After Emilia regained consciousness once more, she realized that she seemed to have been bound. Her entire body was immobilized, unable to move, unable to muster even the slightest bit of strength.
Beside her, Ram lay unconscious under the dim glow of a faint light. A trace of blood lingered on her forehead, as though she had suffered a heavy blow.
The surroundings were pitch-black. The meager light offered no clue as to where Emilia was. An indescribable fear crept into her heart.
It was as though someone had sensed that Emilia had awakened.
Not far away, several oil lamps were lit in succession, allowing the outline of the place to slowly emerge before her eyes.
She had been tied up inside a cave. It was actually a cave.
"Damn it... I can't move. And Puck still hasn't woken up."
Feeling the cold iron chains binding her body, Emilia struggled desperately, yet it was futile. No matter how hard she fought against them, she could not break free.
"Hahahahaha! The Witch's vessel has finally been captured by me. I truly am diligent, am I not?"
Just as Emilia strained against her restraints, a slightly distorted voice echoed beside her.
Lowering her head, Emilia looked.
A face both familiar and unfamiliar appeared before her eyes.
Sunken eye sockets, deep green hair, eyes brimming with madness—yet the features were unmistakably known to her.
"Geuse! How did you become like this?"
At the sight of him, Emilia trembled all over. Having regained her past memories, her violet eyes filled with tears, her expression steeped in anguish.
"Geuse? What is that?"
The voice that responded carried a hint of deranged confusion.
"I am the Archbishop of Sloth, Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti. I am not called Geuse."
The Archbishop of Sloth gazed at Emilia and bowed to her devoutly, as though paying homage to the Witch he worshiped above all else.
Upon hearing those words, Emilia's heart was overwhelmed with pain. She could not reconcile the handsome man in her memories—the gentle spirit—with the being before her.
The one who had once fought alongside Mother Fortuna was gone. In his place stood something twisted and insane. The realization only deepened Emilia's sorrow.
"Uuu... I see it now. As expected, the Witch's vessel looks exactly like the legendary Witch of Envy. Exactly the same. This must be love—yes, it must also be love."
The Archbishop of Sloth crawled along the ground like a serpent, making grotesque movements that inspired nothing but bleak pity.
Sensing the familiar yet unfamiliar Geuse before her, Emilia felt overwhelming grief. She had never imagined he would become like this.
Since childhood, Geuse had doted on her dearly. And yet, after being brainwashed by the Witch Cult, he had turned into this.
"Hehehe... the Witch's vessel is crying. It seems this is the Witch's love for me. How delightful."
A sickly satisfaction and deep delight surfaced on the Archbishop of Sloth's distorted face.
Completely misunderstanding the situation, he found it wondrous, admiring Emilia's tears as though they were a gift bestowed upon him by the Witch herself.
Realizing she could not awaken Geuse from this madness, Emilia stopped crying. Her body trembled as she raised her voice and questioned him.
"Have you forgotten Mother Fortuna?"
"Have you forgotten the battles you fought side by side?"
"Have you truly forgotten everything?"
Drying her tears, Emilia shouted her questions at the Archbishop of Sloth before her.
As the three consecutive questions left her lips, the twisted and pale face of the Archbishop of Sloth seemed to receive some sort of stimulus. A memory long sealed deep within him surged forth once more.
As those past memories resurfaced, the frenzied personality was temporarily suppressed. The persona that belonged to Geuse briefly emerged.
"My name is Geuse. Fortuna is the woman I love. But... why did I kill her?"
Having just recovered a fragment of his memories, the Archbishop of Sloth was filled with agony. Tears streamed continuously from his eyes, yet before long, his entire being collapsed once more.
It could be said that his mental state had been unstable for a long time. Ever since the incident in the Elior Forest, his primary personality had shattered.
Occasionally it could surface—once or twice—but it was quickly replaced again by madness.
And after being overtaken once more by that insane persona, the Archbishop of Sloth crawled back up and bowed toward Emilia.
"You are as beautiful as the Witch, as great as the Witch. To encounter you is also the Witch's blessing upon me."
Completely restored to madness, he lifted a finger to his mouth and bit down without hesitation.
Thin streams of blood flowed as he gnawed at his own fingers as though chewing on chicken claws, inflicting cruel torment upon himself.
The sight made Emilia's heart ache. She understood that her attempts at persuasion would likely never bring Geuse back.
As someone who had once been her family, Emilia genuinely wished for him to return to normal. But judging from his current state, recovery seemed impossible.
Just as Emilia felt anguish over Geuse, Ram—who was also suspended in chains nearby—slowly regained consciousness.
The Witch Cult showed no trace of gentleness. The chains binding them were thick iron shackles, and they had even sealed the magic within their bodies.
It was likely done to prevent them from escaping through magic. The measures were thorough, leaving the newly awakened Ram feeling weak all over.
"Lady Emilia, are you all right? Why do you look so distressed?"
Seeing the pain on Emilia's face, Ram glared viciously at the Archbishop of Sloth and coldly questioned him.
However, the Archbishop of Sloth lay prone on the ground, allowing dust to stain his robes as he stared at Ram with twisted, peculiar eyes.
"Are you a maid? A diligent maid? A diligent maid who works every day and serves her master faithfully? It seems the Witch truly favors me, granting me the love I desire."
At the sight of Ram, the Archbishop of Sloth began muttering to himself again, utterly unrestrained, his expression a mixture of joy and warped excitement.
His sickening words and deranged demeanor caused disgust to rise in Ram's eyes. She tried to struggle free from the chains, but found herself unable to do so.
"Damn it! If you have the guts, release me and fight me properly!"
Ram attempted to provoke him, but it was useless. The Archbishop of Sloth merely watched coldly, as though finding the maid somewhat amusing.
"Ahhhhh! Fighting is not an expression of diligence. Fighting represents sloth. You must never behave in such a way."
The Archbishop of Sloth suddenly knelt and smashed his head violently against the rock wall, allowing blood to trickle down from his forehead.
Faced with such madness and such grotesque behavior, Emilia let out a soft sigh and steadied her resolve.
After all, the Archbishop of Sloth was the only remaining relative she had left in this world.
Although Geuse's personality had been thoroughly suppressed, that did not mean Emilia wished to give up on him.
"Geuse, please return to how you used to be! I truly don't like seeing you like this. Please, be the same as before."
Still in pain, Emilia tried once more to persuade him. But this time, Geuse's personality did not fully awaken.
Then again, after being suppressed for so long, the fact that it had resurfaced at all could already be considered fortunate. Yet no matter what she said now, it would not return.
After speaking for a while, Emilia finally gave up and slowly lowered her head.
But suddenly, within the shadows, she noticed what seemed to be a pair of crimson eyes.
That was the Shadowkhan!
"Sister Shendu!"
When Emilia noticed the ninja within the shadows, her expression froze for a moment before a flicker of hope rose in her eyes. She knew that ninjas had been lurking within her shadow all along.
Previously, Shendu had told her that ninjas were constantly hiding in her shadow to protect her, though Emilia had never actually seen them.
So when she spotted the ninja within the darkness, she felt somewhat reassured.
"Sister Shendu... please come quickly."
Emilia let out a soft sigh, her gaze turning resolute. The fear that had lingered moments ago gradually faded.
Because Emilia knew that Shendu would definitely come. All she needed to do was wait. There was no need to be afraid anymore.
Just as before, she would wait.
"How delightful... how truly delightful! Now that the vessel has been found, the Witch's trial is about to begin. What an exhilarating moment. The glorious hour of the great Witch's descent approaches!"
Petelgeuse's mind was utterly chaotic.
He continued gnawing at his fingers as though he felt no pain at all. It was as if all the complex emotions of being human had been stripped away, leaving behind nothing but pure madness.
As someone brainwashed by the Witch of Vainglory, Pandora, Petelgeuse had become something terrifying. He was completely insane.
"Witch Cultist, the Witch of Envy has already been sealed. Everything you're doing is meaningless."
Unable to break free from the chains and with her magic sealed, Ram spoke coldly.
Her words caused Petelgeuse, who was in the midst of his frenzy, to pause slightly. His rotating head stilled, and his expression grew even more twisted.
Upon hearing Ram's remark, Petelgeuse looked dissatisfied. Slowly, he turned his gaze back to Emilia and spoke again.
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible. The Witch of Envy will descend!"
A trace of fervent devotion surfaced upon his warped face.
"As the Witch's vessel, you are a gift from the heavens—one identical to the Witch of Envy herself. I will never allow this gift to vanish. Under my summons, the Witch will surely descend!"
Petelgeuse remained lost in madness. Ram's words had done nothing to pull him back.
"Petelgeuse, what did you do to the villagers of this place?"
Looking at him, Emilia asked anxiously. She understood that the Witch Cult operated without reason or mercy.
Therefore, she was deeply concerned for the nearby villagers.
Hearing Emilia's question, Petelgeuse straightened slightly. He rose to his feet and gave a theatrical bow, his frenzy momentarily restrained—though the madness in his eyes never vanished.
"Since it is a question from the Witch's vessel, I shall answer properly."
Though his tone had calmed, it carried an undercurrent of menace.
As Petelgeuse prepared to respond, Ram shot Emilia a glance, as if silently asking, Lady Emilia, what should we do now?
"Don't worry. We have Sister Shendu."
Understanding Ram's concern, Emilia lowered her gaze briefly toward the shadow at her feet.
Ram seemed to grasp the meaning at once and said nothing more.
As someone still capable of sensing magic, Ram could faintly perceive the presence of the ninja. She had heard that when Shendu dealt with the White Whale, she had dispatched humanoid familiars.
Most likely, the figure hiding within Emilia's shadow was Shendu's familiar. Calculating the situation that way, Shendu would very likely come.
Lady Shendu, please hurry. The situation is truly terrible.
Ram felt genuine fear toward this Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult.
"For the future of the Witch Cult, I have dealt with every last one of those slothful villagers. Not a single one remains. Only that Arlam Village escaped in time—it seems that man took them away directly, preventing me from completing the sacrifice."
Petelgeuse spoke coldly, offering his explanation.
Upon learning that the villagers of Arlam Village had been taken away by Roswaal, Emilia let out a faint sigh of relief. She only truly cared about her own village. As for the other destroyed settlements, she could only feel regret and helplessness.
Kind as Emilia was, she could not possibly protect everyone.
"Very well. I have explained myself. Now, let the sacrifice begin. I shall offer you to the Witch and welcome the return of the legendary Witch of Envy!"
Seeing Emilia's expression, Petelgeuse spoke casually as he produced a cross-shaped dagger from his robes and began walking toward her step by step.
"You despicable Witch Cultist! If you have the courage, come at me instead. Don't harm Lady Emilia!"
Ram struggled violently. Chunks of dirt crumbled from the cave wall behind her, evidence of the full force she exerted.
After she spoke, Petelgeuse hesitated for a few seconds. Then his gaze shifted toward Ram, and he changed his target without warning.
"Excellent... such a diligent maid. As a reward, so that you may not grow slothful, I shall grant you redemption! Receive the Witch's love—her magnificent love!"
Petelgeuse turned fully toward Ram, dagger in hand, approaching her at an unhurried pace.
Faced with his madness, Ram remained indifferent. As long as Lady Emilia was safe, she was willing to give everything.
Meanwhile, after encountering the Witch Cult in the village, Shendu had decisively commanded the Shadowkhan to eliminate them.
The Witch Cult slaughtered villages without restraint. Even Shendu herself had never been that ruthless. She had no tolerance for those who disregarded all rules.
Inside the dragon carriage, Rem gazed out the window, her emotions complicated. She cared deeply about Emilia and her sister.
"Lady Shendu, where exactly are they? We don't even know where the Witch Cult's base is in this area."
After setting out together with Shendu, Rem had remained extremely vigilant, carefully observing their surroundings.
"Three hundred meters ahead. We'll proceed on foot from here. They are not in immediate danger. If we arrive now, the timing will be just right."
Shendu's crimson eyes pierced through the darkness, already aware of the place where they were being held. A faint smile curved her lips.
Once the dragon carriage reached the location, Shendu brought it to a halt. She and Rem wasted no time before locating a sealed cave.
The cave entrance was blocked by a massive circular boulder.
What a well-hidden base. Without using her magical perception, it would have been nearly impossible to detect.
"Is this where Lady Emilia and my sister are being held?"
Rem sighed deeply, tightening her grip on her morning star, ready to charge in.
"Yes. No time to waste. Let's begin."
With a light wave of her right hand, Shendu released several blades of wind. The enormous stone at the entrance was sliced into countless fragments.
As dust surged outward, Shendu calmly flicked her hand again, summoning a gust that dispersed the cloud instantly.
Without pausing, she strode forward with Rem.
Naturally, Witch Cult guards stood watch near the cave entrance. The outcome, however, required no elaboration.
Shendu did not even bother lifting a finger. She commanded the Shadowkhan to eliminate any cultists who approached. She had no intention of showing mercy.
After all, the Witch Cult had long abandoned the concept of humanity.
Deep within the cave, Shendu could sense Emilia's presence. Judging from the aura, she was still safe for the moment. Therefore, Shendu was in no rush, methodically clearing away the obstacles in her path.
Rem, meanwhile, slaughtered the cultists with ruthless efficiency, venting her fury in a frenzied act of vengeance against the Witch Cult.