Chapter 65: Hypnotized by the Phantom Thief

The reason for her insomnia.

Of course, this was due to... various unspeakable reasons.

She couldn't let anyone know she was an imposter Archon, and the rising sea levels and prophecies were even more impossible to discuss directly.

She couldn't cause panic among the populace.

Did the Phantom Thief White Cat count as part of the populace? Hmm... at least Furina needed to avoid the possibility of her being a big-mouth, spreading information recklessly.

In short, Furina couldn't tell the truth.

So, she made up a random excuse: "Of course it's because the moon tonight is simply lovely, look! So pure, so bright! And more importantly—don't you think it's very gentle?"

"Gentle?"

Furina raised her hand, like an actor on stage, and changed her tone: "Yes, gentle... The sun's brilliance may be strong, but it's impossible to look at directly."

"Excessive brightness only causes eye pain, but the moonlight is different."

"No matter how you gaze at it, it will never harm you."

Furina's meaning was very simple.

I'm just here to admire the moonlight, nothing more. There's no particular reason I can't sleep.

Luna gazed at the full moon hanging in the night sky and smiled. "It's like a spotlight, isn't it?"

"Hm?"

"The sun is just like lighting equipment on a stage. When you're standing under the spotlights, you feel heat, and looking directly at the source hurts your eyes too."

Indeed, it was true. Furina was slightly surprised.

She remarked appreciatively, "Well, well - you do understand quite a bit. Now I'm beginning to believe you've actually watched my performances before."

In truth, Luna hadn't seen many, but she kept quiet about it.

Let the beautiful lie continue, she thought.

Furina sat down, hugging her knees.

"It's just like that... The sun is like the stage lights, too hot and blinding. The moon is like a lamp? No, even table lamps can hurt your eyes. More like... a glowing jellyfish?"

"Is the moon a jellyfish of the sky?"

"Just a comparison. But that does sound rather romantic. I might use that in a new act someday." Furina laughed softly.

Never would I have expected to be chatting about such things with a phantom thief here, Furina mused.

"What about you?"

"Hm?"

Furina lifted her toes a bit. "Are you not going to sleep?"

At the mention, she suddenly tensed, a note of apprehension creeping into her voice.

"Could it be that you've just completed a heist?!"

Wouldn't there be a whole army of people chasing after her then?

Luna smiled enigmatically. "Even a Phantom Thief needs rest," she said, her voice like a soothing melody. "What would be the fun if I spent every minute of the day thieving treasures?"

Furina's shoulders relaxed imperceptibly. Whew, that was close.

"I've already told you, I'm here to unwind and enjoy myself," Luna continued, her gaze fixed on Furina's curious eyes. "But tell me, what brought this on?"

In a swift motion, Luna's eyes flashed, her gaze probing Furina's soul. "It seems you care deeply about my answer."

"Care? Hardly!" Furina retorted, her voice tinted with divine arrogance. "As a god, how could I possibly concern myself with a mere sinner? But I must admit, I'm terribly bored right now. I grant you permission to share something intriguing—entertain me a bit!" Her laughter was like the tinkling of a thousand bells.

"My life is not meant to be a source of amusement for anyone," Luna replied coolly.

"I apologize."

What a swift apology.

Furina seemed to realize her faux pas as well. She cleared her throat and amended, "Very well, I admit my choice of words was poor. What I mean to say is, since I'm so bored, you should share something with me!"

"Should a Phantom Thief share her secrets?"

"Precisely."

With fluid grace, Luna vaulted in front of Furina, bending down so their eyes were level. "You want me to share without any bargaining power?"

Eep! So close, so close, so close!

Is she going to devour me? Furina instinctively leaned back, planting her hands on the sandy ground behind her. "Ah ha ha, of course, as—as part of the deal, I would..."

Luna blinked repeatedly as she continued to approach. "And?"

"I... I shall bestow upon you the Focalors' blessing!"

"Does that mean my thefts will always succeed?"

Furina's lips pursed. "Hardly! I meant something like wishing for you to sleep soundly each night—nothing so specific as your thieving endeavors."

"Does this imply Miss Furina is about to kiss my forehead?"

"Your imagination is too vivid—keep dreaming!" Furina promptly dismissed the idea.

"Then may I peck Miss Furina on the cheek?"

"Hah?!"

N-no way she's into girls, right?!

Just like the trial before, could she also be a... a... a comrade in that regard?

Furina's face flushed crimson. "Absolutely not! As if I'd let you do such a thing! Don't get too cocky, you mere Phantom Thief. If you dare to offend the divine..."

"It wouldn't bother me at all."

You should mind!

No, no, no—Oh, Clorinde, save me!

Silently screaming, Furina instinctively closed her eyes.

I don't want to see anything...

In the next moment, Furina felt Luna's presence draw away from her.

She cautiously opened her eyes and found Luna standing at the seaside, her hands clasped behind her back, silently gazing at the horizon where the water's surface was punctuated by waves of foam.

"Having reunited with my family after so long, I find myself unable to sleep."

"Huh? Family?"

Though these words sounded odd, Furina's first thought was indeed: So she does have family after all.

Furina lifted her hands, finding them covered in fine sand. Gently brushing it away, she asked, "Is there trouble in your family?"

She wasn't looking to catch the Phantom Thief based on this information; she was genuinely curious.

"We used to be very close, but then some things happened, and we stopped keeping in touch."

"A quarrel?"

Luna turned slightly, a smile playing on her lips. "Something like that."

Furina pondered, "Was it your fault?"

"...Yes."

"Then I think it'd be best for you to apologize."

"..."

Luna said no more.

Am I meddling too much? Furina wondered to herself. I shouldn't get involved in other people's family affairs.

"Thank you."

"Hm?"

"I'm very pleased to hear you say that, Lady Furina. And it seems you don't actually want to capture me."

Because she couldn't.

Furina masked her embarrassment with a smug smile. "As I've said, you're just an ordinary person, while I am the Hydro Archon. Handling you would be effortless for me."

"Would you pay attention to a pebble on the roadside that you can easily kick aside?" Furina asked.

Wait, this sounds like a provocation! Furina hurried to correct herself.

If I push her too far, dealing with the Phantom Thief White Cat later won't be easy!

"You're right, I wouldn't," Luna agreed.

But Luna simply showed a faint smile, as if not taking her words seriously.

Feeling more at ease now, Furina placed her hands on her hips. "Exactly! There's a vast difference between our statuses; my position far surpasses yours. Why should I lower myself to personally catch you when the Court of Justice is more than sufficient?"

And if it really comes to that, there's always Clorinde, she thought.

"A vast difference indeed... hm, you're certainly correct," Luna suddenly turned, walking up to Furina and tugging at her ceremonial hat. "But Lady Furina, you must also know that the greater the disparity in status, the more it tempts people to approach, touch, caress..."

So she really is...! Furina couldn't help but shrink back involuntarily.

Then her vision went completely black, feeling the palm over her eyes and whispered words by her ear:

"Goodnight, my Lady Archon."

In an instant, the sensation above her eyes and the presence beside her vanished completely.

When Furina opened her eyes again, she realized Luna had disappeared.

The moon in the night sky, the waves crashing against the shore, and the Blubber Beasts lying on the ground basking in the moonlight... everything seemed like it might have been a dream.

There were no footprints, no traces. It was as if the Phantom Thief White Cat had never been there at all.

Furina stood up, dusted off the fine sand from her clothes, and looked around.

"Phantom Thief?"

As expected, there was no response.

It was just like a dream.

She walked over to the Blubber Beast and patted its belly.

"Have you seen the Phantom Thief?"

"I don't know, sister," the Blubber Beast said with an innocent look in its eyes, conveying its meaning silently.

Furina continued rubbing its belly. "Heh heh, I thought so too."

When she lowered her head, she felt something rolling around inside her hat.

Hmm?

"What's this?" Furina took off her hat and reached inside, pulling out a wrapped piece of candy and a card.

A small token of gratitude, a humble gesture—Phantom Thief White Cat.

A token of gratitude in the form of candy?

Hmm... Furina hesitated for a few seconds, but still tore open the wrapper and popped the candy into her mouth.

Phantom Thief White Cat...

"How peculiar indeed."

Surprisingly, after returning home that night, she fell into a deep sleep, experiencing a rare moment of restful slumber.

Could it be that the candy she gave me contained nothing strange? Furina pondered the next day.