-1609- Let me

Upon hearing what Sugo Nobuyuki said, Rozen did not display much surprise.

After all, this outcome was something Rozen had more or less anticipated.

It's unavoidable. This world is not a place brimming with mysteries; it's merely a world where gaming technology is exceptionally advanced.

In this world, Rozen is just a high school student. No matter how much of a genius he may be or how amazing he is in games, to outsiders, Rozen is ultimately a mere minor, not someone who would garner significant attention.

Society is full of talented individuals, and there are many of them.

However, countless people, though full of talent, go unrecognized, unable to exhibit their abilities, and thus are discarded by society.

Perhaps in school, Rozen could receive considerable attention. But to these adults who have already made a name for themselves in society and achieved considerable success, they wouldn't possibly take Rozen too seriously.

Therefore, achievements and accomplishments are of great importance. Many only focus on these aspects, and even having talent would only earn you a bit of admiration.

Furthermore, Rozen is indeed not a professional in FullDive technology. Without expertise in the field, no one would be comfortable with him tampering with the SAO servers.

With the lives of 300 people at stake in this law-bound society, where even one life is a significant matter, the idea of a mere high schooler like Rozen resolving a situation that neither the government nor professionals could handle and saving those 300 people—no one would believe it's possible.

Even Yuuki Shouzou must think this way, right?

Although Rozen did indeed save many lives in SAO, a game is just a game, and reality is reality. Right now, Rozen is merely a talented young man with nothing else to his name.

Given this, Rozen had already guessed that, considering the lives of 300 people, being allowed to access the SAO servers would not be a simple matter.

Of course, that's under the condition that Rozen follows the proper channels to achieve this.

Rozen thought that if he could achieve this through official means, it would be best to do so.

Otherwise, with Rozen's power, there would be no need to seek anyone's permission—he had ways to access the servers.

In this world, Rozen didn't want to reveal too many abilities.

Otherwise, he would be no different from those magus Rozen despises—those who, to achieve their goals or conceal the existence of mysteries from ordinary people, wouldn't hesitate to harm others or commit immoral acts.

In other worlds where battles and wars were necessary, Rozen could act without hesitation.

But in this world, governed by laws, Rozen didn't want to disrupt order or create chaos.

He respected the rules of every world.

As the only being allowed to travel between different worlds, Rozen felt he should uphold this principle.

This is Rozen's creed, as well as his attitude toward the reverence and respect of mysteries and miracles, which makes him a proper mage.

That said, if things truly became unmanageable, Rozen wouldn't be too rigid.

If it weren't such a critical matter, Rozen wouldn't violate his principles, but when it involved Asuna's safety and the people around him, Rozen wouldn't hesitate.

(It seems I'll have to use some unconventional methods.)

Rozen then prepared himself to silently infiltrate RECT tonight and secretly access the servers.

With this decision made, Rozen calmly nodded toward Yuuki Shouzou and Sugo Nobuyuki.

"In that case, I apologize for troubling you," Rozen said as he prepared to leave.

However, at that moment…

"President."

Behind Rozen, Sugo Nobuyuki's voice suddenly rang out.

"Regarding the matter between Miss Asuna and me, shouldn't we make a formal decision?"

These words made Rozen pause in his steps.

Yuuki Shouzou, oblivious to this, frowned and looked toward Sugo Nobuyuki.

"Have you truly made up your mind?" Yuuki Shouzou sighed, speaking as though trying to reason with him. "As you can see, Asuna is like this now and might never wake up. Are you really okay with that?"

"Yes." Sugo Nobuyuki responded without hesitation, "My feelings have never changed. I've expressed this to you many times before. I hope you will approve of us."

"I see..." Yuuki Shouzou lowered his eyes, glancing at Rozen's back for some reason.

After a while, Yuuki Shouzou sighed again and nodded.

"Since you've already decided, perhaps I should let this happen while Asuna can still hold on."

Hearing this, Sugo Nobuyuki immediately smiled.

"Then it's decided. We'll finalize everything next month."

Sugo Nobuyuki smiled as he spoke.

"We'll complete Miss Asuna's and my wedding."

As these words echoed throughout the hospital room…

"...!"

Both Yuuki Shouzou and Sugo Nobuyuki suddenly shuddered, feeling a cold chill rise from their feet, climbing up to the tops of their heads.

It was as if a lethal threat had suddenly appeared beside them.

As if a terrifying demon had ascended from the depths of hell.

Yuuki Shouzou and Sugo Nobuyuki felt as though they were standing next to a ferocious beast, making them momentarily hold their breath.

However, this sensation came as quickly as it went.

As if it had been a mere illusion, the feeling vanished without a trace in an instant, returning them from hell to heaven.

It was only then that they realized their bodies were drenched in sweat.

But that no longer mattered.

What mattered was…

"If I'm not mistaken, the two of you just mentioned Asuna's wedding, correct?"

Rozen, at some point, had turned around, looking at them with a smile that was impossible to read.

"What exactly is going on? Care to explain?"

Rozen's tone was no different from before.

Yet, both Yuuki Shouzou and Sugo Nobuyuki could feel that Rozen was no longer the same as he had been moments ago.

If, a moment ago, Rozen had still been an ordinary student, now he was a terrifying entity beyond such a framework.

No one could ignore the threat he posed.

"K-Kirigaya…?"

Yuuki Shouzou's face was full of doubt and uncertainty.

Sugo Nobuyuki similarly swallowed a gulp, yet still forced himself to look at Rozen and muster the courage to speak.

"Yes, we did mention Miss Asuna's and my wedding."

Sugo Nobuyuki spoke as if declaring his claim.

"Long ago, the Yuuki family had already arranged for Miss Asuna to marry me. I am her rightful fiancé. Even though Miss Asuna has not woken up, I still wish to marry her while she can hold on."

This might sound like a touching story.

In the face of someone who might pass away at any moment, there's a man willing to marry a woman lying unconscious in a hospital bed. This could indeed be a heartwarming tale.

Unfortunately…

"I see." Rozen, expressionless, nodded, then looked toward Yuuki Shouzou and asked, "You don't object to this?"

"...I have no reason to object," Yuuki Shouzou was silent for a moment before sighing and saying, "Asuna could pass away at any time. If that's the case, this would fulfill a regret for both me and my family. It's only a pity for Sugo."

"Is that so?" Rozen didn't say much in response and nodded again.

Then…

"In that case, let me marry Asuna."

Rozen immediately made this declaration.