NOVPUB
Chapter 62: Korgin’s troubles
"However, what if I had evidence?"
"Huh? What are you..." The Half-Orc panicked again, taking a defensive stance. All the other Dwarves and Half-Orcs around the fire got up as well, and the tension was palpable.
However, Riku’s eyes went towards Korgin again. The Dwarf was wearing a slightly oversized, floppy leather hat, pulled down low.
"Korgin, wasn’t it?" Riku said, his voice still calm, but with an edge of certainty. "You’ve been by the fire for an hour, you say? That’s a long time to wear a hat indoors, especially next to a warm fire. Are we hiding something important under there? Perhaps something that doesn’t belong to you?"
Korgin flinched, his hand instinctively going to his hat. "Noo... it is not bad to wear it inside." However, the nervousness laced in his voice made it evident to the Half-Orcs and Dwarves who were trying to defend him as well.
"Just an observation," Riku said mildly. "Sometimes, things have a way of... revealing themselves." He made a small, almost imperceptible gesture with his fingers. "Wind Gust."
A tiny, localized puff of air, no stronger than a sudden draft, swirled around Korgin’s head. It was just enough to catch the brim of his floppy hat and send it tumbling to the ground.
And there, nestled in Korgin’s matted hair, for all to see, was Riku’s leather coin pouch.
A stunned silence fell over the group. Korgin froze, his face a mask of guilt and terror. The other Dwarves and Half-Orcs looked from the pouch to Korgin, then to Riku.
Before Riku could say another word, the elderly Dwarf who had spoken earlier pushed his way forward. He looked at Korgin with deep disappointment, then turned to Riku, his shoulders slumped.
"Master," he said, his voice heavy with apology. "It seems... it seems my grandson has brought shame upon us."
Korgin began to tremble, tears welling in his eyes. "Elder Borin... I... I didn’t mean..."
The Half-Orc that had been defending Korgin earlier also came forward and started to beg Riku.
"Master mage, I was blind earlier. Please forgive us."
"Korgin is young, and times are hard. We... we can compensate you for your loss. How about this, we will return double of what he took from you?" Saying that, he took out his own satchel and emptied it on the table, revealing 10 silver coins.
Seeing this, all the other individuals started pooling their money as well, some running home to get more. Soon, a small, desperate pile of copper and silver pieces formed.
"Hmph, we had at least 100 gold coins in here. All of this is not even 10 gold coin," Lila spoke as she opened Riku’s satchel to show the others. Though her voice was softer than earlier, she was still displeased as the people here had tried to defend a thief.
The sight of the gold coins brought everyone a new wave of panic.
"100..100 gold coins? Korgin, you stole 100 gold coins? You.. You.." Elder Borin tried to scold Korgin, but could not speak clearly. He fell back onto his stool.
"Finished. We are finished..." The Half-Orc muttered in despair as he no longer had any cards to play.
Korgin, on the side, kept sobbing endlessly.
"Riku, how about we solve it privately? Do we have to report it? We already got the money back," Elara spoke quietly.
"That is not impossible; however, I want to know something," Riku said, as he turned towards Korgin.
"You do not seem to come from a thieving background. Why did you steal my satchel?"
"Sob.. I still needed more than 100 silver to buy a dose of medicine for my sister. She has been in a lot of pain. And this master just looked like a rich traveler who would not be able to find me later. So I.. so I.. sob" Korgin sobbed.
"Is she also suffering from crimson rashes like this?" Elara spoke as she moved her sleeves to show her rashes and slowly removed her face wrappings.
"Yes! Exactly this!"
"Initially, it was manageable, but the pain and suffering have really amplified over the past few days. The rashes on my sister have become very dark. Now, she is almost constantly in pain. I.. I was desperate. Sob"
"But you.. you cannot steal from others. How do you think she would react if she found out that you stole? Do you think that she would be very proud? You.. cough cough" Elder Borin started scolding Korgin again.
"I... I am sorry. I won’t do it again..."
Riku sighed. He quickly concluded that the medicine was probably out of stock from the legal markets and was being sold for atrocious prices in the black market. However, one thing still remained that puzzled him.
"This medicine, can it cure the Crimson Creep?" He asked Korgin.
"Cure? Absolutely not. But it might help manage the symptoms, just like the sister here. She should have taken the medicine, so she is still able to function well."
"Ah, I did not take any medicine. It was Riku here who helped me," Elara shook her head, and glanced at Riku.
"What? Sister, you should take the medicine immediately. You are rich, so a couple of doses should be easy to get. It is very painful once it develops. My sister has been unable to get out of the bed. You should ask big brother to buy you a dose immediately."
"Also, as your conditions are not too advanced, maybe you could let me have a quarter of it...or even one-fifth." Korgin’s voice trailed off as he made his request.
"Korgin!!" Elder Borin flared up again.
"Elder Borin, it is fine." Riku spoke gently, his trademark smile returning to his face.
"Huh? Master, are you upset? We don’t want anything..." Elder Borin tried to explain, unable to process the change in Riku’s demeanor.
"Really, it is fine. Everyone, you do not need to be so tense." Riku said, smiling as he pointed at the small heap of coins on the table.
"Please take your money back. In fact, give me a minute. I will be right back."
With that, Riku swiftly left the place.
