Western District of Itogami Island, Sixth Slope.
In this area lined with accommodation facilities primarily catering to couples—commonly referred to as love hotel street—a narrow alley that was easy to overlook contained a quiet antique shop.
This was the very same place Rozen had once visited—the Lion King Agency's branch office on Itogami Island.
Even now, after the island suffered destruction at the hands of the Rose Beast Vassal—causing nearly seventy percent of its infrastructure to collapse—this shop remained mostly intact, a testament to its special nature.
However, very few people were even aware of its existence.
Because surrounding this shop was an unseen barrier, one that rendered it virtually undetectable to normal individuals.
But today, a visitor arrived.
"Vmm!"
With a ripple in space, Rozen appeared at the entrance of the antique shop, carrying a guitar case.
Seeing the firmly shut door, Rozen didn't hesitate. He walked forward and opened it directly.
The moment the door opened, Rozen triggered a certain ward.
He didn't need to think to know—it was a jujutsu mechanism designed to alert those inside of an intruder.
Rozen paid it no mind and stepped inside.
At that moment, something unexpected happened.
"Shhk!"
A figure suddenly leapt down from the ceiling beam, wielding a large silver sword that swung down hard toward Rozen's head.
"Clang!"
A sharp metallic ring echoed out.
With one bare hand—no one could say exactly when he raised it—Rozen caught the descending silver blade. His hand, like reinforced steel, stopped the sword dead in its tracks.
"Wha…what?"
The assailant froze in astonishment.
On closer inspection, the wielder of the silver sword was a young girl.
She had a tall, slender figure, her features radiating elegance and refinement. Her fair skin and light-colored ponytail paired with a prestigious girls' academy uniform made her look like a fashion model—beautiful enough to take anyone's breath away.
Rozen, of course, recognized her.
"What a unique way to greet someone, Kirasaka Sayaka."
Rozen said this with a half-smile.
Indeed.
The girl was none other than Yukina's former roommate, the Shamanic War Dancer of the Lion King Agency who doted on Yukina excessively, and the wielder of the Mechanical Demon-Purging Assault Bow Mark Six—a highly valued asset of the Agency: Kirasaka Sayaka.
"You!?"
Sayaka finally realized it was Rozen, her eyes widening as she recognized who had entered.
"So you didn't even know it was me?" Rozen rolled his eyes. "I figured you'd only attack me like this because you knew it was me. Looks like I overestimated you. You really are just a sword-swinging maniac."
"Who're you calling a sword-swinging maniac!?" Sayaka immediately snapped back in anger.
Rozen couldn't be bothered to argue. His hand still on the silver blade curled into a finger and gave it a heavy flick.
"Clang!"
With a metallic ping like steel being struck, a powerful force knocked the sword away.
"Kyaa!"
Sayaka let out a startled cry, staggering back several steps and barely keeping her balance.
Only then did Rozen deactivate the Kongouriki enhancement and nonchalantly speak.
"By the way, what are you doing here?"
Rozen asked casually.
"None of your business!"
Sayaka glared at him as if he had committed a mortal sin.
"Well, fair enough." Rozen shrugged. "Then kindly step aside. I'm here to see whoever's in charge."
Sayaka looked ready to object when she was interrupted by a voice.
"That's enough, Sayaka. Don't go roughing up an important guest like him."
Along with the voice, a black cat appeared from behind the counter, leaping onto Sayaka's head.
It wasn't a real cat but a shikigami being remotely operated, sharing senses with its summoner—a projection of that person's will.
"M-Master!"
Sayaka froze in place, uncertain whether she was more afraid of being scolded or of the black cat falling off her head.
The cat ignored Sayaka and turned its gaze toward Rozen.
More precisely, it first glanced at the guitar case on Rozen's back.
Then, squinting slightly as though confirming a suspicion, the black cat focused fully on Rozen.
"It's been a while, Divine Child. I didn't expect someone like you to have the leisure to visit an old crone like me."
Endo Yukari spoke with an offhand tone.
Meeting her gaze, Rozen's expression was ambiguous—somewhere between meaningful and amused.
"If I were just visiting, that would've been much easier. Don't you think?"
Rozen's words were suggestive.
Endo Yukari could only give a bitter smile.
"Then what brings you here, Your Highness?"
She got straight to the point.
Rozen didn't waste time either. He unzipped the guitar case and took out the silver spear stored inside.
"That's… Sekkaro!?"
Sayaka's expression changed dramatically.
She knew very well who the current wielder of this weapon was.
It was only then that Sayaka noticed something that demanded attention.
"Where's Yukina? Minamiya Nichiyo! What did you do with my Yukina!?"
Sayaka glared at Rozen, her expression now filled with urgency.
Knowing Yukina's personality—dutiful and serious—she would never abandon her mission unless something serious had happened.
Endo Yukari remained silent.
Perhaps she had already guessed Rozen's purpose.
And sure enough—
"Himeragi has already begun to show signs of angelification. She doesn't have much time left."
Rozen stated the grim truth with unnerving calm.
"W-what did you say…?"
Sayaka's voice trembled.
"..."
Endo Yukari said nothing.
Rozen looked between Sayaka's shocked face and Endo Yukari's silence, a cold smile forming on his lips.
"What, surprised it happened so soon? Didn't expect it, did you?"
His biting sarcasm made the atmosphere suddenly turn suffocating.
"Clang."
A metallic clatter rang out.
Rozen had thrown Sekkaro onto the floor, letting it slide over to the feet of Sayaka and Endo Yukari.
"So tell me." Rozen asked bluntly, "What are you going to do about it?"
No response came.
The atmosphere inside the antique shop remained heavy—so heavy it felt like even breathing had become difficult.