-1037- Keystone Gate

The commotion happening on Itogami Island was just distant noise to the old southeast area, where the bridge had been cut off. On this gloomy and oppressive artificial island, a shadow flew in from the direction of Itogami Island, ignoring the noise.

Upon closer inspection, the shadow was carrying a fairy-like girl in its arms.

"Nichiyo...?" Avrora exclaimed, surprised and concerned.

The person flying towards the old southeast area with Avrora naturally was Rozen.

At this moment, Rozen was draped in a magnificent, elegant, and pitch-black coat, sprinkled with dazzling sparks. He floated lightly in the air, resembling a streak of flowing light as he flew towards the old southeast area.

Avrora was astonished by the coat Rozen wore.

Because Avrora had witnessed firsthand how the terrifying flames released in an instant melted the bridge like butter and evaporated most of the seawater, displaying the power of the three-legged crow, Kinu, transforming into this coat draped over Rozen, who then carried her while streaking through the flames like a shooting star.

Under such circumstances, Avrora couldn't help but be amazed.

But on the other hand, Avrora also felt worried for Rozen.

"Sigh..." Rozen let out a tired breath, his face somewhat pale.

Rozen carried Avrora, flying towards the old southeast area, while smiling at the girl who showed concern.

"It's okay, just spent quite a bit of blood, the price of showing off, I suppose," Rozen said dismissively.

Avrora could understand this to some extent.

Even though she's quite full, she's a matrice of the Fourth primogenitor, and a vampire too, she could still understand that Rozen had just consumed a large amount of blood, causing his magical power to surge.

It was because she understood that Avrora felt worried.

"You lost more blood than I imagined. Are you really okay?" Avrora said so.

Indeed, in order to use part of Kinu's power, Rozen activated the secret technique of the Crimson Wing Formation, causing his magical power to surge tenfold.

But Rozen was not reckless. Although he used the Crimson Wing Formation, he did not let Kinu exert its full power. Otherwise, with Kinu's power, how could it be simple to just burn down a bridge?

From this perspective, Rozen certainly held back.

However, if he held back, Rozen shouldn't have consumed too much blood. After all, he only activated the Crimson Wing Formation for an instant. Why would he be weakened like this?

Therefore, Avrora said that Rozen lost more blood than she imagined.

That was natural.

"To deal with what's coming next, I can't afford to hold back anymore. So, after that moment, I increased the amplification factor of the Crimson Wing Formation to the highest hundredfold and summoned one of my biggest helpers to assist me. It's inevitable to end up like this," Rozen said helplessly.

"One of your biggest helpers...?" Avrora was somewhat puzzled.

"You'll understand soon," Rozen didn't explain much, just muttered as he applied a blood replenishment talisman to himself.

"Although, if possible, I hope she won't need to intervene later," Rozen said, disregarding Avrora's doubts, and accelerated again, flying into the old southeast area.

Behind him, there seemed to be an unseen presence swaying and silently following.

...

"Ah..."

"Ah..."

As Rozen entered the old southeast area from high altitude, these sounds entered his ears.

These were the sounds coming from the figures on the ground.

On the streets of the old southeast area, figures were wandering unsteadily, emitting irrational cries, resembling wild beasts, very ugly.

Those people naturally have been infected with the vampire infection and have become vampires, even demons.

They seem to be wandering aimlessly because there's no one left to attack.

"Mmm..."

Watching this scene, Avrora lowered her eyes in sorrow.

On the other hand, Rozen, as if mentally prepared long ago, paid no attention to the ground's condition, simply turned his gaze towards a direction.

There, stood a massive building.

"Is that... Keystone Gate...?"

―― "Keystone Gate."

It is a huge building located in the center of the old southeast area.

The main structure of the building is six stories tall, and it used to house the municipal government of the former Itogami City and the headquarters of the Itogami Island Management Cooperative.

Therefore, not only is it massive in scale, but its appearance is also spectacular. The exterior walls are extensively adorned with magically reinforced transparent diamond glass, making the building look like a giant jewel palace. In the center of that palace-like structure is a huge clock tower resembling a hexagonal crystal.

It was once a landmark that showcased the technology of the demon sanctuary Itogami Island to the world. However, after the decision to demolish the old southeast area, it was abandoned and turned into an uninhabited ruin that ordinary people were prohibited from entering.

Rozen could see a massive gathering of magical power heading towards that location through his Spirit Vision.

What does that prove?

"Is that the center of the ritual?" Rozen stared at the beautiful yet empty glass castle.

"Nichiyo..."

Avrora seemed to sense something, her face full of unease.

Rozen lowered his head, showing a fearless smile to Avrora.

"Let's go," Rozen simply said.

"Okay!" Although feeling nervous and uneasy, Avrora didn't resist at all, nodding heavily.

So, Rozen carried Avrora and flew directly towards Keystone Gate.

Their destination was the central square of Keystone Gate.

In this square covered by a glass ceiling, twelve coffins were arranged in a fan shape.

Then, a figure stood in front of that fan-shaped arrangement.

"You've finally arrived, candidate of Itogami Island."

A somewhat flamboyant and affected voice came from the figure, welcoming Rozen as he descended from the sky with a smile.

Seeing this person, Avrora held her breath, while Rozen squinted his eyes.

"Balthazar Zaharias..."

It was none other than Balthazar Zaharias, who had taken over the first Kaleid Blood's rib, becoming it's blood servant, possessing an immortal life and the right to command the fourth Primogenitor's first Beast Vassal, and subsequently attacked the Ardeal principality of the Warlord Dominion and the Dynasty of Destruction of the Caucasus. Now, he has recovered many Matrices and is a weapons dealer for both sides — Balthazar Zaharias.

Rozen saw that behind him, lying in the twelve coffins, were girls who looked exactly like Avrora.

These girls were all wearing protective suits with Roman numerals inscribed on them.

The Roman numerals were, respectively, "I," "II," "III," "IV," "V," "VII," "VIII," "IX," "XI."

These were No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 7, No. 8, No. 9 and No. 11