-2046- I've come for you

At the moment when dawn arrived, the horde of malevolent spirits, monsters, and demons that had been relentlessly attacking Kanda Shrine suddenly came to an abrupt halt, as if they had received some unseen command.

Not only that, but if one observed carefully, they would notice that these beings seemed to be welcoming the arrival of some great existence, their expressions filled with fervent reverence.

A suffocating pressure descended upon Kanda Shrine.

The onmyoji immediately turned pale, preparing for battle with the utmost vigilance, not daring to be careless.

In such a situation, the Twelve Divine Generals also appeared one by one at the main gate.

This was because three Special Vision Officers—Miyoshi Tougo, Kadei Byakuran, and Kadei Kurogiku—who had been stationed in the inner shrine and unable to join the battlefield, had just relayed a message.

"The enemy has arrived."

With this intelligence, the members of the Twelve Divine Generals gathered.

However, not all of them were present.

First and foremost, the strongest onmyoji of the current era, Miyachi Iwao, was nowhere to be seen.

Additionally, Kagami Reiji had disappeared without a trace.

Besides, Shigeoka Shunsuke was also absent—not because he was unwilling to come, but due to his physical condition preventing him from fighting on the front lines. However, his shikigami, Karuga, soared through the skies, signaling his participation in the battle.

Naturally, the leader of the Twelve Divine Generals, Kurahashi Genji, was not present either. As a result, only six of them had arrived.

"It's finally happening?"

Yuge Mari had already prepared her barrier spells, forming intricate hand seals while biting her lip.

"What kind of enemy will appear this time?"

Yamashiro Hayato, who had just crushed a talisman in his hand, summoning a poisonous mist, no longer bore the arrogance and recklessness of youth—clearly, past experiences had tempered his once impetuous nature.

"This time... I won't fail."

Kogure Zenjirou unsheathed his sword, its cold gleam reflecting his grave expression, while four U-Tengu surrounded him in solemn readiness.

"I wonder what happens next?"

Ohtomo Jin, having discarded his usual disheveled suit, was now clad in a shrine priest's robe, adjusting his glasses with a dignified and solemn air, completely different from his usual slovenly image.

"I just hope nothing outrageous appears again, even if that's a naive wish."

Amami Daizen, holding his paper fan, wore a defiant smirk on his wrinkled face, his sharp eyes betraying his battle-hardened nature.

Then—

"My apologies for keeping you waiting."

A voice, calm and authoritative, rang out.

From within the gathered horde of monsters, an elderly man slowly stepped forward.

He was impeccably dressed, wearing a black haori, a protective katana at his waist, exuding an air of commanding presence.

"So it really was a naive wish."

Seeing this man appear, Amami Daizen let out a bitter chuckle.

"..."

The rest of the Twelve Divine Generals were equally speechless.

For they all knew exactly who this elder was.

"Nurarihyon..."

Ohtomo Jin and Kogure Zenjirou exchanged glances, their faces filled with grim determination.

This man was none other than the Lord of Monsters, a so-called Guest God, also known as a Foreign God—Nurarihyon.

Nurarihyon was a yokai that existed within the void, a being that could confound human perception.

He could render himself ethereal, exploiting the weaknesses of the human heart. Cunning by nature, he did not harm people directly but instead appeared in times of chaos, slipping through crowds unnoticed.

Thus, many stories and legends arose, portraying him as the head of the yokai—someone who deliberately appeared in populated areas to observe human affairs.

Now, this enigmatic leader of the yokai had arrived, surrounded by an entourage of extraordinary monsters and demons.

For example—

A beast covered in bristling golden fur, with six lightning-shaped tails, standing imposingly.

That was Raiju, the Thunder Beast, a yokai said to accompany lightning itself—a pet of the Thunder God, with tales of its existence spread throughout Japan.

Next to it, a childlike figure, soaked in water as though it had just emerged from the rain, held a lantern while wearing a straw hat.

That was Amefuri Kozou, the Rain-bringing Attendant, a servant of the Rain God, who helped bring life-giving rain to drought-stricken lands, often seen wearing a kimono adorned with plum blossom patterns.

Beside them, a grotesque, ghastly oni, resembling a walking corpse with a malevolent expression, loomed ominously.

That was Killing Oni, a fearsome being who had slaughtered tens of thousands of yokai, feared even among monsters as a death god of the supernatural world.

Beyond these three, numerous other notorious yokai surrounded Nurarihyon, each emanating overwhelming malice.

These were all legendary figures, monsters whose mere individual presence could send ripples through human history—yet now, they had all gathered under one banner, with Nurarihyon at their helm.

No—Nurarihyon was merely temporarily leading these monsters.

The one they truly served was someone who had even commanded the descent of gods.

With an amused chuckle, Nurarihyon spoke.

"So, you are the finest onmyoji of this generation. I must say, your spiritual energy is truly invigorating. Personally, I have no hostility toward you... However, since my master has given the order, we have no choice but to stand against you."

As soon as he said this, the monstrous entities beside him let out eerie chuckles or roars, their presence immensely intimidating.

And yet—compared to what was coming next, they were almost gentle in comparison.

"Why waste time talking?"

With the flutter of crimson maple leaves, Momiji Gari appeared, rolling her eyes.

"If you surrender now, there's still time."

Suzuka approached like a dancer, her every movement mesmerizing.

"But wouldn't that be boring?"

Ibaraki Douji grinned wickedly, dropping from midair and smashing into the ground, leaving a massive crater in his wake.

"Indeed. I don't mind if they resist—it's more fun that way."

Great Tengu, flapping his wings, descended from above, looking down on the onmyoji with arrogant contempt.

"I'd like to have some fun too."

Tamamo no Mae, her silver-bell laughter carrying through the air, seemed to glide effortlessly through the sky.

"I trust you've prepared some sake for me?"

Shuten Douji, emerging from the ranks of yokai, walked forward with a languid gait, his tone filled with nonchalance.

"Those who resist—eliminate them."

With his Three Divine Swords in hand, Ootakemaru declared coldly.

But—

"The Onmyo Agency's people are innocent."

"They are merely being used."

"We cannot allow senseless slaughter. This is Akikan's order."

Riding atop gigantic origami birds, Natsume, Suzuka, and Kurahashi Kyoko swiftly approached, desperately intervening to stop the rampant bloodlust.

And then—

"Just play with them for a bit."

The moment those words were spoken, every single great yokai dropped to one knee.

The surrounding monsters and demons likewise bowed in submission.

A youth, draped in a black cloak, his body wreathed in embers, descended like a rising sun, hovering in midair.

"Before, it was always you who sought me out, wasn't it?"

Rozen grinned.

"This time, I've come for you."

At the break of dawn, Rozen led the hundred demons and his shikigami to war.

The air around them grew unbearably heavy.