-688- Declaration in the ice

If members of the Tsuchimikado family or those who had seen Hokuto before were to witness Hokuto's current state, they would undoubtedly be greatly astonished.

This is because, compared to the past, Hokuto's size has increased significantly, and the dragon aura emanating from it is even more overwhelming and astonishing. It's as if it has undergone growth, with the scales all over its body now shining more brilliantly and brightly.

Yes, growth.

Hokuto has indeed experienced growth, and as a naturally occurring spiritual entity, it is a unique type of spiritual disaster.

Since it is a spiritual disaster, there is the possibility of becoming more powerful.

Similar to how miasma, starting from Phase 1, can continue to grow and transform into something known as a deity by reaching Phase 5, all of these are processes of change and empowerment.

Even within the category of spiritual disasters, the classification only represents the scale of the disaster, not its power. In Phase 3, there are types that have existed for over a thousand years and accumulated great power, just like the case with Nue.

Whether it's expanding its scale or accumulating power, these are ways of empowering the spiritual disaster.

Given this, Rozen couldn't help but think, "As long as I activate the natural spiritual energy like when I was summoning Kinu and Gyokuto, and extract the portions that resonate with Hokuto's wavelength, injecting them into Hokuto's body, I can continuously enhance Hokuto's spiritual power."

As Rozen had previously dealt with Nue, which grew from Phase 3 to Phase 4 by absorbing miasma and becoming consistent with itself, it is clear that if Hokuto can absorb aura that is in harmony with itself, it can accumulate power, expand its scale, gradually empower itself, and ultimately experience growth.

Dragons belong to the Yin aspect of water element. If one can induce natural spiritual energy, extract the watery component, remove the Yang aspect, and adjust it into high-level spiritual energy wavelengths, continuously infusing it into Hokuto's body, then Hokuto can enhance its own power and achieve growth.

This is not an easy task. Initiating natural spiritual energy is inherently a dangerous and challenging endeavor. Mishandling it could turn it into a spiritual disaster in a matter of minutes.

To perform adjustments, removals, condensation, and infusion in this process only adds to the difficulty, making it almost comparable to a ritual like the "Taizan Fukun Ritual" in terms of complexity.

The most critical factor is that this process must be continuous. The residual part of the spiritual energy after adjustments, removals, and condensation is very limited. To ensure Hokuto's full growth, this work must be repeated continuously.

It's easy to imagine how tedious and demanding this process is and how much patience it requires. In other words, almost no one can accomplish this task except Rozen, who can endure it like a daily practice routine. He frequently sets aside time after his daily training to continuously cultivate Hokuto, and finally, Hokuto has transcended its previous limits and achieved growth.

Presently, Hokuto is undoubtedly a top-tier familiar among the ones that Rozen can summon and control, excluding Kinu and Gyokuto.

With Rozen's command and support, Hokuto has the qualifications to challenge a Ogre-King like Kakugyouki and compete with him.

As a result, Hokuto's size has become so immense, no longer just around ten meters in length as it was in the past but now reaching several hundred meters. Under these circumstances, Hokuto has acquired the ability to manipulate the weather at will.

When summoned, it immediately stirs up strong winds, covers the sky in dark clouds, and causes changes in wind and pressure.

Without hesitation, as long as Rozen disregards consumption and directly activates the "Crimson Wing Formation," providing Hokuto with the maximum amount of magic power, Hokuto's current power is so immense that it can submerge the entire Machinart City of Liverpool in a storm, causing it to sink into the floodwaters within minutes.

This is the current power of Hokuto, which can easily hold its own against even top-tier Servants.

At this moment, Rozen summons this true dragon.

"Rumble"

The sky continuously roars, and lightning flashes within the dense dark clouds as heavy rain pours down. Hokuto emerges from the clouds, lowering its head to gaze at all the people in the territory below. Its eyes now show an unprecedented cold, fierce, and ruthless demeanor.

People look up at the dragon that appears in the clouds, their faces turning pale.

Rozen steps out of the fiery sea, his footsteps slow and deliberate, accompanied by a clear, resounding voice.

"Kill them!"

Rozen utters these word.

In this instant, the cold, fierce, and ruthless look in Hokuto's eyes intensifies.

The next second, Hokuto moves.

It compresses all of its dragon energy in its mouth and breathes out a freezing breath.

A blast of white mist immediately descends from the sky, containing terrifying cold. Wherever it passes, the moisture in the air condenses into ice crystals and hail, raining down like a hailstorm.

"Crackle"

Then, the teeth-chattering sounds appear.

Everything touched by the white breath is frozen.

Rocks burning in flames were shattered; buildings were frozen.

The ground, pockmarked by explosions, became icy.

Hunting rifles were frozen.

Automatons were frozen.

Not a single one of the guards or puppeteers had time to scream. They all were instantly frozen by the cold, turning into ice sculptures.

The entire orphanage was covered in ice within seconds as the frigid air descended from the sky. When Hokuto finally ceased its breath, the cold, fierce, and ruthless look in its eyes had been replaced by indifference. The orphanage underneath it had been completely transformed into an ice-covered landscape.

Well, there were two exceptions, or you could say two people who remained unfrozen in this icy landscape.

One was Rozen.

The other was Bronson.

Bronson watched his orphanage being frozen in shock, and all of his subordinates around him couldn't even scream before they were turned into ice sculptures. His eyes widened slowly, and his face became incredibly pale.

At this moment, Rozen finally halted his steps.

Right in front of Bronson.

"?!?"

Bronson involuntarily stepped back.

But almost simultaneously, Rozen reached out suddenly, grabbing his collar and dragging him in front of himself.

Just as he had done in the medical building's corridor the night before.

Just like the declaration and provocation he had made last time.

Rozen forcefully pulled Bronson in his direction.

Then...

"Thud!"

A heavy punch landed on Bronson's face, causing the side of his face to burst open.

"Splurt!"

Bronson spat out a mouthful of blood, and he was sent flying, crashing to the ground with a swollen cheek.

Rozen's voice finally reached his ears.

"Don't worry; I won't let you die too quickly."

Rozen's voice was colder and more merciless than ever before.

"Show me everything you've got."

Rozen looked down at Bronson, who was lying on the ground, with an oddly indifferent expression.

"I'm going to torture you."

This was the thing Rozen most wanted to do right now.