"Hmm?"
Rozen, Natsume, Harutora, and Touji all stopped their steps and turned to the source of the voice that called out to them.
There stood a man dressed in a plain black suit, wearing sunglasses and with an expressionless face, looking almost like a robot in the midst of the crowd.
The people around seemed to be completely unaware of this person's presence, and they instinctively moved away, startled.
Their reaction was almost unconscious, not only because the man appeared silently in a festival wearing an odd suit but also because there was no sign of life about him, making people feel an instinctive aversion, like facing a lifeless object.
Even Harutora hesitated for a moment, unsure, and then cautiously inquired, "Are...are you calling us?"
However...
"Harutora."
Touji called out to Harutora, her voice stern and menacing, startling Harutora.
But even so, Touji maintained his tense expression, grabbing Harutora's collar and pulling him towards him, taking a step back.
"To-Touji?"
Harutora was somewhat bewildered.
"Come with me. Stay away from him."
Touji said firmly, prompting Harutora to move away from the man, leaving only Rozen and Natsume still in their original positions.
However, the two of them, although they didn't step back, had all their attention focused on the man.
The reason was simple.
"Shikigami..."
Natsume whispered in a low voice, revealing the identity of the man.
That's right.
The man before them was not a human but a shikigami.
This wasn't just because the man's behavior was unlike a human's. In the eyes of a Onmyouji with spirit sight, there was no human spiritual energy emanating from the man either.
So, the only possibility was that he was a shikigami.
"Natsume."
Rozen signaled to Natsume.
"Yes."
Natsume nodded solemnly and took a step back, standing in front of Harutora and Touji, seemingly ready to protect them.
In fact, Natsume was indeed prepared to protect Harutora and Touji.
After all, among the people present, only Harutora and Touji were ordinary individuals and had no capacity to confront a shikigami.
Not only Harutora and Touji, but everyone around who had come to the festival were just ordinary people.
In this situation, if the other party were to suddenly act aggressively, the potential for a tragedy was evident.
In other words...
"Is this a warning for us not to act recklessly?"
Rozen muttered to himself, sounding both introspective and sarcastic towards the shikigami.
Yet, the shikigami remained unmoved.
"Apologies for startling you."
The shikigami spoke without a trace of remorse.
"Actually, I'm under the orders of my master, searching for a certain individual."
And who might that be?
"Akikan."
The shikigami's gaze shifted towards Harutora, speaking in this manner.
"Earlier, I indeed heard you mention that name."
Meaning, the other party had spoken up suddenly upon hearing Harutora mention the target's name.
The target of the shikigami's search was now evident.
"May I inquire which one of you is Tsuchimikado Akikan?"
The shikigami inquired.
Their target was Rozen.
Rozen felt no surprise at this revelation, and Natsume confirmed this with a tense expression. Even Harutora and Touji, while staying put, were now silent, their attention fixed on the man.
The reason was simple.
"Me?"
Rozen was straightforward in his acknowledgment.
"I am Tsuchimikado Akikan."
As soon as these words were spoken, the shikigami's gaze locked onto Rozen.
That expression was as if the target had appeared, and there was no one else in his eyes.
Then, the shikigami said this.
"My master wishes to meet with you."
The shikigami made this request.
"Would it be possible to delay you for a bit?"
The shikigami expressed this.
And clearly, even though the words were respectful, the shikigami's request was not one to be refused.
This was evident from the way the shikigami disregarded everyone around and fixedly stared at Rozen, unwilling to compromise.
Rozen also could anticipate that if he were to refuse, the other party might initiate an attack on the spot.
At that point, leaving aside himself and Natsume, the people around, including Harutora and Touji, could be affected and potentially injured.
Of course, Rozen had anticipated this development; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so sarcastic.
So...
"Very well."
Rozen once again straightforwardly said, "Lead the way."
"Yes."
The shikigami bowed.
"Akikan!" Harutora then seemed to realize the gravity of the situation and called out.
"Hmph." Touji snorted but had a smile on his face, seemingly enjoying this chaotic situation.
In this situation...
"Brother, Touji, you two should leave."
Natsume's gaze didn't waver from the shikigami, as she spoke to Harutora and Touji behind her.
"Something dangerous might happen next. Please don't follow."
Natsume gave this order.
"How can I...!?"
Harutora instinctively yelled.
However, a hand rested on Harutora's shoulder.
"Well, don't be so stubborn, Harutora," Touji said, his hand on Harutora's shoulder, the smile on his face still present. He continued, "The upcoming events are the world of onmyoji. It's better for ordinary folks like us to stay out of the way."
"Touji..." Harutora looked at Touji, uncertain about what to do.
At this moment, Rozen spoke up.
"Don't worry." Rozen said very casually, "It'll be over soon. You two go save a spot and see if we can catch the fireworks later."
He displayed a relaxed and carefree attitude, as if not placing much importance on the shikigami.
Fortunately, the other party was just a shikigami, and Rozen's performance went unnoticed by the shikigami, who waited quietly for Rozen to move.
"Harutora."
Touji began to exert force on Harutora's shoulder.
"...Let's go."
Harutora's expression showed a hint of struggle. His fists clenched, and after a while, he reluctantly made the decision.
The two turned and left the area.
Touji left without hesitation, while Harutora turned back several times, ultimately leaving.
Not long after, the two blended into the crowd and disappeared.
"Akikan."
Natsume returned to Rozen's side, preparing to move in unison with him again.
"Let's go."
Rozen made no particular gesture, simply speaking to the shikigami.
"Please."
The shikigami slightly inclined his body, extended his hand towards a direction, making a gesture of invitation.
Rozen picked up his pace and moved forward.
Naturally, Natsume quietly followed suit as a shikigami, maintaining a half-step distance from Rozen, acting as his escort.
Under the guidance of the unknown shikigami, the two of them left this place.
No one noticed that in such a rural festival, the world of onmyoji had quietly descended.