Led by Garfiel, a stone house built from stacked blocks soon came into view before them. It looked like a simple dwelling, far inferior to the residences of nobles.
"Let's go in. Roswaal should have been waiting for us for quite some time."
Shendu spoke as if it were only natural. She was well aware that Roswaal had been laying out his plans all along. Back in the Royal Capital, he had already given her subtle hints.
"Alright!"
Emilia nodded, with no intention of refusing.
"Roswaal!"
At the sound of that name, a flicker of killing intent flashed through Rem's eyes. Yet she turned her head and received a reassuring look from Shendu.
After receiving that reassurance, Rem's mood improved slightly, and she forcibly suppressed her desire for revenge. Shendu had already promised to help her take vengeance, so Rem would not oppose this plan.
Meanwhile, Garfiel glanced at Rem's expression in confusion, finding it rather strange.
When meeting one's master, shouldn't the expression be excitement and joy?
Then what was with that killing intent?
"Oh my! Emilia and Miss Shendu? Ever since we parted in the Royal Capital, it truly feels like a long-awaited reunion."
"Ah, and the maid of my territory as well—Rem!"
The moment they entered, Roswaal wore his usual bizarre smile, as though he had long anticipated their arrival. He did not appear surprised in the slightest.
Bandages stained with blood wrapped around his upper body, though only the top half was covered. The clownish makeup was gone from his face, making him look somewhat more normal than before.
His expression was exaggerated and playful, laced with amusement and a trace of anticipation. Various emotions intertwined together, making him appear exceedingly strange.
"What happened, Roswaal? Why are you injured?"
Noticing Roswaal's heavily wounded state, Emilia grew curious. However, she did not show any particular concern.
"Oh my. I am, after all, merely a mortal. Getting injured is nothing unusual."
Roswaal spread his hands as if to say he was only human. Being hurt was perfectly natural. His expression was comical and absurd, as though he were playing some unknown role.
"Since Lady Emilia has come personally to see me, you must have something to ask. Whatever I know, I will naturally tell you."
Within Roswaal's mismatched eyes, a trace of calm flickered as he looked indifferently at Emilia.
"Then I want to know—how are the villagers of Arlam Village now?"
Emilia's violet eyes fixed on Roswaal, eager to learn of the villagers' current situation.
"Rest assured. They are safe and sound. Though I admit my current sorry state lacks persuasiveness, I am still the lord of this land. I risked my life negotiating on their behalf, which is why the Great Sanctuary was opened as a refuge."
Roswaal spoke confidently, giving them a reassuring look.
"The Great Sanctuary, hm? We can ask about that later. Next..."
"I've heard this place is the Witch's Graveyard. Can you tell me what happened here?"
Suddenly, Emilia wished to understand everything about this place. Both Shendu and Roswaal seemed to be revealing only fragments of information, never fully explaining the situation of the Sanctuary.
"It's nothing much. The so-called Witch's Graveyard is the place where the Witch of Greed, Echidna, once died. To me, it is simply the land of the Sanctuary."
Roswaal's eyes filled with nostalgia as memories of the past surfaced. He continued,
"Since the time of my ancestors, generation after generation, we have inherited the borderlands—along with the land where the Sanctuary stands."
"So when the Witch Cult attacked, you brought the villagers here for emergency refuge?"
Shendu asked meaningfully. She knew this clown was adept at concealing his true motives, so her tone remained calm.
"Indeed. Because I wished to challenge the Trial, I inevitably suffered serious injuries."
Roswaal reclined against the bed, appearing unable to move, thoroughly disheveled.
Shendu could tell that Roswaal's words were half-truths. To say he had no selfish intentions in challenging the Trial was something she absolutely did not believe.
However, his injuries were indeed severe. Judging from his condition, he had likely recovered only halfway. How long he had lain bedridden was unclear, but the fact that he could now sit up meant he had regained a considerable portion of his strength.
"Now, all of us are effectively confined within this Sanctuary. The villagers of Arlam Village, and even you who have entered—everyone is sealed within this barrier."
Roswaal's tone remained peculiar as he spread his arms, appearing utterly unconcerned about the current situation.
Having read the Gospel, Roswaal naturally knew that Emilia was the key to lifting the Sanctuary's seal. Only she could accomplish it.
With Shendu by her side, he believed that the silver-haired half-elf would obediently complete her mission.
It was merely unfortunate that he himself could not undergo the Trial, nor could he see his former teacher. That filled him with deep regret.
He had always known that his teacher's soul remained within the Sanctuary. That was why he had forcefully intruded into the Trial grounds, attempting to meet her.
However, Echidna had not granted him permission. As a result, Roswaal was gravely wounded and had lain bedridden for a month before barely recovering half his strength.
"Confined? Then there should also be a condition to lift it, right?"
"Could it be the Trial?"
Since Emilia had recently studied up on the Sanctuary, she immediately realized that it would require her to undertake the Trial.
"Oh my. Lady Emilia's growth truly exceeds my expectations. You understand more and more now."
"Yes. Simply put, ordinary people are not qualified to take the Trial. Just like me—if one forcefully intrudes, the only result is severe injury."
Roswaal gestured toward his bandage-wrapped body as a simple explanation.
"I believe that when Lady Emilia fainted upon passing through the Sanctuary, you must have felt the barrier's effect on half-elves."
Roswaal suddenly narrowed his eyes at Emilia, seemingly encouraging her to draw her own conclusion.
"You mean that someone like me—a half-elf, or a mixed-blood demi-human—can initiate the Trial and ultimately free the Sanctuary?"
Emilia's violet eyes reflected contemplation, as though she had already anticipated this.
"Exactly. Whether I and the villagers of Arlam Village can obtain freedom depends entirely on you."
A smile curled at Roswaal's lips as he waited to see how Emilia would decide.
"I understand. I will participate in the Trial!"
Emilia declared firmly, her gaze unwavering.
"Oh my. I shall look forward to witnessing you liberate the Sanctuary."
Roswaal chuckled softly.
"Emilia, if you wish to see the villagers of Arlam Village, go ahead. I still have a few words I'd like to exchange with Roswaal."
Shendu suddenly turned to Emilia and spoke calmly.
"Alright."
Emilia nodded. After asking for directions, she immediately left the house.
Once the others had departed, Shendu fixed her gaze upon Roswaal and spoke unhurriedly.
"From the very beginning, you have been calculating everything. But following the Gospel is a mistake."
"After four hundred years, don't you ever feel tired?"
Shendu bluntly exposed Roswaal's secret, unconcerned with whether he might turn hostile.
"Heh. You truly are someone who can change the world. It seems you know quite a lot as well."
"However, I am very curious to see what you will do next. For Emilia to complete the Trial will not be easy."
"By following the Gospel, I believe I can achieve my desired end."
Leaning against the bed, Roswaal spoke with a half-smile.
"That is none of your concern. Once the Sanctuary is liberated, it will be time to settle accounts with you."
"Wash your neck and wait."
"You truly have quite the personality, Miss Shendu. I look forward to it."
Feeling the oppressive aura emanating from Shendu, Roswaal nevertheless paid it no mind, arrogantly unaware of the gravity of the situation.
...
"Hahaha! Looks like you don't like that clown with paint all over his face either, Big Sis!"
After finishing her conversation with Roswaal, Garfiel followed behind Shendu and spoke cheerfully.
"Naturally. No one could possibly like someone like that."
Shendu shook her head, her expression turning serious as she looked at Garfiel.
"Then, Big Sis, you accompanied Her Highness the princess to the Sanctuary for what reason? Just to liberate the Sanctuary?"
Since he could not defeat Shendu, Garfiel could only ask politely.
When it came to the issue of liberating the Sanctuary, Garfiel had always been rather firm—he preferred not to free it and to maintain the status quo.
However, judging from the current situation, with Shendu present, the liberation of the Sanctuary seemed inevitable.
"For Emilia's Trial. It is her destiny. Only after completing the Trial will she truly grow."
After saying this, Shendu turned to Garfiel again and added meaningfully,
"Besides, I know many secrets. For example, you also qualify to complete a Trial."
"Such as the real reason your mother left this place. It was not merely to pursue happiness. Would you like to see what you never knew?"
"That's impossible! Big Sis, what exactly do you know?"
A trace of urgency appeared in Garfiel's eyes. Since Shendu dared to say this, she likely understood the full story—and it seemed different from what he had always believed.
All this time, Garfiel had resented his mother for leaving in pursuit of happiness, only to die in a landslide outside. That incident had planted a deep fear of the outside world in his heart.
"Find us a place. Let's talk properly."
Facing the interest in Garfiel's eyes, Shendu merely spoke calmly, gesturing toward the forest and indicating that he find somewhere secluded.
"Alright!"
Garfiel did not refuse. He led Shendu through several twists and turns until they arrived at a hidden room surrounded by tall grass. It was unlikely anyone would stumble upon it.
"Lady Shendu grows more mysterious by the day. Just what does she know?"
Rem was well aware of Shendu's origins—said to come from a distant land. She truly had no idea how much her master knew.
For Garfiel, a demi-human, to become this agitated was strange indeed. But it likely had something to do with breaking the Sanctuary's barrier.
Soon after entering the hidden room, Garfiel lit an oil lamp, making the dim interior slightly brighter.
"Sorry, Big Sis. There's no black tea here to serve guests. My apologies."
After searching around and finding nothing suitable, Garfiel spoke helplessly.
"No need for trouble. Allow me."
Shendu lightly traced the air with her slender finger. Four cups of tea appeared out of thin air. Creating objects with magic was one of her common methods.
"Whoa! That's amazing, Big Sis!"
Witnessing the scene, Garfiel looked at her with admiration. After taking a sip of the tea, his mood improved even further.
"Big Sis, please tell me what I don't know!"
Garfiel asked urgently, his eyes filled with seriousness.
"As you wish. Some things are better seen for yourself."
Shendu stepped forward, extending her slender hand toward Garfiel's forehead. The demi-human did not dodge. Instead, he closed his eyes.
He did not believe Shendu would deceive him.
After all, if she wanted him dead, it would be no more difficult than crushing an ant. There was no need for trickery.
Once he closed his eyes, Shendu sorted through that segment of memory, made slight adjustments, and transmitted it directly into Garfiel's mind.
Soon, Garfiel felt as though he had returned to his childhood, becoming a faint spiritual projection observing scenes from the past.
Just as Shendu allowed Garfiel to witness everything that had happened before, an unexpected voice sounded from the doorway.
"I never imagined someone like you would appear in the Sanctuary. It seems you know quite a lot as well."
Hearing the voice, Rem immediately gripped her morning star, guarding against any potential enemy.
"Stand down, Rem. There is no malice in our visitor."
"Yes."
At Shendu's gentle wave, the blue-haired maid lowered her weapon.
After Shendu finished giving her order, a young girl with light crimson hair stepped into view. She wore a black robe and leaned on a wooden staff.
However, despite her youthful appearance, she gave off a mature air, as though she had lived for a very long time.
"You must be the administrator of this forest. The ones in the woods who look exactly like you—they are your clones, aren't they?"
Shendu's crimson eyes regarded the elfin girl thoughtfully.
"That is correct. This old one is called Ryuzu Bilma, administrator of the forest tribe."
Ryuzu Bilma bowed politely, her etiquette impeccable.
From the memories Shendu possessed, this loli before her was approximately four hundred years old, one of the first four copies created from the original Ryuzu. She had long been managing the entire forest.
Her memories of the original body's past were largely blank, though deep inside she yearned for freedom—she had simply never had the opportunity.
"Greetings."
Shendu responded politely, interest glinting in her red eyes.
Through her True Sight, Shendu could see that the elfin girl before her was an artificial lifeform. Magical formulas were embedded within her body.
Clearly, she was one of that witch's experimental creations.
"Your purpose is to liberate the Sanctuary. This old one has already learned as much through my informants. I neither oppose nor support it."
Ryuzu Bilma voiced her stance. Those who lived within the Sanctuary—if they dared leave before its liberation—their souls could be repelled back.
Moreover, Ryuzu Bilma did not yet understand the true intentions of this silver-haired, crimson-eyed girl. Naturally, she wished to clarify the reason.
"As a visitor, may you tell this old one—what is your purpose in liberating the Sanctuary? There must be a reason."
Ryuzu Bilma studied Shendu thoughtfully, sensing that the girl carried great secrets.
"Heh. There's no harm in telling you."
Hearing the elfin girl's question, Shendu smiled faintly and explained simply,
"I came at my younger sister's request. Her name is Beatrice. She is Echidna's daughter—and also a friend of your original self."
"I see. This old one does know a little of that. However, I do not possess memories of the past."
Ryuzu Bilma shook her head. Regarding the past, she felt both anticipation and resistance.
Shendu's explanation was meant to dispel Ryuzu Bilma's doubts.
Of course, Shendu was deceiving this clone. Her desire to liberate the Sanctuary was partly to prevent interference.
"With that explanation, this old one will not interfere excessively. If the Sanctuary is lifted, perhaps it may even prevent the disaster that is soon to come."
Ryuzu Bilma sighed, as though contemplating some possibility.
"Waaah... waaah..."
While the two conversed, Garfiel—still immersed in memory—began to shed tears.
Soon after, he slowly opened his eyes. His face bore a mixture of emotion and relief.
"So that's how it was. Mother left for my sake—even though she couldn't bear to leave me. It wasn't to pursue happiness. She wanted to build a peaceful haven for me and my sister outside."
Garfiel's voice trembled with pain, yet warmth filled his heart.
His mother had never changed. She had always loved him.
After witnessing the truth of the past, Garfiel felt immense gratitude toward Shendu. His favorability toward her nearly reached its limit.
"Oh? It seems you've finally stepped out of your past pain, Garfiel. Congratulations."
Though Ryuzu Bilma did not know what Shendu had done, she was pleased to see Garfiel freed from his lingering torment.
"Heh. Then let us begin the next stage of the plan."
Holding the script firmly in her grasp, Shendu navigated this scenario with ease. Garfiel had already been dealt with.
Next... would be Ryuzu.