Awww, you’re praising me too much, boss! You’re making me blush!
“It probably understands our words, and also knows about all the bad things we’ve been up to as well...”
Well, I don’t know everything, but to a certain degree, yeah. On the other hand, I also know about what you did for Berry.
“Huh? What do you mean by bad things?” Berry asked, looking at the two men with a confused expression.
“My name is Júzi,” the boss said.
“And I’m Arguta! Pleased to meet ya!” the underling said. They both ignored Berry’s troubled stare as they bowed deeply toward me.
“I believe you aren’t a normal apple, so I have a request. It might be weird that I’m saying this to an apple, but we’re going to atone for our sins,” Júzi said.
Atone for your sins?
“We decided this from the start. We only stole from evil rich families or from dead adventurers that didn’t leave families behind, but a crime is a crime nonetheless. We planned to turn ourselves in when Berry recovered.”
Oh, so you really are just good people. After everything that’s happened, I feel like no one sees you guys as evil.
“If we’re caught, the best case scenario is that we hang. So if you can find it in your heart to grant our request, I ask you to please take Berry back to her hometown.” Júzi smiled gently with a hint of sadness as he patted Berry’s head.
“So the day’s finally come, eh, Boss? I’m prepared for it though,” Arguta said.
“Huh? What are you both talking about?” Berry asked as she stared into their faces. They each wore a happy yet lonely expression.
“Furutsu, I feel really bad for them,” Grida said.
Grida, I’m gonna take everything in their base.
There was a pause. “Huh?”
Let’s start with this room. Please collect every single thing they have!
“But why? Why should we do such a horrible thing?!”
Because then Júzi and Arguta can wait for the medicine in this city, with their heads held high.
“Huh?!”
It’s not as if they’re well-known in this city. They’re able to walk around in public with their faces exposed, after all. If that’s the case, if they stop their thieving right now, they can live normal lives, punishment-free.
“Furutsu!”
So we’ll take everything they’ve got, their crimes included. Will you do the honors?
Grida laughed. “Roger!”
I rolled into every room I could and emptied them out. As I thought, anything of value seemed to have already been used for Berry’s medical expenses. Júzi, Arguta, and Berry could only stare in surprise at my audacity.
“Furutsu, I think we’re done!”
Okay then! Thank you, Grida.
“This apple stole everything we have...” Júzi said.
“Boss? What does this mean?” Arguta asked.
“Why did that apple...?” Berry mumbled.
You three seem to be confused. Grida, could you please take out that item?
“Okay!” she replied.
A fair distance away from the trio, I produced some odd-looking instruments with a clink—the lockpicks.
“Th-Those are my...” Júzi stammered.
Targeting all picks from numbers one to fifteen. It’s dangerous, so stay back, okay? Strength at one percent. Unchain the wind, entreat the moon!
With a slashing sound, my wind blade sliced every pick in two. I even accidentally cut into the floor a little.
“Eek! Wh-What’s it doing?!” Arguta yelped.
“Eek?!” Berry cried.
Whoops, I guess that was a bit too powerful. I didn’t mean to startle you guys.
“Furutsu, do you think they’ll understand?” Grida said.
Yeah. At the very least, I’m sure Júzi will.
There was a brief silence. “Thank you. I owe you one,” he said.
See?
“Boss? What are you talking about?!”
Yep, that’s the Arguta I know.
“Heh, you idiot. This apple took all of our dirty money and even destroyed my picks to boot. It’s trying to tell us that it’ll let everything go, and that we should look into a career change.”
That’s exactly right, Júzi. You get me. You’re still hiding the fact that you were thieves from Berry.
“Oh, I get it now!” Arguta said, as he seemed to have an aha moment.
He’s so cliché that he reminds me of the thieves you’d see in old-school cartoons.
“Huh? Switch jobs? You guys are going to quit being security guards?” Berry asked.
Pffft? You guys said you were security guards?! You sure love irony, Júzi.
“Yep, our work ends today. Maybe we should become travelers or something,” Júzi replied.
“You’re right! Then we should aim for Berry’s hometown, Muruma!” Arguta said.
I see. Muruma, huh? I’ll keep that in mind.
“I...can go home?” Berry stared at the two thieves, a look of surprise on her face.
“Muruma is quite a ways away. We wouldn’t have been able to move you that far before, but it looks like you’ll be okay now,” Júzi said.
“Guess we should get packing!” Arguta said.
Well, if you’re going on a journey, you’re gonna need some stuff. Details can be found at the end of the first volume.
“You’re exactly right, Furutsu! Hup!” Grida said. A small leather bag appeared in front of the group with a clank.
“Hey, apple. This isn’t fair, y’know?” Júzi said.
Aw, come on, don’t say that. You didn’t steal this—it’s a present from my best friend to you. Grida had taken out a bag filled with the gold coins that Júzi and Arguta had stolen from Holmer’s room. I’ll roll around and apologize to Datil later.
“This is fantastic! We can get moving right away!” Arguta said.
“No, Berry just recovered. We should rest a little.”
“I’m fine! See, look!” Berry suddenly did a handstand and started walking around on her palms.
Hey, were you always this energetic?! Stop that! You’re wearing a skirt! We can’t show something like this!
Júzi laughed. “You’re really so spunky, Berry! I’ve never been happier!”
Arguta agreed. “This really is great!”
With huge smiles on their faces, they both looked teary-eyed at Berry, as though they were looking at their own daughter.
I’m kinda relieved in all sorts of ways.
“This is amazing! You were so frail mere moments ago!” Arguta said.
“Yeah, it’s hard to believe,” Júzi added.
Of course she’s energetic. Though it was for just a moment, thanks to the blessing card, Berry was the second-healthiest person in the world. The healthiest, of course, being myself.
“Apple, we’ll head out tonight. I’ll never forget your kindness,” Júzi said.
Sure! It’s better to leave at night, when there aren’t a lot of people around. Take care!
“Boss Apple! Thank you for everything!” Arguta said.
Boss? I kinda like that.
“Apple-chan, thank you so much! I hope we can meet again!” Berry said.
Yeah, see you around! I’m glad you’re feeling so much better, but don’t wave while you’re doing a handstand. You might get hurt!