I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Amamiya smiled and replied, "Good evening, Master Himaki."

After a brief pause, Amamiya slowly approached.

As the Rain Palace drew ever closer, the aura of the 'cold and mysterious Xuanlong Sect Master' under the moonlight rapidly dissipated.

Fei Xiao's aura collapsed in an instant, like snow melting in early spring. It seemed that she was the one who was 'unable to hold on'.

She turned her head and chuckled softly: "Sensei... Inviting you here this time was worth all the effort I put into creating this coincidence."

"I really did see a 'special side' of you."

Amamiya stood beside Himeki, her smile unwavering, looking down at the 'little sect leader' who was only a little over 1.4 meters tall.

"Me too, I saw the sect leader's exceptionally... 'innocent and adorable' side."

After exchanging a knowing glance, Amamiya and Himeaki did not intend to discuss the 'Plum Garden' matter further.

"Is Sensei looking for a temporary place to stay?"

Amamiya didn't hide anything and nodded frankly.

Given the current situation, it's too late to get back to Xialai.

However, if the sole purpose is to return to the past, summoning the Persona and casting its magic would seem like a waste of its potential...

Hisaki had an expression that said, "I expected this."

"I can make the decision to have the Xuanlong Sect prepare a place for Sensei... um..."

For once, Fei Xiao hesitated, frowning deeply as she pondered for a moment before continuing, "...You can understand it as 'a temporary residence located in the Classic of Mountains and Seas.'"

Amamiya: "..."

He had a vague feeling that Fei-Xia probably subconsciously wanted to use a more explosive keyword like "palace," but changed it at the last minute after realizing it was inappropriate.

“…Then thank you very much, Sect Leader Fei-Saki.”

"No need for thanks," Hisaki said with a light laugh, tilting her head. "I'm not just thinking of Sensei... I'm also considering my own future and the entire 'Classic of Mountains and Seas' region."

There's an inexplicable feeling of 'I'm not doing this for your own good,' like I'm being a little arrogant.

"Then...Sensei, you should come back to Xuanlong Gate with me first."

"There are some things that are worth discussing..."

Chapter Eleven: Is there hope for the height of Sect Leader Fei-Saki?

The architectural style of the Xuanlong Gate in the Classic of Mountains and Seas is, unsurprisingly, an antique garden.

As Hisaki led her through the garden, Amamiya heard the faint sound of flowing water and rustling grass, which sounded especially deep and resonant on this spring night.

Walking in front of me, a young woman in a suit and cheongsam, her small frame exuding the authority of a sect leader, the crisp sound of her high heels on the stone pavement was the only distinct and rhythmic sound in the entire quiet night.

"Sensei...do you have any knowledge of alchemy?"

Amamiya was half-forced to savor the faint fragrance hidden in the clothes of the girl who was walking half a step ahead of him to lead the way, when Himeki suddenly slowed down and asked a question out of the blue.

Amamiya was momentarily confused, but still hummed in agreement.

"I guess I know a little about it... Just recently, Saya and I made a 'special agreement'."

"The agreement is roughly as follows: I can provide Saya with some 'otherworldly materials' and help her test medicines. In return... Saya will teach me some knowledge related to alchemy."

Amamiya didn't hide anything and told Himeaki, who was walking ahead, about her promise to Saya in detail.

Interpersonal communication requires the art of social interaction.

Sometimes it's necessary to conceal things appropriately, and sometimes it's necessary to tell the truth without hesitation...

Right now, Amamiya is facing the latter situation.

Amamiya believed that, as the head of the Xuanlong Sect and the "student council president of the Classic of Mountains and Seas," Hizaki's activities outside the Classic of Mountains and Seas area were probably none of her business.

However, if it is an activity within the Classic of Mountains and Seas, every move will definitely fall into the eyes of Fei Xiao in an 'unexpected way'.

At this point, if Amamiya were to 'hide' things even slightly, it would easily create an image of him as 'dishonest' or 'full of lies' in Himaki's mind.

“So…” Hisaki looked up thoughtfully, as if gazing at the sky or pondering, “Materials from another world…”

After a brief moment of 'thinking', Fei Xiao shook her head with a soft 'huff' and quickened her pace slightly.

After passing through the garden, Himeki led Amamiya to the door of a garden room.

Green pines and bamboos, and wisps of smoke, like a thin night mist, from who knows where, tore the moonlight overhead into fragments, then dissolved into a hazy blur.

After easily opening the door by taking a bunch of keys out of the pocket of her gangster-style suit, Hisaki made a 'please' gesture.

"Regarding 'otherworldly materials'... I still have some questions. May I ask, Sensei?"

Now that things have come to this, Amamiya can't possibly say a single word of 'no'.

Amamiya didn't try to find an excuse to refuse, but instead looked at Himeki with curiosity.

Seeing her serious expression, which seemed to carry a certain peculiar solemnity, Amamiya immediately realized that the question that Himeki was about to ask was either related to the entire "Alchemy Research Association".

Or it could be related to her personal health condition.

Or perhaps, both?

After Amamiya entered, Hime Saki, who was standing at the door, followed her in. She then quietly closed the door and skillfully fumbled to turn on the lights in the room.

After confirming that everything was safe, Fei Saki sat down, feeling slightly tired, in a chair that resembled a grand master's chair.

After gently pinching her brow with her right hand to calm her emotions and physical exhaustion, Fei Xiao maintained her expression of supporting her forehead with one hand and began to 'get down to business'.

"Regarding 'otherworldly materials'... what are the specifics? Could you tell me in detail?"

After thinking for a moment, Amamiya decided it would be better to just take the item out and show it to Hime.

Compared to the presence of physical objects, no amount of video, text, description, or other media can adequately convey the message.

"Materials from other worlds are generally collected from monsters born from the 'collective unconscious'..."

As Amamiya spoke, she reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out something that made Himeki somewhat incredulous—a complete fox tail, which she didn't know what kind of 'fox' it had been taken from.

"As you can see, Sect Leader Fei-Xia... this 'fox tail' in my hand is actually a product of another world... it's a trophy taken from the 'fox spirit' that appears in the 'Strange Tales of the Classic of Mountains and Seas'... you can think of it as such."

As Amamiya spoke, she shook the fox tail in her hand. This seemingly ordinary fox tail, with Amamiya's gentle sway, immediately produced a dazzling 'tail effect' like a white ink stain.

【Title: The Tenth Tail of the Nine-Tailed Fox】

[Type: Loot/Money-Cash Items/Materials]

[Description: The tenth tail of the legendary creature, the divine beast—the nine-tailed fox. This tail did not originally exist, but like the "Gleiphir," it may have been taken from this creature, thus ending its existence.]

[It can be used as a money-making tool, sold for an unbelievably high price.]

Sell ​​it to someone who knows its value; perhaps they can use it as a material for various other purposes.

"This is……"

Feixiao's pupils trembled slightly, and the mist in her eyes, whether from exhaustion or some other reason, quickly dissipated.

She suddenly stood up, walked up to Amamiya, tilted her head slightly, and carefully examined this strange 'special item' that left white ink marks on the world when shaken, and the marks even lingered for a long time.

Hime reached out to touch the shiny tail—for some reason, for Hime, who was clearly used to grand occasions and all sorts of 'rare trinkets,' this seemingly ordinary yet unique tail had a fatal attraction for her.

Subconsciously, I really wanted to touch it and experience the feel of it...

Realizing that Hisaki had been affected by the 'tenth tail of the nine-tailed fox' and had entered a dazed state similar to a bewitching state, Amamiya put it away and then took out a black, flat object that was about the size of a seashell.

"This is another top-grade material from another world... It's said to be a scale shed from the scale of a legendary dragon that 'opens its eyes to create day, closes them to create night.'"

Feixiao's eyes shone even brighter, and she felt as if her breath was becoming hot.

—Although I don’t know why, it’s completely different from the “tenth tail of the nine-tailed fox” I’ve seen before. It has an indescribable feeling of relaxation, like I just finished taking a bath.

【Name: Zhujiuyin's Scale】

[Type: Loot/Money-Cash Items/Materials]

[Description: These are said to be scales shed from a divine dragon of ancient times. Due to their unique description, they are also considered to be the 'God of Time'.]

【…】

【…】

"This material..."

Now, Hisaki truly experienced a strange and unique shock.

After a brief moment of 'shock', Hisaki's eyes flickered as she looked out at the closed window, which, thanks to its latticework design, still allowed light to pass through.

If it's such material, it might actually be possible to concoct the "elixir of immortality" that Saya mentioned.

"Regarding the 'materials from another world,' I have a general understanding..."

As expected of the 'Sect Master of Xuanlong Sect', Fei Xiao quickly calmed down after a brief moment of surprise and made up her mind about what to do next.

"Sensei..."

She sat back down in the armchair, her voice heavy as she spoke softly, "If all 'otherworldly materials' originate from mythical creatures in various stories... then, are there materials with effects such as 'improving blood circulation,' 'curing diseases,' and 'replenishing deficiencies'?"

Amamiya nodded without hesitation.

—Not only do they exist, but there are a frightening number of them.

Perhaps because people have a deep-seated collective subconscious impression of longevity, immortality, and the cure of all diseases, related literary works have remained popular for a long time.

Thanks to this, the shadows in the collective unconscious do indeed contain many shadows that can drop materials that can 'cure all diseases'...

However, these kinds of shadows are usually very troublesome—just finding and killing them requires enduring dangers akin to being caught in a sword fight.

Killing these shadows is only the first step... The next step is to see if the shadows have any loot they need.

Even if you manage to obtain these raw materials after going through great lengths... without the corresponding processing methods, they are at best just raw materials.

"So……"

Hisaki gradually became serious.

Seeing her expression, Amamiya prepared herself for the possibility of hearing requests for 'treatment of illnesses' that were about to be heard.

However, to everyone's surprise, Hisaki's next question was: "Is there any material that can make me grow taller and more mature?"

Amamiya was taken aback, never expecting Himeki to ask such a question.

Although I don't know why Higasaki asked that question, if we consider the properties of certain materials...

Using the [Mountain and Sea Alchemy Technique] (Saya's bond skill) that she had recently acquired, Amamiya searched her current material reserves and found many materials that, although achieved in different ways, produced similar final effects.

Yes, and there is more than one.

【~???~】

"That's... very good."

[I can feel the expectation from Hisaki...]

My bond with Hisaki has deepened...

【Ryūka Hisaki (Emperor) ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

[★2 Bond Ability "The Aura of the Black Monarch" is now unlocked!]

Having received a satisfactory answer from Amamiya, Hisaki, as if a major worry had been resolved, seemed to have no intention of staying any longer.

She slowly got up, bidding farewell to Amamiya.

"It's late, Sensei, you should get some rest."

"I have received the answer I sought... I will not trouble you any further."

"Sweet dreams."

Chapter Twelve South: I didn't have a choice before, but now I want to...

At dawn, Amamiya, who had spent the night in an ancient-style tent bed reminiscent of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, was awakened by shouts coming from outside the window.

'Sensei...'

"...Sensei? Are you awake?"

"Sect Leader Fei-Xia instructed me to take you back to the special car that will take you back to Xia Lai..."