All I Want as a Ninja Is to Live Off Others in Type-Moon

"Uchiha Kanade, what method are you going to use to get what you want? This place is practically the underworld, so don't you dare die!"

Unable to stop Higashino Kanade's reckless actions, Waver could only pray silently for his success while wondering what method Higashino Kanade intended to use.

Waver went to a bookshelf on one side of the library and opened an original text containing the legend of an ancient hero. After putting on a convincing show of reading for a while and confirming that the patrolling Automatons had moved on, he casually slipped a thin bookmark between its pages.

Higashino Kanade had personally given him this bookmark. It bore no trace of magical alteration and looked like an utterly ordinary bookmark.

Higashino Kanade had given him only one instruction: place this ordinary bookmark inside a book and put it back. Then he would be done.

Waver had no idea what Higashino Kanade could accomplish with an ordinary bookmark. But precisely because it was an ordinary mundane object, it could evade the Forbidden Library's defensive detection mechanisms. That was also why Waver had been willing to work with Higashino Kanade.

After returning the book containing the bookmark to its original place, Waver, having completed his task, did not let this rare opportunity go to waste. He read several books whose materials had interested him for a long time but had always been inaccessible. Only when visiting hours ended did he reluctantly put down his book, return the glasses to the elf, and leave under the old man's escort.

Back in his rented London flat, Waver let out a long breath and poured himself a bottle of red wine for the first time in a while to soothe his frayed nerves.

The pleasure of successfully committing a crime gradually welled up inside him, and Waver could not help but laugh. He remembered how nervous he had been when he stole Director Keneith's Holy Relic back then, and how excited he had been afterward.

But this situation differed from when he had stolen from Director Keneith. Back then, there had merely been a high chance that he would be killed. If this was discovered, he would definitely die. Not even the El-Melloi family could protect him.

"I swear, I'll never listen to Uchiha Kanade's nonsense again!"

Waver slumped exhaustedly in his chair and mentally cursed out Higashino Kanade's entire family tree.

Higashino Kanade truly deserved to be called an oni clan member from myth who fed on humans. Waver felt that from the moment Higashino Kanade set his sights on him, he had been eaten so clean that not even his bones remained.

Although Waver knew the road ahead was likely hell itself, for the Sea of Okeanos in his heart, and to bring victory to that King, he was willing to take this risk.

"The preparations for the Holy Grail War are nearly complete. It's time to retrieve the King's Holy Relic."

Waver opened his drawer. In the otherwise empty drawer lay a Mystic Eyes Collection Train ticket, left behind by the thief who had stolen his Holy Relic.

"King, this time, I will absolutely bring you victory!"

PS: My little brother has started school. I'm so happy—no one's bothering me anymore.

But I'm starting school too. So annoying.

Stealing Books and the Train

A day and a night later, in a corner of the Forbidden Library, an enormous bookshelf vanished out of thin air like a drop of water falling into a volcano.

It had been directly erased without leaving behind the slightest trace, as if no bookshelf had ever existed there. Only a thin bookmark slowly drifted down from midair.

Suddenly, the bookmark exploded. White smoke flooded the surrounding area, and an old man with a cold aura, an intimidating appearance, and a white kimono rushed from the smoke and landed on the floor.

The next instant, alarms rang throughout the Forbidden Library. The surrounding Automatons surged madly toward the old man's location. The elf at the center of the Forbidden Library revealed a look of shock between her charming brows, threw aside the book in her hand, and flew toward where the alarm had been triggered.

A scroll was clenched between the old man's teeth as his eyes rapidly swept the area. Blinding lightning flickered around him, and his hands swiftly formed the seals for the Body Flicker Technique.

"Crackle!"

The shriek of lightning tearing through the air rang out.

At a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, the old man darted wildly through the Forbidden Library's aisles. Every bookshelf he passed vanished directly from existence, as though an eraser were wiping them off a canvas. Traps buried beneath the floor were triggered one after another as well.

This old man was Higashino Kanade in disguise using the Transformation Technique. More accurately, he was Higashino Kanade's Shadow Clone in disguise.

Higashino Kanade's Shadow Clone had first transformed into a bookmark and hidden inside a book. Once the timing was right, it released the Transformation Technique, then used the white smoke produced by releasing a ninjutsu as cover to transform into Shimura Danzo in an instant.

Before stealing from the library, Higashino Kanade had considered how to deal with books rigged with curses.

His answer was simple: since he could not tell which books were cursed and which were genuine, why not just package up the entire bookshelf and give it to the system?

That way, he would not trigger any curses, and those trapped books could be recycled by the system as materials. Perfect!

Higashino Kanade plundered the Forbidden Library's assets like this. When he touched the sixth bookshelf, he triggered another trap.

Countless tiny magical vines erupted from beneath the floor tiles, tightly binding Higashino Kanade, who had already reached his maximum speed, and constricting him ever more tightly.

Higashino Kanade cried out in pain. The Chakra in his body was nearly exhausted, and this Shadow Clone could not break free from the magical vines. Though he coveted the Forbidden Library's immense wealth, Higashino Kanade knew his limits. Excessive greed would inevitably lead to ruin.

He was already satisfied with reclaiming six entire bookshelves of Grimoires, Phantasmal Species materials, and Holy Relics in one go. Next came the matter of clearing himself of suspicion.

Higashino Kanade spat out the scroll in his mouth and pressed a hand against it.

With a bang, a Shimura Danzo doll appeared, identical to Higashino Kanade's current transformed appearance.

The next second, Higashino Kanade's Shadow Clone was crushed apart. The magical vines noticed the doll that had suddenly appeared and surged toward it madly, tearing it into pieces.

Less than eight seconds had passed from Higashino Kanade's appearance to his death. The Forbidden Library's defense mechanisms had eliminated him, and the late-arriving Automatons and elf stared blankly at the now "empty" space and the corpse shredded by magical vines, not knowing what to say.

Meanwhile, it was evening. At an inconspicuous train station on the outskirts of London, Higashino Kanade, who was waiting for the train, suddenly felt as if vast amounts of information had been stuffed into his brain. His conversation with Luvia was forcibly interrupted.

"What's wrong?" Luvia curiously looked Higashino Kanade over. Seeing him space out, she waved a hand in front of his eyes.

The system had not notified him that the Treasure Chest had upgraded. In other words, the advanced research materials from all six bookshelves had not upgraded his Treasure Chest as he had hoped. The leap from a Gold Treasure Chest to a Diamond Treasure Chest truly was exceptionally difficult.

System, how many more materials do I need before it upgrades? Don't tell me I'll still fail the mission even after I capture and recycle a Servant. Higashino Kanade complained inwardly.

Half the Clock Tower library's collection, the precious inherited books of the Edelfelt Family, over fifty Magus corpses, nearly fifteen million dollars' worth of Phantasmal Species materials, and now the spoils from six bookshelves obtained at enormous risk—Higashino Kanade had paid a tremendous price. Even the S-rank missions he had undertaken as a Jonin in his previous life had not been this troublesome.

Almost there, almost there. Perseverance brings victory. A Diamond Treasure Chest contains only top-tier items. A bright future awaits you.

The system tempted him in an emotionless voice, sounding exactly like a capitalist dangling empty promises.

Higashino Kanade's mouth twitched, and he sighed wearily.

He was already aboard this pirate ship. After investing so much, Higashino Kanade had no intention of giving up halfway. He could only hope the Diamond Treasure Chest would yield something good when the time came.

Higashino Kanade came back to his senses, gently caught Luvia's hand as it waved before him, and said, "Luvia, when you go back this time, expel me. Remember to distance yourself from me."

"You... are you leaving?" Luvia's expression darkened. Intense reluctance surged through her heart, and sparkling tears nearly spilled from her eyes.

"Yes. The time has come. Once I board this train, I probably won't be coming back." Higashino Kanade felt sad as well, but he was a man. He had to appear strong.

If possible, Higashino Kanade would have liked to stay with Luvia for a while longer. But he had made too many enemies, and after stealing from the Forbidden Library this time, it would be difficult for him to survive in the world of magecraft.

Staying would only put himself in danger and drag down those around him. Finishing the mission and running away was the best outcome for Higashino Kanade.

"Don't be sad. It's not as if we'll never meet again. Parting is for the sake of a better reunion." Higashino Kanade smiled, took out a handkerchief, and gently wiped away the tears gathering at the corners of Luvia's eyes.

Luvia sniffled, reluctantly holding Higashino Kanade's hand. "I really want to spend this final stretch of time with you."

"That can't be helped. My ticket is only for one person, and you haven't been able to get an extra ticket these past few days."

Higashino Kanade shrugged helplessly, then patted Luvia's shoulder and joked, "When you get back, study hard, build up the family business, and work hard to become even more outstanding. I'm counting on living off you someday."

Luvia did her best to hold back her tears. Raising her head proudly and pressing one hand to her chest, she declared with great confidence, "Naturally. The next time we meet, I'll be so exceptional that you won't be able to leave me!"

After waving goodbye to Luvia, Higashino Kanade spotted Waver, Grea, and Caules nearby, also waiting for the Mystic Eyes Collection Train. His eyebrows twitched helplessly.

Yes, Waver had also received a Mystic Eyes Collection Train ticket. Unlike Higashino Kanade's single-person ticket, Waver's was a multi-person ticket that allowed him to bring two attendants.

Besides bringing his disciple Grea, Waver had also brought a student from the Department of Modern Magecraft, Caules Fuyuki.

"Damn it, if I'd known Waver would get a ticket, I wouldn't have offended so many Magi and made my Sharingan famous. Wouldn't it have been better to transform into an animal familiar and sneak in on his ticket?" Higashino Kanade clutched his head, on the verge of tears.

PS: There are so few recommendation votes. So love really can disappear, huh?

Sob...

The Mystic Eyes Collection Train and an Encounter!

Higashino Kanade now felt like someone who had chosen the hardest route in a game, fought through countless trials and defeated the final boss, only to discover that there had been another route that cleared the game right from the start. It was enough to make his liver ache.

"Master, junior disciple has said goodbye to Miss Luvia. We can work with him now."

Grea pointed at the solitary Higashino Kanade and looked at Waver with anticipation.

Waver's expression was conflicted. Honestly, Higashino Kanade had caused so much trouble in just one month and had blackmailed him more than once. Waver was actually somewhat afraid of working with him.

But the enemy he faced this time was anything but ordinary. The enemy was hidden while he was exposed, so having one more powerful helper was always a good thing.

With Higashino Kanade's strength and Grea's Holy Lance, Waver felt they would have the power to fight even a Servant-level opponent. Their enemy was merely a Magus—there was no way they could defeat the two of them. This was in the bag!

To successfully recover the King of Conquerors' Holy Relic, Waver prepared himself to pay a heavy price. He walked up to Higashino Kanade and said solemnly, "Uchiha, I'm here to seek your cooperation."

"Is it about recovering the Holy Relic?" Higashino Kanade calmly looked at Waver.

"Yes. I need your strength. Grea alone may not have enough combat power, while Caules and I lack talent and are poor Magi. So I hope you can protect me during this auction."

Waver took a deep breath, suppressing the pain in his heart as he braced himself to be fleeced. "As for payment, name your price. As long as I can manage it."

"You know, Waver, given my status, my appearance fee isn't cheap~"

Higashino Kanade wore a teasing smile. Waver forcibly suppressed the urge to run and stubbornly said, "Go on. I'll give you satisfactory compensation."

"In that case, I'll help you for free this time."

"Free? Wait! You said free! You mean you'll help me without compensation?" Waver's mouth fell open in shock. In his impression, Higashino Kanade never acted without profit. Everything he did was tied to his own interests. The only exception Waver could not understand was when he had stood up for Luvia and offended so many Magi.

Higashino Kanade grabbed Waver's tie and pulled him down, then leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I'll tell you a secret: I'll be leaving this world soon. In terms you can understand, I'm returning to the Other Side of the World. Since you've helped me so much this past month, I'll help you once for free."

"You're leaving!" Waver revealed an expression of disbelief, and unexpectedly, a trace of reluctance rose in his heart.

Magi were creatures extremely indifferent to emotions. Friendship was practically a luxury to them. Yet in this brief month, Waver had subconsciously come to see Higashino Kanade as a friend.

Although Higashino Kanade always dragged him into trouble as a friend, there was no denying that his arrival had fulfilled Waver's long-held wish and allowed him to enter the Fifth Holy Grail War with confidence.

"Yes. No feast lasts forever. I wrote all the information about the Fifth War in this notebook, so you'd better win for me!"

Higashino Kanade pulled a notebook from his sleeve and stuffed it into Waver's arms. Waver hurriedly tucked it away, intending to study it carefully once no one was around.

This time, Higashino Kanade truly had no intention of tricking Waver. He had written down all the information he remembered, including the matter of the Greater Grail being corrupted.

Although he did not know whether Waver would still wish to participate in the Holy Grail War after learning that the Grail was already broken, Higashino Kanade had done all he could.

Waver remained silent for a long time. His eyes were filled with complicated emotions as he looked at Higashino Kanade, feeling as though he had only truly come to understand him today.

"...Thank you." Waver offered his sincere thanks.

"I should be thanking you." Higashino Kanade patted Waver's arm.

Without Waver, Higashino Kanade would not have had the opportunity to cooperate with Hartless, much less the chance to capture a Servant alive.

For the sake of his mission, Higashino Kanade had indeed taken advantage of Waver and caused him so much trouble. Helping Waver settle his own affairs could be considered compensation.

Waver failed to catch the deeper meaning in Higashino Kanade's words and felt even more grateful toward him.

Toot, toot, toot—

Before long, a steam train filled with cyberpunk style pulled into the station.

The train doors opened, and a burly-looking male conductor began checking tickets at the entrance. The strangely dressed Magi on the platform boarded one after another.

Higashino Kanade followed behind Waver's group. After showing his ticket, he entered the carriage.

Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the mission "Board the Mystic Eyes Collection Train." Reward: one Silver Treasure Chest. Would you like to open the reward?

Save it.

After boarding, Higashino Kanade began inspecting the carriage.

Though the carriage did not look much wider from the outside than an ordinary train carriage, once inside, one discovered that it contained a space far larger than its exterior suggested. Every compartment was the size of a guest room, lavishly and luxuriously decorated, as though one had checked into a presidential suite at a hotel. It was truly a train of another dimension.

On his way to his room, Higashino Kanade spotted several familiar faces, including Adashino Riri, who had "died" in Stripped City, as well as Olga Marie, the princess of the Astronomy Department, and her female secretary Theresa.

"Hello, Miss Olga."

Since they had met face-to-face, Higashino Kanade politely greeted her while letting his gaze drift toward Olga Marie's slender legs.

Wow, red stockings! I'm cured!

Seeing that Olga Marie had truly listened to his advice after going home and changed into red stockings, Higashino Kanade, this "beginner Master," felt deeply gratified.

Sensing Higashino Kanade's somewhat bold gaze, Olga Marie's face flushed bright red.

"You insolent man, what are you looking at?" Olga Marie scolded him in embarrassment and anger. Both hands clutched at her already short black skirt as she tried to pull it down and cover her red stockings.

"Why cover them up? I think they're rather cute." Higashino Kanade studied those alluring legs with the gaze of someone appreciating a work of art.

Olga Marie was somewhat pleased at the compliment, but the Daughter of the Lord could not show happiness over such a trivial matter. So she could only snap tsunderely, "I-It's not because they're cute! I only put them on because I happened to have no pantyhose to wear. I'll change out of them as soon as I get back!"

Seeing how adorable Olga Marie was, Higashino Kanade could not resist teasing her. Putting on a regretful expression, he said, "That's truly a shame. If you don't wear red stockings, Miss Olga, I feel as though my life will be missing a beautiful sight."

"Huh! Is it that serious?" Olga Marie froze. She had not expected Higashino Kanade to care about her so much. Feeling valued made her very happy, and her heart softened as she hesitantly said, "Since you're so pitiful, I suppose I could keep wearing them. But you're not allowed to look at me with such lecherous eyes again!"

PS: Second update. Please give me some votes.