"Here."
In front of everyone from the entire Izanagi clan, Rozen threw out an object.
It was a scroll.
"This is..."
Domon instinctively reached out and caught the scroll.
Immediately after, she saw the lines of text written on the scroll. Her expression froze on the spot, her body trembled, and the hand holding the scroll clenched so tightly that the parchment crumpled.
That reaction looked as if she wanted to tear the scroll to shreds.
But Domon Kira couldn't destroy it.
Because...
"It's something called a 'Self-Binding Contract Document'. You can think of it as a type of magical tool."
Rozen revealed the scroll's true nature in a cool and indifferent tone.
——Self-Binding Contract Document.
This is a type of magical contract used by magus to make absolutely unbreakable agreements.
These contracts are usually inscribed on sheepskin scrolls and contain binding spells, the target of the contract, the specific contents of the vow, the conditions for the vow to take effect, and the signatures of both the vow-maker and the bound individual. Once effective, it enforces the agreement absolutely. Even if the person who signed it dies, the contract passes on to the next generation. Not even the soul can escape its restraints, and in principle, no means can remove it.
Right now, what Rozen had taken out was a Self-Binding Contract Document scroll.
Originally, this document required the support of a magical crest to activate. However, Rozen had modified it. Now, it only needed a drop of blood to activate using bloodline as the medium. Anyone inheriting the contractor's blood would be bound. Its effect was even stronger than the original. Unless one possessed godlike power, it couldn't be undone or defied.
And the contents of this contract were:
"Binding spell · Target — Domon Kira. Swear upon the bloodline of the Izanagi. Upon fulfilling the following conditions, the contract shall become law and bind the target without exception."
"Vow: To serve the Akabane Clan as their lord, support them in ascending to the center of the nation, and renounce the name of the Izanagi."
"Condition: Incorporate the descendants of the Izanagi into the Akabane Clan, effecting a merger."
This was the contract Rozen had prepared.
In other words...
"As long as you drip your blood onto it, the contract will take effect. Using bloodline as the medium, both the Akabane Clan and the Izanagi will be bound forever."
Rozen looked at Domon and said:
"And once the contract activates, both sides must comply, or else the bloodline will be cursed and the terms forcibly enforced."
What would be enforced?
The contract and its conditions.
"From now on, the Izanagi must support the Akabane Clan's rise to power, even regard them as their masters, and must abandon the Izanagi name. In exchange, the Akabane Clan will accept the Izanagi into their ranks, merging the two families into one, with no separation between them."
This was a contract that, to the Izanagi, was tantamount to national humiliation and surrender.
The people of the Izanagi all widened their eyes in shock and fury.
Even Domon Kira began trembling all over, lowered her head, and roared in a deep voice.
"You think I would ever sign such a contract...!?"
The aura around Domon Kira went completely out of control, as if she might erupt at any moment.
No surprise—this contract was too delusional. It didn't just demand that the Izanagi support the Akabane Clan and serve them as masters, it even required them to abandon their own name and be absorbed into the Akabane family.
This wasn't a merger.
It was a blatant takeover!
As the head of the noble clan, the leader of the Izanagi, Domon Kira could never agree to such terms—allowing the Izanagi to vanish into the past.
Unfortunately...
"I'm not asking for your consent. I'm delivering my final ultimatum."
Rozen replied coldly.
"You don't have to sign it. But I'm sure you understand the consequences."
If the contract wasn't signed, only two fates awaited the Izanagi:
One, the entire clan would be slaughtered—true extermination, just like what happened to the Akabane clan.
Two, Domon Kira, the one responsible for the Akabane clan's extermination, would be eliminated by Rozen. With their leader gone, the Izanagi would be targeted by the Order of the Rose and enter a path of no return.
"The Akabane clan has a thousand-year legacy. They've always dreamed of returning to the nation's center and reclaiming the peak. And since most of the Izanagi have no idea about what really happened back then, I'm giving you a third path."
Rozen looked down at Domon Kira from on high and said:
"So, do you really think you still have a choice?"
Upon hearing this, Domon Kira's face twisted in anguish.
At that moment, the people of the Izanagi couldn't stay silent any longer and began shouting in fury.
"You want us to abandon the Izanagi name!?"
"Impossible!"
"Clan Head! Don't agree to this!"
"Better to die than become like that!"
"That's right!"
One by one, the onmyoji of the Izanagi shouted, all showing fierce resistance.
Even Subaru and Mutsura couldn't accept it. Their fists clenched, their expressions dark and conflicted.
Only Hinowa looked at Rozen with a bitter expression, noting that from beginning to end, he hadn't spared her a single glance.
To these people, what the Izanagi did to the Akabane Clan was unforgivable—but Rozen's demands were just as unacceptable.
If it were only about supporting the Akabane Clan's return to power, then as atonement, they would have accepted it.
Even pledging fealty, acknowledging the Akabane Clan as their lords, might be reluctantly agreed to.
But abandoning the Izanagi name and merging into the Akabane Clan—that was absolutely unthinkable.
"The name of Izanagi must never be discarded!"
"It is the honor left to us by our ancestors!"
"We'll atone with our lives if we must!"
"That's right! With our lives!"
"Don't sign it! Clan Head!"
"Don't sign it!"
The people of the Izanagi shouted one after another, making the crowd erupt in chaos and noise.
However...
"I admire your sense of resolve and pride."
Rozen glanced at them calmly and said this.
"Then, shall I start killing the women and children first, just to satisfy your meaningless pride?"
Rozen's words cut through the air like a knife, instantly silencing every voice.
The members of the Izanagi looked at the crying women and children, falling into stunned silence.
Rozen didn't show even a shred of emotion.
Because...
"Back then, the Akabane Clan gave up everything to protect the life of a single family member. They rejected your demands and defied you for the sake of their people. Now you would let everyone die for the sake of a name. The contrast is quite striking, isn't it?"
Rozen mocked.
"But if this is your decision, then don't worry. I won't hold back."
His words, like blades, cut into the hearts of the Izanagi, making them all tremble.
Domon Kira seemed to recall the events of the past and a self-deprecating smile spread across her face.
Now, only two choices lay before her:
Either preserve the name of the Izanagi and let the whole clan be buried with it,
Or preserve the bloodline of the Izanagi and sacrifice their legacy.
Which should she choose?
"Fine!"
Domon shouted in defeat.
"I'll sign!"