The conversation between Rozen and Olga Marie was known to no one but themselves.
Both Rozen and Olga Marie shared an unspoken understanding—without prior discussion, neither of them intended to spread this matter.
At least, that was Rozen's stance.
So, Rozen went straight back to his room, lay down on his bed, and a trace of weariness surfaced on his face.
In the battle against Tiamat, Rozen had already exerted himself to the utmost, bringing forth all of his strength for the first time in a long while. How could he not feel exhausted after the war was over?
It was only after the battle had ended, and until now, that Rozen finally had the chance to rest. Returning to his room, it was no wonder the fatigue showed.
If possible, Rozen truly wished he could just collapse into sleep and rest properly.
However, the conversation with Olga Marie still left his heart somewhat unsettled.
"...Sigh."
Unable to sleep for a long while, Rozen couldn't help but let out a faint sigh.
Though he had chosen to believe in Roman, it was impossible for Roman's situation not to affect him in the slightest.
Especially now, after repeated journeys through Singularities and piecing together all the clues, Rozen had already deduced certain things.
And it was precisely because he had deduced them that his heart could not remain calm.
If Rozen's deductions were correct, then he could not help but say—
"Perhaps my brother is even more foolish than Natsuki-nee."
His tone was complicated.
Until—
"If you care so much, why not ask him directly?"
With that voice, mist began to fill the room.
A familiar white figure emerged from the magical haze, entering Rozen's sight.
"Altera..."
Rozen came back to his senses and looked at her.
It was indeed Altera.
The very same Altera who, not long ago, had burned away her Saint Graph, unleashing her Noble Phantasm to erase most of Tiamat's Saint Graph, laying a firm foundation for Rozen's sealing attempt—she had now been resummoned by him, standing before him as cold and impassive as ever.
Yet, on closer inspection, her expression was no longer as frigid, nor as ruthless, as it had once been. In fact, there was a trace of softness, even a hint of human warmth.
Thanks to this, Altera now seemed faintly endearing.
After all, the aura drifting around her now carried a quality somewhat closer to the Giant God Altera Rozen had seen in the stone chamber—gentle, compassionate, tender.
It left Rozen staring in a daze, gazing at her blankly for quite some time, without reacting.
And in that moment, Altera's reaction left him utterly stunned.
"Mm..."
Noticing Rozen staring at her so blankly, Altera looked somewhat unsettled, even a little uneasy. Her fair face flushed red.
Yes—Altera was embarrassed.
Rozen nearly widened his eyes in shock, his heartbeat quickening without his consent.
In the past, the atmosphere between him and Altera had always been serious, solemn, or heavy.
But this time, the air between them had turned faintly ambiguous.
As if unable to endure it, Altera spoke up.
"D-Don't look at me like that."
Her tone sounded stern, yet beneath it was a shy undertone.
"Cough...!"
Rozen coughed lightly, masking both his awkwardness and his own stirring feelings.
He had no choice.
"You look a little like your true self in the stone chamber now, Altera."
Rozen smiled, as if to change the subject.
Though a diversion, it was also his honest thought.
At this moment, Altera truly did seem closer to her true form, the Great God Altera—even if not quite as gentle.
"Is that so?" Altera's eyes wavered, unsure how to respond, so she simply said, "We are, after all, the same consciousness. There's nothing strange about that."
That much was true.
Even if Altera was but a fragment of the Great God Altera, the two were still one consciousness, not separate beings.
For the Great God Altera, the experiences of the Heroic Spirit Altera were like a dream, her slumbering self living as Altera the Heroic Spirit, as Rozen's familiar.
For the Heroic Spirit Altera, the Great God Altera remained her core, her true self, her origin—there was no distinction.
They were the same consciousness, not independent of one another.
Still, their personalities differed, and that was also true.
The Heroic Spirit Altera lacked the softness and gentleness of the Great God Altera, instead cold and merciless, like a warrior.
Of course, their values remained identical, their preferences unchanged—only their manner of expression differed.
Now, however, Altera's personality seemed to be shifting.
That shift drew her closer to the personality of her true self.
Rozen knew well what had brought about this change.
It was clear—during the fight against Tiamat, his heartfelt words had untied the knot that Altera had long carried.
Thus, Altera finally opened her heart, allowing her truest self to surface.
(This is a good thing!)
Rozen felt as if the clouds had parted and the moon revealed—his heart filled with emotion and joy.
He had been waiting for this moment for so long.
Heaven knew how long he had endured, hoping Altera would one day open her heart.
Now that she had finally chosen to, Rozen could not be happier.
Without a second thought, he spoke.
"This is good. Keep it that way."
Those words made Altera blush again. She quickly took a deep breath, forcing down the unfamiliar, restless emotions in her heart.
"Back to the point," Altera said, almost as if to cover her feelings. "Why don't you go and speak with Romani Archaman directly?"
At that, Rozen's smile faded, and the joy in his heart settled.
"Confront my brother directly?" Rozen let out a bitter laugh. "You think I don't want to?"
If he could, Rozen too wanted to face Roman and have him reveal everything.
But—
"If my deductions are correct, then aside from Solomon and the Incineration of Humanity, the one who feels the heaviest burden of all... is my brother." Rozen lowered his voice. "So I can't quite bring myself to tear open his wounds."
That was Rozen's one hesitation.
Altera did not know exactly what Rozen had seen through to make him say this.
But one thing was certain.
"The final battle is almost upon us. If you don't clear things up now, there may never be another chance."
That was Altera's advice.
"...I know." Rozen sighed softly. "That's why my heart is in turmoil."
Hearing this, Altera could find no words.
If she could, she wished to shoulder all of Rozen's troubles.
This was a feeling the old Altera had never possessed.
In the past, Altera had only upheld one position—that of Rozen's weapon, cutting down all his foes.
Beyond that, she had no other thoughts.
But now, Altera wanted to do more for Rozen.
Thus, the present Altera understood worry and longing, desiring only to be of some use to him.
Seeing her like this, Rozen seemed to read her heart, and suddenly smiled.
After pondering for a moment, Rozen lifted his gaze toward Altera.
"Come with me to visit an old friend, Altera."
That was what Rozen said.
Altera blinked slightly at his words.
Then, without hesitation, the white-haired girl nodded.