Miracle Summoner

"Chief!"

Yuge Mari called out.

"Chief!"

Even Kogure Zenjirou, who was struggling to rise from the ground, was startled.

"To think he would actually defeat the 'Fire Demon'...!?"

Yamashiro Hayato gasped.

"Chief!"

"Chief Miyachi!"

Even the exorcists and magic investigators all exclaimed in shock, their minds filled with astonishment.

They had watched in disbelief as Miyachi Iwao was instantly defeated by Rozen, and it was impossible for them not to be stunned.

That was Miyachi Iwao!

That was the 'Fire Demon'!

The most powerful Onmyouji of this era had been defeated in the blink of an eye—how could anyone not be shocked?

"You..."

Even Miyachi Iwao himself felt a moment of disorientation, his spiritual energy completely thrown into disarray.

To unleash the 'Great Daiitoku Mantra' spell with one's own power was certainly an impressive feat. But when the spell was broken, the risk was at its highest.

Especially since Rozen had destroyed the Mantra with such a direct method, the impact on Miyachi Iwao, who had fully invested himself in the spell's formation, was immense.

Now, Miyachi Iwao was suffering from the backlash of the spell, seriously injured and with his spiritual energy in turmoil.

As a result, Miyachi Iwao had effectively lost his combat ability and could no longer use jujutsu.

"Such a pity, Chief Miyachi."

Rozen looked at the scene, releasing his grip on the magical seals and allowing the spell array of the Mantra to fade and disappear, while gazing at Miyachi Iwao, who was lying on the ground and spitting blood, a look of sympathy in his eyes.

"I've personally admired you quite a bit. Even though you're a modern practitioner of jujutsu, you possess such strength, making me think you were truly remarkable in the past."

That was the truth.

In the past, Rozen had said that people like Miyachi Iwao, who could live in the modern world with such power, were a miracle.

Even in this era, Miyachi Iwao had reached such a level of spiritual energy and power, earning Rozen's high regard.

Even someone like Ashiya Doman, who had survived for over a thousand years, would likely struggle against Miyachi Iwao in a jujutsu battle, and the current Onmyouji like Yakou, who had revived Onmyodou half a century ago and still influenced the jujutsu world, would only be a match for him at best.

While Miyachi Iwao might not have the accomplishments of the earlier great figures, his strength in the modern world was second to none, and throughout the history of jujutsu, few could rival him.

A person like him, if he were on the right path, would definitely become a great figure in the future, possibly even a divine or legendary being.

But Miyachi Iwao felt no pride in this. Instead, his power seemed to have brought about a tragedy, and he had long since given up on himself, flowing aimlessly with the tide, which was why he allowed Kurahashi Genji to manipulate him.

That was why Rozen felt sympathy.

Of course, for Miyachi Iwao, this was a bit ironic.

"...Do you have the right to say that?"

Miyachi Iwao let out a bitter laugh.

If there was anyone who could be called a miracle in the modern world, it would surely be Rozen.

Throughout the history of jujutsu, who could have achieved such mastery and power at Rozen's age? Who could successfully summon a god and control it?

No one!

If Miyachi Iwao was a miracle of the modern era, Rozen was a miracle of the entire history of Onmyodou, and he would surely be praised and admired by future generations.

"Compared to you, I really am nothing, aren't I?"

Miyachi Iwao's expression became increasingly bitter.

At that moment, Miyachi Iwao didn't realize that Rozen was truly an exception.

First, he wasn't even from this world, so he couldn't be counted in the same way.

Second, even if you counted him, Rozen was far older than he appeared. While his physical body appeared youthful, he had lived and honed his skills in various worlds for over a century.

So, when it came to experience, Rozen had undergone far more training than Miyachi Iwao. Even Yakou, who had lived multiple lives, couldn't match Rozen. Only Ashiya Doman, who had lived for over a thousand years, could claim to be an elder in Rozen's presence.

As for Miyachi Iwao, in front of Rozen, he was merely a junior.

Otherwise, Rozen wouldn't be looking at him with such a sympathetic expression.

"At least let me end this fight in a more dignified manner."

Rozen said indifferently.

His words immediately provoked the others.

"Don't even think about it!"

Kogure Zenjirou, Yuge Mari, and Yamashiro Hayato shouted in unison.

"————————"

Kogure Zenjirou loudly chanted the invocation for the war god Bishamonten, calling down the god's protection and greatly increasing his spiritual energy. He gripped his divine sword and charged toward Rozen.

"————————"

Yuge Mari formed hand signs and chanted the incantation for the immovable gold chain binding technique, causing magical chains to lash out.

"Manifest the evil spirit————Order!"

Yamashiro Hayato quickly pulled out a talisman and crushed it, summoning a cloud of pitch-black fog.

It was a curse.

In the past, the Yakou followers within the Onmyo Agency's Magic Crimes Investigation Department had used this cursed spirit against Rozen. It was a curse born from negative emotions like hatred, created using spiritual energy. Due to its strength and danger, it was forbidden by the Onmyo Agency, and it was illegal to create or use it without permission.

As a top-tier Onmyouji, Yamashiro Hayato had permission to use certain forbidden spells, allowing him to create and use this cursed spirit, whose power far exceeded that of the Yakou followers' attempt to use it against Rozen. A massive amount of black mist poured forth, rushing toward Rozen.

But Rozen merely stood still, unaffected, and spoke.

"Hokuto."

The dragon aura within Rozen surged.

A brilliant light beam shot up into the sky, transforming into a dragon.

"Roar!!!"

Hokuto roared, its head lowered as it eyed the group of top-tier Onmyouji charging at Rozen, a cold glint flashing in its eyes.

The next moment, Hokuto exhaled a chilling breath.

The golden divine dragon in the sky released a freezing chill, spreading across the rooftop.

"Crack! Crack! Crack..."

With the sound of ice forming, everything on the rooftop froze, turning the top floor of the Onmyo Agency into a frozen wasteland, glittering with crystalline light.

After a while, the golden divine dragon stopped.

And on the rooftop, everything had turned into ice.

The summoned spirits, jujutsu, and even the Onmyouji themselves were all frozen.

Kogure Zenjirou remained mid-charge toward Rozen.

Yuge Mari's face was filled with terror.

Yamashiro Hayato was both angry and frightened.

Miyachi Iwao smiled bitterly and accepted his fate.

One by one, the Onmyouji were either terrified or despairing, falling over, all turned to ice statues, signaling the end of the battle.