Hearing Charles's question, even Roku expressed his confusion with an emoticon.
Seigen Amawaka spoke up. "Didn't Arima tell you?"
Charles raised an eyebrow. "Tell me what?"
Ikaruga Shimon explained, "Some strange things have been happening lately. Gohyakuzou and Kanzashi were attacked. Although the enemies were just regular Impurities, those shouldn't be able to drag onmyōji into the Impurity Realm by force."
"According to Kanzashi, she discovered traces of jujutsu. We still don't know exactly what kind."
The Gohyakuzou and Kanzashi they mentioned were also members of the Twelve Guardians: Gōjin Gohyakuzou Narumi and Taiin Kanzashi Miku.
It wouldn't be surprising if normal people were pulled into the Impurity Realm by Impurities, but onmyōji were protected by their jūryoku. Such a thing shouldn't be possible—especially not with elite onmyōji, the Twelve Guardians. Even more suspicious: this happened twice.
Two such cases happening in close succession couldn't be dismissed as coincidence. Something had to be going on.
So when Shimon mentioned traces of jujutsu, Charles wasn't surprised. If anything, it made too much sense.
Subaru Mitsushima continued, "That's why Lord Arima suspects someone is hunting the Twelve Guardians."
"How annoying," she added with a cold smile. "To think those filthy Impurities would dare go after us."
Charles raised a hand. "Okay, I get it. But what does this have to do with me?"
Seigen replied, "Arima said you might be one of their targets too. We don't know why, but he's not the type to joke about something like this."
Charles stroked his chin. Knowing Arima's sharp instincts, he must've noticed something. There was nothing in Charles's memories of the original plot involving the Guardians being hunted. This had to be a butterfly effect from his own presence in the world.
Considering everything, there was only one likely mastermind.
Charles had been wondering what Yuto Ijika was up to since disappearing. Now it was obvious—he was behind this Guardian Hunting operation.
Charles looked over at Seigen and then asked, "So why are all of you gathered here?"
Subaru stood up and answered, "Arima suspects it's all a diversion. The real target might be the Twin Stars."
Charles nodded. It made sense. Yuto may have some plans involving him, but his true objective would always be Rokuro.
"So Arima sent you all as bodyguards?" Charles asked.
Subaru smiled dangerously. "That's not the only reason. If someone dares to challenge us, the Twelve Guardians, then of course we're going to respond.
"And if the one behind it shows themselves…"
She closed her folding fan with a sharp snap, lips curving into a tight smile.
Charles glanced around. With four Guardians gathered here, the fighting power was considerable.
Still, he was puzzled by Arima's decision. Sending out four Guardians like this… Wasn't he worried about scaring off Yuto?
Subaru concluded, "Well, that's enough of a meeting. I need to get back to watching those two brats. Roku, we're leaving."
With that, she and Roku turned and left.
Seigen followed. "We'll be monitoring from the shadows too. Let's go, Shimon!"
"Yes, Seigen-san!" Shimon said as he quickly followed.
In the blink of an eye, Charles was alone again. He sat back down on the couch, suddenly curious about how things would unfold.
Of course, there was no way he'd be left out of it.
Neither Yuto Ijika, the antagonist, nor Subaru and the other Guardians would let Charles quietly spectate from the sidelines.
That day, Charles was once again immersed in his studies when his phone rang.
It was the one Yinami Yoshikichi had given him. He hadn't had it long, and very few people knew the number.
He answered casually. On the other end, Shimon's voice shouted, "Charles! Something's happened!"
Charles had to pull the phone away from his ear. "Calm down. What is it?"
Shimon said, "Miss Subaru and Roku are missing—they disappeared early this morning. And just now, Seigen-san rushed off in a hurry. I went to check and… Rokuro and Benio are gone too!"
Charles frowned and stood up. "Got it. Contact Arima. I'll go check the Impurity Realm."
He hung up and pulled out a Gate Talisman.
As soon as Charles stepped through the portal and prepared to head toward the scene, a man in a white mask and black cloak appeared before him.
"A Basara. Impressive jūryoku," Charles muttered.
This figure wasn't human, but a high-level Impurity—one even stronger than pre-evolution Kamui.
And there was only one Basara who dressed this way—their leader, and the one who had joined Yuto Ijika in orchestrating the main plot's greatest conspiracy.
He still thought Yuto was merely a pawn, only to be betrayed in the end.
"Anmu, right?" Charles said. "So this was your plot. Where's Yuto Ijika?"
Anmu's voice was cold. "You just said a name I hate."
Charles leapt backward. Two dark purple tendrils of jūryoku stabbed into the spot he'd just vacated.
"So you're not going to answer me?" Charles summoned the Evil Dragon and the Dragon Slayer.
He couldn't see the face behind Anmu's mask, but he could sense the change in energy.
Anmu didn't attack again—instead, he spoke. "Just as Yuto Ijika said… Your power is different from jūryoku."
Charles narrowed his eyes. "So what did he send you here to do?"
Anmu didn't reply. He simply raised a hand and released a flood of jūryoku.
It surged toward Charles like a tidal wave. Charles raised his fist.
"Iron Fist of the Fire Dragon!"
Flames erupted, vaporizing the dark wave of energy. But Charles frowned—not because the jūryoku was too strong, but because it was too weak.
He wasn't even trying to fight seriously.
"So… a distraction? The real target is the Twin Stars!"
Given the situation, that was the only conclusion Charles could draw.
"Is Yuto over there?" Charles grinned—and vanished.
Anmu's eyes widened. Yuto's warning echoed in his mind:
"If you run into him, don't get careless. If we lose you, it'll be a nightmare."
Though they were partners, Anmu had always looked down on Yuto. He hadn't taken the warning seriously. But now he understood why Yuto had said that.
"Fire Dragon's Claw!"
Charles suddenly appeared in front of him and shattered the white mask with a kick to the face.
------------------
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