I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Not long ago, in order to relieve Hina's long-standing stress, Amamiya took Hina on a "one-day escape" trip. During the trip, Amamiya took Hina to another world and "saw" the changes in the shadows of that other world.

In Abydos's impression space, the shadow of the Valkyrie student was added, and a scene resembling a 'secret deal' was also seen.

Amamiya spoke up, breaking the brief silence caused by Moe's bold guess: "If all this information can be confirmed... then things will not be simple."

The current intelligence is still somewhat fragmented and not enough to be pieced together.

But these clues have already begun to emerge.

Linking Kaiser Permanente to the Valkyrie Police Department... was it "bribery" or a "transaction"?

Looking further afield... what is the Federal Student Council-Defense Office, which is considered the 'superior' of the Valkyrie Public Security Bureau, doing?

After a pause, Amamiya sighed, feeling a sudden headache: "Moe's guess is indeed very 'practical'."

【~???~】(Cute illustration)

After organizing the current vague clues, Amamiya carefully summarized them.

"Considering the current internal situation of the 'Valkyrie Public Security Bureau,' and even the 'Defense Room of the Federal Student Association'..."

"Regarding this matter, I will investigate carefully from the perspective of 'another world'."

Chapter Twenty-Five: How Should We Teach Hua Ye a Lesson?

On early summer mornings, you can already feel a slight warmth.

The purple-haired, rabbit-eared girl lowered her head, looking at the rising steam that made her feel dizzy, and hesitated.

"Are you really going to eat this...?"

Amamiya stepped forward, her calm tone carrying a slight encouragement: "Yes, eat."

"But...but...this is really a bit..."

Is Tsukuyomi still worried about something?

"The relationship with Sensei, and... and... becoming a Masked Man...?"

"Don't talk, just keep eating."

Realizing she had nowhere to escape, the purple-haired girl finally hesitated before accepting from Amamiya's hand... a plate of freshly made "Lubran's Ultimate Curry".

After picking up a spoon and scooping a spoonful of the greasy, reddish curry from the plate, which had an easily detectable pungent spiciness, Tsukuyomi, with a sudden surge of courage, steeled herself and shakily put the spoon into her mouth.

Then... this 'large, soft, droopy-eared rabbit' was so spicy that its face contorted, and its usually droopy ears were stimulated and then stood up high.

"Ugh... Huff, huff... It's so spicy...!"

The girl, whose eyes were already watering from the spiciness, awkwardly stuck her tongue out and out to relieve the irritation in her mouth, and she really didn't understand...

What is the connection between "eating spicy curry that you don't like" and "the training to become a masked wielder"?

However, although that's a bit unclear...

Wearing an apron and casual clothes, Sensei seemed to possess a kind of gentle charm that was particularly attractive and approachable.

Also... although curry is very pungent, it is indeed very delicious.

"..."

A girl with long bangs covering one eye, using the gaps between her bangs to conceal her gaze, was enjoying a breakfast specially prepared for her, while also secretly observing... the adult in front of her wearing an apron, casual shirt, curly hair, and glasses covering his face.

'Sensei... helped both Izuna and Koman find their true selves, becoming "Masked Warriors"...'

'Furthermore, the squad that raided Xia Lai last night also showed Sensei... an enviable level of intimacy.'

'Also, in that team, there's Miyu, who bears a certain resemblance to me...she...'

As the saying goes... Lonely people are always good at observing.

On a larger scale, it's not just 'lonely people' who are good at observation—those who don't show their emotions most of the time and seem 'introverted' often share similar characteristics of having excellent observation skills.

Miyu from the Rabbit team; Yuzu from the game development department; Yui from the San-ichi Antique Bookstore; and... Tsukuyo from the Ninjutsu Research Department right now.

But... isn't this observation a little too obvious?

Amamiya felt helpless as she was constantly being swept over by Tsukuyomi's gaze, which she considered subtle but was actually incredibly direct.

At this moment, he truly understood the complaints Kawakami-sensei had made about him when he was studying at Shujin Academy.

The teacher standing on the podium can see exactly what the students are doing—while the students below often mistake it for clever disguise.

Actually... the teacher just didn't want to manage it because it was too troublesome and she was also burdened by debt at the time...

Recalling Kawakami-sensei's unintentional complaint at the time, Amamiya twitched the corners of her mouth, smiled, and shook her head.

At this moment, Amamiya recalled Kawakami-sensei's famous rebuke to the students after regaining his spirits: "What are you looking at me for? Do I have words on my face? Look at the blackboard!"

Tsukuyomi's performance made Amamiya want to imitate the classic 'teacher tone' and say, "What are you looking at? Eat your food. Do you think I'm so delicious that you can't eat me?"

Under Tsukuyomi's "secret observation," breakfast, which usually goes smoothly, was delayed a bit today.

Even with this brief delay, the girls of Arios's squad, who have now moved into Xialai, have completed their morning patrol. Checking the surroundings of Xialai has now become a routine part of their lives.

“Sensei, we’ve discovered something unusual…”

Saori, who hurriedly pushed open the door, immediately noticed Tsukuyomi sitting at the dining table.

He swallowed back the information he was about to report, and instead asked with a hint of doubt, "...Does Sensei have something to do?"

Following Saori's footsteps into the office, Misaki, Akiko, and Hiyori also noticed the traces left by the Rabbit Squad when they 'broke in' last night, as well as Tsukuyomi who was still in the office at this moment.

'rabbit……'

'Sensei seems to be in frequent contact with students who have animal characteristics lately...'

'I sensed a similar aura... Hmm~ Could it be... that Sensei no longer likes us?'

Just before the girls were about to display their varied expressions, Amamiya raised her hand and coughed lightly, interrupting their wandering thoughts.

"Tsukuyo Ohno, a member of the Ninjutsu Research Club of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons... is currently undergoing 'training to become a Masked Wielder.'"

Once Amamiya said that, the girls in Arius's squad all understood.

Although they had never experienced similar training... now that they were all "Masked Warriors" and lived in Xia Lai... they were the ones who could be closest to Amamiya and the ones who could understand Amamiya's intentions the most.

Different academies create different impressions and have the potential to become hallowed halls of fame...

Therefore, it is necessary to establish a "phantom thief group" composed of masked thieves in each of the different schools, at least in each major school, to monitor changes in the other world environment.

Saori's previously cautious and meticulous expression relaxed slightly: "I see."

In that case, he/she can no longer be considered an 'outsider'...

“Sensei, regarding the investigation into Valkyrie… there has been some 'concrete progress'.”

The information Saori gave in her daily report surprised Amamiya for a moment.

It really is... Sleepy Wine Linglu Si Liuqier has pulled out a pillow.

As early as when she traveled to the Millennium with Saori and encountered Kirino and the students from the Bureau of Life Safety on the train, Saori had already noticed something unusual through the conversation between Amamiya and Kirino. Subsequently, she requested Amamiya to allow Arius's team to conduct a 'secret investigation' of Valkyrie.

(Related chapter: "Belief" Volume, Chapter 80)

Amamiya perked up, sat up straight with his fingers interlaced, and asked, "What specific findings did you discover?"

Saori paused deliberately for a moment before summarizing the findings of Arius's team with a serious expression and a tone that even she found somewhat unbelievable: "...Evidence regarding the 'Valkyrie Public Security Bureau' accepting bribes from the Caesar Group and engaging in 'quid pro quo' transactions with them."

Amamiya couldn't help but click her tongue softly.

This is a really big deal...

If this matter comes to light, it will likely cause a public outcry against the Federal Student Association.

The Federal Student Union's finance office, defense office, and the Valkyrie Police Department will all suffer as a result.

Is there any value in this intelligence that I could work on...?

Leaning back instinctively, Amamiya began to lower her brows and ponder.

If this matter is not handled properly, the final result will definitely be a loss of credibility for the Federal Student Association, which will then lead to a series of unpredictable consequences.

Correspondingly, if handled properly... I could help the Federal Student Council stop this potentially major crisis that could erupt at any moment.

Furthermore, it can also delay Huaye's plans.

In the real world, Huaye took this heavy blow, so in the corresponding other world... the speed and trend of the growth of the palace where she might exist will also be greatly slowed down.

Taking this opportunity, let's also expose the crises in the Federal Student Union's defense and finance departments...

As for the stain on the Valkyrie Police Department, it has been obscured by bribery, which is beyond reproach.

If it was indeed the Federal Student Council's finance department that incurred a deficit, and the Valkyrie Public Security Bureau failed to obtain sufficient funding, forcing Ye Zhu to take this path, he could use the profits generated by the "Resort Islands" industry, which currently belongs to Xia Lai, to provide timely assistance to the bureau chief, while also further weakening Hua Ye's control and influence over Valkyrie.

Amamiya opened her eyes, a fleeting, elusive sharpness flashing in her brown-grey pupils.

The plan has taken shape... the next step is to consider how to implement it.

Noticing Amamiya's confident demeanor, as if she had already received a definite answer, Saori breathed a sigh of relief.

This "trump card in desperate situations," this "confidence in always finding the right path"...

It's true, no matter how many times you experience it, it always makes you feel at ease.

At that time, Sensei, with the same confidence that he had everything under control, led himself and the shadowy Arios squad to reclaim the future that Beatrice had been manipulating at will...

"Sensei, what else does Arius's team need to do next?"

“Continue to gather intelligence and be prepared at any time,” Amamiya replied calmly. “The implementation of the plan will have to wait for the right opportunity.”

【~???~】(Saori)

【~???~】(Azuko, Misaki, Hiyori)

Saori nodded.

She understands.

The "phantom thief" needs to strike at the most crucial moment—not because it looks cool, but because it's the most effective way.

Sometimes... nipping danger in the bud isn't actually the best option.

"in addition……"

After looking around at the girls in Arius's squad, Amamiya finally fixed her gaze on Akiko.

Ajinko's tarot card is "Hope" (L'espérance).

This is a pure card, independent of the Major Arcana system.

The 'hope' surrounding Azuko... is most suitable for guiding the awakening of the Masked Ones.

Noticing the gaze, Azuko tilted her head slightly, her light purple, hyacinth-like hair swaying gently.

“Sensei… is there anything I can do for you?”

This girl, who only reveals a hint of her 'little devil' personality when she's alone, gives the only impression of being as gentle as a fairytale princess.

Her gentle intellect radiates outwards, easily giving people a sense of being "approached" by her.

The royal bloodline is subtly concealed, yet it adds a touch of just the right amount of 'nobility' to this overwhelming gentleness.

It's no wonder that Akiko became the designated "diplomatic officer" for Arius's squad when carrying out missions under the name of Sharai.

Meeting the intelligent young woman's red eyes, Amamiya bluntly extended her hand, extending an 'invitation':

"Azuko, will you come with me to another world?"

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Smiling Professor's Disguise Plan

How can a 'mysterious villain' be made to highlight her intelligence and cunning?

The answer is simple... First, highlight her cuteness.

Then, she was dressed in a black British-style long black trench coat that reached her ankles, and a black sailor uniform with a red bow tie, standing next to a clue board that was lit by a spider web and connected in a dim yellow light.

"Um……"

Raising her cane, the girl with fluffy golden curly hair slowly tapped it on the clue board, moving the magnetic sticker holding a photo to a slightly different position.

Her lips parted slightly, and the thoughtful look that had settled on the young girl's delicate yet already beautiful and alluring face gradually faded.

"As expected of a 'notable adversary'... Even with my top-tier intelligence network in the black market, I could only uncover such clues..."