BMPEW 61

BMPEW

Chapter 61

“I’m not going somewhere dangerous. I’m planning to visit a friend named Topus.”

First, I planned to convert the gold coins I had into the kingdom’s standard silver coins.

The gold coins I possessed had been given to me by the elders as pocket money long ago, but they weren’t actual coins—they were more like promissory notes with engravings.

The problem was that because they were promissory notes, using them would leave traces. If I wanted to use them secretly without attaching Ignitus’s name, I needed to convert them into silver coins.

However, since I was just a child, I couldn’t go to the bank myself, so I intended to ask someone trustworthy to help.

Why Topus, of all people…?

“Can we grill meat at the practice yard?”

“Shh, miss. This is so delicious.”

We had already shared a big secret before, after all.

I wondered how the head of the household would react if they knew.

‘They told me to always tell the adults if I wanted something…’

But would the adults understand my plan to prevent the kingdom’s future ruin? I couldn’t be sure.

Besides, I never wanted to disappoint the head of the household again.

So I resolved to carry out my plan in a way that wouldn’t get me caught.

Worried about running into someone I knew, I urged my pony forward, and soon we arrived at the Forum.

After tying the pony in a safe spot, I slipped into the crowd with Io.

A little later…

“Where is this place…?”

Going out without Ankus was harder than I expected.

The last time I came, the guards had guided the crowd so it was easy to move, but now, trying to navigate through the throng quickly exhausted me.

“Io, let’s rest for a moment…”

“Yes…”

Io, equally tired, nodded in agreement.

We sat down in front of the large fountain in the center of the square to catch our breath.

The fountain was full of clear water, attracting many children both inside and around it.

Carefully avoiding splashing water, I pulled out the map I had prepared.

Since this Forum had vanished with the kingdom’s fall, everything in this city felt strange to me, even though I had lived 500 years later.

“This way… or maybe that way? All the streets look the same. Io, have you been here before?”

But Io didn’t answer my question.

“Io?”

“Eek!”

Instead, Io’s scream reached my ears.

“Io!”

While I was looking at the map, Io had become the target of mischievous children, getting soaked with water.

Startled, I jumped off the marble I was sitting on, but Io, seemingly used to it, laughed and splashed the children back even harder.

Relieved, I shouted at Io.

“Io, give me the coin pouch and play!”

“Yes!”

After hearing Io’s response, I returned my gaze to the map.

‘So… we need to go east. But where is east?’

“Io, I said give it to me!”

“B-but didn’t you just take it…?”

“…?”

I looked up.

Io, dripping wet, looked at me in confusion.

“I just handed it to you…”

“What? I didn’t take it.”

I quickly scanned my surroundings. There were so many people that it was hard to tell who was who.

Then Io pointed to the ground.

“Miss, look there!”

Footprints had begun where I was sitting and were blending into the crowd.

“Ah, miss, what do we do?”

“We chase them!”

I jumped from the fountain and ran after them.

“Pickpocket! Stop right there!!”

The boy flinched but then ran even faster.

Stealing from children when there’s nothing to steal?

Anger surged through me, and I sent flames toward the boy’s shoes.

“Ah! Hot!”

Startled by the fire on his leather shoes, the boy leaped into the air.

He tried to stamp out the flames, but fire ignited by divine power doesn’t go out easily.

“Captain!”

Panicked, the boy shouted and threw the coin pouch to someone else.

“No!”

So he had accomplices!

Taken aback by the unexpected coordination, I calmly followed the pouch’s trajectory.

It landed in an alley crowded with children.

Though the alley was flanked by bright marble buildings, it didn’t feel too dark.

One boy, his face hidden under a robe, shook the pouch happily.

“Is he the ‘captain’?”

Seeing a few children bowing around him, I assumed so.

A group of kids stealing in the middle of a bustling city. Something I had never imagined.

Moreover, unlike the people on the main street, these children were dressed in extremely tattered clothes.

“Huff… Huff… Miss, is it them?”

Io, who had just caught up, was panting as if ready to charge in.

“…Let’s just go.”

After a moment of hesitation, I decided to turn away with Io.

“Miss, are you really okay? We lost the gold coins given by the elders…”

Io seemed upset at failing to protect the coin pouch, constantly glancing back.

“Gold coins? What are you talking about?”

“Huh?”

“All those coins are just small change. I brought them to buy some chicken skewers.”

I tapped the collar of my outfit, revealing the coins hidden around my neck.

“You shouldn’t keep valuable items in plain sight.”

“Miss…”

Io’s eyes welled with tears, clearly anxious.

“These coins are fine. Let’s consider it alms.”

Though it was only enough for a small meal.

‘I only thought about admiring the city’s splendor, never about its underside. Maybe if I asked the head of the household, they’d find a way to help these kids.’

As I walked, the sweet voice of a young boy called out to us.

“Hey there.”

Despite my intention to ignore it, the voice was persistent.

“Hey, Leaf Hair!”

The boy singled out Io, shouting loudly. Passersby began staring at us. It seemed Io was targeted because he was taller than me.

“Io, let’s just go. We just need to keep going that way.”

“Hey, Leaf! Redhead! Ignoring people, huh? How cheeky.”

‘If trouble starts, I’ll just blast fire again.’

I hurried my steps, thinking that.

Suddenly, the boy who should have been behind us was now blocking our path.

“How…?”

Impossible without power. Was he from a noble family?