Lifaus Highway.
After bidding farewell to Head Maid Frederica, the three of them set out. Rem tightened her grip on the reins slightly, and the dragon carriage began to move forward.
They traveled for quite some time. The road gradually emptied of people, growing increasingly desolate. Ahead lay a forest, lush and vividly green. Most likely, that was where the Sanctuary was located.
As they drew closer to the Sanctuary, Emilia attempted to summon Puck.
But it was futile.
Just as Puck had said, he had fallen into a deep slumber. After entrusting Emilia to Shendu, he truly ceased to appear. And yet, Emilia could still faintly sense a trace of spiritual power emanating from within the crystal.
It seemed the little cat was still watching over his daughter.
She simply could not feel him clearly.
"Puck has really fallen asleep... I can't wake him no matter what I try."
Emilia placed her hand on the crystal at her neck, attempting to communicate with the sleeping spirit. There was no response.
"Don't worry. With me here, you don't need to be nervous."
Shendu took Emilia's hand and smiled faintly.
"I know. I'll do my best."
Understanding Shendu's concern, Emilia's tense heart eased somewhat.
Now, as she faced the journey to the Sanctuary, she was no longer afraid. Her lost memories had returned. She knew she had to undergo this trial.
After comforting Emilia, the silver-haired girl raised a finger. Blue lights, like drifting fireflies, instantly appeared in the air—minor spirits bound by Emilia's contract.
Though minor spirits could not compare to great spirits, they still possessed considerable combat power. Watching Emilia's determination to grow stronger, Shendu reached out and gently stroked her head.
Ever since descending into this world, Shendu had doted on Emilia. Aside from the girl's first battle, Shendu had practically raised her like a daughter.
Thinking of the Sanctuary trial, Shendu once again rested her hand atop Emilia's head—and silently fused a fragment of her consciousness into the girl's mind.
At critical moments, she could offer subtle guidance.
A quiet form of cheating.
It would ensure Emilia remained clear-headed.
After traveling a while longer, Rem halted the dragon carriage and took out the food they had prepared in advance. They shared a simple lunch together.
Once they finished eating, they resumed their journey, soon entering the forest's domain.
At last, the verdant woods came into full view.
This was the Sanctuary.
"That bastard Roswaal planned for so long. What a disgusting clown. When this is over, Rem—you may take your revenge on him."
Seeing that they were nearly there, Shendu turned to Rem.
"Yes, Lady Shendu. Please rest assured."
Rem's eyes were serious. There was no trace of humor in her expression.
"Huh? What did Roswaal do? Why do you both look like that?"
Emilia, standing nearby, looked puzzled. She did not understand what grudge lay between Rem and Roswaal.
Just as she was about to ask further, the magic crystal at her neck suddenly burst into brilliant blue light, enveloping the entire carriage.
In an instant, overwhelming fatigue swept through Emilia's body. Her vision blurred. She lost consciousness and slumped forward.
"You're really troublesome."
Shendu caught her immediately and laid her gently inside the carriage. With her other hand, she removed the blue magic stone.
After sensing it briefly, Shendu realized they were passing through a barrier. The burst of blue light functioned like a key, granting them permission to enter.
"Interesting. These witches are rather amusing."
She observed the Sanctuary's structure with mild curiosity.
"Lady Shendu, is Lady Emilia alright?"
Rem, who had not lost consciousness, asked in concern.
"Of course. The barrier's influence probably caused her to faint suddenly. She'll wake after some rest."
Shendu looked at the sleeping girl and said no more.
Soon, the dragon carriage passed through the barrier and entered a dense forest. Moss covered the ground thickly beneath their feet. It was clear no one had tread here in a long time—not even a path had been formed.
Several minutes later, an open clearing appeared before them. Shendu closed her eyes, sensing their surroundings and guiding them toward their destination.
But while tracing the route, she detected someone nearby.
Pulling aside the curtain, she saw a petite figure outside.
Long, pale red hair.
About ten years old in appearance.
Pointed ears.
Fair skin.
Her face was devoid of emotion.
And when Shendu met those red eyes, she paused slightly.
"You must be the copy of Beatrice's friend, hm? Come here. Let's have a proper chat."
Shendu beckoned casually to the fairy-like girl in the distance.
The girl froze, clearly confused. How did this silver-haired, red-eyed woman know her secret?
It was strange.
Yet in the next second, the fairy-like girl vanished into the forest.
Rem glanced in that direction with curiosity.
"Lady Shendu, shall I capture the one hiding?"
She had also seen the fairy-like figure and wondered whether they should question her.
"No need. I already know plenty. There's no reason to keep her."
Shendu shook her head calmly.
Possessing abundant information, she had no need to ask for directions to the ruins.
After traveling a little farther, the dragon carriage stopped before a peculiar structure.
From a distance, it resembled ancient ruins.
Vines coiled around its outer walls. Moss covered nearly every surface. Parts of it had already weathered with time.
But that was not the most striking part.
Half of the ruins were swallowed by greenery, like a hidden temple concealed by nature.
"Phew... We've finally arrived. This must be the so-called ruins."
After all the trouble, they had reached their destination. Rem looked slightly surprised at how smoothly the journey had gone.
Aside from Emilia fainting, everything had progressed as expected.
However, there was no sign of the half-beast Garfiel Frederica had mentioned. The surroundings were silent—no traces of human habitation whatsoever.
Judging by its condition, the ruins had likely stood for around four hundred years. With a glance of her True Sight, Shendu could determine its age.
"Rem, stay here and watch over Emilia. I'll look around. Remember—don't wander off."
After arriving at the ruins, Shendu stepped down from the dragon carriage. Her boots sank slightly into the soft moss. Her red eyes gleamed with certainty as she issued her command.
"Yes."
Though Rem wished to accompany her, she obeyed without hesitation.
Once Rem's task was arranged, Shendu began walking around the ruins, searching for the entrance.
At the same time, she deliberately adjusted her own desires, allowing them to swirl freely within her mind.
If she wanted to meet the Witch of Greed, her thoughts had to be sufficiently complex—laced with layered desires.
That would surely attract the witch.
Shendu placed her hand against the ancient wall, feeling its age beneath her palm. The more she sensed it, the more intrigued she became.
Unlike Natsuki Subaru's struggle through the Sanctuary arc, Shendu possessed the script in her hands.
Naturally, things would go far more smoothly for her.
With the script in mind, she knew exactly what to do next.
Her mood was tranquil.
As though merely taking a stroll, she wandered before the ruins, casually searching for the entrance.
After walking alone for several minutes, Shendu spotted a moss-covered staircase before her. The steps led downward—toward the entrance of the ruins.
The interior was shrouded in darkness.
But Shendu had no shortage of methods.
She raised her right hand lightly, and a slender orb of light appeared in her palm.
"Illumination."
With a simple auxiliary spell, the pitch-black ruins brightened. Everything within a three-meter radius around her became clearly visible.
Just like the exterior stone walls, the interior was also thick with moss.
After four hundred years, such growth was only natural.
The deeper she walked, the more Shendu released the chaotic swirl of thoughts within her mind—without restraint.
Desires.
Wishes.
Layered intentions.
They spread outward like ripples across water, triggering something unseen.
It felt as though an invisible door had opened before her.
A girl's voice—light and teasing—whispered beside her ear.
"I see. Your desires are quite intense. You wish to meet me? As you wish."
From within the darkness, that slightly playful voice echoed—carrying unmistakable delight.
In an instant, Shendu felt her consciousness begin to detach, as though it were being drawn into an unseen mental world.
She leaned casually against the ruin's wall and closed her eyes.
The scene before her shifted.
An endless grassland stretched out in all directions.
A breeze brushed against her neck, lifting strands of her silver hair.
Not far away sat a girl in a white chair, calmly sipping tea.
Echidna.
"Ah. So it really is you. Witch of Greed. It seems this method truly works if one wants to meet you."
Shendu glanced around at the hyper-real sensory world and felt a faint appreciation.
These witches truly had their own capabilities.
"Hehe... how interesting. Most people tremble in fear or at least remain wary when facing a witch. But you show no fear at all. How very strange."
Echidna rose gracefully and circled around Shendu, observing her as though trying to see through her entirely.
From the moment she first saw Shendu, she had been intrigued.
That look—as though nothing could be hidden from her.
Eyes that seemed to know everything.
It was precisely the kind of existence Echidna adored.
"Why would I be afraid? I know everything about you. And about many things in this world as well."
Shendu's tone was steady, without the slightest hint of fear.
Echidna's interest deepened.
She lifted her hand lightly, extending a warm invitation.
"I know. I have witnessed all your actions through the Book of Wisdom. Every time you alter a decision, the Book changes as well."
"That is why I invited you to this tea party."
Echidna smiled brightly.
A gust of wind swept across the vast grassland, waves of green rippling endlessly—like a dreamlike fortress.
"A tea party?"
Shendu showed no surprise. She calmly took a seat and lifted the tea Echidna had prepared.
The cup contained Witch Factors.
When Echidna's knowing smile deepened, the foreign influence vanished instantly—as if it had never existed.
Even within a mental world, the power of the Horse Talisman continued to operate.
Any force that did not belong to her would be erased.
"Thank you for the hospitality. But please refrain from adding unnecessary ingredients."
Shendu shot the witch a cool glance.
If she had not known Echidna's personality, she might have been schemed against the moment she arrived.
To be outmaneuvered while possessing full knowledge—that would be laughable.
"My, my. You are a fascinating guest indeed. Not only do you dare drink a witch's tea, you even dispel certain special powers outright."
Echidna understood that someone capable of erasing Witch Factors either possessed a special constitution—or strength surpassing that of witches.
There were no other possibilities.
"Thank you for the compliment. I imagine you are quite interested in me as well. You've wanted to meet me for some time, haven't you?"
Shendu rose to her feet and met the silver-haired witch's gaze calmly.
"Indeed. You are extremely interesting."
Echidna smiled.
Shendu was the only one who caused the Book of Wisdom to fluctuate continuously.
This ability to interfere with reality lay far beyond the Book's original calculations.
"Heh."
Shendu merely let out a soft laugh.
Examining Echidna more closely, she had to admit—the witch was beautiful.
Silver-white hair.
A black dress.
A face both youthful and dangerous.
Her beauty rivaled Shendu's own.
"This is the Witch's Graveyard. The one who invited you here was your own spirit. You can feel it, can't you?"
"This is my Castle of Dreams—my final resting place."
"You did not come simply to meet me. What do you wish to know? As the Witch of Greed, I may be able to help you."
Echidna naturally understood that Shendu had come with a purpose.
"I want to know about Emilia's trial. And how many trials there are."
Shendu's crimson eyes fixed steadily upon her.
"Three trials are required to fully liberate the Sanctuary. However, you cannot assist her—and you do not possess the qualifications to undergo the trials yourself."
Echidna spoke each word clearly.
"Oh? What a pity."
Shendu was not surprised.
She was not Natsuki Subaru. Nor did she carry the scent of a witch.
Echidna likely held some degree of caution toward her.
Moreover, only those with demi-human or half-elf bloodlines could take the trials.
A pure-blooded demon like Shendu was simply ineligible.
"If I remember correctly, that half-beast also qualifies. Is that right?"
Shendu recalled Garfiel and asked casually.
"Sharp as ever. He must complete one trial. The so-called Frozen Witch—Emilia—must complete the remaining two. Only then will the Sanctuary be freed."
Echidna raised one finger, then two, explaining at an unhurried pace.
That aligned with Shendu's expectations.
The key lay with those two individuals.
"Very well. Thank you for your answer."
Shendu nodded.
With this information—combined with the hazy fragments in her memory—it was more than enough.
Having obtained what she wanted, she stood and glanced around the endless landscape with a faint smile.
"The Castle of Dreams... and traces of other witches as well. You truly are a rather malicious witch."
"Now that I have what I came for, you are of no further use to me. Farewell."
"Make sure Emilia's trials are suitably intense. I look forward to it."
She cast Echidna one final meaningful look and stepped forward.
Her figure vanished instantly.
"Wait—"
Echidna reached out just as the Castle of Dreams was forcibly pried open by an overwhelming force.
But Shendu was already gone.
"Hahaha! Echidna, to think you'd suffer a setback. How amusing."
"Four hundred years have passed, and someone this interesting finally appears?"
As Echidna's expression darkened slightly, two other witches emerged within the Castle of Dreams—the Witch of Wrath and the Witch of Sloth—laughing openly.
"We find her amusing as well."
Even the Witch of Gluttony, Daphne, reclined atop her massive coffin-like apparatus, grinning mischievously at Echidna.
"That woman is insufferable. If I see her again—"
Echidna's face flushed with irritation.
To be discarded immediately after answering questions...
She felt both frustrated and powerless.