The trial had concluded. Having received Furina's assurance, the audience departed the scene with calm.
Furina hurried away as well, unwilling to remain even a moment longer.
Clorinde naturally followed her departure.
The lights dimmed, and the once-busy stage returned to silence.
"It's over," Navia sighed.
Luna couldn't shake the feeling that this was merely the beginning, just the conclusion of one chapter in a larger story.
"Indeed, it's over," she murmured.
Yet in truth, it was undeniably concluded.
Both the Serial Disappearance Case and Callas's case had reached their ends.
As for Vacher's future, Luna held no concern. She'd shared all necessary information; now only time remained.
Chiori approached them, sighing. "That was a real scare. I never thought he'd try to drag others down with him."
"Thankfully, some mysterious helper prevented the worst outcome," Chiori added.
At this, Navia suddenly realized something. "Wait, didn't that test tube flying out suddenly slow down? Who could have done that...?"
The ability to alter time's flow itself.
Though absurd, Navia couldn't help but wonder: "Could it be the Phantom Thief White Cat?"
Her identity remained a mystery.
The source of her power remained a mystery.
If the Phantom Thief White Cat had orchestrated that peculiar spectacle, it wouldn't have been surprising at all.
Nothing she does would be strange! After all, no one can understand her logic or patterns of behavior.
Luna feigned confusion. "Are you suggesting she infiltrated the audience just now?"
"That's very possible!"
Chiori crossed her arms. "Or perhaps that phantom was invisible beside you all along—you simply didn't notice."
"Invisible? I never considered that possibility."
But if it was the Phantom Thief White Cat, such a scenario wasn't beyond the realm of possibility.
However, let's set these matters aside for now.
Whether it was the Phantom Thief or not, that wasn't the most important issue.
What truly mattered? Naturally, it was...
Navia beamed. "We solved three cases in one day! We must celebrate properly!"
Chiori nodded. "I agree, but I'm not paying. Who's treating us?"
"I'll cover it!" Navia puffed out her chest.
"Luna said she'd pay," Chiori replied with a smile.
When did I say that?
Of course, the payment didn't matter. Without the evidence they'd gathered, they couldn't convict Vacher.
Luna snorted. "Fine, I'll treat."
"Hey, I said I'm treating you! Lulu shone brilliantly today—she deserves a reward!"
After a pause, Navia added, "No refusing allowed!"
She gently pushed Luna and Chiori forward with both hands.
"Let's go feast!"
"Wait."
A voice called from behind.
The trio turned to see Lyney and Lynette hurrying toward them.
Their eyes swept over Navia and Chiori's faces before settling on Luna's.
"Luna... thank you," Lyney said with a smile.
Lynette remained silent for a moment.
Should I call her Luna or Lulu? Lynette still hadn't decided, and Luna wouldn't clarify the matter.
Let her choose then.
Lynette inhaled softly. "Thank you."
Her expression remained impassive.
"Lulu," she said, using the same tone as before.
Navia's eyes widened gradually.
Besides me, someone else calls Luna "Lulu"?
She glanced at Luna's face, catching a fleeting wistfulness in her eyes.
Could it be... someone called her "Lulu" even before me?
Luna shook her head slightly. "It's nothing. I just did what needed to be done. Come on, Nana, Chiori."
"Ah..." Navia snapped out of her daze.
Nana. That's right, Luna called her that.
The nickname was one-of-a-kind.
A smile returned to Navia's face. "See you next time, Miss Lynette! Mr. Lyney!"
Chiori glanced between Luna and Lynette, offering a silent nod without comment.
The trio departed the Opera House side by side, leaving Lynette and Lyney to watch their retreating figures.
"Luna certainly is popular," Lyney remarked.
Lynette averted her gaze. "Nana... I've never been called that before."
"Really? I recall you discussing it. You were the one who said nicknames like 'Lynlyn,' 'Nini,' or 'Tettet' sounded too peculiar..."
It wasn't that Luna didn't want to use such nicknames; Lynette herself had objected.
Lynette wordlessly patted Lyney's back.
"Pfft!" Lyney snorted, barely suppressing a laugh.
Meanwhile, Chevreuse—the officer in charge of escorting the criminal—couldn't help but think:
After so many years, the Serial Disappearance Case has finally been resolved. Yet the extent of infiltration within the Court of Justice proves far more severe than anticipated.
A thorough internal purge would undoubtedly follow.
At least Justice has finally taken her seat, Chevreuse thought absently, before suddenly noticing Vacher stop in his tracks ahead.
Following her gaze, she saw a card slip from his clothes and fall to the ground.
Could it be...?
A familiar premonition furrowed Chevreuse's brow. Just as she was about to urge Vacher to keep moving, she heard a click.
The handcuffs had been unlocked! Where did he get the key? The other Special Task Force members stared in shock.
Chevreuse's eyes widened as she watched Vacher scramble to the Court of Fontaine, pull out a bottle of Primordial Sea water, and drain it in one gulp.
"Phantom Thief White Cat, so it was you all along... Vigneire, I'm coming! Vigneire!"
He cried out his lover's name, but Special Task Force members immediately rushed forward and pinned him down.
"Damn it, how does he have the handcuff key...?"
"Wait, let go."
"Let go? Won't he escape if we do?"
"No, he seems..."
The officers slowly released their grip in confusion, only to find Vacher's eyes wide open, his body rigid. It was as if his spirit and soul had already left this place.
"What's happening?"
Chevreuse frowned and immediately moved to examine him.
Suddenly, the fountain began churning violently, startling both the officers and nearby civilians who instinctively took a step back.
What's happening?
The poised fountain finally erupted in a violent burst. Vacher suddenly arched his back, his limbs convulsing as if dragged by countless invisible hands.
"Aaaaaahhhhhhh!"
In a final ear-piercing scream, he exhaled his last breath.
The explosive fountain gradually subsided, leaving witnesses in a daze.
Chevreuse picked up the card from the ground.
Thy love dissolves in water clear,Then finds the sea and disappears.To see her face, both bold and true,Drink of the spring and wander through.
The Phantom Thief White Cat... Chevreuse stared at the words on the card.
The key, Primordial Sea water, and this card—all prepared for Vacher. The Court of Fontaine likely contained the consciousness of girls he'd dissolved.
The girls he'd murdered now destroyed him in return.
"...You knew this would happen," Chevreuse murmured to herself.
She discreetly stored the card, gazing silently at the Court of Fontaine.
Through the cascading water, she glimpsed a faint white silhouette.
If the girls hadn't destroyed him, would you have done it? White Cat...