Ch.133133. There’s No Bigger Thief Than This

When exploring Ritten in the game, it was an area where you had to be careful with every interaction.

If the protagonist character’s power was above a certain level, it wouldn’t matter much, but typically when entering Ritten, the protagonist isn’t that strong.

After experiencing constant provocations and extortion, you naturally learn to keep your head down.

That was the Ritten I remembered.

“Is that the Imperial Princess…?”

“I’ve never seen the Imperial Princess, so I’m not sure. Could it be a false rumor?”

“No… that’s definitely the Imperial Princess of the Rubetia Empire.”

“There’s no way someone like that would come here. Maybe someone’s impersonating her appearance?”

“Anyone crazy enough to do that would be another kind of trouble we shouldn’t mess with.”

“True enough.”

This wasn’t what I expected.

The sight of people not daring to approach, let alone provoke Imperial Princess Celia with her dignified presence… it certainly made me think that power is indeed a good thing to have.

Thanks to that, rumors seemed to be spreading quickly… but I suppose that’s fine.

I should be satisfied that we can move around comfortably for now.

Though it’s a bit troublesome if our date plans get copied just because I want to be comfortable right now.

“Ludion? That makes seven times. You’ll need to keep all of next week free.”

“You’re not just counting randomly, are you?”

“Of course not. Everything is calculated according to fair criteria.”

I wonder what those fair criteria are.

I’m curious, but digging deeper would probably just increase the number of dates, so I let it go.

Eventually, after the date count reached double digits, we finally arrived at my intended destination.

It was a place with few people around but somehow filled with delicious aromas. As soon as we arrived, Lilith was the first to speak up.

“What? Didn’t you say we were looking for an information broker?”

Lilith’s question was reasonable.

I had clearly stated we were going to find an information broker.

Even for someone like Celia, finding an unknown person in a crowded space would be difficult.

That’s why I suggested finding an information broker and placing a request.

But where had we arrived? No matter how you looked at it, it was a restaurant building.

Getting closer to see if it was just the exterior, the delicious smell wafting out confirmed it was indeed a restaurant.

After talking about finding an information broker, we ended up at a restaurant… of course she’d be confused.

Should I tell her she’ll understand once we go inside, or should I give at least some explanation?

While I was contemplating this, Alkine spoke as if there was no issue.

“Well, it’s Ludion, so he probably knows what he’s doing.”

“As expected of Ms. Alkine. Unlike Ms. Lilith who joined late, you have experience. Though your favorability is lower.”

“…Do you really need to bring up favorability?”

It seemed Lilith was the only one questioning the situation.

…Actually, the timing works out anyway. We might as well eat here too.

“Let’s go in.”

Rather than explaining the flow of conversation, it seemed faster to just show them.

With that thought, I entered the restaurant.

As if he knew we were coming, the restaurant owner standing near the entrance greeted us.

“…Welcome.”

A neatly dressed, thin middle-aged man.

Red hair and sharp eyes. Despite his slim build, his muscles appeared firm. Though he welcomed us with a bright smile, his appearance wasn’t exactly warm and comforting.

He seemed a bit tense, which was understandable.

He would know not only about Celia but also about Alkine and Lilith.

Some nobody bringing three distinguished individuals would naturally arouse suspicion rather than interest.

Without hiding anything, this man was the information broker I was looking for.

Belmont. Though he loved cooking and opened a restaurant… his core business was being an information broker.

Knowing this, I ordered without looking at the menu.

“Four people. Your finest meal, please.”

“Let me show you to your seats.”

It was more of a code phrase than an actual order.

Upon hearing my words, Belmont guided us to a secluded room inside the building.

However, it was still decorated like a restaurant, giving the impression of a private room within the building.

“Here are the menus. Take your time and call me when you’re ready.”

Belmont placed the menus on the table and naturally slipped out of the room.

For having entered with a code phrase, the reception was rather plain.

However, being brought to this room itself meant we were ready to exchange information.

Some might think, what kind of code phrase is this easy? Anyone could accidentally guess it.

But typically, those who are just bluffing can’t get this far.

“Wow, wait a minute. Why are the prices like this?”

“Ms. Lilith. Don’t make a fuss over something this trivial.”

“No, Celia… even I think these prices are a bit unreasonable…”

The food here is ridiculously expensive.

That’s why there were few people around despite the delicious smell and it being prime dinner time.

Even Lilith and Alkine, who grew up relatively wealthy, were thinking “this is a bit much” – that says it all.

“Choose what you want.”

But knowing that we couldn’t even bring up the topic of information without ordering food, I focused on selecting from the menu first.

A little while later. The table was filled with the dishes we each ordered, and our slightly late dinner began.

“Ludion. Try some of mine too.”

“…Want some of mine?”

“What’s with this atmosphere? Should I offer mine too?”

“Ms. Lilith, you don’t meet the requirements yet, so no.”

“What requirements am I missing exactly?”

“That’s a secret, of course.”

There was a small commotion about them piling their food onto my plate… but other than that, it was truly a wonderful dining experience.

In the game, Belmont’s food was described as being worth its high price, and I was curious how delicious it would be, but I never expected this level.

The academy dining hall’s meals are excellent too, but this place feels expensive from the taste itself.

Of course, the high-quality ingredients contribute to that, but even accounting for that, the chef’s skill was evident in the flavor.

As time passed and everyone’s plates were nearly empty, Belmont entered the room as if he had been waiting.

And he asked.

“Would you like to pay now?”

Knowing that missing this timing would mean just paying for the food and leaving, I naturally requested the information I needed.

“I’m looking for someone. Please include that in the bill.”

“Hmm, that part varies greatly in price depending on the situation.”

Eating the food was like an entrance fee, and information costs were separate.

I knew this, but hearing it directly somehow made me angry.

If at least the food prices were reasonable, it would be different. But charging a lot for the food and then charging separately for information… it’s nothing short of robbery.

But what could I do? When you’re desperate, you have to yield.

I took out a badge I had received from Fanatic when pretending to be one of his kind and showed it to Belmont.

-“This is a token I give only to comrades I acknowledge.”

That’s what he said when he gave it to me. Everyone he considers a comrade probably has one.

With that thought, I showed it, but… Belmont looked at the badge I showed him intently for a moment and then began saying something incredibly brazen.

“I’m not sure about this. Could you provide more information that you know? Otherwise, there would be an additional fee…”

“I don’t accept negotiations.”

The nerve of him to glance at Lilith as soon as I pulled this out and then pretend not to know.

He clearly knew something enough to explain it right away.

In that case…

“But I’m willing to pay an additional fee. If you introduce me to someone related to this token.”

“An introduction… that would take some time.”

“What if I lend you this token?”

“What? No… if you do that, it could be arranged as early as tomorrow… but are you really okay with that?”

What Belmont was concerned about was clear.

This was a token that fanatics use to prove they’re comrades, and lending it carelessly could mark us in some way to them.

But we came here to take them down from the beginning, right?

Becoming enemies a little earlier wouldn’t be a problem at all.

“It’s fine. Then for the bill… oh, I’ll come to eat again tomorrow, could you give us a discount?”

“I don’t accept negotiations.”

“That’s too bad.”

And so I finally put to good use the wealth I had been accumulating with no particular purpose.

I didn’t have anything else I needed money for, so spending a lot wasn’t really a blow… but I couldn’t help feeling like my spending habits had expanded.

“Then I’ll come back tomorrow morning… oh, right. By the way.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know any good accommodations nearby?”

I knew of some lodgings, but… they were all places I had only visited in the game.

I thought a local’s direct recommendation would be more reliable.

“Ah… for accommodations, there’s…”

After getting free local accommodation recommendations, we finally left the building.

By then, the sun had completely set, and it had become a dark night. Though the streets were well-lit and not dark, that didn’t keep out the cold night air.

With no intention of wandering around in the middle of the night, we headed to the lodging Belmont recommended, feeling the unique sentiment that rises at night.

And then…

“Oh my, what to do. We only have two double rooms left.”

We faced what was essentially the biggest challenge of this journey.