Miracle Summoner

When summoning a familiar using the knowledge of Summoning Magic granted by Miracle, there are no conditions required due to the connection established by Miracle. As long as the summoning technique is successfully executed, an Absolute Contract can be formed directly with the summoned entity. This contract inscribes the entity into Rozen's soul as a record, ensuring absolute obedience and granting it immortality.

However, outside of this specific scenario, forming a contract requires the target to possess absolute loyalty toward Rozen.

From this perspective, Hassan of Serenity, a girl who obeys Rozen unconditionally and is even willing to sacrifice herself for him, undoubtedly fulfills the requirement.

Yet, absolute obedience does not equate to loyalty. Sacrificing oneself for another does not necessarily mean loyalty either. True loyalty means always considering Rozen first and placing his well-being above all else. Even if it results in opposing, betraying, or even becoming Rozen's enemy, such actions would still be permitted—as long as they are done for Rozen's sake.

For example, Bedivere opposed Artoria, even scheming against her, yet no one would claim that Bedivere was disloyal to Artoria.

Thus, loyalty means unwavering dedication to Rozen, prioritizing his concerns above all else, and surrendering both body and mind to him. This is the true requirement for an Absolute Contract.

Of course, the intention must be benevolent. If someone prioritizes Rozen's well-being out of malice, they cannot meet the contract's conditions.

In short, this condition remains rather ambiguous, and Rozen had long recognized this.

After considerable thought, Rozen arrived at an acceptable explanation:

"As long as the entity can fully expose its soul without reservation, an Absolute Contract can be formed with me."

That was the key.

Ultimately, the essence of an Absolute Contract is to record the target's existence and engrave it into Rozen's soul.

To achieve this, Miracle must establish a Gate between Rozen's soul and the contract target's soul, creating a passage that allows the target's soul to be converted into a record and absorbed into Rozen's own soul.

Possessing absolute loyalty is the most straightforward way to fully reveal one's soul to Rozen, but it is not the only way.

For instance, in SAO, Rozen exploited a loophole to turn in-game monsters into his familiars.

At its core, the true contract requirement is simply whether Miracle can establish a spiritual link between Rozen and the target.

As long as the link can be established, the contract can be formed.

This is why, when using Summoning Magic granted by Miracle, Rozen can form an Absolute Contract with a summoned entity without any additional conditions. Summoning Magic is directly connected to Miracle, and upon successful summoning, it links Rozen to the summoned entity. Since the entity then becomes connected to Miracle, the conditions for an Absolute Contract are naturally fulfilled.

Therefore, there was no issue in forming an Absolute Contract with Hassan of Serenity.

Her attitude made it evident—she had already devoted herself completely to Rozen without reservation. Her only thought was for Rozen, so how could she possibly hold anything back?

Because of this, their contract proceeded seamlessly.

—

"Zing!"

When Rozen grasped Hassan of Serenity's outstretched, shyly trembling hand with his Miracle-adorned fingers, the brilliant ring radiated light, forging a connection between their souls.

Hassan of Serenity closed her eyes, as if sensing something, and her face showed tranquil serenity. Then, her body dissolved into countless particles of light, which flowed into Rozen and merged into his very being.

From that moment on, Hassan of Serenity became Rozen's familiar, her existence permanently etched into his soul.

Rozen had now obtained absolute dominion over her.

—

"Alright!"

Seeing the contract successfully completed, with Hassan of Serenity now integrated into his soul, Rozen couldn't help but pump his fist in victory.

Now, until Rozen summoned her, the master assassin of poisons would remain dormant within his soul.

At last, Rozen could focus on other matters.

However, he had been too eager—so much so that he failed to notice the presence of a third party who had witnessed the entire process.

"So this is what you were hiding here to do? How… interesting."

A sarcastic voice reached Rozen's ears, causing his entire body to stiffen.

Mechanically, he turned his head to look behind him.

And in the next instant, he saw a mocking smile on the face of a certain witch.

—

Jeanne [Alter]

With a mocking tone, she spoke:

"A contract of life and death… I never expected you to have such a method."

"You've taken a Servant—who was already a recorded existence within the Throne—and re-recorded them into your soul."

"With this, as long as you remain alive, no matter what happens to their external form, it won't matter. Immortal. Absolute obedience."

Jeanne [Alter] sneered as she spoke.

"Stealing souls from the world itself… You sure have guts."

Hearing this, Rozen instantly knew—his actions had been fully exposed.

Despite possessing Mind's Eye, a skill that granted exceptional perception, he had completely failed to notice the presence of a third party.

A terrible oversight.

But it also meant that he had been too eager and careless.

Now, Rozen could only scratch his cheek awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

Yet, Jeanne [Alter]'s gaze held a complicated emotion as she looked at him.

"Hey."

She suddenly spoke:

"If I made that contract with you… would that mean even someone like me wouldn't have to die?"

The moment those words left her mouth, Jeanne [Alter] regretted it.

Rozen was stunned for a moment before quickly realizing what she meant.

The reason she asked was painfully simple.

Even though she had formed an official contract with Rozen and joined Chaldea, escaping the fate of vanishing along with the Singularity, her existence was still an illusion.

Eventually, when human history was restored and the distortions were corrected, Jeanne [Alter], as an unnatural existence, would fade into nothingness.

Yet now, she had seen a way to circumvent fate—a contract that could grant her immortality.

If she became Rozen's familiar, engraved into his soul, then even after history was restored, she would not disappear.

Rozen had originally planned to propose such a contract in the future, once the opportunity arose.

However, knowing Jeanne [Alter]'s defiant nature, he had refrained from mentioning it too soon.

But now…

His secret was out far sooner than expected.

And even more surprising—Jeanne [Alter] had immediately linked the concept to herself.

Then…

"Forget it. Just pretend I didn't say anything."

Jeanne [Alter] clicked her tongue as if cutting off her own delusions and desires, dismissing the thought outright.

She turned away, ready to leave.

Seeing this, Rozen reacted instinctively.

He reached out—

And grabbed her hand.

"Do you want it?"

Rozen asked, direct and firm.

"A contract with me."

Jeanne [Alter] fell into silence.