"Intend to take it from me?"
Avrora's words left everyone at the scene momentarily stunned.
Even Rozen blinked in surprise before frowning.
"Why would you say something like that?"
Rozen asked Avrora, visibly confused.
After all, although the Twelfth Beast Vassal resided within Avrora, it also symbolized her very existence. If Rozen were to take the Beast Vassal from her, it would be no different than killing her himself.
That was why Avrora's statement was both shocking and perplexing.
But Avrora didn't seem to have said it on a whim.
"My kin have all returned to you. I'm the only one left."
Avrora spoke as if she had already come to terms with it.
"If gathering all of the Fourth Primogenitor's Beast Vassals can make your power even stronger, then—"
She hadn't finished when Rozen cut her off.
"Enough." Rozen's tone left no room for argument. "Don't bring this up again."
He interrupted her in the most direct manner.
"But… but...!"
Avrora still tried to say something, but Rozen stopped her again.
"You think I'm the kind of person who needs to sacrifice the people around him to get stronger?"
Rozen's straightforward words left Avrora speechless.
The others present understood her meaning as well.
Indeed, if Rozen could collect all twelve Beast Vassals, he would gain the complete power of the Fourth Primogenitor—a tremendous boost.
These beings were among the most powerful summons in the world. Even Rozen couldn't summon them at will. Gaining such power effortlessly would certainly be tempting.
But, as Rozen had said, that only applied if the gain truly came "effortlessly."
If Rozen were the type to seek power through sacrifice, he already had over a hundred ways to make himself several times stronger—his mind was filled with forbidden magics that granted immense power.
However, most of those required brutal conditions or cruel sacrifices—choices that anyone with a shred of humanity would reject.
If Rozen were the kind to do anything for strength, he would've become unbeatable long ago. The fact that he hadn't was because he refused to do such things.
Besides, even if summoning the Beast Vassals of the Fourth Primogenitor was difficult, it didn't mean Rozen was powerless.
Would Kinu lose to the Fourth Primogenitor's Beast Vassals?
Would Gyokuto?
Would Hokuto?
Would the many high-ranking familiars housed in his soul, silently guarding him from within, be inferior to them?
Because of that, while the Beast Vassals' power was indeed tempting, that was all—it was never worth sacrificing someone dear.
"If getting that power means giving up your life, then I'd rather not have it. Do you understand?"
Rozen looked directly at Avrora and told her this.
"… I know. You're a kind human. Otherwise, you wouldn't have protected me all this time."
Avrora's voice was full of emotion, but she still spoke.
"But returning to being a Beast Vassal doesn't mean I'll disappear. I'd just be shedding this body. The Twelfth still exists as me."
Her meaning was clear: even if Rozen took back the Twelfth Beast Vassal, she wouldn't die. She was Avrora, and she was the Twelfth. Taking the Beast Vassal into Rozen's blood would simply make her forever part of him—forever by his side.
That's what she wanted.
However, her reasoning wasn't enough to sway Rozen.
"If you become a Beast Vassal again, you'll never return to human form. You won't be able to live like a normal person—you won't get to eat ice cream, or go to school. Are you okay with that?"
Rozen looked her in the eye and said this calmly.
"Ugh…"
Avrora shrank back immediately.
Seeing this, Rozen smiled slightly and patted her head.
"Don't force yourself. You're not yet ready to give up everything," he chuckled. "Don't forget, your sisters see you as their hope. Your being alive is their wish. That's why those girls, despite being some of the strongest Beast Vassals in the world, chose to serve a mere human like me. Since I accepted their loyalty, I'll protect you. I won't ever covet your power. Understand?"
"…Mm," Avrora nodded with some difficulty and whispered, "Then… you really won't fuse with me?"
"Of course not," Rozen replied without hesitation. "That's not what you really want, is it?"
Upon hearing that, Avrora smiled.
Though, for some reason, her smile carried traces of sorrow, complexity, and a faint bitterness.
Then...
"… I… I guess I'm a little jealous of my sisters…"
Avrora murmured almost inaudibly.
"Avrora?"
Rozen was stunned.
Before he could ask further, Avrora turned around, grabbed the hands of Nagisa and Kanon, and ran off like she was escaping.
"W-Wait, Avrora! I haven't taken off my apron yet! I haven't put down my spoon either!"
"S-Slow down!"
Nagisa and Kanon's startled voices rang out.
"Nagisa!"
Kojou chased after them in a hurry, and Yuuma, who had just arrived after finishing her call, ran off with a wry smile.
In the end, only Rozen and Yukina were left at the scene.
Both looked in the direction Avrora had fled.
"That girl…" Rozen sighed quietly.
"Senpai," Yukina comforted gently, "don't worry too much. Even though she seems unreliable, Avrora can be quite strong when it matters."
"I know," Rozen shrugged. "Maybe I went too far. After all, I did take all her remaining sisters into my blood. She's the only one left now. It's understandable she's feeling conflicted."
"But you didn't do it intentionally, did you?" Yukina said seriously. "The Fourth Primogenitor's Beast Vassals chose to follow you of their own will. That a human could earn the loyalty of eleven of the world's strongest creatures is no small feat—and their choice was their own."
"I know," Rozen pouted, then looked at Yukina with a wry smile. "Still, I didn't expect someone who sees this power as dangerous to be the one comforting me."
Yukina froze for a second, then huffed and walked away angrily.
Rozen could only chuckle and follow after her.
And just then…
"Ugh…"
Yukina, walking in front of him, suddenly staggered.