On the third night, at Roswaal's mansion.
After enduring Capella's assault and Akane's timely intervention, everything finally settled down. Only Frederica had suffered severe injuries, while the others had merely expended a great deal of mana.
"Miss Akane, we truly owe you this time. Otherwise, we might not have been able to defeat that woman."
Geuse sighed helplessly. Capella's ability was far too unusual. Even his Unseen Hand alone had been unable to eliminate her.
"It's nothing. The reason my master left a familiar here was so I could resolve trouble at any time. This is simply my task."
Akane replied calmly.
"I see. Miss Shendu truly plans things thoroughly."
Geuse felt a quiet admiration. To have arranged everything so carefully before departing—such foresight was remarkable.
"Alright, I will be leaving now. In about three days, my master and the others should return. When that time comes, please receive my master with the utmost sincerity."
Akane gave them a deep look, then activated spatial magic and vanished in an instant.
Watching her disappear, the others remained frozen in shock for a long time.
"I never expected Miss Shendu's maid to be a dragon. Could it be that Miss Shendu is also a dragon?"
A trace of doubt flickered in Frederica's emerald eyes as she glanced toward Beatrice.
"Hmph. I already knew Big Sister wasn't human. That's why I formed a contract with her."
Beatrice declared proudly.
"Wow, Lady Beatrice, that's amazing."
Frederica could not help but praise her.
"If the other forces in the Kingdom learned that Akane is a dragon and Miss Shendu is also a dragon, they might very well trample down the gates of this territory."
Ram revealed a thoughtful expression, contemplating the possibility.
After all, Lugunica was the Dragon Kingdom. If living dragons truly existed, they would be highly welcomed. Perhaps ninety percent of the nobility would come to pay a visit.
"Yes. So we will keep this matter confidential for now and wait until Miss Shendu returns."
After only a brief moment of consideration, Geuse made his decision.
His words received unanimous agreement from the others. When necessary, secrecy was the better choice. Otherwise, endless trouble would follow.
On the other side, on the third day within the Sanctuary, Shendu and Emilia came to the lakeside forest to fish, spending time together and deepening their bond.
It had to be said that Shendu's fishing skills were quite impressive. Before long, she had caught several fish. She even arranged a small picnic for the two of them. After sprinkling seasoning over the fish, a fragrant grilled feast appeared before them. Once they finished eating, Emilia leaned gently against her shoulder.
"Sister Shendu, the second trial is tomorrow. I'm feeling a little nervous. Only you can comfort me."
Nestled in Shendu's arms, Emilia sighed softly, feeling a sense of security.
"Silly girl. I've always liked you. How could I possibly not stay by your side?"
Shendu pinched the girl's cheek and smiled.
"You're so good to me, Sister Shendu."
Emilia rested in Shendu's embrace and gradually fell asleep.
Fortunately, Shendu's magic was extraordinarily powerful. Even without returning, she could casually conjure a wooden cabin.
They spent the night by the lake. However, Emilia was rather restless that night, leaving Shendu slightly sleep-deprived.
As for why she could not sleep well—it was because Emilia kept clinging to her, leaving her momentarily unable to control herself.
Early the next morning—their fourth day in the Sanctuary—Emilia rose, ate a simple breakfast, and then the two of them walked hand in hand to the entrance of the ruins.
As soon as they arrived, Emilia noticed the half-beast Garfiel had already come early and was smiling as he greeted them.
"Yo, Big Sis, Princess. You two sure are affectionate."
Garfiel grinned. He was naturally aware that their relationship was rather special.
"It's alright. I didn't expect you to be here so early, Garfiel."
Emilia looked slightly surprised, thinking he had come to cheer her on for the second trial.
"No. Today, I'm the one taking the trial. I also bear responsibility for liberating the Sanctuary."
Garfiel declared confidently. His fear of the outside world had faded, replaced by a desire to step beyond and see it for himself.
"I see. Then let's both do our best, Garfiel!"
Noticing his change, Emilia offered her encouragement.
"Alright, you two keep chatting. I'll start my trial first."
Garfiel waved and strode into the ruins. Relying on his excellent night vision, he made his way into the stone chamber bathed in faint blue light.
"It's been a long time. Ten years already, hasn't it? Let everything come to an end."
The deeper he went, the closer he came to the trial's core.
[First, face your past!]
The moment he entered, a voice echoed out. Immediately, his consciousness blurred, returning him to the forest of ten years ago.
In an instant, Garfiel once again stood in the past. Compared to the memories once transmitted by Shendu, this time everything felt far more real.
It was still the forest of ten years ago—Ryuzu, his older sister from childhood, and the mother he longed to see most.
Seeing the scene before him, tears streamed from Garfiel's sharp eyes.
"Mother... being able to see you again is truly wonderful."
Like a phantom, Garfiel stepped forward and looked at his younger self. Pain welled within him, but there was no avoiding it.
Outside the ruins, encouraged by Shendu and cared for by her for so long, subtle changes had begun to take root in Emilia's heart.
"Sister Shendu, if I successfully pass the trial of the ruins, what kind of reward will you give me?"
Emilia asked obediently, like a little girl asking an adult for sweets.
"What do you want, Emilia? As long as it's something I can do, I will grant it."
Shendu smiled gently at the girl before her.
Hearing her words, Emilia pondered for a moment before nodding. In an unusually serious tone, she made her request.
"I hope that during the last stretch of time before you leave, Sister Shendu, you can spend more time with me... so we can leave behind beautiful memories."
Emilia took a deep breath as she spoke.
"Of course."
Shendu agreed readily. Emilia seemed filled with renewed confidence and stepped into the depths of the ruins once more.
Glancing at the unconscious Garfiel, Emilia entered another stone chamber, closed her eyes, and accepted the second trial.
As long as the trial was passed, the barrier surrounding the ruins would be lifted—and a new wave of danger would inevitably appear.
"Lady Shendu, you truly dote on Lady Emilia. Rem is feeling a little jealous."
Standing beside Shendu, Rem spoke with unmistakable envy in her tone.
"There's no need to be jealous. Emilia will not travel with me, but you can. With your companionship, I believe the road ahead will be even smoother."
Shendu gently stroked the blue-haired maid's head in reassurance.
"Hehe. Since Lady Shendu says so, Rem will certainly fulfill her duties as a maid."
Rem smiled brightly, appearing even more obedient as her mood visibly improved.
Shendu merely nodded, her crimson eyes fixed upon the ruins before her, as though lost in thought.
At this point, the events within the Sanctuary were nearly concluded.
In a few days at most, it would be time to leave this place.
...
Deep within the forest of ten years ago—the deepest recess of Garfiel's memories.
Once again witnessing the scenes of the past, Garfiel reached out, wanting to touch his mother. Yet his hand passed through empty air. He could only remain an observer and relive everything once more.
"Mother left the Sanctuary for the sake of her family. Do you still have any dissatisfaction about that?"
In his memory, the young Frederica suddenly spoke. It was as though she was not merely his sister from the past, but a projection used by the Witch to converse with him.
"What dissatisfaction could I possibly have? Mother did it for us. I've already come to terms with it."
"Is that so? You've grown faster than I expected."
Frederica's tone carried approval. She seemed quite satisfied with Garfiel's answer.
"In truth, you always remembered that Mother loved you."
"The scar on your forehead—wasn't it because you wanted to forget Mother's kiss? You injured yourself to erase it, didn't you?"
"The past must end. Step toward a new future."
As soon as she finished speaking, the scene within his memories began to blur. The world itself seemed to collapse, as if everything from the past were about to vanish.
In the end, the world disintegrated into a white light. Gazing at the final image before him, Garfiel let out a deep sigh.
"Don't worry, Sis. I've already walked out of the past."
The moment he said those words, his consciousness cleared. When he opened his eyes, he found himself lying within the trial chamber, leaning against the wall.
The cold sensation beneath him felt unexpectedly real.
After completing the trial, Garfiel walked out of the ruins. Before leaving, he glanced toward another corner where Emilia was still undergoing her trial, a smile spreading across his face.
Outside the ruins, Shendu had observed that nearly an hour had passed and found nothing strange about it.
"Garf, you're out..."
When Garfiel emerged, Ryuzu and Shima—the two spirit girls who had been waiting there—revealed joyful expressions.
"Sorry for worrying you. I've settled everything."
Garfiel declared confidently, reaching out to pat the two grandmother-like spirit girls on the head.
Having grown up within the Sanctuary, Garfiel had been doted on by the four Ryuzu clones since childhood. They had truly raised him like a treasured mascot.
Yet such excessive pampering had shaped his chuunibyou tendencies and his arrogant temperament. If someone displeased him even slightly, he would immediately confront and lecture them.
"So, Garf, you won't mind leaving the Sanctuary now, right?"
Ryuzu suddenly asked, her tone carrying a trace of uncertainty.
Hearing her question, Garfiel froze for a few seconds before answering with confidence.
"Of course not. I want to pursue my own happiness too. I can't disappoint Mother. Maybe it's time I go find Sis."
Garfiel's growing cheerfulness filled the two spirit girls with unprecedented excitement.
After finishing his conversation with Ryuzu and the others, Garfiel walked up to Shendu and gave her a deep bow. Looking at the silver-haired, red-eyed beauty before him, his eyes brimmed with gratitude.
"Lady Shendu, please allow me to serve you from now on! Big Sis, from this day forward, you're my master!"
At this moment, Garfiel wholeheartedly pledged himself, respectfully declaring his allegiance.
Shendu did not seem surprised. She simply nodded, satisfied.
"Very good, Garfiel. You've made a wise choice."
She narrowed her eyes slightly, a faint smile curving her lips.
Gaining another subordinate did not surprise her in the slightest. One of her primary purposes in coming to the Sanctuary had been precisely this.
Meanwhile, Emilia's trial was still ongoing.
As she entered the second trial, a voice echoed in her ears.
[Behold a world where that person does not exist.]
The moment those words sounded, countless scenes unfolded before Emilia—scenes vastly different from what she knew.
In one, she was killed by Elsa in the slums. In another, she was eliminated within Roswaal's territory. During the Royal Selection in the capital, she was slandered by members of the Council of Wise Men.
Time and time again, images of her repeated deaths flashed before her eyes.
Yes—the world where that person did not exist was literal.
It was a world where Shendu did not exist.
Watching the events of those alternate timelines, Emilia felt overwhelming sorrow and tragedy.
"I see... Sister Shendu doesn't belong to this world. No wonder she said she came from a very distant place."
After witnessing the memories of different timelines, Emilia's emotions swelled. Her feelings for Shendu deepened to their fullest extent.
"Heh. In my view, you're merely a woman blessed with good fortune."
Once the visions ended, Emilia's heart held only gratitude and affection toward Shendu.
As she regained her senses, the space transformed into a grassy field. Echidna sat nearby, gazing at Emilia with undisguised disgust.
"Relying on others to avert crises and avoid hardship—how disgraceful. Whenever you're hurt, you run into that woman's arms. You truly have no shame."
Seeing Emilia successfully pass the trial, Echidna did not hesitate to pour out her malice.
"So you're saying that without Sister Shendu, I would be nothing?"
Emilia smiled faintly.
"Naturally. How much have you actually accomplished to deserve such care? One could only say you're very lucky." Echidna's voice turned icy. "You daughter of a witch."
Echidna had always harbored pure malice toward Emilia, devoid of even a trace of goodwill.
"Perhaps."
Emilia showed no fear. Instead, she spoke in a calm, almost playful tone.
"But this is the result Sister Shendu wishes to see. I'm willing to follow her arrangements and fulfill everything properly. That is my mission."
A look of profound happiness appeared on Emilia's face.
"Tch. I simply dislike you."
Echidna despised Emilia's reliance on others, her effortless fortune. It stirred her irritation deeply.
"No. After experiencing these trials, I'm no longer who I used to be. I am now the Frozen Witch of Elior Forest—Sister Shendu's little sister. From now on, I will fear nothing."
After Emilia finished speaking, Echidna fell silent for several seconds before responding calmly.
"No matter how resolute you are, everything in the future will be yours to face."
"But such determination is good. I can at least regard you a little more highly."
Echidna gave Emilia a long look before lightly waving her hand. The scene of the trial gradually faded away.
The endless white space vanished, and Emilia once again found herself in the blue-lit stone chamber of the ruins.
"Whew... the trial is finally over. That means the barrier surrounding the Sanctuary will be lifted."
Letting out a sigh of relief, Emilia stepped toward the exit, walking into the morning light.
However, after she had taken only a short distance, the weather outside suddenly shifted. Dark clouds rapidly gathered above the Sanctuary, as though a snowstorm were about to descend.
Emilia's once-calm expression instantly turned grave. A sense of foreboding welled within her.
Long ago, a prophecy had lingered within the Sanctuary—that if the silver-haired half-elf failed the trial, snowfall would be triggered.
If the villagers of Arlam Village and the demi-humans living within the Sanctuary misunderstood the situation, they would surely resent Emilia, believing her to be a woman who brought misfortune.