At that moment, all the onmyoji in Kanda Shrine held their breath.
Even the Twelve Divine Generals present were no exception.
Watching the young man floating in midair, surrounded by countless yokai and demons, leading legendary beings of various kinds, his jet-black attire billowing as radiant embers danced around him—every onmyoji felt their body temperature dropping. Yet, sweat poured relentlessly down their faces.
They couldn't help it. The pressure was simply too immense.
To the onmyoji present, the boy standing in the void was nothing less than a demon king.
The legendary yokai and demons obeyed his every command.
The Onmyo Agency had already fallen into his hands, their very headquarters reduced to ashes.
And Tokyo itself—had been turned into a demonic domain, a nest of horrors. Buildings lay in ruins, consumed by flames. Civilian casualties were still unconfirmed, but the city itself had collapsed entirely. The only remaining stronghold was this Kanda Shrine. Although contact with the outside world hadn't been completely cut off and the government had already deployed both military and Self-Defense Forces, ordinary personnel had no role to play in this disaster. Even helicopters and fighter jets couldn't approach—whenever they tried, they were instantly swarmed by malevolent spirits and dragged down.
At this moment, all of Tokyo had fallen into his hands.
The fate of everyone now rested solely upon his whims.
How could anyone not feel fear when confronted with such a terrifying jujutsu criminal?
In the eyes of the onmyoji, Rozen had already become a being even more terrifying than Yakou, the one who triggered the Great Spiritual Disaster half a century ago. Compared to him, no jujutsu criminal in history could measure up.
Everyone believed that from this day forward, Rozen's name would be carved into history. This event would forever be remembered as a calamity that left the entire jujutsu world trembling in fear.
As for those present here, their fate was left to the mercy of destiny.
After all, in the end, whether they would even survive—was still an uncertainty.
At this thought, a sense of despair and sorrow arose in the hearts of the onmyoji.
Even the Twelve Divine Generals felt helpless inside, yet they had no choice but to step forward.
If even they gave up, who else could stand firm?
Thus, they had to step forward—no matter how hopeless the situation seemed.
And so…
"Are you not willing to stand down, Tsuchimikado?"
Amami Daizen took a step forward and shouted toward Rozen.
With Kurahashi Genji and Miyachi Iwao absent, Amami Daizen, as the head of the Magic Crimes Investigation Department, held the highest authority here.
However…
"That question should be mine to ask, shouldn't it, Chief Amami?"
Rozen looked down at the onmyoji standing at the shrine's entrance, his gaze landing on Amami Daizen, and let out a quiet chuckle.
"You've all noticed something off about Kurahashi Genji, haven't you?"
The moment these words were spoken, most of the onmyoji remained silent, but several members of the Twelve Divine Generals had a flicker of realization in their eyes.
Among them were Amami Daizen, Ohtomo Jin, and Kogure Zenjirou.
Clearly, these three were sharp enough to recognize the implications of Rozen's words—and could not refute them.
Especially Amami Daizen, who had sensed something amiss a year and a half ago. Likewise, Ohtomo Jin, having spent years in the underground world of the jujutsu society, had likely picked up on suspicions as well.
Only Yuge Mari and Yamashiro Hayato seemed baffled, showing no understanding of what Rozen was implying.
Rozen, however, did not explain outright.
Because even if he did, the people here wouldn't believe him.
One side was Kurahashi Genji, the greatest onmyoji of this generation, who had made immense contributions to the Onmyo Agency.
The other was Rozen—the jujutsu criminal who had turned Tokyo into a monster-infested hellscape.
Who would they believe? Was there even a question?
Thus, Rozen had no need to expose Kurahashi Genji's crimes here.
He only needed to speak to those who could understand him.
"If you already suspect Kurahashi Genji, then why are you still standing in my way?"
Rozen's words carried a clear message: Stand down.
He believed that if it were Amami Daizen or Ohtomo Jin, they would understand—he bore no hostility toward them, nor did he intend to kill anyone here.
If that was the case, then blocking his path served no purpose.
Thus, retreating was the best option.
However, Rozen also knew that they likely wouldn't choose that path.
And the reason was simple.
"...Even if what you say is true, you are still a jujutsu criminal—an undeniable villain who turned Tokyo into a hellscape. Both in duty and in principle, we cannot yield to you."
Amami Daizen spoke solemnly, while Kogure Zenjirou lowered his gaze, and Ohtomo Jin merely adjusted his glasses without commenting.
But this was the truth.
While Amami Daizen and the others might suspect Kurahashi Genji, they were unaware of the Divine Descension Plan. Even if they harbored doubts about him, they likely thought it could be investigated later. They wouldn't abandon their allegiance to the Onmyo Agency based on mere suspicions—not when faced with Rozen, a jujutsu criminal of such magnitude.
After all, the government had been alarmed. The military and Self-Defense Forces were already involved. If the Onmyo Agency were to ignore the mastermind behind all this destruction and let Rozen act freely, then the onmyoji would lose all trust from both the nation and society.
The Onmyo Agency itself might even be abolished, and jujutsu practitioners may no longer be tolerated.
For that reason, Amami Daizen and the others could not compromise.
"For what it's worth, I know you're not a purely evil person, Akikan."
Ohtomo Jin also stepped forward and shouted toward Rozen.
"But your actions have gone too far."
"That's right!" Kogure Zenjirou followed, speaking as he had a year and a half ago—solemnly and earnestly.
"Stop this. No matter what truth lies beneath all of this, we can figure it out later. But letting Tokyo suffer like this—is not justice!"
The three Twelve Divine Generals who had some level of connection with Rozen pleaded with him.
This was not just an appeal from their standpoint.
It was also a plea from their hearts.
They knew Rozen bore them no malice. Likewise, they did not want to cross blades with him.
It was only because of their position that they were forced to try and capture him.
For example, Kogure Zenjirou had been relentless in trying to arrest Rozen—not out of enmity, but to stop him from making further mistakes.
Unfortunately…
"Time is not on our side, everyone."
Rozen shook his head.
"Today is the day Kurahashi Genji's plan is set in motion. Everything will be decided now. There's no time left for slow investigations or hesitations."
With that, Rozen swept his gaze over the gathered onmyoji and made his declaration.
"Step aside."
"This, is your final warning."