"Because... I know you can solve it for her, right, Miss Raiden? By making use of someone's ability."
After saying this, Roswaal merely revealed a faint smile. He seemed completely unaffected by her threatening gesture, as though he did not care in the slightest.
...Someone's ability?
She paused slightly upon hearing that, and Natsuki Subaru immediately came to mind. That was true... If she had not been connected to Natsuki Subaru's power of Return by Death, she might not have been able to avert the tragedy that befell the mansion last time. After all, the Witch Cult had used the excuse of eliminating Emilia to wipe out everyone at the mansion, including those innocent villagers.
But...
How did this man know?
Her gaze sharpened as she looked at the purple-haired man before her, who had already removed his clown makeup.
No... perhaps not. Perhaps he did not actually know anything. Perhaps he was simply trying to draw the truth out of her.
"You misunderstand... I'm not as reliable as you think."
She offered an excuse, refuting him without leaving a trace of weakness.
"..."
A glint of depth flashed through Roswaal's eyes before he let out another soft chuckle.
"Discovering the Witch Cult lying in ambush around the forest was merely a coincidence. It's not as mystical as you imagine—"
"The witch's lingering fragrance."
He interrupted her abruptly with a strange phrase.
"...?"
She stopped speaking and looked at him in confusion.
"You carry a strong scent of the Witch upon you. It is a unique fragrance that only appears after close contact with a Witch. Of course... Natsuki Subaru carries it as well. Only, not nearly as strongly as you do."
Roswaal raised a hand as if intending to touch hers, but she slapped it away at once.
Smack!
"Hehe... Am I right, Miss Raiden~?"
He rubbed the back of his hand where she had struck him. The skin there had reddened slightly, yet a faintly unfathomable smile lingered at the corners of his lips.
He did not continue or make his meaning explicit. He merely stopped there. But she understood well enough.
This man truly knew about Natsuki Subaru's Return by Death. He even knew about her connection to it.
"...?"
Ram, meanwhile, wore a look of confusion. She had not grasped the hidden meaning in their exchange.
"..."
She took a slight step back, widening the distance between them. Retreating a few paces, she returned to the bedside where she had originally stood. Her brows knit faintly as she replayed his words in her mind.
"Lady Shogun..."
Ram looked at her worriedly.
"I'm fine..."
She answered softly.
The witch's lingering fragrance...
She herself could not smell anything.
It was true that she had come into close contact with a Witch. With Pandora constantly at her side, it was inevitable that some trace of that scent would cling to her. Perhaps there was even Echidna's scent as well. But what about Natsuki Subaru? Where had his come from?
And she still did not understand why Natsuki Subaru possessed that power of Return by Death in the first place—nor why she herself was entangled in it.
There were too many questions. It left her unable to see the full picture. In the end, she simply pushed them aside and raised her eyes to look at the man on the bed once more.
"Your objective... isn't merely to have me resolve this situation, is it? I don't believe you are someone so shallow."
She pressed him.
"Of course not... My objective is more than one. Besides wanting Miss Raiden to truly help Lady Emilia with your own ability, I also intend to hand that merit over to you both."
"What do you mean?"
"If I were the one to solve it, then Lady Emilia would receive no credit at all. That would be unfavorable for the Royal Selection, and she would gain no support from the people. On the contrary... look at the situation now. Hasn't Lady Emilia's reputation improved considerably? And if I heard correctly, Miss Raiden, you even subjugated the White Whale that had been ravaging the world. That achievement has been attributed to Lady Emilia. It is a significant boost toward winning the Royal Selection."
"Heh... you take too much for granted. If from the very beginning I had—"
"You would not have abandoned it, Raiden Mio. Because I believe in you. I believe in your ability. I believe you will ensure Lady Emilia wins the Royal Selection. And even if she cannot, you will become her guide. After all... Lady Emilia trusts you deeply. She relies on your strength, and through that reliance, she will find her own path."
"..."
She looked at him in silence, her eyes filled with scrutiny.
"Miss Raiden... you are not a bad person. Unlike me, who is always viewed with suspicion. You are simply yourself—consistent inside and out. That is precisely why I think highly of you."
...
Click...
"...Haa."
After leaving the room and stepping outside, the Shogun slowly closed the door behind her. She found a nearby stone platform and sat down, gazing up at the silver moon overhead as she let out a soft breath.
"I don't believe that was his entire objective... There is something he left unsaid. Perhaps that is his true purpose."
She spoke into the empty air.
"He once mentioned that the Mathers family has been connected to the Sanctuary for generations. Perhaps coming to the Sanctuary is also part of his plan?"
Pandora manifested at her side, taking on a solid form as she sat beside her.
"You mean...?"
She turned to look at the girl.
"Yes... the Shogun can ask Dona. She may know that person's true objective. You may also ask her about the matter of the Gospel. After all, the one who tied the knot must be the one to untie it."
Pandora gently stroked the back of her hand as she spoke in a soft voice.
"Dona?"
She asked teasingly, finding the name oddly adorable for some reason.
"...The Witches once knew one another well. But times have changed... You understand, do you not?"
"Mm."
She did not press further and merely nodded.
"That child is coming. I should disappear."
Pandora smiled at her indulgently. As though sensing something, she gradually faded back into her ghostlike state. For now, she could not meet that child face-to-face. After all, she wore the face of that child's enemy.
That child? Emilia?
"Shogun... are you busy?"
Seeing her sitting alone on the stone platform, gazing at the moon, Emilia's expression eased slightly. Quiet as a kitten, she walked over and asked softly.
"No... shouldn't you be resting?"
She lowered her crossed leg to the ground and leaned back slightly, looking at her.
"...Can I talk to you for a bit?"
Emilia touched her hair and sat down beside her quietly.
"Mm... what would you like to say?"
She smiled gently.
"I... I... Haa..."
Emilia lowered her head, rubbing her hands together. Her voice trembled.
"If you're planning to apologize again, there's no need. Besides, this isn't your fault."
She anticipated her thoughts and offered reassurance first.
"And the right to challenge the trial has not disappeared. You may attempt it again at any time. There's no need to put such pressure on yourself."
She added.
"...Won't you be disappointed in me?"
Emilia asked cautiously.
"Why would I be disappointed? You've already done very well."
She gently patted her shoulder.
"But... I'm disappointed in myself."
Emilia grasped the hand on her shoulder and pressed it onto her own thigh, closing her eyes as her voice quivered faintly.
"I... I might never be able to complete this trial..."
"..."
She looked at her in silence, a complicated emotion surfacing in her eyes.
"It's alright. If it truly comes to it, I will take all of you out of here."
She made that promise. If there was no other way, she would forcibly break the barrier. There would always be a method.
"Haa... And would that mean using violence again?"
Emilia wiped at the tears at the corner of her eyes and looked at her with a faint pout.
"Perhaps..."
That was the most pessimistic approach. Alternatively, she could speak with Echidna. After all, heaven never seals off all exits.
"No, that's not allowed. You can't use violence... This is still the 'Sanctuary,' after all."
Emilia shook her head in disagreement.
"Then in return... you'll have to do your best. If you don't want me resorting to violence, then you must strive to liberate it yourself. Can you do that?"
She seized the opportunity.
"Mm~ how sly~"
Emilia lightly punched her shoulder in mock protest. The tearful expression from moments ago finally gave way to a small smile.
"Feeling better now?"
She did not dodge, merely asking with concern.
"Mm... Haa... I was overthinking earlier. That's not like me. I have to keep trying. I'll try again tomorrow. After all, this is my responsibility! No matter what, I'll bring the villagers home!"
Emilia stood up again, rubbing her face as she gathered her resolve.
"Thank you, Shogun... for staying with me and talking this late."
Thank you... truly.
Emilia gave her a sweet smile.
"Mm... you're welcome."
She replied.
"Then I'll head back first?"
"Mm..."
As she watched the girl's retreating figure...
A trace of complexity resurfaced in her eyes.
There were too many things to think about...
She was tired.
Mentally exhausted...
At noon that day, the Shogun once again arrived alone before the Sanctuary she had grown all too familiar with. Looking at the massive ruins, she could not help but frown slightly. In daylight, the ruins lacked the deep, shadowed mystery of the night. In its place was a solemn stillness.
Tap... tap...
Without hesitation, she stepped through the gates and entered the chamber where Emilia had been undertaking her trials over the past few nights. Even during the day, the interior was little different from nighttime. Aside from the entrance, it was completely sealed, not a trace of light slipping through. Only the dim atmosphere and the faintly glowing patterns etched along the walls illuminated the space.
[To think you would take the initiative to attend a tea party... that doesn't quite suit your personality. Very well... come in.]
With the familiar ethereal voice, warm white light enveloped her. In the next instant, she stood once more within that dreamlike, expansive oasis. On the hill, the Witch still sat beneath her parasol, sipping tea just as she had before. It felt as though only a few minutes had passed since their last meeting.
"Inviting the same person to three tea parties is quite rare, you know? You should feel honored."
Echidna set down her teacup and smiled teasingly at the approaching woman.
"I never asked you to invite me."
She retorted as she walked over.
"A lie. You clearly wanted to see me, didn't you~? How tsundere of you."
Echidna offered her no escape, speaking bluntly.
"Have you been sitting here the entire time, drinking your Dona tea?"
She deliberately ignored the teasing, glancing at the cup in Echidna's hand with mild exasperation.
"Dona... tea? Hehe... that's quite a cute name. I like it. From now on, I'll call it that."
Echidna chuckled, slender fingers rubbing the handle of the teacup. A playful gleam flickered in her eyes. As always, her manner was mysterious, alluring, playful, tinged with pride and self-centeredness—the very image of what a Witch should be.
"...Haa."
Seeing that familiar gaze and face, she could not help but sigh softly.
"Speaking of which, you truly didn't take my previous warning to heart. Even after I advised you so earnestly, you still chose to believe her?"
Echidna crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair, folding her arms as she studied her with faint helplessness in her eyes.
"...You've been watching me?"
She halted mid-step, a small trace of displeasure surfacing.
"What an odd question. The Sanctuary is my domain. Observing someone here is hardly difficult. Don't worry—I have no interest in invading your privacy."
Echidna shrugged.
Even so, that was still rather awful, she thought inwardly.
"Haa... Forget it."
There was no point pursuing the matter further.
"So you truly trust everything she has told you?"
The "she" was obviously Pandora.
"You misunderstand. I did remember your words clearly. But rather than placing faith in others, I prefer to trust my own judgment. And if she truly becomes what you warned of... then I will bear full responsibility."
She stepped to Echidna's side instead of sitting directly opposite her.
"...Haa. Very well. That is simply your nature, I suppose."
Echidna gave a casual shrug, as though conceding.
"So then... what brings you here this time~? Surely you didn't come just to see me? Did you miss me, little beauty~?"
Propping her chin on her hand, Echidna regarded her with a warm, ambiguous smile, her eyes shimmering with temptation.
Tap.
Without warning, the Shogun placed both hands on the table and leaned in close, bringing her face within inches of Echidna's.
"W-Wait... what's gotten into you?///"
Startled by such sudden initiative, Echidna flushed red and leaned back, instinctively widening the distance between them.
"You're being so forward all of a sudden... I'm not used to it. It's rather embarrassing///."
She lightly pushed at the Shogun's shoulder, her eyes shimmering with a hint of moisture.
"..."
The Shogun simply stared at her in silence.
"D-Direct from the start? Shouldn't we at least build some atmosphere first? Perhaps... a k-kiss or something...?"
"I do have something to ask you. More than one thing."
She ignored the flirtation entirely and shifted the topic.
"...You're so cold. Couldn't you at least play along a little?"
Instantly deflated, Echidna complained with a long face.
"No."
She rejected her plainly.
"Hmph~"
Echidna puffed her cheeks in mock resentment.
"Unless you answer my questions."
The Shogun smiled faintly before returning to her seat across the table.
"Heh... how scheming you are."
Echidna sipped her tea and teased her.
"Takes one to know one."
She shot back calmly.
"Very well. What would you like to ask?"
Echidna gestured for her to continue.
"About... Roswaal."
"...Roswaal? What about him?"
Echidna paused mid-sip, puzzled.
"He is suspicious. He enjoys stirring up trouble. Most importantly, I cannot discern what he truly intends. Since the Mathers family has maintained generational ties with your Sanctuary, you should have some idea."
"I see... I can tell you. However... in exchange, you must share with me, without reservation, everything I wish to know. Agreed?"
As the Witch of Greed, Echidna's hunger for knowledge was unmatched. She would not waste such an advantageous opportunity. It was a fair trade—knowledge for knowledge.
"I agree."
She nodded. They were only memories. She would lose nothing.
"Mm... good. You asked what Roswaal seeks. The answer is quite simple. I shall tell you directly. He wishes to resurrect me—and see me again with his own eyes."
True to her word, Echidna withheld nothing.
"..."
She fell silent, sorting through the implications. Why would that man seek to resurrect Echidna? For what reason? Were they once intimate? And what did that have to do with Emilia?
"Hehe..."
Noticing her thoughtful, slightly bewildered expression, Echidna smiled.
"You're wondering why he would harbor such a desire, aren't you?"
"Were you lovers?"
She asked bluntly.
"That's right~! Correct! We were lovers~! We were even married!"
Echidna struck a playful pose and winked, clearly gauging her reaction.
"..."
The Shogun merely narrowed her eyes, her expression plainly reading: You're joking.
"Oh, come now. At least look surprised."
Echidna pouted in disappointment.
"How would you prefer I react? 'Ah~! You were married? Someone actually fell for a woman like you? Impossible! Roswaal's taste must be dreadful~!' Like that?"
In an instant, the Shogun adopted the exaggerated tone of a gossiping young girl, even altering her voice and gestures convincingly. Then, just as abruptly, she returned to her usual impassive expression.
"...!"
Echidna's lips twitched repeatedly, her eye corners jumping. Forcing a sweet smile, she responded through clenched composure.
"My, my~ thank you for that award-worthy performance. I apologize for being exactly that kind of woman~!"
"You're welcome."
The Shogun returned a gentle—if faintly wicked—smile.
"..." ×2
Their expressions reverted to normal simultaneously.
"So... not lovers?"
She asked again.
"Of course not! How could that possibly be true?!///"
Echidna finally snapped, exasperated.
"Ahem... He was my disciple over four hundred years ago, when I was still alive. He came to the Sanctuary seeking knowledge, and I accepted him as my student."
She took a sip of tea and began explaining.
"Four hundred years ago?"
Was he some kind of long-lived being?
"Yes. Though not in the usual sense. He was originally an ordinary human. After my death... he searched my forbidden library for research regarding immortality. The outside world believes each head of the Mathers family dies young. In truth, he has been using the bodies of his direct descendants as vessels to house his soul, achieving a form of pseudo-immortality."
Echidna's expression did not change in the slightest as she spoke, as though discussing something utterly trivial.
"How do you know this? You were already—"
"That leads to the answer to another question. His objective is to see me again. The path to achieving that goal has been arduous. The greatest assistance he received—indeed, the foundation of his faith—was the guidance of the Gospel."
"...The Gospel?"
At the familiar term, her eyes flickered.
"Yes. If you were to ask him why he does all this, he would most likely answer, 'It is all according to the Gospel's guidance.'"
"And the Gospel he possesses is fundamentally different from the one you carry."
Hearing that, she retrieved the Gospel from her pocket.
"You obtained that from the Sloth Archbishop, did you not? His is a defective copy. No—more accurately, a defective copy among defective copies. It holds no value whatsoever."
Echidna picked up the shabby Gospel from the table and flipped through it dismissively, shaking her head.
"So Roswaal's is genuine? What is the difference between them?"
She asked.
"Not entirely genuine. His may be called half-authentic. The same applies to Beatrice's. As for the true original—there is only one in this world. And it is in my possession."
Hum...
In the next instant, a book formed upon the table, composed of pale green butterflies. Unlike the black cover of the inferior copies, this one gleamed a pure silver-white, matching Echidna's long hair.
"The Gospel, also known as the Book of Wisdom, is a prophetic tome that records every timeline. Through it, Roswaal can glimpse the past and even the future—including your connection to that boy's Return by Death."