"So it was all your doing—cursing three people from a distance. That's truly excessive."
Ram's gaze turned icy. Her younger sister had nearly died, and her hatred for the curse caster was unmistakable. Killing intent seeped from her body.
"I was wrong. Please forgive me."
Meili panicked, stammering as she looked at the group before her. None of them were people she could afford to offend.
Especially Shendu. That woman's existence alone was beyond anything she had imagined.
Over the years, Meili had controlled roughly three hundred magical beasts of varying sizes. Through her ability, she had built fairly good relationships with them.
To expend so many magical beasts at once and still fail left the blue-haired girl at a complete loss.
From the final wails of the beasts before they died, she had received only one message—run.
After that, she had been utterly drowned by the swarm Shendu summoned.
When she realized the others were about to arrive, Meili simply lay down and pretended to be dead like the other children, intending to slip away while Elsa ambushed them.
As a beast tamer, she had gradually learned curse techniques and more refined methods of controlling magical beasts through training in the organization over the years. Life had gone smoothly for her.
Then Shendu transferred the other children and her companions away, leaving only her behind. That alone made her scalp tingle with dread. She wanted to flee—but she didn't dare.
When Elsa was subdued by Shendu, Meili knew she was finished. Even so, she gambled that Elsa wouldn't betray her. After all, they had worked together for so long.
Forgive you?
Ram's gaze grew colder still.
A gust of wind magic burst forth. Caught off guard, Meili was blown off her feet and sent tumbling to the ground. Fortunately, the soil was soft. She ended up merely disheveled.
"Wait, Ram, this is a bit..."
Emilia felt uneasy and reached out to stop her, but Shendu stepped forward and pressed down on her hand, shaking her head.
"Leave it. This is what the beast tamer deserves. The fact that we aren't killing her outright is already mercy."
Shendu's eyes were indifferent, halting Emilia's overflowing compassion. Just as Puck had said before, the silver-haired girl was far too kind.
Only Shendu possessed the traits of a villain. When facing certain matters, she could remain absolutely rational, without mixing in the slightest emotion.
"...Alright."
Seeing no change in Shendu's crimson eyes—not a trace of pity—Emilia sighed and decided not to interfere.
Once Emilia stopped pressing the matter, Shendu quietly relaxed. Someone with Emilia's personality truly needed a strategist standing behind her.
Meanwhile, after venting some anger, Ram walked toward Meili again, her expression frigid. The blue-haired girl trembled in fear.
"Master, how shall we question her?"
Elsa leaned closer to Shendu, a wicked smile curling her lips.
"Simple. Have her state who issued the order. Whether she knows or not, she'll tell us everything she understands. Perhaps then I'll spare her."
As Shendu spoke, her gaze fell meaningfully upon the blue-haired girl.
Receiving the command, Elsa slowly approached Meili. She used her curved blade to scrape lightly at her fingernails. Ram watched from the side, curious to see what this ill-natured woman would do.
"Meili, you heard the Master. Tell her obediently what she wants to know. Only then might you keep your life."
The curved blade gleamed coldly under the sunlight. The sight made Meili's skin crawl.
...
"I'll talk! I'll tell you everything, Sister Elsa!"
With her greatest support now having defected, Meili did not dare hesitate. She haltingly confessed everything she knew.
For instance, she had accepted a mission from the assassin organization to eliminate the people of Roswaal's territory and village. However, she had no idea who the true client was.
She also explained that Elsa had acted alongside her this time of her own accord. The organization had not assigned her any mission.
That caused Shendu to glance at Elsa instinctively. It seemed this woman really did hold grudges.
"Lady Shendu, since Sister Elsa can join your ranks, I can too. I can control magical beasts and help you curse your enemies."
After finishing her confession, the blue-haired girl looked at Shendu pitifully.
"Master, what do you think? Isn't that interesting?"
Elsa, ever the yandere, waited for Shendu's decision. She even gave Meili an approving look, pleased with her quick thinking.
After all, Shendu was not as kind as Emilia nor as strictly principled as Ram. She possessed a unique charm—one that was utterly intoxicating.
"It does sound... tempting. I am somewhat lacking in capable subordinates."
Shendu stroked her chin and regarded Meili unhurriedly. The girl's abilities were indeed useful, though they would require further enhancement.
"Yes, yes! I can do many things!"
Relieved at the prospect of survival, Meili brightened—only to be silenced by a sharp glare from Ram.
"What? That scheming little wretch can't be spared. She nearly killed three people. We absolutely cannot let her go."
No matter how much Meili begged, Ram still wanted her dead to avenge her sister.
"Ram, killing Meili won't solve anything. Rem didn't die. And Meili still has her uses. Why not spare her life?"
Shendu turned toward Ram with a faint smile. Her tone was gentle—completely different from her earlier coldness.
"...Very well. Lady Shendu, you may decide."
Though unwilling, Ram did not wish to displease Shendu.
"However, I despise betrayal above all else. I'll place three curses on you. You won't refuse, will you?"
A devilish smile spread across Shendu's exquisite face.
"...I won't."
Meili did not dare reject the proposal. Gritting her teeth, she agreed.
Shendu showed no hesitation. She cast three curses.
Total body petrification.
An eternal nightmare space that imprisoned the mind.
And a curse that amplified pain a thousandfold.
Should Meili betray her, the curses would activate in sequence—condemning her to experience hell on earth.