-402- Bring miracle to others

In fact, this matter should have been brought up much earlier.

Being unconscious in the forest, losing her memory, not being able to speak clearly when she woke up—all these factors made Rozen and Asuna guess that Yui had experienced a significant emotional shock.

However, they still hadn't uncovered what exactly had caused this emotional trauma.

Yes, it's not that they didn't know, but rather they intentionally kept it hidden.

This was quite normal.

"Assuming Yui is really an ordinary player and has survived until now, then she must have had companions by her side, right?" Rozen made this conjecture in a hushed tone.

"They could be her real-world parents, or friends she made in this world. In any case, Yui couldn't have been alone."

At least, Rozen couldn't imagine how a girl not even ten years old could survive alone in this world for two whole years. So, if Yui was indeed an ordinary player, she must have had friends, companions, or even family by her side.

But when she was in the forest, it was evident that Yui was alone.

Considering the emotional trauma Yui had suffered, it wasn't difficult to imagine what might have happened.

For example...

"For some reason, Yui followed her companions to the 22nd floor but encountered monsters outside their safe area," Rozen speculated in an observer-like tone.

"Considering Yui's age, it's highly likely that she and her companions had stayed in the Starting Town all along, without any leveling up. Naturally, they couldn't have been a match for the monsters on the 22nd floor."

In such a situation, the outcome were already clear.

Asuna, also a smart person, had surely anticipated this scenario.

In other words...

"Under the attack of the monsters, it's highly possible that all of Yui's companions died. Yui managed to escape on her own, but after losing her important friends and being the only one left, she naturally experienced tremendous grief and despair," Rozen's meaning was already quite clear.

It was because of this that Yui fainted under immense sorrow and despair, her mental state was greatly impacted, and she ultimately lost her memory, unable to speak clearly.

And...

"From Yui calling us 'Papa' and 'Mama' as soon as she woke up, it's evident that Yui has been longing for such a presence," Rozen said, as if choking back his emotions.

"This implies two possibilities."

"Either Yui was trapped alone in this world, missing her real-world parents, and instinctively seeking the presence of her parents."

"Or Yui came to this world with her parents, survived for two years, and the people with Yui who died on the 22nd floor while facing monsters were her parents."

Rozen presented these two possibilities.

However, both possibilities were undoubtedly harsh.

"It's too much," Asuna said in a voice that seemed on the verge of tears. "Either way, it's too much."

Either enduring life without parents, full of confusion and loneliness for two years.

Or witnessing her parents die in front of her, becoming completely alone.

Either way, it was too cruel for a girl not even ten years old.

Of course...

"This is just speculation; perhaps things aren't as dire as we imagine," Rozen's tone started to lighten as he continued, "After all, Yui still holds many mysteries, so it's too early to confirm such guesses."

Isn't it?

All of Rozen's speculations were based on the assumption that Yui was an ordinary player.

However, was Yui really an ordinary player?

Clearly not.

"Without a cursor, and with a main menu so different from the players, Yui's definitely hiding something beyond even my imagination. The situation is surely not that simple," Rozen told Asuna frankly. "I've already asked Argo to investigate Yui's identity. If Yui did spend time with her parents or companions in the Starting Town, Argo should be able to gather information about it. We'll have the truth soon enough."

Hearing this, Asuna finally set aside some of her inner grief.

"So you've already done something like that?" Asuna looked at Rozen, a smile finally returning to her face. "You really live up to your reputation. You've always been so proactive."

In this regard, Asuna greatly admired Rozen and even looked up to him. This man seemed lazy and not serious at first glance, but he had always been the one who could make the most impact. Whether in everyday life or during clearing, he supported everyone, leading them through one difficulty after another.

In truth, if this world didn't have Rozen, who knows how many more people would have perished.

People who sacrificed themselves for the sake of clearing.

People who died because of the rampage of the Orange and Red Guilds.

People who couldn't see hope in clearing and turned to suicide.

Without Rozen, there would have been many, many such people.

Therefore, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Rozen saved hundreds and thousands of players and was the greatest person in this world.

Upon closer inspection, if it weren't for Rozen, she might have fallen down exhausted and died on the 1st floor due to self-abandonment. Furthermore, Rozen saved her from obsession and nightmares, redeeming Asuna's life.

Asuna found herself fascinated by these thoughts as she gazed at Rozen's face. The days of happiness they had shared recently, coupled with their encounter with Yui today, stirred emotions within Asuna, and she couldn't help but speak her heart.

"If I could live here with you and Yui forever, it would be wonderful," she confessed.

"Huh?" Rozen looked at her in astonishment.

Asuna suddenly realized what she had said and her face turned bright red.

"N-Nothing! Don't mind me!" Asuna quickly turned away, her back to Rozen, and nervously continued, "It's really late! Let's go to sleep!"

With that, Asuna fell silent, as if she had actually fallen asleep, and the room grew quiet.

Rozen could only scratch his cheek as he watched Asuna's delicate back and her ears, which had become very noticeable under the moonlight, turn bright red. He couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Well, maybe that wouldn't be so bad..." Rozen thought to himself.

However, he knew it wasn't something he could do.

Because...

"There are still many people waiting for me..."

Such as the junior in Chaldea who was training hard to fight alongside him.

And, the automaton doll who claimed to want to be his possession.

Asuna didn't know that Rozen wasn't just a savior in this world; he played the same role in other worlds as well.

Humanity needed Rozen.

His clan needed him.

Many, many people needed him.

"Of course, I'm not a messiah or anything."

But even if it was for the sake of those he cared about, Rozen had to continue on this path of saving others, just like the being who had bestowed miracles upon him in the past.

"This time, I'll be the one to bring miracles to others."

With this thought in mind, Rozen closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.