Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

In response to Luna's obvious taunt, Chevreuse merely offered a calm retort.

"Hmm, my thoughts have never strayed from you."

"Wow, you care that much about me? I must say, I'm quite fond of Miss Chevreuse too."

Chevreuse aimed the muzzle at Luna's torso. She couldn't risk aiming at her limbs, as it would be easier for Luna to dodge.

"I mean to say, I've always wanted to capture you and send you to the Trial Court."

Luna smiled instead, "Then my crimes must truly captivate Miss Chevreuse's attention."

Bang!

The only response to her words was a single gunshot.

The flash of Luna's blade ripped through the darkness, splitting the bullet in two.

Luna stroked her sword, her tone cheerful, "As you know, firearms have no effect on me."

"Besides, you can't risk harming me too badly; after all, the treasure remains here."

Luna circled the harp, her hands caressing its body. A hint of nostalgia flickered in her eyes. It had been ages since she last played this instrument.

"Please join me for another song," Luna said charmingly. "Why not take a seat?"

"No need," Chevreuse replied coolly. "I'm more curious to see how you plan to steal such a massive treasure." She signaled for the Special Task Force to encircle Luna.

Luna glanced at them but seemed unfazed. "Indeed, this is the largest and heaviest treasure I've ever attempted to steal. Without sufficient manpower, my plan would surely fail."

"But that's only under 'normal' circumstances." She raised a finger and winked playfully. "Don't blink now, you're about to witness a miracle. I'm going to perform some real magic for you all."

"Magic? Not magic tricks?" Turenna asked, puzzled.

Perhaps due to the influence of popular stories or maybe because aspiring thieves naturally gravitated towards all things glamorous—either way, thieves were often equated with magicians.

Don't know any tricks? Then you're not a real thief! Luna was tempted to denounce such prejudice.

Although she favored storming in and outright stealing, who could argue that she wasn't a bona fide thief?

Even without a magical gimmick, isn't a magical phantom thief just as good?

Do you think a thief is limited to such an triviality?

"It's right, it's magic."

"Three."

"Two."

"One."

As hands snapped, a swirling portal appeared in mid-air.

Luna reached out, gently grasping the portal and pulling it toward the piano.

The piano seemed to be gradually erased from the world, disappearing before everyone's eyes.

It was simple yet forceful, and yet so impossible to believe.

Where did the piano go?

How did it disappear? What ability did she use?

"Ta-da! Magic works! It's gone! Show's over. Can you give me a round of applause?"

Chevreuse lowered her rifle and conjured a long spear instead. The rest of the Special Task Force members also snapped out of their daze and switched to close-quarter weapons.

If long-range attacks were ineffective, then it was time for a close-up brawl!

Don't underestimate the Special Task Force, thinking they only know how to flatten criminals with guns.

Chevreuse gripped her spear tightly. "When you're sent to Meropide, I'll definitely be applauding for you. This time, I'll surely capture you, Phantom Thief White Cat!"

The spear tip shot forward like a bullet, almost brushing Luna's face before burying itself in the wall.

She swiftly closed the gap. If wielding a pike could be considered a 'wall hug,' then she was indeed pressing Luna against the wall now.

"Did you find any evidence?" Luna whispered.

Chevreuse hesitated, then lowered her voice further, "No, he's hiding quickly and discreetly. He's experienced at this."

"Should I help you?"

Chevreuse stared into Luna's eyes. "... I don't need help."

Releasing the pike, she swung her fist towards Luna.

The captain of the Special Task Force wasn't limited to just guns and pikes; she had learned to subdue criminals using any means necessary.

"You're so violent," Luna remarked. "I'm afraid you'll never get married."

"That kind of behavior is reserved for you alone," the captain replied. "Don't worry."

"The affection of the Special Task Force captain truly is heavy," Luna lamented.

As Luna evaded Chevreuse's flurry of punches, she finally vanished into the dimly lit corridor.

Chevreuse drew her pike. "I'll chase after her first. You guys wake them up later."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner outside the mansion, Lynette was intently listening.

First came the sound of piano music, followed by gunfire, then the sounds of combat...

Her conclusions were clear: the Phantom Thief White Cat had arrived and was already clashing with the Special Task Force.

"It's time, brother," she murmured.

"The battle's begun then. This chaos is perfect for our plan."

"The special task force may have obtained some intelligence, but not necessarily all of it. While ensuring a safe retreat, we must do our utmost to gather what 'Father' desires... Freminet, the evacuation is in your capable hands."

Freminet nodded in understanding.

In the midst of chaos, their goal was to salvage as much information as possible—this was Lyney's plan. Engaging directly with the special task force would be both dangerous and imprudent.

Lyney finally checked his and Lynette's disguises one last time, ensuring their faces were completely concealed. Even Lynette's most distinctive features, her cat ears and tail, had been expertly hidden.

"Let's move!"

The pair swiftly approached Alkien Manor. Their bodies, fueled by the visions they possessed, exhibited extraordinary agility. In mere moments, they had scaled to the second floor and reached the study.

Logically, bedrooms and studies were the most likely places to harbor clues...

But what they didn't anticipate was—someone had already beaten them to it.

And who should they find but Luna and Chevreuse, who should have been locked in a fierce battle.

-

Not long ago, Chevreuse had hotly pursued Luna into the study.

The phantom thief should have attempted to make a clean getaway after stealing the treasure, but instead, she had lured her rival here.

Her intentions were virtually self-evident.

Sure enough, as Chevreuse entered, she found the phantom thief who had been locked in combat just moments ago.

Luna sat on the desk, smiling carelessly. "I guess I should help you after all?"

Chevreuse closed the door. "Would you really be that generous?"

"The depth of your misunderstanding for me is truly remarkable. Generous or not, it doesn't really matter to me."

Luna reached out and grasped Chevreuse's hair. "I do what I want because I feel like it—simple enough for you?"

"That's called reckless behavior," Chevreuse said, batting her hand away.

"I'm not fond of overcomplicating matters. Simplicity is best for everyone, don't you think?"

She jumped down from the table and, under Chevreuse's watchful gaze, picked up a book from the bookshelf. Opening it, she revealed that the pages were stuck together, with a small cavity carved out in the middle. A button set in the center caught her eye.

She pressed it.

Klack. The sound of a hidden mechanism unlocking echoed from somewhere within the wall.

"... You knew this since your reconnaissance, didn't you?" Chevreuse asked.

"Exactly. I'm surprised you lot didn't catch on. Shall I give you a proper training session?"

Luna suddenly moved closer to Chevreuse and tapped her own cheek. "One kiss per entry, how about it?"

"No need," Chevreuse said, expressionless.

"A pity."

Luna turned on her heel and opened a hidden compartment in the wall.

Inside lay a stash of gold and jewels—this was why her Thieves' Eyes had detected the secret compartment. But she wasn't interested in these riches.

It wasn't that she wouldn't steal treasures.

Instead, Luna picked up a notebook lying beside the valuables and flipped it open.

Subdued: ...

Not Subdued: ...

Attending the "Party": ...

The pages were filled with names.

Among them were a few that seemed familiar, belonging to musicians who had risen to fame recently. Given Alkien's status and position, it wasn't hard to deduce that these people had made some sort of pact with him.

Whether they had sold their bodies or souls was anyone's guess.

Those "attending the party" were mostly other nobles or wealthy individuals.

"Here's the evidence you requested." Luna waved her notebook in the air.

"...and are those people outside your accomplices?"

"As if," Chevreuse replied casually. "I see."

In the next moment, she lifted her gun and pyro-elemental power exploded from her fingertips. The flying bullets blasted through the walls instantly, forcing Lyney and Lynette, who were pressed against the wall outside, to dodge quickly.

The two landed safely on the ground and exchanged glances.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, but... why...?"

Is the Phantom Thief collaborating with the Special Task Force captain? Can that be true?