white fox
The copycat’s request was simple.
Just to bring you a flower.
To fulfill the request, I took a shovel and a flowerpot and set out on a search. This flower grows only in deep forests that are out of reach.
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Moreover, flowers could only be found under very special conditions.
A flower that usually looks like a common weed, but reveals its true form only on the night of the full moon.
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Moonflower.
Because of these characteristics, moonflowers can only be found on the day of the full moon.
This was also the reason why the copycat readily accepted when I said that I would pay in arrears.
And in the original story, the main character is unaware of this fact, so he goes through a lot of ordeal in the process of saving the moonflower.
“Probably here.”
An unnamed forest on the outskirts of London.
I wandered around looking for moonflowers in a natural place where no traces of civilization were felt.
[If not, what would you do?]
“You have to go around until you find it.”
If you miss today, you will only have to suck your fingers sideways for 30 days.
Of course, the phantom thieves’ activities will also be disrupted because they won’t be able to make the next deal with the copycat without repaying the overdue trauma.
I searched all around as much as possible and wandered around looking for the moonflower.
After so long, I finally found the moonflower.
“found!”
Silver-colored buds shyly poking out under a giant oak tree.
It exudes a modest yet subtle beauty, as if illuminating the surroundings.
That’s the moonflower. It is a mysterious flower suitable for a fantasy background in many ways.
It is one of the best medicinal herbs, one of the characteristics that cannot be missed beyond simply being beautiful in appearance.
As for how deceptive its efficacy is, it shows performance such as relieving pain or enhancing regenerative power just by decoction of petals without the need for processing.
Of course, it would be unreasonable to go beyond that level to treat really serious diseases or wounds. In the first place, it should be at the level of the Elixir in the legend.
[What are we going to do now?]
“I found it, so I have to take it.”
Carefully dig up the surrounding soil so as not to injure the flower, and transfer it to a pot.
Even if you do this, of course, when the full moon sets, the flowers will wither.
In order to keep the potted moonflowers blooming, there must be ‘moonlight’ light.
It must have been prepared by the imitator.
Because the only request I received in the first place was to bring the moonflowers. After that, it’s up to the other person to take care of it, and I didn’t have to worry about it.
“Now let’s go back.”
[I’m glad it ended easier than I thought.]
“Iknow, right.”
It was a moment when I was about to leave the forest holding a flowerpot preciously.
Suddenly, the bushes behind him shook, revealing his presence.
Even though I thought it was no big deal, I raised my vigilance in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
After such a subtle confrontation, the opponent finally showed up first.
I blinked and paused for a moment before opening my mouth.
“It’s a fox.”
[I see.]
It was a little fox cub.
However, it was not the red fur that often comes to mind when people think of foxes, but a white fox with white fur like snow.
blink blink.
A bundle of fur with blue eyes blinking while making eye contact with me.
cute. I want to take you and raise you.
Desire swelled for a moment, but then he shook his head and gave up quickly.
There must be parents nearby.
I don’t think I’ll be able to manage it properly if I take it for nothing.
[Hmm. Obviously that kid…]
“Why?”
[no. It is nothing.]
what. Speaking meaningfully.
I was about to leave the place after looking at the cute fox for a while, but upon closer inspection, I found that the fox’s front leg was slightly scarred.
The white hair makes it stand out more.
There was a small amount of blood and a red mark, but fortunately it didn’t seem like a serious wound.
Did you get hurt while playing? Maybe he was stabbed by something like a thornbush.
After looking down at him for a moment, he carefully removed one of the moonflower petals.
[Are you okay? Even if I use flowers to pay for.]
“It’s only one petal, what do you think?”
I crouched down and called the fox.
“Come on. Ha Yang-ah.”
[It’s such a stupid title.]
What does this goddess know? Original animal names are cute when they are simple.
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My hair is new, so it’s white. How intuitive and cute.
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Maybe he understood that he was calling me when he motioned for me.
For a wild animal, he’s not afraid of humans. Or maybe I was smart enough to notice that I had no bad intentions.
Up close, it was really pretty. It’s not just an ordinary street animal, it’s like a magical divine beast.
Close enough to reach if you reach out your hand.
He carefully grabbed the fox’s forelegs and rubbed the removed petals onto the wounded area.
“·················ogue.”
Aren’t you sick? Then I saw him I’ve never cried before.
Fox’s cry is said to be rare to hear. Do you want to bark like a dog?
After rubbing it for about 10 seconds and removing it, the wound was completely healed.
It is also a moonflower flower. He nodded in satisfaction, admiring the great performance.
Now is the time to really go. Since the baby is gone, the parent fox must be very worried.
Finally, he stroked his hair and said goodbye.
“Haya. Eat well and live well.”
He just looked up at me with his unique, mysterious eyes, and didn’t show any other reaction.
***
“Five. You really brought it.”
“Because it was a deal.”
The imitator looked at the moonflowers I was carrying with satisfaction.
I’ve thought about it before, but even though my face is completely covered with a bandage, I feel like I can see her expression.
Even though the only thing you can actually see is your eyes.
“By the way, did you use one petal?”
“I used it as a performance test to see if it was in good condition.”
“Hmm. If it’s just one piece, there shouldn’t be a problem. Anyway, thank you.”
It’s a terrifyingly sharp sense. You notice at once that only one petal has disappeared.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“of course. This is enough.”
The reason why imitators collect moonflowers was not revealed even in the original work.
However, if there is one thing for sure, the amount of moonflowers he has collected so far is not one or two.
What does an artist who makes fakes really want?
“Then you stupid thief. Please take good care of me next time.”
“Because the previous modifier is omitted.”
After completing the transaction safely, he escaped the copycat’s basement.
***
[Are you going to end here today?]
It was already midnight.
After disposing of the paintings at the witch’s shop, going into the woods to collect moonflowers, and then going down to the mimic’s basement, that’s enough.
However, if possible, I wanted to make a sure ending.
“I’m thinking about where to donate the money I disposed of.”
This has always been a concern. The amount was too large to be given blindly, so I had to choose it as carefully as possible. In addition, if you give it to the same place all the time, you may be misunderstood, so you need to search for multiple candidates.
I must say that I am too busy to manage by myself.
[How about the last orphanage?]
“I do not know. It’s not a continuation, so it might be okay, but do I have to give it to you again?”
[Last time I saw it, it didn’t seem like a lot of money was needed.]
Surely it was. The circumstances of the orphanage are so dire, there is a good chance that the money you donated last time will not be enough.
“Then shall we go and take a peek?”
[That would be good.]
With that in mind, we went to the orphanage we donated last time to see what happened.
At least when I did a thorough investigation, the director there was a very honest person. I believed that I was never a human being who would swipe back the money I donated or divert it for personal greed.
But why?
Has the appearance of the orphanage not changed at all from the last time?
“·················ogue.”
To be honest, I was quite shocked. Enough to feel skeptical about the activities so far.
Always living as a phantom thief according to romance and romance, deep in his heart, he hoped that the world would be better.
So, even when people criticized me for being a bad thief, I didn’t care and let it go.
Because I don’t think of myself as a bad person anyway.
Because I moved based on the belief that I help people in need.
But contrary to what I thought, the orphanage did not change at all.
why? Did the ledger really stole the money?
The question was solved sooner than expected.
Two men enter the orphanage.
Their attire proudly revealed their profession.
Department of Internal Revenue Service under the Ministry of Finance of Britannia.
Simply put, they were civil servants.
Why did they personally come to this shabby orphanage? The children trembled at the appearance of the stranger, and the director welcomed them with a detached attitude.
I sneaked into the orphanage through the ceiling to listen to the conversation going in and out of the room.
And I realized the whole story.
“Hey inspiration. Isn’t there some hidden money?”
“…is it possible? Haven’t you already given them all…”
“If you play a shallow trick, you go straight to the iron spear. Aren’t you really on the same side with the phantom thief!?”
“no. Really believe it. be well.”
okay. That’s how it happened.
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Maybe I was just too lazy. Even though it can’t be solved so easily.
[What do you plan to do now? It’s my child.]
The sweet voice of the goddess awakened my mind.
What are you going to do?
That’s so simple.
“I have to give it all back.”