"BOOM!"
The explosive sound echoed as radiant flames erupted into the sky, heralding the arrival of a blazing sun.
"CRACKLE—!"
Endless fire descended from the heavens like scorching sunlight, sweeping across the land.
Along the shores of Shinjin Lake, a sea of flames manifested like a mirage, expanding into a fiery ring that encircled the entire lake—incinerating countless Horned Serpents in its wake.
The serpents burned to ash within the sudden inferno, their remains scattering like embers.
Even the swarm charging toward Shirona and the others met the same fate.
"This... is...?"
Shirona and the others, who had braced for impact, stared in shock.
Though the flames radiated blistering heat that prickled their skin, they parted around the group harmlessly, as if guided by will.
Then—divine energy erupted from the sky.
"...!"
Everyone's expressions changed as they snapped their gazes upward.
What they saw was—
A blazing sun descending from the heavens.
Like a sphere of fire.
Like the scorching sun itself.
It illuminated the entire lake, its heat so intense that the waters of Shinjin Lake began to boil.
And from within that sun—its master emerged.
"Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh—"
With rhythmic beats of its wings, a three-legged golden crow materialized, its form wreathed in shimmering embers, exuding an aura of sacred majesty.
At the sight of it, the Horned Serpents recoiled as if facing their natural predator, their aggression replaced by primal fear.
But it wasn't just the monsters.
Shirona, Hisano, Yuiri, and Shio—all trembled.
This was instinctual terror.
The dread of mortal beings in the presence of the divine.
As spiritualists—as shrine maidens—they recognized the entity before them.
It was...
"A god..."
Shirona whispered in disbelief.
A god had descended.
Yet, as swiftly as it arrived, it departed.
The golden crow cast a fleeting glance at the group, its gaze softening slightly upon spotting Nagisa and Avrora—still unharmed, still sleeping peacefully on the ground.
Then—
The flames surrounding the lake vanished without a trace, not even a spark remaining.
The blazing sun dissipated, revealing the crow's true form before it dove.
Like a falcon striking its prey, it blurred into a streak of gold—
And reappeared right before the group.
"...!"
Yuiri and Shio instinctively raised their weapons, but—
"Stop!"
"Do not disrespect it!"
Shirona and Hisano barked in unison.
Perhaps they sensed the crow bore no hostility—but provoking it would be catastrophic.
Under their sharp commands, Yuiri and Shio lowered their arms, while the nearby soldiers—still under Shirona's control—ignored the scene entirely, refocusing on the remaining serpents.
Unfazed, the crow flapped its wings and approached Nagisa and Avrora.
Divine energy enveloped the two girls, lifting them gently into the air.
Shirona and the others couldn't react in time.
Not that it would have mattered.
Because—
Someone had come for them.
The floating girls were caught midair by two figures who had appeared without warning.
"Nagisa!"
Yukina cradled Nagisa in her arms, relief flooding her face as she confirmed the girl was unharmed.
"Good. We're not too late."
Rozen, one hand resting on Yukina's shoulder—channeling a flight jujutsu to keep her aloft—held Avrora in his other arm.
He studied both sleeping girls, his lips curling into a faint smile.
Strangely, the moment they were secured in Rozen and Yukina's embrace, the faint distress on Nagisa and Avrora's faces melted away, replaced by serene calm.
Shirona and Hisano immediately focused on Rozen, while Yuiri and Shio locked onto Yukina—their fellow Lion King Agency member.
"Yukina!"
Yuiri gasped in delight.
"Himeragi?!"
Shio's eyes widened.
"Yuiri? Shio-san? You're here too?"
Yukina, still holding Nagisa, blinked in surprise before breaking into a smile.
Now, Rozen's identity was undeniable.
"So... this is the Divine Child of Origin?"
Hisano scrutinized Rozen intently.
"The Divine Child..."
Shirona's gaze lingered on Avrora—peaceful in Rozen's arms—then shifted to Nagisa, nestled against Yukina. A wry smile tugged at her lips, as if relieved yet resigned.
Yuiri and Shio, finally processing Rozen's presence, stiffened.
"H-Him...?"
Yuiri covered her mouth, staring at the strikingly handsome boy.
"The one Himeragi was assigned to monitor...?"
Shio murmured in awe.
Rozen had arrived at last.
"Seems even the Lion King Agency couldn't handle the spirit sealed in Shinjin Lake. And yet you claimed you could guarantee Nagisa and Avrora's safety. I'd love to know what gave you that confidence."
His voice, laced with sarcasm, carried an undeniable weight—especially to those just realizing who he was.
Yuiri and Shio tensed further.
Hisano, like Shirona, could only offer a strained smile.
Shirona, however, stepped forward calmly.
"It's an honor to finally meet you, Divine Child."
She bowed deeply—the formal reverence of a shrine maiden paying homage to a god.