-905- King of Mages

That was an unparalleled mockery.

It was an uncompromising denial.

As if watching a swarm of locusts dancing around in their beloved garden, the "king" directed ultimate sarcasm towards Rozen, who was protected by Scáthach, supported by Mash, and getting back on his feet. The words sounded both wicked and powerful.

Yet, listening to such words, what rose within others wasn't anger or hatred, but fear.

Genuine fear.

At least, Mash felt this way, and Scáthach seemed to have no strength left for anger, just staring at the opponent without diverting her gaze.

Rozen endured the mockery alone, clutching his chest tightly and adjusting his breath continually.

However, no matter how Rozen adjusted his breath, the intense heartbeat wouldn't calm down.

"Oh?"

The "king" looked at Rozen in such a state, as if speaking to himself.

"Quite a spirited reaction. No wonder Flauros went to the first singularity even after completing his work. It seems you can indeed resonate with my Noble Phantasm and sense the presence of the demonic pillars and even me."

The "king" explained why the demonic pillars did not appear in the previous singularities but observed secretly.

The reason was that during the first singularity, Rozen's resonance with the sky's aurora, the light mentioned by the opponent, attracted the attention of the demonic pillars.

With Flauros, the situation escalated, leading the demonic pillars to become vigilant, which is why they did not intervene in the previous singularities and merely observed.

The opponent's words revealed various information.

For instance, the opponent was allied with the demonic pillars.

No, rather than saying they were allies, it was more like the demonic pillars were subordinates to the opponent, reporting to him and receiving his orders.

In other words...

"You are the mastermind behind the seventy-two demon pillars, the 'king' Professor Flauros mentioned...!?"

Mash couldn't help but ask.

Upon hearing this...

"Mastermind?"

The "king" glanced at Mash as if finding the adjective amusing, and though his tone was no longer mocking, it took on a more intellectual quality.

"Wrong, wrong, pitiful puppets of Chaldea."

The "king" said.

"In any case, the true mastermind can only be humans. Humans are the true existence of sin, the true evildoers. I am here to settle all of humanity's sins, all its iniquities, and all its karma."

Saying this, the "king" raised his hands, showcasing the ten rings bestowed by the gods for everyone to see.

Certainly, anyone who saw these ten rings would understand who the opponent was.

After experiencing the first singularity, confirming the existence of demonic pillars and their king mentioned in their reports, and referring to a certain existence that was associated with Solomon, everyone at Chaldea had also talked about it.

He was the great and wise king of Israel.

He was the sage recognized by the God of the Bible.

He could command angels and demons alike, manipulating all magic in the world. He was renowned as the King of Mages.

As evidence, his hands bore the ten rings gifted by the gods, the highest and greatest mage.

"I am Solomon, controlling the seventy-two demon god pillars, accomplishing the great work of burning away human order, and creating a truly genuine myth as the ruler."

The opponent introduced himself in this manner.

The seventy-two demonic pillars were his familiars.

The disaster of burning away human order was his doing.

The person in front of them was indeed the enemy of Rozen and the others, the source of everything that had occurred.

"The King of Mages..."

Scáthach's expression finally turned unpleasant.

"The puppet master behind the incineration of human order..."

Mash's expression was even more extremely unpleasant.

Rozen, on the other hand, started to laugh.

Laughing just like Solomon moments ago, his laughter was filled with irony.

"So, the puppet master behind the scenes finally decides to show up," Rozen said, standing up as if ready to confront the adversary. He looked at Solomon and mockingly added, "What's the matter? Couldn't sit still after I resolved the fifth singularity?"

Rozen taunted the opponent.

After all, facing the true orchestrator of the burning of human order, the culprit behind all the disasters, Rozen had no reason to be polite.

Moreover, for some reason, upon seeing the opponent, an uncontrollable surge of anger and hatred welled up within Rozen.

That anger and hatred were like witnessing something impure staining one's parents, siblings, or loved ones right in front of their eyes—coming unexpectedly yet with a sense of inevitability.

So, towards the self-proclaimed Solomon, Rozen displayed unprecedented hostility.

However...

"I couldn't sit still? You say I couldn't sit still?"

Solomon burst into laughter.

This laughter was a departure from the intellectual tone during the conversation with Mash, returning to the previous mockery and disdain.

"Wrong, utterly wrong, truly and terribly wrong. Fools!" Solomon seemed to want to challenge Rozen's boundaries, mocking, "For a completed equation with results, even if someone erases the previous formulas, the results are already there. Who would care? How foolish!"

Solomon continued to laugh incessantly.

Yet, this was the truth.

"The incineration of human order has long been completed, and human history has disappeared completely. Forget solving the five singularities, even if you solve the sixth singularity, what difference would it make? Can humanity be redeemed by doing so? No! Of course not!"

Solomon declared, raising his hands.

And this proclamation was irrefutable by anyone.

Because, as Solomon said, even if the five singularities are resolved, as long as Rozen doesn't repair all the singularities, reestablishing the foundation of human order, human history won't return to its original state.

Solomon has already completed the incineration of human order, and he hasn't been stopped by anyone. Rozen is just trying to make amends, seizing the last chance, and working hard to restore human order.

In that case, what does Solomon need to care about?

"I find it amusing to witness humanity's dying struggles. Before moving on to the next task, I thought I'd come out for a stroll, observe your pitiful state, and derive some amusement from it," Solomon sneered, directing his gaze at Rozen.

"And just as I imagined, your pathetic struggles do bring joy. Seeing this spectacle alone makes this little outing worthwhile. Hahaha!"

Solomon's words and laughter incited Rozen's emotions.

Seeing Solomon like this, anyone would understand.

Understand that this person genuinely detests humanity.

It's a profound and abhorrent disgust.

Detecting this disgust is not limited to Mash alone; even Scáthach spoke in a deep voice.

"Are you truly King Solomon?"

This is the question Scáthach wanted to ask.