-1165- Who exactly was it from?

What place is this?

This is the Keystone Gate.

With a diameter of less than two kilometers, it serves as a connecting hub, linking the four artificial islands that make up Itogami Island.

Due to the presence of the Keystone Gate, any distortion and vibration between the artificial islands caused by ocean currents or waves can be absorbed and buffered here.

If this place were not operational, the four regions of Itogami Island would immediately collide, or drift apart and eventually sink into the sea, resulting in the death of everyone on the island.

So, what would be the result if Rozen and Giada were to engage in full-scale combat in a place like this?

Undoubtedly, the destruction of the Keystone Gate would be the result, leading Itogami Island to face total disaster.

"With our strength, if properly controlled, we might be able to avoid directly sinking the island. But even if we control it as much as possible, as long as we exert full force, fighting in a place like this will inevitably destroy the Keystone of Itogami Island. By then, Itogami Island will still sink, with no chance of survival."

Giada pointed out the hidden dangers.

"So if you don't care about it, I don't mind accompanying you, Minamiya Nichiyo."

Giada made this statement, her eyes also showing a hint of inquiry towards Rozen.

This is the reason why Giada let Rozen retreat. It's not because she thinks Rozen is not qualified to be her opponent; on the contrary, Giada believes that if she doesn't use all her strength, she has no chance of winning, so she issues this warning and lets Rozen make a choice.

Although this girl is a battle maniac like Vatler, she does not have Vatler's reckless enthusiasm. Instead, she selectively chooses the timing and opponent for battle.

Therefore, Giada would say that neither the timing nor the place is right now.

"So, it would be wise to retreat here. Don't you agree?"

Giada calmly proposed this opinion, making Rozen silent.

On the contrary, La Folia laughed.

"Lady Giada, do you want us to turn a blind eye to your actions and let Itogami Island fall into unknown anomalies and chaos?"

La Folia asked fearlessly, making her willpower, elegance, and strength apparent even when facing such a terrifying existence.

This made Giada couldn't help but look at La Folia more.

"I admit that I intervened a little in this incident, but even without me, these witches would still invade Itogami Island, and the incident would still happen."

Giada stated.

"Our goals are different from theirs, so we only use each other. They have their goals, and we have ours. So, before the time comes, just wait patiently."

With that, Giada reached out a hand towards Rozen and La Folia's direction.

"Buzz——!"

The space around Rozen and La Folia trembled suddenly.

"Wait...!"

La Folia wanted to do something.

"...!"

Rozen's eyes also narrowed.

In that instant...

"Vroom!"

A lightning-like three-colored sword light, like a sudden rainbow, appeared without any warning and slashed towards Giada's outstretched hand like lightning.

But before that, the space completely enveloped Rozen and La Folia, causing both of them to disappear from the spot simultaneously.

The lightning-like three-colored sword light also disappeared at the same time.

However...

"Pfft..."

Accompanied by a faint tearing sound, blood spattered from Giada's outstretched hand, revealing a grim wound.

"Huh..."

Giada watched this scene, feeling both astonished and delighted.

"Just now, that slash..."

Recalling the sudden appearance of the three-colored slash that slashed towards her, Giada's injured hand trembled slightly.

This was both due to fear and joy.

Fear because from that slash, Giada felt the breath of death.

Joy because it once again confirmed that this opponent was indeed worthy of her full effort in a fight to the death.

"That slash, who exactly was it from?"

Giada couldn't even confirm this.

The only thing that could be confirmed was that it was definitely one of Rozen's powers.

Otherwise, in the split second before being transferred, Rozen's gaze wouldn't have been so cold.

"Very good."

Giada licked the blood splattered on her fingers, expressing her extreme anticipation.

"It's getting more and more interesting."

Standing at the pinnacle of vampires, one person sincerely looked forward to the upcoming battle.

By her side, the flames on the Meyer sisters, who were already on the verge of death, had disappeared, exposing their charred skin to the air.

Thanks to this, the sisters were spared from death on the spot.

However, from today onwards, the fiery red eyes would completely turn into fear, engraved in their hearts, and they would never be able to escape the torment of nightmares.

...

Itogami Island, in front of the Keystone Gate.

"Buzz——!"

With the trembling of space, Rozen and La Folia appeared as if they had been spit out from an invisible whirlpool, staggering and retreating continuously.

"Are you okay?"

Rozen held La Folia, who was almost falling, and asked.

"I'm fine."

La Folia shook her head, not resisting Rozen's embrace at all, but instead, leaning into it as if relieved.

"Good to hear."

Rozen nodded, then raised his eyes to look at the Keystone Gate in front of him.

"I didn't expect that person to also understand spatial manipulation magic, and can use it as naturally as you and Minamiya Natsuki."

La Folia also looked over and said in a deep voice.

```

However, La Folia was wrong.

"That's not space manipulation magic."

Rozen affirmed with certainty.

"Not spacial manipulation magic?" La Folia was surprised.

But this is a fact.

Rozen, who is extremely proficient in space manipulation magic, can be absolutely sure that Giada did not use magic just now.

"That's the power of a beast vassal." Rozen said, "I'm afraid Giada should have a beast vassal of the spatial type, so she can use spatial abilities similar to spacial manipulation magic."

This is the truth about the power Giada used.

"So, that person doesn't understand spacial manipulation magic?" La Folia sensed something very keenly and said, "Isn't the No. 539 grimoire used by Lady Giada?"

"That's probably correct." Rozen agreed with La Folia's speculation, "I'm afraid there's someone else using the grimoire."

The other party is the main culprit on which LCO relies this time, the initiator of the spatial anomalies within Itogami Island.

The Meyer sisters are just her helpers.

And Giada is only assisting the other party for her own purposes.

Just as Giada herself said, she is only intervening for her own purposes and has nothing to do with the events inside Itogami Island.

"Troublesome indeed..." Rozen couldn't help but click his tongue.

The boy and the girl leaned on each other, quietly watching the Keystone Gate in front of them.

For a long time, there was no movement.