"Leave the Three Goddess Alliance…!?"
When these words came from Rozen's mouth, everyone present widened their eyes.
Even Quetzalcoatl was stunned, looking at Rozen with an expression full of disbelief.
No one had expected Rozen to propose a one-on-one duel as the condition to win over Quetzalcoatl.
However, it wasn't an impossible idea.
"You, like Ereshkigal, not only bear no hatred toward humanity, but instead hold affection and compassion for them. Since that's the case, why not simply come over to our side and help humanity?"
Rozen spoke like this.
"Perhaps you chose to become humanity's opponent in order to help them survive better—granting them a trial of survival of the fittest so they could grow stronger. But even without your trials, humanity could still have continued to flourish for thousands of years, right up until the year 2020."
In that case, even if Quetzalcoatl didn't train the humans of this era, it wouldn't matter.
"What you should really be thinking about is the era after 2020—how to ensure that humanity can continue to exist beyond that year."
Rozen fixed his gaze on Quetzalcoatl and spoke.
"In that case, wouldn't it be enough if the one you tested… was me?"
Quetzalcoatl could not possibly misunderstand the meaning behind Rozen's words.
"If I can pass your test, that will prove I have the ability to save Human Order and restore human history."
"If I cannot pass your test, then no matter how much you train humanity, it will be useless—because under the disaster of Human Order Incineration, they will all perish."
"In that case, why not place your bet on me?"
Rozen declared.
"As the last Master of humanity, I challenge you—the chief god of the Aztecs and the pinnacle of goodness."
"If I win, you will join us and fight alongside us against the disasters of this era."
"How about it? Can you accept that?"
Rozen spoke one sentence after another.
Upon hearing this, Mash, Ryougi Shiki, and Ishtar exchanged glances, all struck speechless.
Quetzalcoatl's eyes, on the other hand, grew brighter and brighter, her gaze on Rozen filled with dazzling light.
The goddess laughed.
She laughed more joyfully than at any moment before.
"I never thought I'd receive a duel challenge from a human."
Quetzalcoatl was delighted beyond measure.
"So, you accept?"
Rozen sought confirmation.
Quetzalcoatl answered without a hint of hesitation.
"Of course!" Quetzalcoatl spread her arms wide, her tone brimming with excitement.
"You, the last hope of humanity, are challenging a god for the sake of humanity's future. If that's the case—if I am the King of Humans and the God of Humans—what kind of benevolent god, what kind of war god, would I be if I didn't accept?"
The fighting spirit and divine aura radiating from Quetzalcoatl became even more intense and overwhelming.
"I accept your challenge. If you can defeat me, I will leave the Three Goddess Alliance and join you—and I will even form a temporary contract with you!"
"Of course, I will not use my Authorities. I will only fight with my Macuahuitl and this body of mine!"
"But…"
At this point, Quetzalcoatl's expression turned wicked and fearsome.
"If you lose, I will not hesitate to take your life. You will have no chance to beg for mercy. Understood?"
In that instant, along with her fighting spirit and divine aura, a terrifying killing intent spread from Quetzalcoatl.
This told Rozen that the goddess was serious.
Even though she was a good god, possessing an immensely open-minded spirit, the tolerance of the earth itself, and the warmth and radiance of the sun, as had been said before—she was still a god, with thoughts and principles utterly different from those of humans.
Thus, once judged unworthy, she could commit acts of the utmost cruelty without hesitation—things humans might consider unforgivable, yet to her were commonplace.
Conversely, once she recognized someone, Quetzalcoatl would never go back on her word, and would fight for humanity to the very end.
It was precisely because Rozen had seen this that he changed his mind.
Previously, Rozen had only intended to deal with the troublesome Quetzalcoatl first, then focus his efforts on Gorgon.
But now, after learning Quetzalcoatl's true intent, Rozen felt he could fully win her over.
After all, she was a good god. However cruel, she was still the pinnacle of goodness, and her stance aligned perfectly with his own.
Thus, Rozen issued this challenge.
"You all, stand back."
Rozen said to his Servants.
Seeing this, they understood that Rozen had made up his mind to face Quetzalcoatl alone.
They fell silent for a brief moment.
After a short pause, they all chose to accept it.
"Be careful."
Ryougi Shiki was the most direct, leaving only this brief warning before stepping back.
"Since you've decided, you'd better not lose, got it?"
Ishtar, too, spoke with a tense expression, then flew to the rear on Maanna.
"Senpai…"
Mash looked at Rozen, as if entrusting everything to him, giving him her utmost trust, and silently withdrew.
As for the Chaldea staff, seeing this situation, they had nothing to say—only silently praying in their hearts for Rozen's success.
If he succeeded, the gain would be immense.
If he failed, then…
Olga Marie, Da Vinci, and Roman all stared at the images displayed on the screen. Even with anxiety in their hearts, they could not help but feel anticipation.
Seeing this, Quetzalcoatl smiled again, locking her gaze solely on Rozen, her eyes holding no one else.
Rozen slowly stepped forward under her gaze.
Boom!
Flames swelled, and the Sun's Holy Sword fell into his hand.
Hum!
His divine aura surged, and the black coat on his body, along with the ornate ring on his left hand, transformed into Kinu and Gyokuto, flying into the air and leaving their master.
"Senpai (Rozen)…!?"
Mash, Ryougi Shiki, and Ishtar were all shocked.
"Oh?" Quetzalcoatl was also surprised. "You're not letting those two divine spirits protect you?"
Everyone present, including Quetzalcoatl, understood that Rozen had always been under the protection of divine spirits.
Now, Rozen was dismissing them. How could that not surprise people?
But Rozen merely smiled faintly.
"You said you wanted to see a head-on challenge where a human stakes their soul, right?" Rozen said. "Although they are also part of my soul, since the one you are testing is humanity, it wouldn't be right to keep their divine protection, would it?"
These words made Quetzalcoatl's eyes change once more.
They became filled with admiration—utterly satisfied.