-1489- If this has satisfied you

There was no fourth person, other than Rozen, Elis, and Cris, who heard the conversation between the three.

If anyone had overheard, they would certainly feel dizzy and might suspect they were in the midst of a terrible nightmare.

That's right, a nightmare.

The idea that humanoid Armored Beetles had infiltrated the human race, and that one of them had risen to a high-ranking position, wielding considerable power—could there be anything more nightmarish?

And to think that this person, who held such authority, was the Chairman of the Council, someone widely respected and celebrated by the public for their extraordinary achievements in the battles against the Armored Beetles, and known within the Council for their exceptional political acumen.

For humanity, this was an unimaginable situation.

At first, Rozen, too, was flooded with a myriad of thoughts because of this suspicion, but he finally calmed down.

This was also why Rozen didn't speak up while at the Medical Science Division; it wasn't until he unexpectedly encountered Real Nua that he snapped out of it.

Meeting that person was purely coincidental.

Although Rozen had already somewhat noticed that someone had been tailing Yuri, he initially thought the person was just trying to pursue Yuri romantically after seeing him give her a love letter.

Hence, Rozen hadn't paid much attention. Who would have thought that this person would be so insane as to consume the flesh and blood of a Variant Armored Beetle, thereby transforming into a humanoid Armored Beetle? This was something Rozen hadn't anticipated.

It seemed Elis and Cris were equally surprised when they discovered Real Nua's jutsuryoku during his confrontation with Rozen, and even more so when they realized he possessed Collapse Force. That was likely why they appeared so shocked in the Fifth Laboratory.

But Real Nua was undoubtedly unlucky.

Because he didn't know that he had been dragged into a dark abyss, used as a tool.

Of course, it wasn't just Real Nua.

Strictly speaking, Elis was also just a tool.

A tool used by Zeth.

"Even if I've never met the Chairman of the Council, I've heard of him. His political skills are reputed to be exceptional. If such a person is a humanoid Armored Beetle and is paying attention to my actions, why would he send you here?"

Rozen analyzed calmly.

"Judging by your series of actions, it's clear that while you're not without cunning, you're still quite immature and naive. Sending someone as green as you to confront me—was that person not afraid I'd see right through it?"

Upon hearing this, Elis's eyes widened, and then anger flared within them.

As Rozen said, Elis wasn't without her own schemes, but she was too immature and naive.

If that was the case, then she could guess what Rozen would say next.

What Rozen wanted to say was actually quite simple.

"Considering the methods of that person, I can't help but suspect that he intentionally wanted you to expose something in front of me."

Rozen concluded.

"Just like how I chose to reveal Foreign Mana to test you, that person likely chose to expose the existence of humanoid Armored Beetles to test my reaction, to gauge my abilities."

As mentioned before, Zeth's goal all along had been to make contact with Rozen and gather information from him.

In this way, sending Elis might not have been for the purpose of completing this mission but rather Zeth using Elis as a pawn.

Even Cris knew what kind of person Elis was, so there was no way someone like Zeth wouldn't know.

Given this, Zeth must have anticipated the possibility that Elis would act on her own, harbor unilateral hostility towards Rozen, and even attack him.

Even so, Zeth still sent Elis, which means that from the beginning, he planned to use Elis's jealousy and protective instincts toward him to provoke Rozen and uncover some of Rozen's secrets.

Rozen noticed this and realized who was truly scheming against him.

"It's Zeth, not you, Elis Wiegert, who is engaging me." Rozen declared straightforwardly. "Realizing this, I didn't confront you both on the spot. After all, your presence is inconsequential. Even if I did confront you, it might not matter much to Zeth."

"You...!" Elis immediately became furious.

"..." Cris, however, remained silent.

By now, both of them understood that this was just Rozen and Zeth indirectly clashing.

Zeth used Elis as a means to probe Rozen's limits, fully aware that she might attack Rozen. Yet, he still utilized this, wanting to see how Rozen would respond and to gather information on him.

Zeth probably thought that if Rozen couldn't even handle Elis, there would be no need to take him seriously. But if Rozen could deal with her, Zeth could gain some insight and then extend an olive branch to him.

"Zeth must have wanted me to become aware of the existence of Collapse Force, to show me a power equivalent to High-Grade Mana, to intimidate me, or perhaps to pique my curiosity and lure me to Vebel to meet him."

Rozen voiced his thoughts.

"He probably believes that once I detect Collapse Force, and learn of such power in this world, I'd definitely go to Vebel to meet him, in pursuit of researching a higher level of power."

At that point, Zeth could use Collapse Force as a bargaining chip to win over Rozen. If unsuccessful, he could then trap Rozen in Vebel and slowly work on manipulating his thoughts.

However, Zeth didn't expect that while Rozen was indeed interested in Collapse Force, he didn't crave it at all. Moreover, due to the unexpected incident with Real Nua, Rozen had already confirmed the possibility of Collapse Force's existence before his encounter with Elis.

As a result, Rozen didn't confront Elis and Cris in the underground mana refinery.

Because...

"Since the enemy has shown me a demonstration, it's only fair that I give them a taste of my own power."

Rozen smiled mischievously.

"A taste of your power?"

Elis and Cris were initially stunned but soon realized what he meant.

"That swordswoman...!"

Yes.

It was Altera.

Zeth displayed the existence of humanoid Armored Beetles and the power of Collapse Force, intending to use this to test Rozen and further entice him.

In turn, Rozen revealed Altera and the power of Foreign Mana, aiming to pressure Zeth, making him wary.

It was a back-and-forth, an exchange of moves.

Just as Zeth used Elis, Rozen also used Elis, guessing that she would continue to act against him. That's why he deliberately let her go, using the opportunity to showcase Altera's power.

"Surely, when you incited Real Nua to head to the mana refinery, you must have placed a technique on him that allowed you to observe the events there from a distance as if you were present?"

Rozen asked with a playful smile, observing the shaken Elis.

"In that case, your dear brother should have done the same with you, watching my actions from your perspective."

If that's the case...

"I wonder if this has satisfied you, Mr. Chairman?"

Rozen spoke as if addressing someone far away, a calm smile on his face.

"Let's continue this in Vebel."

As he said this, Rozen snapped his fingers.

"Bang!"

A shattering sound suddenly echoed from Elis's body.