"....."
In that instant, silence fell upon everyone present.
Looking at Tiamat, who followed quietly at Rozen's side, even someone like Gilgamesh was struck completely speechless.
Mash, Artoria [Alter], Jeanne [Alter], and Serenity—Servants who had Absolute Contracts with Rozen—felt themselves wavering in disbelief.
Quetzalcoatl, Jaguar Man, Ryougi Shiki, and Nobunaga also exchanged speechless glances.
Even Ishtar couldn't hold back the words on her tongue.
"You really have no fear of death, do you!?"
Wasn't that the truth?
Was she something that could be so simply subdued?
She was the Beast of Original Sin!
She was the Evils of Humanity!
The most powerful Beast, whose threat required all seven Grand Servants to oppose, a calamity to the primate world itself—and Rozen went and subdued it?
This wasn't a matter of being fearless of death, but whether his head was screwed on straight.
If it had been an evil man, an evil spirit, or even a demon, humans might still entertain the thought of subjugation. But who would ever think of taming a natural disaster, or cancer cells?
No one, of course.
Yet the Evils of Humanity was exactly that—a natural disaster, the cancer of the primate world, born of humanity's own bestial urges, the very embodiment of Original Sin. Who in their right mind would think of subduing such a thing?
It was pure madness.
And yet, Rozen did it.
Thinking further, this wasn't even the first time.
Strictly speaking, Altera was also akin to the Evils of Humanity—in fact, her nature was even more dire.
A civilization-destroying weapon from the stars, the White Giant who ended prehistoric civilization and brought the age of gods into decline. Who would ever think to subdue such a being?
Rozen had done so—and succeeded.
Before, everyone thought his subjugation of Altera as a Servant was already a lunatic's gamble. But they hadn't expected this Master to go further down the road of madness.
A Vanguard of the Wandering Star.
A Beast of Original Sin.
Both had become his familiars.
One wrong step, and this planet itself could face annihilation at Rozen's hands.
It was like strapping two nuclear warheads to his back and casually strolling around the world. This wasn't mere fearlessness of death—it was dragging the entire world to dance with him on the edge of destruction.
At the very least, everyone looking at Tiamat at Rozen's side—and that faint, menacing Black Sea beneath her feet that seemed ready to surge forth at any moment—felt their scalps prickle with terror.
And yet, Rozen had already said it: any being bound by an Absolute Contract with him, no matter who or what, would never again defy him.
Rozen had absolute control over his familiars. Tiamat standing peacefully before them now was already proof enough.
In that case, what more could anyone say?
They could only accept reality.
"What an unfathomable Master... even I am left speechless. You may truly take pride in yourself."
Gilgamesh, rare for him, gave such words—perfectly summing up everyone's feelings.
But one fact remained undeniable: Rozen had indeed resolved this disaster of human history.
Therefore—
"All that's left now is to deal with that one."
Saying so, Gilgamesh turned his gaze aside.
Everyone followed.
And there—
"Mother...!"
Kingu was being restrained by two Uruk soldiers, staring at Tiamat in disbelief.
He had heard Rozen's words just now.
But no matter what, he couldn't believe it—Tiamat had been subdued by Rozen, becoming his familiar.
Yet Tiamat's demeanor told the truth clearly enough.
She didn't even glance at Kingu. In her eyes, Kingu no longer existed.
"Mother!"
Kingu cried out, struggling against his restraints, but failed.
Though it was only two ordinary soldiers holding him, Kingu's body was broken, his mana exhausted—he had no strength left to resist.
And still, Tiamat did not so much as look at him. In her eyes, there was only Rozen. From beginning to end, she gazed solely at him.
This made Kingu all the more agitated—agitated to the point of despair.
"Isn't it time for you to give up?" Gilgamesh looked down on him. "The goddess, the children of god, even the Laḫmu are all defeated. Do you still intend to resist?"
At those words, Kingu glared hatefully at Gilgamesh.
"Why don't you kill me?"
He asked lowly.
He had lost his mother, his companions, his power—and now, in the end, he was left kneeling before his enemies. It was nothing but humiliation.
"Don't tell me you actually mistake me for Enkidu? You fool! I've told you—I am not your Enkidu!"
Kingu shouted.
At his words, Siduri's face showed sorrow.
But Gilgamesh only watched him quietly.
Then—
"I already asked the refugees rescued back to Uruk."
Gilgamesh suddenly spoke.
He explained:
"Among those saved from the Temple of Blood, who were to be turned into demonic beasts by Gorgon, there were elders, women, even the crippled missing limbs. But not a single child. Not one."
"I personally questioned them about it—and their answer was the same."
"Those captured for the Temple of Blood—everyone except the children were mercilessly used as materials for demonic beasts."
"But the children... they were released."
"By someone with green hair."
Gilgamesh's words left Kingu speechless—and the others as well.
Even Rozen raised a brow, never having expected such a thing.
"Why didn't you kill the children?"
Gilgamesh pressed him.
"...Hah, so that's your question?" Kingu sneered after a long silence. "It's simple. I don't share Gorgon's or Mother's hatred. The only humans I killed were those who posed a threat. Children—beings too young to be threats—I had no reason to kill them. That's all."
At that, Gilgamesh laughed.
"In that case, you pose no threat to me now either. By that logic, I too have no reason to kill you."
He declared to Kingu:
"Rest easy—I won't grant you the mercy of a swift death. You will atone for your sins with your own life."
"Uruk must be rebuilt. Humanity must prosper anew. The land must be allowed to heal."
"In other words, we need labor. So you, divine weapon, will toil for the very humans you slaughtered—and for me."
Thus, despite Kingu's anger and resistance, Gilgamesh ordered the soldiers to take him away.
Siduri, watching, did not protest. Instead, she let out a breath of relief.
"Zing—!"
Just then, a radiance flared.
"Huh!?"
Rozen, Mash, and the others looked around in surprise. Then realization struck.
A transmission came from Chaldea.
"The Singularity has begun repairing itself. Prepare for return."