Side: Ratz
"Welcome~! The register is over here. If you need help with how to shop, please ask one of our staff members, or you can find the supermarket usage guide in the pamphlet."
"Yes, for how to use this product—"
"Please do not open any items you haven't purchased yet—"
Amid all that bustle, I'm working together with the security team on a certain task.
"W-Why... my body won't..."
"As stated in the pamphlet, that happens when you take unpurchased items outside the store."
"Indeed. That is theft. Tori, can I leave the rest to you?"
"Yes. Good luck with the shop, Ratz."
"You too, Tori. I know you're busy, but do your best."
After that exchange, Tori's subordinates dragged the idiot away.
Foundation Day.
I suppose this was bound to happen once we opened the gates to the general public.
Since we officially founded the nation yesterday and started accepting outsiders, it has been far too busy. The only saving grace is that the 'Residential' district is mostly occupied by our actual citizens, so no problems have occurred there yet. The issues are concentrated in the shops located in the 'Adventurer' and 'Commercial' districts.
The commercial district was on the same floor as the adventurer district, which meant we were right next door to a bunch of extremely stupid adventurers.
We provided thorough explanations and handed out pamphlets, but I suppose for some, that just isn't enough. As a precaution, we've put out requests through the Adventurer's Guild to hire personnel for maintaining public order. Most of the adventurers who were in Weed before today have accepted these requests and are patrolling the districts for us.
Since this is our first festival and a major event for all of Weed—with many influential figures in attendance—we've kept the 'Call' lines open. Unless specified otherwise, everyone can hear what is being said to allow for quick follow-ups even if one person is tied down.
"Tch. Why am I carrying a spear anyway?"
As a Representative, I have a duty to protect the shops. However, carrying a weapon—a symbol of protecting things through brute force—is generally avoided in Weed.
In fact, carrying weapons is fundamentally restricted here. But, since we've admitted a large number of civilians for the first time, we've required adventurers to put 'Paralysis Charms' on their weapons and carry them in designated bags.
Even so, in the last two days, there have been 25 cases of idiots drawing weapons during brawls or threats, only to end up paralyzed and crawling on the ground. 72 cases of theft in the shops. 54 troubles at the stalls. 5 cases of trouble involving nobles. As for the details... well, it's better to just look at the reports from Tori and the police.
Basically, judging by the numbers, there are a lot of troubles related to the shops I represent. Therefore, I've been granted permission to carry a spear under my personal authority as a Representative. Honestly, I could handle things just fine with my fists, but we've agreed that we should keep our true strength hidden for now, so I carry the spear on my back.
『Shoplifting incident reported at Super Ratz Branch 4 in the commercial district. Ratz, if you can, please come.』
Again? I just got back to the office... It sounds like Riel arrived just as Tori was leaving.
"Yes, I'm on my way."
Answering through the line, I grabbed my spear and left the office.
"Representative, I could have gone alone..."
"If I'm available, I should go too. If there's trouble at the same time, I can leave this to Carly, but if there isn't, then if I don't go personally, people might start questioning my position as representative."
"I... see. I'm sorry.. Since yesterday... no, since before the festival, you've been working nonstop as representative and handling preparations and everything..."
The human woman coming with me is named Carly. She's an immigrant from Roshure—one of the original 300 residents. She's around the same age as me.
Since we were both former slaves, we can relate to each other on many levels, and together we've been working hard to support the shops. That's probably why she's so worried about me working non-stop.
"No, I appreciate the concern, but now is the time to push through."
"Yes. But please don't overdo it. It's only been about two months since you got married, right?"
"Haha. Well, we haven't officially submitted the paperwork at the government office yet, so technically we're not married under Weed's laws."
That's right.
According to the laws of Weed, Onii-san and I aren't technically a married couple yet. We've been so busy.
Thanks to Luna-san, the nights have been... satisfying, but we can't just pop a document onto a desk and call it a marriage. Since I and the others are all Representatives, we need to hold a grand wedding ceremony and announce it to all the residents.
"But Yuki-san wouldn't mind that kind of thing at all. He really treasures you and everyone else. Please take good care of your belly. It wouldn't be strange if you're already carrying Yuki-san's child, you know? If anything were to happen, we'd all be devastated."
"...You're right. I'll protect my belly no matter what."
I reflexively patted my stomach.
It's not bulging or anything, so I can't tell what's happening inside. If his child is there, I will protect it with everything I have. Though, with the 'Designated Protection' active inside Weed, I can't actually get hurt.
"I'll never forget how happy you looked back then, Representative Ratz. Usually, you're so composed with your work, but you were on cloud nine that day."
"We promised not to talk about that anymore!"
That's right. The day after my brother and I did it for the first time, I had work the next morning, so I thought I was acting normal... but apparently I was so ecstatic that everyone noticed and congratulated me, saying "Something good must have happened! Congratulations!"
"We'd been hearing about you and Yuki-san all the time at after-work drinking parties, you know. Honestly, after you left that day, we even held a congratulations party."
"Whaaaat, for real!?"
"For real. You always used to consult with us at the drinking parties about how to win Yuki-san over, and you were so serious about it. For those of us who were always listening, your happiness is something worth raising a toast to."
"That is... well, thank you."
"Yes, so if you ever feel unwell, please tell us right away. We'd feel terrible toward Yuki-san, and we'd be sad too."
"I understand. I'll make sure to rely on you."
"Yes, please do."
Chatting like that, we arrived in front of the shop.
"Ah, you're finally here. I'm busy too, you know."
"Sorry. So, where's the culprit?"
"This way."
Following Riel, we found a few police officers standing near an alley.
"What's the situation?"
"Well, we have him in custody, but..."
As Riel's subordinate began to explain...
『Let me go!! Do you know who I am? I'm a duke of ○○ country!! You think you can get away with this!?』
"It's like that. He's just persistently insisting he didn't do anything."
"Ugh, why would a noble be alone in a place meant for ordinary customers? And shoplifting, of all things."
Riel is on the line with the relevant parties while turning her gaze toward us.
She likely needs our testimony.
"So, what exactly happened?"
"Oh, the store manager and the representative."
One of the shop clerks had been called as a witness and explained it to us.
To put it simply, just like other thieves, the 'Paralysis' triggered once he crossed the 5-meter mark outside the store. An adventurer hired for security found him collapsed and restrained him. They called Riel's team, and then I arrived.
"That shop clerk forgot to deactivate it!! I didn't do anything wrong!!"
The idiot in question claimed that the paralysis activated because the cashier forgot to process the payment.
But we can see right through that kind of stupid lie.
"I see. In that case, could you please show us your receipt?"
"Hah? Re-ceipt?
"Yes, the paper that lists the purchase record. If you bought the items, you should have received one."
"Exactly. The pamphlet even mentions that keeping it is important, doesn't it?" Carly added.
Indeed, we hand out receipts so that any errors can be identified immediately. No resident in this town is foolish enough to throw a receipt away right away.
Furthermore, there are more reasons to suspect this fool.
"I don't know! I wasn't given such a thing!!"
"I see. Then, what time did you buy them?"
"Hah?"
"The receipt lists the exact time of purchase, so we can verify if you bought them right away. Looking at you, you're clutching those items like an idiot. It should be easy to tell if you paid. Oh, by the way, what happened to your bag?"
"Bag?"
"Look around. Every shopper is carrying the same bag. We made them so we can tell at a glance that they purchased items from our store. They are handed to you once you pay at the register."
Realizing what I was getting at, his face turned pale.
"Nobody who actually pays carries their items in their arms like you're doing."
Now then, I'm getting tired of this back-and-forth.
"Well, feel free to keep denying it. However, we will need to explain this in front of your attendants and the envoys of other nations. We'll explain why you were restrained and arrested. I wonder what they'll think when they hear the facts?"
"T-That's..."
Given the situation, everyone will certainly conclude you are the culprit.
Causing trouble at another nation's festival—your reputation will plummet, and things might get quite difficult for you. There's a possibility of it being a plot by another country... but for a simple theft? At least manage your affairs without being so easily manipulated.
"Anyway, struggling any further is pointless. If you behave yourself, we might show some leniency."
"......"
"Alright, please take him away. Riel, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Yeah, yeah, leave it to me."
With that, Riel dragged the man away.
Too bad for him. Riel has already contacted the relevant parties; it's too late now. I hope he spends some time reflecting.
"Well, shall we head back?"
"Yes."
As I spoke with Carly on our way back to the shop...
"Ooh, it's Ratz."
"Ratz-oneechan!"
"Ratz-neesama!"
"...Ara? What are you doing outside, Ratz?"
"Ratz, we came to buy some food~"
Onii-san, the little ones, and Milly were walking toward us. Why on earth would they come to the supermarket specifically on a festival day?
"In that case, Representative Ratz, I can handle the shop alone just fine. Please, go and enjoy yourself."
"Ah, Carly..."
With that, Carly hurried back into the shop.
Oh dear, she's being overly considerate. But since it's a kind gesture, I suppose I'll take advantage of it.
"You're right. Let's go get something to eat together. But not at the supermarket."
Answering with a smile, I ran over to Onii-san and the others.
Yes, being around this person is definitely where I feel most at home.
