Chapter 108: The True Phantom Thief Doesn't Need to Prove Herself

The true Phantom Thief?

Paimon cautiously poked her head out, then widened her eyes.

"Lumine, come here!" She beckoned with her small hand.

Soon, Lumine's head appeared above hers.

Looking past the crowd's heads, gazing upward, one could see a figure swaying with her shoulder-length hair and golden locks.

Even from a distance, it was possible to vaguely make out a hint of a smile at the corner of her mouth.

That was the Phantom Thief...

The figure bathed in moonlight seemed coated in a layer of light, making it difficult to look directly at her.

"Phantom Thief White Cat!"

"When did you change your clothes?"

Luna pursed her lips. "Disappointing."

"What?"

She raised her voice. "Your performance has truly disappointed me! To mistake a foreign guest for me, making this lovely young lady suffer so much."

"Since you gentlemen lack discernment, why not display all your treasures? Let me prove their value and splendor for you?"

The crowd exchanged glances.

A misunderstanding? Was that not the Phantom Thief earlier?

That insult was too harsh—lacking discernment?

"You're the one who committed all the evil! If the Phantom Thief White Cat didn't exist in Fontaine, we wouldn't have mistaken someone else!"

"The Phantom Thief is the true culprit!"

"Go to jail!"

Curses rose and fell, buried in the crowd. But all they received were confused expressions as people turned to look around.

"But didn't the Phantom Thief do good deeds too...?"

"What's wrong with these people?"

"Where'd this stooge come from? I'll help you shout if you pay me 5,000 Mora!"

Navia and Chevreuse arrived at the scene, their faces filled with surprise.

"What's going on here?" Navia asked, bewildered.

Chevreuse narrowed her eyes and beckoned Turenna closer.

"Remember every face here."

"Huh? Captain means... Oh, I get it!" Turenna hurried to relay the order to the other team members.

This malice wasn't born of nothing, but rather from premeditated planning.

Bribery, creating momentum, then overwhelming the enemy with public opinion. It was a common tactic—voices could indeed be used as weapons. But Chevreuse thought, they'd picked the wrong target.

The self-proclaimed "just" Phantom Thief would undoubtedly be affected by such tactics.

But the Phantom Thief White Cat never claimed to be just, nor would she accept anyone's expectations.

She carried no burdens on her shoulders, and her only responsibility was to herself alone.

"What's happening? It feels like the wind's shifted completely askew," Paimon muttered.

They'd thought they were about to enter the phase of self-justification, but instead it had suddenly become a one-sided condemnation of the Phantom Thief. It was as if countless hands were pressing down on her.

"Someone wants the Phantom Thief gone."

Lyney approached the group.

"What's going on? The Phantom Thief just steals things, right?" Paimon exclaimed, bewildered.

"Profit is at stake," Lynette murmured.

"You stole the Franglet family's treasure and the Confrerie of Cabriere's treasures. Who's to say you won't steal from us next?"

"...Not without reason."

"Exactly! A criminal like you shouldn't stand here!"

"What about the Maison Gardiennage and the Special Task Force?"

The voices swelled, growing louder and more shrill.

But Navia gazed at Luna's face, illuminated by the moonlight. Even through the mask, she could clearly see the Phantom Thief's expression.

A calm, elegant smile.

Unshaken by any voice.

Under her silent gaze, the voices seemed to fade away, leaving an eerie silence. This wasn't intimidation, but rather... admiration.

"I'm delighted to see you all so passionate about justice," Luna finally spoke.

She wasn't angry?

"As you rightly say, I will continue to steal treasures in the future. No matter the identity, status, past, or whether your future will be affected."

Someone swallowed hard.

"But let me say this: Boring."

"Cowering in the shadows, you scheme together—wanting everything yet too cowardly to reveal yourselves. You resort to petty tricks, hoping to crush the light that burns your eyes."

"You're nothing but lowly, shameful, pitiful, and laughable maggots. How dare you think you can look me in the eye, let alone destroy me?"

"If you had the courage to step onto my stage, I'd grant you the highest courtesy."

"But since you can't even bear to gaze upon a sinner's radiance, too terrified of being devoured and destroyed, you can only load your guns with that hollow justice..."

Luna slowly raised her hand.

What was she doing? Chevreuse furrowed her brow.

She merely pointed toward the sky. Clouds drifted across, obscuring the moon's faint glow, and the scene darkened accordingly.

Though streetlights still burned, they couldn't illuminate her features clearly.

Bang! Suddenly, a piercing light illuminated the crowd—or rather, specific individuals within it.

These were the "speakers" who had infiltrated the gathering earlier.

Instantly, they became the focus of all eyes as the crowd parted to let the light through.

Where had the light come from?

Upon closer inspection, Navia gasped, "Geo elements?"

The stage apparatus was constructed entirely from Geo elements.

"Already five elements..." Chevreuse murmured.

Were they constantly growing stronger, or had they never used their full power from the beginning?

The light illuminated their ashen faces—how did this person pinpoint us so precisely?

"But this means nothing to me."

Luna curled her finger, and the lighting rig pivoted accordingly, refocusing its glow upon her.

"Imprint this image upon your hearts! When the time comes, you'll discover no one can rival my radiance!"

"The Phantom Thief White Cat is the one and only in this world!"

No one can match her brilliance. The claim was undeniably grandiose.

Yet one couldn't deny the truth might indeed hold.

Now only two could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her—Fontaine's twin luminaries, Furina and Luna herself.

Henceforth, no confusion would arise.

For her splendor remains peerless, singular in its kind.

"I'll claim all your treasures. Anticipate my next notice." Luna bowed slightly before turning away.

A snap of her fingers sent the stage curtain falling, obscuring her figure.

In an instant, she vanished from all sight.

The curtain itself dissolved into mist.

All that remained was the memory of her upright, peerless, and dazzling presence.

She was undoubtedly a villain of the highest order. Yet inexplicably, recalling her bearing and words left a stinging ache in the eyes and ears.

Nearby, Furina sighed. "What a peculiar individual."

Clorinde's face remained impassive. "She is, after all, the 'Phantom' Thief."

Furina's expression mirrored Clorinde's blankness.

"I'm deeply sorry. After verification, we confirm you are indeed an honorary knight of the Knights of Favonius and an elite member of the Adventurer's Guild... This was an error in our execution."

Faced with the Maison Gardiennage's apology, Lumine showed no intention of pursuing the matter further.

She could sense that the Court of Justice might not be entirely stable. Rather than causing a commotion, it was better to let the matter drop and avoid unnecessary trouble.

"Good to know."

After accepting the compensation from the Maison Gardiennage, Lumine fell into contemplation.

"It's truly wonderful that we could resolve this misunderstanding. We owe it all to Lyney and Lynette we met earlier—they're such kind souls!"

Paimon paused before adding with a subtle tone, "Though it's mainly because of the Phantom Thief White Cat's unique style. No one could possibly imitate it..."

This was her first time witnessing such a dazzling criminal. Moreover, everything she said was incredibly cathartic.

"What's wrong, Lumine?" Paimon noticed her friend's deep thought and couldn't help but ask.

"Fontaine might not be as peaceful as it seems."

"Indeed... But if you want to know about your brother, you'll have to seek out the Hydro Archon, won't you? I wonder how we might meet her."

A voice suddenly spoke, "If you don't mind, why not come see our performance?"

Turning around, they saw Lyney and Lynette approaching.

"It's a fortunate coincidence to meet the renowned Traveler. In fact, we'll be performing a magic show at the Opera House in a few days. Lady Furina will be attending as well."

Paimon had an epiphany. "Then we can find an opportunity to meet her!"

"Meeting Lady Furina is quite difficult, but Luna might be able to help you make connections. If you tell her we recommended you, she'll understand," Lyney said with a smile.

"Does Miss Luna have a good relationship with Furina?"

"At least she's an actor favored by Lady Furina," Lynette replied, her voice taking on a strange, somber tone.

Was that not something I should have asked? Paimon shrank back slightly.

Lumine nodded, then crossed her arms. "Thank you for your help back then. But I still have a question for you."

"Please speak."

"You're aware of the Phantom Thief White Cat's true identity, aren't you?"

Lyney and Lynette exchanged glances before nodding in unison.

"Yes, she's our family, but... due to certain circumstances, we no longer keep in contact. As for anything else, I'm afraid I can't answer."

Lumine's tense expression softened slightly.

"That's alright. I only needed to confirm that much."

This was merely a test to see if they would maintain their secrecy to the end.

She felt genuine gratitude toward them and hoped they might share some information about Fontaine. This required their cooperation - she needed to know if she could trust them with the most basic confidence.

Naturally, she would return the favor by offering her assistance if needed.

"Then we're friends! Come on, let's show you around Fontaine. Lynette here is eager to learn about the world beyond our borders."

Lynette nodded emphatically. "Especially Mondstadt and Liyue."

Lyney chuckled. "After all, Lynette's favorite—"

Lynette delivered a silent elbow to Lyney's chest, her face impassive.

"Pfft—"

"Don't elbow your brother!"

-

Made a discord if anyone is interested

https://discord.gg/BFW77h7XyS