In the Kamioda region, the Horned Serpents that had once swarmed like locusts were nearly 80% annihilated by a single strike from the Beast Vassal renowned for its unparalleled destructive power.
The remaining 20%, however, had scattered across the surrounding areas—almost as if fleeing in panic from something.
But regardless, these Horned Serpents could not be left alone.
After all, who knew if they might reproduce at an alarming rate and rebuild their terrifying numbers?
If they were allowed to spread into the ecosystem, they could disrupt the natural order, potentially becoming a new calamitous breed of demonic beasts.
Thus, to ensure not a single Horned Serpent escaped, Kuraki Shirona—acting as one of the Lion King Agency's Three Saints—requested national authorization to quarantine the area and eradicate them all.
The government swiftly approved the operation.
Fortunately, thanks to the JSDF's prior blockade and the numerous barriers erected by the Lion King Agency, isolating the region was relatively straightforward. Checkpoints were set up along all roads leading into Kamioda, armed with the most potent anti-demon weaponry to immediately exterminate any Horned Serpents spotted.
The JSDF also participated in the operation. After the Shinjin Lake incident, under Shirona's arrangements, only essential personnel remained for coordination and assistance while the rest withdrew.
As for Shirona and her group, they returned to Kamioda Shrine.
Though the shrine overlooked Shinjin Lake, it was not particularly close—in fact, its elevated position and distance were precisely why it had survived the devastation of Kiffa Ater's cataclysmic strike.
Still, the shockwaves had reached even here, battering the shrine as if it had endured a typhoon. By the time Shirona and the others returned, the grounds were in ruins—trees uprooted, structures damaged, shrine maidens scrambling to salvage what they could.
Akatsuki Hisano could only offer a bitter smile at the sight.
Meanwhile, Rozen—the one responsible—paid it no mind, calmly carrying Avrora as he followed the group into the shrine's main hall alongside Yukina, who held Nagisa.
Notably, Vatler and Iblisveil had also come.
The reason was simple:
They wanted to know what had truly happened at Shinjin Lake—why the seal had broken, why the Horned Serpents had emerged en masse.
This was also why Rozen remained.
Too many mysteries still surrounded Shinjin Lake.
And so, he felt he couldn't leave just yet.
Then—
"Perhaps... I misjudged the true nature of the Black Shell."
The moment they entered the hall, Shirona spoke in a weary, self-deprecating tone.
"It may not have been a seal at all, but rather... part of the Holy Annihilation's legacy—something akin to the Horned Serpents."
The moment these words left her mouth, the expressions of many in the room shifted drastically.
Including Yuiri.
Including Shio.
Even Hisano's face stiffened, falling into silence.
Because even she had believed the Black Shell was a seal meant to contain the Holy Annihilation's legacy.
But if it was truly a seal, why had it shattered when they attempted to reinforce it—instead of restraining the legacy?
"Because... it had already matured."
Shirona's voice remained heavy with self-mockery.
Hearing this, several in the room understood.
"I see. So the Black Shell wasn't a seal—it was an egg."
Vatler spoke with amused realization.
"An egg?"
Iblisveil narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"Wh-what does that mean?"
Yukina looked utterly lost.
In response, Rozen—after carefully settling Nagisa and Avrora—spoke plainly.
"In other words, that so-called 'Black Shell' wasn't sealing the Holy Annihilation's legacy at the bottom of Shinjin Lake. Rather, it was part of the legacy itself—or more precisely, a membrane encasing it—deliberately submerged there and left to mature over centuries."
That was its true nature.
"Most likely, the Holy Annihilation's legacy wasn't sealed at the lake's depths—it was in a dormant state, unable to awaken on its own. The Black Shell merely protected it, preventing theft."
Rozen turned his gaze to Shirona.
"And it likely had one other purpose: to awaken what it guarded when the time was right."
That was the Black Shell's true function.
Shirona nodded grimly.
"If my assumptions are correct, the Black Shell had been absorbing knowledge from the sacrificed shrine maidens, accumulating it like a plant awaiting pollination. Once it gathered enough—once the timing was right—it shattered, releasing what was inside."
The Kamioda Shrine's sacrifices had never been offerings to strengthen a seal.
They had been nourishment—accelerating the awakening of calamity.
What the Black Shell sought wasn't spiritual power—it was knowledge.
The shrine had been mistaken from the very beginning. The Lion King Agency's entire strategy had been flawed at its core.
They had tried to use Avrora's unique traits to seal the Holy Annihilation's legacy—not realizing that her ancient accumulated knowledge had instead awakened the disaster.
Truly—
"A classic case of 'the biter bit,' Lion King Agency."
Rozen's words dripped with cold mockery, making Shirona grit her teeth in silent frustration.
This incident was entirely her responsibility.
Whether it was the awakening of the calamity or the devastation wrought upon Kamioda, the blame fell squarely on her shoulders.
The JSDF had suffered heavy casualties. Azama Tatsumi and Okiyama Mitsue—who had accompanied them during the ritual—had been unarmed when the Black Shell shattered. They were snatched up by the Horned Serpents and dragged into the swarm, their fates all but sealed.
"How could..."
"This happen...?"
Yuiri and Shio were at a loss for words.
"...Unbelievable."
Hisano exhaled deeply.
Yet Rozen, Vatler, and Iblisveil remained unmoved, their expressions indifferent.
Compared to the Lion King Agency's self-inflicted failure, they were far more interested in another matter.
Namely—
"So then, what exactly was the Holy Annihilation's legacy sleeping in Shinjin Lake?"
Iblisveil cut straight to the point.
"It couldn't have just been the Horned Serpents, could it?" Vatler chuckled, eyes closed. "While they might qualify as a calamity in sufficient numbers, they're hardly worthy of being called part of the Holy Annihilation."
Exactly.
In the end—what was the legacy in Shinjin Lake?
No, the question should be:
"Aside from the Horned Serpents—what else emerged from the depths of Shinjin Lake?"
Rozen asked the question bluntly.