-786- [ Summon Monster ]

Above the noisy Machinart City, the three-legged crow descended as if riding the wind from the distant horizon. It landed on the top of the city's tallest clock tower, transforming into a black cloak. From it emerged figures, including Rozen and his group. They gazed down at the chaotic streets.

Below, groups of automatons continued their rampage—some parading in the streets, others chasing terrified citizens. The entire city was filled with an atmosphere of panic.

Io trembled as she spoke, "This is outrageous."

Yaya expressed uncertainty, "Are people just being attacked and taken away like this?"

Komurasaki puzzled, "But why take them away?"

Irori, having political insight from associating with Karyusai Shouko, quickly guessed their intentions, "Probably to use them as hostages and force the current king of England to surrender the throne."

Rozen, staring at the turmoil below, said, "From now on, we have to consider all automatons in the entire Machinart City as enemies."

He continued, "I'm assigning tasks now. Listen carefully."

Everyone turned to Rozen as he scanned each girl around him.

"Irori, head to Shouko's mansion. It's likely she's still resisting the automatons' rampage there, relying on the barriers around the mansion and the military personnel nearby. She might not hold out for long. Your job is to find Shouko and protect her."

Rozen's instructions made Irori tighten her expression, but she nodded without any objections.

"Komurasaki," Rozen addressed, "you'll be in charge of infiltrating. Follow the automatons that have captured citizens, find the hostages, and guide them to safety. Otherwise, when I confront that arrogant Black Prince, if he tries to threaten me with the lives of ordinary people, it would be unpleasant."

"I understand," Komurasaki rallied herself, clenching her fist. "If it's a game of hide and seek, even without Rozen by my side, I'll be fine."

"That's good," Rozen said with a slight smile.

Next, Rozen turned to Yaya.

"Yaya," Rozen said to her, "stay here to protect Io."

"Huh?" Yaya was surprised, looking as if she was about to showcase her skills but was halted.

Clearly, Yaya hadn't expected Rozen to assign her this task. Even Io spoke up.

"You've sent away all three Setsugetsuka dolls. How will you fight without them?"

Io voiced her concern without thinking.

She seemed to forget completely.

"I didn't use automatons when dealing with the headmaster, that sly fox."

Rozen shrugged, reminding them of this fact.

In other words,

"I'll personally deal with the Black Prince and the automatons all over the city."

Rozen had decided on that.

Of course,

"Don't worry about me; I know my limits."

With this sentence, Rozen silenced everyone's concerns, leaving them speechless.

"Since there are no objections, let's begin."

Rozen gave instructions without further explanation.

"Time is precious; be swift and decisive."

With these brief words, everyone understood that Rozen had no intention of changing his decision.

"Please be careful, Rozen-sama," Irori said before leaping off the clock tower towards Karyusai Shouko's mansion.

"I'm going too. Rozen, if you get hurt, I'll stick by your side to take care of you, whether it's when you go to the bathroom or take a bath."

Komurasaki said these words playfully and then jumped off the clock tower.

Only then did Yaya react, shouting directly.

"Taking care of Rozen when he goes to the bathroom or takes a bath is Yaya's dream! Please let Yaya do it! Let Yaya do it!"

"Discard that kind of dream immediately! Right now!"

Rozen gave Yaya a firm knock, making her nod tearfully.

"Rorelai...."

Only Io remained, looking at Rozen with a guilty expression.

The girl must be thinking like this, right?

"Even though you caused this trouble yourself, you can't be of help and can only watch here. So, you must be feeling frustrated, aren't you?"

Rozen smiled at Io and spoke so.

"Don't worry; when it's truly time for you to make an entrance, I'll naturally call for you."

With these words, Rozen left Io standing there in a daze.

But Rozen no longer paid attention to Io. Instead, he turned, facing the direction of the city.

In those streets, the legion of automatons was still in riot.

In those unseen corners, the turmoil continued.

What appeared before Rozen was a city shrouded in the aftermath of war.

People's screams, the roar of magic, the clash of battles, and even the tearing sound of the atmosphere echoed incessantly.

Facing such chaos,

"It's been a while since I went all out."

Rozen mumbled to himself.

Yes.

It had been a while since he went all out.

Otherwise, how could he suppress the thousands of automaton legions?

"Let's cause a big scene."

With these words, Rozen suddenly laughed.

"Boom!"

In the next second, astonishing magic surged from his body.

"Ah!"

Both Yaya and Io were blown away by the airflow caused by the sudden burst of magic, letting out screams.

Rozen, on the other hand, slammed one hand onto the ground, and his magic surged madly.

"Clang!"

A massive magic circle appeared, centered on Rozen's hand. It rotated, expanded along the tall clock tower, like a halo, descending all the way down and finally reaching the ground, expanding at once.

Rozen infused all his magic into this enormous magic circle covering a radius of one kilometer.

"Summon Monster!"

Rozen's voice echoed through the sky.

"Come! Monsters of Aincrad!"

After many years, Rozen finally summoned numerous monster familiars he obtained in the game.

Thus, within the large diameter magic circle, columns of light rose one after another, turning into various monsters.

"Roar!"

"Howl!"

"Shkk!"

The monsters' roars resounded throughout the entire city.