-983- [ Lion King Organization ]

"————!"

When the calm and intellectual voice echoed in the ears of everyone present, the abrupt change surprised them all.

Rozen immediately turned around, looking at what was behind him.

There, a figure had appeared, seemingly there from the beginning, exuding a serene atmosphere like quietly awaiting something.

It was a girl.

The girl seemed slightly older than Rozen and others, with a calm and intellectual demeanor, glasses, holding a book, braided hair, and an exceptionally plain impression.

However, no one could think that this simple girl was an ordinary bookworm because her gaze towards them carried an undisturbed tranquility even in the face of potential world destruction.

Seeing the girl, not to mention Rozen, even Kojou and Nagisa were astonished again.

"Are you... a student from our school?"

Kojou hesitated as he asked.

"Is that the high school uniform? Are you a senior from the high school section?"

Nagisa, too, expressed her confusion as if losing her nervousness.

Yes.

The girl was wearing the uniform of Saikai Academy's high school section, indicating to Rozen and the others that she was their senior.

However...

"You... You're the 『Paper Noise』!?"

Veldiana, bound by the 『Injunction Shackles』, exclaimed in fear.

"『Paper Noise』?"

Rozen's eyes froze at the sudden use of this nickname, his gaze fixed on her.

In such a situation...

"I am Shizuka Koyomi."

The girl introduced herself with a tranquil tone, but her gaze also shifted to Rozen.

"It seems you recognize me, Divine Child."

At these words, Rozen suddenly smiled.

After all...

"Right back at you, you recognized me not because I'm famous at school, right?"

Rozen said with a smile that seemed almost mocking.

To this, the girl named Shizuka Koyomi neither admitted nor denied.

"As a Divine Child protected by the witch, we have only heard your name because of that."

Shizuka Koyomi spoke calmly, like a still pond.

"Mutual understanding." Rozen responded decisively, "We only know your name because my sister mentioned you, the 『Three Saints』 of the Lion King Organization."

——The Lion King Organization.

It is a special agency within the National Public Safety Commission of the Japanese government, responsible for dealing with large-scale artificially-induced magical disasters and intelligence work. It also serves as the agency representing the Japanese government in receiving and safeguarding major international figures.

Due to its nature as a covert organization, its existence is not publicly disclosed, but it holds significant influence over the political power of the country.

Headquartered in Japan, it includes the Magical Disaster Management Bureau, a shadow organization, and the educational institution Takamagahara. It serves as a force to restrain the demons in the Demon Sanctuary.

It is said that within the Lion King Organization, there are powerful attack mages, including some highly respected and extraordinarily powerful individuals.

The three most powerful attack mages in the Lion King Organization are known as the 『Three Saints』.

They are the highest leaders of the Lion King Organization, serving as a dam against the demons for the safety of the entire country.

Natsuki had mentioned the Lion King Organization to Rozen before.

As a national attack mage, Natsuki and the Lion King Organization, being a covert agency, are akin to political adversaries.

So, Natsuki had experienced setbacks a few times at the hands of the Lion King Organization, hindering her work and even missions, which greatly displeased her and was often brought up at home.

During those discussions, Natsuki had mentioned the title of the 『Three Saints』, allowing Rozen to know of their existence.

——The 『Paper Noise』.

This person is one of the 『Three Saints』 and also the leader among them, one of the most powerful attack mages among humans, possessing overwhelming strength.

When Natsuki spoke of this person, she even added a remark.

"Do not underestimate her; perhaps even the Primogenitor level of vampires would suffer losses at her hands."

In other words, this individual is capable of posing a threat to the Primogenitors.

Hence, Rozen's solemn demeanor.

Hence, Veldiana's fear.

And it's not surprising that the other party is aware of Rozen's existence.

As one of the highest leaders of the Lion King Organization, one of the strongest attack mages protecting the safety of the entire country, Shizuka Koyomi couldn't possibly be unaware of the rumors surrounding Rozen.

"About fifteen years ago, numerous organizations detected a tremendous divine aura descending on Itogami Island."

Shizuka Koyomi spoke calmly, as if stating a fact.

"At that time, the detection bureau of the Artificial Island Management Cooperative discovered a massive heat source appearing on the island. Simultaneously, within a few kilometers around the center of the heat source and divine aura, magical facilities fell into paralysis. A street near the center, with the heat source and divine aura, almost melted. Many people in the vicinity lost consciousness simultaneously. It was fortunate that the 『Witch of the Void』 was present, preventing casualties. However, after that incident, the divine aura and heat source disappeared. Except for the 『Witch of the Void』, no one knows what exactly happened there. All that is known is that after that, the witch had a child."

Due to this information, many organizations that detected the divine aura began paying attention to this child. They extended hands containing various calculations and interests, intending to reach this child.

The person who protected this child from many malicious intentions was the petite yet extraordinarily great witch.

As one of the top human covert agencies, the Lion King Organization was naturally one of the organizations that detected the divine aura.

"Whether it's fortunate or unfortunate, due to the nature of our organization, we in the Lion King Organization have many highly qualified shrine maidens. On that day, almost simultaneously, they sensed the divine aura. Even now, some individuals with exceptionally high spiritual sensitivity can occasionally perceive that there is divine aura fluctuating on this island, proving that the level of that divine aura is extremely high, and its scale is sufficient to make people worldwide sense it."

Shizuka Koyomi looked at Rozen.

"So, we are extremely curious about you, Your Highness."

Implicit in her words is the fact that they have been keeping an eye on Rozen for quite some time.

And because of this...

"We do not wish to be enemies with you, let alone with that witch."

Shizuka Koyomi continued to speak calmly.

"Could you please hand over the 'Key' to us for safekeeping?"

With these words, the atmosphere in the air began to turn somewhat ominous.

"So, that's what you're saying?"

"As long as I don't hand over this so-called 'Key' to you, you're willing to become enemies with me, is that the idea?" Rozen raised the metal rod in his hand and casually uttered these words.

As a result, the ominous atmosphere immediately became tense and charged.