As an exceptionally skilled magus and a traveler between worlds, Rozen knew very well that the connection between this world and another world, leading to the existence of the "gate," could not have arisen without reason.
Even if one wanted to travel between parallel worlds, it would require extremely advanced technology and magic to support it.
Just like Chaldea, where Masters can perform spirit transfers, but it requires a great deal of resources and technology to accomplish, otherwise, it would be impossible.
In light of this, the reason why this world and the other world produced a passage like the "gate" could either be due to human factors or natural factors.
Natural factors are easy to explain. They refer to the worldview and existence form of this world, where two worlds can interfere with each other. The passage either existed from the beginning or appeared later due to changes and developments over time, causing the gate to open.
Human factors are even easier to explain, where advanced science or mystical methods are used to open the passage, unearthing the "gate." This is the main reason why worlds can interact with each other, as in the case of Chaldea.
In the past, Rozen always thought it was natural factors that caused all this because the current magical and scientific technology was nowhere near the level required to open the "gate." Otherwise, Rozen wouldn't have advanced magic technology by half a century.
Because of this, Rozen didn't think much of it, believing it was the inevitable result and destined fate of this world.
But now, Rozen had to deny his assumption.
Because of Annerose's pale expression.
"It is said that the Pope's family was one of the human factions that, four hundred years ago, united the warring humans to stand together against the Armored Beetles, right?"
Rozen spoke indifferently.
"And in the central library, I once found some books from four hundred years ago, which recorded that during the Ground Era, humanity was mainly divided into two major factions, constantly at odds with each other."
One of these factions was likely the one to which Annerose's family belonged.
As for the other, Rozen didn't know.
Because...
"Aside from some vague records, human history no longer includes details from the Ground Era before the appearance of the Armored Beetles."
Rozen pointed this out.
"It has always been believed that this was because humans were driven to the brink of extinction by the Armored Beetles, fleeing to the skies in haste. As a result, historical records from the Ground Era were lost, and most of those who knew about it were slaughtered by the Armored Beetles. Thus, four hundred years later, the history of the Ground Era has become unknown."
However, this is wrong.
"I don't know about others, but if the Pope, who has rejected the passage of time through power and lived for hundreds of years with the same appearance, is involved, then I have every reason to believe that the Pope has lived through the Ground Era, participated in the conflict between the two major factions of humanity, and witnessed the history of the emergence of beings from the other world. She is a true witness to history."
Rozen stared straight at Annerose, making this assertion.
"In that case, if it were someone else, fine. But if it's the Pope, extending this history should be easy, right?"
Because that history is something Annerose personally experienced.
So, if Annerose wanted to preserve this history, why couldn't she?
Yet the reality is that not only did this history not continue, it was obliterated.
This points to one thing.
"You deliberately didn't let that history continue, did you?"
Rozen no longer used honorifics but bluntly questioned.
"If I'm not mistaken, the reason the 'gate' appeared stems from the war between humans in this world."
Hence, that sinful history needed to be erased.
"Is this true, Your Holiness...?"
River was immediately stunned, looking at Annerose in disbelief.
"..."
Emilie and Cris were equally silent, their eyes on Annerose.
Annerose closed her eyes.
This was both to hide the bitterness in her eyes and to adjust her emotions.
Because Annerose knew.
This matter could no longer be hidden.
Thus...
"You're right."
Annerose admitted expressionlessly.
"The reason the 'gate' connecting the two worlds appeared is due to human conflict."
"Likewise, the reason why the other world was affected, plunging its people into constant disaster, is also because of the great war in the Ground Era."
As these words left Annerose's mouth, everyone lowered their gazes.
"How could this be..."
River murmured in confusion.
"..."
Emilie and Cris remained silent.
This was the greatest secret no one had ever known.
Now, finally, it had been revealed by the witness of history herself, Annerose.
"In the Ground Era, humanity was primarily divided into two major civilizations, one based on mechanical technology and the other on magic."
Annerose unveiled this part of history.
"The two civilizations coexisted, sometimes in conflict, sometimes in cooperation. Sometimes the scientific civilization was stronger, and sometimes the magical civilization was more prominent, with both constantly surpassing each other."
However, by the end of the Ground Era, four hundred years ago, the mechanical civilization had far surpassed the magical one, and people were divided into scientific and magical factions that fought against each other, leaving the magical faction at a disadvantage.
"In an attempt to reverse the impending defeat, the magical faction eventually resorted to using a now-lost secret art to perform large-scale interference with phenomena."
Annerose spoke solemnly.
"It was the largest summoning ritual of its time, designed to call forth a being so powerful that the scientific faction could not resist it, to fight for the magical faction."
However, the ritual failed.
The result of this failure was the opening of the "gate," inviting the Armored Beetles into this world.
The disasters that plagued the other world also stemmed from the large-scale summoning ritual performed in this world.
Humanity ended up as it is today, nearly wiped out, not because of an invasion by beings from another world, but because of their own ugly conflict, which caused the disastrous consequences.
"To prevent further mistakes, I, as the Pope, unified the two factions at that time to resist the Armored Beetles together."
Annerose looked at Rozen with a calm expression.
"Therefore, such mistakes cannot be repeated."
This was the real reason Annerose was so agitated when Rozen summoned the dragons.
"Although the summoning ritual has been lost, and such a ritual is not something that can be easily performed as it requires an enormous price, in theory, modern magic technology should make it impossible to achieve. But you, hailed as the 'Mage King,' have developed many rituals and even discovered high-grade mana that the magical faction from the past had not discovered. With your talent, it wouldn't be surprising if you managed to perform a ritual on par with the ancient summoning."
As she spoke, Annerose questioned Rozen.
"Now, I only want to ask you, Rorelai Arneet."
"Was the dragon horde that day summoned by you from another world?"
"Please answer me."
Annerose posed her question in an undeniable tone.
To which...
"If you want to know, I can tell you."
Rozen glanced at Annerose and responded.
"Yes, they were creatures summoned by me that do not belong to this world."