-1159- The top of the Keystone Gate

Itogami City, the Keystone Gate.

The most magnificent building in Itogami City is the central facility that manages the entire artificial island, and it's also a gathering place for high-end brands, making it the top fashion hub on the island.

In addition to that, the Keystone Gate also houses a museum and specialty shops for demon-related items, making it a popular tourist destination and a common knowledge for locals.

Thanks to the upcoming Harurouin Festival, tourists are flocking to the Keystone Gate, making it bustling with activity.

However, no one has noticed that the space around Itogami Island, centered around the Keystone Gate, is twisting and becoming increasingly severe.

Right now, only those with strong magical or spiritual powers and those unlucky enough to encounter severe distortions in space trigger random spatial shifts. But over time, this phenomenon will worsen, ultimately causing a complete displacement of space in Itogami City, engulfing everyone in chaos.

Rozen and La Folia arrived at the Keystone Gate under these conditions.

"We actually made it here."

La Folia gazed at the bustling building before them with a beautiful smile, expressing her confidence in Rozen.

Knowing that the spatial distortion around the Keystone Gate was severe, Rozen had already confirmed this earlier.

If the other party could trigger random spatial shifts based on the scale of magical and spiritual powers, then it meant that individuals like Rozen and La Folia, with exceptionally strong magical and spiritual powers, would be more likely to be affected the closer they were to the Keystone Gate, making it impossible to reach.

Upon encountering this situation, La Folia immediately emailed Rozen, not only to satisfy her personal wishes but also because she believed Rozen could resolve the situation.

As it turned out, Rozen didn't disappoint her expectations.

"Although I can't easily teleport in such distorted space, I still have a way to deal with the distortion."

Rozen shrugged beside La Folia.

If one were a keen magus or spiritualist, they would notice that Rozen's body was constantly fluctuating with magical energy at this moment.

Under this wave of fluctuations, the surrounding space distortion seemed to be corrected as if being smoothed out, gradually becoming calmer.

This was why Rozen and La Folia were able to reach the Keystone Gate.

Rozen was already a space manipulation mage comparable to Natsuki.

In that case...

"I can still control space with space manipulation magic and correct the distortion."

That's what Rozen was doing.

If Rozen gave up control over space, it would immediately revert to chaos, and Rozen would have already teleported to the Keystone Gate.

But even if space teleportation wasn't available, Rozen used space manipulation magic to correct the distortion all the way and eventually reached the Keystone Gate.

"This kind of technique, even the best court mage in Aldegyr can't do it. Nichiyo, you really live up to being the brother of the Witch of the Void."

La Folia's eyes towards Rozen became brighter and even showed a hint of joy.

This girl was already relieved and delighted by Rozen's excellence, indicating that in her heart, Rozen's status was completely different.

"If you want to praise me, it's still too early."

Rozen remained calm.

Staring at the top of the Keystone Gate, Rozen spoke.

"Can you sense it, La Folia?"

Rozen's words prompted La Folia to nod.

"The source of the distortion is at the top of the Keystone Gate."

La Folia affirmed this.

This reminded Rozen of something.

Recalling the mysterious girl he saw at the top of the Keystone Gate when he took the tram to school before.

(Is it possible...)

Rozen's expression became somewhat solemn.

"What's wrong?"

La Folia keenly noticed this and immediately asked.

"Nothing."

Rozen shook his head, not revealing his thoughts.

But...

"I'm going up to take a look." Rozen glanced at La Folia with a helpless expression. "Are you sure you want to come with me?"

"Of course." La Folia didn't hesitate to speak. "As a royal, how can I stand idly by when encountering such an interesting... such absurd event?"

"...You definitely wanted to say 'interesting,' didn't you?" Rozen twitched his mouth.

It seemed that this princess was participating enthusiastically simply because she found it interesting.

Otherwise, La Folia could have handed this anomaly over to the Itogami Island Management Cooperative, reported it to the Lion King Agency through Sayaka, or even let the Holy Ring Knights deal with it. There was no reason for her to email Rozen and invite him out, except for wanting to go on a date with him or get involved in this event.

For La Folia, this was probably rare entertainment and enjoyment, right?

"You're a princess who's afraid the world will be too peaceful."

Rozen sighed.

"Come on, let's go up."

La Folia smiled and opened her arms to Rozen.

Rozen smiled wryly, shook his head, and then reached out to embrace the princess.

Then, Rozen's body began to float slowly.

This abnormal situation went unnoticed by the people around them.

Because Rozen had already used concealment spell, making himself and La Folia invisible to others.

Thus, Rozen carried La Folia and flew from the West District all the way here.

And, he hadn't put on the cloak transformed by Kinu, but relied on the power of the seventh beast vassal, the "Kiffa Ater."

"This is the power of the Fourth Primogenitor's seventh beast vassal, the 'Kiffa Ater,' right?" La Folia held Rozen without hesitation, immediately recognizing the true nature of this ability.

"Exactly." Rozen didn't hide it either, nodding directly. "I released part of the power of the seventh beast vassal. Without summoning its true form, I'm only using its ability."

This is a skill that only very high-level vampires can master.

In other words, Rozen is now using its ability by relying on the beast vassal.

The ability of the seventh, "Kiffa Ater," is to manipulate gravity.

With this ability, Rozen is able to fly freely.

"Alright, let's go up."

"Hehe, I'm really looking forward to it."

Saying that, Rozen flew quickly with La Folia towards the top of the cornerstone gate.