Funinna, please let me steal your heart!

“Flying gets tiring too, it’s not like you won’t get tired once your feet are off the ground.” Paimon smiled and wagged his finger.

She looked around and saw people everywhere, with stalls neatly arranged and children's laughter filling the air.

The lively scene piqued Paimon's curiosity.

"Did we just happen to stumble upon some special festival in Fontainebleau?"

"Just ask around," Ying said.

The two men grabbed a passerby and began questioning him.

"What holiday is today?"

He looked at the two of them and suddenly realized what was going on.

"Oh, you can tell at a glance that you're from outside. It's normal that you don't know. Today is the day that Lady Funina and Miss Luna are performing together."

"Whenever gods and humans perform together on stage, the day becomes a festival. Unfortunately, the opera house tickets are sold out long ago, so we can't see their performance."

Is Funina a deity of this country?

Nasita said she was a very individualistic person who would perform with humans, perhaps even closer to ordinary people than imagined... Ying pondered.

Paimon's eyes lit up: "A festival! I knew it! So that means there's delicious food everywhere, right?!"

"...Paimon."

"Hehehe, the Water Goddess is performing, and we don't have tickets, so we can't see her. We might as well get to know Fontaine first. Who knows what kind of trouble we'll get involved in later?"

It's always the same; wherever I go, something happens.

Paimon put on his glasses: "Sometimes I feel like we're like that detective who never grows up!"

Ying smiled and said, "That means wherever you go, there will be a murder case."

"Too."

In short, the two decided to wander around Fontainebleau for a while, enjoying the festival while gathering information about the goddess Funina.

“I’m also very interested in this Luna; she’s so beautiful!” Paimon said.

"Miss Luna is a rising star with amazing talent. Lady Funina is quite fond of her." The stall owner said as he handed Paimon the fried fish fillet.

While eating, Paimon asked, "So, that means both Funina and Luna are big stars?"

"Miss Luna's fame is naturally not as great as Lady Funina's, after all, she has only been in the industry for a short time, but she will become a big celebrity after this."

"However, if we're talking about what's most noteworthy in Fontaine right now, it's definitely the Phantom Thief."

Paimon exclaimed in surprise, "The Phantom Thief? Isn't that a character from a novel?"

“There are phantom thieves in Fontainebleau, and the most active one right now is one who calls herself White Cat… You don’t want to get targeted by her.”

Every treasure targeted by the phantom thief, White Cat, is doomed.

But she never stoops to hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Instead, she always makes her presence and strength known.

They're like characters from a play.

Therefore, while some people regard her as a villain, others see her as an idol.

"But the phantom thief never seems to care about these so-called 'fans'."

Paimon said with interest, "He sounds like a very strange person."

"....besides."

"Ok?"

"The phantom thief really enjoys flirting with pretty girls."

"what?"

"You guys need to be careful too."

Ying asked doubtfully, "Male or female?"

"It's a woman. And she seems quite pretty."

Paimon and Ying exchanged a glance. A female phantom thief who likes to tease girls?

"She doesn't have some weird fetish, does she?" Paimon asked.

Ying shook her head. How could she know? She could only hope that she wouldn't have to meet the phantom thief, White Cat.

Their goal is not to get into trouble—unless there is a need.

The festival was larger than they had imagined, with stalls even set up outside the city.

"Hiccup. My belly has gotten so big..." Paimon rubbed his stomach.

Eating too much can also be a form of suffering.

Ying poked her belly, about to say something, when suddenly a scream was heard.

"There's a monster!"

Looking up, a group of monsters was rapidly approaching. Perhaps attracted by the commotion of the festival, the guards went to meet them.

"There are some here too... Don't come any closer!"

But monsters also appeared on the other side.

Paimon exclaimed, "Luminous!"

Needless to say, as adventurers, we certainly cannot sit idly by in this situation.

Ying nodded, conjured a longsword, and leaped up to deliver a kick.

A burst of wind elemental energy! The monsters were blown into the sky by this sudden tornado.

I'll give the water element a try.

Ying made up her mind, and the blade shimmered with light as she unleashed two slashes from the water.

Finally, the lightning element! With a charged strike, a leaping purple light instantly obliterated the monster. Having unleashed the power of the three elements in turn, Ying sheathed her sword and turned away, showcasing her formidable strength.

"It's all over now," she smiled at the others.

"Thank you very much!"

"What a cool older sister!"

Paimon floated over and asked, "Are you alright?"

"It's nothing, no problem... Hmm?"

"what happened?"

Ying frowned slightly. The public looked at her with gratitude and curiosity, but the police looked at her with suspicion and wariness.

She had a bad feeling.

"...Let's go, Paimon."

"Eh?"

Ying sheathed her sword and quickly left.

Paimon paused, then quickly followed, "What's wrong? You seem a little nervous."

"It seems we're being watched by the security forces."

"Huh!? W-why?"

No sooner had the words been spoken than a cacophony of footsteps came from all directions.

The security forces, along with other security personnel, surrounded the two men.

"Wow!?" Paimon exclaimed.

Target confirmed!

"The phantom thief can change his appearance, but he can also use multiple elemental powers..."

Ying looked around warily; the guards had simply surrounded them, showing no intention of fighting.

But with such a guarded posture, it's hard to guarantee they won't be let leave.

"Could it be that legendary traveler?"

"Phantom thieves can change their appearance, so we can't be sure they're not faking it... Anyway, we'll find out after we confirm it."

"Miss, could you come with us...?"

At that moment, a member of the security team suddenly couldn't stand still: "No, she must be the phantom thief! That despicable phantom thief, she cannot be forgiven!"

After saying this, she swung her sword at Ying.

Why did they attack so directly? Paimon's face turned pale.

Ying immediately parried with her sword, then turned and kicked her opponent away.

"...Paimon, hold on tight to me."

"Eh?"

Something feels off; I can't let them catch me...

With a determined look, Ying grabbed Paimon, summoned the rock, and used the momentum to leap up, soaring over the guards.

"She's trying to escape!"

"How to do?"

"...Chase after them. But before that..."

The garrison captain grabbed the member who had just attacked: "Who bribed you, buddy?"

"I......"

The remaining guards looked at each other in bewilderment.

Was there a mole among them who had been bribed?

With the guards blocking their way, Ying and Paimon were forced to return to Fontaine, but within the city, those chasing them were no longer limited to the guards and special patrols.