"Hmm?"
Rozen, Natsume, Spring Tiger, and Dong'er all stopped in their tracks. They turned around and looked at the source of the voice.
There was a man in a black suit with an ordinary appearance. He wore a pair of sunglasses, but there was no expression on his face. He stood in the crowd like a robot.
The people around them didn't seem to notice the presence of such a person. They were startled and subconsciously distanced themselves.
Such a reaction was almost done subconsciously.
It wasn't just because he was wearing a suit that didn't fit in with the ceremony, but also because he didn't have the slightest bit of vitality on him. He was like a dead man, which made people feel repulsed from the bottom of their hearts.
Even Spring Tiger couldn't help but hesitate. Then, he spoke with uncertainty.
"You … Are you calling us?"
Spring Tiger asked.
However …
"Spring Tiger."
Dong'er called Spring Tiger. Her voice was stern and sinister, which gave Spring Tiger a fright.
Even so, Dong'er's face was still tense. She grabbed Spring Tiger's collar and dragged him to her side. Then, she took a step back.
"Dong … Dong'er?"
Spring Tiger was at a loss.
"Follow me. Don't go near him."
Dong'er spoke without any explanation. She made Spring Tiger move away from the other party. Only Rozen and Natsume remained where they were.
However, although the two of them didn't retreat, their attention was completely focused on the other party.
The reason was simple.
"Spirit-branded Retainer …"
Natsume revealed the other party's identity in a low voice.
Yes.
The man in front of them wasn't human. He was a Spirit-branded Retainer.
This wasn't just because the other party didn't look like a human. In the eyes of a curse-caster, the other party didn't have any spiritual energy that a human should have.
Therefore, the other party could only be a Spirit-branded Retainer.
"Natsume."
Rozen gestured to Natsume.
"Yes."
Natsume nodded solemnly. He finally took a small step back. He stood in front of Spring Tiger and Dong'er, looking like he was prepared to protect them.
In fact, Natsume was indeed prepared to protect Spring Tiger and Dong 'er.
After all, among everyone present, only Spring Tiger and Dong 'er were ordinary people. They didn't have the ability to face off against a shikigami.
No, it wasn't just Spring Tiger and Dong 'er. Everyone else who had come to participate in the ceremony were just ordinary people.
Under such circumstances, if the other party were to suddenly launch an attack, it was easy to imagine how great the tragedy would be.
In other words …
"Is he telling us not to act rashly?"
Rozen mumbled as if he was talking to himself, but at the same time, he seemed to be mocking his opponent.
However, the Spirit-branded Retainer remained unmoved.
"Sorry for scaring you."
The Spirit-branded Retainer spoke in a tone that did not make anyone feel apologetic at all.
"Actually, I was instructed by my master to look for someone."
Who could it be?
"Qiu Guan."
The shikigami's gaze turned towards Spring Tiger as he spoke.
"I did hear you say that name just now."
In other words, it was because he heard Chun Hu mention the target's name during the search that he suddenly called out to everyone.
The other party's goal was obvious.
"May I know which one of you is Qiu Guan from the School of Earth Defense?"
The Spirit-branded Retainer asked.
The other party's target was Rozen.
Rozen was not surprised at all. Natsume also looked solemn as if he had confirmed it. Even Spring Tiger and Dong 'er held their breaths and fell silent.
"Looking for me?"
So Rozen admitted it very straightforwardly.
"I am Qiu Guan from the School of Earth Defense."
The moment he said this, the Spirit-branded Retainer's gaze immediately landed on Rozen.
It was as if he had seen his target appear, and no one else existed in his eyes.
Then, the Spirit-branded Retainer said this.
"My master would like to see you."
The Spirit-branded Retainer requested.
"I wonder if I can take up some of your time?"
The Spirit-branded Retainer expressed this.
Evidently, even though the Spirit-branded Retainer's tone was respectful, his request was not to be rejected.
This could be seen from the way the Spirit-branded Retainer stared at Rozen and refused to compromise.
Rozen could also imagine that the Spirit-branded Retainer would attack him on the spot if he rejected him.
When that happened, not only would he and Natsume be affected, but the people around him, including Spring Tiger and Dong 'er, would also be injured.
Of course, Rozen had also guessed this development. Otherwise, he would not have been so sarcastic.
Hence …
"Sure." Rozen said straightforwardly again, "Lead the way."
"Yes." The Spirit-branded Retainer bowed.
"Qiu Guan!" Spring Tiger seemed to have realized the severity of the situation, and shouted.
"Hmph." Dong 'er snorted coldly, but a happy smile appeared on her face. She seemed to be enjoying this chaotic situation.
Under such circumstances …
"Brother, Dong 'er, leave first."
Natsume's gaze did not leave the Spirit-branded Retainer as he spoke to Spring Tiger and Dong 'er behind him.
"I don't know if something dangerous will happen next, so please don't follow me."
Natsume instructed.
"How can we do that …!?"
Spring Tiger shouted subconsciously.
However, a hand pressed down on Spring Tiger's shoulder.
"Come on, don't be so willful, Spring Tiger." Dong 'er pressed down on Spring Tiger's shoulder, but the smile on her face did not disappear. She said, "Next up is the world of the Onmyojis. It's better for ordinary people like us to hide."
"Dong 'er …" Spring Tiger looked at Dong' er, not knowing what to do.
At this moment, Rozan Can spoke.
"Don't worry." Rozen said casually, "It'll be over soon. You guys go and reserve a seat first. Let's see if we can make it in time for the fireworks."
His relaxed and casual attitude made it seem as if he did not care about the Spirit-branded Retainer.
Fortunately, the Spirit-branded Retainer was only a Spirit-branded Retainer. He turned a blind eye to Rozen's behavior and quietly waited for Rozen to move.
"Spring Tiger."
Dong 'er's hand on Spring Tiger's shoulder began to tighten.
"… Let's go."
Spring Tiger's expression showed a hint of struggle. He clenched his fists tightly. After a while, he reluctantly made this decision.
The two of them turned around and left the place.
Dong 'er left without hesitation, while Spring Tiger turned back a few times and finally began to run.
Not long after, the two of them blended into the crowd and disappeared.
"Qiu Guan."
Only then did Natsume walk back to Rozen's side, looking as if he was ready to advance and retreat together with him.
"Let's go."
Rozen did not make any response to this. He only said this to the Spirit-branded Retainer.
"Please."
The Spirit-branded Retainer turned his body and extended his hand towards a direction, making a gesture of invitation.
Rozen lifted his foot and walked forward.
Naturally, Natsume followed silently. As a Spirit-branded Retainer, he followed Rozen half a step away and followed his lead.
The two of them left the place under the guidance of the unknown Spirit-branded Retainer.
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