Looking at Quetzalcoatl's genuine, joyful smile, combined with all the words she had just spoken, Rozen more or less understood why this goddess had taken such a great interest in him.
"It's because I'm the last Master of mankind, isn't it?"
Because Quetzalcoatl was a benevolent deity who guided humanity toward prosperity, what she most wished to see was the flourishing and continuation of humankind.
To her, Rozen was a symbolic existence.
"We gods of South America, unlike other deities who, after the end of the Age of Gods, gradually left this world, merely ceased our life activities and returned to the land of the deep jungle, falling into slumber."
"However, before we fell into slumber, we dreamed of humanity's development."
"So I know very well—perhaps not now, but in the distant future—through self-discipline and mutual competition, mankind will be able to prosper, to set foot across the entire world, and hold wealth and glory in its hands."
Quetzalcoatl's voice spread slowly through the air.
"But the great undertaking of the Mage King brought all of that to an end. For big sister me, that's truly not a pleasant thing."
Under such circumstances, upon learning that in the future there would be an organization called Chaldea—the Human Order Security Organization—housing the last Master of humanity, humanity's final hope, who had already crossed six Singularities and arrived in this era for the sake of saving mankind and preserving Human Order… one could easily imagine how excited Quetzalcoatl must have been.
"To me, you are akin to a symbol of hope. From the moment I learned of your existence, I've wanted to meet you face to face."
That was why Quetzalcoatl had said that seeing Rozen come to her of his own accord made her truly happy.
"If you can repair this Singularity, defeat the Mage King, restore human history, and once again lay the foundation for Human Order, then humanity will be saved—able to continue existing and reproducing."
At this point, the smile on Quetzalcoatl's face receded somewhat.
"However, that won't be easy—you understand that, don't you?"
As a chief deity–class being, Quetzalcoatl knew many things.
In fact, one could say she knew even more than Rozen, who had already experienced six Singularities.
Why had the Incineration of Humanity occurred in the first place?
What was the Mage King's ultimate goal?
Quetzalcoatl more or less understood these things.
Precisely because of that, she knew the probability of Rozen truly saving human history was very low.
Even though he had overcome six Singularities, those six meant almost nothing.
What Solomon, the Mage King, truly relied on was this Seventh Singularity—or rather, his own existence.
If Rozen truly wished to save Human Order, then clearing six Singularities was only the very beginning.
Only by repairing this Singularity could Rozen be said to have arrived at the starting point of salvation.
With that in mind…
"I have given the humans of this era trials, so they may grow quickly to face the coming disaster."
"I must also give you a trial—to cultivate your growth, and to witness your salvation."
"Come, show me humanity's head-on challenge, with souls on the line."
Quetzalcoatl raised the sword in her hand.
That serrated greatsword was called Macuahuitl—a type of wooden sword used by the ancient civilizations of the Americas.
In the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, it was made by sandwiching obsidian blades between two wooden boards. Only chosen jungle warriors were granted the right to wield it, and those of higher status would have it adorned with shells, gems, or vibrant feathers—serving as a symbol of rank.
As one who had once manifested as a King of Men, Quetzalcoatl's Macuahuitl was made of jade, thus also called the Jade Sword, symbolizing supreme royal authority.
"I won't use my Authorities, so feel free to come at me."
With that declaration, Quetzalcoatl's expression grew somewhat ferocious.
From her body, a terrifying fighting spirit mixed with divine aura surged forth, pressing down like a storm.
"Ugh…!"
Mash felt as if even her breathing was about to stop.
"This pressure…!"
Ryougi Shiki tightened her grip on her dagger.
"This one is definitely not just strong…"
Even Ishtar, a fellow Venus goddess, was breaking into a bit of a cold sweat.
"Her Saint Graph parameters are still climbing!"
"Her mana reaction has already surpassed the highest specs in our database!"
"Be careful! This goddess is definitely the strongest enemy you've faced so far—drop your guard for even a moment, and you'll die instantly!"
Da Vinci, Roman, and Olga Marie all cried out in alarm.
With both his Wise Eye and Mind's Eye, Rozen could also tell—the goddess before him was indeed extremely powerful.
Looking back over the six Singularities, perhaps aside from Mage King Solomon, none could radiate such pressure and presence.
Not Ishtar, not Ereshkigal, not even Gorgon—perhaps not even Goddess Rhongomyniad of the Sixth Singularity—could match Quetzalcoatl as she was now.
Rozen even suspected that, without using High-Grade Mana, he might not be able to defeat her at all.
Fortunately…
"This might actually be a chance, Rozen!"
Ishtar, eyes fixed on Quetzal, spoke quickly.
"If this goddess doesn't intend to use her Authorities, then our chances of victory are a lot higher!"
Exactly.
For the gods, their true power lay in their Authorities.
Authorities were mysteries above magecraft—manifestations of natural law. Apart from True Magic, there were almost no mysteries surpassing them.
In such a case, with Quetzalcoatl being a chief deity who held numerous divine jurisdictions, if she unleashed all her Authorities, even Grand Servants might meet their end.
But if Quetzalcoatl did not use them—though her strength would still be immense—she might be manageable.
"Let's all attack together, and try to take her down before she calls in the winged serpent flock!"
Ishtar proposed.
"Please give the order, Master!"
"What should we do?"
Hearing this, Mash and Ryougi Shiki also turned their eyes toward Rozen.
Even Altera seemed eager to move, causing the space behind Rozen to shimmer faintly with the wavering silhouette of a mirage.
Everyone waited for Rozen's command.
However, Rozen did not order an attack. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on Quetzal, his eyes glimmering.
Feeling her terrifying fighting spirit and divine aura, looking at her ferocious expression, Rozen fell silent.
A moment later…
"Don't interfere," Rozen suddenly said. "I'll take her on myself."
"What!?" All the girls' faces changed at once.
"Oh?" Quetzalcoatl's brows lifted, her ferocious look shifting into a more intrigued expression.
Under everyone's astonished gazes, Rozen spoke.
"The one you want to test is me. The one you wish to give a trial to is me. And the one you most want to see grow and show strength—is also me, right?"
Rozen continued:
"Since you've sealed away your Authorities for this, if I were to win by any means necessary, it wouldn't really be in the spirit of it, would it?"
Thus, Rozen wanted to face Quetzalcoatl personally.
No—this was a challenge he had to take on himself.
Of course…
"In exchange, I have one condition."
Rozen looked straight at Quetzalcoatl, speaking each word clearly.
"If I win, you will join us—and leave the Goddess Alliance."