Now, the truth had come to light.
Nagisa and Avrora's disappearance was orchestrated by the Lion King Agency and the Akatsuki family.
To reseal the spiritual entity in Shinjin Lake, Nagisa and Avrora had essentially been requisitioned by the state.
It was entirely possible that even now, Nagisa and Avrora remained unaware of what had happened to them.
"Senpai..."
Yukina looked at Rozen uncertainly.
Given the circumstances, it was understandable that Yukina, given her position, wouldn't know how to react.
Personally, Yukina certainly didn't want to see Nagisa and Avrora in danger.
So she felt some indignation about the state's requisition of them.
But objectively speaking, as a member of the Lion King Agency herself, Yukina knew their actions weren't wrong from a national perspective.
With a dangerous spiritual entity—likely a Holy Annihilation relic—about to emerge, the Lion King Agency had to reseal it to protect the country and prevent a magical disaster. Enlisting civilians with special abilities for assistance was, by all accounts, reasonable.
Of course, to those involved and their loved ones, this was undoubtedly excessive.
Torn between personal feelings and organizational duty, Yukina was at a loss.
Only Rozen, remembering Nagisa and Avrora's smiling faces, took a deep breath.
"I hope nothing has happened to Nagisa and Avrora." Rozen said coldly to Koyomi. "Otherwise, the Lion King Agency will owe me a tremendous debt."
With that, he turned away.
"What does Your Highness intend to do?"
Koyomi quickly asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Rozen replied flatly. "I'm going to Shinjin Lake."
For Nagisa and Avrora's sake, he had to make this trip.
However, before Koyomi could respond, another voice interjected.
"I believe I told you not to go too far, or I'd come drag you back myself?"
At this voice, Rozen stiffened, his expression turning resigned.
"Bzzzt!"
Space warped as a petite girl appeared on the rooftop.
"Minamiya-sensei!"
Yukina exclaimed.
It could be none other than Natsuki.
"Witch of the Void."
Koyomi turned her gaze to Natsuki.
But Natsuki ignored both Yukina and Koyomi, fixing Rozen with an authoritative stare.
"...You came to stop me after all, Natsuki-nee."
Rozen sighed and turned to face her.
"If I don't stop you, who will rein in your recklessness?"
Natsuki's expression remained impassive, but her words revealed she had been monitoring Rozen all along.
His thoughts and actions hadn't escaped her notice.
Perhaps from the beginning, Natsuki had anticipated that Rozen would eventually learn about Nagisa and Avrora and decide to go to Shinjin Lake.
Thus, she had prepared to stop him.
"As Paper Noise over there said, they've guaranteed Nagisa and Avrora's safety for this operation. With Kuraki Shirona and the Self-Defense Forces mobilized, and that Akatsuki old hag and tunnel rat supervising, nothing will happen to those girls. What exactly are you worried about?"
Natsuki's words were characteristically blunt.
But if she was being blunt, Rozen had no intention of backing down either.
"Then what are you worried about, Natsuki-nee?" Rozen asked pointedly. "If they're so confident, what's the problem with me going to watch over Nagisa and Avrora?"
"There absolutely is a problem," Natsuki shot back immediately. "Your presence could complicate things."
"Complicate things?" Rozen frowned. "How so?"
"Because of what you are." Natsuki pointed her folded lace fan at Rozen's chest. "Need I remind you? You're the Divine Child blessed by true gods, the one who sealed the Original. Your very existence is intertwined with Holy Annihilation."
The true nature of the Holy Annihilation relic sealed in Shinjin Lake remained unknown.
But since it was related to Holy Annihilation, and the Fourth Primogenitor was central to those events, the two were undoubtedly connected.
"It could be some power left behind by the gods, or another god-slaying weapon developed by the Devas. Either way, it's dangerous. So isn't it obvious why we can't let a god-slaying weapon like the Fourth Primogenitor near the seal?"
The Fourth Primogenitor's magical energy might stimulate the Holy Annihilation relic, causing unforeseen consequences.
That was why Natsuki didn't want Rozen going.
"What about Avrora?" Yukina finally spoke up, confused. "Avrora is also part of the Fourth Primogenitor, a Holy Annihilation relic herself. As one of the god-slaying weapon's matrices, is it really safe for her to approach Shinjin Lake?"
It wasn't Natsuki but Koyomi who answered.
"We can't say it's completely risk-free," Koyomi admitted. "But Avrora Florestina is only one part of the Fourth Primogenitor. Any influence she might exert would be limited. Moreover, her nature as a sealing vessel is similar to Shinjin Lake's seal. Her presence is more likely to be beneficial than harmful."
"But the Fourth Primogenitor itself is another matter entirely." Natsuki kept her eyes locked on Rozen as she enunciated each word. "So stay put. The mainland isn't your concern."
Not his concern?
Was that possible?
"Everything you've said is mere speculation. You have no real guarantee that Nagisa and Avrora will be safe."
Rozen's voice was ice-calm.
"The spiritual entity in Shinjin Lake might corrupt Nagisa when she tries to connect with it spiritually, harming her."
"Avrora's sealing nature might provoke an extreme reaction from the Holy Annihilation relic, putting her in danger."
"You claim you'll keep them safe, but what if you can't?"
"What if the sealed entity in Shinjin Lake is something beyond your wildest imagination? What if not just the Lion King Agency and Self-Defense Forces, but this entire island nation ends up destroyed? How will you take responsibility then?"
Rozen lifted his gaze, his declaration absolute.
"That's why I must go."
"No one will stop me."
"Not even you, Natsuki-nee."
A dangerous tension filled the air.
Natsuki stared wordlessly at Rozen.
Rozen met her gaze just as silently.
Yukina held her breath.
Even Koyomi's expression was grave.
A stifling silence enveloped them all.