Several days later, inside the Opera Epiclese.
Neuvillette proclaimed in a loud voice, "Malo Antolman, Kacey Debra. Former President and Vice President of the Blood Money Gang. You are accused of murdering thirty-six people, robbing others of their property, and violently assaulting and threatening fifty-nine individuals..."
The Chief Justice read out the list of their crimes.
"So the Blood Money Gang wasn't completely wiped out after all."
"If you ask me, none of the gangs are any good, except for the Spina di Rosula..."
A low murmur of discussion rippled through the audience.
Chevreuse glanced down at the stands and saw Luna and Furina among the crowd.
Of course, Chiori, Navia, and Lynette were there too, having come after hearing the news. Arlecchino sat in a more secluded spot.
Focalors remained in her special seat, with Clorinde standing guard at her side.
Chevreuse's gaze settled on Luna's face.
Her expression was completely blank.
She simply stared silently at the Judgment unfolding on the stage.
Chevreuse had no way of knowing what Luna was truly feeling. All she could do was present the evidence, mercilessly detailing the couple's crimes.
"Captain Chevreuse, do you have anything further to add?" Neuvillette asked.
Snapping back to the present, Chevreuse nodded. "Yes. There is also..."
As Chevreuse calmly recited the evidence, Luna's eyes drifted to the accused—the couple.
Their fingers and toes had been completely destroyed by bullets. Confined to wheelchairs, their wounds still bandaged, they sat with ashen faces, like living corpses.
Yet no one pitied them.
Every face in the audience was grim, eager for the Judgment to conclude so these criminals would vanish from Fontaine.
"Luna."
A soft voice called from beside her, followed by a hand gently covering hers.
Luna turned to Furina, who seemed completely unconcerned about being seen—not that there was anything wrong with it.
No words were needed; Luna could feel Furina's concern.
"Mm," she murmured, gently squeezing back.
Her other hand was then decisively pulled away by Navia.
"It's okay, Lulu!" Navia whispered.
Having finished presenting the evidence, Chevreuse happened to glance over and saw Luna's hands held by Furina and Navia on either side. She silently averted her gaze.
The displeasure she felt remained hidden from her face.
Focalors rose to her feet. "Then it is time to declare their crimes! Of course, there is only one possible outcome!"
Neuvillette struck his cane against the floor.
"As Chief Justice, I hereby deliver the verdict—Malo Antolman and Kacey Debra, you are guilty!"
-
[Double Life? — The End of the Blood Money Gang]
Yesterday, former Blood Money Gang President Malo Antolman and Vice President Kacey Debra were found guilty. They were convicted of numerous felonies, including murder, violent intimidation, theft, and robbery...
No one could have imagined that the couple, known publicly as the "Angel Philanthropists," were in fact vicious criminals behind the scenes. The Blood Money Gang was one of many gangs active in Fontaine over a decade ago.
The Court of Justice has announced it will conduct a thorough investigation into the remaining gangs.
Navia, President of the Spina di Rosula, stated: "A clear conscience fears no accusation! We at the Spina di Rosula welcome any inspection. Cooperating with law enforcement is our duty!"
On the same night the couple were arrested, the Phantom Thief White Cat appeared and stole the treasure known as "The Azure Radiance of Hydrell." The sword is reportedly an ancestral heirloom of one of Mondstadt's old noble families.
This family played a heroic role in Mondstadt's past struggles and is considered a true hero lineage.
"Stealing even a hero's sword... The Phantom Thief White Cat truly knows no bounds."
"The world is going to ruin, truly going to ruin!"
In response, the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt have entrusted the recovery of the sword to the Court of Justice's Special Task Force.
A joint training exercise between the Knights of Favonius, the Millelith, and the Special Task Force may be forthcoming.
-
Furina huffed. "Steal? It's called taking back! That sword belonged to Luna in the first place!"
Chiori rested her chin on her hand, casually stirring her milk tea with a spoon. "But how many people know that the Phantom Thief White Cat is Luna?"
Fair point.
No one would ever connect a famous celebrity with a phantom thief.
Navia picked up a macaron and popped it into her mouth. "Lulu, aren't you having any? There are so many desserts at this tea party; we can't possibly finish them all ourselves."
An afternoon tea party was underway at Luna's home.
The attendees were Chiori, Furina, Luna, and Navia. Clorinde was still at work, while Arlecchino and Lynette were unavailable, leaving just the four of them to gather.
"Ahhh—"
Luna didn't answer, simply opening her mouth wide.
Just as Navia was about to feed her, Chiori sighed. "Don't expect to be waited on hand and foot."
Luna grinned. "When the clothes come, my hands wander; when the food comes, my tongue does too... I'd say it's a pretty good deal."
Navia's face flushed red as she recalled Luna's dexterous skills.
Furina and Chiori both shot Luna exasperated looks.
"Feed yourself." Chiori said.
"Nana~"
"Don't spoil her," Chiori repeated.
But Navia fed Luna a macaron anyway, smiling. "This doesn't count as spoiling her, right?"
Tsk. Chiori clicked her tongue inwardly.
I'm the only one who should be spoiling Luna.
"Besides..." Navia trailed off, glancing repeatedly at Luna.
Chiori understood what she meant. Luna had only recently learned the truth behind a problem that had plagued her for over a decade and had confronted her archenemy. Even though she seemed no different than usual, it was hard not to worry.
Furina also observed Luna for a few moments. She looked distracted.
In reality, Luna was just checking her points.
[Action Successful]
[Security Level: High]
[Treasure Rarity: S-Rank]
[Action Notoriety: Universally Known]
[Splendor: Soul-Snatching]
[Points Calculated: 1000 (S-Rank Treasure) × 3 (Security Level) × 4 (Action Notoriety) × 4 (Splendor) = 48,000]
Adding her previous balance of 34,600, her total was now 82,600 points.
Eighty thousand points!
Although Luna hadn't decided which skill to choose yet, just looking at the number filled her with a sense of accomplishment. From a meager handful of points at the beginning to an amount she could hardly spend now...
As this thought crossed her mind, the face that surfaced in her thoughts was Chevreuse's.
Come to think of it, I haven't gone to see Chevreuse since then.
Would Miss Captain be lonely? Luna didn't know, but she genuinely wanted to see Chevreuse. They still had so much to talk about.
As she pondered, Luna suddenly felt a weight press down on her.
Chiori leaned over her, whispering, "What are you thinking about?"
"Guess."
"...Let's go for a walk."
"That's sudden."
Chiori smiled faintly. "That's just how I am—I do what I think of. Let's go. Tea parties are nice, but right now, we need to get outside and clear our heads."
Furina raised an eyebrow. "Just so we're clear, we're all going together!"
"I know. The four of us can just go together."
Navia clapped her hands. "Great idea! Let's get some ice cream! On a hot day like this, we should have a contest to see who can eat the most!"
"Don't blame me if you get a headache," Chiori sighed.
"I won't get a headache that easily!" Furina declared, hands on her hips.
A short while later.
Furina and Navia sat on a bench, looking unwell.
"Headache?" Chiori couldn't help but chuckle.
"No, my stomach hurts... It's too cold..." Furina glanced at the half-eaten ice cream in her hand. After much hesitation, she reluctantly parted with it, handing it to Luna.
"You... you finish it for me!"
Navia quickly offered hers as well. "Mine too! We can't let it go to waste!"
Luna was taken aback. "What about my stomach?"
"You're worried about that? Aren't you the one with the biggest appetite here? You can handle anything, hot or cold," Chiori said with a knowing look.
"Wow, ChiChi, you really get me!" Luna replied in a cutesy voice.
"Tsk."
"Why are you clicking your tongue again?"
-
That night.
After her bath, Chevreuse stood before her bedroom door, thinking: That White Cat still hasn't come to see me. It's strange, but maybe she's just been taking these past few days to sort out her feelings.
Lonely? She wouldn't feel lonely over something like that.
It was just that she'd been dreaming of Luna a little more often.
"...This feeling is—"
The presence behind the door gave Chevreuse a familiar premonition.
There's no mistaking it. It's her.
Chevreuse opened the door.