Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

Meanwhile, at Palais Mermonia.

Furina glanced at the clock, thinking it was time for bed.

"Though today's trials were truly..."

In all her years, she had rarely encountered such torturous proceedings.

Those twisted ideas and macabre corpses... Furina couldn't help but recall a few crime novels she'd read in the past.

She had to admit that, at times, the fear instilled by a madman far exceeded that of ordinary ghosts or monsters.

Furina shook her head rapidly.

"No, no, no! I can't keep thinking about this nonsense or I'll never get to sleep!"

"How could I possibly face tomorrow's affairs with such a fragile mental state? It'd be akin to murder!"

So, it was time to sleep!

Turning off the lights, climbing into bed, Furina closed her eyes.

The mind, after its performance on the stage, is utterly exhausted. The moment it relinquishes tension, slumber envelops consciousness in darkness. Yet within that boundless obscurity, hazy dreams begin to materialize.

"I'll turn your face into a mask as well... heh-heh-heh..."

"Ugh?!"

With a sudden, heart-wrenching cry, Furina jolted upright.

Just as I feared, another nightmare.

She tugged at her collar, her entire body drenched in a cold sweat. The stickiness was utterly miserable.

"Ah... If I knew this would happen, I should've skipped today's Trial." Still deeply regretting her decision, sleep eluded her completely. Reluctantly, she moved towards the window.

The cool night breeze caressed her skin, its refreshing touch soothing Furina's agitated mind.

"Instead of dwelling on such terrifying thoughts, I might as well consider something more pleasant."

Something more pleasant... Furina pondered for a moment.

Rising waters. Fontaine's prophecy...

No, no, thinking about these heavy matters will only make it harder to sleep! she realized. Focus on something intriguing and joyful, like—

"Speaking of which, that actress Luna is truly peculiar," she mused.

Luna had appeared out of nowhere, leaping onto the stage as if in a performance—both during the Trial and her actual debut, delivering flawless renditions from the start.

A truly astonishing talent.

"And then there's this Phantom Thief who's been making appearances lately..."

Though seemingly unconnected, Furina couldn't shake the feeling that something momentous was about to unfold in Fontaine.

After drifting aimlessly in thought for some time, Furina finally crawled back into bed.

"Don't worry about these things for now."

After all, human lives are the most important. It's time to sleep.

"..."

"....."

"...I can't sleep!"

Furina was suffering from insomnia.

The next day.

Luna, who had enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep, sat up slowly, rubbed her eyes, and started getting ready.

There was no need to eat too much for breakfast. She casually picked up the newspaper from the mailbox, then sat down with a warm glass of milk.

[Masks of the Dead, Sins of the Living - The Latest and Most Terrifying Case at the Opera House]

Yesterday, the Opera Epiclese held a trial that left even the most informed witnesses pale-faced. The accused's alleged crimes were enough to make anyone's blood boil. The truth behind Mary Bestina's disappearance finally came to light: she hadn't vanished, she had been murdered...

"Her script is nothing short of blasphemy against the stage!" Lady Furina declared.

Even Mike, the renowned crime expert with five stars to his name, expressed his shock: "I've never encountered such an abhorrent case before."

As a fortunate reporter, I was able to interview Miss Luna and Miss Navia, the accusers who also played a pivotal role in solving this case.

-

"Thanks to everyone, I can face evil and stand proud at the trial, speaking for justice." Miss Luna said.

Miss Navia agreed with Luna's description of their troupe. "Exactly as Lulu said."

-

With such upheaval within the Dark Moon Troupe, I wonder what their future holds?

Regardless of what comes next, Miss Luna has already dazzled on stage. Her strength and sense of justice are truly irreplaceable treasures for Fontaine.

Let us eagerly anticipate every one of Miss Luna's future performances.

"Hmph, indeed, anticipation is all we need," Luna nodded with satisfaction.

She looked further down the page, noticing another section dedicated to news about the Phantom Thief.

However, this particular column wasn't written by Charlotte but by another journalist from the same newspaper, and its content was mostly a collection of quotes from various individuals.

The Phantom Thief is the cancer of our nation! - Marcel

I can't comment. - Mr. Mike, Five-Star Crime Specialist

She's stealing the hard-earned treasures of all Fontaine's citizens. - Some Critic

I can't comment. - Mr. Mike, Five-Star Crime Specialist

She's just trying to draw attention to herself. Maybe her true identity is a twisted, evil person. - Some Celebrity

I can't comment. - Mr. Mike, Five-Star Crime Specialist

Then just what can you say? - Reporter

I can't comment. - Mr. Mike, Five-Star Crime Specialist

Naturally, Luna wouldn't have any qualms about this situation.

She did hope the newspaper might contain some news regarding treasures. However, after skimming through it for a while without finding anything noteworthy, she lost interest and tossed it onto the table.

Licking the bread crumbs from the corner of her mouth, Luna stood up.

It was time to head to the troupe and take care of the next matters.

"Good morning, Miss Luna."

"Morning."

"Good day, Miss Luna!"

"Uh-huh, good morning."

Luna felt that the members of the troupe were considerably warmer towards her now, and she doubted this was just her imagination.

Without question, the mere suspicion of a serial killer within the troupe would gravely damage their reputation. Yet, the one who uncovered the truth was someone from the same troupe.

Moreover, Luna herself had spoken positively of the troupe, despite her circumstances.

If she were to utter just one sentence like: "Actually, the troupe members have reservations about the accusations against me."

The public opinion would break their bread, leaving them destitute.

Without work, they couldn't feed their families, and chasing dreams would become an absurdity—an impossibility for those who must face reality in life.

So kind, so talented, so forgiving... How could one not admire her? How could one not cherish her?

"Luna..."

Upon entering the hall, Luna found the troupe's manager, Romi, standing there with a complicated expression, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

He looked down. "I'm sorry. What I said to you before—"

"I forgive you... Perhaps you were expecting such a response? No. I don't forgive you." Luna's tone was calm, but it carried an unmistakable force that brooked no argument or plea.

She picked up an apple and a fruit knife from the table, deftly peeling the fruit.

"You put your own interests before the safety of the troupe, abandoned Miss Mary, and even threatened to use my career against me."

"People must pay for their actions, don't you think?"

Luna cut the apple, her knife dancing in the air.

It was only now that Romi remembered—Luna used to be a renowned adventurer of the Adventurer's Guild. Even without the Vision, her strength was formidable.

Cold sweat broke out on his skin.

"What must I do for you to forgive me? I'll do anything!"

Luna wiped the knife with a cloth. "No, I won't forgive you. But I don't think there's any need for us to be hostile, is there? After all, we'll be working together in the future."

"You... still want to stay with the troupe?"

"It'd be too troublesome to find someone new."

Besides, the current Dark Moon Troupe was essentially serving her purposes now. Why abandon it?

Luna sat down on the sofa and pushed the plate of fruit towards Romi.

"Please, take a seat, Captain."

"O-of course, I'll sit... I'll sit right here."

He cautiously took a seat across from her.

"Here?"

Romi immediately jumped up again.

Luna let out a soft chuckle. "No need to be so tense. I'm not interested in wasting my breath on someone like you. Just keep being a good Captain from now on, and of course—if I have any suggestions..."

"I'll listen attentively!"

"Good. Now then, when is our next performance?"

"In two months, but..."

"But?"

Romi frowned. "All our current scripts are written by Judith, as you know. She... well, everything she wrote has become a hot potato now."

From now on, only those with a penchant for the bizarre would choose to watch plays based on her scripts, he thought.

Luna fell silent, deep in thought.

In other words, the troupe needs a new playwright.

Should we hire someone? Or perhaps...

Why don't I write myself?