In a large park far from the city, a group of people could be seen playing.
"Jin! Go!"
A young girl, Sae, threw a frisbee she had just bought, and Jin, the avatar of [Canis Lykaon], ran after it, catching the frisbee with a high leap.
"Yes, you too, Griffon!"
This time, another girl, Natsume, threw several balls into the air. Griffon caught them with its talons.
The white cat that was Samejima's other self—Byakusa—was also rubbing against Sae's feet. As for its master, Samejima, he was lying on one of the park benches, taking a nap. It seemed he was tired from shopping.
Tobio was sitting on a bench near the one where Samejima was sleeping, from where he closely observed Sae and the others.
Cao Cao was sitting on a picnic blanket, eating some local food, while Alexandre Ilude watched everything from a slight distance.
A few days after the joint training of everyone against Alex, the group decided to take a break from everything and stroll around the city.
They went to amusement parks, shops, and other places. The Hakuryuukou himself thought this was a good change of pace for them all.
[This is all very peaceful,] Albion pondered in Alex's mind. [Like the calm before the storm.]
"Shut up and let me sleep, Albion," the Lion King grumbled.
[You're too lazy, cat. Haven't they ever told you sloth is a sin?]
"Yeah, and my punishment is having to put up with you."
[Hey! I'm trying to be nice!]
"Go be nice and see if I'm around the corner."
Alex sighed as he calmly ignored the voices in his head.
"Wait, that phrase makes it sound like I'm crazy."
"Don't worry, Alex, you're not crazy. No mind would be disturbed enough to create Albion."
[Hey?!]
"You're right," Alex nodded lightly.
[Even you, partner?!]
"Aren't you going to have fun, Alexandre?"
Alex's golden eyes slowly turned toward the voice, forgetting the voices in his head.
A blonde girl wearing a light blue dress approached—it was Lavinia Reni.
Long, smooth blonde hair that seemed to shine like silk, transparent blue eyes, long, well-proportioned white arms and legs, and though the light blue dress was simple, it highlighted the distinctive features of a young woman to the fullest.
Since she was wearing clothes so different from her usual pointed hat and cloak that made up her magical girl cosplay, everyone was captivated by her beauty.
Lavinia's face was extraordinarily red, and her arms and legs were restless. Somehow, her appearance was one of embarrassment.
"…This look is a bit embarrassing. I'm not sure if I look good in these clothes."
Alex gave a slight smile as he appreciated the sight.
"Look good? If you went out now, there'd be guys asking you out."
Certainly, with her earlier magical girl look, it seemed many would approach her for being a beautiful blonde girl. However, with this one-piece dress look, that was another story. It was reasonable to assume many would try to woo her if she walked around the city like this.
Lavinia questioned Alex.
"And you, Alex? Do these clothes look good on me?"
"Yes, you look very beautiful."
Hearing Alex's impression, Lavinia smiled while blushing.
Alex slid a bit from the center of the bench, at which point Lavinia sat beside him.
She opened a small package. From it, she handed him a popsicle. She had apparently bought them from a shop operating in the park. It seemed she had bought some for everyone.
"Hey, Lavinia, why are you caught up in this mess?" Alexandre asked with interest.
Tobio and the others were involved because they were at the center of it all, but Lavinia Reni had nothing to do with it.
The Ice Princess spoke slowly.
"To start, I'll tell you a story about the people I'm pursuing… Between the human world and the world of fantasies lies the Dimensional Gap, and within it exists a country called Oz. This country of wizards, compared to wizards like me who live in this world, uses distinct ideals and theories. And that is—"
"…The Wizards of Oz."
Lavinia nodded at Alex's words. She continued to explain further.
"In this Oz, there are castles in the north, south, east, and west, all centered around the Emerald City, where the leader of the wizards resides, and in these castles live powerful witches."
"It was the same in the children's story *The Wizard of Oz*. The Witch of the East, the Witch of the North, and so on."
Lavinia spoke with a frightening expression.
"The witch allied with the Utsusemi Agency—she is the Witch of the East from Oz."
"I've heard about that," Alex pondered. "The Witch of the East—Augusta of the Purple Flame."
"In fact, I'm also connected to Oz."
She spoke while looking at the sky.
"…The teacher who taught me magic was a witch who lived in Oz—Glenda, the Witch of the South."
Alex looked slightly surprised; he remembered something like that, but not with great clarity.
Lavinia, opening her mouth, was about to weave her next words… and that's when it happened.
A strange figure appeared in everyone's field of vision. Turning their gaze to where Sae and the others were playing, there was an odd-looking boy there. He was a graceful-faced boy, about the same age, wearing glasses. He was dressed in a blazer that was primarily blue.
The young man was looking at Jin and Byakusa with apparent great interest.
With what could be described as a sudden appearance that emitted no detectable presence, the young man appeared near Sae and the others. Sae and Natsume were being vigilant, having put some distance between themselves and him.
Beside Alex, Lavinia also had a stiff expression on her face. Tobio also stood up and moved to protect Sae and the others. Cao Cao also rose, on alert.
The boy addressed them.
"Heh, that's a very cute cat. Is this your cat?"
The boy had questioned Sae. Since Byakusa was pressed against Sae's legs, it seemed he thought she was its owner.
"Who the hell are you? Tch, you're not a normal guy, are you?"
The one who responded to the boy was Samejima. Having sensed the suspicious atmosphere, at some point, Samejima had woken up and, while vigorously shaking his head, was now walking toward them. There was a sharp look in his eyes.
The boy paid no attention to the glare the delinquent was giving him and, on the contrary, just smiled.
"Oh, you were able to guess that, huh."
After the young man confirmed that everyone was gathered in the square, he began his self-introduction.
"Nice to meet you, Four Fiends, Inugami, and White Dragon. I am Kushihashi, Kushihashi Seiryuu."
Everyone was surprised by the declaration. Alex narrowed his eyes. On guard, Cao Cao sought confirmation.
"…Kushihashi? You're part of the Five Principal Clans, right?"
In response to Cao Cao's question, the boy—Kushihashi Seiryuu—nodded.
"Yes, I'm pretty much the next head of the Kushihashi clan. Well, even if I say that, it might not seem real to you."
Suddenly, they had met a boy who was a member of the Five Principal Clans and, moreover, called himself the 'next clan head.' For them to be those same Five Principal Clans that exiled the Utsusemi Agency organization, against which Tobio and the others had fought not long ago, meeting one of the clans that was their foundation was an unusual situation.
The first thing they had to confirm was… whether he had come to this place with hostile intentions or not.
Alex smiled slightly as he spoke.
"…You're not really a friend, are you? Well then, an enemy, is it?"
Faced with the interrogation, Kushihashi Seiryuu spoke as if mocking him.
"An enemy, I could be one."
Kushihashi Seiryuu was assuming an attitude bordering on nonchalance. Beside him, Samejima was getting irritated. Given his personality, it's possible he had a prejudice against someone of this type.
Samejima whistled, and in response, Byakusa, who was at Sae's feet, instantly vanished from the spot. It instantly leaped to its master's shoulder, Samejima.
Byakusa's tail coiled around his right arm, forming a spear. While imbuing it with electricity, he pointed it at Kushihashi Seiryuu.
Samejima spoke plainly.
"If you make a move, I'll act. Fighting after a meal sounds good."
"Heh, that's interesting."
A pressure was released from Kushihashi Seiryuu's entire body.
It seemed like an explosive situation, but Natsume stepped between the two and called for restraint.
"W-Wait! Are you… attacking us? For what reason?"
Kushihashi Seiryuu shrugged as he spoke.
"—The Utsusemi Agency, you were all involved with them. Or rather, it's a shame you ended up getting involved with them. So, the end result was the collapse of that organization. Given that's the case, it's impossible even for the Five Principal Clans, from whom they originated, to ignore it. Not to mention your cooperation with Grigori… This is a grave crime for us. After all, we're antagonistic to them."
Since he heard they were a group that purges incompetents (like those they were involved with) from the household, his explanation was very easy to understand. Moreover, it seemed they were far from pleased with Tobio and the others being associated with Grigori.
However, without having said a single word yet, Tobio spoke.
"If it's about those people who were exiled… I've already heard all about it. Also, after the incident, you took measures to purge those involved in the recent events."
According to Grigori's explanation, the remnants of the Utsusemi Agency were considered targets for elimination by the Five Principal Clans, and for that, agents were sent to hunt down the survivors. The agents of the Five Principal Clans continued to pursue the fugitive members of the Utsusemi Agency organization alongside the witches' agents.
And now, even Tobio and the others, who had been involuntarily involved, were being targeted—
That's what Tobio's inquiry referred to.
Kushihashi Seiryuu responded while inferring the true meaning of Tobio's question.
"Irrational, isn't it? Even I understand it's to be expected. But, for turbulent elements, the truth is, it's precisely because they're plucked out in advance that this country is here now… Well, I also think it's arrogant."
Kushihashi Seiryuu gave a cynical laugh.
And then, an abnormally strong wind began to blow throughout the surrounding area. The source of this wind was the boy, Kushihashi Seiryuu. With him at the center, the wind intensified.
"—Wind?"
Natsume spoke while holding her hair and skirt in the wind.
Lavinia responded, unconcerned with her skirt fluttering in the wind.
"Be warned. Kushihashi is the family that governs the Beast of 'Wood' among the Sacred Beasts. The 'Wood' can manipulate 'Wind' and 'Lightning.'"
Kushihashi Seiryuu's body was enveloped in something like a blue 'essence.' This 'essence,' flowing from his body, took shape behind him as a monster with a long, slender body like a snake, giving the impression of an oriental dragon.
"Since we're also following orders, I'd appreciate it if you didn't curse me when you die. Oh, please rest assured. This entire area has been covered by a barrier. The clearing of spectators is complete. So, there's no issue with causing a ruckus. Let me use this a bit too."
Seeing the boy's smile, Alex raised his left hand and snapped his fingers.
"Don't be so arrogant, Azure Dragon."
A spark emerged from the gloved hand's snapping fingers, and the small spark instantly transformed into an immense conflagration of flames that shot toward the heir.
Seeing the wall of flames approaching, the boy immediately leaped away, a gust of wind and lightning coursing through his body and protecting him.
Plants grew around him, and several wooden trunks emerged from the ground toward the Hakuryuukou.
Alex merely smiled. The young man before him hosted the Azure Dragon, one of the Sacred Beasts capable of controlling Wood and all kinds of plants, along with Lightning and Wind.
"Cao Cao."
"Understood."
The young descendant of the Warlord charged, wielding his poleaxe. With fluid movements, he cut through the Azure Dragon heir's attack.
Kushihashi prepared to attack again but stopped when he felt cold metal pressing against his throat.
Looking slightly back, he saw Alex smiling calmly, his Zanpakutō unsheathed, pointing at the young man's neck.
"That's enough, next head of the Kushihashi."
Alex smiled. At the same time, footsteps were heard as another person approached.
"Looks like I've been cornered by the White Dragon," Kushihashi said mockingly. "And the Fallen Angel of Lightning has arrived too."
The footsteps that were heard—a person approached—Barakiel walked slowly toward everyone.
"Indeed, that's enough, Azure Dragon. You can stand down now, Alexandre."
Barakiel requested as Alex gave a smile and slowly sheathed his sword. At the same time, Barakiel's eyes were fixed on that blade.
And he remembered the power it possessed.
In the training field where the joint battle took place, the purple mist slowly dissipated as everyone returned to the normal world.
Tobio, Samejima, Natsume, and Cao Cao had returned, emerging from the barrier. Despite their severe injuries, Barakiel, who was watching, quickly helped them as they stood.
Then it happened.
From what remained of the fading purple mist, a pillar of flames emerged, reaching the heavens and incinerating the clouds.
The flames expanded in all directions as the temperature in the area rose absurdly.
"This is serious?!"
Barakiel shouted as he created a barrier with his power. Even with it, the overwhelming heat of the flames, even from a distance, made everyone sweat, and at the same time, the sweat evaporated due to the heat.
In the middle of the pillar of flames, Alexandre Ilude emerged, the flames dancing around him, enveloping his body without daring to harm him.
A long katana was in his right hand, the flames surrounding the blade with overwhelming pressure.
From the overwhelming conflagration of flames, Barakiel saw, in front of Alexandre Ikuse, a small cold blue wave emerge, and there was Lavinia.
The young woman had part of her clothing burned, sweat dripped and began to evaporate intensely from her body. The damage to her was only mitigated due to Lavinia's protective magic and, most importantly, because the flames weren't directed at her.
Amid this, Barakiel saw the large ice doll, the Independent Avatar [Absolute Demise], with most of its body gone, as the ice Longinus slowly vanished in Alexandre's flames.
The golden-eyed man slowly sheathed his sword, and at that moment, the flames disappeared as if they had never existed.
"That's enough for today, Lavinia. If you want, we can call it a draw."
"No, this is my complete defeat."
The Ice Princess said while breathing heavily.
Despite all this, the golden-haired man continued to smile gently as always.
Barakiel slowly set his thoughts aside and turned his gaze to the Azure Dragon.
Kushihashi Seiryuu shrugged, but his fighting spirit didn't waver. Even the appearance of Barakiel and Alex's stance didn't interrupt his battle posture. But then, that voice called from behind him. Simultaneously, sparks of fire danced around the entire square.
"—Seiryuu, stop this."
Hearing that voice, Kushihashi Seiryuu was surprised, and the fighting spirit—the blue 'essence' enveloping his body—faded.
Behind Kushihashi Seiryuu, a single figure approached, clad in an aura of blazing flames.
It was a girl wearing a blazer whose primary color was red. For her age, she seemed to be about the same age as Alex and the others.
She was a beautiful girl with glossy black hair tied in a ponytail.
…For Tobio, with just one look at this girl, he felt a mysterious sensation. Looking at the girl's face, it was as if it was familiar from somewhere. It was strange. It was impossible. Even though the age difference between the person he remembered and the girl in front of him was vast…
Kushihashi Seiryuu spoke to the girl while exhaling.
"…I hadn't heard you were coming—Suzaku."
"It's something you weren't informed about."
The girl called Suzaku laughed lightly. Then, she turned her gaze toward Alex, giving a slight, beautiful smile, and then looked at Tobio.
Then, she bowed to Barakiel.
"It's been a long time, Uncle Barakiel."
With the appearance of the girl—Suzaku—Barakiel's expression became extremely complex.
"…Suzaku, huh."
"Yes, it's been a while since that occasion when we met."
Suzaku responded in this manner while displaying a smile.
"…You've grown."
"For Uncle to have reunited with Tobio and the Four Fiends… could this be fate too?"
"…I'm just teaching them the art of fighting."
The two seemed to know each other somehow… but from their reactions, it could also be assumed they had some complicated circumstances.
Setting that aside, Tobio, who had become even more restless, couldn't hide his confusion. It was as if the girl, Suzaku, knew him. Moreover, she suddenly referred to him intimately as "Tobio."
Tobio couldn't help but be puzzled.
"So you came, Suzaku," Alex said, smiling as he stood beside Tobio.
The black-haired, red-eyed girl—Suzaku—turned to Alexandre, giving a beautiful, dazzling smile.
"It's been a while, Alex."
The young woman spoke, smiling. There was something more hidden in that smile directed at Alexandre.
[Hey, I have a feeling I know where this is going…]
"I have that feeling too."
Alex casually ignored his partners as Tobio looked at him.
"You know her?"
"Yes, you may not remember, but we used to play together as kids. This is Himejima Suzaku, our second cousin."
With that information, Tobio couldn't help but feel stunned. Faced with something so overwhelming, he couldn't find words.
This girl is a Himejima. She's a blood relative.
Suzaku, while showing a smile, looked at Alex and the others.
"Just for a while, there's something I'd like to talk to you about. Regarding the remaining Four Fiends, I'd like to have a discussion. Would you do me the kindness of accompanying me?"
Alex and company exchanged a glance and nodded.
The golden-eyed young man was interested in what would come next.