Boom! The thunder roared relentlessly.
Through the curtain of rain, Chevreuse led the Special Task Force to the couple's mansion—located outside Fontaine, it appeared especially eerie under the storm-swept sky.
This was already the ninth clap of thunder.
Tsk! Chevreuse clicked her tongue inwardly.
Time was of the essence, but in such moments, composure was paramount. No room for carelessness.
This was the former gang leader's residence, the suspect's base of operations—a place where ambushes were highly likely.
"You two guard the perimeter, ensuring no one enters or exits. The rest of you, follow me inside. Maintain peak vigilance, stay in formation, and prepare to fire at the slightest disturbance."
"You, take position in that tree over there..."
Swiftly analyzing the terrain, Chevreuse assigned roles to her team.
Snipers on watch, the rest surrounding the area in standby—the simplest and most effective plan.
Chevreuse could only hope the thunder would slow down.
Just a little slower would do.
Boom! Another thunderclap split the sky. The tenth.
Chevreuse tightened her grip on her pistol. Could the heavens be aiding Phantom Thief White Cat?
"Let's move."
Turenna replied nervously, "Yes."
Beyond the gate lay a courtyard, but it was empty. The gate wasn't locked either. Chevreuse stationed several officers outside to guard the entrance and led the rest of the team into the mansion.
No one here? Chevreuse narrowed her eyes.
"Welcome, members of the Special Task Force."
A voice echoed from the staircase a moment later.
The officers aiming their weapons at the staircase tensed, but only a man with graying temples descended.
He looked to be in his sixties, his expression calm and serene—hardly fitting the image of a "suspect."
"Please don't move."
The man raised his hands. "Don't be alarmed. I am Malo Antolman, the master of this house."
"You've come because of Phantom Thief White Cat's Announcement Letter, right? To implement 'Forced Protection' measures? I naturally agree. Please lower your weapons... I'm certainly not the Phantom Thief you're looking for."
Chevreuse exchanged a glance with her teammates, then said, "Let's talk in the living room."
"Very well..." Malo Antolman shook his head with a hint of resignation. "This generation's Captain of the Special Task Force is truly formidable."
He walked toward the living room and made to sit down.
"Keep your hands where I can see them!" Chevreuse barked.
Who knows what weapon or remote detonator might be hidden under the cushion?
The Special Task Force had learned this lesson the hard way before, suffering heavy casualties. If Phantom Thief White Cat were here, she could have seen through all these deceptions in an instant.
But alas, they were once again adversaries.
"...Why are you so wary of me?" Malo asked.
"Where's the other one?" Chevreuse demanded.
"The other one?"
"Your wife."
"Oh—her? She hasn't returned yet."
"Did she escape?"
Malo Antolman remained silent.
The living room was dimly lit. Strangely, the flames in the fireplace seemed to radiate no warmth, perhaps because the windows were flung wide open, letting in the biting cold wind. Outside, a violent storm raged with thunder and lightning.
Boom! Another crash.
The eleventh strike. There was no time left.
Chevreuse produced the evidence she had gathered and presented it. "Malo Antolman, ranked tenth on Fontaine's Philanthropy List, known as 'Angel Malo'—but you can't fool me."
She flung out the spare picture frames, scattering them across the floor. "I know you were once the notorious President of the 'Blood Money Gang,' and that you set a trap to murder a married couple. They were elite members of the Adventurer's Guild."
"I also know you've been using your subordinates as scapegoats to cover up your crimes."
Malo Antolman glanced at the scattered frames on the floor.
He bent down to pick it up and tossed it into the flames.
"That was a spare," Chevreuse said coldly.
"Hah... Captain Chevreuse is truly skilled at slander. You seem to have completely overlooked all the good deeds I've done."
"Good and evil cannot cancel each other out. The Law's Judgment awaits you."
With handcuffs in one hand and a pistol in the other, Chevreuse slowly approached.
"Turn around, raise your hands, and kneel!"
Malo sighed and complied without resistance.
"Fine, take me to the opera house like this. I know washing my hands clean can't erase my sins. I'm willing to accept punishment."
"I genuinely regret everything I've done. For money, I harmed so many—"
"Shut up," Chevreuse growled. "Save your pathetic lies for the Fortress of Meropide."
"I truly repent."
Chevreuse didn't care.
Her only goal was to arrest the criminal, avenge Luna, and prevent her from resorting to lethal force, which would jeopardize their agreement.
A phantom thief should stick to phantom thieving.
Don't make a sound.
Chevreuse listened intently to the noises outside.
Let this final thunder fade away, please.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, a blinding white light flashed, illuminating the entire room.
Lightning!
Boom! A deafening roar shook the sky. The clock in the living room chimed melodically, announcing her arrival. The burning hearth suddenly erupted in flames! Amidst the fiery blaze, a beautiful, lilting melody rose from the flames, waves of scorching heat rolling outward.
The earlier flames had been a mere illusion; this scorching heat came from true fire.
"Good evening, dear Miss Captain."
The flames coalesced, taking shape. A crimson cloak billowed out, and beneath the mask, familiar eyes twinkled with a knowing smile.
"Greetings to you as well, Mr. Malo. It's been a while. I wonder if you and your comrades have missed me and my performances?"
The Phantom Thief White Cat! She had come after all.
But there was still a chance!
Chevreuse immediately kicked Malo backward. "Get him out of here now!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Luna smiled faintly. "Captain Chevreuse, what do you think you're doing?"
"You know perfectly well."
"You don't want me to repeat my past mistakes?"
"Yes."
"But what if I insist on doing it?"
Luna vanished instantly, reappearing before the Special Task Force. She seized Malo and flung him against the bookshelf.
Then she drew her sword and parried!
Clang! The spear tip clashed against the blade.
Chevreuse gripped her spear tightly, gritting her teeth. "I won't let you make another mistake!"
Luna deflected Chevreuse's attack, leaping onto the table with feather-light grace. Even without higher ground, she insisted on standing above Chevreuse, gazing down at her.
With a sly smile, she purred:
"Miss Captain, you really can't get me out of your head."
"From ancient times to the present, what kind of dramas have always been the most popular, Miss Chevreuse?"
Love, hatred, and vengeance.
And the narrative arc driven by love, hatred, and vengeance inevitably leads to... revenge.
"Ah, I see you already know. Indeed, regardless of the nation, blood for blood remains the most classic tale."
"Tonight, let me present my own tale to my dear Captain."
As she spoke, Malo darted to the bookshelf and pressed a hidden button. Secret passages throughout the living room sprang open.
"Get out here! She's coming!"
The Special Task Force wouldn't let him die.
But Phantom Thief White Cat would!
If she dared kill even officials of the Court of Justice, what's wrong with killing a former President like him?
A squad of well-equipped mercenaries burst from the secret passage, aided by small Clockwork Mekas.
In an instant, Luna and the Special Task Force found themselves surrounded.
Malo swiftly retreated into the secret passage, the entrance sealing behind him.
Luna merely watched him go, unhurried. She smiled faintly. No prey ever escaped her grasp—none.
"It seems the treasure I seek lies below. But before that—"
A flash of sword light.
Several mercenaries collapsed, blood gushing from their wounds.
Luna flicked the blood from her blade, her smile unchanged. "Allow me to help you gentlemen 'clean up' a bit. Then I'll grant Mr. Malo a peaceful slumber."
Chevreuse's face darkened. It was always like this...
Why...?
Was the deal we made in the church just another lie to you?
Sweet words, ambiguous caresses, whispers in my ear, lingering kisses, the warmth of your fingertips—did none of it bind you, you deceitful cat?
Chevreuse drew a deep breath.
"You're truly beyond redemption. Time and again..."
Luna merely smiled.
"But Miss Captain, you were always going to arrest me, weren't you?"
Chevreuse narrowed her eyes and barked, "I'm arresting—"
"The mastermind who turned you into this! Get out of my way!"
Even if this deceitful cat's acceptance of their deal was a lie, and the kiss in the cathedral was a sham, her past remained an undeniable truth.
Now that Chevreuse had vowed to arrest the criminal who harmed Luna, she would see it through.
Don't even think about betraying our agreement!