Because Rozen had always stayed on Itogami Island, he was actually unaware of many of the world's deeper secrets.
In the past, he focused solely on honing his skills, constantly shutting himself away to train, which resulted in his understanding of the world remaining superficial.
As for those deeply hidden matters, Rozen had neither paid them much attention, nor had Natsuki mentioned them—partly out of a desire to protect him. As a result, now that matters touched upon higher levels of the world's structure, Rozen found himself at a loss.
However, not understanding did not mean Rozen couldn't come to understand.
Even in the past, Rozen had read extensively and had a strong grasp of history, even noticing some of its inconsistencies. Now that he possessed abilities such as Thought Acceleration, Thought Partitioning, and Virtual Ether, there was no way he couldn't uncover the contradictions woven into history.
Take the Cleansing, for example—this historical event had left traces all over the world, proving that a great massacre between gods and demons had once occurred. Yet despite that, it had also left behind many mysteries.
Rozen had his own interpretations of those mysteries. He didn't blindly accept what others said.
For instance, in the version of the Cleansing that Kuraki Shirona had mentioned, there were many contradictions.
Why, for example, was Cain, the God of Sin and progenitor of the demons, exiled by the gods?
Why, if he was the progenitor of the demons, did the Three Primogenitors collaborate with the Devas to create the Fourth Primogenitor—a god-slaying weapon—to oppose Cain?
And furthermore, if Cain had been slain by the Fourth Primogenitor, why did the Devas then turn around and dismember that very same hero into twelve Matrices and seal them across the world?
These mysteries all remained unsolved.
What, truly, was the real story behind the Cleansing? What was the truth?
Rozen had spent quite a bit of time pondering these questions.
He had even considered directly conversing with Cain, who resided within Akatsuki Kojou—but had been unsuccessful.
Because Cain had completely sealed himself within Kojou's body. Even when Rozen had secretly undone Kojou's seals, Cain showed no reaction. He didn't take control of Kojou's body or even awaken. The only exception had been during Kojou's battle with Tokoyogi Yuuma—on that occasion, Cain had lent Kojou his power. But rather than harming him, he had greatly helped Kojou.
How could such a divine being—someone who had helped Kojou—be considered the source of catastrophe and feared as a disaster by so many? Rozen truly couldn't understand.
Of course, incomprehension aside, Rozen had gained a great deal of information from December and Senga Takehito.
He had a feeling.
Perhaps the time had come for the truth of that history to be revealed.
But that was a matter for another time.
Right now, Rozen had only one thing to address.
"What you're trying to say, I already understand." Rozen looked forward with a calm expression and said, "But if you want me not to interfere… do you think that's possible?"
Rozen's words caused Senga Takehito's expression to darken.
"Do you intend to stand by and watch as Cain fully resurrects and the Cleansing is reenacted?" Senga Takehito said, his voice tinged with urgency.
To that…
"Talking to a high school student about seeing the bigger picture… don't you think that's asking a bit much?" Rozen curled his lips into a smile. "There's only one thing I know."
And what was that?
It was simple.
"The person you're trying to kill is my friend."
"The island you're trying to destroy is my home."
"You want to shatter my home… and hurt my family."
"And you want me not to interfere?"
Rozen's voice echoed clearly across the area.
"What a ridiculous dream you're having, Senga Takehito. You disgrace the title of teacher."
Every word made Senga Takehito's expression increasingly unpleasant, and for the second time, December lost her smile and let out a sigh.
In contrast, Yukina and Avrora, who had been a little confused earlier by December and Senga's words, were now fully clear-headed.
"Senpai is absolutely right!" Yukina once again raised Sekkaro and said firmly, "No matter what, the people on this island are innocent. If you want to harm them for the sake of your so-called greater good, don't expect everyone to forgive you!"
"Y-Yes!" Avrora also mustered her courage and shouted, "Kojou did nothing wrong! If you intend to hurt him, we will never forgive you!"
The sides had clearly drawn their lines.
"…Is that so?" December shrugged and sighed. "Looks like this won't end peacefully."
"Indeed." Senga Takehito also became expressionless and said, "Our sorrowful wish… in the end, it belongs to us alone. It truly cannot gain the understanding of others."
It seemed December and Senga had always been prepared for this.
After all, they had been recruiting like-minded individuals to join Tartarus Lapse. Some had resonated with them, while others had opposed them—just like Natsuki had in the past.
They were already used to the idea of failure when it came to persuading others.
And conversely, persuading them was nearly impossible too.
They had always acted with the awareness that they would be misunderstood, destroying Demon Sanctuaries one after another.
In other words, this was already a case of hopeless extremism.
There was only one way to stop them.
To defeat them.
"Give it up."
Rozen made his declaration calmly.
"You're no match for me."
He was simply stating a fact.
Neither December nor Senga refuted it.
Their power was indeed extraordinary—one could command Beast Vassals at the level of a Primogenitor, and the other was a Kimon master who could defeat an army single-handedly. Against most, they were truly fearsome opponents.
Unfortunately, Rozen far surpassed even that level—by a long shot.
When it came to Beast Vassals, not even counting the familiars, servants, and shikigami within his soul, Rozen had ten of them at Primogenitor-class level.
In terms of Kimon mastery, the Eight Trigrams Formation he had used previously was already enough to show that Senga was no match for him.
Rozen was superior to them in every respect—not to mention, these were only two of his many talents.
From the very beginning, December and Senga had little chance of victory.
Of course…
"We don't need to defeat you. We just need to delay you."
Senga Takehito said this calmly.
"We have many skilled people on our side. Akatsuki Kojou should be dealt with soon."
December smiled charmingly as she spoke.
However, the one who should be smiling was actually Rozen.
"Talents?" Rozen said, "Funny thing—what I have the most of are those."
At those words, both December and Senga froze.
And in the next second, from a distant location, a massive surge of magical power erupted.