Furina, Please Let Me Steal Your Heart!

Despite being visibly intimidated, the Franglet couple exchanged glances and forcibly composed themselves.

"Miss White Cat, your bravado is remarkable. Can I assume you've accepted our challenge?"

Luna kissed the cat gently, then released it, allowing her feline companion to leap onto the ground. She leisurely turned to leave, smiling.

"It's not a challenge, merely a game. A gambler who's pushed themselves to the brink through foolish bets has no right to sit at my table."

Aire spoke up with a steady voice, "In any case, you've accepted, haven't you?"

Revenue options for the thief:

-Interview and headlines

-Books and media attention

-Auction off the real cup for an astronomical price to cover debts

-Theater production: Comedy about Phantom Thief's antics; spread throughout Fontaine

"Indeed."

Challenge the Phantom Thief... and thereby gain popularity.

Even now, Navia couldn't help but sigh inwardly at the sheer absurdity of it all.

"Ohhh! A challenge to the Phantom Thief? The Franglet family does have some nerve."

"More like they're flailing about, wouldn't you say?"

"Let's see some action! Come on, let's get to the match!"

The bloodlust of the guests was palpable, their anticipation of witnessing the outcome almost tangible.

Gran cleared his throat. "My dear friends, let us not be hasty. Why don't we set up a betting pool first? After all, with stakes on the line, the match will be all the more intriguing."

"I'll bet on the Phantom Thief!"

"I'll wager on the Franglet family! Just imagine seeing the Phantom Thief reduced to sobbing tears!"

Aire clapped her hands, and servants pushed serving carts up to each guest.

Tinkling sounds rang out as mora coins rained down into the bowls, piling up steadily.

When the servants reached Navia, she felt the weight of many eyes upon her.

"Who will the Spina di Rosula's boss place her bet on?" someone asked.

"Miss Navia, I believe you're aware of the current situation," Aire whispered gently.

This wasn't about choosing a side.

The outcome was all too clear: betting on the Franglet family offered only benefits; siding with the Phantom Thief White Cat promised nothing but harm.

Silver pushed up his sunglasses. "Miss..."

Navia raised her head, her gaze fixed on Luna, who appeared utterly composed.

She couldn't see Luna's expression through the mask, but from the way she toyed with the Mora, Navia vaguely realized—this Phantom Thief White Cat was prepared.

Thieves never lose.

(TL Note: Well...)

"Dis-interest-ing. We're only here to protect the treasures," Navia said, her expression serious.

Aire wasn't surprised. Neither side, huh? That's acceptable.

"Just the way I like you, Miss Navia," Luna said with a smile.

Unfazed, Navia asked, "So can you surrender just for me?"

"That won't do. Oh right, I should place my own bet too—I'll bet on... my mask."

"What...?"

Luna smiled, "Why don't you all want to know my true identity so badly? Naturally, when betting, one must bet the most valuable thing they have. Although I can't take it off just yet."

It was almost as if she was saying she wouldn't lose.

Aire suddenly felt uneasy, but forced herself to remain calm. "I hope you can keep that tough talk till the end. The rules of the duel are very simple: There's only one genuine Jade Cup here. You can only choose one, and you cannot use any methods beyond visual inspection to verify the treasures."

Choose wrong and they win.

Choose right... and she has nowhere to escape.

The Special Task Force had already surrounded the area, their defense line practically impenetrable.

Having experienced this once before, they wouldn't let their guard down like they had the first time.

-

Outside the mansion.

Chevreuse cradled her rifle, her gaze fixed quietly on the brightly lit house.

"Um, Captain," Turenna began hesitantly, as if seeking to add some intrigue to their watchful duty. "Have you ever pondered what the Phantom Thief truly intends?"

"What do you mean?"

"The thief's modus operandi is quite erratic," Turenna explained, counting off on her fingers. "During her debut, she swiped portraits and gems from the Chamber of Commerce. The second time, she attacked the Sinthe gang. And now, for the third instance—she's back to thieving treasures."

She truly couldn't fathom or predict this person's pattern of behavior.

"It's as if she's just like a real cat—entirely capricious," Turenna mused. Doing exactly as she pleases.

Chevreuse fell silent. Even if asked, she couldn't offer a definitive answer.

May I kiss your face?—after all, that's what the deceitful cat had once asked. It certainly hadn't seemed like a joke.

"Whether it's a trivial matter or not, apprehending the Phantom Thief is our duty and obligation," Chevreuse replied, her expression resolute.

Turenna appeared still perplexed, but she nodded nonetheless. Emotions mustn't cloud judgment during a mission; it was a strict rule of the Special Task Force.

"If we fail again this time, the big shots above us will be furious, won't they?" Chevreuse ventured weakly.

"Which is why we must be on our guard, alert as ever."

Furina wouldn't be angry at all. In fact, she'd probably find it quite entertaining.

Neuvillette wouldn't be upset either. His indifferent nature is common knowledge... Although Chevreuse suspected it might not be entirely true.

The only ones who might be truly angered would be those stuck-up officials in the Court of Justice— sitting safe and sound in their offices.

But Chevreuse paid little heed to their opinions.

If they've got the mettle, let them catch this elusive criminal themselves. It's easy enough to sit back and judge from a distance.

-

"These are the rules. Do you understand, Miss White Cat?"

Luna smiled. "Of course," she replied.

It was a very simple rule.

Precisely because of that, there must be a trick.

Gamblers often believe the game is fair, but once they take the dealer's seat, they soon realize the myriad cheating schemes below.

What's the best way to win a gambling game?

It's to create a situation where the opponent can't win.

So Luna could confidently assert that all the jade cups here were fake.

And her activated Thief's Vision confirmed this.

Without exception, none of them lit up. Although there was indeed some glow, it was so faint it seemed like an illusion.

If they had made these fakes more realistic, with the glow more dazzling, it would have given her a bit more trouble.

"What a pity," Luna murmured, shaking her head slightly.

"...What's there to pity?"

Luna didn't respond, her gaze sweeping over the scene. The outcome was as she'd expected.

She walked straight up to Navia, reached out, and picked up the wine glass beside her.

"What are you taking my cup for?" Navia frowned.

The rim of the cup still bore Navia's lip print.

Luna swayed the wineglass, noting its weight. "It's nothing. I just noticed that the glasses at this banquet are quite thick, and not made of glass."

Gran's expression turned awkward. "So what if they're thick?"

"No reason, I just think it's nice. If you don't mind, I'd like to keep this cup."

Navia recoiled as if from a venomous bite. "You... You want my cup? Why don't you ask someone else? Why specifically mine?"

Luna blinked innocently. "Because I think Navia is very beautiful?"

"Who would believe such nonsense!" Navia's hands planted firmly on her hips, her face a picture of wariness.

The moment Luna tucked the cup away, Aire shouted, his voice tinged with urgency. "Secure the Phantom Thief at once!"

In a synchronized motion, the servants drew hidden weapons from beneath their serving carts and charged forth as one.

The sudden turn of events left the guests stunned, their minds racing.

Why the sudden rush? She merely picked up a wine glass, didn't she? Unless...

It dawned on Navia—she understood everything at once!

"That wine glass is the real Jade Cup!"

In the face of the fiercely advancing servants, Luna's lips curved into a smirk of amusement.

"To be precise, the Jade Cup was sealed inside this wine glass."

She raised her hand. "But it's also time for my exit."

Snap. With a single clap, the banquet hall suddenly darkened. The bright moon outside seemed to be obscured by clouds; it was so dark that one couldn't see their own hand in front of their face.

"What's going on?"

"The lights..."

"Silver": "It's activated! The Phantom Thief's most commonly used trick—lights out!"

"Melus": "We can't see a thing."

"Silver" pushed up his sunglasses. "Indeed, it's pitch-black."

Strangely, this darkness seemed to swallow all sound as well.

The servants' voices didn't reach out, nor did the Phantom Thief's voice.

...This couldn't be?

A guess flashed through Navia's mind immediately.

In the very next second after her intuition kicked in, she sprang into action, pushing open the door and rushing towards the stairs.

"Miss!"

"We'll follow you!"

The members of the Spina di Rosula hastily followed her, rushing towards the door.

"Quickly, restore the lighting!—Where are they? Where did everyone go?" Aire shouted, her heart palpitating with anxiety.

Just then, the lights suddenly turned on again.

"Whoa!?" someone cried out in surprise.

The Franglet family's servants had collapsed to the ground at some point, all unconscious and showing no external injuries, yet clearly struck down by a single blow.

Upon their bodies lay an eye-catching card inscribed with these lines:

You've some wits, but not a lot,

A hint of courage—yet strength you've not.

Instead of schemes both sly and skewed,

Why not begin with steps renewed?

Thought the house would claim the prize?

Yet true success lies past its ties.

You've tasted loss, a bitter sting,

Still crave the thrill that fate may bring?

Then name the time, I'll play along—

The victor's me, as all belong.

Signed,

Phantom Thief White Cat

The couple's expressions instantly contorted into masks of rage.

Their painstaking preparations had been thwarted in less than a minute. All these people had convered only to witness their humiliation, and now they must endure this damn Phantom Thief's mockery!

Click! The sound of a camera recording echoed through the room.

The Frangleys snapped back to their senses.

"Don't you dare film this! One more click and I'll smash your camera to pieces!" The husband growled.

"Abominable Phantom Thief!" The wife spat.

The guests, witnessing the couple's furious outburst, couldn't help but feel thoroughly entertained.

Yes, that hit the spot.

Wait, where's their money? They rushed to inspect the serving cart.

It's still here.

That's a relief... This Phantom Thief is truly one of a kind. She really only steals treasures and nothing else.

I bet tomorrow's headlines will be all about the Phantom Thief again.

"That was quite a performance!" someone suddenly clapped.

"The Phantom Thief White Cat is indeed a force to be reckoned with!"

"I was afraid she might lose, but I guess the opponent wasn't much of a challenge..."

"I'm a reporter from XX News. How do you two feel about this tonight?"

"Show them out! Escort them all away!"

The elegant soiree had devolved into a raucous bazaar.

Meanwhile...

Navia ascended the stairs, arriving at the rooftop.

A gust of wind nearly knocked her off balance as she pushed open the door. Squinting, she spotted the phantom thief standing with her back turned, as if waiting just for her.

Strange, Navia thought.

She took a few steps closer, about to speak when...

"Miss Navia!"

Silver, Melus, and other members of the Spina di Rosula arrived on the scene.

Hearing the commotion, Luna turned around and smiled. "It's been a while, Miss Navia. Since we've finally met again, shall we have a little chat?"