-1018- Installed camera?

In the end, Rozen and the others revealed everything they should and shouldn't have.

No choice.

"I'm afraid Natsuki-nee has probably already guessed everything and is just waiting to confirm it with us," Rozen sighed in the dark.

Yesterday, Natsuki had already grasped the truth to some extent, knowing that Rozen, Kojou, and Nagisa had gone to their apartment together. Shortly after, there was a destructive event centered around that apartment, and Rozen had brought back Kojou and Nagisa. To say there was no cause and effect, not even Rozen believed it.

As for the freezing in the north district, others might not know what happened, but how could Natsuki not know? After all, Avrora was the one Natsuki brought back to Itogami Island.

With the freezing of the north district centered around the MAR laboratory and Avrora's disappearance, Natsuki couldn't possibly be unaware. Linking these two incidents, how could some of the secrets escape the attention of the "Witch of the Void," who had already made even European demons fear her?

Natsuki probably just didn't know about the "Blazing Banquet" yet, so she was still in a passive state due to lack of information.

However, Rozen and the others were involved in the events on Itogami Island, something Natsuki couldn't overlook.

So, at this point, it's better to come clean, as it might help Natsuki.

After learning everything from Rozen, including the information about the "Blazing Banquet," Natsuki's expression remained extremely serious.

"Tsk..."

Not long after, Natsuki finally clicked her tongue.

"So, this is the reason why those troublesome guys suddenly appeared on Itogami Island?" The so-called troublesome guys naturally referred to the candidates.

"The 'Blazing Banquet'...an event that awakens the Fourth Primogenitor...has actually happened...Lion King Agency..." Natsuki's face was filled with displeasure.

Natsuki, as a national attack mage, belonged to the security department, while the Lion King Agency was a national intelligence agency. Although both were national institutions, they were unquestionably political opponents, sometimes cooperating, sometimes obstructing each other, and sometimes even being hostile based on their positions. It couldn't be said that their relationship was friendly.

Now, knowing that Itogami Island was in such a dire situation due to an event hosted by the Lion King Agency, Natsuki naturally didn't look pleased.

Moreover, the situation was much worse than Natsuki imagined.

"The disaster occurred before the ritual even formally began. If this continues, what will become of Itogami Island?" Natsuki rarely sighed as well.

"S-So, that's why I brought Avrora back," Rozen advocated for the correctness of his actions.

If they had the matrices required for the ritual, at least they wouldn't lose control of the situation entirely. Intervening in the ritual would also become simpler. Most importantly, they wouldn't let the mateices fall entirely into the hands of a group of people who would act recklessly without hesitation, which would definitely be helpful in handling the situation.

However...

"Bringing back the matrices means being involved in the center of the ritual. Do you understand what that means?" Natsuki stared at Rozen, conveying immense pressure in her words.

What does that mean?

Do you even need to think?

Of course, it means that Rozen will become the target of the other candidates and the matrices, sooner or later participating in the ritual.

At that time, he will face not only two matrices and one candidate but also the other eleven matrices and all the candidates, even the Lion King Agency.

Such chaos, such a vortex, when an ordinary person gets involved, not even multiple lives would be enough.

"However, bringing back the matrices wasn't wrong in itself, and it wasn't in vain that I helped you suppress the investigation by the Sanctuary Security Force," Natsuki glanced at Avrora, who was still hiding behind Rozen, with indifference.

Upon hearing this, Avrora and the bound Kojou wore expressions of confusion.

Only Rozen, couldn't help but suddenly understand.

"No wonder the Security Force didn't come looking for us. So that's how it is?"

Avrora left her house without permission, using part of her beast vassal's power to freeze some people on the way to find Rozen. This incident had already caused quite a stir. Plus, with the situation in the north district, the Artificial Island Management Cooperative couldn't ignore it and would definitely send people to investigate to prevent a similar disaster from happening again and endangering the safety of Itogami Island.

And Avrora didn't hide her actions, directly using her power on the street. It wouldn't be strange for witnesses to see it, even if surveillance cameras in the area captured the scene. So, Rozen had always thought that the Special District Security Force would come knocking sooner or later. During today's playtime, Rozen also kept an eye on his surroundings, ready to respond at any time.

As a result, the people from the Special District Security Force never showed up, which left Rozen quite puzzled for a long time, and now he finally knew that it was all thanks to Natsuki.

"Why did you know all that, Natsuki-nee?" Rozen, rubbing his sore head, looked puzzled.

It seems that Natsuki had already been keeping track of Rozen's whereabouts, which is why she did all of this.

This isn't surprising; there are more surveillance cameras in the commercial street and shopping center, capturing the images of Rozen and Avrora. It's not surprising at all.

What's unclear is how Natsuki knew I was taking a leave of absence.

Could it be...

"Could I be that Natsuki-nee also installed some kind of cameras on me too?" Rozen asked nervously, earning a glare from Natsuki.

"This is something the teachers at school told me. Isn't it strange for a student to take an unexplained leave, prompting a call to the parents? Idiot!" Natsuki raised her lace fan again, ready to strike Rozen, who quickly retreated, looking embarrassed.

Natsuki then snorted, finally relaxing her expression.

"The vampire over there."

Natsuki turned towards Avrora, her tone directed at her.

"Eep...!" Avrora was frightened, retreating behind Rozen, only sticking her head out, looking terrified at Natsuki.

Ignoring Avrora's reaction, Natsuki continued speaking.

"If you don't want me to hand you over to the Artificial Island Management Cooperative and let them exploit you, then stay obediently here. Do you understand?" Natsuki's warning tone made Avrora nod vigorously, obediently complying.

"And you, Kojou, from today onwards, live with me along with your sister. You are not allowed to go anywhere," Natsuki tapped Kojou's head with her lace fan, making Kojou nod helplessly.

"And you..." Natsuki looked directly at Rozen.

"I'll keep an eye on them!" Rozen preemptively spoke.

"You should keep an eye on yourself the most!" Natsuki's tone was both displeased and headache-inducing.

"Now I'll go erase all the clues related to Avrora's whereabouts. Don't cause me any more trouble," Natsuki said, turning around and disappearing on the spot.

Watching this scene, Kojou and Avrora both breathed a sigh of relief.

Only Rozen whispered softly.

"Thank you, Natsuki-nee."