"————Onmyoudou Head Family Tsuchimikado solemnly declares to Taizan Fukun and the gods of the underworld————"
Within the braziers, upon the altar, the solemn prayers began to resound.
"————Here, as the sun and moon, I, Tsuchimikado Akikan, in the name of the current successor of Tsuchimikado, pass down the secret techniques————"
Rozen held the folded paper filled with prayers in his hand. His tone remained unchanged, as lazy and casual as before, yet the recited prayers ultimately exuded a solemn feeling.
"————O gods, let the ancestral spirits return to their rightful places, and guide the future generations————"
Rozen proceeded to recite the prayers in sections, his voice resounding throughout the venue.
During this process, Rozen's jutsuryoku continued to fluctuate, sometimes burning like flames, sometimes flowing smoothly like water, sometimes raging like a wild wind, and sometimes roaring like thunder and lightning. His reiki appeared to ebb and flow, exhibiting a remarkable phenomenon.
To an ordinary person witnessing this, the ritual would seem sacred and solemn.
However, for onmyoji gifted with Spirit Sight, this was a truly shocking scene.
Because, along with the movement of reiki and jutsuryoku, the world around the Heaven's Altar gradually began to change.
It was as if an unseen aspect descended here, slowly overlapping with the present world, emitting a terrifying aura that the naked eye could not perceive.
What kind of aura was this?
Reiki?
Miasma?
No.
If one had to describe it, there was only one term that fit.
————"Divine Aura."
Only in this way could one describe this aura that seemed to replace the entire world.
Sensing this aura, both Natsume and Dairenji Suzuka widened their eyes. Not to mention holding their breath, even their heartbeats seemed to stop.
"Boom!"
At this moment, the sound of burning resounded again, awakening Natsume and Dairenji Suzuka.
The two girls then noticed that the folded paper filled with prayers in Rozen's hand was burning, turning into flames and vanishing in his hand.
Following that, the pervasive divine aura suddenly surged, turning into a soaring reiki, like brilliant columns of light, shooting straight into the sky and disappearing into the night.
"Rumble..."
In the roar, the night sky into which the columns of light injected began to churn.
A dark vortex appeared there, like a gateway to another world, its hollow center emitting a light.
In this moment, both Natsume and Dairenji Suzuka felt something.
A sensation as if their souls were being drawn away.
Rozen also gazed at the sky, staring at the vortex, his eyes flickering slightly.
At this moment, Rozen could feel deep within his soul that the familiars inscribed in the form of records were vibrating as if sensing something, collectively resonating.
Moreover, even the "Miracles" directly linked to his own soul trembled slightly, emitting a faint light.
This told Rozen.
On the other side of the vortex was another world.
A world that allowed only souls and gods to exist.
Yes.
Just like in Chaldea's world, where the inner and outer sides housed the records of Heroic Spirits, the history of gods, and the existence of phantasms.
If this were Chaldea's world, the vortex before them would probably drive all magus to madness.
Because, by passing through there, one could reach the outside of the world, reach the "Origin".
Unfortunately, this was not Chaldea; there was no "Origin" here, nor the concept of the "Throne." This vortex only led to the underworld and the heavenly realm.
Furthermore, humans could not pass through there; only souls could enter.
And once inside, it was only natural that they could never return.
At this point, Rozen's soul stabilized, and the ring on his hand also calmed down, as if losing interest in the miracle before them.
Naturally, this included Rozen himself.
"————I call upon Dairenji Toshiya's spirit————"
Rozen calmly chanted the final prayer.
In the sky, from the dark vortex, numerous lights suddenly sprinkled down, shining on the altar.
Not long after...
"Suzuka...?"
The voice of a unfamiliar and young boy rang out with a hint of confusion.
Hearing this voice, Dairenji Suzuka's eyes welled up with tears.
"Big brother!"
Dairenji Suzuka rushed towards the altar, her voice choked with tears.
After many years, this harshly fated brother and sister were finally reunited.
...
Mount Gozan, at the foot of the mountain.
Rozen and Natsume descended together along the mountain path, coming here and patiently awaiting Dairenji Suzuka's return.
The ritual was successful.
Now, the spirit of Dairenji Toshiya had descended, currently in conversation with his sister.
To not disturb the reunion of this brother and sister, Rozen and Natsume left together.
"The effects of the ritual will last for some time, so make the most of it."
Leaving these words to Dairenji Suzuka, Rozen no longer presided over the ritual and left with Natsume to the foot of the mountain.
Although it was said this way, even at the foot of the mountain, the two could still sense the surging and spectacular reiki fluctuations from the mountaintop.
Such a spectacular reiki fluctuation was probably like a blazing fire in the dark night, undoubtedly catching the attention of all nearby onmyoji.
"The commotion caused by this ritual is too great. Even if we set up a barrier, it's probably impossible to conceal it. The nearby onmyoji will definitely notice, and there's no way to slip through unnoticed."
Rozen gazed towards the mountaintop, speaking in a manner of being detached from the matter.
"S-So, that's why I said not to do this!"
Natsume seemed to still harbor some grudges, but she too kept her eyes fixed on the direction of the mountaintop, her eyes sparkling with fascination.
There was no help for it.
Regarding the miracle happening before their eyes, as long as one was an onmyoji, they couldn't resist it.
To witness the long-standing ritual of the Tsuchimikado family, Natsume would probably feel quite satisfied, wouldn't she?
The master and Shikigami watched in the direction of the mountaintop together, engaging in a relaxed conversation without any tension.
"I wonder how the Imperial-style 'Taizan Fukun Ritual' is like?"
"I don't know. After all, only Yakou has ever used it."
"But Yakou based the Imperial-style technique on the 'Taizan Fukun Ritual' passed down through generations of the Tsuchimikado family, right? It proves that the two are not too different?"
"We don't know that. But you shouldn't go and try it, okay?"
"..."
"Don't! Try! It!"
"...Alright, I get it."
The two carried on with this somewhat nonchalant conversation.
"Hey, Akikan."
A while later, Natsume suddenly spoke up.
"If I were to die someday, would you, like Dairenji Suzuka, use forbidden techniques at all costs to resurrect me?"
Natsume suddenly asked this question.
Rozen was momentarily taken aback, turning to look at Natsume.
Natsume also turned her head and looked at Rozen.
Their eyes met, locking onto each other.
"Would you?"
Natsume asked softly, her voice carrying an unknown emotion.
In response, Rozen didn't choose to evade but instead followed his heart and gave this answer.
"I would."
Rozen uttered these word.
Although it was only one word, the emotions it carried were likewise extremely rich.
"Is that so?"
Natsume's voice lowered, but her gaze at Rozen became gentle.
The two turned their heads like this and looked back in the direction of the mountaintop.
Not far away, fireworks were blooming.
About half an hour later, the Reiki fluctuations that had been constant at the peak of Mt Gozan disappeared.
The once densely dark sky returned to its original state.
The dissipating divine energy gradually drifted away.
Even the flickering flames of the bonfire, visible from the mountaintop, vanished, leaving behind a quiet and profound Mt Gozan.
Soon after, Dairenji Suzuka descended from the mountain.
With reddened eyes and tear-streaked face, she appeared before Rozen and Natsume without the arrogance and brashness she had displayed when they first met.
In response to this, Natsume didn't know what to say, and Rozen simply looked at Dairenji Suzuka silently, saying nothing.
Because everything that needed to be said had surely been clarified between Dairenji Suzuka and her brother.
As expected...
"I won't consider using the 'Taizan Fukun Ritual' anymore."
Dairenji Suzuka, her voice hoarse from crying, spoke while shedding tears.
"Brother... didn't't want that..."
This was Dairenji Suzuka's reasoning.
Thinking about it, it was only natural.
If Dairenji Toshiya truly cared for his sister and knew that she intended to touch taboos for his sake, even willing to sacrifice her own life to bargain for his, then he would definitely stop her, wouldn't he?
For Rozen and Natsume, regardless of what was said, Dairenji Suzuka would never give up, but it was different when it came to Dairenji Toshiya.
Therefore, upon learning her brother's intentions, Dairenji Suzuka would not continue to do such a thing, no matter what.
"The departed have passed on; let them rest."
Rozen uttered only this sentence, causing Dairenji Suzuka to nod in an unusually obedient manner.
It seemed that Dairenji Suzuka's obsession had indeed been dispelled.
However, it remained unknown what Dairenji Suzuka would prepare to do after this.
Originally, Dairenji Suzuka intended to use the 'Taizan Fukun Ritual' of the Imperial-style to resurrect her brother, which was why she pursued the international top-grade Onmyoji qualification and became an expert in researching the Imperial-style.
Now, with this purpose gone, one couldn't help but worry about what Dairenji Suzuka would plan next.
In fact, Dairenji Suzuka spoke for herself.
"I no longer have a reason to return to the Onmyo Agency."
Dairenji Suzuka self-mockingly said these words.
"I might as well wait here for the Onmyo Agency to arrive and let them handle it."
This was the only way out that Dairenji Suzuka could think of.
Although Dairenji Suzuka ultimately did not perform the 'Taizan Fukun Ritual', her research into soul magic had already bordered on taboo.
Moreover, being the daughter of Dairenji Shidou, who already drew significant attention within the Onmyo Agency, attempting to break taboos this time would undoubtedly be quickly discovered by these watchful eyes, and they would seize the opportunity to apprehend her.
Previously, Dairenji Suzuka had prepared to sacrifice her own life to resurrect her brother. So, after she was confident in achieving the 'Taizan Fukun Ritual', she disregarded these people. Therefore, there would definitely be plenty of evidence left in her research room that could be discovered at any time.
Moreover, Natsume brought this piece of news.
"After my brother left us, he seemed to have immediately reported to the Onmyo Agency with Touji. So, the mystical investigators are on its way."
One could only say that this was an inevitable outcome.
In summary, Dairenji Suzuka was certain that she would not escape being captured by the Bureau of Onmyo.
However, she appeared indifferent to all this, her eyes revealing only confusion.
Seeing this, Rozen understood that this young girl was still too young after all, even though she possessed excellent jutsu skills and magical talent. Her mental state was still immature.
Thinking about this, Rozen said something to Dairenji Suzuka.
"You remember what you said, right? That as long as I help you, you'll do anything?"
Rozen brought up this matter.
"This..."
Dairenji Suzuka was stunned.
Looking at Dairenji Suzuka in this state, Rozen smiled slightly.
"Although you said you'd agree to anything if I helped you resurrect your brother, now that you've decided not to bring him back and I've allowed you to meet him, logically speaking, you owe me a favor. That should be enough for me to make a request, right?"
Rozen spoke in a straightforward manner.
In response, Dairenji Suzuka fell silent for a moment and then let out a disdainful snort.
"If you want to propose a condition, that's your business, but don't blame me for reminding you. I will soon be taken away by the mystical investigators and face disciplinary action. Don't place too much hope on me."
The implication was that if she was powerless, there was nothing Dairenji Suzuka could do. On the other hand, if there was a way, she would agree.
It was quite a circuitous way of speaking.
Rozen smirked.
"Very well..."
Rozen presented a condition.
"Be my Shikigami."
When this sentence came from Rozen's mouth, both of the girls present were dumbfounded.
"Shi... Shikigami...?"
Dairenji Suzuka was utterly astonished.
"Huh? Huh huh huh huh...!?"
Natsume, even more astonished, exclaimed.
...
Later, the mystical investigator's forces arrived at the foot of Mt Gozan.
They surrounded Rozen's group of three and also brought Harutora and Touji with them.
"Are you alright!?"
Harutora rushed over in a hurry.
"It seems like it was resolved smoothly."
Touji was a little regretful, displaying a somewhat disappointed appearance.
Of course, both of them also saw Dairenji Suzuka, but they didn't know that she was the one who sent a Shikigami to call Rozen away earlier. Hence, they were somewhat surprised.
"This person looks familiar...?"
"Isn't this the 'Child Prodigy' of the 'Twelve Divine Generals'?"
Harutora and Touji were somewhat dazed.
However, disregarding the reactions of the two, the mystical investigators surrounded Dairenji Suzuka.
"National first-class Onmyoji, Dairenji Suzuka, you are suspected of engaging in forbidden techniques. You are being arrested on charges of magical crimes. Please cooperate."
The captain of the mystical investigator's team sternly shouted these words and took Dairenji Suzuka away.
Dairenji Suzuka didn't resist and let the mystical investigators take her away. However, she no longer displayed sorrow and pain in her expression, nor did she appear strong and arrogant. All that was left was confusion.
Upon closer inspection, Natsume's face was equally unpleasant, almost as if sulking. She paid no attention to Rozen, maintaining a cold demeanor even when facing Harutora and Touji, leaving the two puzzled.
As for Rozen, he watched Dairenji Suzuka's departure and muttered these words.
"I hope this can give you a sense of purpose for your second chance at life..."
Rozen sincerely wished this.
Following that...
"You are Tsuchimikado Akikan, right?"
The captain of the mystical investigators approached seriously and threw out these words.
"Could I ask you to come with us as well?"
Upon hearing this, Rozen didn't find it strange or unexpected. He simply nodded.
"Let's go."
The words were very decisive.
So, boarding the mystical investigator's vehicle, Rozen returned to Tokyo and headed to the Onmyo Agency.
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