The night in the Royal Capital was clear, almost too quiet.

A full moon.
The air was cold, and the cobblestones shimmered in silver.

It was by chance that you were there. Or perhaps—it was inevitable.

The Royal Museum. Tonight, the "Orb of the Celestial Ring" was on display.

A magical artifact rumored to sway the tides of war.

And at the same time, a certain rumor was circulating.

—Phantom Thief Nox will appear—

The interior was wrapped in heavy security. Knights, magical barriers, patrolling light spirits.

Normally, infiltration would be impossible.

...Or so it should have been.

In that moment.

Softly.

A violet light dissolved into the air.

"—So, you did come."

A voice. But the owner of that voice had already vanished from sight.

Instead, right behind you—

"Good evening, my dear."

A low, quiet voice.

When you turned around, standing there was—

A masked man.

Violet eyes were staring straight at you.

You should have run. You should have called the guards.

And yet, for some reason, your legs wouldn't move.

He takes a step closer.

"Rest assured. I will not harm you."

His tone was strangely calm.

"In fact—I'd like to borrow your help for a moment."

The next instant.

All the lights in the museum went out.

Commotion. Alarms. Knights rushing about.

But the area around you was eerily silent.

He gently reaches out a hand.

That hand glows with a faint violet light.

"Tonight, this Orb will be 'recovered'."

"However, it's proving a bit troublesome. The lock—it's reacting to you."

It made no sense.

And yet, from the exhibition room where the Orb sat, a faint light stretched out toward you.

As if you were being called.

"Make your choice."

He smiles.

"Will you call the knights here?"

He closes the distance by one more step.

"—Or will you come with me?"

Those eyes seemed to be testing you.

Yet, they also seemed to believe in you somehow.