-1396- The Second Servant

"You're forming a contract but not leaving with me?"

Rozen was completely taken aback by Edelweiss's sudden words.

He couldn't help but ask, "What does that mean?"

At this moment, even Rozen frowned. Not only Rozen, but even Altera's eyes flashed slightly, showing a hint of doubt as she looked at Edelweiss.

Seeing the two like this, Edelweiss pondered for a moment before speaking.

"The current situation is unstable, and this country might face significant issues because of this unrest. Under such circumstances, I can't bring myself to leave."

Edelweiss expressed her true feelings directly, which only deepened Rozen's frown.

"Worried about this country?" Rozen said in great surprise, "Aren't you against getting involved in other countries' politics?"

Not just this country, even Estonia, which had abandoned the territory where Edelweiss lived, didn't make Edelweiss feel any attachment. Knowing how her position could impact countries ruled by both the Union and the League of Mage-Knight Nations, Edelweiss had always adhered to not interfering in other countries' politics and had never actively engaged in politics until now.

Even during the incident at Hagun Academy, Edelweiss had maintained a stance of non-interference, merely observing.

Who would have thought that this Valkyrie would say such things now?

But Edelweiss had her reasons for this.

"This country is somewhat special to me," Edelweiss sighed softly and then revealed a huge secret that Rozen had never known until now.

"Actually, Kurogane Ryoma was my teacher."

These words left Rozen dumbfounded.

"Kurogane Ryoma was your teacher?"

The hero of the Kurogane family, who single-handedly led Japan to victory in World War II and was revered by all Blazers nationwide, even mentioned in textbooks, was Edelweiss's kenjutsu teacher?

"I've never heard you mention this before," Rozen protested.

Rozen knew that when Edelweiss was young, she had a fondness for sweets which caused her to gain weight, so her parents introduced a teacher to help her learn kenjutsu.

However, Rozen had never heard that this teacher was Kurogane Ryoma.

"I didn't deliberately hide it; I just didn't think it was necessary to mention," Edelweiss shook her head and said, "After all, given my current position, revealing this relationship could degrade my teacher's status. Moreover, when I met you, my teacher had already retired and was no longer involved in worldly affairs, so I didn't bring it up."

Hearing this, Rozen was rendered speechless.

Because he suddenly recalled something.

In the past, after learning about Kurogane Ryoma, Rozen had visited the Kurogane family and met the man who was already nearing the end of his life.

At that time, Rozen and Kurogane Ryoma had a duel, which Rozen won.

However, Kurogane Ryoma was completely satisfied, believing that meeting such a talented new generation before his death and fighting to his heart's content made him die without regrets.

Before Rozen left, Kurogane Ryoma gave him a parting gift.

"If you have no specific destination, why not head west?"

At that time, Kurogane Ryoma said this to Rozen.

And after Rozen followed the suggestion, he met Edelweiss there.

Could it be...

(Was this all orchestrated by that old man?)

Rozen felt overwhelmed.

Perhaps Kurogane Ryoma recognized Rozen's extraordinary future and did not want him to lose his way or go astray. Thus, he directed Rozen to Edelweiss, possibly hoping she would become his teacher.

Kurogane Ryoma likely believed that if Edelweiss met Rozen and saw his talent and power, she would recognize his future significance and influence. Given Edelweiss's kindness, she would undoubtedly choose to take Rozen as a disciple and guide him to contribute to the world.

If Edelweiss had not been in a state of apathy at that time, Kurogane Ryoma's expectations might have been fulfilled.

In the end, instead of guiding Rozen, Rozen became Edelweiss's salvation, something Kurogane Ryoma probably never expected.

However, after learning about Edelweiss's relationship with Kurogane Ryoma, Rozen understood why this country was special to Edelweiss.

Simply because this country was led to victory by her teacher, it was her teacher's country.

Given this...

"I won't intervene in the government, but if there's a crisis, I can't just stand by."

Edelweiss looked directly at Rozen.

"So, I can't leave until everything is settled."

This was the reason Edelweiss didn't want to leave with Rozen.

But Edelweiss was definitely not unwilling to leave with Rozen.

"I can first form an absolute contract with you and become your familiar. That way, my existence will be recorded in your soul. Even if I stay in this world and don't leave with you, as long as I'm recorded in your soul, it's like I'm always with you. The me in this world would just be a manifestation of magical power."

Edelweiss continued, "And once my matters here are resolved, I will dissolve this form. Even if you are in another world, you can summon me back to your side."

These words, like a light bulb going off in Rozen's mind, made his eyes brighten.

Even Altera did not expect Edelweiss to come up with such an idea and was momentarily stunned before starting to ponder.

Indeed.

As Edelweiss said, once an absolute contract is formed, Edelweiss would turn into a pure record etched into Rozen's soul, becoming his fate-bound partner.

The external Edelweiss would be like a Heroic Spirit from the Throne, descending as an avatar while her true self remained in Rozen's soul.

Therefore, even if Edelweiss stayed in this world, once she dissolved her summoned form and disappeared, Rozen could summon her back to his side anytime, anywhere.

This possibility was immense.

Edelweiss intended to first form an absolute contract with Rozen, become his familiar, and then return to his side once her matters were settled.

"Although, if you become my familiar, you will forever have to obey me, and even death will not release you. Only my death would allow you to die," Rozen smiled and reminded her.

To this, Edelweiss laughed.

A beautiful laugh.

And rightly so.

"That's exactly what I want."

Yes.

This was what Edelweiss desired.

To be with Rozen forever.

Never to be separated again.

As long as she could have that, Edelweiss was content.

From there, everything proceeded smoothly.

Rozen and Edelweiss formed an absolute contract without any issues.

Edelweiss thus became Rozen's second sword, his second Servant.