Chapter 74: You thought it was over, didn't you?

Upon seeing the Phantom Thief White Cat again, Chevreuse couldn't help but stare into her eyes.

A smile seemed to be the only emotion visible in those captivating, gem-like eyes.

"Stealing others' towels too? I thought the Phantom Thief only took beautiful treasures?" Chevreuse replied mildly.

"I didn't steal it. It flew into my hand by itself."

"Nonsense."

"Well then, I think anything belonging to Miss Chevreuse is beautiful."

"You pervert."

Luna alighted briskly beside Chevreuse and grabbed the towel. "Come on, tilt your head back. I'll wipe you perfectly dry."

"No need." Without thinking, Chevreuse snatched the towel from her hand and began wiping her neck herself.

"Were you working out earlier?" Luna asked with interest.

"Special training."

"Special Task Force's special special training?"

Chevreuse's face remained expressionless. "That joke is hardly funny."

"I thought it was quite amusing."

"What, feeling discouraged because you can't beat me? Thinking you need to enhance your own strength now?" Luna leaned in close, asking with a smile.

It was still that infuriating grin as always.

Out of sight, out of mind. Chevreuse averted her gaze, but replied with feigned nonchalance, "Indeed, I must become stronger."

"...Then shall I help you?"

Caught off guard, Chevreuse furrowed her brow slightly. "What's your angle this time?"

Luna paced slowly, hands clasped behind her back. "How disheartening. Must you doubt me for everything I do? You well know I rarely have any ulterior motives."

Do I need a reason?

"I need a reason."

Chevreuse draped her towel around her neck, one hand on her hip. "And that night... you... you knew Alkien would be killed, didn't you?"

What keen insight.

But Luna remained composed, responding to her accusation with a casual shrug:

"I had no idea."

"You didn't kill him, did you?"

"Perhaps I did?"

Chevreuse approached Luna, treading lightly. "Did you?" Her tone was icy, yet it carried an unmistakable gravity that brooked no evasion. Her gaze seemed to pierce through Luna's mask, striving to unravel her very essence.

Luna responded with equal coolness, "Does it matter?"

"Yes, it does."

"Could it be that you're concerned about me, Miss Captain?" Luna asked with a hint of mockery.

Chevreuse rebuffed her, "No, I want to know the extent of your sins."

"Depending on your answer, my choices will differ. Be honest with me."

"It wasn't me who killed," Luna stated flatly.

"But hasn't justice already been served?"

Chevreuse sighed in relief. Sins could be light or heavy. If the Phantom Thief before her was a serial killer, her approach would have to change entirely. The current situation was already complicated enough; she didn't need any additional layers of trouble.

"It was vigilantism," Chevreuse said.

"At least it prevents the criminal from roaming free for another day," Luna countered.

"... I can't deny that," Chevreuse replied, unsurprised by Luna's stance. "But regardless of the outcome, vigilante justice should never be tolerated," Chevreuse said.

"What a complex captain you are."

"Let others say what they will. You have your limits, and I have mine."

A moment of silence fell between them.

Luna let out a soft chuckle. "Shall we put an end to this unpleasant topic and chat about something more uplifting? Perhaps—"

She took a step, placing her right foot between Chevreuse's. Her raised hand gently touched Chevreuse's gun holster, fingers flicking with a click as the catch sprang open.

"Are you not planning to point your gun at me tonight?"

At these words, Chevreuse lifted her gaze slightly.

The distance between them had somehow closed to mere inches, their gently rising and falling chests almost touching. The words hung in the air, hazy and indistinct.

Of course, Chevreuse didn't enjoy this closeness, especially with a Phantom Thief. But she knew—she couldn't afford to miss any opportunity to understand this enigma.

She needed to enhance her strength, and her understanding of the Phantom Thief had to keep pace.

A person who knows both himself and his enemy will not be imperiled in a hundred battles. The ancient wisdom of Liyue applies just as well in Fontaine.

Thus, Chevreuse didn't flinch away. She simply replied with feigned indifference:

"If you have such interests, I could satisfy you." She made to draw her gun, but Luna restrained her.

"Miss Chevreuse, your misunderstandings about me run deep. I assure you, I have no such peculiarities."

"Do you even believe your own words?" Chevreuse scoffed softly. "At least on this matter, you speak the truth. However, I wouldn't mind if Miss Chevreuse were to develop some unique interests in me."

"In that case, I might lose control over my aim."

"Then perhaps you should see a doctor."

"Perhaps you should start with examining your own mind first."

"Such rudeness! Are you truly angered? Still grumbling over what I've done?" Luna attempted to gently twirl a strand of Chevreuse's slightly damp hair with sweat.

But as soon as she reached out, Chevreuse forcefully gripped her wrist, applying enough pressure to cause discomfort.

"No, I won't be angry with you." Chevreuse said softly. "You indeed did something I don't like—you let a sinner who should have faced a just trial die by another's hands." She released Luna and closed her eyes.

"But I have nothing to do with you in the first place. Without cooperation, there is no such thing as betrayal."

"You are a criminal I must capture, and I will personally bring you to justice. If I must define our relationship, that is all there is between us."

Luna rubbed her sore wrist. "But you're disappointed, aren't you?"

Chevreuse opened her eyes, her gaze unwavering. "I didn't expect you to be so delusional."

"Then just think of it that way." Luna smiled.

She pulled the towel from around Chevreuse's neck and gently wiped her face.

"I've told you before, I won't live up to anyone's expectations. That includes you, Miss Chevreuse. So, please don't expect anything from me."

"Oh, but there's one thing you can expect."

Chevreuse slapped Luna's hand away. "What?"

"A friendly kiss from a Phantom Thief?"

"Not necessary, and I wouldn't expect something like that. Stop saying things like that—do you really think jokes like this are amusing?"

Luna pouted. "This isn't a joke, I just enjoy doing it."

She acts as if she's completely fixated on my body. Chevreuse thought to herself as she took a few steps away.

"Perverted thief. In any case, our relationship will always be like this."

On one side stood the infamous Phantom Thief, accused of countless misdeeds; on the other, Captain Chevreuse, tasked with her arrest. One sought escape, while the other pursued. One awaited judgment, while the other was duty-bound to deliver her to trial. That was all there was to it.

Luna pondered aloud, "Then if I were to run away for the rest of my life, would you chase me for all eternity?"

"No need. I'll catch you long before then."

"Then why not apprehend me now?"

Chevreuse exhaled softly, tightening her gloves. "If you'd prefer, I could arrest you this instant."

"You've got quite a knack for humor, Miss Chevreuse," Luna remarked slyly. "Aren't you the one who secretly wants me to seek you out? And it's not hard to guess why—you already know the truth behind the Tears of a Maiden."

Chevreuse fell silent for a moment.

"Yes, let's discuss the rest inside." She lifted her chin, gesturing towards the abandoned house. Clearly, she intended to both capture Luna and engage her in a discussion about the case's true nature. She needed Luna yet longed to send her straight to the Fortress of Meropide. She wanted to imprison her, yet still clung to a shred of hope regarding her identity.

"Captain?"

Luna paused.

"You're quite the paradox, you know."

Chevreuse shot Luna a glare.

"This isn't being difficult... pant... Enough already. I have no interest in discussing trivial matters with you. Every minute you waste here means you'll spend an extra year in the Fortress of Meropide."

"Yes, Miss Captain," Luna replied with a bow.

"Don't look, or I'll explode from anger," Chevreuse sternly reminded herself.