"Tap."
With a soft landing, Rozen and Yukina touched down on the ground, holding Avrora and Nagisa respectively, standing before Shirona and the others.
The sight of Rozen descending so lightly left the group tense.
Even Shirona and Hisano couldn't help but stiffen.
After all, they knew full well that Rozen had come here for reckoning—ready to clash with the Lion King Agency itself for Nagisa and Avrora, even suppressing Shizuka Koyomi, the head of the Three Saints.
Yet, without waiting for Rozen's arrival, they had proceeded with the ritual, leading to its failure and nearly endangering Nagisa and Avrora. They had, in essence, made a catastrophic mistake.
If Rozen chose to hold them accountable, none of them would escape unscathed.
Yuiri and Shio were equally nervous.
But beyond their tension, they also felt a sliver of curiosity—and fear—toward Rozen.
Especially Yuiri, who studied him silently.
(So this is the Divine Child… the younger brother of the Witch who sealed the Fourth Primogenitor… Yukina's moniter target.)
In other words, this boy could have easily been her assignment instead.
Watching Yukina standing so closely by his side, Yuiri couldn't help but let her imagination run wild.
But Rozen gave them no time for speculation—nor did he immediately confront Shirona and Hisano as they feared.
"Yukina, take care of Nagisa and Avrora."
Rozen handed Avrora over to Yukina as well.
Yukina accepted her, lips parting as if to say something—then sighed.
"Don't go overboard, Senpai."
Her warning, vague as it was, left the others puzzled.
"I'll try."
Rozen responded casually before turning his back to them, facing forward.
There, the Horned Serpents—momentarily cowed by Kinu—had resumed their assault, surging forward in endless waves.
Despite the soldiers' desperate resistance, their efforts were futile against the sheer numbers.
"It's too noisy here. Let's clean this up before we talk."
Rozen spoke indifferently, not waiting for a response before adding—
"Will the two of you just watch, or will you join in and show off a little?"
His words left the group confused—
Until their expressions shifted sharply.
Because—
"Since the Divine Child is in such high spirits, we'd be remiss not to oblige."
A familiar voice chuckled as mist coalesced beside Rozen, forming three figures.
The speaker was none other than the man at the forefront.
"The Duke of Ardeal…!"
Yuiri and Shio gasped.
"The Snake Charmer of the Warlord Dominion…?"
Hisano's expression hardened.
But before anyone could react further, another figure descended from the sky, landing beside Rozen.
"Entertaining. I'll play along."
A foreign youth with the bearing of a lion grinned fiercely.
"Prince Iblisveil Aziz…!"
This time, even Shirona's composure cracked.
No one had expected two figures of such stature to appear alongside Rozen.
One—a noble of the Warlord Dominion, hailed as the closest to a Primogenitor.
The other—the Ninth Prince of the Dynasty of Destruction, a direct descendant of the Second Primogenitor.
And both were infamous for their ferocity.
Vatler's reputation as a battle-crazed menace was known worldwide—so much so that even the Lion King Agency had dispatched Sayaka to monitor him during his visit to Japan.
Iblisveil, while less globally notorious, bore the moniker "Prince of Calamity"—a title earned through ruthless exploits.
Now, these two stood here, sending shockwaves through the group.
Yet, neither Vatler nor Iblisveil spared them a glance.
Instead, their attention was drawn elsewhere.
"So those are Akatsuki Nagisa and No.12, Avrora?"
Iblisveil eyed the two girls in Yukina's arms with interest.
"Hoh?"
Vatler, meanwhile, focused on Kinu, his eyes narrowing with intrigue.
But neither had the luxury to dwell on their curiosities.
Because—
Drawn by their presence, the Horned Serpents swarmed toward them like locusts.
"Fall back, Yukina."
Rozen waved her off.
"Be careful, Senpai."
Without another word, Yukina retreated with Nagisa and Avrora.
"Tobias, Kira. Protect His Highness's… acquaintances."
Vatler ordered his subordinates.
"Understood."
The two stepped forward, positioning themselves in front of the group—less as protectors and more as barriers to keep them from interfering.
"Have those humans with their useless toys retreat, Lion King Agency."
Iblisveil's command to Shirona was dripping with condescension.
"…Understood."
After a brief pause, Shirona spread her hands, her spiritual threads relaying her will.
The soldiers withdrew like a receding tide.
Freed from suppression, the Horned Serpents surged forward—
A black tide of scales and fangs, endless and overwhelming.
"This…"
"We…"
Yuiri and Shio raised their weapons anxiously—
But Hisano stopped them.
"Watch carefully, you two."
Her voice was grave.
"What you're about to witness is a fraction of the greatest power in this world. Burn it into your memories."
Under her warning, everyone's gaze fixed ahead—on the three figures standing side by side.
Against the endless horde, their silhouettes seemed small yet indomitable.
Then—
"No objections to going all out, I assume?"
Iblisveil bared his teeth, his mana surging violently.
"Though that would mean this entire area is done for."
Vatler's grin widened into something manic.
"I wasn't planning to hold back either way."
Rozen's declaration was calm, final.
The air itself trembled as their monstrous mana erupted—
A storm of power that shook the heavens.