At that moment, from the witch named Astrid Seth, everyone could sense a certain emotion.
Expectation.
It was like the look one had when seeing a cute toy they hadn't yet obtained, or like a hunter preparing to pursue particularly fine prey.
From this alone, it was clear that this witch was quite interested in Rozen. Olga Saladin naturally understood why. She knew all too well just how wicked and terrifying her grandmother truly was.
To put it bluntly, more than half of the major events that had occurred in this world could be traced back to Astrid.
That was why Astrid was a true witch—one who took pleasure in manipulating the lives of others, who found joy in their cries of despair. She was one of the most hated and feared beings in the world.
Even the Academy's Headmaster, once the strongest Magus of the nineteenth century, was just a junior before her. The world powers had, more than once, been toyed with in the palm of her hand.
Even Olga's own life had been shackled by her—never to know true freedom. Thus, Olga never took Astrid's concern seriously. Because she knew very well—it was nothing more than her grandmother's way of toying with her. What her grandmother truly cared about was what she could gain here. And that was exactly why she had come. Olga lowered her head even further.
"Grandmother, do you want to recruit Fimbulvetr's Winter?"
Olga immediately saw through Astrid's intentions. Astrid didn't even try to hide it.
"The power to summon such a massive army of magical creatures is fascinating. And that boy, so young yet already capable of defeating that cunning brat Edward Rutherford, and wielding those ancient, traditional spells—rather than modern automaton magic, he's more like us old types. The fact that someone like him came from the Akabane family—well, that 'Violet Rose' has been complaining nonstop about it."
Astrid laughed.
"Such power—it's wasted on an academy or the Night Party. It should be used by me, to show its worth on the battlefield. Don't you think the world powers will be thrown into chaos by that kind of surprise?"
Her words sent a chill through everyone's hearts. While the entire world was striving to suppress the outbreak of a second world war, this witch—she actually wanted to spark one. It was terrifying. But…
"I don't think Fimbulvetr's Winter would ever join us."
Olga considered her words and ultimately decided to say them.
"That's why I came here."
Astrid waved her hand, unfazed. There were three reasons Astrid had come.
The first—because Olga and the others had hit a dead end in the Night Party, facing an unbeatable enemy. With no options left and the matter of the Machine Doll, Astrid had to step in and make a move.
The second—because the Headmaster had lost the Lemegeton Grimoire, severely weakening him. For the sake of old grudges, Astrid immediately came knocking.
The third—Rozen. His power had not only caught the attention of the world's great powers, but also the attention of those evil organizations seeking to plunge the world into chaos.
To them, Rozen was a treasure worth obtaining—by any means necessary. And Astrid had no shortage of vile, underhanded methods. Whether Rozen wanted to join or not wasn't even part of the equation. After all, Astrid had a long history of forcing unwilling individuals to join her side—she had plenty of ways to break a person.
"A Magus capable of defeating Edward Rutherford even after he used Lemegeton—I, the Golden Rose, will personally test him."
Astrid smiled as if she couldn't wait.
"Besides, I need to retrieve Lemegeton—it was mine to begin with."
Such words would shock anyone else if they heard them. But those present seemed to understand the implications, remaining silent. Olga simply asked one question.
"What should we do next?"
Normally, others would direct that question at Olga, but now, she had thrown it at Astrid. Because she knew—after her grandmother's arrival—things were no longer in her control.
Perhaps Asura Owen, Sonechka Snitkina, and the others didn't know this, but the reason Olga invited them to appear in the Night Party and lower their ranks wasn't to defeat Rozen—but to draw the Academy's higher-ups' attention to the tournament. That way, they could move in secret and help Astrid achieve her goals.
"On this mission, we have several objectives we must achieve."
"One: Occupy the Academy. Take control of the Night Party. Decide who becomes the Wiseman and who obtains the Machine Doll on our terms."
"Two: Retrieve the Lemegeton Grimoire. Defeat Edward Rutherford. And investigate the secrets of the Sanctuary of Fools."
"Three: Capture the Akabane boy and bring him back."
Astrid spoke of these goals as if they were just casual errands.
"If you understand, get ready. I'm sure you're all itching to start, aren't you?"
But these words weren't directed at Olga and her companions—they were spoken toward the forest behind the dormitory. There, figures cloaked in black with unified designs began to emerge. Their cloaks were embroidered with thorny vines, with large black roses blooming across the dark fabric. Each of them was accompanied by a Black Panther-type Automaton Doll, lurking in the bushes, among the trees, or standing atop branches and canopies. Countless in number.
"Go!"
"Spread chaos and evil across this cursed land of magic!"
"Let the name of the Order of the Rose once again become the nightmare of all!"
With Astrid's laughter, the Magi began to move—orderly, like machines—rushing off in all directions, scattering throughout the Academy.
"You all should get ready too," Astrid said with a delighted grin. "It's time to enjoy ourselves."
As she said this, Astrid released her mana into one of the Automaton Dolls before her. Specifically, the eagle perched upon the lion's back.
"It's time for the world to hear your song. Sing for them—Loreley."
With that declaration, the eagle stood tall upon the lion's back, spreading its wings wide. From its abdomen, the upper body of a beautiful woman emerged, embedded like a bust sculpture.
Seeing this, Dorothy McGuffin and the Zekaros Brothers gasped in horror. Olga's eyes trembled violently as she stared at the woman, clenching her teeth and forcing herself to endure.
Then, the woman within the eagle's belly opened her lips—and released a piercing sonic pressure. An overwhelming wave of sound distorted the air and shook the entire space. The Academy was instantly enveloped by the sound.
And thus—chaos descended. A new disaster following the Black Prince's rebellion two months prior. Only this time, it was not in the City of Automata—but in the Academy of Machinart.
////The Order of the Rose is my own translation. Searched through the wiki closest thing I find to that is Rose Division. Sounds weird for a secret group of strong magus from around the world. So I'll just go with Order of the Rose.////