Chapter 268: Victory is a Side Reward (5)
The Great Thief Shade. It was a grand title for a mere criminal, but Shade was a thief who deserved such a name. A lunatic who always sent a warning before stealing. A lunatic who never once used that warning as a bluff. A lunatic who had never once failed.
Most notably, he had stolen from the emperor himself. Afterward, he even boasted that there was nothing in this world he couldn’t steal. However, an emperor was still an emperor. Shade, who had believed he would never be caught by anyone, was eventually caught by the emperor and brought to the execution platform.
On the day of his execution, thousands of spectators gathered. The executioner told Shade to leave a final message, and Shade shouted as if he had been waiting for the moment.
“If you want my treasure, I’ll give it to you. Go ahead and find it. The strongest swordsmanship! The greatest elixirs! And endless piles of gold! I left it all there!”
It was his answer to the crowd who had demanded to know where he hid the countless treasures he had stolen.
Then, Shade’s head fell as he finished riling up the crowd. Everyone believed that the world’s greatest thief had died that day. However, most people believed Shade didn’t die, and for good reason.
Shade had been a master of disguise. From child to elder, from height to build, even voice, his technique, the Ever-Shifting Deception, let him change everything.
After Shade’s so-called death, countless adventurers and treasure hunters set out seeking his treasures, and an age of grand adventurers rose for a brief time. As a result, many hidden relics and treasures were discovered, and even architecture advanced dramatically in order to prevent theft.
Moreover, even some of Shade’s treasures were found. Among them was the Seven Tools of Shade.
Keter showed one of those tools now, a master key, and said, “It’s true I have that man’s belongings, but unfortunately, I’m not his apprentice.”
Zioran folded his arms and scoffed. “Keter, I do not know how a noble like you has any connection to Shade, but if you tell me his location, movements, or anything related to him, I may overlook everything.”
“Listen. I won Pigasso’s Widow from gambling. I didn’t recognize it at first, but there was Shade’s signature on the back. I took it for that reason alone, and only later found out it was the incredibly valuable Widow.”