I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

"you……"

She pointed to the group of people whose eyes were sparkling with admiration, looking at her with the same adoration one would show to an idol, as their gazes shifted to her shadow as she spoke.

"..."

After a slight hesitation, Fubuki decided not to use those shadows' somewhat chuunibyou-esque, mixed-up style of speech.

I believe they can understand that way too...

To verify her suspicions, Fubuki first asked a question: "You were abducted to this ship, and the 'captain's' original purpose was... to take you there for baptism... and this ship was just a transit point?"

"Mmm...that's right!"

"This 'detective's assistant's' guess was spot on!"

"During our time 'imprisoned' in the cabin, we overheard the captain discussing the method of this 'baptism' with a mysterious being via communication magic..."

"..."

The dozen or so shadowy figures, one after another, confirmed Fubuki's guess.

'...Detective's assistant?'

Fubuki was a bit of a surprise.

In the face of these shadows... I, without my Persona, am not 'inferior' and lack even the basic ability to communicate...

Instead, he became something like a 'detective's assistant'?

"it is as expected……"

After muttering something, Fubuki coughed lightly and raised her voice as she voiced her guess.

...Although I don't know what the consequences would be if I called the master of the hall by his name inside the hall, I'll just use a substitute name to be on the safe side.

"...That 'Hall Master' is currently in the 'Ideal Temple,' using various methods, including but not limited to 'enticements and threats,' to poach talent through unconventional means."

"Her ultimate goal is to 'baptize' all the targets who were 'poached' and completely build her own team."

"To gain support in this way, and to create a unique... 'private divine kingdom' of their own."

Amamiya approached Fubuki and gently pinched her cheek.

"Good analysis, Assistant."

【~???~】(Fubuki)

Surprisingly, without any prior warning, the behind-the-scenes story was basically revealed.

All I can say is... no wonder they are students from Kivotos who have received a proper higher education.

Compared to the makeshift Phantom Thieves when they were first formed, their abilities are now several levels higher.

Fubuki hesitated for a moment before flinching after having her cheek pinched, then lowered her eyes shyly under Kirino's surprised gaze.

“…Sensei, you don’t need to use such ‘special’ methods of encouragement in the future.”

After emphasizing 'encouragement' to reduce suspicion, Fubuki chose... to enjoy it peacefully.

That's life; if you can't fight it, just accept it.

Amamiya pinched Fubuki's exquisitely textured cheek, while pondering inwardly.

In Plato's masterpiece "The Republic", the inhabitants of Atlantis refer to themselves as "the Idealists".

To put it in plain language, it means 'people who live in a utopia, where everything is so wonderful that it only exists in an ideal world'.

In some scholars' interpretations of this masterpiece, one scholar proposed the following analytical concept: "Plato wrote this masterpiece not to create myths, but to encourage the corrupt descendants of Athens at that time, to tell them that their ancestors had fought against and defeated the 'idealists,' which led to the Athens of today."

To put it another way, it means, "Our ancestors even defeated the legendary 'idealists' who existed only in utopia and whose qualities were so wonderful they were almost hallucinogenic, which is why we have you worthless descendants. Can't you be a little more competitive?"

These students from the Federation Student Union call themselves 'idealists,' so does that mean... the temple created by Huaye corresponds to 'Athens'?

This is a bit subtle.

It's worth noting that in the last grand hall... Amamiya and his group played the role of rebels who climbed the World Tree and, together with Loki and the giants, created Ragnarok.

And this time... will we also go against the 'myth'?

In mythology, Atlantis sank to the bottom of the sea after encountering a "Great Flood" (the world-ending flood in the Bible) just before it was about to go to war with Athens.

The Phantom Thieves' attempt to steal the treasures of the Temple of Faye... in a way, helps Atlantis escape its destined destruction and punishes 'Athens' at the same time?

Thinking about it that way, it really is quite...

They have a rebellious spirit.

“…Sensei, have you touched me enough?”

Amamiya gathered her thoughts and noticed Kirino's reaction—only to find that Kirino simply looked on with envy at 'good children being praised'.

After glancing at Fubuki, who had given the 'reminder', Amamiya paused slightly before instantly activating her succubus mode.

"The assistant's cheeks feel delicate and cool to the touch, very comfortable, like touching jade. It's so nice to touch them more often when I'm thinking."

【~???~】(Fubuki)

"...Sensei."

Fubuki called out weakly.

'Although Sensei's teasing was quite irreverent, this feeling...'

'Haa…'

'Calm down, calm down.'

'Sensei is not food and cannot be eaten directly after opening the package...'

With her eyes lowered, she slightly raised her small face and cast a somewhat 'terrifying' look at Amamiya.

Amamiya knew when to stop and didn't try to force a fight.

The essence of the succubus mode lies in making the target unable to control themselves, ultimately achieving...

The effect was like, "I couldn't stand it anymore, so I grabbed Sensei and squeezed him dry."

The students are the ones who should be suppressed, and they are the ones who should take the initiative... What does this have to do with me, a Sensei?

"Let's check on the progress of loot clearing and intelligence gathering..."

'Talking to himself,' Amamiya turned and walked towards Aru and Kayoko.

Fubuki and Kirino remained where they were, not taking any action—mainly because they were surrounded by a dozen or so Federation student council members like fans surrounding idols, and were forced into the predicament of 'taking care of children'.

I don't really care about the snow...

Kirino, on the other hand, quickly learned what "idol image" meant.

Maintaining the image of an 'idol'... is too much of a burden.

Although they felt the director's authority, they also had to bear the corresponding pressure and expectations...

In her panicked state, Kirino blinked her beady eyes, trying to get Fubuki to share her burden.

"These……"

Before she could speak, Fubuki took a half step back to distance herself: "I'm just a 'detective's assistant.' If you want to flatter me, go find that righteous police officer."

"Once the battlefield is cleared and a safe passage is created, she will lead you out."

Chapter Fourteen: The Ring of Vows for Kayoko

Meanwhile... Amamiya had arrived beside Aru and Kayoko, who were in charge of cleaning up the spoils, and observed their progress and methods.

The awakened Persona is "Robin III" Arlene, whose aesthetic sense and 'elegant demeanor' have been further enhanced.

Moreover... Robin's dependence on her partners is still evident.

With more teammates around, Alu's performance can improve exponentially with each additional teammate.

Amamiya's arrival made the already quite elegant Aru even more "sharp-witted and perceptive".

With her long hair flowing and cat-like steps, she arrived at the tattered robe left behind by the "trumpet player".

After pondering for a moment over the unsightly tattered robe, Aru picked up her initial "Otherworld Armament," which came with her awakened Persona.

Hmm... Since the theme is 'witch', it makes sense to use a wand with a twisted and winding body that is also very straight as a melee weapon, right?

Holding the wand handle, Aru used the pointed end to lift the tattered robe, and from a distance, frowned as she examined the filthy, disgusting 'clothes' dripping with mud.

Although this thing did not disappear with the fall of the "bugler"... can it really be considered a trophy?

Even if such dirty clothes are washed clean, would any student really be willing to wear them?

...I'm afraid even if I take it back, I'll have to reprocess it into fabric and then make it into another new garment...

Out of the corner of her eye, Aru caught sight of Amamiya. She was picking out clothes and waved to Amamiya with a strange expression.

As Amamiya drew closer, she couldn't wait to express her doubts: "Sensei, this dress is so dirty... Is this also a trophy?"

Amamiya shrugged: "It is indeed spoils of war, but it's so dirty that it definitely can't be worn directly..."

At this point, a hint of nostalgia appeared on Amamiya's face.

The concept of "dirty clothes" is... also quite old.

When I was a phantom thief in Shibuya, Tokyo, the loot that fell from the shadows often included all sorts of strange "dirty clothes".

These are actually products of the shadows of another world, and can be described as 'manifestations of the mind', and are armors with various functions.

To subsidize the Phantom Thieves' operating funds, Amamiya would usually pack up and sell these "dirty clothes" to vintage clothing stores, except for keeping the necessary protective gear.

The remaining "dirty clothes" will be given to Mr. Kawakami to wash.

At the time, Kawakami complained more than once, "Why do I have to wash such dirty clothes that look like cosplay costumes every day?"

But who would have thought... that these seemingly ordinary clothes washed by Mr. Kawakami could be called "EGO" if taken to another "people-oriented" city next door.

And this... is a special equipment that even the strongest individuals need to undergo a test of their own willpower to obtain.

As for ordinary people... well, even "Novo fabric" woven by humans is beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Not to mention something like "antimatter woven fabric," even if it really existed, probably only the higher-ups of World Wing could afford to wear it.

...I seem to have gone a bit off-topic.

"Because the special-purpose shirt is dirty... it needs to be washed before wearing."

"Alas……"

Upon hearing this, Alu displayed an exaggerated expression of 'being disgusted'.

"Sensei, even after washing, no one would want to wear clothes like this..."

Amamiya smiled knowingly: "Is that so? I hope that after this dress is washed, Aru will still be so sure of saying 'I absolutely don't want to wear it'."

After receiving the "dirty clothes" from Aru, Amamiya did not immediately "wash" them, but instead paid attention to Kayoko's side.

These "dirty clothes," or more accurately, "mud-covered protective gear," are a collection of negative emotions and negative will.

Its filth is conceptual, not physical.

So... you either need to go back to the real world and find someone 'unaware' to cleanse it, or you need to use some special skill to cleanse it.

"How is Kayoko doing?"

Kayoko has followed the Cheshire Cat's guidance and arrived at the Doomsday Horn.

Upon approaching, without Kayoko having to bend down to pick it up, the Cheshire Cat on her shoulder jumped down on its own, transforming into a dark cat shadow. It snatched a glowing orb from the ground, then deftly climbed up Kayoko's stockings and skirt, placing the orb in her palm.

Cats like things that aren't necessarily valuable, but are shiny and unique, and even the Cheshire Cat is no exception.

And this characteristic... means that the Cheshire Cat is very suitable for finding hidden, high-value loot.

After waiting for the ball of light in her hand to solidify, Kayoko picked it up.

"Found it, a ring..."

Kayoko stared blankly at the ring that was slightly warm in her palm.

The bright silver piece is engraved with blue lava-like crackle-like 'flame patterns'. It looks like a ring in shape, but feels more like a slightly larger band.

Kayoko then bent down and took the much smaller doomsday horn in her hand, trying to wave it.

The doomsday horn cannot be blown by an 'ordinary person'.