"I understand, Lord Roswaal. I will work hard to atone and earn Lady Shendu's forgiveness."
Ram's eyes were filled with determination, as though she had come to realize something. She turned and walked outside as well.
For Ram, the most important people in her life had always been her sister and Roswaal. But ever since Shendu had barged into her world, for reasons she could not quite understand, she too had been drawn to that silver-haired girl.
"Ram seems to be overthinking things again."
Noticing the subtle change in Ram's expression, Emilia sighed helplessly, guessing what might be going through her mind.
"It's fine, Miss Shendu. We won't make things difficult for her."
Puck floated in midair, speaking with complete confidence.
Before long, the group arrived at the corridor. Shendu leaned against the wall, quietly waiting for them.
Within minutes, everyone except Rem had stepped outside. Seeing that everything had settled down, Puck let out a yawn and looked tiredly toward Shendu.
"Miss Shendu, since the matter's resolved, I'll turn in first. See you tomorrow!"
"Goodbye!"
As a great spirit who kept a strict nine-to-five schedule, Puck yawned again, then transformed into a streak of light and slipped into the gem hanging around Emilia's neck.
After Puck disappeared, Beatrice offered a polite bow and turned her gaze to Shendu in farewell.
"Big Sister, since there's nothing more to do, I shall take my leave as well."
Beatrice's tone was courteous as she looked at Shendu with her shadowed eyes and said her goodbye.
"Very well. Goodbye."
With a wave of her hand, Shendu watched as Beatrice opened Rem's door and transferred herself back to the library.
"Miss Shendu, are magic potions a unique healing method from your homeland?"
The clownish Roswaal once again turned his gaze toward the silver-haired girl, testing her carefully.
"Of course."
Shendu met his eyes with her crimson gaze and answered calmly.
"Oh my, you truly never disappoint. But it's already quite late. We can chat another day."
Roswaal knew it was already past three in the morning. After a light greeting, he cast her a meaningful glance with his mismatched eyes before slowly walking away.
"Miss Shendu, Ram is perfectly capable of serving you. Please give Ram another chance."
Now that only four of them remained, Ram lowered her head and bowed deeply to Shendu, her eyes filled with sincerity.
"There's no need. I've already forgiven you. You were acting for your sister's sake."
Shendu understood Ram's feelings. Besides, the twin maid was rather pleasing to the eye.
In any case, neither Ram nor Rem harbored hostility toward her. As long as they did not interfere with her plans in the future, everything would be fine.
"No. At first, Ram even intended to kill you. If you hadn't been strong enough, Rem might never have been saved. I could never forgive my own foolishness."
As she spoke, a few tears slipped from Ram's red eyes.
"That's right! Then let Ram take extra care of you, Sister Shendu. Consider it her way of making amends."
Emilia could not help but chime in from the side.
Emilia had always hoped that Rem and Ram would not remain hostile toward Shendu. Now that things had turned out this way, it was the best possible outcome for her.
"Very well. I can reluctantly accept you. We'll see how you perform from now on."
Shendu felt somewhat helpless. She had not expected Ram's favorability to be nearly maxed out already, nor that she would be this clingy. If that was the case, then Rem would likely be the same.
"That's wonderful! Thank you, Lady Shendu, for giving me this opportunity."
Ram's face lit up with joy. Knowing she had a chance to repay her debt, she finally felt relieved.
"Alright, Emilia, Ram. It's three in the morning. Whatever it is, we can talk tomorrow."
Shendu waved her hand and returned to her room with Felt. As she passed Natsuki Subaru's room, she pushed the door open to check on him. Seeing that he was perfectly fine, she felt somewhat reassured.
After his cheat-like advantage had been sealed by her, if he died again, it would be real death. Shendu could only lament his poor luck.
Before he could fully rise and walk his destined path as the protagonist, he had nearly fallen at the starting line.
...
Elsewhere, in a tightly shut room in Arlam Village, a candle burned with a faint flame.
Yet the dim light was enough to illuminate the entire room. Two figures stood within—one a black-haired woman exuding a wicked charm, the other a young blue-haired girl.
Though there was a noticeable age gap between them, they were both infamous assassin sisters.
The wickedly alluring woman was naturally the Bowel Hunter, Elsa. The blue-haired girl was the mastermind behind the recent curse, a beast tamer named Meili.
"Sister Elsa, is that woman called Shendu really that terrifying? I wonder if the two of us working together can defeat her this time!"
Meili had absolute confidence in her ability to command demon beasts. Yet when she recalled her first glance at Shendu, she had felt fear emanating from that woman.
"We should be able to. I've already set traps near the forest."
Elsa licked her lips, revealing a bloodthirsty smile.
"However, Meili, you must mobilize every demon beast you can from the surrounding forest. No matter how strong someone is, facing relentless waves of attacks will eventually wear them down."
Elsa narrowed her eyes, remembering how badly she had been beaten last time. No matter what, she would give everything to take her revenge.
"No problem."
Seeing Elsa's intense hatred toward Shendu, Meili grew curious and asked in a puzzled tone, "Sister Elsa, you're so strong. Why are you afraid of that woman?"
"Because last time, I nearly died by her hand. It's been a long time since I felt death so closely."
After a brief pause, Elsa continued expressing her thoughts. "This isn't just your mission. It's my chance for revenge as well. If we miss this opportunity, we'll have to wait until next time to join forces again."
"I understand, Sister Elsa. If someone makes you hate them that much, then Meili will do everything in her power to deal with that person."
Killing intent flickered in Meili's eyes. She was deeply dependent on Elsa.
Ever since Elsa had killed the demon beast that raised her, something had stirred within Meili's heart. Before meeting Elsa, she had never seen a single living human. After being taken away by her, she began to worship Elsa blindly.
Now, the two assassin sisters had become even more in sync. In order to eliminate this powerful enemy, Elsa had specifically sought her out and laid this trap together.
At the thought of helping Elsa destroy that enemy, a surge of excitement rose uncontrollably within Meili's heart.