-478- King of North Star

Tokyo nights are very lively, especially compared to the countryside.

The nights in a big city are always bustling, something Rozen was not unaware of.

However, originally, Rozen thought Tokyo in this world shouldn't be too lively. Tokyo is a spiritual ground where spiritual disasters frequently occur. Typically, these disasters happen during the witching hour until dawn, so considering this, people should stay indoors after nightfall, or so Rozen thought.

Unfortunately, Rozen underestimated human habits.

"If you're accustomed to disasters, both the sense of crisis and tension will decrease. Positively, you become stronger; negatively, you become numb. I don't know if this is a blessing or a curse."

Walking on the streets, Rozen observed the bustling world around him and pondered this.

Even so, Rozen didn't let his attention wander. He not only had the glimmer of Spirit Vision in his eyes but also subtly expanded the magical ripples of Heaven's Eye.

In this state, Rozen could easily detect it.

He noticed several auras different from ordinary people's moving behind him. Moreover, the owner of these auras had been tailing him, perhaps due to restlessness, causing the auras to seem slightly disorganized.

These auras were originally hard to detect. The extremely subtle jutsuryoku was wrapping them, suppressing them as much as possible, proving that the other party was using jujutsu, hiding their movements.

For an ordinary person, let alone a student, even a professional onmyoji might not detect the other party.

The reason Rozen could detect them was quite simple. It was because the power of Spirit Vision was above the jutsuryoku the other party was using, coupled with the search function of Heaven's Eye, making the other party unable to hide.

"Looking at it this way, perhaps the other party is not to be underestimated."

Rozen smiled with this thought in mind, showing no signs of nervousness. Instead, he proactively turned towards the dimly lit area, entering a less frequented alley.

At that moment, Rozen realized that the other party's aura became even more chaotic.

It was as if the other party's breathing had quickened, their heartbeat had accelerated, and their emotions were abnormally excited—so much so that their jutsuryoku almost faltered, on the verge of crumbling.

"What's going on?"

Rozen frowned, feeling very averse to the other party's reaction.

"It's truly unpleasant."

Rozen stopped in the alley at the next second...

"If you're not coming out, then I'll invite you out myself," Rozen's annoyance made his tone rather harsh.

And, just as he proclaimed, without waiting for the others to act, Rozen immediately began forming hand seals.

"Break!"

Jutsuryoku gathered at Rozen's fingertips, shaping his hand into a knife seal. He swung it down, as if cutting through something in mid-air.

Indeed, Rozen's action severed the enemy's jutsuryoku, causing the trackers' auras to surge one after another, no longer able to conceal themselves.

Immediately, figures appeared abruptly from behind Rozen.

These were individuals dressed in formal attire, resembling government officials, not the kind one would associate with stalking.

Among the trackers, there were both men and women, dressed formally, brimming with spiritual energy—clearly seasoned onmyoji and professionals at that.

If someone else saw these people gathering behind Rozen, looking like plainclothes police, they would certainly think Rozen had committed some crime and was now surrounded by undercover officers.

However, reality was far from that.

Upon closer inspection, these seemingly undercover onmyoji each wore expressions of excitement and fanaticism on their faces, gazing at Rozen. Even their eyes were filled with an intoxicated and infatuated look.

This display pulled these people down from the pedestal of justice, turning them into a group of eerie villains.

Naturally, being stared at with such eyes by others made Rozen unable to feel happy no matter what.

But before Rozen could speak, a figure akin to a representative emerged from the group.

"To be able to easily see through our 'Invisibility Technique,' truly befitting of you, our king," said a handsome man dressed in a suit with a tie, tall and slender, with a visage easily attracting favorable impressions.

This person respectfully bowed towards Rozen, his expression, gaze, and movements exuding a fervent aura.

The rest of the group also showed the utmost respect, bowing to Rozen simultaneously.

"Welcome back, our King of North Star!"

In unison, though with different voices, their chorus filled the air, all emanating the same thing.

That was an almost crazed intensity.

"King of North Star?"

Rozen's brows furrowed deeper.

The term "King of North Star" was a title of reverence that people who regarded Yakou as sacred used to refer to him.

In Onmyoudou, North Star referred to the important North Star, Polaris.

The star that appeared before dawn, illuminating the night, hence—light of the night.

To metaphorically refer to Yakou as the North Star and, imitating his guardians, Hishamaru and Kakugyouki, consider him a king was a moniker conceived by those who saw Yakou as divine.

Yakou himself had never used such a title.

Because of this, the people who dubbed him the King of North Star were exceedingly few.

Now, the group before him was addressing Rozen as the King of North Star. What was their background? It was truly intriguing.

However, amidst this intrigue, one thing could be affirmed.

That was...

"Do you truly consider me the reincarnation of Yakou?"

Rozen sarcastically questioned, causing these zealot-like onmyoji to roll their eyes.

Especially the leading handsome man. As he gazed at Rozen, a peculiar light seemed to flicker in his eyes. His smile appeared elegant but harbored an aggressive undertone, akin to a wild beast, showing his intentions.

"Indeed, though the rumor goes as such, whether you are the revered King of North Star is yet to be proven. Even though you hold the top position among the students in Onmyou Academy, mere student achievements cannot demonstrate a king's qualifications."

Saying this, the handsome man's smile turned even more sinister.

"Therefore, to prove the king's identity, please pardon our offense; this will be your trial."

As he spoke, the onmyoji behind the handsome man immediately surged forward, surrounding Rozen.

Following that...

"Order!"

Accompanied by the chanting of an incantation, onmyoji successively threw out ofuda.

These were talismans.

Each ofuda turned into transparent blue swallows, seemingly like glass, with long radiant tails. They danced in mid-air, swirling around Rozen.

"A binding spell?"

Rozen raised his tightly furrowed brow.