Even though everyone knew Kaitō Kid always sent a warning letter before he acted, the moment Victor pulled out a card from the vault with Kaitō Kid's face on it, it became powerful evidence.
A good number of people started believing this bank vault theft was just Kaitō Kid going off script this time.
"Who says Kaitō Kid has to send a warning every single time? What if he just felt like doing it differently this time?"
"Shit! Kaitō Kid's really turning France upside down!"
"Damn it, Victor's totally useless. He can't catch Kaitō Kid, and he's letting international fugitives flood in. How's anyone supposed to feel safe?"
"If it really was Kaitō Kid, would he sneak around like this?"
"Being lowkey has never been his thing. There's gotta be something fishy here!"
Reactions to the reports were mixed. Meanwhile, Zhang Yang was still sound asleep in his hotel, completely unaware he'd just been blamed for something outrageous.
Global media coverage was exploding, and the debates were getting louder.
Using the vault's missing items list provided by the bank, the Enforcement Bureau and law enforcement moved fast to try to track the stolen goods.
Framing was just one of Victor's tactics—it didn't stop the real manhunt from moving forward.
"Tsk tsk, there's no way Kaitō Kid did this. He hasn't made any move at all. That's not his style!"
"Victor's an idiot. It's obvious this was a setup, and he still can't see it!"
"A setup? Kaitō Kid's still a thief, isn't he? Why is it so shocking if he really did this?"
"He's just a master thief and nothing more. People treat him like some kind of legend!"
"If I were Kaitō Kid, I'd sue Victor for defamation and demand compensation for the damage to my name!"
Even if Zhang Yang wasn't the real culprit, that card Victor showed made it hard to completely clear his name.
By the next morning, Zhang Yang's inbox was blowing up.
Out of nowhere, he got hit with a bucket of crap. Even if he was okay with it, fans from around the world definitely weren't.
When Zhang Yang saw the articles, the online comments, and the photos and video of Victor holding that card, he let out a cold laugh.
"Victor, that guy's trying to bait me."
"What, did every bad guy in the world follow me to France?"
It made sense that those wanted criminals who received invites to the competition would come. But the vault robbery? That was something Zhang Yang didn't expect at all.
Facing the wave of global suspicion, Zhang Yang didn't react publicly right away.
"Victor must be waiting to see how I respond."
The corners of Zhang Yang's mouth lifted slightly. Victor was probably dying to see what he would say.
If he were dumb enough to post a statement right now, it would be exactly what Victor wanted.
"So someone frames me for a vault heist? The thief's got a sense of humor."
Zhang Yang chuckled softly and decided to head out and return the Imperial Jade Seal of Empress Dowager Tianyuan to the Dragon Nation Embassy.
The competition was officially starting today. What he really needed to watch out for now was Holmeska.
Even the smallest slip-up might give him an opening.
Zhang Yang drove all the way to the Dragon Nation Embassy. The Holmeska who had been stationed outside the gate last night was nowhere to be seen.
Zhang Yang had guessed right. Holmeska's patience had a limit.
He parked outside the embassy, dropped off the package, then quickly drove off.
Ding!
Congratulations! You've completed the return mission: The Imperial Jade Seal of Empress Dowager Tianyuan has been returned to the Dragon Nation Embassy!
Reward received: 50,000 points!
Now his points had reached nearly 300,000. If he hadn't spent so much on recent operations, he'd be sitting on over 400,000 by now.
Ding!
New mission received: Steal the Eastern Zhou Golden Sword Hilt!
Reward: 2,000 skill points!
After returning to the hotel, Zhang Yang didn't bother looking at the news or the online debates.
The Eastern Zhou Golden Sword Hilt, crafted 2,500 years ago, was a hollow-carved gold hilt. The blade had long since decayed with time, leaving behind a stunning piece that took people's breath away.
According to Zhang Yang's research, the Eastern Zhou Golden Sword Hilt was part of the British Museum's collection. It had been sent to France for an exhibition just a month ago.
It was accompanied by other artifacts—over 100 in total. And they were scheduled to be shipped back tonight!
"Gotta move fast."
Zhang Yang frowned. That meant the window was tight.
If they were returned to Britain, he'd have to take a flight to chase them down.
"A mission this important will probably be guarded by Enforcement Bureau agents. At the very least, law enforcement will be escorting the shipment."
This batch wasn't just a single item. It was over 100 treasures. The level of importance was obvious.
Since these items were borrowed from the British Museum, security would be tight to avoid any mishaps.
And even if there weren't already guards, once a warning letter was sent, they'd definitely show up.
Zhang Yang smirked and began writing the warning letter.
"There's only one Kaitō Kid in the world. Of the 100 artifacts from the British Museum, I'll be taking one."
Then he slipped the letter into a white dove's beak and released it out the window.
Right now, the internet was still focused on the bank vault theft and that white card left at the scene.
People were still arguing over whether Kaitō Kid was the true culprit.
"Victor's brain is mush. You people too? You think Kaitō Kid would pull off something so tasteless?"
"Victor couldn't find the real thief, so he just waved around a Kaitō Kid card to cover it up. Kaitō Kid doesn't care about taking the blame."
"Shit! He's a thief. And you're saying he's got class?"
"You fans are the real brainless ones. Worshipping a criminal like he's some kind of god!"
"Fuck! Commander Victor will catch Kaitō Kid soon. Just wait and see!"
Right then, Zhang Yang's new post dropped like a bomb.
The warning letter didn't mention a specific location, only referenced the 100 British artifacts. Netizens all over the world were puzzled.
"What's Kaitō Kid even talking about in this new warning? He's not saying a word about the vault theft?"
"Oh my god! Of course he didn't do it. Why would he mention it?"
"British artifacts? What's that supposed to mean? Is he heading to Britain next?"
"Britain? That's where Kaitō Kid became famous!"
"France's nightmare is finally over. Victor's probably been praying to God for this day!"
Zhang Yang had guessed right—Victor was watching his account like a hawk, waiting for any reaction.
The moment Zhang Yang posted, Victor saw it.
But after reading the warning letter, he was just as confused as everyone else.