Gauss admitted that he really had had a chance to stop the black-robed figure just now.
But when it came to something like this, his first instinct was not to get involved.
If a group of novice adventurers had been in danger, or if it had clearly been a case of someone throwing their weight around, he might have intervened without hesitation.
But in those brief few seconds, he hadn't known either party's identities or motives, nor what had actually happened. All he could do was hold back and observe.
In a place as chaotic as this market, a rash intervention might have done more harm than good.
And the little uncertainty in Gauss's hesitation vanished under the man's self-righteous questioning.
He was right.
"Why should I help you?"
Gauss's voice wasn't loud, but it rang out clearly at the quiet alley entrance.
His calm gaze rested on the man in front of him without the slightest hint of evasion.
The man had already lost sight of the person he'd been chasing. Then the man in front of him answered with a cold retort, and his anger flared.
His face reddened, veins bulging.
The customers and shopkeepers in the surrounding stores had heard the commotion and were now leaning out to watch, murmuring among themselves.
"She stole my stuff! You're standing right here. Isn't it only natural for you to stop her? Or are you in cahoots with her? Is that why you deliberately blocked the road here?"
As he spoke, he thrust his hairy right arm toward Gauss's shoulder.
His companions closed in behind him. They looked hostile, their hands drifting toward the weapons at their waists.
Gauss moved quickly. The instant the burly man made his move, he nimbly dodged to the side.
The man's shove met empty