-1526- Lend your power to humanity

Actually, Annerose Vebel had been paying attention to Rozen for a long time.

This so-called "long time" could be traced back to when Rozen was still at Rune.

In other words, as early as Rozen's childhood, Annerose had already taken notice of him.

"I've heard about you since you were little."

The immaturity faded from Annerose's face, replaced by the decisiveness and intelligence of a true Pope.

"At that time, someone reported to me that a remarkable genius had appeared in Rune, someone with extraordinary mana who had self-taught flight magic. On top of that, this person eradicated the Armored Beetles that snuck into Rune. Even as a child attending elementary school, he frequently snuck out to fight these Armored Beetles and returned unscathed every time. So, I was always curious about what such a genius would be like."

At that time, Annerose merely paid attention to Rozen.

But soon after, Rozen's various feats began to attract more and more of her attention, to the point where she was deeply moved.

For example...

"When you first entered Mistgun and acquired the method to refine compressed mana, you immediately completed the refinement process all by yourself. And you compressed it to the absolute limit, to a degree that even large compressed mana reactors couldn't achieve."

For example...

"When you were summoned to the frontline floating fortress city, you were the youngest Sky Wizard there. Despite facing strong Sky Wizards from all over the world who had been battling on the frontlines for a long time, you didn't back down. Not only did you defeat them all, but you also earned their respect, and they followed your commands, winning multiple battles against the Armored Beetles without any losses."

And for example...

"After transferring to the Alchemist Division, you immediately developed various new technologies and magics, advancing the development of magical arts by half a century."

All of these were relayed to Annerose by others.

So, it's true that Annerose had been watching Rozen for a long time.

Perhaps Rozen didn't know, but the reason he was summoned to the frontline was precisely because Annerose had been observing him, and she wanted to confirm Rozen's true strength. She also wanted to give Rozen a test, so she personally ordered it.

Otherwise, how could the frontline floating fortress city summon a mere preparatory student who hadn't even entered university to the most dangerous battlefield to fight Armored Beetles?

Even if Rozen had made a name for himself at Mistgun, it was only within Mistgun.

To the Sky Wizards who had been fighting Armored Beetles on the frontlines for years, no matter how talented he was, Rozen was still just a kid who hadn't graduated yet. It was impossible for them to summon someone like him to the frontlines.

Because of this, when Rozen first arrived at the frontline floating fortress city, he was looked down upon, ridiculed, and even slandered by others.

As a result, Rozen didn't hold back, and on that very day, he gave everyone back tenfold. He knocked down every single self-important Sky Wizard, and even made those old veterans obediently hand over command.

It was only then that Annerose truly took Rozen seriously.

"At first, I thought humanity had finally produced a hero-like figure. But who would have thought that you would immediately announce your withdrawal from the frontlines and transfer to the Alchemist Division? At the time, I really wanted to rush to Mistgun and give you a good talking-to, Mr. Rorelei."

Annerose puffed her cheeks as she said something that definitely didn't sound like a joke.

Rozen could imagine that if it weren't for the fact that the people from Zeth's Faction had been constantly searching for her to take her life, this loli-baba(old lady) would have actually stormed into Mistgun to lecture him.

Just thinking about it made Rozen uncomfortable.

Lectured by a little girl?

If that really happened, all the prestige Rozen had built over the years in Mistgun would be gone.

"But you still surprised me. Not only did you become the Alchemist who earned the title of Mage King, but you also developed the incredible power of High-Grade Mana."

Annerose stared at Rozen, her eyes gleaming with brilliance.

"From that point on, I was certain. Mr. Rorelei, you are the true hope for humanity to fight the Armored Beetles."

Rozen, of course, understood what she meant by that.

"Because of the Collapse Force that the humanoid Armored Beetles from Zeth's Faction possess?"

Rozen hit the mark.

"That's right." Annerose nodded, saying, "Originally, jutsuryoku is a stronger force of phenomenon interference compared to mana. Sky Wizards are already at a disadvantage when facing Armored Beetles, let alone those who possess the power of Collapse Force, which combines mana and jutsuryoku."

It goes without saying how powerful those who wield Collapse Force are.

Just look at Real Nua, who, despite being a complete amateur, became so arrogant after acquiring Collapse Force that he could easily imprison an S-Class Sky Wizard like Yuri Flostre. If someone skilled in combat obtained Collapse Force, being invincible in the world wouldn't just be an empty boast.

Humanity was already weaker than the Armored Beetles.

Jutsuryoku is stronger than mana—that's a fact that no one can deny. Otherwise, humanity wouldn't have been forced off the land and into the sky.

Look at this underground city. The visual interference spell used to conceal it is also powered by jutsuryoku, proving that jutsuryoku is indeed stronger than mana. When facing the Armored Beetles, humanity is at a natural disadvantage.

As a result, the enemies in Zeth's Faction, who possess both mana and jutsuryoku, and who can fuse these two forces to gain the power of Collapse Force that can destroy the principles of all things, have emerged. The current state of humanity is evident.

For this reason, as the Pope, Annerose could only hide in this underground city where sunlight never reaches.

"The only thing that can counter Collapse Force is Collapse Force itself or an equally powerful force."

As she said this, Annerose's expression finally softened, and she sighed.

"But on our side, there's only person who possesses Collapse Force, and Cris only has jutsuryoku. Meanwhile, Zeth's Faction has no fewer than ten people who possess Collapse Force. If we fight them, humanity is doomed."

That's why, when Annerose heard that Rozen had developed a power capable of countering Collapse Force, she was genuinely excited.

"I was initially worried that Zeth's Faction would target you because of this, but you ended up foiling all their schemes and coming here. I'm truly happy."

Annerose looked at Rozen seriously.

"In the name of the Pope, I ask of you."

"Mr. Rorelei Arneet, please lend your power to humanity."

"Help humanity defeat the Armored Beetles."

Annerose made her request.

Watching this, both River Endycase and Cris held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

As the highest authority figure of humanity, at this moment, Annerose, for the sake of securing a powerful asset, made a request of Rozen.

This was something that would have never happened in the past.

It proved that Rozen possessed such immense value.

Because of this, Annerose was willing to lower her head and make her plea.

However...

"Before that, tell me first."

Rozen's face remained calm, showing no signs of being moved, as he spoke coldly.

"The truth of the 'Creation of the World'—what exactly does it refer to?"

Those words changed the atmosphere in the entire audience hall.

It became heavier.