I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Whether cutting the seemingly hard crown or the smooth scales, it's like cutting butter with a hot knife.

Kayoko wasn't idle either.

With her elusive Cheshire Cat abilities, she moved with the precision and elegance of an assassin roaming the battlefield.

In fact, compared to Amamiya's amazing taijutsu skills in dodging and dancing on the edge of a knife, Kayoko's battle, although it may not seem to have much 'technical content', is extremely entertaining and has a different level of artistry.

He tossed the cards in his hand, then dodged to catch them as they landed, slicing several Nagas in half at the waist.

Spreading the cards into a fan shape and then popping them out like scattering flowers is enough to cause significant damage to the "King of Naga".

As a melee weapon, playing cards in close-quarters combat possess a sense of 'magical art' that avoids bloodshed.

Arle, who was observing, wanted to fire a shot to provide support, but she was stunned by the 'artistic scene that seemed to want to be frozen in time' before her eyes.

One of them moved with such agility that it was dazzling to behold...

On the other hand, they always manage to 'flash' at the most crucial moment to evade attacks, using playing cards to cut through enemies and firearms to directly kill them...

As for myself, there doesn't seem to be any need for support at the moment...

During Alu's 'stunned' moment, she suddenly noticed two surging, dark blue flames on either side of the battlefield.

"Psona...Mad Hatter!"

【Psona - The Mad Hatter (Arcane: The Fool)】

[Introduction: The Hatter from the famous children's book "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," known for his eccentric behavior and seemingly insane actions.]

However, beneath his eccentric exterior lies a straightforward, honest, and principled soul who detests constraints. As a supporter of the White Queen, he awaits Alice's return in Wonderland to help her overthrow the Red Queen's bloody rule.

Amidst the blazing firelight, Aru saw a "strange person" wearing a huge hat and holding scissors.

"I am you, and you are me... Cheshire Cat!"

Flames swirled around the hem of Kayoko's gothic thief outfit, and the cat mask on her head shattered, coalescing into a mysterious black cat.

"It's time to end it."

With one hand covering his cheek, Amamiya, who had summoned the Mad Hatter, stood still and spoke calmly.

The Mad Hatter behind him raised his scissors to deflect Judas's distinctive cross attack, which came crashing down on him.

Amidst the deafening metallic clang and gusts of air, Amamiya's voice remained clear and steady.

"Show Time".

After calmly withstanding the attack, the Mad Hatter took a half step back, removed his enormous top hat, and performed a gentlemanly hat-tipping gesture to the ferocious sea creatures before him.

Then, Kayoko appeared with the elusive Cheshire Cat, whose nimble leap landed right inside the Mad Hatter's top hat.

The Mad Hatter put his top hat on his head and then tilted his head back.

And so, an endless stream of white doves poured out of the hat.

"Come on, let's join a fun-filled, crazy tea party!"

In Aru's eyes, the world seemed to be covered with a fairytale filter of color again, and then turned into black and red.

The shadows were frozen in place, and then flocks of white doves poured out from all sorts of strange 'hats', occasionally interspersed with the graceful silhouette of a cat.

Crackling and banging...

Alu didn't understand what was happening, but she felt that everything in front of her was like a pre-arranged stage play, without any surprises, and with a natural charm.

As an audience member in front of the stage, the last thing Aru saw was—

Silence fell, and then the curtain was raised again.

In front of a Gothic castle set under the moonlight, Kayoko, with one hand holding her hair, gracefully lands in a peculiar pose, surrounded by various birds that have not yet completely disappeared.

The pocket watch ticked away as the playing cards fell one by one.

Kayoko smiled and stretched out her hand, while at the same time, the shadows in the background of the curtain hissed and spurted blood.

Their 'blood' splattered on the background did not ruin the Gothic aesthetic at all; instead, it formed a dark font that symbolized the end.

Goodbye~Goodnight~

As the Gothic castle setting gradually faded away, Aru stood there, mouth agape, stunned, unable to process what had happened for a long time.

This...this is...

Is it "The Phantom Thief's Total Attack" and the legendary "Total Attack Finale CG"?

It turns out that the "all-out attack" in the other world wasn't just an unnecessary element added solely to showcase art...

It really has a reason to exist.

After a moment of reflection, Aru blinked blankly, belatedly realizing what was happening.

It was so impactful... it almost felt like an absurd dream.

Wait, something's not right...

Aru, who had been unable to react before, suddenly realized the blind spot.

Wait a minute... Although the enemy was defeated, it seems like one is missing?

Did an enemy take the opportunity to escape?

Aru put away her sniper rifle and jogged off to give some instructions.

Amamiya and Kayoko, who had just struck the "final attack over" pose, waved to each other, while Kayoko, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Let's ask the 'losers' for information first."

Chapter 53 Alu: Who still says I'm stupid?

In another world, in the Atlantis Impression Space, near a shipwreck that goes unnoticed by any gaze...

This is where the shadow of the defeated merfolk lies.

"I...I can't tell you anything, ahhhhh..."

The merman, who was being targeted by two pistols and a sniper rifle, was startled by Amamiya's 'intimidating shot' before he could even finish a sentence.

Shrinking back against the hull of the sunken ship, she looked around in terror at the 'intruders' surrounding her.

"What exactly do you want to do?"

Because of extreme fear, she was terrified... After being reduced to her original form, she no longer possessed the awe-inspiring presence she had as the "King of Naga." Her voice, which already had a reverberation and echo effect, even had a hint of sobbing.

"I need to get information from you..."

Gunfire billowed from the muzzle, and Amamiya, wielding the [God of Destruction], said solemnly: "You are a 'follower of the traitors,' you should know... something about the 'traitors,' right?"

Upon hearing this, the merman in shadow remained silent for a moment.

After what seemed like a period of hesitation and struggle, she sighed and reluctantly replied, "Indeed... I am indeed her 'follower,' and I do know about her."

"Tell me what you know about 'traitors'."

As Amamiya spoke, she slightly raised the muzzle of her gun, pointing the weapon, refined from the divine body of an archangel, at her, the intimidation intent unmistakable.

"...Alright, survival is the priority."

The time for the merman's decision was exceptionally short this time.

Seemingly recalling being secretly abandoned and left to cover the retreat during the previous battle, she gritted her teeth and said resentfully, "From what I understand... she has long been dissatisfied with her current disciples..."

"After the saint left, she believed that this world, which had become like a stagnant pool, needed a torchbearer like a saint."

"And she... who considers herself the best among the disciples, used the funds obtained through 'betrayal' to try to win us over and buy us off, in order to form a 'community of interest' and have us recommend her as the next 'sage'."

"She once secretly promised us... that when she usurped the position of saint and became a saint herself, she would immediately promote us and enjoy the pleasures with us."

As the merman in shadow thought, he spoke with a "what's the big deal since we've already broken ties" attitude, revealing everything he knew.

"Enjoy together?"

As an observer, Alu scoffed, "If you were truly this united, you wouldn't have chosen to betray each other at this time."

"Yeah...we weren't that united to begin with."

The merman's shadow readily admitted that Aluna's words, which were both affectionate and sarcastic, were genuine.

"Even... the reason we follow her is not simply for the benefits she promised, but simply because we are dissatisfied with the first disciple's stagnation."

During Aru's negotiations with the Mermaid Shadow, Amamiya and Kayoko exchanged glances, confirming the information the Mermaid Shadow was gradually revealing.

Based on the perception that "Atlantis" corresponds to the "Federal Student Council" in the visual space...

Kayoko felt no relief at the end of the battle; instead, she sensed a heavy feeling that a storm was about to break.

In another world, shadows intertwine and decide to establish a new sanctuary... This corresponds to the Federation Student Council in the real world...

It's easy to imagine just how bad the relationships between the various departments of the Federal Student Union could be.

While pondering, Kayoko also realized the purpose of Amamiya's 'investigation' trip, as well as the slight shift in the delinquent girls' attitude that she had vaguely sensed during the recent Convenience Store 68 event.

These students, including delinquent girls and gangs active in the gray areas, may lack individual combat strength, but their intelligence channels are bound to be diverse and flexible.

Moreover... among these delinquent girls and gangs, there is also the 'end of the spider web,' a mysterious 'smiling professor' known as the 'Moriarty of the criminal world,' who can be said to have mastered the entire intelligence network of the gray area.

As a top middleman and intelligence provider in the black market, the enigmatic "Smiling Professor" must have already sensed the situation and even reached a certain level of cooperation or collaboration with Sensei, inducing changes in the atmosphere among delinquent girls and gangs.

Amamiya could clearly see the changes in Kayoko's expression and eyes beneath her persona.

He asked at the opportune moment, "What are your thoughts after learning this information, Devil?"

Kayoko was calm, clear-headed, and relieved.

She realized the crisis and naturally understood... the best course of action to protect herself in the crisis to come.

Without a doubt... once the temple is formed, it means... the real world of Faye will be thrown into turmoil, and may even 'fight to the death' when they have no other choice, causing massive physical damage to Giwatos.

Large academies... should possess tactical, and even strategic, weapons.

As for Shiranui, the head of the defense office of the Federation Student Council... even if she doesn't have full authority to use tactical or strategic weapons, she can at least obtain some weapons capable of causing massive destruction through the channels she has access to.

Imagine the worst... something went wrong with the synchronized 'conquest' of the real world and the other world. Huaye, breaking down, used every means at her disposal, intending to "blown up the entire Giwatos," thus implementing her terrorist-style oppressive rule...

Although the probability may be lower than winning the lottery jackpot, it is definitely not zero.

Knowing all this, I will become one of the key masked beings who can coexist with Sensei in another world, "steal" her heart, and make her "repent."

"I was aware of the seriousness of the situation, so I chose to stand firmly on Jok's side."

I felt Kayoko's unwavering determination and trust...

My bond with Kayoko has deepened...

【Kayoko Onikata (Emperor)★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆】

After exchanging opinions with Kayoko, Amamiya turned her gaze to Aru, who was confronting the shadow of the merman.

"Sigh... Such beautiful clothes, Qi Liu Yi, I envy her."

At that moment, the merman's shadow suddenly spoke, sighing, "I envy... the bond between you is so strong."

"Such a team... perhaps it can still move freely even when the underwater city is destroyed..."

The mermaid's shadowy 'reflection' made Aru pause in her movements.

Scenes of working alongside the members of Convenience Store 68 naturally flashed through my mind.

partner……

Yes.

Convenience Store 68 is an inseparable whole.

As the club president... I can't bear to see my members fight, and I can't do anything about it... I can only ruin what was almost a success.

Becoming a phantom thief... becoming a masked thief, perhaps then I can make up for my mistakes...

The longing in my heart was so intense at this moment that it could evoke an echo from the depths of the "Sea of ​​the Heart".