In this moment, Io wavered. Unable to escape the harsh reality of Rozen's words.
Perhaps surrendering might absolve Io, but for those who suffered losses, there would be no compensation. They would endure the pain of losing automatons or face attacks from uncontrollable automatons, with no resolution in sight.
The streets must be in chaos now, with civilians potentially facing danger from rampaging automatons. Some might be waiting for rescue, hiding in corners, hoping someone would step forward, stop Edmund's actions, and restore peace to the Machinart City.
Io's surrender wouldn't solve these problems.
"If you consider yourself the culprit, then clean up this mess yourself; don't pass it on to others," Rozen bluntly addressed the root of the issue, leaving Io no choice but to waver.
"This..." The headmaster furrowed his brows, witnessing Io's hesitation. "You..."
However, before the headmaster could say anything, Rozen interrupted, "Shut up! This doesn't concern you!"
Rozen's impatient tone stunned not only the headmaster but everyone present – professors, students, and guards.
Edward Rutherford, the headmaster of the Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart, the most powerful magus of the 19th century, and a renowned political figure even among world powers, was openly reprimanded by a student.
This not only astonished the headmaster but also the professors, students, guards, and even Magnus, who had been observing coldly on the side. Without waiting for their reactions, Rozen shifted his gaze back to Io.
Facing Rozen's intense gaze, Io couldn't hold back any longer. "Can I really compensate everyone?" Io questioned.
"Don't you have a budget to buy even warships? What are you afraid of?" Rozen countered.
"Can I truly repair Eva's emotions?" Io continued.
"Aren't you a genius? What's there to fear?" Rozen replied.
"Can I really retrieve all the automatons for everyone?" Io asked again.
"Aren't you a puppet craftsman? What's there to fear?" Rozen responded.
"But now, Eva is in the hands of the prince..."
"Then go and take her back."
"But the prince is in Daedalus now..."
"Then go and bring him down."
"But..."
"No more 'buts,'" Rozen said firmly. In the midst of this conversation, Rozen stared at Io, suddenly breaking into a smile.
"I'll help you, okay?"
With this sentence, tears welled up in Io's eyes, dripping onto the ground like raindrops. The girl who had once been betrayed by the prince was destined to choose to trust the young man before her.
"If you've decided, then stay aside and watch my performance."
With this concluding statement, Rozen made Io step back. Immediately after, Rozen turned his gaze to the headmaster.
"Well, that's how it is."
Rozen smiled at the headmaster.
"Sorry, but you can't arrest her."
This was the declaration of the young man who was meddling in affairs that weren't his.
"Very unwise," the headmaster shook his head, expressing extreme disappointment. "I had high hopes for you."
In response to the headmaster's words, Rozen could only offer this reply.
"I've never responded to anyone's high hopes."
That's just how it is.
Once, Chaldea had high hopes for Rozen, the strongest Master, but Rozen rebelled.
Once, the Akabane clan had high hopes for Rozen, the "Divine Child," but he couldn't save them from their downfall.
The Kirigaya family adopted Rozen because of his intelligence and bright future, but Rozen spent two years trapped in the gaming world, undoubtedly causing them worry.
The Tsuchimikado family adopted Rozen with the intention of drawing attention from the outside world, preventing Harutora from being influenced by the fate of his past life. However, Rozen went against the wishes of Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi.
Rozen had always been like this, never responding to anyone's high hopes.
However...
Faced with the incineration of humanity, Rozen didn't intend to leave things to fate; he chose to fight.
Faced with the destruction of the Akabane clan, Rozen didn't plan to stand idly by; he chose to investigate.
Although the members of the Kirigaya family were surely worried, in the game, Rozen saved countless lives, standing at the forefront and expanding the path beyond despair.
Even though the Tsuchimikado has fallen to being wanted by the Onmyo Agency, losing their status as the head family of Onmyoudou and becoming a pariah, Rozen still considers himself one of them. He awaits the changes of Shirogane and Suzuka, planning to return and counterattack.
Rozen has never thought of responding to others' expectations, only doing what he believes is right. This is Rozen, a summoner who pursues miracles, unaffected by reality.
"Now, don't give me a lecture."
Rozen spoke with a playful smile.
"Anyway, I'm just a forever immature troublemaker."
In front of the entire academy, Rozen made this declaration.
"Guards!"
The headmaster issued a resolute command.
"Capture Rorelai Arneet and Ionela Iliad!"
As soon as the order was given, surrounding guards raised their rifles, aiming at Rozen. Simultaneously, all the home guards rushed towards Rozen.
Seeing the automatons coming towards him, Rozen's magical energy within him turned into surging jutsuryoku.
"Step back."
Words imbued with power emanated from Rozen's mouth, causing ripples of jutsuryoku to spread.
"Boom!"
The immensely powerful incantation produced a terrifying effect, transforming into interfering world-encompassing spells. Like shockwaves, they sent all approaching home guards flying.
"What is this..."
The headmaster's eyes narrowed.
"Guards!"
Avril was equally surprised but dutifully executed the headmaster's command, prompting the guards to open fire.
However...
"Crackle, crackle, crackle...!"
In a piercing sound of freezing, the guns in the guards' hands were all covered in sudden frost, freezing into ice. Each guard exclaimed in succession, feeling an icy coldness piercing their hearts, causing them to drop their weapons.
This was, of course, Irori's doing.
Irori stood beside Rozen, extending her hand forward to freeze the guards' weapons into ice.
At the same time, Yaya disappeared.
No, she didn't vanish; it was just that her speed was too fast to catch.
"Bang!"
In the sound of impact, Yaya appeared behind one guard and delivered a swift chop to the back of his neck, rendering him unconscious.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
Yaya, like a fleeting shadow, consecutively appeared behind each guard, knocking them unconscious.
"Ah...!"
"Ugh...!"
"Argh...!"
The guards groaned one after another, falling to the ground.
By the time Yaya returned to Rozen's side, all the guards had collapsed, not a single one remaining standing.
"What...!?"
Avril was greatly astonished.
As for the surrounding students and professors, they erupted into complete chaos.
A brawl was inevitable.