Chapter 58: Childhood Sweethearts to ex-girlfriend

Luna descended before them, squinting, feeling as though this masked duo was eerily familiar.

And wasn't it the same for the others? Golden hair, crimson eyes—Lynette's mind flashed with a guess.

But how could that be? It must be a delusion. More importantly, how to get out of here. If Chevreuse had truly teamed up with the Phantom Thief White Cat, it would be best to withdraw for now.

Lyney's gaze fell upon the notebook in Luna's hands.

She said it's evidence... Is the mobile task force also searching for proof against Alkien?

If I could get my hands on it, I could give it to "Father." But she's the infamous Phantom Thief; a mere Magician's trick won't fool her.

If there's a way I can find...

"One man and one woman, both quite young judging by their figures," Chevreuse observed, alighting beside Luna.

She hypothesized, "Are they lackeys sent by Alkien's accomplices, assassins, or perhaps... someone like you?"

"Hardly anyone like me, no. But it seems they have their eyes set on the evidence I possess."

Chevreuse remained skeptical. Then again, given the Phantom Thief White Cat's aloof nature, it wouldn't be surprising if she could stomach working with lesser peers.

After all, they want that evidence?

That could not go unnoticed. Yet before making a move...

"Give it to me."

"Your heart?"

Chevreuse remained expressionless. "The evidence."

All Luna needed was this notebook, the key to incriminating Alkien. With it, she could send him to the Fortress of Meropide and uproot his sins along with his accomplices, bringing justice and solace to countless victims.

Luna, deep in thought, toyed with the notebook. "What should I do...?"

"You..."

"I never said I'd give it to you, did I? I found it first, you know." Luna laughed, her gaze fixed on Chevreuse's displeased face.

There's a weakness here!

Lyney and Lynette exchanged glances, moving in unison.

Lynette seized her cloak and swung it upwards. The cloak suddenly billowed, concealing both siblings from view.

In the next instant, fiery arrows streaked across the night sky, hurtling towards them at perilous angles!

"What a nuisance," Chevreuse muttered.

Her long spear whirled, scattering the fiery projectiles. Yet, as the sparks exploded upon impact, Chevreuse had to squint against the flashes.

Pyro? A Vision holder, perhaps... In that moment, Chevreuse realized that one of her adversaries had vanished from sight.

The wind howled as Lynette's figure melted into the night, stealthily closing the distance to Luna.

Strike first, catch them off guard, then seize the notebook. With the Anemo Vision bestowing wind elemental powers, confidence coursed through her veins... or so she believed.

A blade flashed from the corner of her eye, meeting its mirror opposite.

How fast! Lynette's mind raced, mildly astonished.

The Phantom Thief White Cat's reflexes were far quicker than expected!

"Blocked? Retreat immediately!" Lyney commanded.

Having missed their chance, they couldn't afford to get bogged down any further.

"The noise is coming from over there!"

"Captain!"

The voices of the special task force and the security team were drawing nearer. It was only a matter of time before they regained consciousness, spilled out in an orderly fashion, and surrounded the area like a watertight dam.

Lynette gave a slight nod.

Her wind element accelerated as she swiftly moved to retreat.

But in the blink of an eye, Luna had flashed in front of her.

"You think you can leave just like that? Not so fast. Reveal your true identity."

The lifted sword blade flashed before Lynette's eyes.

"Ugh...! With matters as they are..." She reached for her pocket, intending to pull out a prop, but her fingers only encountered empty space.

Luna unfurled her palm, holding a series of small spheres between her fingers.

"Is this what you're looking for?"

When did she steal these from me?

Lynette's gaze darkened. Even children from the House of the Hearth, trained as professionals, couldn't possibly pull off such a petty theft.

And what was with this sense of familiarity?

Whether it was the minute movements of her sword or the sensation conveyed through her words... everything felt eerily known to Lynette.

As she observed the Phantom Thief White Cat's belongings, their familiarity inadvertently stirred memories long buried.

What set Luna apart from the other children was her exceptional brilliance.

She didn't feel intimidated by "Father," and in fact, she seemed quite fond of her.

Regardless of the subject matter, she quickly grasped any knowledge presented to her.

This was especially true for swordsmanship, physical techniques, and polearm combat.

"Not quite, dear Lynette, you can't swing your sword like this. You must slice out with a whoosh, as if extending your arm through the blade."

"...Your explanation is rather confusing."

However, her explanations of combat techniques always left people utterly bewildered, as if she were trying to explain how to breathe.

Perhaps that's what geniuses are like.

"Is it really that incomprehensible?"

"Yeah, it is."

"Well then, let's try practicing together. As 'Father' said, the most important thing is to feel it. lynette, you're very skilled at observation and sensing, right?"

Lynette nodded. "Mm-hmm, and I have a great memory too, so I won't forget."

"Really?"

"Of course. I surely won't forget about Lulu either. I remember it all very clearly."

Lynette began counting on her fingers. "Yesterday, she secretly ate some cookies from the kitchen, and was constantly sneakily following 'Father' around the house. At night, she snored fifteen times, and used way too much shampoo."

"...You don't need to remember it that clearly!" Luna protested, blushing.

"I remember everything about my family clearly, especially Lulu."

"Alright, enough already. Come on, raise your sword!˧"

Lynette couldn't help but smile.

Everyone at the House of the Hearth was her family. Keeping their matters close to heart and mind was the most natural thing in the world.

But Luna and Lyney were special.

Lyney was her blood brother, the one she'd been inseparable from since childhood.

And Luna... she was the ray of light in Lynette's nightmares, the shining beacon that tore through darkness and fear.

Even though she no longer had that recurring dream, she still felt safe and free merely because Luna existed.

Luna's swordsmanship was swift.

But also beautiful.

Lynette had thought Luna would keep her promise, always remaining her guiding light.

However...

"I'm sorry, Lynette..."

Leaving. Parting. These words should no longer apply to me, yet it's Luna who brings them back.

-

The sword blades crossed.

Why...?

Lynette still remembered Luna's sword all too clearly.

Light, swift, and beautiful, just like the one she felt before her now.

"Why... is your sword just like Lulu's?" Her voice was so soft it seemed the wind from the clashing swords might carry it away, yet Luna still caught it.

Luna's movements faltered.

The one who would call her "Lulu" was Navia now; only one person from the past still did.

Her childhood sweetheart, Lynette.