Rozen didn't care one bit about the political situations of the various countries.
Though he recognized that the general populace was innocent, he also deemed them foolish—deceived by the righteous facade their own governments had fabricated. They truly believed Rozen was in the wrong and deserved to be punished. Naturally, Rozen had no intention of playing along with their delusion.
Since they had decided to strike at him first, then they could bear the consequences of that decision alone.
They had dug this pit for themselves.
Let them suffer for it.
So even if the world was in utter chaos, it had nothing to do with Rozen. He didn't need to hide away just to appease rumors.
However, after some consideration, Rozen decided to go along with Natsuki's proposal.
After all, things were different now.
Who would have thought that Rozen had actually entered a weakened state after that incident?
While his current jutsuryoku wasn't entirely depleted, if he were to face a Primogenitor-level opponent, things would get troublesome. And if the Sanctified Treaty forces' army were to launch another operation, there was no way he could push through like he did last time.
Even if he could fight back, Rozen wanted to avoid it.
Otherwise, the little bit of magic power he had just recovered would be wasted all over again.
Moreover, his magic circuits hadn't fully recovered. Forcing them to operate prematurely wouldn't result in a breakdown, but it would certainly slow his recovery further.
Therefore, he wanted to avoid any combat for now—especially the kind that consumed large amounts of magic. If it could be avoided entirely, that would be best. Otherwise, the girls in other worlds still relying on his magic might suffer if their supply was cut off.
On top of that, while Rozen himself didn't care how the public saw him—let them hate if they want, what could they possibly do?—Itogami Island wasn't in the same position.
In the end, Itogami Island was an artificial island. If its access to external resources and supply lines were cut, it would be completely isolated, possibly even abandoned. That would leave the citizens of Itogami City to suffer unjustly.
If Rozen continued to act recklessly, Itogami Island could truly become a global enemy and face extremely difficult days ahead.
For the sake of his friends on Itogami Island—for Natsuki—Rozen felt that he needed to protect the island. Otherwise, given his current condition, he might not even be able to help them weather the storm of global isolation.
With that in mind, Rozen decided to play along.
Besides…
(This is also a good chance to slip away and visit Chaldea.)
Yes.
Rozen intended to make a trip to Chaldea.
For his own sake.
(Even though Itogami Island is a Demon Sanctuary, the magical facilities and materials here are mostly meant for research. I can't make full use of them. On the other hand, Chaldea not only has top-class facilities, but also my older brother.)
With that setup, if Rozen returned to Chaldea and asked Romani for a full-body examination and a personalized treatment plan for his magic circuits, his recovery would proceed far more quickly.
That's what Rozen had in mind.
At present, his problem wasn't that his mana was recovering slowly—it was that his magic circuits were operating improperly, which in turn slowed his recovery.
If the circuits returned to optimal condition, then with Rozen's current efficiency, it would take just one night to recover his vast reserves of mana.
Given that, optimizing his circuits was the top priority.
While Rozen could nourish and maintain them on his own, with proper facilities and professional assistance, the results would be much faster—no question about it.
That said, he couldn't just vanish like last time.
With all that considered, this was the perfect opportunity.
(Once I'm in Aldegyr, I can show off a bit of my magical expertise—maybe just enough to justify asking La Folia to prepare a private lab for me. If I hole up in there under the pretense of research, no one would suspect a thing, even if I vanished for ten or fifteen days.)
That way, Rozen could return to Chaldea without worrying anyone on Itogami Island.
The only problem was…
"Well then, what do you say, Nichiyo? You've always hosted me before—so this time, let me return the favor, all right?" La Folia flashed Rozen a dazzling smile, blinking playfully as she spoke in the most considerate tone.
But Rozen knew this devious princess too well. Once he set foot on her territory, she'd have him wrapped around her finger—dragging him into all sorts of ridiculous escapades, or even selling him out for some ludicrous scheme.
In fact, he was beginning to suspect that this entire "send Rozen to Aldegyr to lie low" plan was orchestrated under La Folia's subtle manipulation.
But what could he do? That joyful, radiant smile of hers was clearly the look of someone who had finally secured her long-desired playmate.
Even Polifonia Rihavein chimed in.
"Please don't worry about unnecessary concerns. While La Folia is a princess and the first in line to the throne, any individual recognized by a princess blessed by the spirits—as you have been—can be acknowledged as her companion, regardless of origin. Even a commoner can receive the blessings of the nation, and perhaps even the title of king. My own husband was born a commoner of another country. But you—the Divine Child who made the entire world tremble through your own power—will certainly earn the people's approval. They will entrust the future of our kingdom to you."
Polifonia's words were delivered gently, yet there was an undeniable chill beneath their meaning that unsettled many of those present.
Though most didn't grasp the full weight of her message, Lucas Rihavein certainly did. He stood up with a bang, slamming his hands on the table.
"I will not allow this! Absolutely not! If you insist on being with La Folia, then defeat me first!"
He shouted dramatically—
"Could you be quiet?"
"Oh dear, we're in the middle of important discussions. Please don't embarrass yourself. Be quiet, understood?"
La Folia and Polifonia both delivered their lines with ruthless precision, their words stabbing into Lucas like daggers. Subjected to a dual barrage from his beloved wife and daughter, the poor king clutched his chest and collapsed.
"Though… though I don't really get it…"
"It's… it's kind of amazing…"
Akatsuki Nagisa and Kanase Kanon whispered in awe as they leaned toward each other.
"..."
Only Avrora Florestina stared silently at Rozen, a complex and flustered mix of emotions swirling in her eyes.
Aside from her, a moth-shaped shikigami clinging to the window frame also seemed to react, its presence subtly disturbed.
Astarte remained, as ever, expressionless.
Natsuki, on the other hand, looked distinctly displeased—but said nothing. She merely stared intently at Rozen.
"Well? Are you going?" she asked bluntly.
Rozen let out a long sigh.
The answer was already clear.
"I'll go."
With that calm declaration, the matter was settled.
Rozen had decided to leave Itogami Island.
It was a sudden decision—but one everyone could understand.
The time for parting had come.
Melancholy quietly settled in each person's heart.