"....!"
The sound of rotor blades echoed.
From beyond the sky, where phantoms and specters swarmed, that sound approached, drawing nearer and nearer.
"A helicopter?"
Kurahashi Kyouko also noticed this scene, staring in astonishment at the helicopter flying in their direction.
The others who saw it likely reacted the same way.
After all, in a time when demons, ghosts, and all manner of supernatural entities ran rampant, a helicopter flying in like this was practically suicidal.
Yet, to everyone's surprise, the spirits and phantoms hovering and soaring in the sky seemed to be wary of something. As if instinctively compelled, they avoided the approaching helicopter, clearing a path for it without launching any attacks.
Thus, the helicopter advanced unobstructed, stopping above Hokuto.
"Roar!"
Hokuto let out a menacing cry.
The surrounding demons and phantoms echoed the gesture, issuing warning growls.
However, neither Hokuto nor the multitude of spirits attacked the helicopter.
Because, as beings of spiritual nature, their instincts told them—inside that helicopter was something extraordinary.
Something they absolutely could not act recklessly against.
And indeed, this was the truth.
Rozen, possessing the Wise Eye, had already discerned the reason.
Thus, his eyes flickered, but he remained silent.
In this tense atmosphere, the helicopter, now hovering over Hokuto, opened its doors.
A petite figure emerged from within.
Flaming red hair fluttered in the wind.
Her uniform billowed as the air currents swirled around her.
With an exquisite face and an aura of nobility, she exuded an air of absolute dignity.
Though the others present might not know her name, Rozen had never forgotten.
"Souma Takiko..."
Yes.
A direct descendant of the Souma Clan, chosen as the shrine maiden to summon the gods, and protected by Yashamaru and Kumomaru, she stood as the core of the Kurahashi and Souma clan's divine descension ritual—Souma Takiko.
After all these years, this princess once again stood before Rozen.
Yet, surprisingly, she was unaccompanied by her guardians.
From within the helicopter, Souma Takiko overlooked the battlefield, but her gaze had been locked onto Rozen from the very beginning.
It was as if she could see no one else.
Moments later, she leaped from the helicopter.
"Boom!"
At that instant, everyone seemed to hear a thunderous impact.
It was the kind of sound that made it seem as though the world itself had been torn open.
Of course, the world remained intact, and nothing had actually happened on the battlefield.
Yet, for some reason, as they watched the girl leap from the helicopter, everyone felt as if they truly had heard that sound.
As though doused in ice water, while at the same time experiencing the scorching heat of flames burning within.
At that moment, an overwhelming spiritual energy radiated from Souma Takiko.
A spiritual energy so overwhelming that it transcended mere strength.
That solemn, sacred aura—just one glance at it was enough to inspire reverence.
People had only seen such an aura in one other person.
Rozen.
And Rozen himself was intimately familiar with this energy.
Because he had encountered it many times before—no, he had traveled alongside it all along.
Its true nature was—Divine Energy.
Descending from the helicopter, Souma Takiko radiated astonishing Divine Energy.
It was as if she were offering herself to the gods.
"Tap!"
Before long, Souma Takiko landed atop Hokuto.
"Roar!"
Hokuto seemed enraged and attempted to shake her off.
But Rozen stopped him, causing Hokuto's anger to subside.
Rozen then lifted his gaze and looked at Souma Takiko.
From beginning to end, Souma Takiko had only been looking at Rozen.
Her eyes held nostalgia, joy, affection, and urgency—but above all, an overwhelming devotion and acknowledgment.
She gazed at him as if she had found the only true companion in her life—perhaps even a partner.
Unfortunately, Rozen's gaze remained calm.
He looked at her as though she were merely an acquaintance, someone with whom he shared no deep ties.
Compared to Souma Takiko's fervent expression, his was its complete opposite.
Whether or not Souma Takiko noticed, she suddenly spoke.
"I'm so glad..." she said, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "You really came back. I knew you would return someday, Akikan."
It seemed that throughout this past year and a half, Souma Takiko had never stopped thinking about Rozen.
"Long time no see," Rozen greeted her just as he had greeted the others—calm, casual, and indifferent. "Unfortunately, I'm back."
As someone who had once stood in opposition to her, those were the words Rozen chose.
Yet Souma Takiko showed no sign of hostility.
"How could that be unfortunate? I'm so happy you're back!" she exclaimed, smiling brightly at him, utterly unguarded. "When I heard you had returned, I wanted to see you right away, Akikan."
"Is that so?" Rozen replied indifferently. "But judging by your expression, I'd say you snuck out on your own, didn't you?"
"...Yes."
Souma Takiko lowered her gaze, guilt evident in her expression.
"Yashamaru and Kumomaru wouldn't allow me to see you, so I had to seize this chance to find you."
"Oh?" Rozen cast her a sidelong glance, as if seeing straight through her thoughts. With a smirk, he asked, "And what exactly do you intend to do now that you've found me?"
"I... I want to talk with you again!" Souma Takiko hurriedly responded.
"I believe that if we sit down and have a proper discussion, you'll understand us and join our cause!"
Her intention was now abundantly clear.
She wanted, just as she had a year and a half ago, to invite Rozen to their side.
To stand together and bring forth the Descension of the Gods.
Seeing this, Rozen had to say something.
"You really are naïve," he said with a chuckle.
"No wonder your Yase-Douji wouldn't let you come."
Rozen laughed.
Yashamaru, Kumomaru, and Kurahashi Genji had long since realized that Rozen could never be swayed into joining them.
That was why they had sought to capture him by force.
But Souma Takiko alone believed that if she could just talk to Rozen, he would come to understand her.
It was pure wishful thinking.
Yet...
"We are the same," she insisted.
"We are both capable of speaking directly with the gods and becoming one with them.
"If that is the case, then why can't we understand each other?"
To Souma Takiko, this was an absolute truth.
She saw Rozen as her only true companion.
More simply put—
Someone who could understand her suffering.
"Please," she pleaded.
"Give me a chance."
"I truly want to be with you."
"I want us to be companions—friends."
Like a girl confessing her love, her voice was both sincere and desperate.
"I beg you, Akikan."
This—was why Souma Takiko had come.