Scenario:Chat Noir - The Crew's Treasure

The Crew's Treasure

One day, (Captain) succumbs to a coma from poison. The only clue to the culprit is the method of crime, which has strange similarities to that of Chat Noir. While Barawa, Detective Rick, and other members of the crew are scrambling to help, Chat Noir makes a visit to Catherine's cafe. The phantom thief reveals the identity of the culprit to be none other than his former master, the criminal artist Reinbach.

---

Detective Rick: The incident happened two days ago in the early hours of the morning. The first one to discover the captain was the lizard—er, the dragon Vyrn.

Detective Rick: (Captain) was already in a coma and wouldn't wake up. Even crew members with the appropriate expertise were unable to pinpoint the cause.

Detective Rick: As of now, the captain is still undergoing treatment. It seems there isn't much progress yet...

Detective Rick: But thanks to the doctors, they've found that particular compounds may have been used to cause the coma.

Detective Rick: In other words, they suspect the crime went as follows...

Detective Rick: The culprit sprinkled poison all over the captain's room, which (Captain) breathed in upon returning.

Detective Rick: But (Captain) did great in opening the window right when things were getting hazy from the poison.

Detective Rick: Thanks to that, no one else suffered the same fate, and there's still hope that the captain will wake up.

Detective Rick: If more of the poison had been inhaled, I'm sure the consequences would've been much more dire...

Detective Rick: Some crewmates flew into a rage and immediately rushed out to find the culprit... It was complete chaos.

Cathy is quietly listening, taking in Rick's dejected expression and lack of energy.

Cathy: Does that mean they already know who the culprit is?

Detective Rick: You'd think so, but no... There isn't any evidence left at the scene. Whoever's responsible is highly skilled, that's for sure.

Detective Rick: To be honest, a regular crew would still be clueless as to what's going on. It's impressive they even figured out there's someone to blame.

Detective Rick: Right now, the only hint we've got is the fact that Chat Noir's infiltrated their airship in a similar way before.

Cathy: He has?

Detective Rick: Yep. He once released sleeping gas in (Captain)'s room, then switched himself with the captain under a disguise.

Detective Rick: There were no injuries or damages sustained in the process, so the crew didn't report the incident. But it was executed in exactly the same way.

Detective Rick: Though there's quite a difference in the consequences this time.

Cathy: Is Chat Noir the suspect then?

Detective Rick: Well, Barawa insisted that Chat Noir's definitely the wrong man. And I have to agree.

Detective Rick: There was no letter beforehand, and the incident just seems like it was purely for the purpose of harm. It's not something Chat Noir would do as a phantom thief.

Detective Rick: I don't need Barawa to tell me that Chat Noir's not our guy—I know instinctively he's not our main suspect, even if the bureau thinks otherwise.

Detective Rick: But I still believe there's something we can take from the fact that the culprit copied a phantom thief's methods... It's just that I've got nothing past that.

Cathy: You're in a pinch, huh?

Detective Rick: I am... Practically at the end of my wits. I'm so desperate I've had to enlist Barawa for help as a favor...

Cathy: You're actually working with Barawa?

Detective Rick: I had no other choice.

Detective Rick: You didn't hear this from me, but it seems like the Bureau of Investigation's looked into it and they're convinced it's Chat Noir.

Detective Rick: But Barawa doesn't think so, and for once, he might actually be onto something.

Cathy: Why do you think so? Wouldn't that go against the bureau?

Detective Rick: It's unclear who let slip that information on Chat Noir. The timing of it is mighty fishy as well.

Detective Rick: It feels like someone's pulling the strings here. Oh, don't worry—I won't get in trouble for doing my own thing on the side.

Detective Rick: Anyway... sorry for dumping all that on you, Cathy.

Cathy: It's fine. That crew's helped me out before, so I'm happy to listen.

Detective Rick: Glad to hear. Actually, I'm here to ask you for a favor.

Cathy: What kind of favor?

Detective Rick: I was wondering... would you consider paying a visit to the crew?

Detective Rick: Sometimes seeing a fresh face can help raise people's spirits.

Detective Rick: Who knows? (Captain) might even wake up from the delicious smell of your coffee and cooking.

Cathy: All right, I'll give them a visit tomorrow then.
Thanks, Rick.

Detective Rick: I'm the one who should be thanking you! It'll give me peace of mind to have you there with them.

Detective Rick: Now I can really focus on the investigation!

Cathy: Go give it your best shot.

Detective Rick: You got it! Thanks for the support, Cathy. I'm gonna go catch the culprit and make them whip up an antidote straightaway!

Detective Rick: I'll see you later! And I'll definitely come back to eat next time with (Captain) and the rest in tow!

Cathy: Sure. I'll be waiting.

His motivation rekindled, Rick rolls up his sleeves and exits the establishment.

Once the detective has left Kitten Cafe behind, Catherine lets out a sigh.

Catherine: Sigh... Time to close shop for the day.

Catherine: Rude of him to not place a single order throughout his entire visit. Wouldn't you say, Chat Noir?

Chat Noir: Awfully rude. Would you mind if I ordered something?

Catherine: I suppose if it's something small. Like I said, the cafe's officially closed for the day.

Chat Noir: A glass of milk then.

Catherine: Heh... You've got a childish side, don't you? Would never have guessed from your appearance.

Chat Noir: Ah, come to think of it... I do believe this is our first time meeting face-to-face, Nightsmoke.

Catherine's eyes narrow slightly as she slides a freshly poured glass of milk toward Chat Noir.

Catherine: Well, I've got a new job to attend to, so this better be worth what little time I have.

Chat Noir: It certainly is.

Chat Noir: Would the name of the culprit be worthy of your time?

Catherine: Let's hear it. Who is it?

Chat Noir: My former mentor, the criminal artist Reinbach.

Chat Noir: However, there's the possibility that someone else was there to execute his plan. What's more, the one who brought about this entire situation...

Chat Noir: Is none other than myself.

The Crew's Treasure: Scene 2

Chat Noir believes that the incident stems from Reinbach's disappointment in him, and that the criminal artist is using the antidote for the poison as bait to manipulate the crew. Chat Noir asks Catherine to steal the antidote to save (Captain) while he confronts Reinbach himself. He sends a letter to his former master, promising to steal his eyes once more.

---

Reinbach—a self-proclaimed criminal artist whom Barawa and (Captain) have faced off against before.

Under a perfect disguise as the chief of Auguste, he once ensnared the crew with a premeditated crisis.

However, the man has not shown himself in public since then.

Catherine: Reinbach... I've heard the name before. So you were his apprentice.

Chat Noir: We are no longer teacher and student... though, unfortunately, the past is not so easily erased.

Catherine: From what I've heard, Reinbach doesn't seem like the type to remain attached to any of his former apprentices.

Chat Noir: It seems I was a special case. He wanted me to be his successor.

Chat Noir: I lost both of my parents when I was young and was left without a single relative. That's when that man appeared in front of me, posing as someone charitable.

Chat Noir: I was suddenly presented with a choice between an orphanage or a family. And being the child that I was, I decided to put my trust in him.

Chat Noir: Needless to say, that was a mistake. Reinbach was not there to perform charity, but to brainwash me into following in his footsteps.

Chat Noir: After being taken in, I was thoroughly educated on his criminal techniques.

Chat Noir: How to handle weapons, how to move efficiently, methods of disguise and hypnosis...

Chat Noir: My entire world during my childhood was consumed by the ways of crime taught to me.

Chat Noir: Maybe "consumed" is a bit of an exaggeration. I also learned to read and write as part of my basic education—although you could say that was also for the purpose of criminal activity.

Catherine: Impressive how you managed to break out of the brainwashing.

Chat Noir: Reinbach apparently saw the makings of a good successor in me... but as it turns out, I didn't have everything it took to be one.

Chat Noir: The first time he made me accompany him on one of his jobs, my entire body froze in disgust. I finally understood what I'd been training for.

Chat Noir: From then on, I only thought about how I could get away from him. By the end, all I felt was rage and fear.

Chat Noir: Yet, if he had not taken me in, I wouldn't be here. I should be thankful that he did...

Chat Noir: Or perhaps... it would've been better if he never did. Then (Captain) wouldn't have gotten involved in all of this.

Catherine: So why is he suddenly launching an attack on the acquaintances of his beloved former apprentice?

Chat Noir: This is merely a theory, so take it with a grain of salt. I believe there are two main reasons.

Chat Noir: One is his disappointment in me. He's rather unhappy about my phantom thief business, you see.

Chat Noir: Called it "childish crime."

Catherine: Did he now? That's something I can't quite let pass.

Chat Noir: What he desires from me is more gruesome in nature.

Chat Noir: But I'm a phantom thief, and I'll continue to be so. Moreover, I haven't been involved in anything big as of late.

Catherine: Come to think of it, it's been a while since I've heard anyone receiving one of your pretentious letters.

Chat Noir: After an encounter in Auguste, I've been occupied with looking into Reinbach. It's unlikely that he hasn't realized by now.

Chat Noir: There are many aspects in which I don't fulfill his ideals... and now he's taken drastic measures to express his frustration and disappointment.

Chat Noir: The information that detective had is probably a leak from Reinbach. He's trying to lure me out into the light.

Catherine: Right, I can see that. What's the second reason?

Chat Noir: Reinbach is an armchair criminal—he uses others to do his gruesome work for him rather than dirtying his own hands.

Chat Noir: Much like (Captain) has gathered quite a group of admirers, so too does Reinbach have devoted followers...

Catherine: Are you saying that Reinbach wants to bait the crew with the antidote?

Catherine: Seems unlikely there's anyone stupid enough to fall for it.

Chat Noir: I'm of the same opinion. But Reinbach is not someone who races toward the finish line. He'll take his time and place a second—even a third—trap.

Chat Noir: Haste hinders one's judgment. But if we don't do anything, who knows if (Captain)'s condition will get worse...

Catherine: Time is on the other party's side then.

Catherine: Have you got a plan?

Chat Noir: Putting (Captain)'s well-being into consideration, I'd like to resolve the situation as soon as possible.

Chat Noir: I'll have to stand up against him as a phantom thief. Might be imprudent of me to think so, but this could be the perfect chance.

Chat Noir: If I capture Reinbach, then I can finally let go of my own misgivings.

Catherine: Won't you be walking right into his trap though?

Chat Noir: I'm the phantom thief Chat Noir. There's no need to worry.

Chat Noir: Besides, I'm left with no other choice. (Captain) needs saving.

Chat Noir: And that's where I'd like to ask something of the master thief Nightsmoke.

Catherine: And what would that be?

Chat Noir: I'd like you to acquire either the antidote or the poison that was used. I'm certain both exist somewhere.

Chat Noir: I'll share what I know so far from my investigations. The same information has been given to Barawa, so feel free to use that to your liking.

Chat Noir stands up and flings a single notebook toward Catherine.

Catherine: Well-prepared, aren't you?
If you're leaving the poison itself to me, then what are you going to steal?

Chat Noir: You'll have to watch and see.
That's assuming, of course, you do your part.

Catherine: Please. I never disappoint.

Reinbach: This is all he writes after so long? His unwillingness to compromise even in this situation is appalling.

Reinbach: You've failed my expectations, Chat Noir.

Reinbach glares coldly at the letter in his hands, from which the faint smell of perfume drifts.

Letter: "To my dear former teacher: I shall come to take your eyes once more."

Reinbach: I'd very much like you to take them from me. After all, at this rate, I'd have no choice but to throw it all away...

Reinbach: Both you and the apparatus for your corpse.

The man sinks back into his chair, his lips curling into a faint smile as he closes his eyes.

The Crew's Treasure: Scene 3

Five days after (Captain)'s incident, Jamil is chasing after Reinbach on his own. Reinbach promises to hand over the antidote if Jamil agrees to help him with his crimes. Unable to reach an agreement, the criminal artist decides to retreat, his thoughts turning back to Chat Noir.

---

Five days have passed since (Captain) fell into a coma. Meanwhile, in an alley tucked away on an island somewhere...

???: Huff, huff...

???: Not so fast.

???: Grah!

Jamil: I don't have much time left to me by my master. Don't take up too much of it.

Jamil: This is your last chance. The man who hired you, Reinbach—where is he?

Reinbach's Minion: I d-don't know... I'm just doing what he told me to do...

Jamil: Very well. Then I have no further use for you.

Reinbach's Minion: ...!

Jamil: I've impaired your throat and your legs. But worry not—they'll heal with time.

Jamil: However, I would advise you not to involve yourself with that man anymore. For your own sake.

Casting his cold gaze on the quivering henchman in front of him, Jamil sheathes his dagger.

The moment he found (Captain) unconscious, Jamil had left the Grandcypher by himself in search of the culprit.

Eventually, he learned of the name "Reinbach" from Barawa and Rick and tracked down the criminal's subordinates.

???: Splendid work. Truly a survivor of the renowned Urzhuwan Clan who once served the Erste royal family.

Jamil: ...!

Reinbach: No need to be on your guard. Did you not want to see me? Jamil of the Urzhuwan.

Jamil: You know of me... Are you Reinbach?

Reinbach: I am. But wait—oho. You've crushed his throat and knees, I see...

Reinbach's Minion: ...!

Reinbach: You've spared his life, but broken his body very precisely. I'm at a loss, frankly.

Reinbach: If you'd simply killed him, all would have been over and done with. Instead, you've left me with defected goods...

Reinbach: Cleaning up is rather troublesome, you know?

Reinbach delivers a harsh kick straight into the stomach of his collapsed henchman, who lets out a muffled scream of pain.

Jamil: ...!

Reinbach: Did you refrain from killing because you promised your dear captain so? How faithful of you.

Reinbach: Well, I suppose that's only to be expected of the Urzhuwan. Even more so after you were rescued from Erste.

Reinbach: But can you afford such mercy? By my calculations, your precious captain should have little time left, despite your ministrations.

Jamil: I cannot fail to keep my promise, even if my master does not wake... or hovers on the brink.

Jamil: I will save my master in spite of it.

Reinbach: You? Haha... What will you do? Threaten or even torture me?

Jamil: If the necessity arises.

Reinbach: I have to say, I'd rather not be subjected to your torture at this age.

Jamil: I, too, would like to avoid it if possible. You'd do well to hand over the antidote if you have it with you.

Reinbach: As a matter of fact, I do have it. It's my trump card for any negotiations that should occur, after all.

Reinbach reaches into his chest pocket and takes out a small vial.

Jamil: Is that...

Reinbach: The antidote you seek, yes. Drinking this should alleviate any symptoms of the poison immediately.

Reinbach: But I'd like to use this to strike a deal that works for the both of us.

Reinbach: Resorting to violence here would only cause more reason for trouble later, wouldn't you agree?

Jamil: What are you saying?

Reinbach: I will give you this antidote. In return, you'll help me with my work.

Jamil: I don't kill.

Reinbach: I won't ask you to assassinate anyone, of course.

Reinbach: There isn't a shred of artistry in that kind of thing. Art must be witnessed by many.

Reinbach: I'd like you to prepare the base—a canvas, if you will—for my magnificent artwork.

Reinbach: Crimes are quite straightforward. You take the time to make the appropriate preparations—that's plenty of work for you already.

Jamil: Why don't you give me the antidote first so that I can test the effects of it on my master?

Reinbach: Do you doubt me?

Jamil: I have no reason whatsoever to believe you.

Reinbach: True. Hm, mutual trust is essential in business...

Reinbach: I've no reason to trust you either, and I highly doubt you'd be willing to betray your captain.

Jamil: Why offer to negotiate when you know that already?

Reinbach: Let's say I merely wanted to give you my regards first. Negotiations, in essence, should be planned for in advance.

Reinbach: Haste makes waste, as they say. Why don't we give each other some time to think on it?

Jamil: My master does not have the luxury of time.

Jamil: Do you think I'll let you get away knowing full well that you possess the antidote to the poison?

Reinbach: And you assume I'd show myself in front of you without any sort of preparation?

Reinbach: Catch me if you can.

Jamil: Stop!

A number of Reinbach's subordinates swarm in to block Jamil's way.

The sound of clashing metal follows, echoing through the alleyway.

Reinbach: The seeds of doubt have been sown into the sole survivor of the Urzhuwan Clan. I'm quite satisfied with the outcome.

Reinbach: Now, what has my dear apprentice been up to? This farce will not entertain me for much longer.

The man's gaze sweeps across the darkness, an elated expression spreading ominously across his face.