-1099- Unexpectedly shy?

Throughout, Rozen has various guardians by his side.

For instance, Hokuto, as Rozen's shikigami, always remained in spiritual form by Rozen's side, protecting him. When Rozen encountered danger or called for it, Hokuto would appear to fight for Rozen. This was the role of servant-type and guardian-type shikigami.

For example, Kinu, symbolizing the sun, hovered around Rozen, always vigilant for danger and ready to lend its power whenever Rozen called for it. However, Rozen didn't wear Kinu's coat because it would attract too much attention while living on Itogami Island.

Rozen was protected by such beings.

However, both Hokuto and Kinu have relinquished their roles.

Hokuto formed an absolute contract with Rozen and, after transforming purely into a record engraved in Rozen's soul, Rozen no longer allowed it to protect him. It no longer remained in spiritual form by Rozen's side as before.

Kinu had long formed an absolute contract with Rozen. Because, without Rozen's usual magical power, it was not easy to summon it again after canceling its summoning. Rozen only allowed it to hover around him, calling upon it when necessary, but now even that was discontinued.

These two shikigami now exist within Rozen in a different form.

Given this, Rozen's only guardian now is one person.

Like Hokuto before, she silently follows Rozen in spiritual form, never appearing or speaking unless Rozen calls her or when needed in battle, materializing only then.

La Folia, an exceptionally skilled spirit summoner, noticed her presence. With keen blue eyes fixed on a spot behind Rozen, La Folia's expression was full of curiosity.

Whether it was La Folia's gaze that displeased her, a subtle, ominous aura emanated from her, causing La Folia's expression to change slightly.

"...It seems she doesn't like being observed by me like this."

La Folia fell silent for a moment, then quickly withdrew her gaze, speaking nonchalantly.

"It seems so. She's unexpectedly shy. I hope you'll understand."

Rozen acted as if he hadn't noticed anything, sounding extremely casual.

It was only at this point that Yukina reacted.

Yukina naturally didn't know what Rozen and La Folia were talking about.

Although Yukina, as a Sword Shaman of the Lion King Agency, was also a highly skilled spirit medium, she still couldn't perceive her presence when Rozen's guardians didn't emit her aura.

Now, due to the subtle release of an ominous aura, Yukina seemed to have sensed something.

But seeing the expressions of both Rozen and La Folia, Yukina tactfully refrained from asking further.

It's not that Yukina didn't care.

After all, Rozen was Yukina's subject of surveillance, and if there was anything unusual around him, Yukina needed to report it to the Lion King Agency.

However, compared to that, the problem now was La Folia's appearance here.

The clamor of the surrounding pedestrians became louder and even showed signs of getting out of control.

It would be strange if the sudden appearance of a foreign princess in the shopping center's mall didn't cause a sensation.

Yukina thought to herself, "This is not good."

"In... In any case, let's leave this place first!"

Yukina hurriedly advised.

Rozen and La Folia then noticed their surroundings.

"Indeed, we can't stay here any longer." La Folia said with some regret and unfulfilled enthusiasm. "There's no other way. We'll have to save the shopping fun for next time. Can you please take us to a quiet place now?"

This request was a boon for Rozen.

"Then let's leave first."

With that, Rozen snapped his fingers.

"Hum!"

The next moment, ripples appeared in space, swallowing Rozen, Yukina, and La Folia, causing them to disappear on the spot, leaving the area.

"Gone...?"

"Was that magic?"

"She truly lives up to her title as the princess of that magical kingdom."

"If only we had taken a photo just now."

The surrounding pedestrians were all first stunned, then seemed to understand something, and began to discuss with some regret.

Luckily, this is the Demon Sanctuary, so even if residents witness inexplicable phenomena, they are accustomed to it.

Otherwise, Rozen wouldn't have directly used Space Manipulation Magic in such a public place.

As a result, news quickly spread of the arrival of the princess of Aldegyr to Itogami Island, who appeared alone in the Teddy's shopping center.

Later, a group of knights dressed similarly to La Folia rushed in, conducting a thorough search of the area but found nothing.

"The princess is gone!"

"Where could she have gone?"

"We must find the princess quickly!"

"Hurry up! Keep searching! Keep looking!"

The knights shouted in urgency, then dispersed again, continuing their relentless search.

This scene unfolded in various corners of Itogami City.

However, the princess in question had already been taken away by Rozen. Even if the knights searched again, it would be futile.

...

A distance away from the Teddy's shopping center, there was a seaside park.

"Hum!"

With a tremor, space suddenly fluctuated, and three figures appeared.

"Alright, this place should be secluded for the time being."

Rozen spoke up.

"At this time, there aren't many people in the seaside park, especially considering the hot weather."

Yukina glanced around and breathed a sigh of relief.

Only La Folia's eyes suddenly lit up with wonder.

"Space Manipulation Magic?"

La Folia once again turned her gaze to Rozen, her expression seemingly changing slightly.

"A mage who can effortlessly use Space Manipulation Magic like this is rare even in Aldegyr. Even if we search the world over, there's only one person who can do this kind of thing."

Who is it?

"The Witch of the Void—Minamiya Natsuki."

La Folia spoke confidently.

"Among the people I know, only this demon killer can accomplish such feats."

And at the mention of this witch, anyone would immediately think of one person.

A figure recently known worldwide, within the industry.

"The Divine Child of Origin—Minamiya Nichiyo."

La Folia's eyes glistened with unprecedented enthusiasm as she looked at Rozen.

"You're the younger brother of the Witch of the Void, aren't you?"

La Folia finally recognized Rozen's identity.