"Mr. Joker, please, just consider it for my sake! Could you please recruit Kallen's Stigma into your heart as well?!"
Under Hare's astonished gaze, Yae Sakura, already Ren's Persona, earnestly requested him to also recruit Kallen's Stigma as his Persona.
"I know this request is very presumptuous. Sakura has already received so much help from Mr. Joker, I shouldn't ask for more."
Despite willingly transforming herself into Ren's Stigma, bestowing all her power upon him, Yae Sakura seemed to harbor an inexplicable sense of indebtedness and guilt towards Ren. A mixture of pleading and shame colored her flawless, exquisite face.
"However, I desperately want to meet the real Kallen again. If Mr. Joker is willing to fulfill Sakura's wish, Sakura will fight for Mr. Joker with all her might in the future. I will also help persuade Kallen to become Mr. Joker's power."
If Yae Sakura could act independently, she would embark on a journey to find Kallen without hesitation. But now, as Ren's Persona, she couldn't act against his will.
She was supposed to use her power to fight for Ren, not make requests of him.
Thus, Yae Sakura could only earnestly plead with Ren, hoping he would recruit Kallen's Stigma into his being, thus enabling her reunion with Kallen.
To demonstrate her determination and resolve, Yae Sakura lightly touched her knees to the ground, prostrating herself before Ren in the highest form of respect as she made her request. The sakura-haired miko lay humbly on the ground, her sakura-pink fox ears and radiant long hair resting softly against the floor, her slender back perfectly still, expressing her unwavering resolve.
"...It seems Kallen is truly important to you. However, you don't need to go to such lengths. Times have changed."
Ren didn't expect Yae Sakura, a woman from the past, to readily resort to dogeza [the act of kneeling and bowing deeply]. Raising an eyebrow slightly, he glanced at Kallen beside him, who was smiling with a mixture of helplessness and happiness.
Ren bent down slightly, supporting Yae Sakura by her exposed underarm (revealed due to her miko outfit's open design), pulling her up from the ground while making a promise.
"Recruiting new Personas is also extremely important to me. Kallen is very strong. Since you wish for me to recruit her, Sakura, and you have a good relationship with Kallen, then I will naturally seek out the real Kallen and make her my own power."
Hearing Ren's firm and definite reply, a look of gratitude appeared on Yae Sakura's beautiful face.
...Sometimes you really feel the generation gap. What exactly is going on inside this 500-year-old miko's head?
"Speaking of which, Sakura keeps talking about the 'real' Kallen in front of you. Doesn't that make you feel upset or hurt?"
Ren looked at Kallen, still smiling, and asked the white-haired girl out of curiosity.
"Of course not. Because I am the real Kallen! Though my existence is based on Sakura's perception of Kallen, the fact remains that I am the real Kallen. How could I be upset that Sakura wants to see me?"
The white-haired phantom thief in the form-fitting violet dress responded to Ren with confidence.
However, her body suddenly began to emit deep violet light particles. This process had actually started subtly earlier; now, it was simply becoming increasingly obvious and pronounced.
"It seems the curtain is about to fall on this stage. It's time for Phantom Thief Violet to bid farewell to her beloved fans."
Kallen moved the black bird-beak mask from her ear to cover her fair face once again. After putting on her Phantom Thief Violet persona, she became even more flamboyant, her tone shifting back to the deliberately dramatic, almost flirtatious manner of a theatrical performance.
"Kallen..."
Yae Sakura instinctively reached out towards Kallen. Smiling warmly, Kallen grasped Sakura's hand, bidding farewell to the reluctant miko.
"Cinderella's magic only lasts one night. Now, with time running out, I must return to where I belong... Please don't be sad or cry, Sakura. This parting is for a more beautiful reunion in the future."
"Now, allow me to deliver the Calling Card. Phantom Thief Joker, you will hold the pass leading directly to the real Kallen."
After saying her goodbyes to Yae Sakura, Phantom Thief Violet turned towards Ren, her voice noticeably brighter and full of anticipation. As if harboring a slight grudge, she deliberately emphasized the phrase "Calling Card."
"You claimed to be the Phantom Thief of Hearts, didn't you? Then let's have a challenge! Phantom Thief Violet versus Phantom Thief Joker – let's see who can steal whose heart... Of course, when we meet next, the victor will undoubtedly be me! I shall dazzle and bewilder you, successfully stealing your heart!"
Holding Yae Sakura's delicate hand in one of her own, Kallen extended a slender white finger with her other hand, tracing a circle over Ren's chest, her action both provocative and playful, ultimately resting over his heart.
"Interesting. I accept your challenge. However, the loser will surely be you. You, just like Sakura, will have your desires stolen by me and reside within my heart!"
A slight smile touched Ren's lips.
He slowly clenched his fist, the challenge issued by Phantom Thief Violet just before her disappearance filling him with fighting spirit and excitement.
Trying to out-steal a heart from the Phantom Thief of Hearts? You're 20,000 years too early!
As spirits who had met five hundred years ago, the real Kallen's situation was highly likely similar to Yae Sakura's. This meant that Kallen Kaslana very likely also possessed a Palace.
Ren couldn't wait to enter Kallen's Palace, steal her Will Seeds and Treasure, and then finally recruit Kallen herself into his heart, allowing her to reunite with her friend Yae Sakura after centuries of separation.
The boundless darkness had already begun to consume the edges of the Yae Shrine. As the entire Palace approached complete collapse, the violet form-fitting dress on Kallen's body completely dissolved into countless particles of light. Replacing it on Kallen's graceful form was a high-quality nun's habit, its material soft, delicate, and remarkably resilient.
"Then, I look forward to seeing you again..."
A slight smile curved the white-haired girl's lips. The black bird-beak mask covering her cheek fell away, revealing Kallen's joyous smile.
The black mask, adorned with two violet iris bird feathers, was swept up by swirling violet light particles and gently landed in Ren's outstretched hand.
"So this is the beacon and key to the next Palace... Honestly, what kind of phantom thief throws her own mask and gives a verbal Calling Card? Next time we meet, I'll definitely show you what a real phantom thief is like."
Ren carefully put away the black bird-beak mask. Matters concerning the next Palace warranted caution.
"I don't think I told you my real name yet. Remember it well; this is the name of the one who will conquer you. My name is—"
The black void completely swallowed all traces of existence within the Palace, plunging the Yae Shrine into nothingness. Just before the Palace's complete collapse, Hare, with lightning speed, opened a portal to the outside world, taking Ren away from the vanishing Palace.
"—Ren Amamiya? A lovely name. I'll remember it."
Cognitive Kallen softly murmured the name she heard at the last moment, the smile still on her face as her body fell continuously through the black void, eventually disappearing completely.
With this, the Yae Village Palace was completely conquered!
(End of Volume II: Priestess of the Fox Shrine)