Though she had become Lyney and Lynette's defense attorney, Luna showed no intention of confronting Furina.
If her intuition was correct, this case represented the Sinthe gang's final desperate struggle. Her true opponent had never been Furina.
It was the real criminal.
She began by investigating the crime scene.
Luna ascended the stage, meticulously examining every detail.
"Water... Fire... The tank's ropes were made of flammable material, burned through by the stage's pyrotechnic smoke... Nana, note that—"
She nearly forgot—she was searching for evidence against the mastermind.
She wondered how Chiori's investigation was progressing.
Luna thought: I entrusted this quest to Chiori. She should handle it well.
Don't let her delicate appearance fool you. When she moves, her strikes are precise and swift. She wields her twin blades with deadly efficiency, and the Primordial Sea's waters have no effect on her.
"You were worried about me yesterday, and now you're asking me to assist your partner? You certainly have some nerve."
Though initially reluctant, Chiori ultimately accepted the request.
Of course, there was a price.
"I can help you, but afterward, you'll have to fulfill one of my requests."
"Sure, you can toy with me however you like."
"...Don't regret it when the time comes."
Though Luna didn't know what exactly Chiori wanted, the price seemed acceptable.
She casually committed the clues to memory.
"Are you troubled by the assistant's absence?" a voice suddenly asked.
Luna glanced to the side. "Miss Clorinde? Shouldn't you be with Lady Furina?"
"Good question. She ordered me to gather clues with you - what she calls 'a proper investigation.' As her subordinate, I couldn't refuse."
Clorinde crossed her arms, her frosty eyes flickering with hesitation.
"If this isn't suitable, I'll return immediately," she murmured.
It was rare to see such emotion on Clorinde's usually impassive face.
Luna smiled. "Of course."
"Then I'll be your temporary assistant now. Feel free to order me as you wish," Clorinde said.
"What's your true purpose here?" Luna asked.
"...So I can't hide it. I simply want to thank you." Clorinde stepped closer, lowering her voice.
Luna inspected the water tank as she asked, "About Nana?"
"Yes."
Clorinde pulled her hat lower, the crystal earrings swaying in rhythm with the flicker in her eyes.
"We used to be friends," she said, "acquaintances for several years. She's strong, but her father's death still affected her deeply—especially since I was the one who killed him."
"At that time, Callas had only the will to die, and I chose to honor his wish. Before he passed, he entrusted me with Navia's care... asked me, the one who killed her father, to look after her..."
Luna stood up and clapped her hands. "You didn't kill him. The true killer was the enemy hiding in the shadows. He knew this, and Navia understands too. She doesn't resent you."
Clorinde felt confused. No resentment? That seemed impossible. Since that day, Navia had never shown her any kindness.
"Can't understand it?"
"Not really."
Luna poked Clorinde's hat with her index finger.
"You'll understand after this." She gently tugged at Clorinde's hair, pulling it down, then flicked the sparkling crystal earrings with her finger.
"True hatred isn't about wearing a sour face."
It's about never wanting to see the person for even a single moment.
"Miss Clorinde, please stay focused. Even as a temporary assistant, I expect you to do your job properly."
Clorinde smiled faintly. "Very well."
After inspecting the scene, most of the evidence had been collected, and the outline of the truth was emerging. However, Luna needed to confirm one thing.
She turned her gaze toward Lyney and Lynette, who stood some distance from the scene.
Clorinde asked, "Are you going to question them?"
"Yes. Wait here."
"Understood."
Clorinde didn't inquire further, simply watching as Luna approached the pair.
Just then, Lumine and Paimon were engaged in conversation with Lyney and Lynette.
Had Luna not intervened, the defense role would have fallen to them. They couldn't simply stand by and do nothing.
In such situations, Lyney typically handled the speaking while Lynette stood by to agree. This arrangement made her the first to notice Luna approaching.
"...Brother." She tugged at Lyney's sleeve.
"Hm? Oh... Luna! You're here! Thank you for representing us. We knew you were on our side."
Luna murmured, "What did she say?"
The "she" could only refer to one person—Arlecchino.
"She was very supportive of our performance," Lyney said with a weary sigh. "We just didn't anticipate encountering this kind of situation."
It seemed their performance was actually part of some larger plan.
"What was the purpose?" Luna pressed.
"Lynette." Lyney nudged his sister's back.
This time Luna finally spoke to them.
Seizing this rare opportunity—likely their last—he urged his sister to quickly resolve their differences by sharing her true feelings.
Lynette muttered, "Stop pushing me."
She clutched Luna's hat, eyes downcast.
What should I call her? Luna or...? Lynette hesitated.
"Let's continue talking over there. These friends haven't spoken in ages," Lyney winked. Lumine and Paimon nodded in sudden understanding.
Must be because they haven't talked in so long!
They didn't consider the Phantom Thief angle. After all, Lyney had explained that the Phantom Thief White Cat used to be part of their family but had severed ties.
Besides, with the Phantom Thief's ability to change appearances, unless they caught her in the act and pinned her down, identifying her true identity would be impossible.
The trio moved away.
"...How should I address you?" Lynette finally spoke, offering Luna the choice.
"Luna?" or "Lulu"?
"...I don't know."
Lynette tightened her grip on the hat, drawing a soft breath. "Thank you."
"No need."
"None of your business."
Luna averted her gaze and touched her arm. "... What's your purpose here?"
"That." Lynette pointed with her tail at the Oratrice.
"The Oratrice?"
"More precisely, the core beneath it. My brother's exchange magic can utilize the space below the stage, allowing us to approach the core."
Luna pondered. "The Prophecy?"
"Yes."
So that's how it is. Does "Father" want to uncover the true nature of the Oratrice and find a way to resolve the crisis mentioned in the Prophecy?
"The sea will rise to wash away the Fontainians' sins—you're familiar with this Prophecy as well."
Luna nodded briefly. "Indeed. So what happened?"
Lynette leaned against the wall, showing no intention of returning the hat she held to Luna. She tried to act normal, hoping her ears and tail wouldn't do anything strange.
"My brother said he heard a strange sound when he got close to the core."
"What kind of sound?"
"... A human voice. That's what he said."
A human... voice?
Luna turned to look at the Oratrice. The trial hadn't begun, and it remained completely unresponsive.
The massive scale showed not the slightest imbalance, maintaining absolute equilibrium.
Was there a human voice within its core?
Could it be Furina's true form resides there? The Archon had stored power within the Oratrice, using it to convert the faith energy during judgment into Indemnitium...
This hypothesis seemed reasonable, but with insufficient information, further speculation would only waste mental energy.
"What else?"
"They tried to talk to him, but my brother sensed something was off. Better safe than sorry, he withdrew. While returning through the tunnel beneath the stage, he saw the shattered vase and clothes on the ground."
Clothes on the ground.
Indeed, that's it. Luna smiled. "This is the crucial evidence."
"What?"
"Nothing. I've asked my questions. Thank you." Luna spun on her heel, turning to leave.
Just like that moment.
Unable to resist, Lynette reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"Wait." The word slipped out unbidden.
"...Did you have more to ask?"
Don't leave? No. She didn't want to say that.
It was clearly Luna who was in the wrong, having broken their agreement.
They had promised to be family and companions for life, yet she had left home on her own.
Why did she do that? Lynette wanted to know.
But even if she asked, Luna would never answer.
"Father" knew why Luna left and understood her, but she wouldn't explain it to Lynette either.
Would she come home again? Lynette didn't want to ask that question either. She couldn't bring herself to say it.
But she had to say something.
Today she had already spoken more than she had in years.
"The hat. Can I assume you're giving it to me?"
"Temporarily," Luna replied. "I'll take it back after this trial. If I lose it, the person who made this hat for me would definitely lock me out for three days and nights."
"Chiori?"
"Yes."
"What if I say I want to keep this hat?"
Lynette added lightly, "Just kidding."
There was no need for an answer.
She didn't want to hear a "No."
"And there's no need to wait for the trial to end. I'll return it now." Lynette gripped the hat's brim and raised it high above her head.
Then she forcefully patted Luna's head!
It didn't hurt, but regardless, it was still too violent.
Luna murmured, "That's a bit too much force."
"I don't care."
Luna straightened her hat and hair. "...Should be fine now, right?"
"...'Father' wants to know when you're returning."
Would she really say that?
Arlecchino would indeed ask such a question, but more likely she'd ask in person during a face-to-face meeting rather than having a child deliver the message.
Luna couldn't answer this question.
Seeing her silence, Lynette could only respond mildly, "I see."
"...Then."
Lynette abruptly changed the subject, this seeming to be her final question.
"At that time, why did you choose to aim for Lefèvre's heart instead of his limbs?"
Even without killing him, simply piercing his arms or legs would have immobilized him with pain.
Luna looked astonished, not expecting Lynette to bring up events from many years past.
Neither Lynette nor Luna could forget what had happened that day.
Because she had seen Arlecchino.
The reason for aiming at fatal points was simple.
"I don't want such a person to live in this world."
It wasn't because of anger or fear.
"I just want to do this."
Lynette didn't ask any more questions. Luna returned to Clorinde's side.
"Finished chatting?"
"Finished."
"Did it go badly?"
"I don't know. Speaking of which, Miss Clorinde, you seem quite interested in these things," Luna said, surprised.
Clorinde nodded. "A bit interested."
"You're very honest."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Luna shared some of the information she had obtained with Clorinde - Arlecchino and their plans and objectives. Naturally, she wouldn't reveal those details.
Of course, Lyney's movements needed to be clearly explained; otherwise, it would become a fatal weakness.
"He went to the room with the Oratrice core?" Clorinde frowned.
"Yes."
"...What exactly is the House of the Hearth trying to do?"
Luna said nonchalantly, "Who knows? But that's not the key. You've already thought of the crucial clue, haven't you, Miss Clorinde?"
"...The primordial sea's water."
"Correct." Luna nodded.
She and Clorinde descended into the underground passage beneath the stage. Everything they found matched their deductions, but there was no more information to be gleaned.
"Investigation concluded," Luna announced to Neuvillette.
"We now enter the trial phase. Does Lady Furina have any objections?"
"None. Bring it on. The audience can't wait." Furina planted her hands on her hips, her confidence appearing more hollow than ever in Luna's eyes.
"Right, right! Let's get this show on the road!"
"I want to know the truth!"
The crowd roared in anticipation of the new drama.
Neuvillette nodded, approached the Chief Justice's seat, and stabbed his staff into the floor.
"Both parties, please take your positions. Accuser: Lady Furina. Defendants: Mr. Lyney and Miss Lynette. Stand-in defense attorney: Luna. This case concerns—"
Before he could finish, the door burst open with a crash.
"Lulu!"
The sound of voices preceded their arrival. Luna was momentarily startled, but a smile involuntarily tugged at the corners of her lips.
They've arrived just in time.
Chiori and Navia appeared at the doorway.
Furina exclaimed in surprise, "What are you two doing here...?"
Clorinde murmured, "Navia?"
"Woah, two more people?" Paimon whispered in shock.
"Miss Navia, Miss Chiori, this is—"
"The Trial Grounds. I know. I'm perfectly aware of this, but Chief Justice, we're not here to cause trouble. On the contrary, we wish to participate in the Trial!"
Navia rushed forward and leaped to Luna's side.
"Long time no see."
Luna smiled. "You've kept me waiting quite a while."
"Heh heh, what's the saying? The protagonist always makes their grand entrance last. Of course, this time the protagonists are me and Lulu. I'm absolutely certain about that."
Chiori crossed her arms and sighed. "What about me?"
"Ah, Chiori too!"
"Hmm... Never mind. I'm just here as a witness."
Furina couldn't make sense of the situation.
What's going on?
They claim to be here for the Trial. How could they possibly know about this case from outside? Wait, could it be...
Just as Furina formed a suspicion, Luna declared loudly, "We request an emergency Trial!"
Neuvillette observed them silently.
"An emergency Trial? Isn't this one already in progress?"
"I'm a bit confused..." The audience was utterly bewildered.
Furina exclaimed in delight, "You've already found them?"
"Yes," Navia replied, patting her chest.
"Alright, alright... ahem, I mean—stop beating around the bush! Just tell us what exactly is going on!" Furina sat in her seat, casually crossing one leg over the other.
Navia and Luna exchanged glances.
"Ready?" Luna asked.
"Of course!" Navia flashed a confident smile.
Then...
Luna raised her hand and declared, "The resolution of one case requires the truth behind another!"
Navia pounded the railing. "And it will unravel all mysteries up to now!"
"Therefore, we request an emergency trial!"
Neuvillette murmured, "What cases?"
"The Serial Disappearance Case," Luna said with a smile.
"And the Case of Callas the Unfaithful," Navia added, her voice ringing with conviction.
The courtroom erupted in commotion.
"What? An emergency trial for two... no, three cases including this one?"
"Could... could all three cases be connected to the same person?"
Navia met Neuvillette's gaze, her words and eyes brimming with unwavering determination.
"We'll tell everyone that my old man is innocent. Let's show them what we're made of, Lulu."
Luna chuckled softly. "Of course."
It was time for the performance.
Neuvillette nodded slowly. "As Chief Justice, I approve this special emergency trial application. The accusers are Navia and Luna. The accused..."
Luna and Navia spoke in unison: "President of the Confrerie of Cabriere, Marcel!"
Neuvillette withdrew his gaze and rapped his staff.
"Summon the accused!"
"No need for that."
Luna pointed at a figure in the audience.
"He's right there."
Marcel, his face wrapped in bandages and his eyes obscured by the shadow of his hat brim, lifted his head.