-687- Blazing flame

"Boom!"

At the moment when the terrifying surge of magic erupted throughout the orphanage's territory, within the grand building at the deepest part of the estate, a raging inferno burst forth.

The flames roared like a tempest, surging from within the building and consuming everything in their path.

In an instant, the roof of the building was blasted into the sky by the flames.

In an instant, the walls were shattered by the expanding explosion of flames.

The crimson flames turned this building into a smoldering ruin, and at first glance, it appeared as if a volcano had erupted beneath the ground. The molten rocks carried skyward by the volcanic eruption then rained down upon the surroundings.

The orphanage's territory was now engulfed in destruction.

"Enemy attack!"

"Enemy attack!"

Simultaneously, from all directions within the estate, individuals rushed out from various buildings, their voices filled with terror and confusion.

"Quick!"

"Over there!"

"Hurry over!"

One by one, guards emerged from various directions.

Some of them were guards with hunting dogs.

Some were puppeteers with automatons.

And those automatons, like Loki's Cherubim, displayed an inorganic structure, likely belonging to the 'Angel' series or a lower-class model.

These individuals arrived at the location of the fiery eruption around the now-ruined building.

"Click!"

The sound of bullets loading into rifles echoed as guards prepared.

"Hum!"

The release of magic created an air of vibration around both the puppeteers and their automatons.

Everyone at the scene encircled the ruins. They either raised their rifles, aiming at the sea of flames ahead, or positioned their automatons, ready for action.

In this situation, one gentleman stood out, clearly emanating a much larger and grander magical power than the others. He made his way toward this location while parting the crowd, reaching the forefront.

Naturally, it was Bronson.

At this moment, Bronson's expression appeared extremely grim.

"It seems I've grown too old."

Bronson's magical power continued to surge, and his voice, filled with murderous intent, spread in all directions.

"I didn't expect to be pushed around repeatedly. Is it because I've been absent from the world of magic for too long?"

Bronson's menacing gaze fell upon one person.

It landed on the individual who was slowly walking out of the sea of flames, their coat swaying with every step, each sway releasing a dazzling shower of sparks. The surrounding flames seemed to instinctively recede, creating a path.

Rozen still had his head lowered, treading on the rubble of the ruins, walking among the fire, emerging from the blaze.

On his body, a magic power far more terrifying than Bronson's continued to surge, instilling fear in the surrounding puppeteers and guards.

Only Bronson, when looking at Rozen, regarded him with the eyes one might use when observing a lifeless object, rather than a person.

"Since you've destroyed my research facility, causing me significant losses, I'll use your body to make amends," Bronson said coldly. "With such outstanding magic, your living magic activity must be excellent. If I can use your body for research and development, the results will undoubtedly be excellent."

Bronson made this declaration.

Then...

"Take him down for me. Don't kill him. I want to disassemble him directly on the operating table. That will yield the best results," Bronson ordered everyone in the vicinity.

Despite their apprehension of the magic emanating from Rozen, the people at the scene acted without hesitation, just as Bronson had instructed.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

As flames shot from the muzzles of their rifles, the guards pulled their triggers simultaneously, and bullets tore through the air, creating a hail of gunfire that enveloped Rozen.

"Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!"

At the same time, the puppeteers controlling automatons released their magic, causing thorned short swords to spring forth from the backs of the automatons, shooting out like countless arrows, inundating Rozen's direction.

Rozen suddenly found himself under an unrelenting assault from the front, with his body exposed to countless bullets and short sword attacks. This would have turned anyone into a body riddled with holes, even if they managed to avoid vital areas.

Don't blame these people for being cruel.

For those who could watch the establishment of an orphanage like this, even participate in it, and turn a blind eye to experiments on all the children, and further turn a blind eye to the children's bodies being turned into banned dolls, these individuals, who conspired with Bronson in cruelty and tyranny, were not likely to show any mercy.

And precisely because of this, Rozen didn't need to have any doubts.

"Whoosh!"

Rozen's coat, sprinkled with dazzling sparks, automatically rose without the wind, forming a huge cape that was wielded towards all directions.

"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!"

With a crisp sound of clashes, every bullet and short sword attack was deflected by the cape-like coat, creating dazzling sparks that didn't leave a single mark on Rozen.

As if in response to Rozen's emotions, Kinu, too, released a formidable power.

Then...

"Come forth, Hokuto."

A deep voice sounded from Rozen's mouth, which had never stopped moving or looked up.

As the words fell...

"Ching!"

A dazzling golden light burst forth from Rozen's body, turning into a beam of light that shot up into the sky.

"Rumble!"

Suddenly, the sky was filled with howling winds, dense dark clouds swirled like a vortex, thundered, and the air became incredibly oppressive.

Within the swirling dark clouds, a gigantic dragon head emerged, giving way to the appearance of a majestic golden dragon.

"What, what is that?"

"This can't be real..."

"That's a dragon?"

"Oh my goodness."

Seeing this scene, whether they were guards or puppeteers, all of them displayed expressions of incredible shock.

Even Bronson's pupils constricted abruptly, his face changed suddenly, and he stared fixedly at the dragon in the sky, his heart pounding like a drum.

As the sacred beast, divine beast, and guardian beast passed down from generation to generation in the world of Onmyoudou, Hokuto revealed its presence in this world for the first time.

Emerging from the clouds, it opened its eyes, no longer filled with the innocence of the past but rather exuding a furious, raging aura.

The sky was instantly filled with the noble dragon aura.