At six o'clock that evening, countless people had gathered around the Opera Epiclese. Dark clouds blanketed the sky, obscuring any trace of starlight or moonlight.
Only the Maison Gardiennage's cordon lines and flashing lights stood out sharply against the gloom.
"Is Phantom Thief White Cat really alive?"
"We'll find out soon enough. Maybe it's just an imposter using her name."
"Is the notorious Phantom Thief White Cat about to reappear...? It's terrifying, but also so thrilling!"
"Are the Kameras ready?"
Despite the Court of Justice's immediate announcement banning onlookers, countless people remained fixated on the scene.
At one end, the crowd was packed tight, while at the other, people held up telescopes.
"The Phantom Thief White Cat has resurrected! She's sure to humiliate Fontaine again!"
Navia was among them, her monocular telescope raised as she scanned for any sign of the Phantom Thief.
"I can't see a thing," she muttered. "The visibility tonight is awful. It might even rain. How did she know the moon would come out?"
Silver, pushing up his sunglasses, chimed in, "Perhaps she represents the moon and punishes others in its name."
"Another film reference?" Navia sighed, exasperated.
Melus opened his bag. "Since we're already here, let's eat first. Looking at this weather, Miss White Cat might be waiting for the moonrise too."
"When you put it that way, I almost feel bad for how hard the Phantom Thief has to work," Navia sighed.
Still not hungry, she continued observing through her monocular telescope.
The Special Task Force had already arrived on the scene—in fact, they'd been staking out the area for quite some time.
Captain Chevreuse, the Phantom Thief's nemesis, looked as calm, composed, and serious as ever, showing no sign of being shaken by this sudden development.
Does she really have no thoughts about the Phantom Thief's resurrection?
Navia had been relentlessly pursuing the Phantom Thief White Cat.
The camera shifted, and Navia spotted two remarkably unexpected figures:
"Focalors and Neuvillette?"
The two dignitaries stood apart from the crowd, observing from a discreet location.
But upon reflection, it wasn't entirely surprising. After all, the Phantom Thief White Cat had stolen even an Archon's power, so they would undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on her.
Beyond them, Navia recognized several familiar faces: Chiori, the trio of Lynette, Clorinde, Charlotte, and the Traveler Lumine with Paimon.
Furina was conspicuously absent.
Strange. Wasn't she extremely concerned about Phantom Thief White Cat before? She even faced Judgment alongside her. Why isn't she here this time?
Intuition told Navia something was off.
If Phantom Thief White Cat truly didn't die...
Then why isn't Furina looking for her? Is it because she doesn't know, or... A sudden thought flashed through Navia's mind: Could Lulu be Phantom Thief White Cat?
"Ha ha, as if that's possible..." Navia muttered.
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
Yet Navia ultimately fell silent, her mind racing with possibilities.
Meanwhile, Lumine and Paimon scanned their surroundings.
"So many people! It's like a grand performance is about to begin," Paimon exclaimed, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"For Phantom Thief White Cat, this must be a performance," Lumine murmured.
"I thought she was really dead! I can't believe she tricked us again!"
The uncertainty about her true identity was likely the reason so many "spectators" had gathered.
But surely no one would dare claim the mantle of such an infamous figure.
As Lumine pondered this, a ray of light descended from the sky—soft and gentle.
The moon was rising! Everyone noticed, and the raucous atmosphere rapidly cooled.
An indescribable mix of emotions filled the air: unease, tension, worry—yet none could tear their gaze from the "stage" above the Opera House.
They held their breath, waiting for the sole protagonist to make her grand entrance.
Focalors turned to Furina. "Why don't you join us to watch?"
"Ah..."
In the end, she had come.
Furina approached cautiously. "I wasn't planning to come at all."
"But you couldn't stop worrying, could you?"
"Mm..."
Staying home to wait was agonizing. Besides, she genuinely wanted to witness the Phantom Thief's revival with her own eyes.
Focalors smiled faintly. "Then let's be 'spectators' together. Don't worry—no one will notice us here."
For tonight, Luna alone was the star.
Furina nodded slightly and looked up.
The dark clouds began to recede, allowing soft moonlight to stream down in silvery threads. Simultaneously, a voice so familiar it seemed etched into their DNA echoed through the night.
"The world is filled with countless treasures."
That voice—?! The audience held their breath.
"But do you know what true beauty truly looks like?" The clear, melodious voice rang out, awakening everyone's memories.
A familiar figure materialized before their eyes.
Yet this figure differed subtly from their memories.
"An unwavering will."
Beneath the hazy moonlight, the small crown perched jauntily on her head glittered with golden radiance.
"A pure heart."
Her crimson one-shouldered cape billowed in the wind.
"—Objects crafted from gold and silver will inevitably tarnish and erode. Only intangible treasures endure forever, blossoming with radiance and brilliance, anytime, anywhere."
Spotlight! someone from the Maison Gardiennage shouted.
A searing beam of light shot upward, illuminating Luna's figure from below.
"Is that... the Phantom Thief White Cat?"
"Why does she look so different from how I remember her?"
Turenna gasped, "She... she's evolved?"
If Phantom Thief White Cat had once been like a prince, she was now undeniably a king, a sovereign.
Beneath the dazzling crown, her mask was pure white and flawless. White, red, and gold—the three colors blended perfectly together, weaving a magnificent and ornate costume.
Yet the various ornaments adorning it added a touch of playful charm, especially the cat-shaped badge pinned near her chest and the collar fastened around her neck.
No further explanation was needed. A single glance revealed the depth of the creator's dedication to this attire and their profound understanding of the wearer.
Without genuine affection for the wearer, it would have been impossible to create such a breathtakingly stunning and perfectly tailored masterpiece.
Chiori nodded in satisfaction.
It suits her perfectly.
Click-clack, click-clack... The shutters of the Kameras clicked relentlessly.
Bathed in the glow of spotlights, lenses, and attentive gazes, Luna smiled brightly. "And I," she declared, "will claim all beautiful treasures as my own!"
"Cheer! Applaud!—Phantom Thief White Cat has returned to the stage!"
"And then tremble!"
Luna plunged her sword into the ground, placing both hands on its pommel.
Then she declared in a resounding voice, "Even the Archons cannot kill me!"
She gently tapped her sword—ding—a crisp, yet profoundly resonant chime echoed through the moonlit night. Many paled and collapsed to the ground.
She's alive!
Could Phantom Thief White Cat be immortal?
"Let us have a final silence," Luna declared, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "For you are merely my audience, destined only to witness my performance, to see and hear the dawn of a new drama."
Her gaze settled on Chevreuse's face.
Their eyes met.
"Or perhaps, even knowing your sins cannot be erased, you'll take the stage and dance with me?"
Chevreuse sighed softly and raised her hand.
Her gun was ready.
"Long time no see, Phantom Thief White Cat..."
Still as flamboyant as ever.
"I never anticipated your return, but since you've chosen this path, I can only respond in one way—fire!"
Gunshots rang out in rapid succession!
Yet Luna effortlessly evaded the bullets, leaping into the air and flipping mid-air. Her cloak billowed behind her, painting a crimson streak across the moonlit night.
Bang! Under the sudden flare of gunfire, bullets from Luna and Chevreuse collided in mid-air.
Sparks erupted in the void as the projectiles met, clashing fiercely!
Luna landed on the rooftop, pistol raised, a smile playing on her lips. "Doesn't this scene feel familiar?"
Indeed, it couldn't be more familiar.
This is exactly how we first met, Chevreuse thought, recalling the memory.
As she reflected on everything that had happened since then, Chevreuse felt a pang of nostalgia. So much had changed because of their tangled choices.
But one thing remained constant.
"I'm arresting you!"
What a twisted fate, she thought.