I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

It seems... the repentance has already begun to take effect.

Rion has already begun to reveal her true feelings—at least, she disclosed the astronomical amount of money she had withheld.

Soon after Yuka's message, Noah also sent a message.

Noah: I see... So this is 'repentance'?

Noah: Sensei... Thanks to you, the 'financial pressure' on the seminar has indeed been greatly reduced... Many groups have expressed relief.

Noah: But it's also because of Sensei's actions that the seminar may be facing a predicament recently...

Xiaoxue hasn't replied to the message yet—she's probably locked up next to Liyin and doesn't have time.

Immediately afterwards, several of Beritas's 'prodigy girls' replied to the message one after another, letting everyone know they were safe.

[Maki: Although I didn't witness what happened in the other world firsthand... the impact on the real world is really cool! Sensei, do you have time to talk more?]

'...A good opportunity to deepen my bond with Maki.'

[Xiaoyu: It's good that Sensei is alright... Congratulations to Sensei on his victorious return.]

Xiaoyu: I'd like to know some details...

'...'

[Chihiro: Thanks for your concern, Sensei. We're fine... but there are some things I'm curious about...]

'...'

[Himari: Hehe... Judging from this, is 'repentance' starting to take effect? ​​Interesting...]

'...'

[Nero: Sensei… The maid club has been acting a bit strange lately. After consulting with the accountant from that seminar, we decided to come and talk to you…]

Seeing these messages, which had different art styles but all expressed an intention to 'talk further,' Amamiya knew a very clear outcome.

—It seems that my bond with these students from the ancient academy can be extended even further.

It's a good omen... I guess so.

"It seems everyone is alright."

After everyone took turns reporting that they were safe, Alice finally let go of her guilt.

If something like this leads to danger in the real world...

Alice cares about everyone.

Amamiya rubbed her forehead and teased, "You're becoming more and more like a 'hero' in terms of gentleness and thoughtfulness."

【~???~】

After enjoying the caress for a short while with a clear conscience, Alice began to carry out the 'next task'.

"Today, Alice wants to invite Sensei on a solo adventure..."

Amamiya was taken aback: "A solo expedition?"

"Hmm, Sensei, do you remember 'Kei' who controlled Alice before...?"

Amamiya then remembered that there seemed to be such a thing—the game club was originally looking for the [G.Bible], but ended up finding Alice by accident.

Then, because of this, he embarked on a journey to another world to search for various clues... until he finally found Kei in the other world.

Amamiya nodded: "What's wrong, Alice?"

"Alice... wants to bring 'Kei' back from the real world." Alice's words were tinged with obvious hesitation: "Although Kei might be a very willful and naughty child, Alice still wants to bring Kei, with whom she has a very 'strange' connection..."

Amamiya then recalled Himari's 'reminder' not long ago.

The changes over the ruins...

Could it be that Kei from the real world made that?

"Then let's go and take a look."

Chapter Thirty-Seven Kei, you don't want the princess to be led astray, do you?

Because of Rion's repentance, the entire Millennium Technology Academy was plunged into a brief period of chaos.

Some groups are plotting trouble, some are playing it safe, and others are using this opportunity to do something...

Under such circumstances, no one would pay attention to Amamiya, who was quietly venturing into the ruins, or Alice, who was traveling with him.

Walking once again among the dilapidated and desolate buildings, Alice no longer felt the same excitement she had when exploring ruins in the other world.

Yet there was a subtle excitement... like a 'sister' (or younger sister?) about to be taken home.

Standing on the perimeter of the ruins, Amamiya did not immediately venture into this post-apocalyptic wasteland scene reminiscent of [NieR: Automata]. Instead, he first used his Persona [Prometheus] to scan the various reactions here.

"As expected... there are more automated soldiers here, and they're more aggressive..."

After clicking his tongue in amazement, Amamiya led Alice through the dense search network of automatons, heading straight for the ruined factory.

The scenery inside the ruins remains unchanged. The buildings and facilities here were once suddenly activated because of the arrival of Amamiya and his party... Now, it seems to be on the verge of shutting down.

After reaching the authentication gap, Amamiya temporarily handed over the 'navigation' to Alice, letting her act according to her 'memory' or 'instinct'.

Guided by some unseen connection, Alice eventually led Amamiya to a dilapidated space that resembled a computer control panel.

“…This is it.”

After leading Amamiya to the location, Alice finally confirmed the source of this premonition.

"Alice is certain... Kei is hiding here..."

Upon hearing this, Amamiya immediately scanned the space with his third eye.

There is no 'unactivated robot that looks exactly like Alice', or anything similar.

However, Amamiya did see a tarot card.

【Kei/The Key to the Key】

Arcana: The Unse

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked (Cannot be Unlocked)]

[Note: The affinity and bond levels accumulated between 'Arcana' and Alice (Hope) are interconnected.]

'universe……'

The card depicts a "galaxy" adorned with countless stars, encircling the silhouette of a young girl, conveying a profound sense of the starry sky.

However... to Amamiya's slight surprise, this tarot card had an extremely unique annotation.

Furthermore, it was displayed on a computer screen that appeared to be malfunctioning...

Alice walked over and stood in front of the screen that seemed to be flickering.

As Alice approached, this 'ancient black technology' reacted naturally—its previously flickering screen seemed to enter another state, lighting up steadily and then displaying a row of green pixelated text.

"Are you AL-1S?"

Alice: "..."

Alice gently brushed aside her excessively long bangs, nodded at the screen, and then shook her head slightly.

"Alice is both a 'princess' and a 'hero'..."

Amamiya, who was watching from the sidelines, remained silent, inexplicably thinking of a classic quote from a certain tokusatsu film that was actually a documentary.

'Ultraman doesn't interfere with human choices because they are all light.'

But you're different. (The rest of the text appears to be gibberish and unrelated.)

Because you are both light and human.

'Do what you believe is right.'

"..."

The electronic screen seemed to freeze briefly due to Alice's 'unusual' response, displaying a loading indicator.

Perhaps... in its view, such an answer is quite puzzling to 'people'...

So what's the current situation?

Did Ms. Wang awaken "that consciousness" without any transformation or guidance from "herself"? But that doesn't make sense either...

If she had already awakened, why didn't she exhibit that "sublime divinity" or... "destructive impulse" or something similar?

"Voice recognition... Qualification confirmed... Welcome back, AL-1S"

Seemingly stumped by Alice's remarks, the computer remained silent for a while before finally deciding to continue installing the computer.

"..."

Alice didn't waste any words and reached out to try and grab the edge of the computer, her terrifying grip, practically a "human weapon of destruction," about to exert its force—

"Wait, wait a minute..."

"What do you want to do with this machine?"

"Please note in advance... Any act of damage to this machine is prohibited. The machine will not be held responsible for any unacceptable consequences arising therefrom."

Alice, who had been silent, finally spoke: "Kei..."

"?!"

That low, guttural call seemed to carry a mischievous, devilish 'mischievousness,' and for some inexplicable reason, a kind of madness akin to 'yandere' or other extreme emotions.

"Are you still planning to keep pretending?...Kei."

Alice is making the most of the "Demon King Aura" she learned from the "Cognitive Existence Kei" from another world, and even the color of her eyes is constantly changing, like some kind of RGB color-changing device.

Her tone carried a kind of ethereal 'high and mighty' quality. To be honest... at least it sounded like the kind of 'world-destroying weapon' level mecha girl, with a kind of divine, indifferent feeling.

'Speaking of which... Alice can slightly adjust her physical characteristics...'

If she's 'pretending' to have multiple personalities or something... should I play this 'special role-playing game' with her?

Amamiya watched the scene with great interest—he almost laughed when he saw Kei, who was stuck in the computer, too frightened by the bizarre situation to send any messages.

You didn't expect that, did you, Kei?

"..."

"Searching for the keyword 'Kei'... No results were found on this machine."

After a long silence, two more prompts appeared on the electronic screen.

If Kei had a body now, the expression on her face would be a complex mix of shock, disbelief, fear, and other negative emotions.

“Kei… if this continues, I will…”

Alice slightly increased the pressure on her hand, and the electronic screen, which was a fusion of some ancient technology, cracked instantly with a snap.

"..."

"Princess, what exactly do you want to do?"

Seeing that he could no longer keep up the act, the 'computer equipment' finally broke down, and the flickering electronic screen displayed a piece of text.

"The reason Alice came here... is, of course, for Kei."

Alice's 'demon king' aura vanished in an instant, and she suddenly responded with a cheerful laugh: "Haha~ Kei-chan, were you scared?"

"Alice's acting...is fantastic, isn't it!"

"...????"

Kei, who was living in the computer, was confused again.

what?

no……

What's going on?

I was all ready to lay my cards on the table, and now you're telling me it was all an act?!

No way... I can't understand it.

Even if we mobilize all the computing power we can currently muster, we still cannot understand the current situation...