-2233- The departure that had been far too smooth

Back in the Demon Sanctuary of Gozo, when they had discovered the ruins where Avrora was sleeping, Gajou had mentioned this while seeking Nagisa's help to break the seal: 

"Though she hasn't undergone formal training, Nagisa's mother was a Hyper Adapter, and her grandmother is a highly skilled Attack Mage serving as the shrine priestess at Kamioda Shrine. Nagisa has inherited talents from both sides of her maternal lineage—she possesses excellent spiritual medium abilities while also being a Hyper Adapter, making her an exceptionally rare hybrid. With her spiritual medium constitution, even her grandmother, that old hag, can't find fault with her as a shrine maiden." 

In other words, the Akatsuki grandmother wasn't just some rural shrine's amateur Attack Mage as Kojou had described. 

Though unregistered, she was likely a highly capable Attack Mage. Nagisa had inherited her grandmother's exceptional spiritual medium abilities, which allowed her to open Avrora's tomb. 

Kojou himself had mentioned that his grandmother commanded considerable respect—indicating not just her virtue but also her formidable strength. 

Would such a skilled Attack Mage truly have no contact with the outside world, simply living in seclusion at a rural shrine? 

Rozen felt there was more to this situation. 

Come to think of it... 

"Why was it only your dad and Nagisa who went back to visit? Didn't you go with them?" 

Rozen turned to Kojou with this question. 

"Me?" Kojou scratched the back of his head. "I wanted to, but Yuuma's still here—I couldn't just leave her alone. And as a former Witch, meeting my strict Attack Mage grandmother would've caused problems. Plus, my mom and her mother-in-law don't get along at all, so she wasn't going either. Plane tickets to the mainland are expensive, and the exit permits for Itogami Island aren't cheap either—the whole process is a hassle. That bastard dad of mine used up my budget for Avrora instead and left me behind." 

"So basically, your dad only wanted to take his cute daughter along—even preferring to bring her cute best friend over you?" 

Motoki delivered the perfect summary. 

"Your dad's got quite the personality," Asagi snickered. 

"Shut up, both of you!" Kojou gritted his teeth. "Nagisa was hospitalized until last year! She's had health issues for a while, and her spiritual abilities haven't fully recovered yet! That's why Dad wanted to take her back—so Grandma could check on her!" 

Kojou refused to admit he was the neglected fake son of the family. 

At this point, Yukina interjected seriously. 

"If it's regarding spiritual matters, I believe it's better to consult professionals. Things like exorcisms can be dangerous—amateurs might inadvertently harm Nagisa." 

As a spiritual ability user herself, Yukina offered this advice to Kojou. 

"Really?" Kojou blinked. "But Rozen made it look easy. When Nagisa was possessed by that evil spirit before, he was the one who purified it." 

"Senpai... did that?" Yukina glanced at Rozen, who had fallen into a pensive silence, then sighed. "Senpai is an exception." 

After all, Rozen had sealed the Fourth Primogenitor's spirit within himself and even summoned a deity—feats no one else could replicate. 

So yes, Rozen was absolutely an exception. 

Or rather... 

"If I already handled Nagisa's spiritual issues, and your dad knows what I'm capable of, why would he still take her to someone else? That seems suspicious." 

Rozen's sudden remark left everyone stunned. 

Yukina's expression immediately darkened. 

As Rozen pointed out, if he had already confirmed Nagisa was fine—and Gajou knew Rozen's abilities—there should have been no need to take her elsewhere for examination. 

It sounded like an excuse. 

Asagi and Motoki, unaware of Rozen's true capabilities, tried to rationalize it. 

"Maybe Kojou's dad just trusts family more?" Motoki offered casually. 

"Well, of course he'd trust his own mother over his daughter's senpai, right?" Asagi added. 

However... 

"That aside, there's definitely something else fishy going on here." 

Rozen looked up, his eyes glinting with realization. 

Addressing the group, he stated: 

"Kojou just mentioned how complicated and tedious the procedures for entering and leaving Itogami Island are. Unless it's a special occasion like the Harurouin Festival, even winter break doesn't make the process any easier." 

He glanced at Kojou, then Yukina. 

"Given that, doesn't it seem strange how easily Avrora was allowed to leave with Nagisa?" 

This single sentence made Yukina and Kojou widen their eyes in sudden understanding. 

Right. 

Avrora's departure had been far too smooth. 

Who was she? 

A former fragment of the Fourth Primogenitor, wielder of one of its twelve Beast Vassals—the twelfth Matrix of the Kaleid Blood, an artificial vampire. 

Someone like her would undoubtedly be under close surveillance by the Management Cooperative, possibly even with dedicated monitors. 

Would the Management Cooperative really allow such a Demon to casually leave the Demon Sanctuary for the mainland? 

Impossible. 

Unless... 

"The Management Cooperative intentionally let Avrora leave." 

Rozen's calm deduction made everyone hold their breath. 

Yukina's expression grew graver. 

Motoki and Asagi fell silent. 

As for Kojou—he panicked. 

"Does that mean something happened to Nagisa and Avrora?!" 

He shot to his feet. 

Rozen remained composed. 

"Don't jump to conclusions. It's just a possibility. Even if there's more to this, it doesn't necessarily mean they're in danger." He spoke objectively. "Remember, your dad orchestrated this. Whatever his plans are, he wouldn't deliberately put Nagisa and Avrora at risk." 

That was true. 

With Gajou personally involved, Nagisa and Avrora should be safe. 

"Still, it's almost certain there's more to this situation." 

Rozen pulled out his phone. 

"I'll contact Natsuki-nee first. As Avrora's legal guardian, and with the Management Cooperative entrusting her with Avrora's supervision, she must know something." 

Natsuki couldn't have failed to notice how easily Avrora left—or rather, she should have prevented it unless instructed otherwise by the Management Cooperative. 

Therefore, she undoubtedly had information. 

"Let me ask her first." 

Rozen dialed Natsuki's number.