-127- The same disaster

The Akabane Resident.

This grand mansion, which houses all members of the Akabane clan, used to be brightly lit during the night.

"The night is the time for mercenaries to act."

Following this principle, even at night, the Akabane clan would be bustling with activity.

Sometimes they would gather together to practice puppetry.

Other times they would sit cross-legged and cultivate their magical powers.

Occasionally, they would engage in various activities within their rooms.

And sometimes they would gather to drink and chat, sharing stories and anecdotes.

This was the state of the Akabane Clan in the past. From an aerial view, one would see a thriving family settlement, far from resembling a mercenary clan that lived by the sword.

However, today, this mansion has undergone a drastic change.

No people can be seen.

No belongings are visible.

No puppets are in sight.

No signs of vitality remain.

All that meets the eye is a blazing inferno.

Yes.

The entire Akabane clan estate is on fire.

Rushing back to the Akabane clan in less than a day through the high-speed flight of his familiar, Rozen witnesses this scene upon his return.

"————"

Staring at that blinding crimson, Rozen falls into a daze.

Vaguely, he seems to see the scene from fifteen years ago in Chaldea.

Back then, under Lev's conspiracy, the control room was similarly engulfed in flames, and everything in sight resembled the current scene—engulfed in roaring flames.

And for Mash, who was important to Rozen, was buried beneath the rubble within that sea of fire and debris.

Could it be that, after fifteen years, he's facing the same disaster again?

"Damn it…!"

Without hesitation, Rozen leaps off his eagle familiar and dives down from the sky.

"Buzz!"

The telekinesis, transformed from his magical power, immediately envelops Rozen's body with its pure energy. After five years of training, Rozen's "Telekinesis" has become so refined that it can wrap around his entire body, allowing him to fly with sheer thought.

Rozen carelessly expends his magical power, controlling his own body with telekinesis, and gently descends in front of the Akabane Clan's main gate.

"〈Summon Fire Rat〉!"

A blazing red fire rat is summoned by Rozen, bathed in flames, and leaps onto Rozen's shoulder.

Then, Rozen rushes into the inferno that has engulfed the Akabane Family.

As soon as the flames, capable of incinerating even human bodies, touch Rozen, the fur of the fire rat on his shoulder glows briefly, emitting a warm sensation.

With the fire rat's protection, the flames cannot harm Rozen.

Without a care, Rozen charges into the sea of fire, entering the Akabane Family.

...

In the end, Rozen witnesses the same scene he saw in Chaldea's control room fifteen years ago.

"Inferno."

"Thud…"

With a muffled sound, charred wood falls from the ceiling, rolling onto the ground.

Rozen stands before the Akabane Clan's main gate, taking in the scene.

Burning bodies within the flames.

Fresh bloodstains on the ground.

Remains of puppets scattered all around.

Numerous holes in the walls, testifying to fierce and brutal battles.

Facing it all, Rozen finds himself unable to move.

No way.

"You're too late, Nuragami."

A familiar yet unfamiliar voice reaches Rozen's ears, causing him to slowly raise his head and look ahead.

Before him, an elegantly dressed handsome young man is emerging from the depths of the flames.

A familiar face.

Familiar eyes.

Familiar demeanor.

Familiar figure.

"Ten-nii…"

It is indeed Akabane Tenzen.

However, the person Rozen finds so familiar has a unfamiliar emotion in his face and eyes—coldness.

What makes Rozen even more unfamiliar is the entity following Akabane Tenzen.

Six girls, dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, untouched by the flames, veiled with cloths bearing Chinese characters, concealing their faces, give an air of mystery and danger.

The six girls follow closely behind Akabane Tenzen, emerging from the sea of fire alongside him.

And in Akabane Tenzen's hand, he holds a half-dead young man.

"Raishin!"

It is none other than Akabane Raishin.

"Ugh…"

At this moment, Akabane Raishin is covered in burns, with his entire body blackened and covered in scars. He is barely clinging to life, only able to emit painful groans.

For this younger brother he had always cared for, Akabane Tenzen not only lifts him up as if he's holding trash but also speaks in such a manner.

"I didn't kill him because he still has some value left to be extracted."

With an indifferent tone, Akabane Tenzen throws Akabane Raishin directly in front of Rozen.

"Thud!"

Akabane Raishin crashes heavily in front of Rozen.

"Splurt!"

A mouthful of blood spurts from Akabane Raishin's mouth.

"…!"

Rozen tightly clenches his fists and doesn't rush forward.

"…You've held back well," Akabane Tenzen says, sounding surprised and yet confirming his expectations, "Even though you've been smart since childhood, I thought that when faced with all this, even someone as smart as you would inevitably act impulsively."

Indeed, Rozen now feels the urge to dismiss everything in front of him.

But...

"Acting impulsively again won't change what's going to happen. It won't change anything. So why should I act impulsively?"

Rozen speaks softly, as though suppressing all his emotions.

If possible, Rozen naturally wants to prevent everything in front of him.

But since the situation has already occurred, Rozen can only endure it, channeling his emotions and impulsiveness into something else.

This way, he can convert them into strength when he needs to vent.

This is Rozen's approach. The more dire the situation, the more he can showcase his qualities and abilities.

"You truly live up to your reputation."

Akabane Tenzen responds with just this much.

Akabane Clan's "Heaven's Child" and "Divine Child" exchange glances within the sea of flames. One is filled with indifference, while the other is brimming with emotion.

Then, a brief exchange of questions and answers begins.

"Where's Father?"

"His body should be in the fire over there, along with everyone else in the clan."

"...Did you do all this?"

"Yes."

"...Why?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"...Is that so?"

"Because you're only interested in your own training. Your perspective is too narrow to see anything greater."

The two provide clear-cut questions and answers. One stifles their emotions, while the other freezes them.

And then...

"What about Nadeshiko?"

Rozen asks the final question.

He receives this response in return.

"She's dead."

Akabane Tenzen proclaims it calmly.

"I've disassembled her body, used it as material, and created these six automatons here."

All six girls following behind Akabane Tenzen are automatons.

Moreover, they are automatons personally crafted by Akabane Tenzen.

Using his own sister's body.

"...I understand."

Rozen lowered his head.

A tremendous surge of magical power emanates from him.

"Caw!"

A massive eagle swoops down from the sky, its sharp talons reaching towards Akabane Tenzen's head.