The news report Rozen was watching contained the following information:
"Recently, due to excessive snowfall around Shinjin Lake in the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture, roads have experienced varying degrees of snow accumulation, leading to an increase in traffic accidents caused by slippery conditions. There have even been reports of mudslides. As a result, the roads around Shinjin Lake will be closed during the New Year period, and the Self-Defense Forces will be dispatched for disaster relief. We ask for the public's cooperation."
This was the kind of news that could easily be overlooked.
"Shinjin Lake?"
Hearing the name, Rozen finally stopped in his tracks.
The reason was simple.
"Shinjin Lake—if I remember correctly, it's a massive artificial lake created by a dam project, located in the western part of Kanagawa Prefecture, right?"
As a tourist destination, it was quite famous, attracting many visitors every year.
The lake's exact location was in the Shinoda region of Kanagawa Prefecture, a small village deep in the Tanzawa Mountains, surrounded by Shinjin Lake like a peninsula.
The Akatsuki family's grandmother served as a shrine priestess there.
In other words, Nagisa and Avrora were currently near that very lake.
"A coincidence?"
That might have been one way to explain it.
But whether it was due to his own hypersensitivity, Rozen couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it.
"Nagisa and Avrora haven't been in contact at all—could it be because of the disaster?"
Rozen pondered this, his earlier concerns resurfacing despite Natsuki's warnings.
If Nagisa and Avrora were caught up in an incident severe enough to warrant disaster-level intervention—and even the Self-Defense Forces were being mobilized—then this was far from a simple matter.
Especially since the news also included this report:
"Dimitrie Vatler, the ambassador of the Ardeal Principality to Itogami Island under the Warlord Dominion, has departed the island's port aboard his luxury yacht, for official business. Reports indicate that the yacht is headed for Tokyo on the mainland, where it is expected to dock. In response, the Japanese government has dispatched diplomats to welcome the ambassador, hoping to foster new cooperation and strengthen friendly relations between the Warlord Dominion and Japan."
Perhaps due to the New Year, all sorts of minor news stories were being reported—and this was how Rozen came across this information.
"Vatler is going to Tokyo too?"
Rozen's eyes narrowed.
If his earlier suspicions had still carried some uncertainty—if there was still a chance Nagisa and Avrora weren't involved in anything serious—then this confirmation erased all doubt.
The reason was simple: Vatler was heading there.
Who was Vatler?
A noble of the Warlord Dominion, the ruler of the Ardeal Principality, a man who had devoured two Third Generation Elders and was thus considered the closest existence to a Primogenitor. A battle maniac who commanded nine Beast Vassals.
A noble from the Old Era who, after living for centuries, had lost interest in everything except the thrill of deadly combat—and that very man was now heading to Tokyo?
If anyone believed there was nothing suspicious about that, Rozen certainly didn't.
And if someone claimed Vatler was going for official business? Rozen wouldn't believe that for a second.
The only thing that could draw him there was one thing:
A powerful enemy.
In other words...
"Is there someone strong enough to interest Vatler appearing there?"
And coincidentally, near Shinjin Lake in the Tanzawa Mountains of Kanagawa Prefecture, such a disaster had occurred. Rozen refused to believe these events were unrelated.
"This is definitely bigger than I thought."
Rozen frowned, letting out a troubled sigh.
"What exactly are you hiding from me, Natsuki-nee?"
He was genuinely frustrated.
Originally, he had set the matter aside after Natsuki's persuasion. But now, seeing how things were escalating, he couldn't ignore it any longer.
If it were just any other incident—if it were just some major disaster happening somewhere in Japan—Rozen would have treated it as mere news, nothing more than a passing curiosity.
But Nagisa and Avrora's involvement forced him to take it seriously.
No matter what, he couldn't simply abandon concern for their safety.
So...
"Maybe I should investigate first and see what's really going on."
After a moment of hesitation, Rozen made up his mind.
Just as he did, a voice spoke up in front of him.
"If Senpai wants to investigate, I can assist you."
The earnest tone snapped Rozen out of his thoughts. He looked up to see the girl standing before him.
"Yukina?"
He hadn't expected her to be so close and was slightly startled.
"...What's with that reaction?" Yukina seemed a little displeased but continued, "I've called you several times, Senpai. Didn't you notice?"
Well, no, he hadn't.
"Sorry, I was thinking."
Rozen sighed again.
"I know. You're still worried about Nagisa and Avrora, right?" Yukina nodded understandingly. "I'm a little concerned about them too. If Senpai plans to take action—as long as it doesn't escalate to combat—I can help you investigate."
"Oh?" Rozen smirked. "And if it does come to combat?"
"Then I'll have to stop you." Yukina glared at him, her tone firm. "As your monitor, I can't just stand by if your powers risk causing unnecessary damage to Itogami Island again."
"Come on," Rozen retorted. "Do you really think I'd be that reckless?"
Yukina didn't answer, simply staring at him pointedly.
Rozen's expression turned sheepish.
"...Sigh." Yukina exhaled. "Please have some awareness of just how dangerous your powers are."
"I'll take it under consideration." Rozen shrugged before continuing, "Then after the shrine visit, let's look into the Shinjin Lake situation."
"Understood." Yukina agreed.
Almost simultaneously, voices called out from ahead.
"What are you two talking about over there?"
"Hurry up!"
"The countdown's about to start!"
"Quit dawdling!"
The group had finally noticed Rozen and Yukina lagging behind and were now waving and shouting for them to catch up.
Exchanging a glance, Rozen and Yukina quickly followed.