"So, Village Chief Ryuzu Bilma also approves of liberating the Sanctuary, right?"
Hayashi Maki smiled and asked.
Ryuzu Bilma calmly took a sip of tea and replied, "At least as long as there's no reason to oppose it, yes."
"No reason to oppose it, huh… Then can I take it to mean that the guy next to you—Garfiel, who failed the Sanctuary trial—is the one against freeing it?"
Ryuzu Bilma didn't answer, but Garfiel Tinzel's expression sharpened dangerously.
Of course, the "ferocious" glare he thought he was giving meant nothing to Hayashi Maki, who held absolute power—like a kitten baring its teeth.
Just as the atmosphere was sliding into something Emilia couldn't read, the door opened.
Roswaal—fully recovered—walked in with a smile, and Aqua followed behind him looking smug.
"Seems we came at a bad time? But I still had to show up~," Roswaal said, smiling. "Aqua-sama healed my injuries, and as repayment… as the lord of this territory, I should make an appearance and stand on the right side."
"Make no mistake—I stand with Emilia-sama."
Garfiel clenched his fists, glaring at Hayashi Maki.
"So what exactly do you know, you bastard?"
Hayashi Maki's mouth curled upward.
"I know plenty. For example… your mother lost her memories, and she formed a new family out there."
"What?!"
Garfiel sprang to his feet, staring at Hayashi Maki with a shaken, furious face.
"Do you even understand what you're saying?"
"Of course. I'm an honest guy," Hayashi Maki said lightly. "If you don't believe me, ask Roswaal. When something benefits me, there's no reason to lie."
"And I don't think you have the power to stop me and Emilia from freeing the Sanctuary."
Garfiel gritted his teeth, fell silent for a moment, then asked seriously:
"What you just said… is it true? About my mother?"
"Yes. I've simply seen that scene," Hayashi Maki replied. "Whether it's true or not—you can confirm it yourself after the Sanctuary is freed."
Garfiel didn't say another word. He gave Hayashi Maki a long, deep look, then turned and ran off.
He was probably going to find Ryuzu Shima for comfort.
Back then, Garfiel Tinzel had tried to take the trial to free the Sanctuary and failed.
He should've died.
But Ryuzu Shima broke Echidna's rules and forced her way in to drag him out—saving him.
That punishment left Ryuzu Shima unable to receive mana, and her body gradually weakened.
Garfiel's problem was handled—for now.
Hayashi Maki didn't add anything. He simply patted Ryuzu Bilma on the head, then left with Emilia, Beatrice, and Aqua.
Ryuzu Bilma looked a little helpless.
Being patted like a child gave her a strange feeling…
But that mysterious man didn't seem to carry any malice.
Night fell.
Hayashi Maki had Aqua "take charge" of protecting everyone. Aqua puffed her chest out and promised eagerly—being entrusted with an important duty made her look more like a real goddess, after all.
In reality, Hayashi Maki had assigned the real guard duty to Ram and Rem.
Rem didn't need explaining—she swung her flail like a berserker, and with Hayashi Maki's mana boosting her, she was even stronger than before.
The real powerhouse, though, was Ram with her horn restored.
With a single gesture she could unleash a tornado—one laced with wind blades. Whether for single-target combat or crowd control, she had it covered.
And then there was Beatrice: shadow magic and spatial magic made her the ultimate support—and her offense was even scarier than Ram's wind.
After all, spatial slashes were on another level compared to ordinary elemental spells.
Hayashi Maki also gave Beatrice a specific mission: keep an eye on Roswaal and don't let that bastard pull anything.
The Great Rabbit needed to be dealt with eventually, but Hayashi Maki didn't want Roswaal to backstab them. If Hayashi Maki couldn't clear the trial in time and Roswaal lured the Great Rabbit over, then aside from Aqua, everyone else risked being devoured.
Better to crush danger while it was still a spark.
"Emilia, let's go," Hayashi Maki said. "I'll go with you. We're officially starting the trial."
"Yes! I'll do my best!"
Emilia clenched her fists, eyes determined.
She would clear the trial, reclaim her past self—and bring Puck back.
They entered the passage, and a white light flashed across Hayashi Maki's vision.
When things came back into focus, they stood in a breathtaking place.
Blue sky. Green grass.
A gazebo stood before them.
On a chair inside sat a beauty in a black dress with long white hair.
Her hair, lashes, and brows were all white.
Her refined face held deep black eyes that shimmered with unfathomable light.
"You've arrived. Do you need introductions?" Echidna raised a hand, took a small sip of tea, and spoke with a smile.
"Yes," Hayashi Maki said seriously. "You do. Now strip."
He delivered the outrageous request with a perfectly straight face, eyes roaming over her form.
Echidna laughed in disbelief.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Harassing an omniscient witch—do you want me to throw you out?"
Hayashi Maki shrugged. "In my hometown, it's normal—basic etiquette—for people meeting for the first time to introduce themselves naked."
"Lies. Where is that 'basic etiquette' ever normal?" Echidna shot back.
Hayashi Maki laughed. "Kidding. Echidna, my name is Hayashi Maki. As you can see, I'm here for the trial."
"But what about Emilia? Aren't you going to check on her? Or do you have a split body that can host two trials at once?"
As he spoke, he walked over and sat on the chair opposite her.
"I don't expect anything from her," Echidna said, a flicker of irritation crossing her eyes. "She'll fail anyway, so there's no point watching."
"You're that sure?" Hayashi Maki said confidently. "I think she'll succeed—because the one standing beside her is me."
He tapped the tabletop.
"So, as your guest… where's my tea?"
"Echidna, you're sipping tea while I sit here watching. That's rude."
Echidna replied flatly, "You're the one who opened with 'strip and introduce yourself.' You're in no position to talk about manners."
She lifted a hand.
"Still, I'll indulge you. I'm a polite woman."
A cup of tea appeared out of thin air.
Hayashi Maki drank it in one go, smacked his lips, then said, "Another."
Echidna stared at him. "Do you even know what that tea is? And you want a second cup?"
"I do," Hayashi Maki said calmly. "It's your… 'tea.' People call it 'Dona tea,' right? This much witch factor is nothing to me. Honestly, even if I ate you whole, I'd be fine."
His gaze turned fervent—like he really meant to devour her.
Echidna paused, then covered her mouth and laughed softly.
"How interesting. A man who wants to 'eat' a witch… you're the first."
"And you're like someone who appeared out of nowhere—disrupting past and future. Even my memories show your shadow only vaguely."
"…You're truly unbelievable."