In the end, Rozen handed the Sinful God's Artifact over to La Folia.
There was no profound reason—he simply wanted this scheming princess to settle down and stop causing trouble.
Even though La Folia seemed to be merely teasing him, Rozen was certain that if he didn't stop her, she would do something utterly shocking.
After all, back when they had only met a few times, this princess had boldly given him her first kiss without hesitation. Rozen had every reason to believe that if Gajou hadn't been present, she would have just as boldly stripped herself bare to "pay" Rozen in the way she'd promised.
And even with Gajou there, La Folia was already teasing him so brazenly—Rozen didn't dare gamble on what earth-shattering stunt she might pull if he refused to indulge her.
So, Rozen practically threw the artifact at her, treating it less like a treasure and more like a hot potato.
In truth, there wasn't much difference.
The Sinful God's Artifact was of little real use to Rozen—more trouble than it was worth. If keeping it meant enduring this cunning princess's relentless teasing, he'd rather be rid of it.
But...
"What a shame."
Rather than pleased, La Folia sighed with genuine disappointment as she accepted the artifact.
Clearly, in her mind, even a divine relic paled in comparison to the fun of tormenting Rozen.
Had he refused to hand it over, she would have undoubtedly escalated her antics just to satisfy her mischievous whims.
Honestly, Rozen was a little afraid.
Not because he felt nothing for La Folia.
On the contrary—this princess, who had once shared an ambiguous kiss with him, was already someone Rozen considered half his woman.
Precisely because of that, he wasn't sure if he could keep his composure if she pushed him too far. If he lost control and did something beastly, the consequences would be dire.
Never mind how Yukina—who was standing right there—might react. Just imagining the responses of the four Servant girls residing inside him was terrifying enough.
"Maybe I should just put them to sleep for a while..."
For a brief moment, Rozen actually considered it.
If he wanted, he could force the Beast Vassals in his blood into dormancy, cutting off their constant awareness of the outside world.
Like the familiars bound to his soul, they existed as conceptual entities when not summoned—dormant, formless, like unborn embryos without true consciousness. Only when called forth would they awaken fully.
The Beast Vassals, however, were always conscious, ever-vigilant, ready to protect him even if he didn't sense danger himself. But as his contracted familiars, a single thought from Rozen could plunge them into slumber, only to awaken when danger arose or when summoned.
So, if he wanted to do something… indecent… putting them to sleep might be an option?
But Rozen couldn't shake the feeling that… wouldn't that make him kind of scummy?
Not that he wasn't already—he had multiple lovers, even a daughter. But if he deliberately silenced his Servants just for convenience, he had no doubt they'd make him regret it once they woke up.
The thought made him sigh heavily.
"When will I ever be able to openly have a harem?"
He nearly said it out loud.
Fortunately, his inner monologue remained private.
After all the commotion, Rozen handed the artifact to La Folia, left the Knights of the Sinful God to the Lion King Agency, and waited for Nagisa and Avrora to wake up.
By the time the two girls stirred, it was already deep into the night.
The moment they saw Rozen, their reactions were overwhelming.
"You are the most unworthy servant! To abandon your master like this—you should be be punished!"
Tears welling in her eyes, Avrora threw herself into Rozen's arms, her words a mix of heartbreak and anger.
Though her "servant" remark was questionable, Rozen could see how deeply his disappearance had affected her—how much she had worried and grieved. It made his heart ache.
Nagisa, however, was even more dramatic.
"Where have you been?! Why did you just vanish without a word?! Were you trying to run away?! Make us worry on purpose?! Do you have any idea how childish that is?! I'm really mad at you this time, Nichiyo!"
Like a rapid-fire cannon, Nagisa bombarded him with questions, her puffed-up cheeks more adorable than intimidating.
But beneath their scolding, Rozen could see pure joy.
Joy at his return.
His place in their hearts had always been special. For Nagisa, he was the one who had treated her for years. For Avrora, he was her first memory, the one who saved her from becoming a sacrificial vessel for the Fourth Primogenitor's resurrection.
After his disappearance, aside from Natsuki, no one had worried more than these two.
Now that he was back, their tears of relief mixed with indignant complaints, their earlier ordeal at Shinjin Lake forgotten in their eagerness to berate him.
What could Rozen do?
He could only apologize profusely, swearing never to disappear again, until their anger finally softened into reluctant forgiveness.
Later, Kuraki Shirona and the others arrived to formally apologize to Nagisa and Avrora, explaining everything and taking responsibility for dragging them into the mess.
Perhaps because Rozen's return had put them at ease, both girls forgave them magnanimously.
"We shall pardon thee this once, but dare not repeat this transgression!"
Avrora declared imperiously—though her timid tone undermined her regal words, as usual.
Nagisa was even more nonchalant.
"Grandma's always making me do weird rituals anyway, and Dad's always dumping strange jobs on me. At least this time, I just slept through it!"
Her words painted a vivid picture of the Akatsuki family's eccentric and irresponsible adults.
And so, the incident came to a close.
Now, Rozen and the others would return to Itogami Island.
That was where their home truly was.