-583- The more irritating the longer I look

On the top floor of the Onmyou Agency, not far from the director's office, there is a reception room specifically used to entertain important guests.

This reception room is usually reserved for government officials. Despite the mystical world being quite exclusive and having minimal interaction with the outside, the public still holds opinions about the world of magic.

To maintain a good relationship and avoid causing discomfort due to misunderstandings about the mystical world, the Onmyou Agency has prepared this reception room.

Guided by Yashamaru, Rozen arrived here.

Upon arrival, a girl dressed in the Onmyou Academy uniform was sitting on the sofa, fidgeting as if expecting something. Behind her stood a man who resembled a scholar, guarding her meticulously.

"Akikan!"

As Rozen walked in, the girl immediately jumped up, her eyes brightening, and she gazed at Rozen intently, a wide smile on her face.

"Soma Takiko..."

Looking at this girl whom he had only seen once, Rozen slowly spoke her name.

However, more than Soma Takiko, Rozen's attention was drawn to the man guarding her behind.

The man seemed to turn his head and look at Rozen, locking eyes with him.

Observing the eyes that were full of enlightenment, rationality, and intellect, Rozen instantly recognized the man.

Although much younger than when they last met, the individual in front of Rozen emitted a similar eerie Ogre aura as Yashamaru, confirming that they were indeed one of the Yase-Doji.

Given that the Yase-Doji were guardian spirits formed from the souls of fallen warriors, Rozen found nothing particularly surprising about this person's resurrection as a Ogre entity.

"Should I say long time no see, Mr. Mutobe Chihiro?" Rozen quipped, wearing a smile that was more sly than genuine.

Yes.

Mutobe Chihiro.

The man with a scholarly demeanor before him was the mastermind behind the "Jou-i Saihara," the former Spirit Control Division member who orchestrated a terrorizing attack using spirits. He was a devotee of the Twin Horn Syndicate—Mutobe Chihiro.

Acknowledging the name Rozen had mentioned—Mutobe Chihiro, or rather Kumomaru, remained silent.

"I am now just one of the Yase-Doji, affiliated with the princess as her Shikigami. My name is Kumomaru."

The person did not deny or confirm, merely speaking these words.

However, from their enlightened and slightly sorrowful gaze, Rozen could still discern that this man, just like when they last met, still held a certain level of respect for Rozen's presence.

"Is that so?" Rozen nonchalantly nodded, then turned to Yashamaru behind him, speaking thoughtfully, "In that case, I'm a bit curious about your identity before you passed away. Would you mind introducing yourself in that regard?"

Given that Mutobe Chihiro was reborn as Kumomaru in the guise of Yase-Doji, it's likely that Yashamaru, also an Yase-Doji, had undergone a similar transformation—returning as a Shikigami after death. If that's the case, who was Yashamaru in his human life?

Rozen already had a suspicion.

"I believe you were once a member of the Spirit Control Division, a member of the Twin Horn Syndicate, and perhaps even the individual who, like Kumomaru, triggered the horrifying spiritual attacks, am I correct?" Rozen revealed the person's identity.

To this, Yashamaru responded with an elegant smile, "You have keen insight."

Such a sentence came from Yashamaru.

In other words...

"Although it's hardly worth mentioning, I indeed committed many impetuous actions in my past life. As for my name, you've probably guessed it."

Yashamaru introduced himself with a smile that made one's skin crawl.

"Dairenji Shidou—this was my name in my past life."

—Dairenji Shidou.

The former head of the Spirit Control Division, the mastermind of the Twin Horn Syndicate, widely known for triggering the first-ever spiritual attack in history two years ago, the orchestrator of the "Jou-i Daihara" a prominent member of the "Twelve Divine Generals," hailed as the "The Professor," a national-level Onmyouji.

Simultaneously, he was the biological father of Dairenji Suzuka, subjecting her to various forbidden rituals as if she were an experiment.

Yashamaru was none other than Dairenji Shidou.

One of the two Yase-Doji serving Soma Takiko, one was Dairenji Shidou, and the other was Mutobe Chihiro, not only were they former members of the Spirit Control Division but also devout followers of the Twin Horn Syndicate. They were individuals who had triggered spiritual attacks of terror in the past.

"It seems you've done quite a lot to my Shikigami," Rozen commented, staring at Yashamaru and calmly stating these words.

"How dreadful," Yashamaru responded with a feigned and mannered tone, "To think my incompetent daughter would become your Shikigami. That was something I didn't expect."

Yashamaru's words and manner, while still oozing with politeness and grace, revealed a chilling essence.

Regardless of how one looked at it, this person did not feel any remorse or wrongdoings for what they had done. Even with a smile on their face, one could still glimpse the cold cruelty and ruthlessness hidden within.

And this kind of person...

"Coincidentally, is the type I detest the most."

Rozen raised his hand, indicating the handcuffs on his wrist, and smiled at Yashamaru.

"Can you help me unlock these?"

The moment these words came out of Rozen's mouth, the air around them turned considerably colder.

So, the three present had no doubt that once the handcuffs were removed, Rozen would do something drastic.

"Being a renowned entity of the Yase-Doji and a national-level Onmyouji of the 'Twelve Divine Generals' in your previous life, you shouldn't mind bestowing some teachings, right?" Rozen said, staring at Yashamaru with an icy indifference that wasn't present before.

This made a faint smile retreat from Yashamaru's face, replaced by a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

Subsequently, Yashamaru spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness and spoke.

"You really do enjoy jesting. While I've indeed become stronger compared to my past life, I still cannot claim I can spar with someone who accomplished the miracle of divine descent. Rather than that, I am very interested in how you completed the ritual. Therefore, I'd like to request your teachings."

This was what Yashamaru said, genuine curiosity and a desire for knowledge visible in his eyes.

Inquiring.

From the beginning until now, this was the only genuine sentiment within Yashamaru, everything else was mere pretense.

This was the former head of the Spirit Control Division, the leader of the Twin Horn Syndicate, and the nationally acclaimed Onmyouji known as the "The Professor."

Truly...

"It's becoming more irritating the longer I look at you," Rozen said, keeping his gaze locked on Yashamaru, his expression now exceedingly cold.

The temperature in the entire reception room plummeted.