The Greatest of Tresaures.

Value can be defined in many ways. Some might consider a brush as their most prized possession, just as others don’t think much of wealth. When asked, what is the greatest treasure in this world? Thieves will naturally answer what is rare and invaluable, because money is the greatest measure of value to the eyes of the masses.

But when an unparalleled overlord who owns everything in the world orders you to bring him the greatest treasure of the land, things become much more complicated. One would be inclined to believe that such a treasure would already be in the possession of that proud conqueror, and so, stealing from the king himself to then present his own treasure would be the logical way to go about things—regardless of what that treasure might be.

But Rahu, as reckless and impulsive as he is, knew better than to disrespect Jormungand like that.
So, back to the matter at hand: What could be the greatest treasure in this land?
A single answer came to him.

Something that the king of Hell cannot put his hand on.

“And Hell, is not as united as he makes it to be.”

After an entire day of intel gathering, and another day of travel, Rahu came up with a plan.
He learned that Hell is a vast world that was once separated into nine nations, which The Overlord eventually conquered and unified. Some nations were annihilated and stripped of their identities, while others, were allowed to persevere as a vassal state. 

One such nation is the Danye Province.
Their royal family still exists, and their castles are still as before.
And in the capital of the province, at the former royal castle, a treasure that Jormungand cannot obtain remains, lest another war breaks out in Hell.

The symbol of the Danye Royal Lineage.
The Jewels of the crown.

“It’s not the first time I’m infiltrating a royal castle.” Rahu muttered alone, standing before the gigantic gates of the palace. “But a castle full of monsters? I gotta get a little bit serious on this one.”

As if he was about to play, the bold and confident thief began his infiltration.
Walking the front gates of the castle, he mixed in with the monsters through the gates.
The guards only cast a glance at the unfamiliar lad, only to find themselves terrified at the shade of his skin.

Going further in the glorious palace, halls filled with painted canvases of kingly monsters, and artistic representations of previous battles that occurred in Hell, at a certain door visitors to the castle are stopped there.
A dog and a crocodile in heavy armor guarded the entry to the inner palace, each holding a lance.

“Step back visitor, only the people of this palace may go beyond this point. You will not pass without an appointment.”

“Wait, look…”

The two glanced a second time at the visitor, and with horrified eyes, realized who it really was.
A black cloak covering him whole, a pale white skin alike death itself.
It was a monster among monsters, or rather, one of the vampires—the flesh eaters.
The fear of losing their lives immediately encroached their minds.

“Greeting good Sirs.” Rahu opened the conversation. “I have come here for a matter of great importance.”

“Ah, welcome, Sir Vampire. Have you come for–”

“For flesh.” He said immediately. “Today is the execution of a criminal, I have come to devour them—the fresh and warm blood is the most exquisite to my eyes, and the terror of death makes the greatest of appetizers. Now if you may, I can barely contain myself.” The vampire trembles with excitation. “Or if you would rather offer yourselves, the High Lord of this province will surely applaud your sacrifices.”

“Please go through Sir!!”

The furred guard and sweat-drenched crocodile stepped out of the way, opening the door for the vampire.
And him, walked past the door with a devious smile on his face.

‘Easy. Way too easy.’ The thief smeared in his heart. ‘To say that makeup and good acting would be enough to fool them, they have to do better than this.’

Keeping his pace with frightening ease, many tricks were left behind his cloak—such as smoke bombs, stink vials, ropes, the medallion of citizenship painted red, and so much more—the co-leader of the Lustrous Blanks proceeded to steal yet another crown.

‘I win this time brother, I will make you admit my worth!’

◊・◊・◊

“Where is my wallet?”

“Come on! How did I lose my bag like that!”

“I swear I had my papers, officer I’m not lying!”

“You’re the one who took my money are you?”

“Thief! Thief! That fox stole from me!!”

Meanwhile, at a certain corner of the capital, a certain thief has been getting active.
An enormous leather bag on his shoulder, even struggling to keep it steady, Shamash walked inside the town with a makeshift fox tail sewed on his pants.

‘Even in Hell, the old tricks never fail me.’

In his endeavors, the thief was reminded of his long gone childhood, reminiscing with nostalgia of those days of hardship and happiness.

Stumbling into someone and emptying his pockets.

Snatching an old lady’s purse and running away at full speed.

Calling an officer for help to give his little brother the chance to get away.

Playing the role of a beggar to find those who got the most cash on them.

All of those rehearsed tactics, played again and again, for them to work on monsters only confirmed one thing to him.
Hell is the same as the world of humans.
A place where some have no other choice but to steal.
But for Shamash,

“Hell really is another Paradise, who even needs to work when there are walking treasure chests everywhere on the streets?”

Entering a dark alley filled with trash scattered everywhere, a putrid smell repulsing anyone that tried to go through, the thief put down his harvest in front of a house.
On the plaque in front of it was written: House of Antique Magic.

“Well then, let’s finish this.”

He entered the house, ready to negotiate the activation of a forbidden spell with someone he met while searching for intel. Together, they discussed about a certain spell that only the conqueror had the right to use.

The spell to open a gate to another dimension.
“The greatest of treasures, is something that doesn’t exist in Hell.”