Roswaal's mansion, Forbidden Library.
After Beatrice finished recounting her experiences, she fixed her large eyes—lined with purple shadow—on Shendu, as though trying to see how she judged her.
"What a foolish little sister. During all this time, how many people entered the library and invited you to leave?"
Shendu looked at Beatrice with curiosity. She felt that there must have been quite a few who tried to take her away.
What Shendu knew was that, starting a hundred years ago, a certain legend had spread throughout Roswaal's territory.
It was said that anyone who entered the magical library and invited out the legendary golden-haired fairy would have all their dreams fulfilled.
"Seven in total. There were merchants, a prince, and several other noble visitors. After hearing that legend, they all wanted to invite me out. Unfortunately, Betty didn't like any of them."
Recalling the nobles who had visited Roswaal's domain, Betty's face was filled with disdain. She felt those people were not qualified to speak with her, much less become her master.
Mere foolish humans. No one knew how long they would live, and most of them were greedy. Naturally, Betty did not like them.
"Then what do you think was the trial your mother, Echidna, left for you? Does that person truly exist, or was it intentional deception?"
Shendu shifted the topic, gazing at Beatrice and hoping to understand her subjective thoughts so she could make further arrangements.
The question was sharp. Having lived for four hundred years, Shendu did not believe Beatrice lacked her own ideas. She wanted to know what the girl truly thought.
Faced with Shendu's question, Beatrice pondered for a long while before lifting her head. She hesitated, then chose to speak.
"Emilia forming a contract with big brother was destiny. Seeing them happily together... I was very envious. So I believe that person should exist."
"And now that person should have appeared. Perhaps... standing right before me."
Beatrice's tone was firm. In her heart, she had already acknowledged that Shendu was the one she had been waiting for, and conviction colored her voice.
Understanding the spirit girl's thoughts, Shendu realized that Beatrice had already decided she was the long-awaited person.
"Beatrice, your thinking has always fallen into a misunderstanding. The mission your mother left you has weighed you down all this time. It only gave you a sliver of hope."
"Now, I'll show you the truth."
Shendu knew Beatrice was pure and simple. All this time, she had never truly understood the purpose of guarding this place.
Fortunately, Shendu knew some of the future through the storyline. From Echidna's conversation with Natsuki Subaru, she pieced together the truth. She placed her hand gently on the girl's head.
A stream of memory flowed directly into Beatrice's mind, and tears began to spill from her eyes.
In that memory, a vague figure spoke with Echidna. When asked about the purpose of Beatrice guarding the library, Echidna calmly replied.
"The reason I created Betty and had her guard the library was merely to see how she would choose. That person does not exist. But it will indeed be her own choice. Isn't that interesting?"
Echidna's words echoed in her mind. Shock filled Beatrice's eyes, disbelief flickering across her face before gradually settling into calm.
Yes... it perfectly matched her mother's personality.
An absolute pursuit of knowledge. Even her own daughter had been included in the scheme.
Upon learning the truth, Beatrice finally understood the choice within her heart. She slowly stood and fixed her gaze on Shendu.
"Four hundred years have passed. Betty has been searching for that person all this time. And now... I finally have an answer."
Beatrice spoke softly before looking straight at Shendu.
"Sister Shendu, you are the one I've been searching for. You are my choice."
Her watery eyes never left Shendu. Whether it was a promise or her own will, at this moment Beatrice chose Shendu.
The spirit girl stretched out both hands, as if to embrace her. Tears streamed down her face, on the verge of breaking into sobs.
The mission she had guarded for four hundred years officially ended today. Since her mother wanted her to choose, Beatrice had made her decision.
Moreover, Shendu had caused the Gospel to change. That fulfilled not only her mission, but also her own heartfelt choice.
"What a fool."
Seeing Beatrice's outstretched arms, Shendu stepped forward and gently embraced the pitiful spirit girl.
"Form a contract with me, Beatrice. From now on, you will be my exclusive spirit."
"You will no longer be alone. Because I will be with you—always by your side."
Shendu held her and softly stroked her hair in comfort.
"Finally... finally I waited for you, Big Sister. My mission is finally over..."
"Waa... waa... waa..."
The spirit girl cried endlessly. Her tears quickly soaked Shendu's clothes, but Shendu did not mind at all.
Looking at this lonely spirit who had lived in solitude for four hundred years, Shendu stroked her head and gently said,
"It's all over now. Come, let's sign the contract."
Shendu lightly snapped her fingers. Two contracts inscribed with demonic script floated before them.
"Yes, Big Sister!"
Beatrice said excitedly, wiping away her tears.
She looked at the contract before her and, without hesitation, took out a feather pen and signed her name.
Red flames ignited the signed contracts, which then transformed into two streams of purple light that merged into their bodies. The connection between their minds and souls deepened completely.
With the contract completed, Beatrice's mission came to an end. From now on, the library could no longer confine her. She was like a bird finally free to fly.
Through the bond of the contract, Shendu could also summon the spirit to battle at any time.
After forming the contract, a portion of Shendu's immense magical power flowed into Beatrice. This power, different from that of this world, made Beatrice feel incomparably strong.
After settling Beatrice's matter, Shendu sat on the sofa. Beatrice clung to her, hugging her arm tightly and refusing to let go.
"By the way, Beatrice, how much do you know about the Great Rabbit? It seems to be a terrifying witchbeast created by the Witch of Gluttony. In a while, Emilia will head to the Sanctuary and may have to deal with that thing."
Shendu looked at Beatrice carefully, feeling that the next step of the plan should begin as soon as possible.
There would be another major battle afterward—a preparation before she left.
"I know."
"Betty hasn't lived four hundred years for nothing. Although the Great Rabbit is terrifying, as long as we concentrate magic at a single point and control all of them at once before annihilating them, it can be dealt with quickly."
Betty spoke calmly, showing no concern about eliminating the witchbeast.
The only issue was ensuring none escaped. Even a single survivor would multiply again, spreading like a virus—extremely dangerous.
"Not bad. Our Betty is really smart."
Shendu stroked Beatrice's little head and smiled.
"Since you're my contracted spirit now, take a look at this magic book from another world. I wrote it myself. It allows you to cast different kinds of spells."
Shendu snapped her fingers again, and a book appeared in her hand before she handed it to Beatrice.
"Hehe, Big Sister! I'll study it carefully. And if there's somewhere fun to go, make sure to take me with you. I've been cooped up for far too long."
Beatrice puffed out her cheeks, looking even cuter than before.
If the previous Beatrice had felt like a younger sister, then the current Beatrice was clingy like a daughter.
...
Three days later, inside a dragon carriage traveling along the border road.
Akane sat together with Crusch Karsten, head of the Karsten family. Akane curiously lifted the curtain, admiring the scenery outside.
Ever since Shendu and Crusch had signed their alliance, the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild had frequently acted together with Crusch's forces.
This time, Akane had brought several hundred mages from the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild. About half of them were A-rank mages, while the rest were at D-rank.
Combined with Crusch's subordinates, the group numbered in the thousands. Their mission to the border was to distribute portions of the White Whale's meat to the soldiers stationed there, while also displaying their strength.
Since this was the frontier, beyond it lay the territories of other kingdoms. Rewarding the border troops with the White Whale's meat was itself a form of deterrence.
After all, the White Whale had ravaged the entire continent for four hundred years. Its destructive power in other kingdoms was far from trivial, enough to inspire deep fear.
Once those kingdoms witnessed the strength of Lugunica, they would behave themselves for a while and not dare provoke trouble.
The journey of rewarding the border soldiers went smoothly. After leaving behind the White Whale's meat, the group began their return.
"Lady Shendu is truly too considerate, sending Miss Akane to ensure my safety. At the kingdom's border, even the Witch Cult would not dare act so boldly."
Inside the carriage, Crusch looked at Akane and joked lightly, a smile on her heroic face.
"Nothing is absolute. Besides, you didn't bring Wilhelm or Felix with you."
Akane sipped her black tea. Inside the carriage, she felt no bumpiness at all and found the ride rather enjoyable.
"I see. It seems Lady Shendu cares for me quite a bit."
Crusch felt touched. Shendu had sent a trusted aide to accompany her—clearly concerned for her safety.
Moreover, the mass-produced mages of the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild were all highly capable.
They had encountered a few groups of bandits along the way, but those were swiftly annihilated by the guild's mages.
"In Master's eyes, there are only useful people and useless people. Miss Crusch must have earned Master's recognition."
Because the Witch Cult had been unusually active lately, Shendu had dispatched Akane to stay by Crusch's side at all times, ensuring the safety of their newly formed ally.
Hearing this, admiration and gratitude filled Crusch's eyes.
"Lady Shendu truly is someone worthy of respect. Forming this alliance was indeed the right choice."
Crusch placed her hands over her chest, feeling her heart beat. She was deeply moved, a faint smile on her lips.
"Tch. Another one won over by Master."
Seeing Crusch like this, Akane muttered matter-of-factly.
Whoosh!
Just as Akane was about to say more, she suddenly sensed a surge of danger.
Ahead of them, as if someone had exhaled sharply, an overwhelming pressure rushed toward them. Akane's expression changed instantly. Without hesitation, she grabbed Crusch.
She leapt from the dragon carriage, soaring through the air before landing atop another carriage some distance away.
Crack!
The moment they jumped clear, the original carriage was struck by a stream of white air. It instantly shattered into countless fragments.
Even the ground dragon and the coachman holding the reins were reduced to a mist—red in color—creating a strangely tragic sight.
"Enemy attack!"
After landing atop the carriage, Crusch saw a white-haired young man standing ahead on the road, sneering at them.
"That guy is very wrong. Be careful."
Sensing the abnormality, Akane warned coldly.
"No need to worry. Increase the carriage speed to maximum and run him over."
Seeing that the white-haired youth was unusual, Crusch nevertheless issued her command loudly.
The idea was good—but as the carriage sped forward at full speed, the white-haired young man did not move at all. Just as it was about to reach him, he exhaled once more.
This was no ordinary wind. It carried crushing force, slamming into the carriage ahead and once again blasting it into pieces.
"Not good. That guy is strange."
Sensing danger, Akane pulled Crusch into the sky. They hovered above, observing the peculiar youth below.
Akane had a premonition that this young man was most likely a Witch Cultist. When the carriage had rushed at him earlier, he had merely worn a look of contempt.
"Seriously, please don't do that. I didn't even do anything, and you already tried to run me over. That's far too much—hardly something decent people would do."
The white-haired youth spoke leisurely. Even when facing thousands of troops, he showed no concern. He looked as though he were simply out for a stroll.
He had short hair and was not particularly handsome. Wearing a white robe, his face bore arrogance and disdain as he regarded them like prey.
"I'm sorry, Miss Akane. Thank you for saving me."
Still shaken by the brush with death, Crusch spoke with lingering fear.
"Don't say foolish things. Master sent me to protect you. I must complete that task."
Akane kept her eyes locked on the youth. She could tell he would not be easy to deal with.
Judging from his appearance, he should be the infamous Archbishop of Greed—one of the Sin Archbishops, possessing the most peculiar Authority and considered among the strongest.
After descending steadily to the ground, Crusch glared at the white-haired youth with fury, her gaze as sharp as blades.
"You dare commit such cruelty against my subjects. State your name. Who are you?"
Crusch demanded coldly.
"I see, I see. So you don't recognize me. But I recognize you. Right now, in the royal capital—no, throughout the entire nation—people are celebrating what you've done. After all, you're one of the candidates for the next king. Is it reputation? A title? Something like that?"
"Even someone like me, who has no interest in such things, can imagine the absurd resolve you must carry. It must be exhausting, right?"
The white-haired youth rambled on endlessly, speaking as if lost in his own world.
"Enough nonsense. Answer my question. If you don't, I'll strike next time."
Crusch was furious. This man talked incessantly and acted like a victim, even though he had attacked them first.
His hypocritical demeanor made her sick. She wished she could cut him down on the spot.
"Honestly, you're quite harsh in your words."
"But without that kind of arrogance, how could you shoulder a nation? Though I personally can't understand such sentiment at all. Sigh... The idea of wanting to bear the heavy burden of kingship simply because you like it—I truly don't understand it. Ah, but just because I don't understand doesn't mean I'll deny it, okay? I'm not like that kind of arrogant person. I'm different from you!"
The white-haired youth ignored Crusch's demand and continued talking without pause.
But Akane had already identified him. She grabbed Crusch's hand at once.
"No more talking. He's a Witch Cultist. Divine Dragon Merchant Guild—eliminate him."
A cold light flashed in Akane's red eyes.
The rear troops had already halted upon sensing danger, swiftly forming a formation. Upon receiving Akane's command, the mages of the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild rapidly gathered forward.
As for Crusch's subordinates, they remained on standby, guarding against any further threats in case of additional trouble.
A battle was inevitable—and it began at that very moment.