From the standards of a puppeteer, the black-clad magus's skills were extremely outstanding.
Not only could they freely wield the magic of Fusion Explosion, but they had also mastered numerous abilities, such as Telekinesis, Spirit Vision, Rigid Body, Magic Defence, and even Heaven's Eye. They were clearly highly skilled puppeteers; if they appeared at the Night Party, each of them could likely rank within the top twenty.
Moreover, these individuals didn't rely solely on their automatons in battle — they were also proficient in refined martial arts themselves and were armed with daggers, grenades, magic tools, magic stones, and other weapons. If they launched a surprise attack, even puppeteers of the caliber of the Thirteen might suffer a loss.
And now, several such powerful puppeteers attacked simultaneously, alongside who knew how many more invading the academy. That the academy would fall wasn't really a surprising outcome.
These people were like highly trained warriors — or perhaps simply like a military force. Once in combat, their strength far exceeded the imagination of student-level puppeteers.
Not to mention, these individuals seemed to have recognized Rozen's identity.
"Wearing a jet-black cat, accompanied by three girl-like automatons... is that Rorelai Arneet...?"
The black-clad magus one after another recognized Rozen.
However, after recognizing him, rather than retreating, they charged at Rozen even more furiously.
Their behavior was as if they had found their target.
Unfortunately for them, their impressive strength meant little in Rozen's eyes.
"Ha!"
With Kongouriki activated, Yaya ignored the plasma orbs of Fusion Explosion bombarding her body. Letting the blasts and heatwaves wash over her, she relentlessly charged, her slender arms and legs carrying overwhelming power. With each punch and kick, one black panther-type automaton after another was smashed into scrap metal.
"Freeze!"
Irori, her eyes glowing blue and her whole body radiating cold air, turned the surrounding area into an ice field and instantly froze every berserk automaton that charged at her, transforming them into beautiful ice sculptures.
"Over here~!"
Komurasaki disappeared and reappeared with teasing laughter, creating countless clones and illusions, luring the black panther-type automatons together, and making them destroy each other.
The attacks that overwhelmed all professors and students inside the academy were, before Rozen, utterly powerless.
Seeing this, the black-clad magus realized they had no chance of victory and chose instead to rush directly at Rozen, trying to capture the puppeteer first.
However, that decision proved fatal.
"Stop."
With Rozen's calm utterance, the black-clad magi froze on the spot, completely unable to move.
"Your enemy isn't me. It's your comrades beside you. Come, show me your skills. Fight to your heart's content."
Smiling faintly, Rozen used such words as a Kotodama, making each black-clad magus stiffly turn toward their own allies. In the next moment, under horrified gazes, they began a brutal mutual slaughter.
These black-clad magus were by no means saints. Their daggers were coated with poison, guns were hidden on their bodies, and grenades, magic tools, magic stones were all used. Their internal combat was fierce enough to be a spectacle.
But the strength they had used to terrorize others finally came back to bite them, as they now tasted the flavor of senseless violence firsthand.
By the time the Setsugetsuka sisters finished dealing with all surrounding automatons, only one black-clad magus remained alive.
This one was deliberately spared by Rozen.
"Buzz!"
With a vibration of the air, Rozen used Telekinesis to seize the blood-soaked black-clad magus.
Suspended by Telekinesis, the black-clad magus was floating helplessly in front of Rozen, arms spread wide like he was crucified, legs hanging straight down, unable to move.
Rozen grabbed the magus's head, forcing him to look into his eyes.
"Who are you people?"
Rozen began his interrogation.
This was no ordinary questioning.
To save time, Rozen directly used illusion magic, causing a ghostly light to flood from his eyes, simultaneously hypnotizing and mentally controlling the black-clad magus.
The magus's eyes quivered violently, his pupils dilated, and his mouth sluggishly opened.
"We... are the... Order of the Rose..."
The magus squeezed out this name.
"Order of the Rose?"
Rozen furrowed his brows, and the three sisters exchanged puzzled glances.
Clearly, none of them had heard of this name before.
"Is it a secret organization from some country? Or a magic society lurking underground?"
Rozen continued using illusion magic to question him.
But at that moment, the black-clad magus's body began violently convulsing.
Seeing this, Rozen's eyes sharpened, and he let out a sigh, casually tossing the man onto the ground.
Almost at the same time, the black-clad magus stiffened, his head lolled to the side, and he died on the spot.
"D...Dead?"
Komurasaki cried out in shock.
"This..."
Even Yaya was stunned.
"Suicide?"
Irori keenly saw through some clues.
However, Rozen simply shook his head.
"Not exactly suicide. A magic spell implanted in his brain was triggered."
Indeed.
A magic spell implanted in the brain.
"These attackers must have had some spell set in their bodies. Once they leaked any information about their organization, the spell would activate, causing instant brain death."
Rozen calmly explained.
"Such cruel and practiced methods, combined with the force to assault the top academy in the magic world... this Order of the Rose isn't something trivial."
To have easily suppressed the Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart, and defeated numerous outstanding magi and puppeteers including the academy principal — this Order of the Rose likely had an even more extraordinary background than Rozen had initially imagined.
Rozen decided to end the interrogation.
Although he could theoretically dismantle the spells implanted in their brains, he was certain that once he tried, the spell would immediately trigger, incinerating their brains.
The Order of the Rose had clearly prepared thorough safeguards to prevent leaks. Extracting information from these people wouldn't be easy.
And Rozen didn't have the luxury of time to play around.
"Let's go rescue Charlotte and Loki first."
Thus Rozen declared.
"Yes!"
Irori, Yaya, and Komurasaki responded in unison.
And so, the group disappeared from the spot once again.
When they reappeared, they were already by the side of their familiar companions.