Sanctuary, the area where the Great Cathedral was located.
After showing Garfiel the memories of the past, the wild demi-human fell into silence. Until she left, he did not say a single word.
Having learned the truth about his misunderstanding of his mother, Garfiel was filled with regret. Naturally, he had no spirit left in him.
Afterward, Shendu bid farewell to Ryuzu Bilma, asking her to take care of Garfiel, and then slowly departed with Rem.
Strolling through the boundless forest, Rem walked at her side, deeply puzzled. She could not understand why Shendu treated that demi-human so well.
Garfiel had clearly shown a certain degree of disrespect toward Shendu, yet she had chosen to forgive him. It was truly astonishing.
"Lady Shendu, is it really necessary to value someone like Garfiel so much? He was clearly disrespectful to you."
Rem was still displeased, unable to let go of what had happened earlier.
"Heh. The Sanctuary will inevitably be liberated. And the one who liberates it will certainly be me. That is destiny."
"Garfiel possesses considerable combat strength. Bringing him under my command is perfectly acceptable. There will be a time when I need him."
A faint glimmer flashed within Shendu's red eyes. She had already taken in Elsa and Meili. Compared to that, Garfiel's minor disrespect was nothing.
"Understood, Lady Shendu!"
After carefully considering Shendu's explanation, Rem revealed an enlightened expression.
"Let's go to the Great Cathedral and check on the villagers of Arlam Village. To be honest, I do not like those villagers. They do not like Emilia, and I have no desire to save them."
Shendu gazed into the distance, her eyes cold.
"So if the Witch Cult were to attack Arlam Village again, Lady Shendu would not rescue them either? Or rather... you simply do not care whether that village lives or dies."
Walking beside her, Rem quickly grasped the key point. Given Shendu's personality, she likely did not care in the slightest about the residents of Roswaal's territory.
"Heh."
"Would you care about the life or death of ants? Especially disobedient ants?"
Shendu shook her head, speaking icily.
After that, Shendu and Rem headed toward the Great Cathedral. The moment she arrived, she sensed a shift in the atmosphere.
The surroundings grew unusually quiet. The once somewhat lively little village fell silent as countless gazes turned toward Shendu.
"Ahhh! This is wonderful! Lady Shendu has come to see us!"
"Silver hair and red eyes—it's definitely Lady Shendu!"
The villagers were visibly delighted at the sight of her.
Having escaped the Witch Cult's attack, the villagers of Arlam Village had been living in the Sanctuary for quite some time now. Life here had been relatively stable.
Still, many wished to return to their homeland rather than remain here forever. After all, their former village was their true home.
Seeing the legendary silver-haired hero, the villagers swarmed forward, enthusiastically welcoming Shendu. Even Emilia, who had just begun interacting with them here, was slightly stunned.
When she had come, the villagers had not shown such warmth. Yet when Shendu arrived, their attitude was entirely different.
Seeing this scene, Emilia felt she needed to work harder—to do better—so that the villagers of Arlam Village would acknowledge her.
Glancing at the villagers surrounding her, Shendu ignored them and walked straight toward Emilia, leaving the villagers looking slightly embarrassed.
However, none dared show dissatisfaction. Shendu carried the aura of a hero—she was their savior in their hearts.
Thus, in their eyes, there was only reverence. Nothing more.
"Emilia, now that you've seen the villagers safe and sound, you can rest easy, can't you?"
As Emilia's big sister, Shendu reached out and gently patted the girl's head with a faint smile.
"I'm relieved. They're doing quite well here, and they haven't suffered any discrimination. That's enough for me."
Seeing the happiness on the villagers' faces, Emilia finally felt her nervous heart ease.
After chatting with Emilia for a while, Shendu finally turned her gaze toward the villagers, observing the admiration, appreciation, and trust in their expressions.
There was no emotion in her eyes. Her entire aura was cold.
"To be honest, I do not care about your lives at all."
"It is only because Emilia cares about you that I came to the Sanctuary to rescue you. Otherwise, remaining here forever might have been a blessing for you."
As soon as Shendu finished speaking, the villagers fell silent. They lowered their heads, guilt evident in their eyes.
"We're sorry, Lady Shendu. It was our fault before. We will no longer hold any prejudice against Lady Emilia."
The village chief explained awkwardly after hearing her words.
"Yes! Lady Emilia is Lady Shendu's younger sister. We would never dare be disrespectful again."
"Please, Lady Shendu, you must save us!"
The villagers spoke one after another, pleading for forgiveness.
"Perhaps we should let it go. They never meant any harm. Their attitude toward me has already changed."
Emilia tugged at Shendu's hand and spoke softly.
"What a fool. Since it is your request, I will agree."
Shendu stroked the girl's head, a faint smile appearing on her cool face.
"Since Emilia has said so, I will forgive you."
"As for your concerns about the Witch Cult, I have already handled that matter. Once the Sanctuary is liberated, you may all return together."
Shendu regarded them calmly.
"Ah! Long live Lady Shendu! We can finally go back after some time!"
The villagers were overjoyed. With hope of returning home, how could they not be happy?
The place known as the Great Cathedral was constructed entirely from stacked stone blocks. The interior felt cool and quiet.
Its overall structure resembled a church chapel. The spacious hall easily accommodated the fifty or so villagers of Arlam Village.
"If you wish to return, then support Emilia. Only by having her challenge the Trial can we go back. She alone is qualified."
Shendu pointed at Emilia as she spoke plainly.
"What? Only Lady Emilia can take the Trial?"
The villagers were shocked to hear that Emilia would face the Trial alone.
"Lady Emilia... would you truly challenge it for our sake, even after we disrespected you?"
They looked at her awkwardly, uncertain.
Faced with their questioning, Emilia hesitated briefly before stepping forward from Shendu's side. A gentle breeze passed, causing her silver hair to flutter.
Emilia felt nervous. Yet seeing Shendu beside her steadied her somewhat. She looked around at the villagers and said,
"I-I'm sorry to have kept everyone waiting. I will take on the Trial of this 'Sanctuary' on behalf of Lord Roswaal L. Mathers. I may not be very reliable... but I will definitely overcome the Trial and allow everyone to leave the barrier."
At first, Emilia spoke timidly and lacked confidence. But as she continued, her words grew faster, her gaze firmer.
This was the awakening of the girl.
Seeing the villagers gradually placing their trust in her, Emilia felt encouraged, courage welling up within her heart.
"We're sorry, Lady Emilia! After causing you so much trouble, you're still willing to save us?"
The village chief sighed and asked.
"Of course. You are my people as well. I will not hold it against you."
Emilia smiled gently.
At that moment, the final trace of prejudice the villagers held toward the silver-haired half-elf vanished completely.
...
Nighttime, at the Great Cathedral.
Because visibility was poor at night, the villagers lit bonfires and happily gathered around them, dancing in celebration of the Sanctuary's imminent liberation.
After offering encouragement to the villagers alongside Emilia, Shendu, Emilia, and Rem began strolling through the forest without any particular destination.
"Lady Shendu, when do you think Lady Emilia should begin the Trial?"
Walking through the forest, Rem looked at Shendu's red eyes and asked curiously.
"Tomorrow. The first night is not a good time to begin the Trial."
Shendu shook her head, her expression calm.
"Alright. I'll work even harder and strive to liberate the Sanctuary."
Emilia clenched her small fists and spoke with determination.
"I knew you would have that confidence. Let's wait by the entrance to the ruins for a while. I'd like to talk with you a bit more."
Shendu pointed toward the ruins ahead. Emilia and Rem nodded, offering no objection.
After a short walk, they arrived at the entrance to the ruins. The moment she stepped near it, Emilia felt an ominous sensation, and her heart grew tense.
She gripped the edge of her skirt with one hand. Her heartbeat quickened, and her body trembled slightly—clear signs of the silver-haired half-elf's nervousness.
Having lived alongside Emilia for so long, Shendu understood her habits and personality thoroughly.
On the surface, Emilia appeared confident. But deep down, she was anxious. Facing one's past alone was not something just anyone could easily do.
Noticing the girl's tension, Shendu stepped forward and gently took her hand, clearly sensing her unease.
Under the moonlight, Emilia seemed to radiate a sacred glow. Seeing her expression, Shendu pulled her into her arms.
Feeling the warmth of the embrace, Emilia's anxious heart gradually calmed.
"Are you nervous? Anxious? Afraid?"
Shendu looked up at Emilia, smiling softly as she felt the girl's trembling.
"I was very nervous just a moment ago... but with Sister Shendu here, I'm not afraid anymore."
Emilia hugged her tightly. The fear that had lingered within her faded away.
"That's good. Begin the Trial tomorrow. As for the second Trial—it will be four days later."
Shendu made the arrangement decisively, clearly confident in Emilia.
Watching the two together, Rem felt a surge of envy. She wondered when Lady Shendu might hold her just as tenderly.
Rem cast a longing glance in their direction but said nothing.
Right now, Lady Emilia seemed to need comfort the most. It was best not to interfere.
Learning of Shendu's plans for her, Emilia felt somewhat surprised. Shendu seemed to have immense confidence in her.
Can Big Sister truly be so certain? Why has she trusted me from the very beginning... why?
Emilia was deeply moved. Looking at Shendu before her, she struggled to put her feelings into words.
She had always wanted Shendu to answer this question seriously. Whenever she felt nervous or afraid, she longed to hear Shendu's truest thoughts.
"Because I like you, Emilia. The first time I saw you, I felt how kind you were. Our encounter in the slums only strengthened my resolve to help you."
"After traveling for so long, you are the first girl I've truly acknowledged."
"Besides, during this Trial, I will provide you with some assistance."
Shendu smiled faintly.
The moment she finished speaking, steam seemed to rise from Emilia's head, and her cheeks flushed red.
Shendu's straightforward words echoed clearly in Emilia's ears. The anxiety and tension within her vanished instantly, replaced by overwhelming warmth.
In truth, the assistance Shendu intended to provide was almost like a form of cheating. During the Trial, a fragment of her consciousness would guide Emilia, subtly reminding her what to do.
Of course, it would only be guidance. Shendu still wanted Emilia to train properly—that was her true objective.
"Understood, Sister Shendu. I will work hard to complete the first Trial."
Not beginning the Trial immediately on the first day allowed Emilia to breathe a little easier. With a day to prepare, she could face it with a calmer mind.
Meanwhile, in Roswaal's territory.
After Emilia and Shendu had been gone for a day, Frederica, the head maid, continued handling the household chores as usual, taking on Rem's duties.
After some time, two familiar figures appeared before Frederica and Ram.
They were none other than Elsa and Meili.
At the sight of Elsa, Frederica's expression tightened with tension. The sudden appearance of the pair filled her with unease.
"Who are you? Why are you trespassing in Roswaal's territory?"
Frederica demanded, only to be lightly tugged back by Ram.
"Wait, Frederica. It's a misunderstanding. They are Lady Shendu's maids. There is no ill intent."
Seeing Frederica's wary stance, Ram quickly stepped forward to explain.
"Ah! So that's the case."
After hearing Ram's clarification, Frederica gradually relaxed.
"Apologies. We came all the way from the Royal Capital and did not send word ahead of time."
Since becoming Shendu's maid, Meili had grown more composed and polite.
"My, my... another tall maid. You're quite beautiful."
Elsa looked at Frederica with a slightly unhinged smile, admiration flickering in her eyes.
"This is our head maid, Frederica. May I ask why you've come here? Is there something important?"
Ram gestured toward the blonde girl beside her as she introduced her.
"Someone intends to attack Roswaal's territory and slaughter everyone here. Master sent us in advance. Within two days, the enemy will likely arrive."
Recalling Shendu's orders, Elsa spoke casually. With each word, Frederica and Ram grew more tense.
"That can't be... who would do such a thing?"
Ram asked in shock and confusion.
"Roswaal."
Without hesitation, Elsa spoke the name.
"That's impossible. Roswaal promised me he would fulfill my wish."
Ram was visibly shaken, clearly unwilling to fully believe Elsa's words.
"The reason?"
"Meili and I were originally arranged by Roswaal to attack Emilia and Arlam Village. Master personally told me that truth."
Elsa smiled lightly, finding the situation increasingly amusing.
"So you're saying Roswaal will launch another attack here."
As they spoke, Geuse stepped out from a room, asking thoughtfully.
"That's correct. It seems we'll be facing quite a battle."
A trace of killing intent gleamed within Elsa's purple eyes.
"We understand. Thank you for the timely warning. Let us face this crisis together."
After hearing the full explanation, Frederica grasped the situation completely and felt grateful for Elsa and Meili's arrival.
"Of course. It is our task."
Elsa glanced at her younger sister and smiled faintly.
As for this mission, Elsa was not worried in the slightest. Whoever dared to attack would likely suffer greatly.
Roswaal's territory now possessed formidable combat strength—not only the assassin sisters, but also Frederica, Ram, Beatrice, and Geuse.
Anyone foolish enough to invade would have to consider carefully just how many lives they truly had.