicious of outsiders, which was a bit of a concern for their exit arrangements, but thankfully, the only thing they received was a bunch of stares and weren’t stopped at the gate
After more travelling, they finally reached the city of Kelopan.
[This was about as gaudy as I was expecting.] (Syrus)
[This was more than I was expecting.] (Eva)
Kelopan was certainly a large city, and within the centre of it was the main Aurora Church of the Nevald Kingdom. However, south of the church towards the edge of the city boundaries was a large sectioned-off segment of the city. Surrounded by large white marble walls. These walls were at least three adults high but blended in with the city, as the structure was built in a way that unless you were next to the wall, you weren’t staring at it as there was at least one building blocking the view.
Anlesa walked through the city. Luna, remembering the pathways, took control so they could reach a quieter part of the wall.
[Those walls are a bit dirtier than I remember.] (Luna)
For Luna, it was surprising to see the muck build up on the walls. Beforehand, it was considered part of training for recruits to clean the wall or a way to punish people for misdemeanours. Some parts of the wall were clean, but towards the walls that were dimmed by the nearby buildings' shade, they had been left to stain.
[We will be counting on you, Luna.] (Syrus)
Kelopan was a city that, outside of the wall, had other standout monuments; the church was obviously one of them, but the large main road, which stopped right in front of the church, could also be considered one. It was designed so people could be paraded around.
Luna knew still well, in her mind, too well.
The goal was to rescue Jerry, Susan, and Billy as quickly as possible. The sooner they were out, the sooner people would simply forget about their existence.
One note that differentiated Kelopan greatly from other cities was the number of priests walking around. Every city had believers, but the number of priests was usually limited. In this city, finding a priest was easier than finding a child, and practically everyone in the city was a believer of the church.
Luna opened their bag, ensuring there was room. They had to do some stealing to complete the disguise.