Chapter 86: Could she have a crush on me?

The Phantom Thief White Cat could pinpoint treasures with uncanny accuracy—without a doubt, she possessed an extraordinary talent for appraisal.

And to escape from so many dangers unscathed, she had undeniable strength as her foundation.

Now, she could also play the piano brilliantly on stage?

Was there anything she couldn't do?

Navia couldn't help but think so.

Suddenly, a gaze swept toward her. Navia followed it instinctively, locking eyes with Clorinde. The two of them immediately looked away in unison.

Navia: "..."

Clorinde: "..."

That day, Callas had died by Clorinde's hand.

Even if it had been a matter of conflicting positions, even if Callas had sought his own death—

To say there was no lingering resentment toward Clorinde would be a lie.

Navia pressed her lips together slightly, suppressing the stray thoughts for now and refocusing on the stage.

Beside her, Sally was staring in shock and disbelief.

But not because the Phantom Thief White Cat had impersonated her and taken the stage in her place.

Rather, because the performance was simply too mesmerizing.

Fingers glided over the keys, pressing gently—at this moment, Luna was pure elegance.

Then, as the melody swelled with tension and intensity, every keystroke carried an undeniable force—at this moment, Luna was fiery and passionate.

Playing an instrument wasn't just about producing sound. The performer themselves had to become part of the performance.

Only then could one create a true "feast for the senses."

"She's… dazzling," Sally murmured.

Navia glanced around. The entire audience was spellbound.

They saw it.

A young girl frolicking in a wonderland, pursued by soldiers… an illusion that felt more real than reality itself.

Like taking a sip of the strongest liquor and pairing it with a vividly colored, shimmering mushroom.

What a marvelous sensation!

Even Furina—who just moments ago had looked as if she might yawn—was now tapping her fingers along with the melody, her face full of admiration and appreciation.

If it weren't so improper, she might have even burst into song on the spot.

And so, the outcome was already decided.

The final notes painted the scene of a girl returning to the warmth of her family.

The fireplace crackled, casting a soft orange glow across the room. And in that fleeting instant, they caught a glimpse of something hidden within the music—

A faint, delicate trace of emotion.

But before they could grasp it, the piece came to a gentle close, resolving in a serene and peaceful harmony.

The hall fell into absolute silence.

Arlecchino clapped softly, and the sound of her applause roused the audience from their daze. In an instant, thunderous applause erupted.

"So beautiful…"

"It felt like experiencing a wonderland…"

"Like taking an incredibly strong mushroom…"

Furina stood up, raising both hands in enthusiastic applause. "Perfect! Absolutely perfect! I declare you tonight's champion!"

Did they even need to score it? Of course not.

Clorinde also clapped lightly. Applauding a brilliant performance was only natural.

Luna rose from her seat and gave a slight bow, a polite smile on her face, utterly unmoved by the cheers and ovations.

Although there was no longer any doubt about the champion, formalities still had to be followed.

It was time for the scoring!

"10 points! Absolutely brilliant!"

"10 points. You are nothing short of a musical angel…"

"7 points."

…Huh?

All eyes turned toward the third judge.

Furina arched a brow. "Ha?"

Who gave a seven? Did their ears get glued on wrong?

The third judge sat with his arms crossed, an elderly man with hair as white as snow.

He seemed utterly unfazed by the attention directed at him.

Sally clenched her fists. "That guy…!"

It was the very same judge who had insulted her before.

Navia narrowed her eyes, curious about what the Phantom Thief White Cat would do next.

Before Luna could speak, Furina's voice cut through the air.

"Explain why you gave a seven," she demanded.

"Hmph, the reason is simple. I, Audelfen, have heard this kind of music countless times before. It's all technique, no emotion! That's why I deducted two points."

Murmurs spread through the audience.

"Now that you mention it…"

"As expected of a respected music expert."

"Eight points seems fair, ten might be too much."

Furina lifted her chin with a look of disdain. "Oh? So my centuries of musical appreciation and study still can't compare to a so-called authority in his mere decades?"

Furina was the ultimate authority in Fontaine's arts—without question.

Voices from the audience chimed in.

"Indeed, when it comes to authority, it's Lady Furina."

"Does a god's judgment really need questioning?"

"Is this old man just trying to stand out? If others give ten, he gives seven. If they give seven, he'll give five next."

Whether he had been hit where it hurt or was simply furious, Audelfen's face turned red, then black.

But under Furina's gaze, he found himself unable to utter a single retort.

Because Furina was Fontaine's artistic pinnacle.

"I trust my own ears," he mumbled, still with arms crossed.

Furina sneered and sat back down.

She clapped her hands. "27 points—the highest score of the entire festival! The championship is yours, Miss Sally! Come, accept the praise and rewards you deserve!"

"And everyone, let us give her one more round of applause!"

Applause surged again like a tidal wave.

"Miss Sally, you were incredible!"

"Your hands are truly a treasure of Fontaine!"

Sally looked at Luna on stage and smiled.

That's wonderful. If Mother hears about this, she'll surely be happy… This is enough. This is enough…

"Your trophy, please accept it."

Luna glanced at the trophy the host handed her but did not take it.

"I would like a certain gentleman to deliver it to me."

"Hm?"

The host was puzzled. "May I ask who?"

"Why, none other than Mr. Audelfen."

Luna's smile remained ever-polite. "Would you be so kind?"

Audelfen's face darkened. He wanted to refuse, but with so many eyes watching, he couldn't. So he stood, took the trophy, and walked over.

"You're doing this on purpose," he muttered.

"I don't quite understand what you mean."

"You lied to me about your injured hand, didn't you? Just to make a fool of me?"

Luna chuckled softly. "That part wasn't intentional."

She took the trophy from him—and then, she let go.

Before everyone's eyes, the trophy hit the ground, rolled off the stage, and stopped at Navia and Sally's feet.

"Now, that was intentional."

Audelfen's face burned red with rage. "What are you doing!? That's the Grand Keyboard Festival's Gemstone Trophy!"

"And?"

Audelfen stepped forward, reaching to grab Luna by the collar.

But the moment he moved, Luna effortlessly caught his wrist, holding him in place.

"This trophy was made for the champion," she said calmly. "Only the champion is worthy of it. Those who cannot even play should not tarnish it."

Reporters in the audience stirred.

One suddenly stood up. "Is this true!?"

"Wow, I smell an amazing scoop!"

"Charlotte, take photos! I'll take notes!"

Click, click, click! The sound of cameras filled the air.

Audelfen roared, "Nonsense! When did I ever say such a thing!?"

"Oh? Whether you did or not doesn't really matter to me."

Luna released his wrist, causing Audelfen to stumble backward.

Something wasn't right.

This wasn't the same woman he had seen before.

"You… Who are you?"

Luna did not answer. Instead, she turned with a graceful flourish and said lightly,

"A treasure may be high or low, radiant even in the mud, or unworthy despite resting on a pedestal."

A treasure? Furina instinctively leaned forward.

"And you—know nothing of true treasures."

"Not only that…"

Luna spread her arms wide. "A boring stage!"

She gestured toward the shocked audience. "A dull crowd!"

Lastly, the untouched trophy on the ground. "A worthless prize!"

"If not for the esteemed guests present—including Lady Furina herself—this place would be utterly devoid of light. But precisely because of their presence, it is only right that all the light be focused on me."

The lights suddenly went out.

When they flickered back on, a white figure stood at center stage, commanding every beam, every gaze.

Luna planted a sword into the floor.

"The Phantom Thief White Cat claims this treasure now." She rested both hands on the hilt, the familiar smirk beneath her mask resurfacing.

Furina shot to her feet, utterly stunned. "The Phantom Thief White Cat!? Then just now…!"

The entire audience craned their necks.

"Are you kidding!? That was the Phantom Thief!?"

"T-Then does that mean the champion is actually the Phantom Thief…?"

"Security! Where's the security!?"

Clorinde placed a hand on the sword at her waist. "Lady Furina?"

Furina held up a hand to stop her. "…Hold."

Clorinde nodded and released her grip.

She was a duelist, not part of the Special Security Forces. As Furina's subordinate, she would wait if Furina ordered it.

Yet, both Furina and Clorinde had the same burning question.

If the trophy wasn't the real treasure…

Then what was the Phantom Thief White Cat truly after?

…Could it be me!? Furina gasped internally.