When Luna saw the letter titled Phantom Thief Capture Plan Invitation, she was undoubtedly puzzled.
After all, she was the Phantom Thief White Cat.
What kind of invitation was this—to invite a phantom thief to catch another phantom thief? Of course, except for a few select individuals, no one knew about her secret identity.
"What's this?"
Navia panted for breath. "Waterrrr..."
Had she really run the entire way here?
Luna handed her the water cup. Navia took it and gulped down several mouthfuls in quick succession, her drinking style bold yet mysteriously elegant.
She exhaled sharply. "Thank you. I just received this. Take a closer look at the contents."
Luna glanced at the text on the document.
"'In the face of the increasingly rampant Phantom Thief White Cat, we must take necessary measures. This plan aims to apprehend the Phantom Thief and bring her to justice. Miss Luna, Miss Navia, we hope you can assist with the Court of Justice's efforts...'"
Navia drank a few more sips before suddenly noticing faint lip marks at the cup's rim.
Ah, this is...
Her cheeks flushed slightly. After finishing the water, she casually placed her hands on the table and slid onto the seat facing Luna.
She tapped the letter. "Look at this part."
Luna followed her finger to the highlighted text.
"'This operation will be guided by Lady Furina'..."
Furina? Luna felt a twinge of surprise.
Navia chuckled softly. "So you're just as surprised as I am. Who would have thought the Hydro Archon herself would get involved in something like this? Though I suppose it's probably for the sake of her reputation, isn't it?"
There was truth in that.
Upon reflection, Furina's insistence on holding a "Judgment Duel" with her last time seemed to have been precisely to meet the audience's expectations.
As if being propelled forward by the will of the spectators.
While lost in thought, Luna suddenly caught a whiff of a delicate fragrance.
"What do you think? Should we accept?" Navia leaned forward, her face coming very close.
Ever since their mutual "confession" last time, the already blurred boundaries between them had become even more subtle.
Luna gazed into Navia's eyes. Before she could even raise her hand, Navia had already taken hold of her fingers, massaging and kneading them with practiced ease.
It seemed this simple act alone was enough to bring her immense pleasure.
"I think this is a perfect opportunity for us to show off our skills! The Phantom Thief has indeed done several good deeds, but she's still committed crimes. We can't let her go unpunished."
Just then, the door suddenly opened.
A figure appeared at the door. Though not tall, she immediately drew attention—someone who would be the center of focus wherever she went.
Who could it be but Furina?
"Luna, did you receive the invitation we sent? Don't worry if you didn't!"
Navia jumped down from the table, clearly displeased. "Even Lady Furina shouldn't barge in without knocking!"
"Ah, sorry... I mean! Ahem, the situation was urgent. There's no time for such formalities. That's all."
As Furina entered the room, Clorinde approached as well.
"Good morning, Navia."
"Good morning!" Navia replied with a smile.
"Good morning, Lulu."
Huh?
Luna felt Navia's gaze on her. Smiling faintly, she said, "That's the first time I've heard someone call me that. Then, Rinrin?"
"RinRin?" Navia repeated in surprise.
Why did they start using that name? And it sounded rather... nauseating! Furina rubbed her arm.
"What about me?" she asked, her words slightly hurried.
"Nana."
"Huh?"
"Wait!" Navia blurted out. "Shouldn't you address me differently in this situation?"
She quickly turned to Clorinde.
"By the way, Clorinde, why did you suddenly start calling Luna 'Lulu'?" Navia asked.
Clorinde replied softly, "On a whim."
Her tone remained flat, and her expression showed little change, making it hard to tell if she was being serious or not.
On a whim. It was a perfect answer that couldn't be challenged. Navia sighed.
"So Luna, what do you think of the name 'Luluna'?" Clorinde asked.
"The name's longer now, so it's harder to call," Luna said.
"True. And 'RinRin' isn't necessary either. It sounds... hmm, too cheesy." Clorinde nodded, arms crossed.
Hearing this, Luna suddenly wanted to keep calling her that.
Furina clapped her hands. "Alright, enough chatting! This isn't the time for idle talk!"
She glanced at Luna's desk. "Oh? You've already received the invitation?"
"Yes, but I didn't expect Lady Furina to want to capture the Phantom Thief."
Remembering her previous conversation with the Phantom Thief White Cat under the moonlight, Furina suddenly felt mixed emotions.
After all, that had been... a decent enough conversation.
But different matters required different approaches!
Since the people wanted to see her duel with the Phantom Thief, she would have to face it head-on.
Don't blame me, White Cat. If you've got the guts, try escaping from my palm! Furina nodded to herself, paused briefly, then muttered:
But there's a ninety-nine percent chance the Phantom Thief will escape, isn't there?
After all, she's the Phantom Thief who's never been caught, even now.
No, I feel like we'll lose completely! Wow, this really is such a troublesome job...
The others couldn't know about Furina's inner turmoil; they only saw her closed eyes and prolonged silence.
"Lady Furina?"
Furina snapped out of her thoughts, blinking rapidly. "Hm?"
"You've been silent for quite some time," Clorinde reminded her.
"Oh... Sigh, can't help it. Who can stop these endless ideas for punishing the Phantom Thief from flooding my mind? I've even devised how to punish this wicked little thief cat."
Luna's interest was piqued. "How will you punish her?"
The Phantom Thief wanted to hear this too.
Furina's gaze flickered momentarily. "That... is a secret!"
She hadn't actually thought this through, but she had to maintain her facade.
"Ahem! Let's get to the point. I'm asking you both for one thing only: to prepare a unique, magnificent, and dazzling stage for me and the Phantom Thief!"
"A stage?" Navia asked, puzzled.
Could it be?
Luna considered a possibility.
"You wish to perform alongside the Phantom Thief White Cat?"
Furina praised, "You understand me well! Exactly! Since so many people yearn to witness my confrontation with the Phantom Thief, why not make this spectacle even grander?"
One was Fontaine's Archon, the other Fontaine's most renowned Phantom Thief.
Both were protagonists eagerly anticipated by the masses, and their stage naturally had to be worthy of them.
"We'll place a treasure on the stage. When the Phantom Thief appears to steal it, she'll find we're prepared. The moment she shows herself, we'll defeat her!"
"And that's precisely when the drama on stage reaches its climax."
"Everything will conclude at the most dramatic moment!"
This was Furina's plan.
It must be said, this was indeed very much in her style. But Navia didn't believe the Phantom Thief would be so easily caught, unless...
Clorinde, hands clasped behind her back, said earnestly, "At that time, I would also join the fray."
...Unless the strongest Champion Duelist entered the battlefield.