The elderly tanuki woman emerges from beneath the shrine gate, clutching a torn inventory slip. She hurries to the abandoned cart and points at the lacquered boxes.
The Elderly Villager
That box is missing. It bears my household mark, and it was loaded before you abandoned the cart. You hid it somewhere.
The slip trembles in the elderly villager’s paw as she holds it toward the bandit leader. Dust settles over the opened chests, where no matching lacquered box can be seen.
Genzaburo
We took what was already loaded. Search the cart if you doubt me, but do not accuse me of concealing more.
The bandit leader spreads one broad paw toward the chests, his heavy jaw set. Behind him, Koharu glances toward the cart’s rear axle, then quickly looks away.
Koharu
Genzaburo, perhaps we should check the underside before we leave. A box could have been shifted during loading.
Genzaburo
You said the load was counted, Koharu. Are you now claiming you failed to watch it?
✓ Quest Accepted
Recover the missing heirloom
“I sternly ask the bandit leader "how can I be so sure neither of you are lying to make an opportunity to steal belongings in secret?”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +1)
Minato usagi
How can I be sure neither of you is lying, hoping to create an opportunity to steal the villagers’ belongings in secret?
Minato’s stern question settles over the square. Genzaburo’s paw remains extended toward the chests, but his eyes shift to Koharu, whose ears flatten beneath his scrutiny.
Genzaburo
You cannot be sure from words alone. Search the cart, then. Koharu will show you where she noticed the missing weight.
Koharu
Genzaburo, I did not say I saw a box beneath it. I said the axle was disturbed.
Under Minato’s unwavering stare, Koharu kneels beside the rear axle and points beneath the cart. A lacquered corner shows through the dust, hidden behind the frame.
Genzaburo
There. Take it out and return it to the villager. I will not have this accusation made true by my own silence.
Koharu draws the missing lacquered box from beneath the cart and carries it to the elderly villager. The elderly tanuki woman receives it with both paws as the villagers gather closer.
“I ask "I'm surprised bandits like you are so cooperative, you came here to steal belongings, yet you are so willing to go out of your way to stand down. Why is that?" Not as an interrogation, but out of genuine curiosity”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +0)
Minato usagi
I’m surprised bandits like you are so cooperative. You came here to steal belongings, yet you are willing to stand down. Why is that?
The question carries no accusation, only genuine curiosity. Genzaburo studies Minato’s drawn sword, then looks toward the villagers and the recovered box in the elderly villager’s paws.
Genzaburo
Because stealing is work, not worship. We came for goods, not corpses. Once the villagers’ property is returned, there is no profit in making enemies of them.
His broad paw lowers from the chests. Around the square, the raiders remain watchful but make no move toward their weapons, and the villagers listen in wary silence.
Koharu
He means it. We have rules. No burning homes, no harming children, and no killing unless someone forces the matter beyond retreat.
Genzaburo
Besides, a village remembers. We may pass through here again, and I would rather be cursed as a thief than hunted as a butcher.
For the first time, Genzaburo’s hard expression eases. The cart stands abandoned, its stolen load exposed, while the recovered box rests safely with its owner.
“I tell the bandits "if you want to have a true code of ethics, steal from those who deserve it. Not these people, they've done nothing wrong, these belongings are their livelihoods and honest earnings. Steal from those who willing take advantage of others." I say, trying to convince them”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +1)
Minato usagi
If you want a true code of ethics, steal from those who deserve it. These people have done nothing wrong. Their belongings are their livelihoods and honest earnings. Take from those willing to take advantage of others.
Minato’s words hang beneath the shrine gate. The elderly villager draws the recovered box closer, while Genzaburo’s gaze moves over the villagers, their worn homes, and the modest goods reclaimed from the cart.
Genzaburo
You call that a code, ronin? Perhaps it is a better one than the code we brought here.
The bandit leader looks down at the loaded chests. His broad shoulders settle, and the hard authority in his face gives way to an uncomfortable, thoughtful silence.
Koharu
He is right. These villagers have nothing to spare. If we must live outside the law, we can at least choose the cruel and greedy as our targets.
Genzaburo
Then it is settled. We leave their goods behind, and from this day forward we choose our victims with more care. No taking from those who have only honest work to lose.