143 -140- You'll find out in due time

"Le... leave?"

Yaya stared at Rozen dumbfoundedly, momentarily unable to process the situation.

"Leave?"

Even Karyusai Shouko furrowed her brows and turned her gaze toward Rozen.

Under their combined scrutiny, Rozen shrugged, attempting to appear casual.

"There's something I must accomplish first, so I probably won't be back for a short while."

This was Rozen's previous decision.

Yes.

Rozen was planning to return to Chaldea.

Although his original goal of reaching a level to summon higher-ranked familiars hadn't been achieved in this world, Rozen had gained numerous highly effective abilities to control and support familiars. He had also enriched his knowledge through the development of "Puppetry Techniques," gaining insights into how to command, guide, and instruct familiars in battle. This experience had been invaluable.

However, this wasn't the main reason Rozen was rushing back to Chaldea.

The real reason lay elsewhere.

"In order to counter the 'Crimson Wing Formation' secret technique of Akabane Tenzen, I must quickly master the 'Crimson Wing Formation' myself."

Otherwise, he would remain at a significant disadvantage against Tenzen.

Hence, Rozen was preparing to return to Chaldea.

Only within Chaldea could he conduct research on the 'Crimson Wing Formation.' To complete it, Rozen required Chaldea's resources.

With this in mind, Rozen intended to use the power of "Miracle" again soon after his injuries healed, to open the "Gate" to return to Chaldea.

However, Rozen was unsure how to explain this to Karyusai Shouko.

So, he simply said:

"After I leave, Yaya, I hope you can continue to stay here."

Rozen looked at Yaya as he spoke.

"Your 'Kongouriki' is undoubtedly pure and powerful, but there's still a lot of room for improvement."

Rozen's words reminded Yaya of their previous sparring sessions.

"That's right, right now, you rely mostly on brute force. Even with me controlling you, I know how to make you fight better, but I don't know how to enhance your combat skills." Rozen continued, "Therefore, while I'm away, I hope you can learn from Karyusai, go to the military or wherever, and improve yourself. Absorb combat experience or techniques until I return."

"This..." Yaya's mouth hung open, her face reflecting extreme reluctance. She said, "Can't Yaya go with Nuragami?"

Hearing this, Rozen became distressed.

As he had mentioned before, only Rozen could access the "Gate" opened by "Miracle." Others could not.

However, there was a way to take Yaya from this world back to Chaldea.

This method was the previously mentioned contract – the "Absolute Contract."

This contract could only be established using the power of "Miracle."

Usually, due to the influence of "Miracle," Rozen's soul's "Gate" remained open, and when he used the "Summoning Technique" to summon a new familiar, that familiar would become a record, etched into his body, immortal and absolutely obedient.

But when it came to familiars not summoned by Rozen, it was a bit more complicated to imprint their records into his soul through an "Absolute Contract."

Because, to do that, the soul's "Gate" of both parties needed to be opened.

Only when both sides' "Gates" to their souls were open and the contract was established could the other party's record be etched into Rozen's soul.

However, the soul's "Gate" couldn't be opened at will.

After all, the soul represented the fundamental existence of an individual.

Thus, to open the soul's "Gate" of a familiar's soul to establish the "Absolute Contract," the familiar had to willingly become Rozen's familiar first.

This kind of "willingness" doesn't refer to an eternal desire to follow Rozen, but rather, it means that Yaya must serve as a familiar, fight for Rozen, prioritize Rozen over herself, and decisively step forward in any crisis. She would become a weapon in Rozen's hands, armor on his body, and a cornerstone on his path to success.

In short, it's absolute loyalty.

Only by reaching this level would her soul open up to Rozen, allowing the interference of "Miracle," and thus opening the "Gate" to her soul.

From this perspective, given Yaya's current affection for Rozen, it should be enough to satisfy this requirement.

The issue arises when, once she becomes Rozen's familiar and her record is etched into his soul, she becomes immortal but is bound to Rozen's commands. If Rozen were to die, she would dissipate immediately, without a trace.

However, this isn't the most severe problem.

The gravest issue is that becoming Rozen's familiar also means relying on Rozen's magical energy to exist, even at the cost of consuming his magical energy.

But can Rozen's magical energy sustain the constant presence of a high-ranking familiar?

Even if it could, in the face of battle and subsequent energy depletion, her life would be endangered if Rozen's magical energy runs out.

In other words, becoming Rozen's familiar means she would need to remain dormant within Rozen's body most of the time, only to be summoned during battles.

This is the real reason Rozen hesitated.

(I can't imprison someone for no reason, can I?)

Because of this thought, Rozen had struggled during his time at Chaldea. Only when Mash's life was nearly lost had he been pushed into making this kind of contract.

Now, he faced the same situation, and Rozen wouldn't recklessly take away Yaya's freedom.

At least, not for now.

So, Rozen could only say:

"Be a good girl, Yaya."

Rarely, Rozen extended his hand gently to pat Yaya's head.

"This is for your own good."

Hearing this, Yaya knew she couldn't defy Rozen's wishes.

"That's unfair..."

Yaya's voice quivered, as if she was on the verge of tears, and she sobbed softly.

Seeing this, Rozen could only smile wryly and began to comfort Yaya.

Karyusai Shouko silently observed this scene without commenting.

Evidently, Karyusai Shouko had tacitly accepted this arrangement.

Originally, Rozen had planned to ask Karyusai Shouko to keep an eye on Akabane Tenzen's movements, but seeing her quiet presence there, he suddenly asked:

"What lies beyond the 'Banned Doll'?"

One sentence transformed the atmosphere on the scene.

Karyusai Shouko didn't answer, falling into silence.

Complex emotions flowed through her eyes.

After a long while, Karyusai Shouko spoke expressionlessly.

"You'll find out in due time."

These were Karyusai Shouko's final words for Rozen.

Afterward, Rozen bid farewell to Irori and Komurasaki one after another, surprising and gaining the understanding of both of them.

A month later, with his injuries almost healed, Rozen finally embarked on his journey home, leaving this world behind.