Chapter 92: Chevreuse Wants to Use Phantom Thief

Night fell. Everyone stood ready.

"Captain, we've completed the encirclement," Turenna reported. "Don't worry, even if a mouse tried to slip out, we'd spot it instantly! Mungoth won't escape through here!"

Hearing no response from Chevreuse, she followed the captain's gaze instinctively.

"Here she comes," Chevreuse murmured.

Navia, who had been conversing with Chiori, also sensed the familiar presence.

Is that... the Phantom Thief?

Turning toward the hillside, they found the white-clad figure exactly where they'd expected.

"The Phantom Thief?!"

"Captain, what do we do?!"

The Special Task Force's guns instantly trained on Luna.

Yet Luna showed no trace of fear—not merely because bullets couldn't harm her, but because she knew Chevreuse's next move.

"Hold." Chevreuse raised her hand.

"Captain?"

"I said hold."

Though bewildered, the team lowered their weapons.

Clorinde's eyes remained fixed on Luna, never imagining the Phantom Thief would dare show herself here.

Chiori, however, was studying Luna's attire with intense scrutiny.

The photographs had lacked detail, but seeing the real garment now, something about its craftsmanship felt familiar—like something she might have produced in her early days.

But how could this be possible?

...If she could examine it up close, Chiori believed she might be able to determine the true identity of the Phantom Thief White Cat.

However, Luna didn't give her that chance.

"Indeed, my dear captain dotes on me so much she wouldn't let me get hurt," Luna said cheerfully as she leaped down, maintaining a safe distance from the group.

Clorinde asked, "Your dear captain?"

"My dear captain."

Chevreuse grumbled, "This one loves spouting nonsense."

"I'd call that teasing," Clorinde nodded expressionlessly.

As expected of the strongest Champion Duelist - she'd voiced their exact thoughts! Every member of the Special Task Force felt nothing but admiration.

Chevreuse shot Clorinde a sidelong glance, ignoring her completely.

She cut straight to the chase. "Purpose?"

"Treasure."

"How do you know?"

"Followed your scent, dear captain."

So that's how it was. Chevreuse said coldly, "Sneaking around? That's one more crime on your record."

"Catch me first, and you can do whatever you want - don't glare at me like that. Where there's treasure, there's a Phantom Thief. Isn't that just natural?"

"We usually call them rats."

"Unfortunately, I'm not the Phantom Thief Rat, but I do hope Miss Chevreuse will turn into one," Luna said warmly.

Chevreuse couldn't possibly miss the unspoken meaning.

Cats catch rats, cats eat rats... But often, cats just play with the rats they catch.

As infuriating as ever.

Navia couldn't help but ask, "Have you also set your sights on the Phantasmal Jeweler?"

"Exactly. The name alone suggests priceless treasures." Luna adjusted her gloves.

Remembering the sensation of Luna's teeth against her skin and the warmth of her breath, Chevreuse subtly averted her gaze.

Since she was here anyway...

"Phantom Thief."

"Very well."

Chevreuse crossed her arms. "Is that so... then let me use you properly."

"Use me however you wish."

As long as she paid the appropriate "fee."

Use?

What did that mean? Had they reached some kind of agreement?

The Special Task Force captain and the Phantom Thief had made a deal?

How could I even dream of such a thing? Navia felt momentarily disoriented. Seeing Chevreuse about to depart, she blurted out:

"What are you talking about? Use?"

Clorinde furrowed her brow slightly. "Don't tell me you're considering collaborating with the Phantom Thief?"

Chiori remained silent, not finding this unusual.

Chevreuse's approach had always differed from previous Special Task Force captains, but the more she observed the Phantom Thief White Cat, the stronger an inexplicable feeling grew within her.

Chiori gazed wordlessly at Luna.

Luna returned the look with a smile.

"Yes," Chevreuse stated succinctly.

"Captain? Seriously? This one is..."

"You've all heard my mission briefing, correct?" Chevreuse's expression remained impassive.

"Yes, ma'am."

Chevreuse hefted her musket and loaded it. "Then you should understand that a silent killer poses greater danger than a jumping thief."

Eliminate the greater threat.

That was all there was to it.

"The next target is the Phantom Thief White Cat. No exceptions." Chevreuse's resolute gaze made her teammates nod solemnly.

"Yes, ma'am!"

As for why she'd phrased it as cooperation, the reason was simple.

"Don't make me point this gun at your back, Phantom Thief," Chevreuse murmured.

If they were cooperating, betrayal became possible. And she would not tolerate any form of betrayal.

Even if it was just this once, the Phantom Thief White Cat had to stand with her.

Because that was the agreement of cooperation.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't betray anyone unless it conflicted with my aesthetic principles." Luna flicked her finger, sending a mora flying toward Chevreuse.

Chevreuse caught it and glanced at the golden coin in her palm.

"Contract payment. Keep it."

"...Should I respond in Liyue's tongue?"

"No need."

Chevreuse's response was flat. "Is that so."

She pocketed the mora and strode away without a backward glance.

Since Chevreuse, as the combat center, had spoken thus, Clorinde naturally had no objections.

"You're truly bold," Clorinde marveled.

"Better than letting someone else die in some dark corner because of that criminal trade." Chevreuse exhaled deeply, a flicker of anguish and fury crossing her eyes.

Justice must take its seat, even if... it had been delayed by many days and nights.

Even if it meant wielding the Phantom Thief's power, she would crush such heinous criminals. This was her brand of justice.

Seeing this, Navia fell silent as well.

"Long time no see, Miss Navia," Luna said with a smile.

"...Not that long. Though I don't want to do this, I'll have to trouble you this time. I won't expect your kindness or sense of justice, but I believe in your desire to obtain the treasure."

Navia exhaled softly, as if settling her emotions.

"Just this once. Let's both be careful."

Next time we meet, we'll probably be enemies again.

Luna chuckled. "I always liked this about you, Miss Navia."

Navia couldn't help but glance at Chevreuse.

Chevreuse, oblivious to the exchange, was making her final preparations.

"...I still don't like you."

"I know. But what about Miss Clorinde?"

Navia's eyes widened slightly. Clorinde?

Clorinde's gaze darted away.

Though they'd never publicly acknowledged it, anyone who investigated the Spina di Rosula would discover that Navia and Clorinde had once been close friends.

Until Clorinde had delivered the final blow to Callas.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Chiori remained silent. Chevreuse shot them a glance, while Clorinde pulled her hat lower, preparing to wait at a distance.

"...Clorinde too. Be careful." Navia's voice was flat, as if she'd squeezed every ounce of strength to utter those words.

Clorinde froze momentarily before nodding slowly.

"I know," Luna said with a smile. "Miss Navia, you're truly not very straightforward."

This comment seemed to hit a sensitive spot for Navia, her brows furrowing deeply.

"...If it were you, you'd do the same, Phantom Thief." After a prolonged stare, she finally managed to squeeze out the words under Luna's gentle gaze.

Clorinde remained silent.

Chiori sighed inwardly: Can this atmosphere really work?

If this were a band, they'd probably disband tomorrow.

"Alright, everyone ready?" Chevreuse's voice brought back the original atmosphere.

"Our targets are the 'Phantasmal Jeweler Mungoth' within the facility, and we need to gather as much information as possible about Sinthe raw materials. They might possess weapons that dissolve people, so spread out your positions."

"Phantom Thief White Cat... you decide what to do."

Don't try to command a cat.

To make the most of her, let her act according to her own style.

Luna smiled. "You really do understand me. Then first—"

She produced a card.

"This is..." Clorinde asked.

"Announcement letter."

How could the Phantom Thief possibly begin her official operation without issuing an announcement letter first?

Chevreuse glared. "You're alerting the enemy prematurely."

"Then I'll quit, won't I? Even I don't know what I'll do next," Luna said with a smile.

Chevreuse: "...."

Luna: "....."

After a prolonged stare-down, Chevreuse finally closed her eyes.

To communicate with the Phantom Thief White Cat, one word was paramount—patience.

"How will you deliver it?"

"I've already delivered it."

"...What?"

When? Chiori was utterly confused.

"When did you deliver it?" Chevreuse asked.

Luna produced a pocket watch.

Tic-tac. Tic-tac. The second hand rotated, pointing to 6.

"Now." Luna snapped her fingers.

Boom!

As fireworks erupted, the facility's door was blasted skyward. It spun through the air before crashing into the water. Alongside the fireworks danced countless cards—and countless bewildered eyes.

Chiori caught a card and began reading:

"Gems hold beauty in each beholder's eye,Yet hearts tainted dark are doomed to die.When long and short blades cross the sky,Three treasures lost—do you wonder why?

A star with the moon, shining bright in the night,A conch that sings as it bends the wind's flight,Ten rings of coin to cleanse what's impure—I'll claim them all, you can be sure.

Who am I, that dances with grace and with might,Stealing treasures beneath the pale moonlight?

I am the Phantom Thief White Cat—goodnight."

Why's she suddenly speaking in riddles?

Navia looked up, only to realize, "Where's the Phantom Thief?"

"Hm? When did she..."

The moment their attention shifted, Luna had vanished.

No... Chevreuse immediately shouted, "Operation begins now! Storm the facility immediately! Everyone else guard the perimeter—no one escapes!"

She's already inside!