-133- Forever

"————"

Pain.

It was pain that seeped into his bones.

This kind of pain was something Rozen hadn't experienced for a very long time.

But upon closer reflection, it was only natural to feel such pain.

(After all, I was just sliced along my waist by the scythe…)

In such a situation, Rozen's upper and lower body hadn't been completely separated. That was already quite fortunate.

No, attributing everything to luck wouldn't be right.

In reality, Rozen's efforts couldn't be underestimated.

(If it weren't for using "Telekinesis" at the last moment…)

When Rozen sensed Akabane Tenzen's intent to use the "Crimson Wing Formation," he realized that his "Magic Defense" wouldn't be enough to block Kagerou's attack. So, he used "Telekinesis" on himself just in time, pulling his body away as much as he could.

Thanks to that, he managed to avoid a lethal blow, but injuries were still inevitable.

(So much blood... is flowing out...)

Rozen felt his body losing blood and his body temperature dropping, realizing how dire his condition was.

(I must treat this quickly...)

Before that, he had to defend against Akabane Tenzen.

If Akabane Tenzen aimed to deliver the final blow, Rozen would truly have no choice but to accept defeat.

This was something Rozen absolutely wouldn't allow.

(I still have many things to do…)

Rozen admonished himself against the impending loss of consciousness and concentrated his mana as best as he could.

It had to be said, Akabane Tenzen's decision to leave was indeed a wise one.

If Akabane Tenzen intended to strike Rozen with a final blow, Rozen would undoubtedly use "Summoning Magic" for a last-ditch counterattack.

Even if the summoned familiar couldn't defeat Akabane Tenzen's six automaton puppets, Rozen, with nothing to lose, would still be able to drag Akabane Tenzen down with him.

So, Akabane Tenzen's departure not only meant Rozen had been granted another chance at life, but also meant Akabane Tenzen had been given the same opportunity.

Rozen learned of Akabane Tenzen's departure through the feedback from "Heaven's Eye."

(He left?)

Rozen completely relaxed, almost letting the mana he had gathered disperse.

(No! I can't let the mana disperse!)

Even if he didn't need mana to guard against an enemy, Rozen still needed it to survive.

For example, if Rozen allowed his mana to disperse, "Fire Rat Summoning" would be negated, and his familiar, which had been protecting him, would disappear, leaving him to burn in the flames.

In that case, Rozen couldn't escape death.

(I must hold on...)

(Hold on…)

Rozen maintained his mana, vigorously resisting the encroaching unconsciousness.

Gradually, the pain lessened.

Because he was numbing.

Gradually, his awareness blurred.

Because he was fading.

In this half-conscious state, Rozen seemed to see himself lying on a hospital bed in the past, awaiting death without a miracle.

(What an unpleasant experience…)

Rozen laughed at himself, while simultaneously urging his spirit forward, preventing himself from slipping into unconsciousness.

The blaze continued to burn, under these conditions.

In the end, the Akabane clan's mansion collapsed with a deafening roar.

...

"Ugh…"

A soft groan marked the moment Yaya opened her eyes once more.

"Where am I…?"

Yaya's mind was somewhat hazy. She slowly propped herself up, surveying her surroundings.

What she saw wasn't the usual mansion, but rather a scene of utter destruction.

A place utterly ravaged by fire, reduced to charred ruins.

Seeing these scorched ruins, Yaya shivered involuntarily, finally remembering the events of last night.

"Nuragami!"

Yaya immediately leapt to her feet, scattering snowflakes around her.

Unbeknownst to her, snow had begun to fall unconsciously.

The charred ruins of the mansion stood amid the falling snow, threatening to bury Yaya beneath its snowflakes.

Only then did Yaya realize.

"My injuries healed?"

After enduring the powerful strike from Kagerou last night, which left her severely wounded and unable to move, the injuries had vanished without a trace.

The reason was simple.

Beings like Yaya, living dolls, could heal themselves as long as they had enough mana. The severity of the injury only dictated how much mana was needed.

Just as with the severe injuries from last night, to recover overnight required a substantial amount of mana. And now, Yaya could feel a constant stream of mana flowing into her body.

Without even needing to think, she knew the source of this mana.

"Nuragami!"

Following the direction of the mana, Yaya shouted and rushed into the ruins.

Thanks to the ceaseless flow of mana into her body, Yaya not only healed completely, but also had surplus mana to spare. Thus, without hesitation, Yaya activated the magic circuit of "Kongouriki," filling her body with strength. Following the mana's guidance, she began to bulldoze her way through.

"Thud!"

Charred logs were effortlessly kicked aside by Yaya.

"Crack!"

The fallen gate was shattered as Yaya kicked it in.

As she continued to wreak havoc on the scene, Yaya searched for any sign of Rozen.

Until a certain moment, Yaya finally saw him.

"Nuragami!"

Rozen lay in the midst of the charred snow, devoid of vitality, sprawled there.

Yaya quickly approached, turning Rozen over.

"Ah!"

As Rozen's appearance met Yaya's eyes, she involuntarily covered her mouth and exclaimed in shock.

Because Rozen hadn't fallen into a complete unconsciousness; his eyes were half-open.

His complexion was pallid.

His eyes were vacant.

His body temperature was icy.

His lips were bluish-purple.

And on Rozen's abdomen, a grotesque wound sat, revealing to Yaya that Rozen had indeed nearly been cut in half the previous night.

However, after a night, Rozen hadn't succumbed to excessive blood loss.

Because, on Rozen's wound, a charred mark was apparent.

Yes.

Charred.

In order to seal the wound, in the end, Rozen chose to let the flames take effect on his body, scorching the wound black to preserve his life.

And then, Rozen, his eyes devoid of life, continued to murmur.

Yaya struggled to make out the words.

"Hold on… hold on… don't sleep.… don't..."

Hearing this, Yaya couldn't hold back any longer.

"Idiot...! Idiot...! Idiot...!"

Tears welled up in Yaya's eyes.

Yaya naturally understood why Rozen fought to stay conscious.

Even without knowing of the Fire Rat's existence, Yaya could still comprehend that Rozen was keeping himself awake partly to provide mana, help heal her injuries, protect her from the fire, and ensure her safety.

"Despite Yaya failing to protect you, you've been protecting Yaya all along?"

Yaya felt her heart shatter and mend at the same time.

In this moment, Yaya made her first ever vow.

"Rest assured, from now on, it's Yaya's turn to protect you."

"Forever..."

"Forever..."