-120- The Sacrifice

As for Yaya's mindset, how could Rozen possibly not guess it?

"Not wanting to be treated as a doll, not wanting to be a toy, and certainly not wanting to be a weapon. Because you have a life, a soul, and your own will. So, you don't want to be treated as inferior," Rozen glanced at Yaya and spoke in a somewhat irritated tone.

"This attitude of yours, I've seen it countless times on the internet. It's not even a bit refreshing anymore," Rozen's casual tone further fueled Yaya's rising anger.

However, just as Yaya was about to erupt, Rozen spoke again.

"Listen closely, girl. I'll say this once. Whether you take it to heart or not, just listen carefully."

Rozen said so.

His expression was one of emptiness, unlike any before.

Then, Rozen whispered.

"Whether they're humans or dolls, as long as they continue to live in this world, it's meaningful."

Rozen's voice echoed clearly in Yaya's ears.

"Some people can't even survive, they can only rely on miracles in the end."

The words carried an intensely complex emotion, causing an unexpected impact on Yaya's raging heart.

"What are you saying..."

Yaya was about to say something, but Rozen retracted all his magic. The two puppet dolls restraining Yaya froze in place, turning back into lifeless forms.

"Alright." Rozen finally stood up, his expression returning to normal. He lazily yawned and said, "I've eaten, done my post-meal exercise, now it's time to rest."

"I hope this night and moon hasn't been unpleasant, miss uniquely talented doll."

Leaving behind those words, Rozen yawned and returned to his room.

Left alone, Yaya didn't regain her senses for a while. It was only after a moment that she stood up from the ground, brushed off the dust from her body, and left without saying a word.

The entire courtyard once again fell into silence.

After a while, a silvery figure emerged from a corner.

"Yaya."

Staring in the direction Yaya had left, Irori's face was filled with concern.

At this moment, a charming and languid voice entered her ears.

"What's wrong? Worried about Yaya's condition?"

Karyusai Shouko was lying on the roof, holding a bottle of sake. She swayed it gently as she took delicate sips.

"Master," Irori turned towards Karyusai Shouko, "Why didn't you let me intervene just now?"

Evidently, Irori had been present at the scene long before this, witnessing the entire ordeal.

Because of this, Karyusai Shouko had refrained from letting Irori get involved.

"Seeing your favorite little sister being bullied like that, if I had let you intervene, you'd probably have turned that little boy into an ice sculpture, right?"

Karyusai Shouko's words made Irori's expression turn anxious.

"S-S-She's not my favourite at all!" Irori's cheeks turned red, but she quickly continued, "I never thought of doing anything so rude. I just think that when people are away from home, unexpected accidents can happen, like getting hit by a falling block of ice and getting injured."

"So, I told you not to do anything like that, didn't I?" Karyusai Shouko sighed and interrupted, "You saw it yourself, that little boy is quite talented. Yaya doesn't even have the ability to fight back."

"But there's a reason for that," Irori defended, "If Master would control Yaya and give her magic..."

"Meaning, if I, Karyusai Shouko, who made the most advanced dolls, weren't here to control Yaya, she could be easily subdued by a few wooden puppets?" Karyusai Shouko said with a raised eyebrow, "I don't recall my craftsmanship regressing to that point."

"That..." Irori was at a loss for words.

But Karyusai Shouko's response was straightforward and logical.

"Even without a puppeteer, with Yaya's abilities, can't she defeat a small boy without a decent puppet?" Karyusai Shouko stated, "That little boy proved his skill by defeating Yaya, enough to match what the Akabane clan head mentioned."

This is a matter of perspective.

Indeed, the focus had been on Yaya's lack of puppeteer, causing incomplete use of her abilities. However, on the same note, Rozen also didn't have a decent puppet to use, which was equally a fatal flaw.

Since both sides had their critical weaknesses, there wasn't a clear-cut answer.

Yaya's defeat couldn't be justified.

"Wouldn't that kind of user be a good match for you?" Karyusai Shouko hinted.

This made Irori hesitate for a moment, then muster the courage.

"May I ask a question?" Irori inquired, "Why does Master suddenly want to find an owner for us?"

This had been a question that Irori had been pondering from yesterday till now.

"While Narugami-sama's abilities are impressive, isn't it insufficient for Master to send us away?" Irori was convinced.

After all, as Karyusai Shouko's greatest masterpiece, Setsugetsuka, there were countless individuals coveting its power. This even included the military and well-connected aristocratic heirs, but Karyusai Shouko had turned them all away.

Now, with Karyusai Shouko suddenly wanting to send Setsugetsuka away, Irori couldn't believe it was merely an act of affection for talent.

And that was the truth.

"Haven't you noticed?" Karyusai Shouko fell silent for a moment before continuing, "That little boy's physical capabilities is a bit too weak."

This was something Karyusai Shouko had observed yesterday.

"Whether it was when he faced Yaya before, or this encounter with Yaya, that little boy hardly moved. Even when he did, you could easily tell his physical quality was abnormally low."

Karyusai Shouko's voice grew softer, her eyes shining with an inexplicable gleam.

"It seemed as if his life force, the very energy that gives form to his vitality, was excessively consumed."

Karyusai Shouko was intrigued by this phenomenon.

"If I'm not mistaken, that little boy's exceptional aptitude led him to convert a significant amount of his life force into magic, depleting his vitality excessively. That's why his physical constitution has become so weak."

Karyusai Shouko seemed to have deduced this secret at a glance.

And indeed, in this world, life force was the source of magic. Elements like spirit, vigor, and will that powered the body's energy all fell under the category of life force.

Rozen's exceptional magic capacity indicated an extraordinary life force.

"After consuming a vast amount of life force to convert it into such exceptional magic, that little boy can still move like a regular person, though with a weaker constitution. His original life force must have been immense, right?"

Karyusai Shouko's voice grew distant.

"If that's the case..."

If that were the case, Karyusai Shouko needed Rozen.

In order to fulfill her dream.

Given this, Karyusai Shouko expressed herself in this manner.

"With this talent, this innate gift, let me personally confirm."

"Confirm whether you're the one I need."

"Whether you're worthy of becoming the —— sacrifice."