The story ended here.
Seeing Edelweiss recount everything with a calm expression, everyone present fell into silence.
No, it wasn't silence.
It was shock.
Because, in her recounting, aside from not mentioning her identity, Edelweiss had said everything she could.
But saying it to such an extent, how was that different from revealing her identity?
Especially that boy Edelweiss mentioned—after hearing his deeds, who in the world wouldn't know who he was?
Thinking of that person, everyone present was in shock.
Even Arisuin Nagi, who had been silent from the beginning, murmured.
"I didn't expect that there was someone who had always been with that person..."
This indeed was something very few people knew.
That there was always a woman by the side of the one hailed as the world's strongest Blazer was never known.
Moreover, it was unexpected that the two people, respectively hailed as the world's strongest Blazer and the world's strongest swordsman, had been together for eight years since ten years ago.
And the earth-shattering battle two years ago had such a cause and outcome.
In the end, that person left Edelweiss behind and went away alone.
"But that was not his fault; it was mine."
Edelweiss said so.
It wasn't just self-blame but a fact.
"With his strength, if he truly got angry, the three great powers would have been wiped out long ago. He has the ability to fight the world alone. If he really wanted to eliminate trouble, he could easily do so by killing everyone."
The League?
The Union?
The Rebellion?
At that time, who among these three great powers could resist the strongest who once mercilessly crushed them?
So, to eliminate the trouble of the three great powers and others possibly targeting him at any time, he could completely wipe them out, solving everything once and for all.
As for the world descending into chaos, what did that have to do with him?
For someone to willingly bear the oppression of the rulers for the sake of the people, such a thankless task, he had no reason to do it.
In the end, he spared those people and hid his name, leaving the country, all because of Edelweiss's plea and her kindness.
He knew that someone as kind as Edelweiss would never sit idly by and watch people suffer.
Thus, he chose to retreat and let no one find him, to put an end to everything.
After all, no one knew his appearance. With his myriad of techniques, hiding his abilities and characteristics so that no one could detect his true identity was incredibly easy.
"On the contrary, many people know my appearance and my abilities. If I appear, it will surely attract a lot of attention. To prevent that from happening and to avoid dragging me into his conflicts, he chose to leave, so if anyone is to blame, it's me, not him."
Edelweiss's recount left everyone present speechless.
Only Rozen had been quietly listening to Edelweiss's story, his eyes showing a slight bitterness, wanting to say,
That's not true.
Rozen sighed inwardly.
If it was an issue of appearance, with Rozen's means, there were many ways to solve it. Why would he separate from Edelweiss because of that?
And not wanting to drag Edelweiss into his conflicts, while a thought Rozen did have, was not the root cause of his departure.
Rozen had self-awareness.
"I have my own goals and need to travel around this world."
Rozen, knowing himself well, couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't take action again for some reason.
So hiding his name wasn't an option for Rozen.
At best, Rozen could only hide his name temporarily.
And if necessary, Rozen would appear and take action.
By then, if the three great powers came after him again, with Edelweiss by his side, should Rozen let them go again and again?
That would only embolden the enemies.
Therefore, Rozen had long decided that he would spare the people from the three great powers only once.
If there was a next time, Rozen would not show mercy. For his sake and the sake of those around him, he would strike decisively.
At that time, the world would surely descend into chaos, and Edelweiss definitely wouldn't be able to stay uninvolved; she might even become Rozen's enemy.
Rozen didn't want it to come to that.
Based on this reasoning, Rozen chose to part ways with Edelweiss, so she wouldn't suffer from her conscience, nor would the severe situation Rozen imagined occur.
This was the true reason.
In short, Rozen didn't want to make things difficult for Edelweiss, which is why he suggested parting ways.
As for the reason Edelweiss mentioned, it was certainly not the fundamental cause.
Thinking of this, Rozen couldn't help but sigh again and unconsciously looked in Edelweiss's direction.
Upon looking, Rozen was shocked.
Because, in his field of vision, Edelweiss was also staring at him, her eyes filled with bitterness, but also with a hint of joy and complexity that was hard to detect.
Seeing this, Rozen understood.
Edelweiss did it on purpose.
She intentionally recounted their past in front of everyone, attempting to provoke a reaction from Rozen.
Even though this story was indeed too shocking and shouldn't be known by a group of students, Edelweiss still chose to reveal it for her own purposes.
It was to confirm Rozen's identity.
And now, Edelweiss had finally confirmed it.
Rozen could read a message in Edelweiss's eyes.
"Found you."
That's how it was.
At this point, Rozen had no choice but to admit it.
To admit his true identity had been completely exposed in front of Edelweiss.
From Rozen's reaction, Edelweiss confirmed his identity.
At the same time, everyone present also confirmed Edelweiss's identity.
"Edel-san..."
Ikki was the first to react from the shock, looking at Edelweiss with seriousness and solemnity on his face.
"Could it be that you and the person you mentioned are..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Edelweiss interrupted him.
"Sorry, I got carried away talking. There are so many customers outside, and the owner and chefs must be busy. They must be looking for me everywhere by now."
Edelweiss stood up.
"Thank you for listening to me for so long. Let's talk again if we have the chance."
Leaving those words, Edelweiss glanced deeply at Rozen and then left without any hesitation.
"Wait...!"
Stella, Shizuku, and others hurriedly tried to call out, but Edelweiss left before they could.
"She... she's gone..."
"Yeah...."
Everyone exchanged glances in bewilderment.
Only Rozen, looking in the direction where Edelweiss left, remained silent.