-105- [ Karyusai ]

Akabane Resident, Akabane Kuukan's room.

Rozen arrived there and before he could even knock, a voice came from inside the room.

"Come in."

Upon hearing this, Rozen stopped his knocking and hesitated for a moment.

"Is it necessary for father to use 'Heaven's Eye' just to sense me?"

Muttering to himself, Rozen still pushed open the door and entered Akabane Kuukan's room.

Just as it was five years ago, Akabane Kuukan was seated on a tatami mat, with incense burning beside him.

"Father."

Rozen called out.

"Have a seat."

Akabane Kuukan, as always, was succinct in his words. He gestured to the space in front of him for Rozen to sit.

Rozen raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by the simplicity. In the past, whenever Akabane Kuukan needed him, he would state the matter directly, never bothering with such courtesy.

This made Rozen realize something.

"It seems that father has something very important for me to do."

Rozen spoke straightforwardly.

Akabane Kuukan raised his gaze and looked at Rozen.

"You're still as clever as ever." Akabane Kuukan said, and then murmured, "Unfortunately, you're not a descendant of the Akabane clan. Otherwise, you might be more suited than Tenzen to become the next head of the Akabane clan."

Rozen didn't even consider the idea of becoming a clan head. Although Akabane Kuukan treated him well, Rozen was ultimately not from this world. He would eventually leave and return to Chaldea to continue his mission of saving human history.

Therefore, Rozen would not become a clan head, tying himself down.

However, this wasn't something that needed to be explicitly stated.

For now, Rozen sat in front of Akabane Kuukan.

Looking at the young man before him, Akabane Kuukan couldn't help but feel a hint of emotion.

"I never would have thought that the baby I picked up casually back then would grow up to be this unique."

And not only that, but he had grown into a genius almost on par with Akabane Tenzen.

If it weren't for the difference in the "Crimson Wing Blood," this child would certainly not lose to Tenzen, right?

With his sharp mind and astute personality, if he continued on this path, there would come a day when his achievements would surpass anyone's.

Akabane Kuukan was confident about that.

But precisely because of that...

"Because of this, it's necessary for Nuragami to make this journey."

Akabane Kuukan took out a letter from his robe and handed it to Rozen.

"What is this...?"

"This is...!" Rozen took the letter and after examining it for a while, he looked at Akabane Kuukan with suspicion.

Seeing this, Akabane Kuukan began to speak. Just like when he mentioned the Izanagi clan five years ago, he asked a question.

"Do you know 'Karyusai'?"

— 'Karyusai'.

As the term entered Rozen's ears, he immediately looked up. How could he not recognize this name?

In the current Far East Island Nation, there wasn't a single person who didn't know this name. Because...

"That's the name of the puppet craftsman who created 'Oborofuji'."

Rozen stated the fact.

Indeed.

The name of the puppet craftsman who created 'Oborofuji' was Karyusai. It was because of him that automatons finally gained recognition in this country and were about to become popular.

Now, Akabane Kuukan was mentioning the very person who was the first in the field of automata.

And naturally, there was only one reason for it.

"For those of us in the Akabane family who can use the 'Crimson Wing Formation,' having powerful automatons would have a significant impact. With your intellect, you surely wouldn't overlook this, right?"

Akabane Kuukan gently alluded.

Indeed.

For the Akabane family, who could use the 'Crimson Wing Formation' secret technique to multiply their magic power by tenfold and control multiple automatons, the presence of strong automatons would greatly enhance their combat strength.

Just think about it, while a typical puppeteer would be exhausted after controlling a single automaton, the Akabane family could handle multiple automatons and even enhance their power using the 'Crimson Wing Formation' secret technique, unleashing even more terrifying strength. The disparity was evident even without overthinking.

"It can be said that this era belongs to our Akabane clan, a chance for our resurgence."

Akabane Kuukan stared directly at Rozen and spoke.

"In such circumstances, the importance of having a puppet craftsman capable of creating powerful automatons providing us with sufficient weaponry is self-evident, isn't it?"

By this point, Akabane Kuukan's meaning was clear.

"Invite Master Karyusai to join our Akabane clan."

Akabane Kuukan laid his purpose bare.

"We need the automatons he creates."

This was what Akabane Kuukan intended for Rozen to do.

"Are you suggesting..." Rozen exclaimed in astonishment, "that you want me to invite that puppet craftsman?"

Akabane Kuukan nodded.

To this, Rozen had one thing to say.

"It's impossible." Rozen said without hesitation, "If it were that easy, Karyusai's creations would have spread throughout the country long ago."

After all, he was the number one puppet craftsman in the nation. It was said that even the military could only have him serve once. After creating 'Oborofuji,' he hadn't made puppets for the military again.

He was a truly eccentric and unique puppet craftsman.

He enjoyed good wine and beautiful women, never showing any preference to anyone. He would only create a puppet when he was in the mood and sell it to someone he liked. For others, regardless of their status or background, this adept craftsman would never lend his work.

This was Karyusai.

And now, Akabane Kuukan was actually asking Rozen to invite this master to serve the Akabane clan? How was that possible?

"Moreover, hasn't there been recent rumors mentioning that this puppet craftsman is currently working on a series of automatons even higher in grade than 'Oborofuji'?"

Rozen searched his memory for a moment.

"I think it's called 'Setsugetsuka'?"

It consisted of three automatons in total, each with abilities comparable to or even surpassing 'Oborofuji', and priced equally high. Any one of them was worth as much as a warship, and they were said to be Karyusai's most ambitious creations. To fully dedicate himself to 'Setsugetsuka', Karyusai declined any other commissions and wouldn't be distracted by creating other automatons.

In that case, how could they possibly convince such a figure to come over?

"You don't need to worry about that."

Akabane Kuukan shook his head and said just that.

"You just need to deliver this letter into the hands of Master Karyusai. The rest will be for Master Karyusai to decide."

Akabane Kuukan's instructions concluded there.

Rozen looked at the letter in his hand. Although he didn't hold any hope of successfully inviting Karyusai, he couldn't help but feel curious about the puppet craftsman.

"I wonder if I can see the legendary 'Setsugetsuka' series?"

Even Rozen couldn't help but harbor such a desire. If he could obtain an automaton from the 'Setsugetsuka' series, then even if he didn't improve his 'Summoning Technique' and complete his research on the 'Crimson Wing Formation,' his combat strength would still receive a significant boost, right?

With this thought in mind, Rozen began to feel a sense of impatience.