-955- Father and Son

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The serene, solemn, and dormant atmosphere lingered around the relic-like cave entrance, creating a somewhat breathless feeling, at least for Rozen. The others probably didn't perceive it that easily, right?

No, besides Rozen, there seemed to be another person in the group with an exceptionally strong intuition.

"Ugh..."

Nagisa, originally lively and always looking around, froze upon seeing the entrance to the relic, her eyes wide open.

Shortly after, Nagisa stared intensely in that direction, without shifting her gaze away.

"Nagisa?"

Kojou noticed this scene, slightly puzzled.

"...Have you already sensed it?"

Liana also observed Nagisa's behavior, showing both amazement and reassurance, but no surprise.

Rozen took note of everyone's reactions, gaining some understanding.

In this situation...

"Hey, over there..."

Nagisa murmured unconsciously, then involuntarily started moving towards the direction of the relic.

However, Nagisa didn't succeed.

"Hey, you can't go there now!"

An extremely frivolous voice abruptly sounded, accompanied by a pair of hands that embraced Nagisa and pulled her back.

"Huh?"

Nagisa, as if awakening from a dream, looked back, turning to see the person behind her.

Not only Nagisa but everyone else was also surprised, turning their heads to look in the direction of the casual voice.

The next moment, everyone saw.

"At last, safely arrived! My adorable daughter!"

A middle-aged man wearing a tattered hat and a leather jacket, emitting a mix of alcohol and gunpowder smell, appeared quite messy but carried an indescribable charm. He laughed heartily while holding Nagisa, who had been lifted into his arms.

Looking at this person, everyone finally realized.

"Doctor!"

Liana's face lit up.

"Dad!?"

Kojou exclaimed.

"Gajou-kun!"

Nagisa's eyes sparkled with joy, happily calling out the identity of the person before her.

It was none other than Kojou and Nagisa's father, Akatsuki Gajou.

At this moment, Akatsuki Gajou looked at Nagisa, whom he had just lifted, and continued laughing heartily.

"Long time no see, Nagisa. I didn't expect that in such a short time, you'd become so beautiful. Truly my daughter; when you grow up, you'll definitely be a heartthrob. I can't bear to let you go. If any stinky brat dares to make a move on you, remember to tell Daddy. Daddy will definitely reward him with a bullet to let him know the cost of making a move on my daughter."

This man called Akatsuki Gajou spoke lightly but with an air of someone who could indeed carry out such actions if such a situation occurred.

At least, the gunpowder smell emanating from Akatsuki Gajou told everyone that this so-called archaeologist wasn't only good with a pen and book or digging in the ground with a pickaxe.

"Gajou-kun, really."

Even Nagisa rolled her eyes at Akatsuki Gajou, looking somewhat unimpressed.

Naturally, another person present couldn't accept this.

"What do you mean by the cost of making a move on your daughter? If you care so much about family, then come home more often! You lousy old man!"

Kojou retorted displeasingly to his father.

However...

"Hmm? What's this? Kojou, you're here too?"

As if just noticing Kojou's presence, Akatsuki Gajou's cheerful expression suddenly turned impatient.

"I only called Nagisa to come. When did I call you?"

His attitude was unexpectedly indifferent.

This made Kojou's temples throb with annoyance.

"Are you serious? You're okay with letting your daughter, who is still in elementary school, come alone to a demon sanctuary in a foreign country? There's a limit to being reckless!"

Kojou was furious.

It seemed that Akatsuki Gajou's claim of only accompanying Nagisa was true.

Unfortunately, Nagisa's father seemed unfazed by seeing his son.

After all...

"Who cares about my son's face? Of course, it's my adorable daughter's face I need to look at! A talentless brat like my son can play by himself! What? Not enough pocket money? Geez... Take it and go back quickly, don't disturb my family reunion with my daughter."

Akatsuki Gajou said this as a matter of course.

"Ah right, I'm 'really' sorry for not having any talent! Am I not part of your family anymore? Is my name not on the family reunion list?"

Kojou was furious, clenching his fists tightly, ready to throw a punch at any moment.

In response, Akatsuki Gajou became increasingly impatient.

"Are you still so immature? Don't you know how to respect elders?"

"It's because of who?!"

"So uncultured, which family's child are you?"

"How about you guess!?"

"Therefore, like I said, just go back quickly."

"You should go die in a grave over there! Old man!"

"Huh? Who are you calling an old man? I'm a perfectly young man in my prime!"

"You're just a stinky man who loves smoking and drinking, and you'll get fat sooner or later!"

"You're the stinky man!"

"You are!"

"You are!"

"You are!"

The father and son, who hadn't seen each other for a long time, unexpectedly got into a heated argument, their heads bumping, temples pulsating with veins, angrily yelling at each other. It was almost as if they were about to start a physical fight.

Naturally, this left the onlookers completely dumbfounded.

Especially Rozen.

"This... they really are father and son..."

Rozen's mouth twitched.

No wonder Kojou had repeatedly shown a face of annoyance towards his father on the way here. Is this how family relationships work?

Even Liana was dumbfounded, taking quite some time to react.

Only Nagisa, as if accustomed to it, watched the two bickering like children, hands on her hips, sternly reprimanding them.

"Kojou-kun, Gajou-kun, I've told you both many times, don't be so childish. We're in public, and everyone is watching. So stop bickering, okay?"

Nagisa lectured them with practiced ease.

"Hmph!"

Both Kojou and Gajou snorted at the same time, turned their heads away, giving an air of pretending not to see each other, making it hard to believe they were father and son.

At least, Rozen was beginning to doubt it.

This finally made Gajou notice Rozen's presence.

"Oh?" Gajou raised an eyebrow, showing a challenging smile. "Who are you? Kojou's classmate or friend?"

At this remark, Rozen smiled suddenly, calmly bowing.

"Hello, Mr. Akatsuki. I am Minamiya Nichiyo from the Far East Demon Sanctuary, Itogami Island."

Hearing Rozen's introduction, Gajou raised his eyebrows, showing an interested gleam in his eyes.

"Minamiya from Itogami Island?"

Gajou finally seemed to take Rozen seriously, with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.