Akatsuki Kojou's premonition wasn't wrong.
The moment he arrived at Gozo and saw Akatsuki Gajou and the professional team behind him, his eyelid twitched uncontrollably.
Kojou looked straight at Akatsuki Gajou and questioned,
"This is what you meant by 'coming here to have fun'?"
"Haha!"
Akatsuki Gajou scratched the back of his head and replied,
"It's the same thing if we finish work first, then have fun!"
Kojou: "…"
"You old bastard!"
He glared furiously at the irresponsible man in front of him.
"Come on, Nagisa, we're going back to Japan!"
Bang!
Suddenly—
Akatsuki Gajou placed a large hand on Kojou's shoulder.
"Kojou, now isn't the time to act willful..."
Kojou tried to struggle free, but quickly realized he couldn't shake off Gajou's grip at all.
A trace of shock flashed in his eyes.
Since when was this old man so strong?
Kojou suddenly realized—he didn't know his father as well as he thought.
But that didn't stop him from being pissed.
He and Nagisa were just kids.
And this man had dragged them here for some so-called "work"?!
Looking at the fuming Kojou, Gajou rubbed his temples.
"Well, it's fine."
Nagisa stepped in to smooth things over.
"You're the only one who understands dad!"
Gajou looked moved.
—
On the other side, Liana frowned and asked,
"These are the two people you said could solve the problem?"
Two… kids?
She looked clearly skeptical.
Gajou laughed and said,
"Don't worry. With Nagisa here, there's absolutely no issue."
"?"
Liana looked at Nagisa in disbelief.
Wait... she's the key?
"Huh? Me?"
Nagisa pointed at herself, visibly nervous.
Kojou frowned.
"What exactly do you want Nagisa to do?"
Gajou patted Kojou's shoulder, reassuringly,
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine."
Kojou didn't believe a word of it.
Only suspicion filled his eyes.
—
Before long, the group reached the ice field.
The moment Kojou approached, he felt a chill run down his spine.
His throat tightened, as though invisible hands were squeezing it.
Gulp.
He swallowed nervously and said with a trembling voice,
"Are you sure there's nothing wrong with this place?!"
Whatever was buried down there…
It definitely wasn't something normal!
And this guy had brought Nagisa to a place like this?!
Damn old man!!
Seeing Kojou's horrified face, Gajou shrugged.
"If you're scared, you can leave."
"Tsk."
Kojou looked disgruntled and muttered,
"If I go, I'm taking Nagisa with me."
He turned toward her, just about to speak.
But then stopped.
Nagisa's eyes had gone blank.
A strange aura began to rise from her body.
Whoosh—
Suddenly, wind surged beneath her feet, lifting her petite body gently off the ground.
Kojou's eyes widened, his heart tightening.
"Nagisa!"
He shouted and rushed forward to pull her down.
Bang!
Just as he reached out, Gajou stopped him cold.
"If you don't want anything to happen to Nagisa, don't touch her."
Kojou froze, then shouted,
"It's your fault! You're the one who brought her to this cursed place!"
Gajou didn't respond.
His gaze was fixed on Nagisa.
Gone was the usual carefree look. His expression had turned serious.
"…As I thought."
He murmured to himself.
Everything was going according to his expectations.
With Nagisa's aptitude as a spiritual medium, she could definitely resonate with the lingering will sealed here.
—
Liana stared blankly at the floating Nagisa.
After a moment, she muttered in a complicated tone,
"Possession by a lingering thought…"
A shrine maiden with spiritual aptitude might be capable of something like that.
But—
If this really was the site of the Fourth Progenitor, then the time this tomb had existed was immeasurable.
There shouldn't be much of a lingering will left after all this time.
To resonate with such a thought… was more difficult than ascending to heaven.
She had never heard of any shrine maiden succeeding at such a feat.
But this girl.
Had done it.
"She's really your daughter?"
Liana glanced at Gajou, then back at Nagisa, her tone questioning.
Gajou straightened with pride.
"See? Good genes."
"Pff…"
Liana smiled dryly.
"Maybe try getting a paternity test first."
Jealous.
Gajou clicked his tongue and refocused on Nagisa.
Liana also calmed herself and waited quietly for what would happen next.
Kojou, on the other hand, was still visibly tense.
He didn't dare make a move, afraid of harming Nagisa.
—
A few seconds later.
The airflow around Nagisa stopped, but her eyes remained lifeless.
She floated toward the ice, raised her hand.
Buzz—
A brilliant light flashed.
The thick ice suddenly vanished.
A swirling black void appeared in its place.
"This is…"
Liana was stunned, staring at the dark vortex in disbelief.
Gajou stroked his chin in amazement.
"The Fourth Progenitor's tomb is located in a separate dimension. What a bold structure..."
"Another dimension?"
Liana blinked, a little surprised. But she didn't dwell on it.
"Is it dangerous?"
"Relax."
Gajou smiled confidently.
"The ones who built it wouldn't want to get trapped in it themselves."
Liana breathed a little easier, then turned toward the portal.
"In that case, let's head in."
"Wait!"
Kojou suddenly called out.
"The Fourth Progenitor?! That legendary vampire is real?!"
He was shocked.
Why am I suddenly part of something this huge?!
Gajou shrugged.
"Go in and see for yourself."
"You still plan on taking us in?!"
Kojou looked incredulous.
He knew his father was irresponsible, but this was a new low.
Bringing kids into a place involving the Fourth Progenitor? Seriously?!
His gaze shifted to Nagisa, whose eyes were still empty.
Taking her in like this… isn't that way too dangerous?
Gajou ignored his frustration.
After a moment of thought, he said,
"To be precise, we're taking Nagisa in. You're not important."
Because they didn't know what lay inside, they couldn't rule out the possibility that Nagisa's spiritual power might still be needed.
Bringing her was the safest choice.
Kojou: "…"
He gritted his teeth.
"Then I'm coming too."
Seeing that, Gajou gave a subtle smile.
"Kojou really is a good older brother..."
"Tch. Better than you as a father, at least."
Kojou's voice was filled with annoyance.
Gajou didn't mind the jab.
—
Liana, who had been waiting impatiently, urged,
"Are you done? Let's go already."
Gajou shrugged.
"Should be fine."
He glanced at Kojou.
Kojou turned his face away, not meeting his gaze, but didn't protest either.
Seeing this, Gajou nodded at Liana.
He stepped forward, stopping before the swirling portal.
He took a deep breath, his eyes flickering with anticipation.
Even after all the excavation sites he had been to, this was his first time facing something related to the Fourth Progenitor.
It was impossible not to be excited.
And—
The entrance alone was extraordinary.
His heart beat faster.
In the next second, he raised his foot.
And stepped toward the portal.
But just then.
A lazy voice rang out from behind them.
"Mind if I hitch a ride?"
(To be continued.)