-582- [ Yase-Doji ]

Tokyo, Onmyo Agency.

This wasn't Rozen's first time at the Onmyo Agency. However, this time, Rozen arrived not by invitation but under arrest.

Currently, Rozen walked through the corridors of the Onmyo Agency, a few healing talismans affixed to his body, replenishing lost vitality, allowing Rozen to finally stand and move.

But...

(Can I consider my current treatment good?)

Rozen thought as he glanced at his hands.

There, a pair of handcuffs inscribed with runes were worn.

With these handcuffs on, Rozen could clearly sense that even though his magical energy was slowly recovering, he couldn't channel even a shred of it.

In other words...

(These are curse tools designed to seal spiritual power, right?)

Indeed.

Rozen was now treated as the highest-level criminal. Even the handcuffs he wore were of the highest grade, sealing all his magical energy.

"Apologies, we can't treat you as an ordinary criminal. Once you recover, anything you do might not surprise us, so this is necessary," Miyachi Iwao said to Rozen.

"Also, we can't allow your Shikigami to stay by your side. Let's arrange a temporary separation."

After saying this, Miyachi Iwao had Kogure Zenjirou and Yuge Mari take Rozen's companions, Natsume and Suzuka, away. He personally led Kinu and Gyokuto and left the place.

Now, whether it was because Rozen's magical power was sealed or Natsume and Suzuka were confined in some kind of barrier, Rozen could sense that the spiritual connection between him and Natsume and Suzuka had become extremely blurry, unable to confirm where they were.

(If my Shikigami contract is already like this, with other contract forms, the spiritual connection might even be severed.)

Rozen thought.

As for Kinu and Gyokuto...

(That's not a problem; I can feel them at any time.)

After all, unlike Natsume and Suzuka, Kinu and Gyokuto had long turned into pure records, engraved deep into Rozen's soul. Only the manifestation of magical power was visible on the outside. In any way, Rozen couldn't sever the connection between him and them. If Rozen was willing, he could even dismiss Kinu and Gyokuto and summon them again in front of him.

Of course, once the summons are dismissed, to summon beings of the Kinu and Gyokuto's level again, Rozen would need to expend unimaginable amounts of magical energy. He might even have to release the Three-Stroke Command Seals and go all out with the "Crimson Wing Formation" to achieve it.

(Truly, these two Shikigami are incredibly powerful in various ways.)

Rozen chuckled to himself, then swiftly shifted his focus and looked around.

At this moment, four Mystical Investigation officials were escorting Rozen, marching him towards the depths of the Onmyou Agency, seemingly intending to detain him.

(So, what should I do next?)

Rozen pondered.

Choosing to compromise was merely a makeshift solution.

After all, Rozen was currently too weak. He needed to buy some time until he fully recovered.

And then...

(Regardless, I cannot stay in the Onmyou Agency any longer.)

That much was certain.

Because, if Rozen's deductions were correct...

(The Onmyou Agency is likely not trustworthy.)

Such a thought emerged in Rozen's mind.

Just as Rozen was thinking this...

"Sorry for the interruption."

A voice like this came from the front.

Rozen was momentarily startled, raised his head, and looked ahead.

There, in the corridor, a young man dressed like a gentleman, elegant in every move like a true gentleman, wearing a single-sided eyeglass, with a tall and upright figure, appeared.

"Thank you for your hard work."

The young man showed an elegant smile to the four Mystical Investigation officials escorting Rozen, speaking in this manner.

"From now on, leave this person to me. You may leave."

The young man's tone was elegant, but the content of his words carried a cold and unquestionable air.

"You are...?"

The four Mystical Investigation officials stopped in their tracks and displayed expressions of surprise.

Clearly, they did not recognize the young man before them, nor did they have any reason to follow this young man's instructions.

However, the young man didn't seem to have any intention of heeding the four Mystical Investigation officials present.

"Oh? Didn't catch that?"

The young man raised his head, stared at the four Mystical Investigation officials, maintaining a smile while enunciating each word.

"I said—'Leave this person to me. You may leave.'"

As the young man repeated these words, the expressions of the four Mystical Investigation officials froze, appearing dumbfounded.

The reason was simple.

This time, the young man's words carried a curse, imbued with magical force, making his voice forceful, dominating the minds of the four Mystical Investigation officials.

Rozen certainly recognized such methods.

"Kotodama..."

It was the Kotodamagaku technique within the Imperial-Style.

In this situation, the four Mystical Investigation officials retreated with vacant expressions, leaving only Rozen, who stared directly at the young man before him.

The young man maintained an elegant posture and bowed to Rozen.

"My apologies for the intrusion. I hope I didn't startle you."

The young man made a somewhat condescending remark.

To this, Rozen's tone seemed intriguing.

"If we're talking about being startled, there was indeed some surprise. I didn't expect you to appear at this moment."

Rozen said sincerely.

That tone was as if he had known about the young man's presence for a long time.

In fact, that was the case.

Although he hadn't truly met the person, it wasn't Rozen's first time encountering this young man.

At least, Rozen could recognize him.

"You're one of the Shikigami that was with Soma Takiko at that time, aren't you?"

Rozen said with great certainty.

"Indeed."

The young man didn't hide anything. He admitted surprisingly easily and, while maintaining etiquette, proceeded to introduce himself.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Yashamaru, one of the Princess's Shikigami."

At his words, Rozen narrowed his eyes.

"The Princess...?"

Rozen pondered the weight and significance of this title, while sizing up the young man named Yashamaru.

Upon closer inspection, Rozen immediately realized.

Yashamaru exuded a subtle Ogre aura.

In other words...

"You're a Ogre?"

Rozen asked.

"You've got it right." Yashamaru smiled without diminishing his amiability. He said, "My current essence is indeed that of a Ogre, and my formal name is 'Yase-Doji.'"

"Yase-Doji?" Rozen was truly astonished this time and looked at Yashamaru attentively. He continued, "So, you are Yase-Doji?"

[ Yase-Doji ] is not a reference to a specific individual but a designation for a group of Ogre. It is the collective term for the Ogre belonging to a group formed to serve the souls of noble bloodline warriors who died in battle, acting as guardian spirits in their afterlife.

If Yashamaru claimed to be Yase-Doji, then what kind of person is Soma Takiko, whom he served?

As Rozen was pondering this, Yashamaru took the initiative to speak.

"I came here this time without intending to cause offense. The Princess merely wishes to meet you."

Yashamaru said so.

"I wonder if you would grant her this favor?"