VIP Shoutout: Massive thanks to Max and Jacob Mooe for joining the Inner Circle!!♥
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Inside a lavish manor, Gordon sat ramrod straight, his expression grave as he explained his purpose to the stunning woman seated opposite him.
She had beautiful golden curls, delicate features, and creamy skin. Dressed in an opulent gown, the beauty mark at the corner of her right eye added a touch of irresistible charm.
Most striking of all was the necklace around her neck: a near-flawless emerald with perfect color and clarity.
"I understand your meaning, Mr. Gordon."
After listening carefully to his explanation, the woman gave a faint shake of her head.
"But I'm sorry. I cannot accept your proposal."
"Why not, Ms. Samantha? Kaitou Kid has almost certainly set his sights on your necklace!"
Gordon asked, his brows tightly furrowed.
The woman before him was Samantha Vanafor, the sole heiress of the Vanafor Family and currently unmarried.
The Vanafor Family was an ancient aristocratic lineage that had existed on this land long before Gotham became a city, before the name Gotham even existed. To this day, they remained one of Gotham's most influential clans.
Had Bruce's great-grandfather, Alan, not founded Wayne Enterprises and led the development of half of Gotham's districts, propelling the Wayne Family to unprecedented prominence, the Vanafor Family might well have been Gotham City's foremost household.
The Vanafors had always maintained a low profile and rarely appeared in public.
But that had changed recently.
As the sole heiress, Samantha suddenly announced to the press that the Vanafor conglomerate's 150th anniversary was approaching. She would host a grand banquet at her private estate and had invited every notable figure in Gotham.
A few days earlier, Darren happened to see Samantha promoting the event while walking down the street and, on the spot, chose her emerald necklace as his next target.
After several days of consideration, Darren finished writing his Notice and, for good measure, delivered the tear of the goddess he had grown tired of looking at to Gordon.
From the Notice, Gordon learned that Kaitou Kid had set his sights on the emerald and quickly connected it to the widely publicized Samantha.
He paid a personal visit, hoping to persuade her to let the police safeguard the necklace for the time being.
He had not expected Samantha to refuse outright.
"I appreciate your good intentions, Mr. Gordon, but this necklace was the founder's favorite adornment and the emblem of our family heirloom. I must wear it at the banquet."
Samantha explained calmly.
"Couldn't you use an identical substitute?"
A flicker of displeasure crossed Samantha's eyes.
"You want me to wear a fake? The guests would spot it immediately, and as a Vanafor, I could never agree to such a scheme."
"Then… at least allow the GCPD to assist with on-site security?"
Gordon asked, settling for the next best option.
"Very well, but I don't want to see a single uniformed officer in the banquet hall. I won't have my guests alarmed."
Samantha's tone was adamant.
"Understood. Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Vanafor."
With no other option, Gordon agreed.
Once Gordon had left, Samantha's expression shifted instantly.
"Kaitou Kid. I hear he stole the tear of the goddess from the Gotham Museum of Art? A mere thief daring to covet my necklace. Find out everything about him."
She issued the order to what appeared to be an empty room.
The next moment, a deferential voice replied, "Yes, my lady."
Then the room fell silent once more.
...
Elsewhere, atop Gotham Clock Tower.
Tim and Barbara sat together, each holding an identical white card—Kaitou Kid's Notice.
"An emerald. No matter how you look at it, the Vanafor necklace is the most likely target. It's priceless, and rumor has it that it carries a terrible curse: every wearer dies an unnatural death."
"In every respect, it fits the description of the 'cursed may stone.'"
Tim gave his conclusion.
"I agree," Barbara nodded.
"Tim, how much of this Notice have you deciphered?"
"Almost all of it. Only the last line still has me stumped."
Tim answered, sounding vexed.
"Then let's hear it. Maybe it's the same line I'm stuck on."
Barbara looked at him expectantly. Tim didn't keep her waiting and began his analysis.
♦~When Sköll and the Norse wolf cross paths for the thirteenth time,
The fragile mistletoe is stained with blood,
I will tread the swaying path to heaven,
Ascend to Valhalla's eternal feast,
And take the cursed May Stone.
— Respectfully, Kaitou Kid~♦
"First, the final line's 'may stone' clearly points to the Vanafor necklace. The line before it, 'Valhalla's eternal feast,' obviously refers to the banquet Samantha Vanafor is about to host."
"Next, Sköll and Hati are the twin wolves of Norse mythology that chase the sun and the moon. Each crossing marks a day-night cycle. Thirteen crossings equal thirteen days."
Barbara nodded appreciatively and continued, "The tender mistletoe stained with blood is also from Norse myth. That seemingly fragile plant was Baldr's only weakness."
"Through Loki's scheming, Baldr was slain by his blind brother Höðr with a dart of mistletoe. Ordinary mistletoe was thus drenched in a god's blood."
"So, mistletoe stained with blood foretells Baldr's death, and Baldr's death brings everlasting darkness. Kaitou Kid obviously can't plunge Gotham into endless night, so the phrase must refer to the instant sunset ends and night begins."
Putting their conclusions together, they now understood the message.
"Thirteen days from now, Kaitou Kid will appear at the Vanafor commemorative banquet and steal the emerald necklace Samantha is wearing."
In truth, the lines they had already deciphered provided more than enough information. The time, location, and target were all clear, leaving little room for doubt.
Only one line remained that neither Tim nor Barbara could fully interpret.
"'I shall tread the swaying road to heaven.' The swaying road to heaven must refer to the rainbow bridge, Bifröst, which connects the realms. But what does it signify here?"
The two of them were stumped.
"Do you think this thief might have some kind of space-crossing ability like the rainbow bridge, and this line hints at his method?"
Tim ventured uncertainly.
"If he had a power that strong, why didn't he use it when he stole the tear of the goddess?" Barbara countered.
"Then maybe he'll literally create a rainbow-colored bridge?"
Tim mused, resting his chin in his hand.
"Or are we overthinking it, and the line has no practical meaning at all?"