Bab 1547: -1528- Human boy?
After Rozen left the Aries Palace, he didn't exit the underground city but wandered within it instead.
Since, after returning, Rozen had no urgent matters to attend to, and as for Chloe and the others, Rozen had already received contact from Chloe as he left the banquet at the Noesis Palace. He informed them through a communication crystal that he had some business to handle and told them not to wait for him at the banquet's end, so there was no need for them to worry.
Thus, Rozen strolled through the streets of the underground city, observing the passing pedestrians, nodding slightly.
"These people seem to be living quite well here."
One could tell by simply watching the people around, chatting and laughing.
Even though living here might have some inconveniences, people at least didn't face danger. They wouldn't be persecuted by the Zeth faction, and for that, they seemed content.
Rozen even noticed many shops around, indicating that aside from the inconveniences unique to living underground, this city didn't seem to have any major shortcomings as a place to live. It had at least passed the threshold of being a livable space.
However...
"Things over there are quite intriguing."
Rozen lifted his gaze, focusing on a particular direction.
In that direction, a thick miasma, distinct from human spiritual energy, was slowly rising, clearly indicating what lay in that area.
"Do the Armored Beetles not live together with the humans?"
Rozen pondered.
If one thought about it, it seemed quite natural.
Since the people lived in this underground city, it meant that they were at least aware of the existence of the humanoid Armored Beetles.
After all, this place was operating with jutsuryoku to run visual obstruction formations, and there was cooperation between the residents and the humanoid Armored Beetles. How could they not know about their existence?
In fact, many people were brought here precisely because they knew about the Armored Beetles and faced the threat of being silenced by the Zeth faction. Furthermore, the Pope's faction sought to avoid public knowledge of the Beetles to prevent societal chaos. These people were either protected here or detained and not allowed to leave.
Yet, how could humans want to live alongside the Armored Beetles?
The hatred and mutual exclusion between the two species were undeniable. There was no way for them to live peacefully together, right?
Thus, the separation between the human settlement and the Armored Beetles' dwelling made perfect sense.
With that in mind...
"I should go take a look."
Murmuring to himself, Rozen began heading toward the source of the miasma.
Crossing streets and passing buildings, Rozen steadily approached the area where the miasma was thickening.
Along the way, the number of passersby dwindled, and those who remained looked like a group of fierce thugs, obviously not the kind of people to mess with.
Of course, that applied only to ordinary people. To Rozen, these so-called fierce thugs were no more intimidating than kittens trying to look scary.
Eventually, Rozen continued walking toward the outskirts of the city.
During his journey, two hooligan-like individuals approached him.
"Hey, kid, don't go any further. There are monsters up ahead."
"Yeah, be careful, or you'll be eaten with nothing left."
The two thugs mockingly warned him.
Rozen ignored them and continued on his way.
"What a fool, he's really going in there..."
"A kid is still a kid. Does he really think he can live peacefully with those monsters?"
The two hooligans grumbled, receiving only Rozen's departing figure in return.
Not long after, Rozen arrived at the outskirts.
Here, a four-meter-tall barbed wire fence stood, separating the city from the area beyond.
"Is this the place?"
Rozen gazed across the fence, contemplating heading over.
But the next moment, Rozen suddenly stopped.
At the same time...
"I say, human boy, this place isn't somewhere you can just wander into."
A voice came from a woman.
A woman who had somehow appeared on the barbed wire, sitting there as if weightless, swinging her legs.
The woman had hair the color of a sunset and wore a russet jacket over her upper body, though it was unbuttoned. Underneath the jacket, she wore a shirt with only one button fastened, leaving much of her chest exposed. She also wore a miniskirt, making her one of the most revealing people Rozen had ever encountered.
"You seem like a new face. Did you just arrive underground recently?"
The woman spoke in a teasing tone, appearing to be a flirtatious person, though her green eyes hid an unreadable light, indicating that she was a troublesome character who didn't follow rules.
Rozen had encountered similar people before.
For example, Saikyo Nene was one such person.
Rozen gazed at her and suddenly smiled.
"And you are...?"
Rozen asked, seemingly confused.
This reaction seemed to pique her interest.
"Oh? Are you trying to flirt with big sis? You're quite bold, aren't you?"
The woman giggled.
"In recognition of your courage, big sis will tell you her name."
As soon as she finished speaking...
"My name is Emilie Witbern."
The voice didn't come from Rozen's front anymore but from behind him.
At some point, the woman calling herself Emilie had appeared behind Rozen, leaning against him with her whole body, wrapping her arms around his neck, and blowing air into his ear.
Then, she whispered.
"I'm what you people call a 'monster.'"
Her tone was not only flirtatious but also carried an ominous sense of terror.
For anyone else, this might have been the moment when they would start sweating profusely and be too scared to move.
But unfortunately...
"What a coincidence, big sis."
As this voice came from behind Emilie, her smile froze.
The Rozen that Emilie had embraced gradually faded like a mirage.
In his place, Rozen appeared behind Emilie, casually resting his hand on her shoulder, smiling brightly.
"Recently, many people suspect that I'm not human, just because I've been in a few fights. But I think, at the very least, I'm not a monster. What do you think?"
Rozen didn't blow air into Emilie's ear, but he raised his other hand and gave her a sharp slap.
"Smack!"
A crisp sound echoed.
"Waa!"
Emilie let out a startled cry and jumped away.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone