Sky Thief

Arthur brought Mickey outside. The soldiers on Rhine Island stood in rows, securing the island's port and main roads.

Before long, the dazed Will was carried to the Governor's Mansion by two navy soldiers.

"Damn you, Will!"

Governor Drew slapped him across the face, jolting him awake. "Where are the keys to the treasury?!"

The treasury auditor held the keys to the treasury. It was the only way to open its doors.

Even Governor Drew had to register with the tax officer before entering the treasury, write out an authorization slip himself, and then order Will to open it.

"The treasury keys... The treasury..."

Will fumbled around his chest for a long time. His pupils slowly widened. The treasury keys were gone.

"Damn it! Come with me to the treasury!"

Governor Drew realized the situation was serious and hurriedly led a group of men to the treasury.

Lord Eisen hurried over from a distance, still maintaining his noble composure.

He came up beside Arthur, a clear, vacant look in his eyes, and asked, "Lord Arthur, what happened?"

Arthur lowered his voice. "Will, the treasury auditor, lost his keys."

Lord Eisen's gaze sharpened. The loss of the treasury keys was serious.

"Captain James is dead."

"What?!"

Lord Eisen drew in a sharp breath. Captain James had been the finest gunner in the Rhine Island fleet.

"What happened? How did Captain James die?"

"Will's wife, Mary, killed him... His body is in the garden of the inn."

Arthur's words left Lord Eisen somewhat bewildered. Events had become too complicated, and he couldn't wrap his head around them all at once.

Arthur smiled and followed Governor Drew to the treasury on Rhine Island.

The treasury guards stood at attention. As soon as they saw Governor Drew, they called out, "Governor!!!"

Governor Drew passed the guards and went to the treasury door. When he opened it, the treasury came into view: a massive iron safe.

Standing outside the treasury, Arthur looked at the scene inside. It was completely empty, without a single copper coin. There was only one enormous safe.

Governor Drew stood behind the enormous safe. He saw a hole about the size of a fist, then bent over and looked inside. There was nothing in the safe.

His ruddy face, long weathered by the sea breeze, turned crimson. Governor Drew's vision went black.

The safe in Rhine Island's treasury had been robbed!

How was he supposed to explain this to the officials of the Tudor Dynasty? Most of the money inside came from taxes paid by merchant ships. Would he have to make up the shortfall himself?!

"Seal off the entire island and search every merchant ship!

"Captain Eisen, take the fleet and blockade the port. Don't let a single suspect slip through."

Arthur rubbed his chin, thinking this was an opportunity. The missing treasury gold needed an explanation.

Ships carrying large quantities of gold on the sea—aside from merchant ships passing through, only pirates had that kind of wealth.

If the Royal Navy plundered merchant ships, the news would spread, and the nobles on land would tear Governor Drew apart. Plenty of nobles coveted the position of governor of Rhine Island.

The news quickly spread across Rhine Island, throwing passing merchants into a panic.

"We need to leave Rhine Port and head to Fog City!!"

"Let us leave! We've already paid our taxes. Otherwise, I'll file a complaint against you with the Minister of Finance!"

"I heard the Sky Thief is on Rhine Island. All my goods are on my ship. Let me leave!"

Arthur took Mickey to a tavern for rum and to ask about the latest news.

Lord Arthur's fame had spread across Rhine Island. Everywhere he went, he drew attention.

Dandelion Tavern.

Arthur had only just arrived at the tavern when—

"Oh! Welcome to Dandelion Tavern, brave Lord Arthur!"

The bartender called out loudly, "A glass of sherry for Lord Arthur and his sailors, on the house!"

Arthur chuckled and tossed a gold coin onto the table. "Drinks for everyone in the tavern."

"Oh! Thank you for your generosity, Lord Arthur!"

A barmaid at Dandelion Tavern brought over two glasses of sherry. It came from a special region of the Xiya Empire, and a single glass cost one silver coin.

Arthur took a sip of the sherry. It did have a distinctive taste. He tapped his fingers on the bar.

"Any interesting news? For example, stories about the Sky Thief."

The Sky Thief.

Dandelion Tavern fell silent, then erupted into a clamor as everyone began talking over one another about the stories they had heard of the Sky Thief.

The tavern's waiter, Chatel, suddenly spoke up. "The Sky Thief who stole the Golden Thorn Badge in Fog City?"

Arthur looked at the waiter, Chatel. He was about five foot three, with short reddish-brown hair, a broad face, and a hooked nose. On closer inspection, he seemed a little cross-eyed.

He had a strong foreign accent and looked like a native of the New Continent.

"Bring this waiter a glass of sherry."

"Thank you, Lord Arthur."

Chatel's eyes flickered. He bowed slightly and recounted what he knew.

The Sky Thief had once struck in Fog City, the capital of the Tudor Dynasty, stealing a precious Golden Thorn Badge from the Fog City Museum.

After the Age of Navigation began, the Tudor Dynasty's vanguard fleet took part in opening new sea routes.

The sailors who later returned alive were honored by the Church of Light and awarded the Golden Thorn Badge and noble titles.

Arthur asked with a smile, "About when did that happen?"

"It was in August 1601. I don't remember the exact date," Chatel said, apparently unable to recall it.

The sherry was brought to Chatel. He bowed slightly. "Thank you for your generosity."

Arthur closed his eyes and considered this clue. Then he suddenly asked, "Does anyone know where the Golden Thorn Badge has turned up?"

After a pause, he added, "I mean after August."

No sail could keep the wind out. A sailor stood up and said, "I think I've seen a thorn badge, with the captain of the Tuna Pirate Ship."

"Did you see it yourself, or did you hear about it?"

"I saw it myself. I'm not sure it was the same one, but it was pure gold... with a thorn design."

Arthur tapped the table and said, "Bring this sailor a glass of sherry."

The sailor's delight was plain to see. Sherry was expensive, not something a sailor could afford!

"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Arthur!"

The Golden Thorn Badge stolen by the Sky Thief had turned up in a pirate captain's possession. It was hard not to wonder whether the two were connected.

The corners of Arthur's mouth lifted slightly. He tossed another gold coin to the bartender.

"Bartender, is there a decent restaurant on Rhine Island?"

The bartender answered respectfully, "Turn left when you leave Dandelion Tavern. There's a restaurant for nobles nearby. The chef's cod rolls are second to none."

Arthur turned to Mickey and said, "Mickey, invite Governor Drew. I'll treat him at the nobles' restaurant."

Mickey muttered under his breath, "What should I say to invite him?"

Governor Drew was in a terrible mood.

"Tell him I have a way to help him resolve the tax problem."