"The Fate of Past Evidence—Is the Fortress of Meropide the Target?"
Just yesterday, the Court of Justice announced that a portion of the evidence stored in the Palais Mermonia's evidence vault would be transferred to the Fortress of Meropide for safekeeping. This decision has been approved by "Duke" Wriothesley.
It is understood that this move by the Court of Justice aims to foster friendly relations between Fontaine and the Fortress of Meropide.
Among the first batch of evidence are several high-value items. Our reporters specifically inquired whether Phantom Thief White Cat might target this transfer. The Court of Justice responded:
"It is highly probable, but rest assured, even if Phantom Thief White Cat is ruthless and relentless, we will fight her to the bitter end! We will ensure a safe and stable life for all of you."
"Fontaine is a nation of justice, and we will never tolerate such wickedness to persist in our world."
Lady Focalors remarked, "Well said."
-
"These are the exhibits we'll be 'escorting' to the Fortress of Meropide."
Inside the Special Task Force Headquarters, the team members gathered around several sturdy crates, each secured with multiple locks and layered security mechanisms—impenetrable to ordinary people.
As for whether these precautions would deter the Phantom Thief, the answer was obvious: they wouldn't.
Still, we have to try! Chevreuse thought. It's better than doing nothing at all.
This was likely the reasoning of the Court of Justice's higher-ups. If they were going to make a statement, they had to go all out.
Chevreuse crouched down to inspect the crates.
There were three treasures in total.
Quite the grand gesture... she thought, though none of these treasures had been commissioned by the Court of Justice. Instead, they were repurposed evidence from past cases.
Notably, two of the treasures were connected to the cases of wealthy nobles allegedly assassinated by Arlecchino.
"What's this?" Chevreuse tightened her gloves and picked up one of the treasures.
Turenna glanced at the dossier. "Apparently, it's an artwork the Lefebvre Family privately traded with another noble house before the attack."
Art? Chevreuse examined the exquisite stone sculpture.
Within an intricately carved cage, there was another, smaller stone sculpture of a young woman, its details so fine it seemed almost lifelike.
Though Chevreuse didn't recognize her face, she assumed the girl was one of the victims.
The more exquisitely crafted the stone sculpture, the more Chevreuse loathed it.
"Caged Maiden"—that was the treasure's name.
There were others as well: "Jack the Ripper's Blade" and "The Everlasting Visage," each more formidable than the last.
"...Pack them up, lock them away, and send them to the Fortress of Meropide."
The message had already been sent, and Luna was long aware of the truth.
Once she confirmed these were treasures of the guilty, she would act. This didn't violate their agreement.
"Captain, trouble! Big trouble!"
Chevreuse raised an eyebrow. "Why am I not surprised..."
Another Announcement Letter, no doubt.
"Monsieur Neuvillette received a letter from the Phantom Thief White Cat!"
"...Who?"
Not long ago.
Neuvillette silently studied the card in his hand.
The banquet hour has arrived. Since you've invited me to this underwater world overflowing with the fruits of sin, why not join as a guest to witness, celebrate, and admire? I await the arrival of Chief Justice Neuvillette, Monsieur.
What is she planning?
Even Neuvillette, who prided himself on his insight, couldn't grasp Luna's intentions.
He had believed he understood the Phantom Thief White Cat, but now realized he had only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg.
"What do you think she's trying to accomplish?" Neuvillette asked.
Focalors pondered for a moment. "Perhaps she's seeking a challenge."
"A challenge?"
Focalors smiled faintly. "Like a locked-room murder mystery. A sealed space, a corpse, and an enigmatic method of death—the more impossible the circumstances appear, the more captivating the puzzle becomes."
"She knows you're the Dragon Sovereign, yet she still extended an invitation to you."
"And the subtext of this card is clear: she wants you to participate in this operation. She clearly understands what's at play here."
Neuvillette replied uncertainly, "You mean she wants me to intervene?"
"Perhaps. This is just my speculation."
If the Phantom Thief White Cat were easily understood, she wouldn't have been so successful.
Incomprehensible, unpredictable—that is the Phantom Thief White Cat.
Brilliant, isn't she? Focalors nodded to herself in silent admiration.
After a moment of silence, Neuvillette said, "Very well. Regardless, as Chief Justice, I cannot ignore this."
If she wants the Hydro Dragon Sovereign to act, then he will respond to her request.
Neuvillette might overlook the Phantom Thief White Cat's crimes—stealing divine authority, pilfering power, and deceiving the world—but that doesn't mean he will condone her activities.
Once Luna was captured, she would face the same cold and merciless Judgment.
After that...
An Announcement Letter was delivered to Chevreuse.
"Why is a raven like a writing desk? The answer to this riddle is the very reason I steal treasures—when the feast is served and the guests have gathered, I shall claim the treasures that reveal the sins of the past:
The bird still trapped in its cage, the 'Caged Maiden'; the 'Jack the Ripper's Blade' stained with blood in the dark night; and the 'Everlasting Visage' etched with pain and hatred. Stay tuned."
Chevreuse silently folded the Announcement Letter.
"Let's go."
The Special Task Force members nodded in unison and began escorting the goods.
Chevreuse knew that the Phantom Thief White Cat wouldn't ambush them along the way.
It wasn't her style.
She only made her grand entrance under the spotlight when her "audience" had gathered. She never shied away from danger or challenges.
Arrogant, flamboyant, magnificent—but no longer free.
Chevreuse touched her lips.
"Captain? What's wrong?" Turenna asked curiously.
"Nothing..."
The more Luna kissed her, the deeper this restless feeling grew.
"White Cat... what a troublesome woman," Chevreuse murmured.
Meanwhile...
Luna stood at a high vantage point, gazing down at the Special Task Force.
"With Neuvillette here, we can really crank up the difficulty this time, right?"
She straightened the crown ornament in her hair.
Luna had involved Neuvillette in this operation solely to maximize the difficulty of stealing the treasure.
Only by doing so could she earn Points with maximum efficiency.
"But I can probably only do this once."
After all, she couldn't keep bothering Neuvillette, could she?
If Focalors were willing to engage with her, that would be fine, but Focalors had shown no inclination to intervene from start to finish.
Being cherished was nice, but sometimes Luna craved a bit of excitement.
Would Focalors ever satisfy that desire? Luna couldn't be sure.
Or perhaps Arlecchino could? What would happen if she sent an Announcement Letter to "Father"? It shouldn't be considered betrayal, right?
Maybe Arlecchino would interpret it as a form of "father-daughter" communication.
But Arlecchino hadn't returned to Fontaine yet.
Thinking of this, Luna couldn't help but feel a pang of longing.
"Still, I should focus on this operation first."
She donned her mask.
Escaping the Fortress of Meropide and Neuvillette's grasp would indeed be a near-impossible feat, but she had prepared thoroughly.
If magic was the only way out, then she would use it.
Showtime.
Luna fell downward, her descent startling a flock of birds into flight. As the birds' wings swept across the sky, Luna vanished into their swirling silhouette.
Some time passed.
Wriothesley looked at Neuvillette, who in turn looked back at him.
"Wow, I didn't expect you to come. Care for some tea?"
"Thank you."
"And Lady Focalors?"
Focalors smiled slightly. "Very well, thank you."
"What about you?"
Wriothesley turned his gaze to Clorinde.
"Mm-hmm." Clorinde nodded slightly.
"And you?" Wriothesley's gaze fell on Lumine.
"Thank you, one cup will do."
"Alright."
Paimon pointed at herself. "What about me?"
"Kids don't usually like tea, do they?"
"Who are you calling a kid?!"