It was no secret that Solomon possessed the eyes that could see through the past and the future.
And at the final moment when he lost his power, Roman relied on those very eyes to see the future.
What future did he see?
"The end of mankind."
Roman murmured, as if recalling that moment.
"I didn't know the specific reason, nor the exact process of that ending, but at that time, I saw it."
In other words, Roman had already seen this catastrophe more than ten years ago.
However, because he had lost his power, Roman could only see the future's end—nothing more.
He didn't know of the Incineration of Humanity, nor did he know why humanity would be destroyed in the future. He didn't even know when the final moment would arrive—only that it would come sooner or later.
And then…
"After becoming nothing more than an ordinary human, when I learned of that kind of future, what else could I do?"
Roman spoke with self-mockery.
"Without magic circuits, without Clairvoyance, yet knowing of the future's end—the only thing I could do was to study desperately, like a normal human, hoping that when that moment finally came, I could do something for humanity."
This was why Romani Archaman, as a human, was able to become Chaldea's chief physician at such a young age—why he joined Chaldea in the first place.
Driven by an unknown apocalypse, Roman could only fight alone, studying everything he could learn, working day and night for Chaldea, trying to accomplish something before the world was destroyed.
"My coming to Chaldea was also thanks to Marisbury—it was he who took me in and allowed me to join."
Saying this, Roman looked at Rozen.
"Only, I never thought that the child who survived after sacrificing everything else as nourishment would, in the end, give rise to a completely unforeseen, brand-new possibility."
This was the impression and shock Roman had felt when he witnessed Rozen's Miracle.
"From that moment on, I knew that this child would perhaps bear responsibilities and sins he should never have borne—and that the hope of saving humanity's future rested on his shoulders."
Toward this, Roman felt not joy or pride, but deep guilt.
Because, though Roman did not know why humanity would perish, he more or less knew the reason might be related to himself.
The one who orchestrated the Incineration of Humanity was Solomon. Since this being chose to manifest in such an identity, it was enough to prove its crucial connection to Solomon.
Because of him, humanity was on the verge of extinction.
And because of him, Rozen bore this responsibility in his stead, fighting again and again to restore mankind.
How could Roman feel at ease when he thought of this?
"Unfortunately, I can't do anything. All of my power has already been lost. Even the mana stored within my body was merely the residual portion left behind by the Holy Grail, useful only as expendable resources."
Roman felt deeply powerless because of this.
Thus, when Rozen nearly died in the Fifth Singularity, Roman had nearly erupted, almost releasing all of the Holy Grail's residual mana in one burst.
"Originally, I had planned that if things truly reached the point of no return, I would use this mana, abandon the identity of 'Romani Archaman,' abandon my humanity, connect with the Throne of Records, and once again reclaim the name of 'Solomon.'"
That was Roman's final trump card.
"You must think I'm terrible, don't you?"
Roman looked toward Rozen.
"Knowing so much, yet never telling you."
"Clearly able to abandon my humanity, yet only watching you go fight again and again."
"Obviously the disaster I brought about, yet letting you, an innocent one, bear it all."
"Even when you once nearly died, it was because I didn't consider the life and death of my host and directly departed, causing it."
"And like this, I still shamelessly call myself your brother. You must find it laughable, right?"
Roman's voice gradually carried a trace of emotion.
"It's fine. You can resent me as much as you like. Even take revenge on me—it's fine."
Rather than his resolve, this was more of Roman's plea.
Only that way, perhaps, could he slightly lessen the weight of his guilt.
Understanding all this, the others' gazes toward Roman grew complicated, filled with sighs, even sympathy and pity.
In truth, Roman was innocent as well.
He only wanted to be human, to live a simple and ordinary life. Yet in the end, he saw an incomprehensible future, and because of it, had to keep struggling forward—bearing fear and powerlessness, desperately trying to do something. It was enough to stir pity.
Fate had never been kind to him, constantly stripping away everything.
As Solomon, his freedom was taken.
As Roman, his freedom was also taken.
This man, throughout his whole life, had always devoted his strength to others, never once owning time for himself.
Precisely because of that…
"Was that why you said that, back then?"
Rozen suddenly spoke.
"Said that you were only a 'human,' and hoped that I could live on as an ordinary human."
Those were the words spoken by the figure who had saved him when he received a Miracle and a new life.
Now, Rozen knew—that figure was Roman.
Since that was the case, naturally those words were meant for him.
"That's right."
Roman fell silent for a while, then nodded.
It was precisely because Roman understood the plain happiness of being human that he said those words.
He hoped Rozen could live as a normal human being, survive ordinarily—that would be the greatest happiness.
"But your happiness was stolen by me."
Roman spoke helplessly.
Yet how could he have known?
"I have never once felt happier than I do now."
Rozen gazed at Roman and suddenly laughed.
He laughed with incomparable freedom.
"Because not only do I possess a future, I also now know who it was that saved me in the past."
That was all there was to it.
"Rozen…"
Roman stared blankly at Rozen.
But Rozen only smiled at him and spoke earth-shattering words.
"Big bro, I have a child now. Someone is pregnant with my child—my own flesh and blood, your nephew."
The moment those words left his mouth, they struck like a thunderclap in everyone's ears.
"Eh?"
Roman froze in place.
"Wha—"
Olga Marie and the others also widened their eyes.
"...!"
Artoria [Alter], Jeanne [Alter], and Hassan of Serenity all froze in expression.
"Eh? Ehhhhhhh!?!?"
Mash, slow to react, first went blank, then let out a scream.
Everyone in Chaldea turned to stare at Rozen, eyes wide open.
"Hahahaha!"
Rozen couldn't help laughing, patting the dumbfounded Roman's shoulder, and said:
"I'll take you to meet them later. You'd better prepare yourself mentally, alright?"
Having said that, Rozen left Roman behind and walked forward.
"Wa… Wait! Explain this to me! What do you mean!?"
Roman stood dumbly for a long time before he reacted, shouting and quickly chasing after him.
"Sen… Senpai!?"
Mash also scrambled in a panic to chase after him.
"What… what is going on!?"
"Child? Pregnant? Flesh and blood? Nephew…!?"
"This must be a joke…!?"
"Wait! Come back and explain clearly!"
The many Servants and members of Chaldea all cried out in succession.
In an instant, the whole of Chaldea descended into chaos.
Unfortunately, Rozen paid them no heed, walking on toward the direction of the Matrices, the corners of his mouth lifting into an unseen smile.