-656- Please come with us

As the day gradually turned into night,

With the sunset, darkness descended, shrouding the entire forest in pitch black, devoid of any gleam.

Within the thickets, Rozen looked up at the night sky.

There, only a vast expanse of black clouds, no moon, no moonlight, enshrouded the forest in complete darkness. It was almost impossible to see much, almost like reaching out and not seeing one's own fingers.

"A moonless and lightless night?"

Rozen sneered.

"They've come so quickly."

That's what he said, but Rozen had known that tonight was the night without moonlight. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been hiding here waiting all along.

As for how he knew that tonight was a moonless and lightless night, it was even simpler.

In various magic systems, astronomy was an essential part. Whether it was stargazing, divination, or utilizing starlight for rituals, knowledge of astronomy was needed.

As the most famous onmyoji in history, Abe no Seimei was a person with outstanding and extensive knowledge in both the astral aspect, focused on observation and divination, and the magic side, integrating technology and magic.

Rozen, inheriting all of Seimei's magical knowledge from his previous life and having read various books in the Tsuchimikado family, combined with his extraordinary academic abilities, found it effortless to calculate when a moonless night would occur.

Therefore, Rozen knew that if the daytime divination was correct, tonight was the opportune time for 'Cannibal Candy' to target Frey.

"Ah."

At this moment, Yaya, along with Rozen, hiding in the grass, just excited a while ago because of the onset of night and started fidgeting with Rozen, and finally being scolded harshly by Rozen to calm down, suddenly exclaimed.

"It's Miss Frey!"

Yaya's exclamation sounded distinct in the pitch-black and silent small forest. If Rozen hadn't already cast the 'Invisibility Jutsu' to conceal his form and set up a barrier to isolate all sound and movement, Frey might have noticed her.

So, Rozen turned his gaze towards the open space ahead.

There, Frey, who had been conducting basic magical training, had stopped. She retracted the hand reaching upward and gestured to the Automaton lying beside her. The large wolf-like Automaton named Rabbi obediently extended its tongue, licked Frey's face with great gentleness, and then stood up extremely obediently, following Frey as they left the forest.

"Is she ready to leave?"

Rozen wasn't surprised.

No matter what, it's already dark, and due to the lack of moonlight, the forest has become extremely pitch black. Even if they want to continue training, they wouldn't choose a place like this.

Therefore, it's quite normal for Frey to leave.

"What should we do? Rozen?" Yaya turned to ask Rozen for his opinion.

"Of course, we follow them," Rozen said without any hesitation. "Remember, don't use magic; it'll expose us instantly."

With that, Rozen parted the foliage and headed in Frey's direction.

"Wait, Rozen!"

Yaya quickly got up and followed.

However, just as Rozen and Yaya emerged from the bushes with the 'Invisibility Justu' still active, walking out of the barrier,

"Hmm?"

Rozen suddenly halted.

Because his 'Mind's Eye' had already sensed it.

He sensed a very subtle and elusive magic lingering in the space, manifesting like ultrasonic waves of bats passing over him, a phenomenon sweeping over his body.

"This is..."

Rozen's eyes flickered slightly, immediately understanding.

"Roar!"

At the same time as Frey, who was preparing to leave with Rabbi, the large wolf-like Automaton suddenly turned its head as if it had suddenly sensed something. It roared lowly in Rozen's direction, and its amiable expression was replaced by ferocity.

Even though Rozen and Yaya still had 'Invisibility Justu' active, at this moment, Rabbi accurately sensed the presence and location of the two.

"R-Rabbi?"

Frey seemed a bit slow in her reaction, apparently not understanding what was happening.

So, Rabbi made an autonomous decision.

In concrete terms, it was to protect its master and launch an attack against the hidden individuals.

A surge of magic rose from Rabbi, and before Frey could react, its canine mouth, filled with sharp fangs, sprayed an invisible magic sphere.

The invisible magical sphere quickly took shape, transforming into a sound wave. It propelled through the ground, kicking up dust, resembling unseen cannonballs, blasting towards Rozen and Yaya.

"Danger!"

Faced with this sudden attack, Yaya, much like Rabbi, made an autonomous decision to protect her master.

In an instant, Yaya activated her magical circuits without Rozen's magic support. She invoked the "Kongouriki" magic circuit, enhancing her physical abilities and hardening her entire body. She leaped in front of Rozen, extending her arms to shield him.

The intangible sound wave cannonball hit the upraised hands of Yaya.

"Bang!"

In an explosion, the sound wave projectile burst upon Yaya's hands. Like sharp blades, it sliced through the ground and the grass on either side of Yaya, cutting down the foliage above.

A strong wind blew in front of Yaya, moving her black kimono.

Fortunately, Yaya was unharmed, and her kimono remained undamaged.

As for Rozen, who was protected by Yaya, he was naturally unharmed too.

However, because Yaya used magic and activated the 'Kongouriki' magic circuit without Rozen's magic support, the 'Invisibility Jutsu' he had cast on both of them had deactivated, revealing the two of them.

"Y-You..."

Seeing Rozen and Yaya suddenly appear, Frey was slightly surprised and then her expression became tense.

It seemed that this young girl had finally realized what was going on.

Evidently, Rabbi had discovered Rozen and Yaya, knowing that someone was hiding nearby, hence it launched the attack.

"Who are you?" Frey couldn't hide her nervousness and anxiety.

This made Yaya lower her hands, quickly explaining to Frey.

"Please don't misunderstand, we're not—"

Before Yaya could finish her sentence, Rozen spoke up.

"Step back, Yaya."

Rozen calmly uttered these words, realizing the situation was getting a bit complicated.

This being the case,

"Don't move!"

A voice came from the other side of the forest.

Following that, footsteps and rustling from the trees and grass erupted from all directions, surrounding the area, and a group of individuals appeared.

"Huh?"

The abrupt turn of events left Frey somewhat flustered.

"What's this!?"

Yaya was equally surprised.

Rozen, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes and scanned the surroundings.

There, students dressed in school uniforms, draped in formal black coats, and wearing armbands on their arms, had surrounded the area, showing wariness in their eyes.

"Disciplinary Committee."

They were members of the Disciplinary Committee.

Naturally, the person was also present.

"Good evening, Mr. Arneet."

With a head of strikingly noticeable blonde hair even in the dark, the person walked over slowly.

Aside from Felix, who else could it be?

"Apologies."

Felix spoke politely to Rozen as usual.

"We have a few things we'd like to ask you. Please come with us."