-347- An absolutely real presence

In the end, PoH managed to escape.

Even though Saichou and Hanachou shouldn't lose in terms of speed, in a map like the Forest of wandering where it's easy to conceal one's tracks, with the high proficiency of the "Hiding" skill, PoH could easily hide his presence.

Even with the high perception abilities of Saichou and Hanachou, there was still a high chance he could evade them.

Rozen had a vague idea that this might be the outcome.

However, Rozen wasn't concerned in the slightest.

"If he escaped, then let it be."

Though PoH was a highly dangerous individual, letting him go might potentially lead to inciting more criminals. But after this wave of raids, the Orange Guilds would be eradicated, leaving behind only some Orange Guild players. The remaining members of "Laughing Coffin" who were looking for new recruits should also find it difficult to escape the grasp of the Clearing Group, especially now that the top two members were arrested. They would probably be taken down together.

In other words, after this incident, the most feared PK guild in SAO, "Laughing Coffin," would completely dissolve. The criminals among them would be dealt with, and if only PoH remained, he wouldn't have much influence left.

Of course, setting a tiger free would cause trouble eventually, so Rozen wouldn't underestimate PoH's threat. The Clearing Group would continue to issue a full-scale manhunt for him, making sure he'd become a street rat unable to step into the sunlight.

Thus, the extermination of the Orange and Red Guilds, under Rozen's skillful command, ended in victory.

Even though Rozen focused on dealing with the top three members, entrusting the other aspects of the operation to various guilds within the Clearing Group, it didn't mean he was hands-off in his approach.

Rozen considered himself to have a good understanding of those red-named players who constantly attacked others to satisfy their dark inclinations.

"If we back them into a corner, there's nothing they won't do."

Therefore, to prevent the Clearing Group from being dragged down to hell by those crazed killers from "Laughing Coffin," Rozen had prepared a few contingency plans. All of them successfully diffused the crisis.

Preserving the record of completing the quest without casualties wasn't just an idle statement.

Dealing with such ruthless murderers, Rozen wasn't naïve to think they would show any mercy. In order to counter their brutality, Rozen naturally needed to have a few aces up his sleeve.

In the end, the record of no casualties was upheld, but in order to take down the murderers from "Laughing Coffin," the Clearing Group unavoidably had to kill several players.

After all, not everyone could handle the mental and psychological pressure of personally ending someone's life, even for the top players in the Clearing Group. They were still ordinary people in the real world. For this reason, many members of the Clearing Group felt emotionally down for several days after the event.

However, even in light of this...

"If we're doing the right thing, isn't that enough?"

That's what Rozen believed.

Due to his personal experiences, Rozen disliked the kind of egoism that would employ any means necessary to achieve a goal, even ignoring basic human morality, much like a Magus back in Chaldea. However, this didn't mean that Rozen was incapable of distinguishing right from wrong or differentiating between severity levels.

At the very least, if it was an enemy, and in the course of battle, he wouldn't hold back unless it was necessary. If it came to killing the enemy, he would do it, too.

Because, that's what combat is.

Because, that's what war is.

If it weren't for this, during the time in Orleans, Rozen wouldn't have decisively moved to kill Jeanne Alter, preparing to end her life, only to have that final strike intercepted by Caster, Gilles de Rais.

So, not everything can be cleanly categorized as right or wrong, especially in battles and wars. But as long as one does what they believe to be right, they can be at peace with themselves and others.

Doing what one believes to be right is sufficient.

This has always been Rozen's perspective.

However...

"In this world, death is real, but the act of killing is merely a game."

Here, injuries don't draw blood, death doesn't leave corpses. Even when HP hits zero, the real-world body does die, but seeing the body of the deceased in the form of shattered polygons, Rozen doesn't consider that true death, no matter how you look at it.

True death is much more cruel.

True despair is much more terrifying.

Given this, Rozen actually views this world as a game world rather than some sort of reality.

However...

"But in this world, human emotions are an absolutely real presence.."

After the Clearing Group's operation ended and numerous Orange and Red players were defeated, the day of Zahard's arrest arrived. Rozen stood before him.

"Isn't that right, Guild Leader Zahard?"

Rozen spoke indifferently.

Facing him, Zahard, the Guild Leader of the Divine Dragon's Alliance, turned pale, with sweat dripping down his forehead.

This was the frontline of the 55th Floor's main street area, inside a hotel in Granzam.

As the Guild Leader of the Divine Dragon's Alliance, Zahard had spent the entire day in this hotel and hadn't participated in the operation.

The reason was simple.

"No matter what, you shouldn't attack your allies, wouldn't you agree?"

Rozen sat in front of Zarhad, not looking at him, rhythmically tapping the table as if speaking to himself.

Naturally, Zarhad's face turned even paler upon hearing Rozen's words.

"What... What are you talking about? Allies? I don't understand!"

Zahard could only barely maintain his composure, but his voice kept trembling.

Rozen didn't correct him, he just continued speaking.

"In order to lure PoH out, I made a lot of preparations. For example, I needed to silently spread the Clearing Group's movements, let the enemy find out, then intentionally reveal my own whereabouts in a secretive manner. This way, PoH would know about our actions and come after me."

Wasn't this something that had to be done?

If not, how could PoH be provoked to take action because of the Clearing Group's all-out assault while Rozen acted alone?

"But I didn't expect all my preparations to go to waste. Before I could execute my plan, someone had already leaked the Clearing Group's movements to PoH and informed him about my solo operation, leading him to come after me."

Rozen spoke in this nonchalant tone.

"Besides the players in the Clearing Group, I doubt anyone else could have achieved this, right?"

Speaking up to here, Rozen finally raised his eyes to gaze at Zahard.

"I...!"

Zarhad stood up, somewhat agitated.

"Bang!"

In that instant, the hotel door was forcefully flung open, and players rushed in.

These players were all members of the Clearing Group.

Among them were the members of Crimson Wing led by Kirito, as well as the members of FuurinKazan led by Klein. Virtually the entire major guilds of the Clearing Group were present.

They surrounded Zahard, and each one had a menacing expression in their eyes.

Seeing this, Zahard understood.

He was finished.

Rozen also stood up.

"Starting today, the Divine Dragon's Alliance will no longer exist in this world."

After leaving these words that felt like a judgment, Rozen didn't even spare a glance for the kneeling Zahard, walking out of the hotel.