# 664
Chapter 665: Give It a Try
In the billowing smoke, flickering flames swept outward. Upon witnessing this, Shen Qingzhu's pupils constricted sharply!
Neither he nor Lin Qiye could have anticipated that the Red-Robed Oracle Envoy would self-destruct upon death. Moreover, the explosion triggered far too abruptly, without any warning whatsoever. Even if Shen Qingzhu had wanted to save Lin Qiye, it was already too late.
Just as he was about to raise his hand, he froze in place.
Before him, a massive black blade surface rose like a thick wall, positioned directly in front of Lin Qiye who stood frozen in place, perfectly blocking all the explosive shockwaves and flames.
【Black Rope】?
Fierce flames danced before the blade. The explosion carved a massive crater into the earth, yet the spot where Lin Qiye had been standing remained entirely untouched. Other than a few singed strands of hair, Lin Qiye was completely unharmed.
Lin Qiye stood there, gazing blankly at the black blade that had suddenly appeared before him, as if remembering something. He looked up toward the end of the road.
There, a middle-aged man in a sequin suit, with a withering red rose tucked in his waistband, two long swords sheathed at his sides, was slowly walking toward them.
Kyousuke.
"All Oracle Envoys have undergone body modification. When they lose vital signs, they automatically trigger a large-scale, indiscriminate destructive detonation. Be careful next time, Asaba." Kyousuke emerged from the smoke, smiling as he spoke to Lin Qiye.
As he finished speaking, the projection of 【Black Rope】 that had blocked the attack for Lin Qiye gradually faded and vanished. Kyousuke's hand also lifted away from the sword hilt and returned to his trouser pocket.
"So that's how it is..."
Lin Qiye gazed at the two long swords at Kyousuke's waist,愣了一下, quickly piecing together the sequence of events. His gaze toward Kyousuke was complex beyond measure. "You... are Yuzuri Kurotetsu?"
"What an old name." Kyousuke shrugged. "Actually, I prefer you call me Kyousuke."
"Where's Little Jin?"
"Him? He's here." Kyousuke caressed the hilt of 【Illusory Pupil】. "Want me to let him say hello?"
Lin Qiye stared at that golden long blade for a moment, then shifted his gaze back to Kyousuke. Based on the known information, he quickly arrived at the same conclusion Amemiya Haruki had drawn...
"Feigning death, forging letters, inviting the guest to kill,借刀杀人... What an elaborate game." Lin Qiye remarked.
Kyousuke chuckled softly.
"I never intended to drag you or Yuzuri Nana into this. Your appearance was an unexpected variable." Kyousuke's expression toward Lin Qiye was somewhat peculiar. "The first time I saw you with Yuzuri Nana, I knew you weren't her brother, because she simply doesn't have a brother...
At that time, I thought you were some agent from an organization, a villain trying to get close to my daughter. Originally, I planned to kill you on the first night, but after observing for a while, I found you genuinely seemed to have no ill intentions toward her. Moreover, she trusted you greatly.
Later, I completely dismissed my suspicions about you."
"Why?"
"Because you're simply too suited to be a host." Kyousuke couldn't help but exclaim. "Just like when I was young - the aura you carry cannot be faked. Someone like you could never become a pawn for any organization. You'll only follow your own heart and become the loneliest, most noble rose in the wind."
Lin Qiye glanced at the withering rose tucked in Kyousuke's pocket. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly - he couldn't tell if Kyousuke was complimenting him or complimenting himself.
"A noble rose, already withering."
"I know." Kyousuke smiled faintly. "Withering is its destiny."
"To be honest, this whole time, I was genuinely fooled by your acting." Lin Qiye sighed. "The impression you gave me was always a regular, carefree, smooth-talking old host. I never imagined you'd have such deep scheming. Without me even realizing it, you set up such a grand scheme."
Kyousuke's expression微妙起来.
"Actually..." He hesitated to speak. "This scheme wasn't set up by me."
"What?"
"I'm clever, but not that clever." Kyousuke smiled helplessly. "From the very beginning, this scheme was laid out by someone else. I was merely following his design, bit by bit, perfecting the plan."
"You have an accomplice?"
"More like a partner, I suppose. Each taking what they need."
Lin Qiye gazed at Kyousuke, a hint of疑惑 flickering across his brow.
The mastermind behind this scheme wasn't Kyousuke? Could it be that he still hadn't seen the full picture of this game?
"Regardless, your goal has been achieved." After contemplating for a long while, still finding no破绽, Lin Qiye glanced at the 【Black Rope】 at the other's waist and said.
"You mean this?" Kyousuke removed 【Black Rope】 from his waist, grinning. "This thing is indeed quite important... But it was supposed to be your spoils of war. I just... borrowed it. I'll return it once I'm done using it."
"Even if you returned it, I might not be able to use it." Lin Qiye recalled Amemiya Haruki's description of Magatsu Blade and sighed.
Kyousuke grinned wickedly. "Don't be so discouraged. Among hundreds of thousands of people, there's still a chance someone qualifies as a Magatsu Blade master... Come on, give it a try."
Kyousuke casually tossed 【Black Rope】 to Lin Qiye. His smile grew increasingly bright, though this smile looked more like someone waiting to watch a good show.
As a possessor of "King's Blood," he could freely wield any Magatsu Blade. Watching others try and fail to draw the blade was one of his life's joys - just like he'd just teased the Silver-Robed Oracle Envoy. The satisfaction ranked second among all his pleasures, second only to being a host club owner.
Lin Qiye caught 【Black Rope】, holding it in his hand, examining it carefully for a moment. Then, he slowly wrapped his fingers around the hilt...
Magatsu Blade...
Lin Qiye sighed.
Let's just go with the flow.
Clang—!!
A crisp ring sounded. 【Black Rope】, along with Lin Qiye's hand, half-drew from its sheath!
The gleaming blade was exposed to the air, radiating a cold, fierce glow. Lin Qiye could sense an inexplicable connection forming between himself and this blade.
Lin Qiye froze.
It... came out?
Kyousuke's smile froze on his face.
He stared blankly for a long time before finally coming to his senses. He gathered his stiff smile and cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem,看来... this blade quite admires you. Not bad - the number of people qualified to become a Magatsu Blade master is extremely rare..." He hesitated for a moment,似乎心有不甘, then unbuckled the 【Illusory Pupil】 from his waist and tossed it to Lin Qiye as well.
"Come come, try this one!"