And so, several days passed.
During these days, news of the attack on Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart by the Golden Rose of the Order of the Rose, which nearly led to its downfall, spread rapidly, reaching major powers and nations.
At first glance, this should have been an unfortunate incident.
After all, Astrid's assault caused immense damage to the academy. Many of its historic buildings were reduced to ruins, countless automata belonging to professors and students were destroyed due to their rampage, and there were numerous casualties. It was nothing short of a catastrophic disaster.
Yet, this misfortune ultimately yielded a result that delighted the world's great powers.
One of the high-ranking members of the secret society, the great witch of the Seth family—the Golden Rose, who had wreaked havoc across the world and brought calamity to countless nations—had met her end here, completely eradicated.
The fact that this supposedly immortal and terrifying witch had been slain within the academy shocked the world's powers and even the Mage's Association. Over these past few days, countless officials had arrived to investigate and verify the incident, ultimately confirming its truth.
Many could not help but rejoice.
"That wicked witch has finally gotten what she deserved."
"Losing one of their high-ranking members must have thrown the Roses into chaos."
"The Order of the Rose must be in complete disarray now. Losing a major figure like this is a loss they never could have anticipated."
"Though they might also be celebrating in secret."
"After all, the Golden Rose's 500,000 'Rose Stems' are no small force—an army capable of conquering a great nation. The Roses are probably fighting tooth and nail to claim that power for themselves."
"And I heard the Violet Rose has also fallen. The Order must be in even greater turmoil now."
"The more chaotic, the better."
"Only when they're in disarray can we strike back and make those despicable witches pay."
The major powers of the world rejoiced, seizing the opportunity to launch their own schemes.
The Roses of the secret society had long been manipulating political power behind the scenes in various nations, a fact that had infuriated the world's leaders. Now that their enemies were in chaos, it was only natural to retaliate.
Thus, after confirming Astrid's demise, countless nations began stirring with undercurrents, preparing to confront the Roses who sought to control their governments in their own ways.
Undoubtedly, the Roses would face difficult times ahead.
Yet, whether it was the world's leaders or the witches of the Order of the Rose, all silently remembered one name after this incident.
The one who had eradicated the legendary Golden Rose.
"Rorelai Arneet."
This name spread once more, growing even more renowned.
If even an immortal great witch had fallen to him, who in this world would dare challenge Rozen now?
Not even the Mage's Association dared to slight him anymore, and it seemed they were seeking an audience with him.
Unfortunately, Rozen had no time for them.
During these days, while the academy busily rebuilt and the world's powers schemed, Rozen had been hiding underground.
What was he doing there?
"Building an altar."
Rozen had explained this to Tenzen and Raishin days ago.
"I need a fairly large altar to resurrect the Akabane clan."
Because of this, not only had Rozen remained underground, but Tenzen and Raishin had also stayed to assist in constructing the altar.
Though both found Rozen's claims absurd and impossible, the thought of his unfathomable power gave them hope.
If this could truly be accomplished, it would be nothing short of a miracle.
Thus, both Tenzen and Raishin decided to take the gamble and help Rozen achieve it.
Thanks to the ritual site Tenzen had prepared to resurrect Nadeshiko, Rozen repurposed it, transforming it into the altar in just a few days.
With the help of summoned golems and his own immense magical power, the altar was finally completed.
And the moment it was done, Rozen announced:
"Now, we shall begin the forbidden soul ritual—the Taizan Fukun Ritual."
Yes.
Rozen intended to use the Taizan Fukun Ritual to summon back the souls of the entire Akabane clan and resurrect them.
Originally, this would have been impossible.
There were two reasons.
First, the ritual could only manipulate souls. While it could summon them back, without a physical body, resurrection was impossible. Apart from Fuziko, whose body Tenzen had preserved, the rest of the Akabane clan had turned to ashes in the fire years ago, making revival unfeasible.
Second, the Taizan Fukun Ritual's essence was connecting with a higher spiritual entity—Taizan Fukun, the deity of the underworld in Taoism—and borrowing divine power to manipulate souls. However, it was uncertain whether such an underworld deity even existed in this world, making the ritual's success questionable.
These two obstacles would have rendered the resurrection of the Akabane clan impossible.
In the past, Rozen would have had no solution.
But now...
"For the bodies, I can use Atlas Alchemy to craft new, perfectly compatible vessels for every member of the Akabane clan."
"As for the connection, even if this world lacks an underworld deity, I can use Miracle to open a gate to another world, linking to its underworld deity and borrowing their power to summon the souls from the afterlife."
This was something Rozen could now accomplish.
As long as the souls had not been completely annihilated, Rozen could bring them back. That was the extent of his current power.
Over these past few days, Rozen had already prepared the bodies of the Akabane clan using his knowledge.
With blood samples provided by Tenzen and Raishin, creating bodies for their kin was effortless.
On this day, Rozen, Tenzen, and Raishin stood in a hidden underground chamber beneath the academy.
Assisting them were Irori, Yaya, and Komurasaki, who carried the prepared bodies one by one.
Before them stood a mystical altar, radiating an enigmatic aura.
"This should be enough."
After a final inspection, Rozen nodded in satisfaction.