Miracle Summoner

A skirmish ended abruptly, far faster than expected.

Shigeoka Shunsuke's shikigami horde was utterly overwhelmed by Rozen's own, each one bound to the ground, unable to move.

"All right, let's go."

Rozen didn't spare a single glance at the fallen Nioh and Yasha, speaking only to Kyoko.

"O-Okay!"

Kyoko finally snapped back to reality and hurriedly responded.

But at that moment…

"This is…"

Just as Rozen was about to leave with Kyoko, his eyes suddenly narrowed.

"What's wrong?"

Kyoko was slightly taken aback.

In the next instant, an anomaly occurred.

"Buzz——!"

The atmosphere trembled, causing the earth to rumble.

A terrifying surge of jutsuryoku radiated from the ground, rising into the sky before converging.

Under this immense force, barriers began emerging across Tokyo as if rising from the depths, one after another, gradually linking together.

Rozen fixed his gaze on the scene and uttered a single word:

"Formation…"

A Formation.

It referred to a large-scale spell composed of interconnected barriers or techniques.

Its effects were similar to those of individual barriers or spells, but the difference in power was vast.

Just as one plus one is always greater than one, a Formation combined techniques of the same type or nature, aligning them to assist each other, expanding their scope, and ultimately amplifying their potency severalfold, dozens of times, or even hundreds of times, unleashing terrifying power.

Now, the entire surrounding area—perhaps even all of Tokyo—was enveloped in a Formation barrier, with countless individual barriers rising from the ground and interlinking, forming a vast structure.

Rozen's Wise Eye clearly perceived the upheaval beneath the earth—Tokyo's spiritual veins were boiling, releasing an endless tide of spiritual energy.

This Formation barrier had been constructed using Tokyo's spiritual veins.

At this moment, the city's entire spiritual network had become Rozen's enemy, erecting a barrier to completely trap him.

"This is going to be interesting."

Such a thought surfaced in Rozen's mind.

The real chaos was just beginning.

---

Exorcism Bureau, Headquarters

At the Bureau's main square, a massive formation of Exorcists had assembled, led by Miyachi Iwao and Yuge Mari.

Around the square, numerous Homa Altars blazed with sacred flames, releasing immense jutsuryoku. Surrounding them were various powerful magical artifacts, each exuding astonishing spiritual energy.

Yuge Mari led the assembled Exorcists, all standing within the ritual formation, eyes closed as they chanted in unison:

"——————"

They were chanting the mantra of Ususama Myo-o, a deity known for purifying defilement. The solemn and sacred atmosphere filled the space.

Beside Yuge Mari, Miyachi Iwao clasped a Buddhist rosary, forming mudras as he recited another chant:

"—With the protection of the eighteen divine guardians, those who dwell here must also discipline themselves and not act recklessly, lest they invite immediate retribution—"

Miyachi Iwao was chanting a Garān Mantra, a prayer invoking the protection of Buddhist deities.

In Buddhism, Garān refers to sacred temple grounds, and Garān Deities are protectors of these sites. More broadly, they represent all divine beings who safeguard the Dharma.

This particular mantra sought their divine protection.

Only Miyachi Iwao could perform this alone.

For ordinary sorcerers, chanting the Garān Mantra would merely grant the land's protection, enhancing earth-element magic. Normally, it took dozens of monks performing a sacred Buddhist ritual to summon the full divine blessing.

This spell was specifically for defending the faith—it was never meant for combat.

Yet Miyachi Iwao alone had achieved it, and he was now combining the Garān Mantra's divine protection with Yuge Mari and the Exorcists' ritual, manipulating all of Tokyo's spiritual veins to construct an impenetrable Formation barrier.

"—All gods have countless retainers, each entrusted with the duty of protection—"

Miyachi Iwao continued his chant with unwavering focus, coordinating seamlessly with Yuge Mari and the assembled Exorcists.

Thus, Tokyo had been transformed into a fortress.

---

Onmyo Agency, Director's Office

"This is quite the spectacle!"

From his window, Yashamaru watched gleefully as the massive Formation sealed all of Tokyo, drawing power from its spiritual veins. He laughed heartily.

"Well, well! They actually tapped into all of Tokyo's spiritual veins? Even Miyachi couldn't have done that alone… You must have temporarily lent him 'that,' didn't you?"

Yashamaru turned to Kurahashi Genji, speaking with a tone of amusement.

Kurahashi Genji's expression remained as impassive as ever.

"It's of no use to us right now anyway. Until the Princess is fully prepared, let Miyachi make use of it."

He admitted his involvement in the matter.

"You really have some guts. You know as well as I do that 'that' isn't something to be used lightly. If something goes wrong, our entire plan will suffer a serious setback. And you didn't even consult me first? That's pretty cold."

Yashamaru spoke as if complaining, but his tone lacked any real protest—if anything, he seemed pleased by this turn of events.

"I thought you were just putting on a show for appearances. Looks like you haven't actually given up on capturing Tsuchimikado Akikan after all."

Yashamaru's voice was laced with amusement.

Kurahashi Genji, however, remained cold and composed.

"Even if it's just for show, that doesn't mean I've abandoned it."

Kurahashi Genji spoke in a firm tone.

"Tsuchimikado Akikan still holds great value to us. It's worth the attempt."

But Yashamaru knew the truth—this was no mere attempt.

Kurahashi Genji had mobilized the entire Onmyo Agency for this, leaving only the hidden Souma faction as the final reserve force.

Unlike previous actions, this operation had been meticulously planned and prepared—it wasn't a simple manhunt.

Yashamaru instantly understood Kurahashi Genji's true intent.

"You're planning to turn all of Tokyo into a battlefield, flushing out every single rat that's been hiding in the shadows."

Yashamaru smirked darkly.

Kurahashi Genji did not deny it.

The two of them were orchestrating something truly terrifying.

After all, by transforming Tokyo into a battlefield, its citizens would inevitably suffer.

And perhaps as divine retribution for their audacity, an unexpected event occurred—one even Kurahashi Genji and Yashamaru had not foreseen.

"Director!"

A frantic voice rang out as a figure burst into the office.

It was another Yase Doji—Kumomaru.

The moment he arrived, he brought grave news.

"The Princess is missing!"

Kumomaru shouted, his face filled with urgency.

"What?"

"What?"

For the first time, Kurahashi Genji and Yashamaru's expressions changed.