-126- The sudden crumble of peace

Due to the constant sparring with Yaya, Rozen gradually began to understand Yaya's situation.

"In short, Yaya is just like Mash, possessing strength but lacking combat experience and techniques, right?"

This wasn't anything strange.

After all, the latest creation of Karyusai Shouko was the "Setsugetsuka" series of puppets.

In other words, Yaya hadn't been around for very long.

Combined with Yaya's dislike for humans, her unwillingness to be used by them, and her previous high self-regard, she didn't see any need for improvement or learning. As a result, Yaya naturally lacked combat techniques and experience; she merely had raw physical power.

In contrast, Rozen had already undergone numerous simulated battles during his time at Chaldea, gaining the ability to adapt in various situations. He possessed ample knowledge, experience, and a quick-thinking mind. With over a thousand years of puppet operating techniques developed by the Akabane clan, he had precise arrangements and strategies for formations, coordination, and positioning. Compared to Yaya, he was far more advanced.

Because of this, even if Yaya's strength was great, Rozen could easily think of multiple tactics and methods to defeat her.

Unless Yaya's abilities had reached the level of a highest-tier familiar, then one power would negate ten. In that case, Rozen would be in danger.

For now, it was virtually impossible for Yaya to match Rozen.

"Of course, if you had a skilled puppeteer to control you, that would be a different story."

Rozen shrugged and said this.

Even though Yaya lacked combat experience and techniques, if she had a talented puppet master controlling her, the situation would be completely different.

Apart from that, merely providing Yaya with sufficient magical energy would amplify the performance of the "Kongouriki" magic, raising her to the level of a highest-tier familiar. Even without combat experience or techniques, she could potentially emulate the likes of the mountain god in Izanagi's forbidden area, using brute strength to destroy the surrounding area.

But of course...

"That would depend on whether you're willing to be controlled by humans."

Rozen playfully said to Yaya.

For Yaya, that was something she strongly resisted.

However, this time, Rozen was in for a surprise.

"Yes, if a skilled puppeteer were to control me, Yaya definitely wouldn't lose to you."

Yaya calmly accepted Rozen's statement.

"You..."

Rozen was utterly taken aback.

Where had that proud puppet who vehemently resisted being controlled by humans gone?

"You must be malfunctioning or something, right? Should I get Karyusai to check you out?"

Almost instinctively, Rozen blurted out these words and even poked Yaya's cheek with his finger, causing Yaya to burst into flames of anger.

"I'm perfectly fine! There's nothing wrong with me! Don't touch Yaya so casually, you idiot!"

Yaya angrily swatted away Rozen's hand.

At that moment...

"Nuragami-sama."

Irori suddenly appeared in the courtyard.

"Irori?"

Rozen was momentarily stunned.

"Sister Irori?"

Yaya held her breath too.

Because at this point, Irori's expression looked exceedingly serious.

It wasn't just Irori, even Komurasaki appeared. Looking into Rozen's eyes with a hint of concern, her pair of adorable eyes seemed more worried than usual.

And behind the two of them, the long-unseen Karyusai Shouko also appeared.

"Komurasaki? Why is Shouko here too...?"

Yaya seemed to realize something.

"You all..."

Rozen suddenly had a feeling of unease.

This feeling of unease was almost identical to what he had felt back in the control room at Chaldea when Lev disappeared, followed by the control room being completely obliterated by an explosion.

And Karyusai Shouko's next words directly confirmed Rozen's premonition.

"I just received this news from an acquaintance in the military."

Karyusai Shouko dropped a bombshell.

"It's said that the eldest son of the Akabane clan injured a soldier in a military facility and escaped."

As these words entered Rozen's ears, his brain almost failed to process them.

The eldest son of the Akabane clan?

Akabane Tenzen?

Tenzen... injured a soldier in a military facility and escaped...?

"How...?"

How could this be?

Rozen's mind was still trying to process this when Karyusai Shouko seemed to feel that the news wasn't shocking enough. She went on.

"The military has started a manhunt for Akabane Tenzen. According to eyewitness reports, he's headed to the Akabane clan's base."

As the words fell...

"Nuragami-sama...!?"

"Nuragami!"

Both Irori and Komurasaki exclaimed in shock.

Rozen had already turned around and rushed out without hesitation.

And after Rozen left the courtyard, before the others could catch up, a surge of magical energy erupted from the direction he had left.

"Summon Gigantic Fowl!"

A dazzling magic circle lit up ahead.

"Caw!"

With a sharp cry, a massive eagle soared out from the magic circle.

This was one of the intermediate-level familiar-summoning magics Rozen had mastered over the years. It allowed him to summon avian familiars much larger than ordinary birds—the "Gigantic Fowl Summoning."

And as the giant eagle swooped down and then ascended into the sky, there was an extra person on its back.

Other than Rozen, who else could it be?

"What...!?"

Both Irori and Komurasaki widened their eyes.

"...It seems that this little boy still holds some secrets."

Karyusai Shouko squinted her eyes knowingly.

At this moment, Rozen was already commanding his summoned familiar, soaring through the sky like an arrow, heading towards the other side of the horizon.

"Wait...!?"

Irori and Komurasaki finally reacted, about to take action, but they were stopped by Karyusai Shouko.

"Let him go."

Karyusai Shouko simply said.

"But..."

"Shouko!"

Irori and Komurasaki were both about to say something, but Karyusai Shouko remained unfazed.

"This time, the Akabane clan is likely going to face a major incident." Karyusai Shouko shook her head, looking in the direction Rozen had left with a somewhat pitying gaze. She continued, "Hopefully, it's not a despair that will completely break him."

Her tone sounded as if Karyusai Shouko had encountered situations like this before and could empathize with them.

"..."

Irori could only remain silent.

Komurasaki looked worriedly in the direction Rozen had gone, and after a while, she suddenly realized something important.

"Where's Yaya?"

Komurasaki's shocked voice jolted Karyusai Shouko and Irori back to attention.

Only then did everyone present notice.

Yaya was nowhere to be found.