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"This day was known as the darkest day since the founding of Itogami Island."

"Due to the activity of the Demon Sanctuary destruction group known as Tartarus Lapse, Itogami Island suffered the most severe terrorist attack in its history."

"Devastated by countless Beast Vassals, nearly seventy percent of Itogami Island's infrastructure collapsed—some were destroyed, others rendered inoperable by collateral damage, some lost their functions entirely, and some even vanished without a trace—leaving Itogami Island with an unprecedented level of damage."

"This loss is completely immeasurable."

"To make matters worse, the grain storage in the East District warehouse street had previously been destroyed, rendering Itogami Island essentially a disaster zone."

"At present, the Artificial Island Management Cooperative has established contact with the Japanese government, requesting disaster relief assistance."

"However, according to reliable sources, the Japanese government is still deliberating the matter. It seems unknown changes have occurred regarding disaster relief for Itogami Island."

"So then, where will Itogami Island go from here?"

"We can only wait and see."

This was the news report that had been continuously broadcasted across Itogami Island and even back in the mainland after the Tartarus Lapse incident.

From the report alone, it was clear just how catastrophic the damage to Itogami Island was. With little hope of receiving disaster aid from the mainland, the island was effectively at a critical turning point between life and death.

Although thanks to Rozen's intervention, his army of familiars managed to fend off the assault of the Rose Beast Vassals, preventing any casualties, the damages elsewhere were severe. Nearly seventy percent of the infrastructure lay in ruins, and with the grain storage burned down, the island faced food shortages. Coupled with the mysterious delay in disaster relief from the mainland, the residents' survival had truly become a pressing issue.

Now, Itogami Island was gripped with fear and chaos.

In response, the Artificial Island Management Cooperative deployed significant manpower and resources. While the Special Defense Force patrolled the island to calm the citizens, they also scrambled to gather supplies and began disaster relief operations in an effort to keep the island afloat amidst this crisis.

Thanks to these efforts, Natsuki had been spending nearly twenty-four hours a day at the Artificial Island Management Cooperative lately, so busy that even Astarte couldn't be brought back home. It seemed she wouldn't be free anytime soon.

Rozen was in a similar situation—he, too, was deeply involved in the aftermath of the incident.

To say nothing of Kojou, who had been attacked by Tartarus Lapse. Even by the time Rozen returned, Kojou hadn't yet processed why he had been targeted, unable to regain his composure.

Nagisa and Kanase Kanon had also nearly been assaulted by the Rose Beast Vassals at home.

Fortunately, Mash and Serenity had remained at the residence and intercepted the Beast Vassals attacking the Minamiya household, making it one of the few structures on Itogami Island that hadn't been reduced to rubble.

Once Rozen explained the full background of the situation, Kojou finally understood what had happened to him.

"Give me a break,"

Kojou muttered his trademark phrase.

Thankfully, Artoria [Alter] and Jeanne [Alter] had also come to Kojou's rescue, sparing him from harm.

Rozen's Servants played significant roles in this incident, ensuring the safety of his close companions.

Kojou and Nagisa even offered to thank the girls and asked about their identities, but Rozen dodged the questions, and they gave up.

"They're similar to my familiars, like Altera who appeared during the Blazing Banquet and Prison Barrier. Your gratitude has already been received."

That was what Rozen told them, and they let the matter drop.

Before that, Rozen had also attempted to contact Aiba Asagi.

After all, Senga Takehito had mentioned that to prevent problems with the activation of the Rose of Tartarus, they had attacked Asagi in advance.

So, Rozen tried to contact her immediately after the incident, but received no reply.

Just as he was preparing to go find her himself, Asagi called him first.

"I'm fine. But I'll probably have to work at the Artificial Island Management Cooperative for quite a while. Motoki is with me too, so don't worry."

Asagi's tone was a little stiff as she relayed this, leaving Rozen both concerned and slightly relieved.

Later, Rozen found out that when Asagi went to 'C'—the core system hub—to purge the virus infecting the Special District Defense Force systems, she had been attacked by Tartarus Lapse, but was protected by Tobias Jagan and Kira Lebedev Voltisloa.

"Vatler's subordinates?"

Upon hearing this, Rozen became suspicious.

"Why would Vatler send his two closest retainers to protect Asagi?"

Rozen found it strange. Vatler was never one to help someone without reason—especially not a human of no value.

Unless Asagi possessed something Vatler considered valuable.

"What kind of scheme is that Snake Charmer brewing?"

With suspicions in his heart, Rozen asked Asagi about it and received this answer:

"...My father asked Lord Ardeal to send his retainers to protect me. He seemed to have anticipated that Tartarus Lapse would target me and was worried, so he asked that favor."

That was Asagi's explanation.

Considering her father was a Councilor, it wouldn't be unusual for him to know Dimitrie Vatler, the ambassador from the Warlord Dominion, and ask such a favor.

Still, the fact that Vatler agreed to it must mean there was more to the story.

Unfortunately, Asagi didn't elaborate further and said even she didn't know. She told Rozen to ask again after things calmed down on Itogami Island.

Rozen was still somewhat suspicious, but at least he could be at ease for now.

As long as everyone was safe and unharmed, that was all that mattered.

However, the situation on Itogami Island was growing increasingly dire.

With no relief from the mainland, and as the days passed, supplies dwindled, and food shortages began to take hold.

Faced with this crisis, the fear and unrest among the citizens only deepened, throwing the island's situation into further turmoil.

The Artificial Island Management Cooperative was at its wits' end. Some even went to the mainland in person.

Under these circumstances…

"Looks like it's time I lent a hand."

With that resolve, Rozen finally stepped forward, no longer remaining on the sidelines.

Thanks to his intervention, the disaster on Itogami Island was partially alleviated.

Itogami Island finally regained a glimmer of life.