-385- [ Discoloration Powder ]

"I... I was with my subordinates, and after leaving the Guardian Boss's room, we were planning to return to the main street area!"

Under Rozen's intense scrutiny, Kobaatz replied with an overly nervous voice.

"B-but, on our way back, because we felt that our battles in the labyrinth area were too messy, and with the intention of giving my subordinates a good workout, I stayed in a lower area for a little while to let them put in some effort. That's all there is to it. Afterward, I immediately returned to Kamdet and then used a teleport gate to get back to the first floor's headquarters. If you don't believe me, you can ask these guys!"

Kobaatz pointed at his subordinates, prompting each of them to speak up.

"Yeah! We went back right away!"

"We definitely didn't return to the Guardian Boss's room!"

"We had nothing to do with this!"

"That's right!"

Members of Kobaatz's elite squad all gave loud explanations.

Upon hearing this, Rozen's expression remained largely unchanged.

"So, when did you return to Kamdet, and when did you return to the first floor?"

Rozen continued with his questioning.

Because the players' main menus displayed the time, there shouldn't be any instances where they didn't know the exact time. If Kobaatz answered that he didn't know, it would be highly suspicious.

Fortunately, Kobaatz seemed to remember the times vividly.

"We assembled on the first floor at 9 in the morning and then used a teleport gate to get to Kamdet. We headed to the labyrinth area, and when we discovered the Guardian Boss's room, I checked the map, and the time I saw then was 1 in the afternoon. After spending about half an hour in the labyrinth area, we left and returned to Kamdet, which was around 2:30 in the afternoon. We also returned to the first floor at that time, and we definitely didn't linger any longer!"

Kobaatz, driven by his heightened nervousness, managed to stimulate his memory, recalling all these timestamps and conveying them without missing a word.

Upon hearing this, Rozen nodded as if nothing was amiss.

"It matches the timestamps I've investigated perfectly. It seems you're not lying."

This statement sent a shiver down Kobaatz's spine, as well as the other players present.

So, Rozen had investigated all of these matters beforehand?

Upon careful consideration, it didn't seem like a particularly difficult investigation.

After all, Kobaatz's group had drawn quite a bit of attention. Returning to the main street and using teleport gates would certainly have been witnessed by others. Even when they returned to the first floor, someone would have seen them coming out of the teleport gate plaza. With a bit of investigation, these facts couldn't have been concealed.

Rozen had been aware of these circumstances, yet he acted as though he had no prior knowledge. It was evident that if Kobaatz's provided timestamps didn't match Rozen's investigation, the consequences would be dire.

The players now realized that this man was indeed deserving of his reputation as one of SAO's most outstanding and intelligent commanders. Attempting a poorly crafted lie would only lead to trouble.

"Now, the next one."

Rozen proceeded to question the next player as if he were unaware of how intimidating he could be.

In this manner, Rozen went through each player with suspicion and inquired about their movements and corresponding times in the labyrinth area. Given the precedent, these players dared not lie and truthfully disclosed their actions.

Among them were not only members of the "Army" but also top players from the clearing group, such as those from "FuurinKazan," the "Knights of the Blood Oath," and even "Crimson Wing." None were exempt from Rozen's questioning.

There was even a moment when Rozen questioned Kirito and Klein.

Of course, this wasn't because Rozen suspected them. It was simply to maintain fairness and create the appearance of doing so.

After about half an hour...

"Now, the next one."

Rozen approached another player.

This was someone Rozen had recently become aware of, and he had left a strong impression.

The player belonged to the "Knights of the Blood Oath" guild.

He was wearing red and white armor with a magnificent two-handed sword hanging from his waist. With long, unkempt hair and an emaciated appearance, he had a rather unpleasant aura about him. He had three white eyes and presented himself as Asuna's bodyguard.

"I remember you go by the name Kuradeel, right?"

Rozen looked directly at the individual before him.

"...Yes, that's me."

Surprisingly, his response was brief, in stark contrast to the rebellious demeanor he had displayed the day before.

In fact, his current demeanor seemed rather pitiable. His pallid face was covered in cold sweat, his trembling hands gripped the hilt of the large sword at his waist, and the sheath couldn't stop making "clinking" noises, indicating his unimaginable anxiety.

Observing this display, Rozen's eyes narrowed slightly.

It wasn't just Rozen; others also noticed that Kuradeel appeared overly nervous, causing them to furrow their brows.

"Kuradeel..."

Asuna's expression grew serious.

"..."

Seeing this scene, Heathcliff remained silent.

However, just when all the players present thought Rozen was going to continue questioning about alibis and such, he suddenly said something unexpected.

"In fact, when you were chasing after your Vice Commander today, I was watching all along, using the 'Hiding' skill."

Rozen made this confession out of the blue.

"Rozen?"

Asuna was astonished.

"What...!?"

Kuradeel widened his eyes, looking utterly shocked.

Ignoring Kuradeel's stunned reaction, Rozen continued to speak.

"Weren't you chasing Asuna into the labyrinth area all the way without catching her? Because halfway through, I dragged her into the bushes, hiding together. As a result, you rushed past us, and when we sneaked into the labyrinth, we even saw you anxiously hovering at the entrance."

Rozen continued, changing the tone of his words.

"Perhaps you didn't know, but my familiar has a skill called 'Discoloration Powder.' Once sprinkled on someone, they immediately disappear. Only when the target approaches within ten meters of me does the phosphorescent powder turn red. In such a situation, even if someone uses the 'Hiding' skill, the red phosphorescent powder would be visible, making them impossible to hide."

Rozen's words seemed to make Kuradeel realize something, and his face turned deathly pale.

"That's right," Rozen said with a smirk. "Because I saw you at the entrance, I had my familiar secretly sprinkle this phosphorescent powder on the inside of your cloak. The purpose was to detect you promptly if you approached us, so we could leave."

With this level of detail in Rozen's explanation, it was evident what he intended to do next.

"I wonder if you'd mind lifting your cloak to let us see if there's any red phosphorescent powder inside?"

Rozen's seemingly casual words changed the entire atmosphere in the square.

The tension in the air was palpable, as if something ominous was about to happen.