[Perfect Finale by Human and Archon, But the Phantom Thief's Activities Have Just Begun?]
Yesterday, the musical drama "The Reincarnation of a Villainous Heiress Will Never Pay Attention to the White Moonlight Protagonist" (abbreviated as "Villainess Doesn't Care"), featuring Lady Furina and Miss Luna as leads and Miss Luna as the playwright, officially debuted at Opera Epiclese.
The flawless performance received overwhelming praise from the audience, with everyone showering it with compliments.
"Everything was perfect except for the name being a bit long! It's worthy of being remembered in musical history!" one viewer remarked.
"Beyond gratitude, no words can express my feelings..."
"Beautiful, captivating, and I want to see it again," said a top Champion Duelist.
"Please let me watch it again! I'll do anything!" exclaimed a wealthy young lady.
This perfect performance was also the result of the Dark Moon Troupe's collective efforts.
"We are deeply grateful for Lady Furina's guidance!" the troupe members expressed their heartfelt thanks.
"I hope we can receive your guidance again!"
The success of The Villainess Doesn't Care marked the resurgence of the rising star Luna, whose brilliance once again shone brightly. Lady Furina announced that she would continue performing with Luna in the future.
"But this doesn't mean we're friends!" Lady Furina clarified.
[Illustration: Furina and Luna holding hands]
"Please give your support," Luna said with a smile.
Miss Navia, the current president of the Spina di Rosula, declared herself Luna's manager.
"From now on, Lulu is one of us at the Spina di Rosula!"
"No, to be precise, she's Nana's person."
"That doesn't matter. In any case, please direct all business inquiries regarding Lulu to me!"
Reporter: "Why did you choose Miss Navia as your manager?"
"Because she didn't give me a choice."
"Don't say things that can be misunderstood! I just said, 'I'd be very happy if you choose me'!"
"So there was no choice. However, I must decline any modeling-related work."
Reporter: "Why?"
"Someone would be unhappy."
Not long after the performance, the Phantom Thief made another appearance, declaring she would steal treasures from anyone regardless of status or position.
This act ignited widespread discontent.
"Just a thief!"
Yet simultaneously, many people praised the Phantom Thief.
"I hope she steals my boss's house! Making me work overtime every day like I'm some kind of slave! Oh, and remember to censor my pictures and name too," Mr. Mosaic said.
The author holds a firm opposition to Phantom Thief White Cat's actions.
Regardless of the reason, crime remains crime. Everyone should abide by Fontaine's laws to avoid ending up in court.
At the same time, I hope everyone can discern right from wrong and avoid being dragged into chaos to be used as pawns by evil forces.
Additionally, the author hopes Phantom Thief White Cat will restrain her behavior.
Especially, she should stop teasing young girls.
5-star crime expert Mike said: "Too bad I'm not a young girl. Otherwise, using myself as bait to lure in the Phantom Thief would be a brilliant plan. No loss either way."
Arlecchino set down the newspaper and closed her eyes in contemplation.
"'Father,' we've returned."
The living room door opened softly as Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet entered.
Without opening her eyes, Arlecchino's voice remained calm. "How did it go?"
"We've become friends with the Traveler, though she still seems to harbor some suspicions... I'll find time to clarify things if necessary."
"Hm."
This was good news.
Though the encounter with the Golden Traveler had been an unexpected development, maintaining contact with her didn't seem unwise.
But what Arlecchino truly wanted to know wasn't this.
"What about the stage?"
"Preparations are complete. Once the performance begins, I'll use the opportunity to approach the Oratrice," Lyney said earnestly.
The Oratrice. Arlecchino murmured the name.
It collected the faith generated by the people during the Trials, converting it into Indemnitium.
Arlecchino knew that such tremendous power, capable of easily supplying the entire city, still contained substantial reserves.
The question was—what was this vast amount of Indemnitium being used for?
The Archon Furina might know, but Arlecchino didn't believe she could pry any information from her.
Rash inquiries would only alert the enemy, drawing unnecessary attention.
Thus, they needed to maintain their usual covert operations.
Lyney and Lynette's first performance at the Opera House as Magician and his assistant presented the perfect opportunity.
"Below the Oratrice lies a core," Arlecchino instructed. "During the performance, you must reach it and gather as much intelligence as possible."
"Of course, if anything seems amiss, retreat immediately. When dealing with the unknown, caution is paramount," she added.
Lyney and Lynette nodded in unison.
Freminet spoke with unease, "Does 'Father' truly believe the Prophecy is real?"
Arlecchino gazed out the window.
She recalled Luna's childhood, when she had played with Lynette and the other children on that hillside. Though she had only observed from a distance at the time.
Even that memory of a bygone place had been submerged by the rising waters.
Soon enough, as the Prophecy foretold, Fontaine would be flooded, and many children of the House of the Hearth would be dissolved along with it.
There were mixed-blood children like Luna, as well as pure-blooded Fontainians.
Why focus on the Prophecy? Why seek to engage with Fontaine's secrets?
Protecting the children was the natural duty of the "Father." That was all.
At least for now.
"Possible. But regardless of whether the Prophecy holds truth, Fontaine is undergoing unknown transformations," Arlecchino remarked, steering the conversation with casual indifference.
"Unknown means vulnerability. Only through gathering sufficient information can we discern our path and role in this unfolding drama."
Lynette gazed at Arlecchino's profile.
The woman's demeanor remained perpetually impassive, her rare smiles reserved for courtesy. Her inner self resembled a fathomless Hydro lake, untouched by ripples.
"She..." Lynette began softly.
Arlecchino turned to look at her.
"...has grown to resemble 'Father' greatly."
Though Luna's face still carried a smile, her thoughts had become equally inscrutable. Slander, condemnation, criticism—none could penetrate her core.
Lyney nodded. "I've felt the same. Luna has grown immensely stronger, both in true power and spirit."
Arlecchino withdrew her gaze in silence.
"...She's not like me."
"Hm?"
"Luna bears no resemblance to me."
Instead, she shared certain traits with an old acquaintance.
Yet even these similarities were superficial.
At their core, they remained fundamentally different.
"You'll understand in time," Arlecchino said. "Though she appears more complex and unpredictable now, her essence remains unchanged from childhood."
Arlecchino turned her gaze back to Lynette, stood up, and walked over to her.
Placing her hand on Lynette's shoulder, Arlecchino murmured, "Her heart is just like the bullet she fired back then—straight and scorching hot."
That time... Arlecchino's words stirred memories in Lynette.
It had happened many years ago.
That was also when she first met Luna.
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Made a discord if anyone is interested
https://discord.gg/BFW77h7XyS