-581- The overly powerful shikigami

"What...!?"

"The barrier was...!?"

As the shattered barrier enveloping the area surprised the exorcists.

"How is this possible...!?"

Especially Yuge Mari, seeing her deployed barrier inexplicably shattered, her cold, poised face showed an expression of astonishment.

As a barrier specialist and one of the "Twelve Divine Generals" specializing in barrier techniques, Yuge Mari could claim to be second to none in the world of barriers. This kind of person's deployed barrier, even if not on the level of the "Eight Array Barrier," was absolutely not something that could be easily broken through.

But now, for some unknown reason, just a call from the enemy's shikigami, the deployed barrier around them was shattered. How could Yuge Mari not be astonished?

On the contrary, Kagami Reiji, as if finding it interesting, revealed a reckless smile.

"Great, this makes things much easier."

Saying this, Kagami Reiji's spiritual power began to surge.

Evidently, given Kagami Reiji's personality, he was already impatient with the earlier conversation and preferred to act directly, which suited his style.

Although facing two seemingly extraordinary shikigami, ones that undoubtedly would cause death upon confrontation, this perilous feeling stimulated Kagami Reiji's fighting spirit.

"Wait! Kagami! Don't act recklessly!"

Kogure Zenjirou didn't draw his sword, seemingly wanting to understand what was going on before acting, shouting at Kagami Reiji.

"Quit blabbering! The enemy has already made a move! Why hold back!?"

Kagami Reiji retorted, staring at Rozen with a gaze filled with determination and hostility.

"Besides, I've been annoyed by that little brat for a long time. It's a good opportunity to settle the score!"

Saying this, Kagami Reiji was clearly beyond restraint.

However, the trouble seemed to start from Rozen's side.

"Ugh..."

Rozen's complexion seemed to pale even further, and his figure once again became unsteady.

"Akikan!"

"You... Are you really okay!?"

Since a while ago, Natsume and Suzuka, who looked unsure of what to do, quickly refocused their attention on Rozen. One of them supported him, while the other swiftly took out healing talismans and applied them to Rozen.

"I'm fine."

Rozen could only reply weakly, feeling the emptiness in his body and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

('It's just using a bit of power, and it nearly drained all the remaining magic?')

Though the power displayed by Kinu and Gyokuto was just a fraction of their true potential, given Rozen's current condition, he couldn't sustain it for long.

Continuing to let Kinu and Gyokuto use their power might completely deplete Rozen, causing him to faint.

"Come back, Kinu, Gyokuto."

At that moment, Rozen commanded his two shikigami and familiars.

Hearing this, the three-legged crow Kinu, who had been glaring at Miyachi Iwao with cold eyes, retracted its gaze and flapped its wings, carrying a trail of fire powder as it flew back to Rozen's side and perched on his shoulder. Gyokuto also retracted into it's body and lay back in Rozen's embrace.

Miyachi Iwao, tense from confronting Kinu, finally relaxed, noticing the sweat on his back, and found himself smiling wryly.

(If not for becoming shikigami with a master, and the master being in a weakened state, unable to exert their full power, just the gaze from earlier would be enough to make an ordinary onmyoji's spirit collapse.)

Miyachi Iwao thought helplessly.

(This is what's known as divine pressure, simply the most primal, most terrifying form of "curse.")

The strongest onmyoji of this era had this feeling.

Fortunately, the opponent was not in top condition.

"Even if the power of those two is formidable, you seem unable to utilize their full strength. Not to mention you're weak at the moment. You probably can't hold on much longer, let alone engage in a jujutsu battle. It's even hard for you to stand up, right?"

Miyachi Iwao looked straight at Rozen, his eyes hidden beneath his messy bangs, making it hard to discern his gaze. His tone was casual.

"Better to surrender and cooperate here. Do you really think, in this state, you can handle four independent exorcists and an elite exorcism unit?" Miyachi Iwao offered this advice.

Indeed, considering Rozen's current condition, let alone facing four independent exorcists, even dealing with the ordinary exorcists around was questionable.

Even in perfect condition, if the opponents were the 'Fire Demon' and the three valiant and skilled 'Twelve Divine Generals,' victory seemed highly unlikely without expending all of Rozen's trump cards, as seen just now.

As for Kinu and Gyokuto, they were undeniably formidable. Even displaying a fraction of their power as they did earlier, they could likely defeat Miyachi Iwao with ease.

Unfortunately, as Miyachi Iwao mentioned, Rozen couldn't fully unleash their potential. Even a fraction of their power consumed almost all of Rozen's remaining magical energy. If they engaged in battle, the extent of exhaustion would be predictable.

So, no matter how one looked at it, Rozen didn't stand a chance at this moment.

"Just cooperate with us. We won't harm you."

Seeing Rozen fall silent, Zenjirou Kogure offered advice as if seizing an opportunity.

"You'll be comming with us."

Yuge Mari, now calm, also spoke cautiously, realizing the opponent was not to be underestimated.

"Akikan..."

"...What are you planning to do?"

This time, Natsume and Suzuka looked at Rozen, seeming to suggest that he should comply.

Rozen glanced at Natsume, then at Suzuka, and finally felt the emptiness in his magic circuits and the weakness and dizziness caused by the loss of a considerable amount of blood. He sighed.

"Alright... I'll go with you."

Rozen declared calmly.

"Tsk..."

Kagami Reiji was dissatisfied, as if his interest had been disrupted.

And besides Kagami Reiji, everyone present, whether it was Natsume or Suzuka, or the exorcists like Kogure Zenjirou and Yuge Mari, all subtly sighed in relief.

"Well then, if you'll excuse us."

Miyachi Iwao once again bowed to Kinu and Gyokuto, then gestured to several exorcists to approach and arrest Rozen's group.

Watching the exorcists approaching, Suzuka had a self-deprecating thought.

(I never thought I'd be arrested again.)

It was indeed ironic.

"Hmm?"

At this moment, Suzuka inadvertently noticed something strange.

In front of the altar, for some reason, there was a mass of extremely condensed black aura pulsating.

(Miasma?)

Suzuka recognized its true nature with one glance.

It was a gathering of miasma.

Moreover...

(This... Isn't this a corporealized spiritual disaster? How is it so weak that no one noticed?)

Suzuka was filled with astonishment.

But then, Suzuka thought again.

(Could it be a byproduct born from the recent spiritual energy storm that distorted the surrounding spiritual veins?)

Then what exactly was the true nature of this mass of black aura?

Thinking this, Suzuka fell silent for a moment, discreetly forming a hand seal.

"Swoosh..."

The mass of black aura flew into Suzuka's palm and was concealed by her.

The exorcists then arrested Rozen's group and escorted them into the transport vehicles.

Not long after, all the transport vehicles started up and headed in the direction of the Onmyou Agency.