-2134- [ Keystone ]

Just like that, Raishin left.

With Raishin's departure, no more battles would erupt within the sanctuary.

Given what they had just seen from Androgyne, along with what Rozen had said, anyone with a functioning brain would think twice before starting a fight here.

That included Magnus as well.

Magnus watched Raishin walk away, his eyes locked on his back, his thoughts unreadable.

Perhaps he was reminiscing about the past.

Perhaps he was wondering whether to stop Raishin, so that Androgyne's secrets wouldn't be leaked.

But whatever the case, Magnus made no further moves. He didn't even acknowledge Rozen, leaving the Automaton Dolls of his combat squad to instinctively shield him from Rozen, surrounding him and remaining on alert.

To the Dolls of the combat squad, Rozen was a far more terrifying threat than Raishin. He posed the greatest danger to their master.

Compared to Raishin, they were far more hostile—and more afraid—of Rozen. If they had the choice, they would not hesitate to eliminate Rozen to erase the threat he posed to their master.

These Dolls never thought too deeply—they existed solely for the safety of their master.

Unlike Setsugetsuka, who possessed a semblance of humanity—or perhaps valued it less—they prioritized their master above all else, to the point of disregarding their own will.

Most Automaton Dolls used by Puppeteers were like that—seeing their master as everything. They were willing to be destroyed, disassembled, and even Setsugetsuka was no exception. The three sisters had entirely surrendered themselves to Rozen upon choosing to become his Automaton Dolls. Even forming an Absolute Contract with him wasn't an issue. The only difference was that the combat squad's Dolls were even more thorough in their loyalty.

Faced with such Dolls, Irori, Yaya, and Komurasaki remained vigilant, while Rozen stayed his usual unrestrained self.

He gave Magnus a brief glance, then, without a word, turned to leave.

At that moment, Magnus's voice suddenly rang out.

"You could have stayed uninvolved, you know."

His voice was unexpectedly calm.

It wasn't the calm that came from Rozen's omniscient, composed demeanor. It was more like the enlightened tranquility of someone who had seen through everything.

What Magnus meant was simple: he was telling Rozen that he didn't have to get involved in the affairs of the Akabane family—or in the conflict between him and Raishin.

"No matter what, you don't have Akabane blood in your veins. You're just an adopted son. You have no reason to get involved in this."

Magnus spoke these words with an unreadable expression.

It was as if he were advising Rozen to let go while he still could—to stop meddling in Akabane matters.

Rozen gave only one response.

"You think that's possible?"

He asked calmly.

Magnus wasn't surprised at all.

"I know you can't ignore this," Magnus said flatly. "But by protecting me like this, you might draw Raishin's hatred. Are you okay with that?"

Rozen was silent for a while, then sighed.

"Better that than letting him live with a lifetime of regret after the truth comes out, don't you think?"

That was how Rozen saw it.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have stopped the brothers from tearing each other apart.

"Actually, it's you I don't understand," Rozen pressed. "You don't seem to care at all about Raishin's fate. If I hadn't arrived in time, were you really planning to die along with him?"

Magnus fell silent at those words.

But eventually…

"If he truly had to die by my hand… that would be better than what comes next."

Magnus muttered softly, as if to himself.

Seeing him like that, Rozen really wanted to ask what exactly had happened back then.

Unfortunately, Rozen knew Magnus would never tell him.

That said, Rozen had already pieced together most of the truth.

But Magnus still seemed to be hiding something, so Rozen had no choice but to set his speculations aside and wait.

In any case, the truth would be revealed soon enough.

The Night Party was already in its later stages—only about a month remained.

When it ended, the world would be swept up in the greatest upheaval yet, triggered by the issue of the Machine Doll.

In that turmoil, Magnus's true plans would no doubt be revealed.

Rozen had that feeling.

In that case…

"I'll wait for you—for the day you decide to reveal everything."

And that day was drawing near.

So Rozen could afford to wait.

As he turned to leave with Irori, Yaya, and Komurasaki, another sound came from Magnus's direction.

"Take this."

With that, something was tossed his way.

Yaya, thinking it might be dangerous, stepped forward first. She activated Kongouriki to strengthen her body and intercepted the object for Rozen, examining it.

"Rozen."

Finding nothing unusual, Yaya turned and looked at him.

"Hand it to me," Rozen said, extending his hand and receiving the item from Yaya.

He squinted at the object in his palm.

Thanks to the power of Wise Eye and Mind's Eye, Rozen could sense an incredible vitality emanating from the semi-transparent bluish stone.

Combined with the secrets he had uncovered in the Sanctuary of Fools, Rozen began to form a guess about the stone's true identity.

"What is this?" he asked Magnus, pretending not to know.

"It has many names," Magnus replied. "Some call it Ein Stone, others call it Void Stone. But in the field of Engineering, it's known as—Keystone."

"I see," Rozen nodded, weighing the stone in his hand. "And you're sure you want me to take this?"

"Take it," Magnus answered without hesitation. "The Academy Headmaster probably won't allow it to go missing, but if it's you, I believe you can protect it—and maybe even uncover its secrets."

"Maybe," Rozen replied indifferently. "But giving it to me—are you really okay with that?"

"It's not without risks," Magnus admitted. "But it doesn't matter. The Headmaster won't know it was me. And even if he does, he can't do anything—he still needs me for now."

Rozen didn't ask anything further and stashed the Keystone away.

"Try not to be so reckless next time."

With that parting remark, Rozen finally departed with Irori, Yaya, and Komurasaki.

Magnus said nothing, didn't even turn around. His gaze remained fixed on the direction Raishin had left, filled with longing, sorrow, complex emotion—and above all, pride and relief.

"It's close now…"

Magnus murmured.

"It's so close…"

What did he mean?

No one knew.