Watergate City, inside the city hall.
After Julius intercepted the Archbishop of Gluttony, Shendu and Crusch successfully entered the interior, arriving at the topmost room.
It was there that Shendu discovered the magical device capable of transmitting throughout the entire city. Its exterior resembled an accordion, with a seat attached, and a recessed slot in the center for inserting magic stones.
No matter how she looked at it, it resembled a broadcast device from her previous life, though there were subtle differences.
"Roar!"
Just as the two of them were examining the device, a furious roar sounded from behind.
A massive black dragon bellowed at them and immediately swiped a claw forward, as if intending to crush them to death in a single blow.
"Heh, how boring. Fighting me in such a confined space is practically suicide."
Shendu snapped her fingers. The black dragon charging toward her was slammed violently into the wall by an invisible force.
By combining the power of the Rooster Talisman and the Ox Talisman, she completely suppressed the dragon, smashing it against the wall until it appeared temporarily unconscious.
Behind the dragon, a black-haired girl was bound to it. She seemed to have fainted, which made the scene somewhat strange.
"Something isn't right, Lady Shendu. Why is this black dragon so weak? This feels abnormal."
With a soldier's intuition, Crusch quickly sensed something amiss, and her expression grew grave.
The dragon had just claimed to possess immortality, even boasting that it could regenerate after being reduced to fragments. How could it be defeated so easily by a few collisions?
"It is indeed abnormal. Come here. I have a little play I need you to cooperate in."
Shendu lowered her voice as she spoke to the girl before her.
After a brief discussion, Crusch cast a pitying glance at the black dragon. Soon, her gaze hardened with resolve, knowing exactly what she needed to do.
"I'll go confirm whether the surroundings are secure, Lady Shendu. I'll leave rescuing this child and the hostages to you."
Crusch spoke seriously before turning and leaving at once.
Watching Crusch proceed according to plan, Shendu expressionlessly walked over to the girl and untied her.
"Wake up. You're safe now."
Shendu lightly patted the girl's face, her tone thoughtful.
"Wah... wah... that black dragon was so terrifying..."
As if startled awake, the black-haired girl opened her blue eyes and burst into tears, throwing herself into Shendu's arms.
"It's alright. The dragon has already been dealt with. Since you were taken hostage, tell me—where are the others being held?"
Shendu narrowed her eyes, her face still devoid of emotion, as though discussing something unrelated to herself.
"They're over there. I'll take you to them."
The girl pointed ahead with a somewhat heavy expression. Shendu offered quiet reassurance, secretly injecting a trace of magic into her.
"Very well."
Without further words, Shendu followed her to a partitioned room. Just before they reached it, the girl curled her lips into a faint sneer.
Creak.
When the door opened, what appeared inside resembled a prison cell, packed with dozens of figures.
Yet the sight triggered an almost suffocating sense of discomfort.
Because those within were no longer ordinary humans. They resembled grotesque fly-like mutants, covered in countless eyes that all stared at Shendu, causing even her expression to shift slightly.
"What a vile personality. Truly detestable."
Shendu looked coldly at the scene and snapped her fingers. The imprisoned hostages all collapsed into unconsciousness at once.
"I'm sorry... I didn't have the strength to stop it. I'm truly sorry. I could only watch helplessly as they were turned into this."
The black-haired girl lowered her head in apparent fear, avoiding Shendu's gaze as though trembling with terror.
Not far away, Crusch seemed to have completed her inspection and returned. A strange look crossed her face.
"Lady Shendu, how are things inside? Have the hostages been rescued?"
Crusch stepped in front of the black-haired girl and asked in confusion.
Bang!
Before anyone could react, the previously silent girl suddenly lashed out with a flying kick, sending Crusch crashing to the ground, motionless.
"Hahaha! I fooled you! With such petty tricks, you thought you could invade this lady's domain? Absolutely impossible!"
The black-haired girl who had kicked Crusch instantly transformed into Capella, planting her foot on Crusch's body with a mocking smile.
As expected, the rescued woman had been none other than the Archbishop of Lust, Capella, in disguise—a troublesome opponent indeed.
Capella wore a smug expression, pleased that she had finally deceived this cunning woman. Just as she was about to say more, Shendu snapped her fingers.
In an instant, the Crusch beneath Capella's foot turned into a mass of shadow. Footsteps echoed from outside the door, and an unharmed Crusch appeared, unleashing a slash of sword aura.
"Take this, you vile Witch Cultist!"
Crusch opened with a killing strike, piercing straight through Capella's heart. Yet the effect was minimal.
Not only did Capella not die, she remained standing steadily. The wound through her heart gradually healed.
Her terrifying regenerative power—and her unfathomable cunning—were laid bare, though unfortunately for her, Shendu had already seen through it.
"Oh my. I was enjoying such a delightful game, and you just had to break the rules. Isn't that rather rude?"
Capella shook her head with feigned regret, clearly dissatisfied.
"Breaking the rules? No. I think your personality is simply more vile. Why harm those hostages?"
Crusch demanded. She had seen everything earlier and felt only hatred and killing intent toward Capella.
"They're nothing more than insects. Hardly worth caring about. But you... why do you always see through my intentions?"
Realizing she could not overpower Shendu, Capella instead focused on her, flashing a smile that revealed small fangs.
Her appearance might have seemed cute at a glance—but without that twisted personality, she would have been far more so.
All her life, Capella had rarely encountered defeat. Whatever she did, she quickly gained the upper hand. Only when facing Shendu did she suffer setback after setback.
"It's simple. If that black dragon truly possessed immortality, it would have attacked relentlessly. It wouldn't have lost its fighting power after a single blow. Clearly, you altered them."
Shendu analyzed calmly, her expression serene as she laid everything bare.
"Then when did you figure out I was Capella?"
Hearing Shendu's explanation only deepened Capella's interest. Curiosity glimmered in her crimson eyes.
"From the very beginning. If all the other hostages were turned into monsters, why weren't you?"
"Were you afraid that I'd kill you the moment I saw you?"
Shendu narrowed her eyes, exposing Capella's scheme completely, her demeanor utterly indifferent.
"Hahaha! You're the most interesting woman I've ever met. What a pity we're enemies. Otherwise, I'd love for us to become good sisters."
Capella spoke with mock regret, as though sincere—but her words only enraged Crusch further.
"You insolent Witch Cultist! How could you possibly become sisters with Lady Shendu!"
Crusch erupted in fury, swinging her weapon repeatedly at Capella.
However, due to her immortality, no matter how many strikes Crusch delivered, they were little more than scratches.
"That's enough, Crusch. You can't hurt her. Calm yourself."
Shendu placed a hand on Crusch's shoulder, gently soothing her until her emotions settled.
"Oh my! It's rare to encounter such a clever woman. Would you like to join our Witch Cult and become the Archbishop of Pride?"
Having realized that Shendu had seen through everything, Capella smiled ambiguously and extended an invitation, her tone brimming with delight.
"No. I have no interest in that. The Witch Cult is destined to be eradicated by my hand."
Shendu's gaze was resolute. To complete her mission at one hundred percent, she needed to eliminate the Witch Cult. That had always been her plan.
"Hahaha! What a pity. I thought we might have become friends."
Though her invitation failed, Capella showed little disappointment. Under the influence of her Authority, her body began to change shape once more.
Her claws morphed into those of a beast. A black tail lashed behind her. Wings resembling those of a pterosaur spread from her back. Her form shifted continuously, never settling.
"So it really is the ability to alter one's appearance—combined with unimaginable regeneration. She's truly troublesome."
Crusch watched the transformation warily.
"Such a shame. If you joined the Witch Cult, I'd gladly become good sisters with you. Whatever form you desire, I can change into it for you."
Laughing, Capella freely altered her shape.
She became a blonde girl, then a graceful young woman. Moments later, she turned into an ordinary village girl. After a brief pause, she transformed into a mustached gentleman.
"Turn those people back to normal, and I might spare you. Otherwise, I'll give you a lesson you won't forget."
Murderous intent burned within Shendu's crimson eyes as she issued her warning.
Capella did not fear her in the slightest. Instead, her smile deepened. Relying on her immortality, she feared nothing.
Even if she couldn't defeat Shendu, Shendu could not kill her either.
"Impossible. They're nothing but ugly insects. Who would ever like them in that state? If you have the ability, change them back yourself."
Her tone was teasing, convinced that Shendu could never undo what her Authority had done.
"You insolent creature. You will pay for this."
Crusch flared up again, nearly unable to restrain herself.
Turning humans into grotesque creatures and even using them as shields—like the black dragon at the entrance, one of Capella's creations. If Shendu hadn't seen through it instantly, the consequences might have been severe.
"Then I'll wait and see what you can possibly do to change the situation."
Capella crossed her arms, utterly unconcerned.
"Lady Shendu, what should we do? Must we force her to lift her Authority?"
Knowing that the hostages required Capella to undo the transformation, Crusch asked in confusion.
"No need. She will never undo it. I'll handle it myself."
Shendu shook her head. Astonishing magic power surged from her body. She lightly stepped on the ground, and a violet magic circle enveloped the area where the hostages were held.
In an instant, the power of the Monkey Talisman reversed the effects of Capella's Authority. The hostages were restored to their original forms.
"We're back to normal!"
"Thank you, silver-haired hero!"
The rescued hostages cheered in relief and gratitude.
"Close the door. There may be trouble soon."
Shendu's voice was cold. At her command, the hostages shut the partition door.
With battle raging outside, it was safer for them to remain hidden.
"Miss Shendu, how kind of you. Restoring my masterpiece. I didn't expect you to possess an Authority similar to mine."
Capella teased, realizing that Shendu was even more troublesome than she had imagined.
"Enough talk. You should experience what it feels like to be altered by someone else."
With a wave of her hand, violet magic smashed toward Capella.
Caught off guard, Capella was transformed into a cockroach. Crusch promptly crushed her underfoot.
Before it ended, she became a white mouse. Crusch slashed down again.
Each time Capella regenerated, Shendu changed her into yet another insect.
Didn't she enjoy altering forms at will?
Very well—Shendu would grant her wish. Only this time, the form would be Shendu's choice.
After being humiliated more than a dozen times, fury blazed in Capella's eyes.
When she turned into a small black rat once more, she immediately sprouted wings and retreated several steps, keeping her distance from Shendu.
Facing someone with a similar ability was simply too dangerous.
"You've gone too far! How dare you humiliate me like this? Just wait—the flood will soon submerge this entire district!"
Capella's voice turned icy, laced with threat.
"Oh? You mean someone is about to open the floodgates and drown the district?"
Shendu seemed to understand at once.
"Naturally. Anyone who dares offend me will pay the price."
After delivering her threat, Capella flew away without hesitation. Before leaving, she shot Shendu a venomous glare, as if determined to remember her.
After Capella fled, Shendu stepped forward and placed a restriction on the magical device.
However, once she finished, Crusch informed her that there was a backup device—it had already been relocated.
It seemed that woman could continue spreading fear after all. Truly a cunning fox with more than one den.
...
Elsewhere, while Watergate City remained engulfed in chaos, Emilia stood inside a luxurious room, gazing out the window. A contemplative look lingered in her violet eyes.
Since being brought here, she had not seen the Archbishop of Greed again, yet she maintained absolute calm.
According to the original plan, she was to infiltrate the Witch Cult and gather crucial intelligence. This body was merely created from shadow—she did not fear death.
In a sense, she possessed a form of immortality. Even the intensity of her magic usage was remarkably high.
"Ah, you're unharmed. That's wonderful. Seeing you so lively puts my mind at ease."
Footsteps approached the door. A white-haired young man entered the room.
"It's you. Regulus... a member of the Witch Cult."
Emilia's expression grew complicated upon seeing him. The killing intent in her eyes was unmistakable.
"How rude. Emilia, was it? I paid quite a price to save you. I even clashed with another Archbishop of Sin for your sake. Shouldn't I receive something in return?"
Regulus spoke casually, utterly unconcerned with her hostility.
"What do you want?"
Emilia did not reveal her purpose. Instead, she responded with calm suspicion.
"Simple. I want to marry you. You're breathtaking—silver hair, violet eyes. You look exactly like the legendary Witch of Envy."
Regulus spoke with manic confidence, convinced she would not refuse.
"And you're even more beautiful than when you were a child. Perhaps you'd make an excellent new wife. Prepare yourself—you'll marry me soon."
He continued speaking as though the matter were already decided, giving Emilia no chance to respond.
"Hmph."
At the mention of her childhood, anger flickered briefly in Emilia's eyes before she suppressed it.
I'm on a mission. I can't act recklessly.
Seeing that Emilia, though angry, did not attack, Regulus appeared satisfied. He disliked those who defied him.
Clearly, this Emilia was sensible enough to become his wife.