-584- The true mastermind

Watching Rozen display an intensity and even hostility he hadn't shown before towards Yashamaru, and even Kumomaru, everyone present couldn't help but be on high alert.

Perhaps Rozen was just a student, and it had been confirmed he wasn't the reincarnation of Yakou, but considering the strength he had displayed, no one could underestimate him.

Especially now, knowing that Rozen had completed the divine descent, summoning Kinu and Gyokuto. Both Yashamaru and Kumomaru couldn't help but hold Rozen in high regard, despite knowing his spiritual powers had been sealed.

At this moment, the fourth person in the room finally timidly spoke up.

"Akikan...?"

Soma Takiko, who had been sidelined since earlier, seemed to have been waiting for the right moment to intervene. She appeared nervous and uneasy.

Despite being the true mastermind among them and the one whom Yashamaru and Kumomaru served, not to mention being the "Princess" with some noble bloodline, Soma Takiko's presence was surprisingly low. She seemed almost like a timid child.

This might be because she couldn't gauge Rozen's reaction, which made her anxious and uneasy, causing her to act this way.

Despite her high status, Soma Takiko was just a simple girl. This was evident.

Rozen then shifted his gaze and looked at Soma Takiko.

"And then?" Rozen said, "Shouldn't you reintroduce yourself properly and let me know your true identity?"

In response to Rozen's straightforward question, Soma Takiko visibly relaxed. Perhaps it was a subconscious response to Rozen finally being willing to engage with her.

For this girl, Rozen deigning to speak to her seemed to be something worth celebrating.

Hence, Soma Takiko displayed a smile.

"I've already introduced myself. I am Soma Takiko, just Soma Takiko," she said.

"Of course, I won't claim to be an ordinary person. The Soma family was a renowned clan in the world of jujutsu in the past, although they've mostly retreated now. Despite being considered an unorthodox lineage in the world of jujutsu, we were known for our involvement in politics."

Upon hearing this, Rozen furrowed his brow. "Politics? That's an unexpected circle."

"Not active in the world of jujutsu but rather prominent in the political sphere as onmyoji?" Rozen looked at Soma Takiko. "You hail from such a family?"

"Yes," Soma Takiko placed a hand on her chest, smiling. "I am the direct heir of the Soma family, the sole bloodline successor of this generation."

That explained why Rozen hadn't heard of Soma Takiko before. If the family was now mostly withdrawn from the world of jujutsu and involved in politics, it made sense.

Although generally, focusing on political developments was a rare form of entertainment for citizens, the world of jujutsu was already exclusive.

Rozen, being a successor of the Tsuchimikado family, seldom paid attention to news beyond his field, opting to play games when he had the time.

But...

"Given that your family focuses on political development, what's the reason for causing chaos in the world of jujutsu now?" Rozen questioned somewhat sarcastically. "You know, the recent major events in the world of jujutsu can't be completely unrelated to you, can they?"

Makes sense, right?

Leaving aside the fact that the "Jou-i Daihara" and the "Jou-i Saihara" were caused by Yashamaru and Kumomaru, respectively, their identities were still intertwined with the chaos in the world of jujutsu.

"Leaving other matters aside, both of your shikigami are members of the Twin Horn Syndicate, followers of Yakou. One is even the leader, and the other is undoubtedly in a high-ranking position. Now they willingly serve you as Yase-Doji. If all of this is orchestrated by your Soma family, then your family is the mastermind behind the recent events in the world of jujutsu, right?"

Rozen cut to the chase, leaving Soma Takiko somewhat speechless.

In reality, Rozen's statement was correct.

Since Yashamaru and Kumomaru willingly served Soma Takiko, it indicated that they likely weren't resurrected after death and forced to become someone else's shikigami. Instead, they probably acted under the influence of the Soma family even before their deaths.

In other words, Dairenji Shidou and Mutobe Chihiro were already connected to the Soma family before their deaths.

"I have heard that the famous 'Professor' changed his surname because of marrying into the Dairenji family," Rozen recalled reports about Dairenji Shidou, then looked at Yashamaru. "And if I'm not mistaken, your original surname was probably Soma before marrying into the Dairenji family."

Although Soma Takiko claimed that there was only one legitimate successor in the Soma family, if there's a legitimate successor, there must be a branch.

"Dairenji Shidou is from a branch of the Soma family. So, entering the Imperial Palace under the Soma family's influence, becoming the head of the Spirit Control Division, and subsequently the leader of the Twin Horn Syndicate, they used these two identities to commit crimes. That's likely the correct answer."

Rozen said this, glancing at Kumomaru.

"And Mutobe Chihiro is Dairenji Shidou's confidant. Well, agreeing with his ideas and going along with them, it seems quite normal."

This was why Dairenji Shidou and Mutobe Chihiro were resurrected as Yashamaru and Kumomaru, respectively, and served Takiko Soma.

"After all, these two were originally working for the Soma family. Their existence from the beginning was to serve you willingly. Now that they are resurrected and become Yase-Doji, it's only natural."

If that's the case, it proves that the Twin Horn Syndicate was merely a puppet manipulated by the Soma family to achieve their goals, probably to pursue Yakou.

Because Yakou was a miracle in the world of jujutsu, and it would ultimately benefit the Soma family.

So, what is the ultimate goal of the Soma family?

In fact, this can be deduced from what Yashamaru and Kumomaru did during their lifetimes.

Why did Dairenji Shidou and Mutobe Chihiro trigger spiritual disasters and terrifying attacks, even at the cost of their own lives?

The answer is simple.

"Divine Descent," Rozen calmly articulated this term.

"The Soma family's goal is to achieve Divine Descent, right?"

With these words...

"Clap, clap, clap!"

The sound of applause rang clearly.

"Well done, truly impressive," Yashamaru couldn't help but applaud, expressing great joy.

"I didn't expect to be seen through to this extent. Oh my, it's so well done that I can't help but applaud."

Yashamaru laughed like this, but the atmosphere in the reception room grew colder.