Anime, but the Phantom Thieves of Heart

Needless to say, Emiya Shirou proved his determination with his life. Even when his personality lost control, he decided to commit suicide in order to fulfill his previous promise of loyalty.

Lucy's situation is similar. Before joining the 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts', she was willing to risk her life to help them 'steal hearts' in order to fulfill her dream.

Other than that, no one knows his identity as the 'Phantom Thief of Hearts'.

But the words that were about to come out of his mouth were swallowed back unconsciously.

From a certain perspective, "sincerity" is a sure kill for Lan Ke.

He believed what Busujima Saeko said, but it was precisely because of this that the other party's "straight ball" made Lan Ke feel extremely conflicted.

He couldn't lie as easily as others to a senior who had taken good care of him both inside and outside the school since he entered the school.

It was precisely because of this thought that she couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Since 'Emiya Shirou' and 'Lucy' have been recognized by Lan Ke and were personally invited by him to join the 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts', why can't Busujima Saeko be invited?

So, does the other party meet your requirements?

His strength is unquestionable. Just like when Emiya Shirou just awakened his 'Personality Mask', even though his level was still low, he relied on his excellent marksmanship to assist him. The role he played in the 'material world' was even more irreplaceable than himself.

He has been practicing kendo since he was young. Even if he actively restrained his strength, a few fights with him were enough to prove that he was "gifted". If he could obtain a "personality mask", his combat ability would be maximized.

But the only problem lies in the other person's personality and thinking.

What is more terrifying than a madman is a madman with power, because such a madman can cause greater damage.

So he must be more cautious and not rely entirely on his own subjective judgment.

"Senior, can I ask you a question?"

Busujima Saeko was not surprised that Lan Ke did not directly answer her question, but she also felt a little disappointed. However, she still nodded.

"of course."

"Senior, what is your 'wish'? Or what do you think is your greatest 'desire'?"

If Busujima Saeko's question was exactly the same as what Lan Ke thought, then Lan Ke's question made Busujima Saeko a little surprised. This was obviously not any of the questions she thought Lan Ke would ask her.

But she was still lost in thought.

If it were in the past, she would probably answer decisively "Kendo", right?

But with the 'out of control' she experienced during that period, she also took this opportunity to examine herself more.

Is it 'Kendo' that she longs for?

No, maybe for her, 'Kendo' is just a method, what she longs for is——

"Should it be 'battle'?"

Perhaps worried that Lan Ke didn't understand, she added another sentence.

"I long to fight, even to the death, a powerful enough opponent. If I were born hundreds of years ago, I might have taken up my sword and risked my life on the battlefield without hesitation, right?"

Can Lan Ke understand?

Of course, after all, he was someone who had personally faced the shadow of Busujima Saeko.

It seems that after that incident of "stealing someone's heart", Busujima Saeko has also grown a lot. At least she is now able to face her own desires.

Thinking of this, the balance in Lan Ke's heart unconsciously tilted a little.

But there is still a key issue.

"Sorry, senior, please wait a moment."

After he finished speaking, he took out his cell phone and opened the "Alternative Dimension Navigation" under Busujima Saeko's puzzled gaze. This time was different from the previous time. When he entered the name "Bukujima Saeko", it showed "Unable to lock target".

Seeing this prompt, Lan Ke couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Although the original book does not mention whether it is possible for shadows or even a palace to be born again after one's heart is stolen, theoretically this is possible. After all, the distortion of a person's desires into shadows or even the possession of a "palace" is a gradual process. Even if a distorted desire has been eliminated once, it does not mean that it will not be born again.

Not to mention that a person does not necessarily have only one prominent desire.

Busujima Saeko had undoubtedly passed Lan Ke's 'test', and he was not a person who would drag his feet. Thinking of this, he also raised his head and looked at Busujima Saeko.

Their eyes met in the air, as if they had just confirmed each other's feelings.

After just a moment, a firm and brief voice sounded.

"Yes, it's me."

These few simple words filled Busujima Saeko's originally determined eyes with surprise, but more of that was a smile in the corners of her eyes.

As she herself said, no matter what Lan Ke's answer was, she would keep it a secret for Lan Ke.

But Lan Ke's answer was tantamount to accepting her feelings, risking his secret and responding to her.

And this feeling of being trusted...she doesn't hate it.

The smile in the corners of her eyes seemed to grow stronger and stronger...

Chapter 88 What is your 'purpose'?

For Busujima Saeko, these few simple words made her feel extremely happy, because it meant that Lan Ke had put her "weakness" in front of her, and she could stab him in the back at any time if she wanted.

This feeling of being trusted made her feel genuinely happy.

The pleasure was no less than the previous one with the Phantom Thief of Heart... Now it should be said that it was the pleasure and excitement brought to her by the collision of swords during the competition with Lan Ke.

But compared to the happy Busujima Saeko, Lan Ke is under considerable pressure.

For Lan Ke, the risk he needs to take is not just the risk of exposing himself, but also the possible impact on his teammates and the Kujo family.

However, since the decision has been made, Lan Ke will not regret it. After all, in his opinion, Busujima Saeko is trustworthy.

What puzzled Lan Ke was that since Busujima Saeko asked him so directly, she must have her own purpose. But now that he had admitted it, why did she just look at him and smile without saying a word?

"Senior, is there something you want to talk to me about? Like, something you need my help with?"

In the end, Lan Ke couldn't help but ask.

Saeko Busujima, who was suddenly awakened, did not deny it but nodded directly when she saw Lan Ke was so direct.

"Yes."

As she spoke, she lifted the tatami mat at her feet and pulled out a knife that Lan Ke was very familiar with...

It was the same knife that Saeko Busujima used to stop Lan Ke last night.

"Last night's battle ended in vain due to some 'accident', so I want to continue the duel that was left unfinished yesterday!"

As she spoke, Busujima Saeko stood up, but the bright smile on her face had long disappeared, replaced by endless fighting spirit.

Looking at Lan Ke who was a little surprised, the other party gave him a special reminder.

"Now that I know your true identity, Narukami-kun, please use your full strength!"

It was not until then that Lan Ke finally reacted.

It turns out he was curious about why Busujima Saeko, who seemed to be only interested in 'kendo', or more simply 'combat', was curious about the identity of the 'Phantom Thief of Hearts'. After all this time, it turned out to be this.

"Should I say, you are worthy of being my senior?"

As he spoke, Lan Ke sighed.

I don’t know if it’s because Busujima Saeko already knows his true identity, but although Lan Ke is speaking honorifics at this moment, the feeling he gives people is completely different from usual, as if he has been freed from some restraints.

Facing Lan Ke who seemed not as respectful as before, Busujima Saeko was a little surprised, but the smile in the corner of her eyes did not diminish at all.

Then, under the incredible gaze of Busujima Saeko, Lan Ke reached for his waist and pulled out a knife that looked a bit worn out.

The 'Kaku' that Arasaka Yorinobu gave... or gave to Busujima Saeko as a commission can be said to be a famous sword. It was once a favorite collection of Arasaka Saburo, but after he devoted all his energy to the 'Mikoshi Project', it became an ordinary collection.

It is precisely because of this that the "Jue" is well preserved and regularly maintained, but the knife in Lan Ke's hand is completely different.

The same simple and ancient shape is enough to show that it should be a sword that has been in existence for a long time. Although it has been maintained, it still looks full of the breath of wind and frost.

It can be said that the "Jue" in Busujima Saeko's hands belongs to two extremes, just like the eldest daughter of an aristocratic family and the poor boy who struggles in the world.

But when Busujima Saeko saw the knife, her eyes lit up.

That's right!

It’s this knife!

Although Lan Ke has never used this knife in public, she knows very well how powerful this knife is!

The last time I cut the wound on the knife my father gave me was with this knife!

But what surprised her was that after pulling out the knife, Lan Ke did not unsheath it, but instead threw it towards Busujima Saeko.

"Clap~"

Busujima Saeko, who took the scabbard almost reflexively, felt a sudden shock in her spirit. Just by holding it in her hand, she seemed to feel the specialness of this knife.

It's not that she hasn't touched a famous sword before. After all, her family owns one of the most famous dojos in Tokyo, and her father has several good swords in his collection.

But no other knife gave her the same 'feeling' as this one.

If Lan Ke knew what she was thinking at this moment, he would probably say, "Senior, you have a really good intuition."

After all, this knife was the weapon that was born from the twisted fragments of desire after Lan Ke defeated the 'shadow' born from the twisted desire of the opponent. It can even be regarded as the crystallization of the opponent's twisted desire.

However, while Busujima Saeko was happy, she was also a little confused, and seemed to not understand why Lan Ke gave her the knife.

Is it just to show off to yourself?

No, of course not!

"Since you said you want me to use all my strength, then ordinary weapons won't be able to withstand the battle between the two of us, just like last time..."

As he spoke, Lan Ke pulled out a new weapon from behind him.

This is another knife with a completely different style from all the previous weapons.

The polished metal scabbard and the seemingly integrated handle, without any extra patterns, seemed plain and unpretentious. However, when Lan Ke slowly pulled it out, a red fluorescence appeared on the blade, making it look like a 'laser sword' from Star Wars... Or perhaps it should be said that it was more like Gundam's 'Ship Slasher', only more slender.

If Busujima Saeko didn't have any intuitive feelings before, then when she saw the knife in Lan Ke's hand, she also agreed with Lan Ke's statement.

After all, no matter how well the "Jue" is maintained, or how it is called a "famous sword", it does not look like it can fight against the "future science fiction style" sword in Lan Ke's hand.

But it was precisely because of this that Busujima Saeko became even more confused.

If that’s the case, then the knife that Lan Ke lent me should not be an ordinary item, right?

As if seeing the confusion in Busujima Saeko's eyes, Lan Ke smiled and explained to her.

"This sword is a 'trophy' I just obtained. I couldn't help but want to try it out, but ordinary weapons probably won't be enough. As for the one in your hand, it's a 'Muramasa'."

As a true swordsman, it's natural that she couldn't be unaware of the famous 'Muramasa' in Japanese history, but if she remembered correctly...

"Muramasa? Could it be the legendary one?"

"Is it the legendary 'Muramasa'? I don't know, but this is definitely a 'demon sword'. It can absorb the blood of its owner, making the sword sharper while also allowing the owner to ignore pain..."

As he spoke, Lan Ke showed a mysterious smile.

"Sister, do you need a change?"

Faced with Lan Ke's kind suggestion, Busujima Saeko was not afraid at all. Instead, she slowly pulled out the "Muramasa".

"A demon sword that can make its owner stronger?"

"Exactly what I want!"

As she spoke, Busujima Saeko sheathed the Muramasa again and placed it at her waist.

Seeing this, Lan Ke stopped talking nonsense and raised the new sword "Bu Lao" he had just obtained high above his head. A sense of oppression stronger than usual also slowly came towards Busujima Saeko with Lan Ke's movement.

After all, the person she was facing now was no longer the 'green junior', but the 'Phantom Thief of Hearts Doctor' who had defeated her twice. The other party even used a move that was more powerful than usual. How could she not be nervous?

The only difference between her and most other people was that although she felt her heartbeat accelerating, she was not afraid at all and even felt more excited.

She may not have noticed it at this moment, but as a bystander, Lan Ke could clearly see the other person's brilliant smile at this moment.

In a sense, the other party is purer than him.

Then there is only one way to respond!

Defeat the opponent with all your strength!

There was no need for a referee. As both sides took their positions, Busujima Saeko, who had been ready for action, suddenly stepped on the tatami and headed straight towards Lan Ke.

It is obvious that as one of Lan Ke's introductory kendo teachers, Busujima Saeko is very clear about Lan Ke's strengths and weaknesses.