Chevreuse and Charlotte stared at each other for a long moment.
"Uh, long time no see, Captain Chevreuse?"
"...I knew you'd be here."
Inside the Wilger residence, the two women sat together. Beside them sat a somewhat reserved Turenna, while the Wilger couple sat opposite.
Charlotte chuckled. "Wherever there's a story, there I am! That's just how reporters work. Sigh, when you think about it, it's no wonder people call us dogs..."
"A pink-haired medium-sized dog?"
"Sounds quite cute," Charlotte smiled.
So, the Captain is a purple police dog chasing cats? Turenna mused involuntarily.
Just think it, don't say it.
Otherwise, the training regimen will increase twofold—or even a tenfold.
"Isn't Miss Luna coming?" Wilger's mother asked.
Luna?
Charlotte shook her head. "No, she's filming a movie. I have no idea what it's about!"
"Have you and Luna been here before?" Chevreuse asked.
"Hmm? Yes, why?"
"...It's nothing."
It's possible that the person who's been following Charlotte all along isn't Luna, but Phantom Thief White Cat in disguise.
As long as Phantom Thief White Cat didn't slip up, Chevreuse felt that uncovering her true identity would be nearly impossible.
But that wasn't important right now.
Chevreuse sat up straight. "Let's get straight to the point: did either of you receive a warning letter from Phantom Thief White Cat?"
"Do you mean this little card?" Wilger's mother carefully retrieved the card from behind a picture frame.
It was clear they treasured the warning letter.
People actually treasure these things...? No, Sally, the pianist from before, might have kept her warning letter too.
"Yes, may we see it?"
"Of course."
"Thank you very much."
Chevreuse accepted the card with both hands and studied it intently.
Countless treasures glitter across this world, yet only one radiates eternal brilliance—the unbroken soul.When the Tears of Heaven dry, and the Wail of the Departed fades into the night sky...I shall arrive. Your obsessions. Your future. Your hopes. All shall be mine.
So read the card.
Charlotte leaned closer, adjusting her monocle. She wants "our obsessions, futures, and hopes?" she wondered aloud. "What does that even mean?"
"Actually—" Wilger's Mother began, but her husband cut her off with a gesture.
"Let me explain," he said.
He retrieved a pistol from the chest, placed it on the table, and stepped back. Only then did Chevreuse and Turenna withdraw their hands from their holsters.
"A pistol?" Charlotte exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, we originally intended to use it to kill Ronat."
Turenna's eyes widened. "Huh? You... huh?"
Chevreuse narrowed her eyes. "...I see," she murmured softly, understanding everything.
"What do you mean, 'I see'? I don't get it at all," Turenna protested, utterly confused.
Chevreuse asked for their firearm permit, and the man produced it, averting the need to confiscate the weapon.
Holding the card, Chevreuse murmured, "Phantom Thief stole their chance for revenge and closure."
"And..." Wilger's Mother hesitated.
Her husband nodded, and she pulled out a heavy bag. "This morning, we received our son's suicide note. He said this money was for us, but I think the Phantom Thief left it..."
The man scoffed. "That kid was never that thoughtful."
Wilger's Mother sighed softly. "Seeing her vilified by so many... Miss Journalist, please, reveal the truth."
Before Charlotte could respond, a voice cut through the conversation. "No. Don't do anything."
"W-why?"
Chevreuse handed the card back. "If you do, everything she's done will be for nothing."
She understands all of this?! Turenna blinked repeatedly.
"You knew I'd follow you here, didn't you?" Chevreuse muttered to herself.
Ever since that first night we met, that woman has been manipulating her. This time was no different—she just wanted to prevent Charlotte from exposing the truth.
Action Successful
Security Level: High
Treasure Rarity: A-Rank
Action Notoriety: Universally Known
Splendor: Dazzlingly Divine
Points Earned: 400 (A-Rank Treasure) x 3 (Security Level) x 4 (Action Notoriety) x 3 (Splendor) = 14,400
Even though the treasure had been returned, the information remained stored in the System.
Ronat's Golden Dog
Information: Its flesh has been replaced with money. The loyal hound died unaware of its fate, its belly stuffed with wealth derived from countless crimes. This is the quintessential fruit of wickedness, its golden radiance dazzling and disorienting to behold.
Treasure Rarity: A-Rank
Fixed Points: 400
Adding these points to her accumulated total brought Luna's balance to 48,400. She needed only 1,600 more to max out her Steal skill.
Essentially, any casual Phantom Thief activity would easily push her over the edge.
Luna yawned and closed the System.
Being a little short didn't matter; new treasures would always emerge. Besides, perhaps her beloved Lady Furina might even "help" her out with that.
After all, Furina must possess a wealth of treasures.
Of course, Luna considered Furina herself to be Fontaine's greatest treasure, far surpassing any ordinary trinket.
But the System didn't recognize it that way, and there was nothing she could do about it.
Today, Furina was unavailable for filming, so the crew had been given the day off.
What should she do?
After a moment of contemplation, Luna drew a blank. The only image that surfaced in her mind was Lynette's face.
I wonder how they're doing at the Fortress of Meropide.
Just then—
"Lulu!"
The door burst open.
Luna wasn't startled. Navia and Chiori had free rein in her home, coming and going as they pleased.
"What's up?" Luna leaned back in her chair, tilting her head. "Nana, are you here to take me out?"
Navia stepped into view, leaning down until her hair cascaded around Luna's face, her radiant smile lighting up the room.
"Sort of! It's rare to have a day off from filming, so we should definitely make the most of it!" Navia's fingertip gently traced the curve of Luna's neck. "And... um, I wanted to take you to Poisson."
"Didn't we already go there? For Mr. Callas' memorial service?" Luna pinched Navia's fingertip between her teeth, nibbling it gently.
Navia's face flushed crimson. "You'll understand when you see it!"
"Hmm... I'll go if Nana carries me," Luna teased casually.
Before the words had even left her lips, a pair of arms wrapped around her. One hand slid beneath her knees, while the other supported her back, effortlessly lifting Luna into Navia's embrace.
Navia grinned. "You said you'd go! No time to waste—let's go now!"
"Are you really going to carry me?" Luna asked.
"Yep."
Luna sighed inwardly. Navia was actually going to do it.
Well, whatever.
She reached for her sunglasses on the table, slipped them on, and said, "Let's go."
Soon, Silver and Melus watched Navia cradling Luna in her arms, their expressions unreadable.
"Young Miss, no matter how close you are, you can't just... kidnap Miss Luna like this."
"I didn't kidnap her!" Navia protested.
Luna smiled sweetly. "Nana keeps saying she wants to marry me."
"...I-I never said anything like that," Navia stammered, her heart pounding wildly.