"Your Holiness…"
River's gaze was quite complex as she looked at Annerose, who spoke those words with a calm expression.
Rozen also stared at Annerose, beginning to understand why she would say such things.
Indeed, the sins of humanity had been atoned for over the last four hundred years, and it was unjust to burden those living four hundred years later with those crimes.
However, Annerose was not one of those people.
Through her own power, Annerose had resisted aging and survived for four hundred years.
She was once a member of the magical faction and, strictly speaking, one of the culprits responsible for the catastrophe humanity faced in this world.
Moreover, she had unified the two opposing factions of that time, bringing humanity together to resist the Armored Beetles as the Pope. In doing so, she had to hide humanity's past sins, asserting their righteousness, and continuously deceiving everyone to ensure humanity's fighting spirit didn't wane.
Annerose was the only one who truly needed to answer for the events of four hundred years ago.
And she was well aware of that fact, carrying guilt in her heart.
In the past, for the sake of humanity's future, she could neither die nor step down from her position as Pope, no matter what.
But now, with Zeth eliminated, humanity's greatest threat was gone. Even the Gates had been destroyed, ensuring that no more Armored Beetles would appear in significant numbers. As long as humanity persisted, they would eventually reclaim the land.
Under such circumstances, Annerose's responsibilities had come to an end, and she could finally start to lay down the burden on her shoulders.
Thus, Annerose stated that even if she were overthrown, she wouldn't mind.
Because, if it came to that, it would be the punishment she deserved.
"If you want to be the Pope, I can abdicate the position to you right now."
Annerose even said this to Rozen.
Her words were not only without reluctance but also filled with genuine enthusiasm, as if she truly wished to pass the title of Pope to Rozen.
Before the shocked River could speak, Rozen rolled his eyes.
"Cut it out." Rozen rejected her without hesitation. "If you think I'll let you bind my future to humanity's, you better think again."
If Rozen were to become Pope, then the survival of humanity would be his responsibility, and the future of humanity would truly rest on his shoulders, leaving him no choice but to engage.
Annerose wanted to use this tactic to get Rozen, who was indifferent to humanity's future, to work for them. Rozen wasn't so foolish that he couldn't see through her plan.
Naturally, Rozen wasn't going to accept it.
"That's really a shame."
Annerose, as if expecting this answer, both accepted it and expressed genuine regret.
After witnessing Rozen's true power, Annerose no longer doubted that his every action could influence the world's course.
If Rozen were willing to help, the Armored Beetles would be eradicated in no time, and humanity would quickly reclaim the land and live in peace.
But Rozen wasn't going to do that.
Not to mention that he wasn't even a person from this world; the Armored Beetles, though now monsters, were once innocent beings from another world who had been dragged into this mess due to humanity's foolish actions.
They had a reason to seek revenge on this world's humanity, just as humanity had a reason to fight back against them. It was a cycle of cause and effect in this world, and it wasn't easy to determine who was right or wrong. Rozen had no interest in getting involved.
Besides…
"Only with the threat of the Armored Beetles do humans unite. Without that threat, who knows if humanity will once again split into two factions, fighting for power and profit?"
Rozen smirked.
"Conflict never truly disappears. War will always exist. Even if the Armored Beetles are wiped out, the result will just be humanity returning to their internal struggles from four hundred years ago. Since that's the case, I'm not interested in getting involved."
For that reason, Rozen preferred to maintain his outsider status, avoiding involvement in the conflict between the two races.
No matter how hard he tried, the result might not be what one would hope for.
So, why bother?
Rozen had his own matters to deal with. In the many worlds he had visited, there were countless unresolved issues. He didn't have the time to concern himself with the grand affairs of this world.
Rozen had even made up his mind. Once his research on Foreign Mana was complete, he would leave this world.
And his research on Foreign Mana was nearing its final stages and would soon succeed.
When that time came, Rozen would have completed his mission in this world.
He truly didn't want to get too involved in this world's affairs, lest he accumulate more debt.
"…I see." Annerose was silent for a moment before asking, "Are you planning to return to Mistgun next?"
"That's right." Rozen waved to Annerose and said, "You all do what you want. Stop worrying about me."
With those words, Rozen turned and left the audience chamber.
Annerose watched Rozen's departing figure in silence for a long time.
River, too, remained quiet.
…
After leaving Noesis Palace, Rozen immediately ran into his companions.
"So, how did it go?" Kanata, with his arms crossed, smiled. "All the big matters settled?"
"Did the Pope try to recruit you?" Chloe also asked curiously. "She probably wanted you to stay in Vebel and contribute to humanity, right?"
"That's a given, isn't it?" Mena stated as if it were obvious. "A hero's power is indispensable to humanity. There's no way the Pope would just watch an important talent slip away when it comes to reclaiming the land."
"S… So, will you be staying in Vebel?" Yuri asked, a bit anxious and worried. "Are you not coming back to Mistgun with us?"
That question caused everyone to fall silent.
Chloe and the others looked at Rozen, waiting for his answer.
Seeing this, Rozen felt both amused and helpless.
These people… They might say such things, but none of them actually wanted to part ways with him. Their worries were almost written on their faces.
So…
"Hm... What should I do then?"
Rozen didn't say anything specific, just dropped this teasing comment and walked forward.
Seeing Rozen like this, the group finally began to feel uneasy.
"What's the deal?"
"Rozen, stop teasing us, will you?"
"Please tell me, senpai. If it really turns out like that, I'll be prepared to come to Vebel after graduation."
"I haven't defeated you yet, don't think you can just brush me off."
Kanata, Chloe, Yuri, and Mena hurriedly caught up with Rozen, constantly pressing him for answers.
In response, all they got was Rozen's laughter.
The members of Special Task Force S128 continued bickering and walking forward together.
Their shadows intertwined as one.