That evening, Furina strolled through Fontaine.
After resting, her complexion had improved slightly, but a lingering bewilderment still clouded her expression, making her appear somewhat listless.
Furina had finished all her tasks for the day. Logically, she should have gone to sleep.
"But I can't sleep..."
The only thing she could think of to cope with this sleepless night was to go for a walk to clear her head.
I need to pull myself together quickly. The challenges ahead will only become more daunting! Furina rubbed her cheeks, exhaled, and unconsciously looked up.
Fontaine was tranquil and peaceful tonight. The Phantom Thief White Cat hadn't reappeared.
If I go back to that beach, will I see her again?
"...What would be the point?" Furina muttered to herself. "What could I even say?"
But upon further reflection, wasn't this exactly what she wanted?
Furina crossed her arms. "I've already decided to ignore the Phantom Thief White Cat. This is the perfect opportunity..."
She'll surely give up now! Furina nodded in satisfaction, feeling a sense of relief at the thought.
Isn't this practically divine intervention?
Furina: "...."
Yet, despite her logic, there was still a heavy feeling in her chest, a persistent ache like a tightened knot.
Could it be that something was finally about to happen to her chest? Was it finally going to... develop? Furina glanced down at herself.
"Meow."
"Huh?"
Looking past her flat chest, she noticed a black-and-white cat at her feet.
It's a cat.
Furina bent down and picked it up. "Meow? Meow?"
"Meow?"
"Are you hungry? Oh, too bad I don't have any small dried fish with me. You're so pretty! Whose little kitty are you?"
The black-and-white cat yawned, its every movement radiating indolence.
Looking at its belly, Furina noticed how plump it was. No wonder the cat felt so heavy!
"You little glutton! Should I call you Pig Cat?"
The cat stretched its front paw, and Furina couldn't help but smile.
Whenever she felt down, playing with these adorable creatures always helped relieve some of her stress.
"Um... you're a cat, right?"
The cat gave her a look that said, "Well, duh."
Furina set it down, squatted beside it, and gently stroked its back. "Then can you understand what that White Cat is trying to do?"
"Meow?"
"Meow?" Furina murmured.
The cat leaped back in disdain, as if she had uttered something utterly offensive.
"Hey, I wasn't insulting you! I was complimenting you! Don't run away!" Furina quickly chased after it and scooped it up again.
The warmth against her palm reminded her of a familiar body temperature.
"...I'm sorry," Furina whispered softly.
She couldn't quite tell whether the apology was meant for the cat in her arms or the figure in her memory.
-
Meanwhile, a detached, emotionless gaze observed Furina from the shadows.
Arlecchino sat on a bench, her face concealed by a mask and her lithe form cloaked in dark attire. A hooded cloak shrouded her figure, allowing her to blend seamlessly into the night.
"Hmm..." Arlecchino murmured thoughtfully, her voice tinged with detached interest.
Indeed, Archon Furina seemed more like a mere "celebrity" than a true "God." She commanded widespread adoration but never displayed the divine power befitting an Archon. Now, she was carelessly exposing her vulnerabilities.
Could this be a trap? Arlecchino pondered, growing suspicious that Furina was deliberately baiting her into making a move.
Or perhaps the Gnosis wasn't even in Furina's possession at all? After all, she appeared so pure, so naive, so utterly lacking in the aura and bearing expected of an Archon.
She seemed like an ordinary young girl.
Regardless, this was a golden opportunity. Arlecchino was confident that even if her attack was countered, she could retreat unscathed.
Arlecchino opened her palm and, in the blink of an eye, transformed into a wisp of black shadow, darting behind Furina.
"Meow!"
"Huh?"
Furina watched in horror as the cat's fur suddenly stood on end, its gaze fixed on something behind her. Startled, she slowly turned around.
Who is this? No, what is she planning? The thought flashed through her mind.
She couldn't track Arlecchino's movements, catching only a glimpse of the murderous glint in her eyes as she struck.
I'm going to die! Furina's instincts screamed.
Yet her body remained frozen, paralyzed by fear.
"Ah..." A trembling whimper escaped her lips. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable pain. But instead of agony, she felt only a howling tempest sweep past her.
A dull thud echoed as the gale-force winds surged, whipping Furina's white hair.
She snapped her eyes open to find a cascade of radiant blonde locks filling her vision.
"Phantom Thief... White Cat..."
Luna's foot met Arlecchino's palm, her precise kick blocking the attack.
Just as I predicted, Arlecchino thought. My intuition was right.
After many years, Arlecchino was finally face-to-face with her most exceptional child, but... sensing the hostility in Luna's eyes, she fell silent.
Their long-awaited reunion had turned into this.
"Life truly is full of drama, isn't it?" Arlecchino mused.
The hostility in Luna's eyes vanished instantly, and her eyes widened behind her mask.
She would never forget that voice.
Arlecchino—her "Father," her benefactor, and an irreplaceable figure in her life.
Arlecchino's presence here could only mean one thing: tonight's target was Furina.
Why?
"The notorious Phantom Thief White Cat of Fontaine, lending her skills to a God?" Arlecchino murmured, releasing Luna's leg.
Luna silently lowered her leg.
"Never mind. I've already obtained what I came for. Enjoy tonight's moonlight, Hydro Archon... and..."
Arlecchino smiled. "...Miss White Cat."
With a graceful leap, Arlecchino vanished from sight.
But Luna had caught the subtle movement of her lips, silently forming words:
"Meet me later."
It wasn't an invitation—it was an order.
Luna quietly watched Arlecchino's retreating figure.
She had always imagined that if they were ever to meet again properly, face-to-face, it would be on a sunny morning, over steaming tea and pastries.
But instead... Luna's fingers twitched.
Betraying "Father" was undeniably an act of betrayal.
"Lady Furina, it's been two days since we last saw each other," Luna said with a casual turn and a faint smile. "It seems you're quite popular. Besides me, someone else wants to claim you as well."
Furina finally snapped out of her daze.
Without realizing it, she had slumped to the ground, her legs weak and unresponsive.
She should have felt relief, joy, or fear after surviving the attack. Instead, she simply stared blankly at Luna.
"Your injuries... are you alright?" Furina asked.
Luna was genuinely surprised.
A tender expression softened her features. "You were just attacked, and the first thing you ask is about my well-being? Lady Furina, you truly are peculiar."
Luna bent down and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Can you stand, Lady Furina?"
"O-of course..." Furina's voice trembled slightly.
She tried to push herself up, but her limbs refused to obey.
She had no strength left.
Moreover, a chill was creeping through her body.
Furina instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, her eyes widening with terror as she relived the attack. Her breathing quickened.
If the Phantom Thief hadn't come, I might have died here...
Killed... Why does this always happen to me?
I've truly had enough of this life...
A misty sheen formed in Furina's eyes, and tears began to trickle down her cheeks. No matter how often she wiped them away with the back of her hand, fresh tears kept flowing, staining her skin and lips.
She knew that as "Focalors," she couldn't let Luna see her cry. A God couldn't afford to show such weakness. But right now, she felt utterly exhausted.
Without a doubt, the attack had unleashed all the pent-up emotions that had been festering inside her like stagnant sludge.
"..." Furina sniffled softly, unable to suppress her sobs.
She's been badly shaken.
Luna, realizing the danger of someone finding them like this, knelt down and gently stroked Furina's cheek.
"It's alright, Lady Furina. I'll take you home."
Her voice was gentle as she lifted Furina's chin. The tearful gaze she received in return made Luna's tone and movements even more tender.
"Lady Furina is the most precious treasure I wish to possess. Of course, I wouldn't let you come to harm. When it comes to protecting my treasures, you can trust me completely."
"White Cat..."
Luna smiled gently. "Yes, I'm the Phantom Thief White Cat you've been longing to meet. Now, please close your eyes."
She gently wiped the tears from Furina's eyes with her fingertips, then softly covered her eyes with her hand, encouraging her to close them.
"Just relax now."
Furina felt herself being lifted into Luna's arms.
Luna whispered soothingly, "This was just a little nightmare. I'll take it away so Lady Furina can sleep peacefully."
Furina clung tightly to Luna's sleeve.
"I'm sorry..." she mumbled, lowering her head and pressing against Luna's chest.
"It's alright. I accept your apology."
Yet Furina still refused to release Luna's sleeve, even as Luna carried her back to her bedroom in Palais Mermonia.
Arlecchino watched them leave in silence.
Even if Luna hadn't intervened, Arlecchino would have stopped. She had already confirmed that the Gnosis wasn't on Furina.
In fact, she suspected that Furina might not be the true Hydro Archon at all—that Neuvillette was the rightful holder of the title.
If that were the case, harming Furina would be pointless.
Arlecchino murmured to herself, "And you, Luna... You seem to care deeply for this young girl who might not even be a God. Are you seeking answers, or is there... more to it?"
Could there be another reason?
Regardless, she would find out soon enough.