The next day's headlines swept across Fontaine:
[Phantom Thief White Cat's Crushing Defeat? - Lady Furina Triumphs!]
Yesterday, under Lady Furina's guidance, the Court of Justice launched an operation to capture Phantom Thief White Cat. Using the Radiant Crown as bait, Lady Furina successfully lured the Phantom Thief into a trap.
However, she was abducted by the Phantom Thief White Cat. Just as everyone believed the plan had failed, Lady Furina returned with her spoils.
Furina: "My abduction by the Phantom Thief was merely part of the plan!"
[Image: Phantom Thief White Cat sprawled on the ground, defeated by Furina.]
[Image: The Phantom Thief White Cat's mask.]
Furina: "Even the elusive Phantom Thief White Cat cannot withstand the power of Focalors. But fear not, my beloved citizens! The God of Justice's might will only fall upon the guilty."
Furina: "Alas, she ultimately escaped."
Though the Radiant Crown remained in the Phantom Thief White Cat's possession, this was undoubtedly a major victory for the Court of Justice in their pursuit of the Phantom Thief.
We believe that the Phantom Thief White Cat will soon face the judgment and punishment she deserves.
"All who violate the Law shall face due retribution," declared the Chief Justice.
While we acknowledge that the Phantom Thief White Cat has performed commendable acts of kindness, this does not excuse her continued criminal behavior. We urge all readers to discern right from wrong and uphold the Law.
Inside the Special Task Force headquarters, Turenna rubbed her eyes in disbelief and looked back at the newspaper.
"Phantom Thief White Cat lost? I... I must be dreaming."
Chevreuse placed a cup of coffee in front of her. "Take a sip."
"Ah, okay... It's so bitter?!"
Chevreuse smiled faintly. "The fact that you can taste this bitterness means you're in the real world, not dreaming."
Turenna grimaced and dropped a sugar cube into her coffee, stirring it vigorously. "But it still feels surreal."
She glanced at Chevreuse, who was leaning against the table. "Captain, don't you think so too? That all-powerful Phantom Thief White Cat was defeated by Lady Furina..."
"Not that I doubt Lady Furina's power, of course."
The power of an Archon was beyond mortal comprehension.
Take Liyue's Geo Archon, for example. The rock spears he cast could transform into towering geo formations that endured for millennia on distant islands.
Or Inazuma's Raiden Shogun, whose Musou no Hitotachi could cleave breathtaking canyons into the earth.
As an Archon herself, Furina undoubtedly possessed immeasurable power.
Maybe Phantom Thief White Cat was blasted away by Furina's hydro cannon!
Though no one had ever witnessed Furina in combat.
But... the Special Task Force, having faced Phantom Thief White Cat multiple times, shared a common sentiment: even against an Archon, that woman could escape unscathed.
She might suffer severe injuries, but she would never be pinned to the ground while Furina snapped photos of her humiliation.
Only an enemy truly understands their enemy.
They had personally experienced Phantom Thief White Cat's strength and capabilities. Moreover, she could manipulate the flow of time...
Chevreuse was well aware of this.
"...Just think what the higher-ups want you to think."
She pulled out a biscuit and took a bite.
She was absolutely certain the photo was fake, but if the current news reports were considered "the truth," there was no need to correct them.
"I thought you'd say, 'This is all nonsense!'" Turenna sighed.
"What kind of person do you take me for?" Chevreuse retorted.
"The kind of powerhouse who always clashes with their superiors."
A high-ranking official from the Court of Justice? He'd clashed with her!
A high-ranking official from the Marechaussee Phantom? He'd clashed with her!
...It wasn't just Turenna; many new recruits in the Special Task Force shared this impression.
Their captain was practically an invincible powerhouse.
Except when facing Phantom Thief White Cat, where she always seemed to fall short.
"Stop imagining me as some kind of troublemaker," Chevreuse snapped irritably.
"I'm so sorry!" Turenna slid to her knees at lightning speed.
"...The reason I opposed them was because their words and actions had crossed the line. Perhaps they don't even have 'justice' in their hearts..."
Chevreuse fell silent for a moment, then changed the subject. "But if those 'goody-two-shoes' at the Court of Justice want to twist the 'truth' like this, let them have their way. It's none of our concern."
Turenna nodded.
Indeed, the officials at the Court of Justice could simply sit in their offices and issue directives. But as the Special Task Force, who faced dangerous criminals head-on, they had far more to consider.
"Besides, this might even be exactly what that person wanted."
"That person?" Turenna tilted her head.
Chevreuse whispered, "Phantom Thief White Cat."
"...?"
Turenna didn't react immediately. After a moment, she exclaimed in shock, "Captain, are you saying Phantom Thief White Cat wants to be defeated?!"
"Perhaps."
"...I don't understand."
Chevreuse finished her biscuit, took a sip of coffee, and averted her gaze.
"Who could ever truly understand that woman?"
I actually think you understand quite well, Captain.
Turenna wisely kept her thoughts to herself.
The morning sun warmed Luna's snow-white belly. She scratched it, slowly sat up, and after a moment of dazed contemplation, went to wash up and get ready.
Breakfast was the usual: bread, eggs, and a glass of warmed milk, perhaps with some fresh fruit.
As she sipped her milk, Luna finished reading today's edition of The Steam Bird, nodding slightly.
"The outcome was predictable."
The news about the internal purge within the Court of Justice and the trials of officials involved with Sinthe Industries was buried in an inconspicuous section of the newspaper.
The operation to capture the Phantom Thief was clearly a staged performance, designed to stir up public interest and divert attention from the Court of Justice's internal turmoil. This provided an opportunity to swiftly dispose of all the moles by throwing them into the Fortress of Meropide.
Whether the operation succeeded or failed didn't truly matter.
If it failed, Furina would inevitably bear the brunt of the criticism.
If it succeeded, they could salvage their reputation.
As it stood, their plan had worked.
But she didn't mind; in fact, she'd hoped the public opinion would develop exactly this way.
"You should thank me properly, Miss Captain."
Luna set down the newspaper with satisfaction and stretched languidly.
"I'll spend the day at the Library."
Furina was hiding something.
But Luna didn't believe she could pry any secrets from Furina's lips.
Furina was always on guard, her nerves taut. Trying to pry into her secrets might only push her further away, a clumsy attempt that would backfire.
Besides, after letting her rest properly yesterday, would she really start probing her again so soon?
Let her relax only to tighten her up again? Luna couldn't bring herself to do that.
"I'm not a demon."
She also didn't believe the Library held any clues about the Prophecy.
But it was worth a shot.
A little time for even the slightest possibility—that was a worthwhile trade.
Before that, though, she wanted to check the rewards for completing the operation.
She had a premonition that she still needed to strengthen her abilities for whatever lay ahead...
[Radiant Crown]
[Information: A crown crafted a century ago by ten master artisans, working together to present it to Furina. Each artisan infused their unique style, yet the overall piece appears as if it were born from nature itself, every detail radiating beauty. It stands as the most powerful testament to their reverence and faith in Furina.]
[Treasure Rarity: A-Rank]
[Fixed Points: 500]
The fixed points even exceeded those of her previous treasures!
This thing must truly be extraordinary... Luna mused as she toyed with the Radiant Crown.
"It would certainly suit Furina perfectly."
[Action Successful]
[Security Level: High]
[Treasure Rarity: A-Rank]
[Action Notoriety: Universally Known]
[Splendor: Divine and Dazzling]
[Settlement Points: 500 (A-Rank Treasure) x 3 (Security Level) x 4 (Action Notoriety) x 3 (Splendor) = 18,000]
The Masked Puppet had cost her 1,000 points.
Adding that to her remaining 6,500 points, she now had a total of 24,500 points.
She still needed 25,500 points to max out her Theft Skill. For now, she decided to invest in an Elemental Power skill and save the rest.
If she needed them urgently, she could always retrieve them immediately.
Luna pondered this.
"I currently have Pyro, Hydro, Dendro, Geo, and Anemo—five Elemental Powers. That leaves only Cryo and Electro."
Which should she choose?
Luna pulled out a Mora. As always, she'd let fate decide.
Heads—Cryo Elemental Power.
Tails—Electro Elemental Power.
She flicked the coin into the air.
The golden Mora spun through the air before landing in her palm.
It was... Cryo!
"Then it's you."
[Threads of Frozen Will (LV1/2): Launch strands of ice-infused silk to ensnare targets.]
-1,500
Upgrade to LV2.
[Threads of Frozen Will (LV2/2): Launch or pull threads composed of ice to entangle targets. Enhanced thread durability and range. Can nullify damage dealt by the threads. ]
[You wouldn't want to use this for anything weird, would you?]
-1500
How could you even suggest such a thing?
"I haven't done anything weird, you know."
Teasing girls isn't weird, right? Of course not.
21,500 points remaining. Better save them.
"Time to head out."
Shortly after Luna left her residence for the library, a dazzling golden-haired figure appeared at her doorstep.
"Lulu should be awake by now, right?"
If not, Navia would just have to wake her up herself!
Humming a little tune, Navia pulled out her key and unlocked Luna's door.
But just as she was about to push it open...
"Navia?"
"Huh?"
Navia turned around.
For some reason, Chiori was approaching, pulling a suitcase.
...And Chiori noticed the key in Navia's hand.
It was identical to her own.
Did Luna give Navia a spare key?