Each sin's "Witch Factor" had a unique nature, or a core essence. From this essence, various powers could manifest. Depending on an individual's physical adaptability, the power's strength and form varied.
Lillian's body adapted extremely well; he felt almost no rejection. In just a few days, he had begun to master the power he received.
He called it [Invisible Will].
To him, [Unseen Hand] was just a form, like music with different styles—pop, jazz, classical. These were all forms, while the essence was musical theory or music itself.
Similarly, [Unseen Hand] was one manifestation of Invisible Will. Its visible form was a "hand." However, Lillian's high adaptability allowed his power to manifest as pure "consciousness." Consciousness could take multiple forms, not just hands—it could act as he wished.
Roar… roar…
The giant wolf bit with all its strength but could not break through. The invisible shield formed by Lillian's Invisible Will was not invincible, but it was impervious to mere teeth.
"Freeze!"
Meili's furious shout erupted. The giant wolf leapt aside, spewing a torrent of icy blue breath that engulfed Lillian. In an instant, he and the ground beneath him froze solid, forming a humanoid block of ice.
She watched, feeling neither satisfaction nor relief—only rage and pain. In the next moment, her astonishment grew—the ice began to crack with loud "crack" sounds, shattering to the ground. Lillian emerged unharmed, calm and silent.
"How is this possible?! But—"
"Meili, it cannot kill me."
The fire-aligned wolf, though stronger than the dog in the forest before, was still no match for Lillian.
Gritting her teeth, Meili drew a dagger and charged again, screaming in rage. But as before, determination alone was useless. Her small frame couldn't reach him. A few meters away, unseen hands seized her legs and the wolf, immobilizing both.
"Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!" Meili struggled, tears streaming. "Give me back my sister!" She hurled the dagger at Lillian, but it was blocked by the invisible shield and fell with a clinking sound.
"…."
Watching her near-crazed expression, Lillian lowered his head for a moment. Then he put on his mask, hiding his face, letting only his cold voice reach her.
"Why are you so weak? Because your hatred isn't deep enough…"
"Now, I have no interest in killing you. If you want to avenge your sister, nurture this hatred, grow stronger, and survive in your own ugly way…"
Lillian turned and left, stepping forward without hesitation as he listened to Meili's wailing cries behind him.
Sorry, Elsa. I couldn't protect you. I can't let anything happen to your sister.
She really cared about you. If she knew that Greed had killed you, she'd surely throw herself into revenge recklessly… and that would only lead to death, with no other outcome.
His figure gradually vanished into the darkness. Meili, her eyes bloodshot, watched him disappear, wiping her tears from her cheeks. Her voice, though hoarse, was firm: "Someday… I will…."
---
In the verdant forest, the masked figure moved silently. Magical Beasts retreated, magical creatures circled around, and no creature dared obstruct his path.
Reaching the forest's edge, the masked figure landed on the trunk of an ancient tree and gazed into the distance—toward Roswaal's mansion.
He had returned.
Two days had passed since leaving the royal capital. Lillian had originally intended to investigate the Witch Cult, but suddenly remembered someone.
The Witch of Greed—Echidna.
She was said to know all about the past and future, holding all knowledge. Though it sounded unrealistic, Lillian had questions he wanted to ask. For two days he searched the forest, trying to find her location—the so-called "Sanctuary."
Deep within the forest lay the "Sanctuary." A beautiful name, but in reality, it was more accurately the "Tomb of the Witch of Greed."
Though called a tomb, Echidna was not dead. Her spirit remained within. Whoever could enter could meet her. Whether she would accept visitors or answer questions was not Lillian's concern. He only needed to reach her first.
After two days of searching with no success, it seemed the Sanctuary was magically concealed. Only someone who had been there could guide the way.
And that someone… was inside the mansion.
---
"After enjoying the lord's granted leave, I, Frederica Baumann, am back!"
The energetic maid announced to the group. Her long golden hair gleamed, and her emerald eyes sparkled like jewels. Yet her smile revealed sharp teeth, a reminder of her demi-human heritage that could be slightly intimidating.
"Such a scary face—!"
Subaru remarked awkwardly. Frederica's expression instantly shifted as if she wanted to cry. Emilia immediately scolded him, while Ram calmly commented: "Seems like someone thinks they're handsome."
"Hey! I am handsome, alright!"
"With a face like that? Nobody would believe it."
"Hahaha~" Frederica covered her mouth, laughing softly. "Ram, you're still as blunt as ever." She glanced at the others curiously.
"Um… where's Rem? Isn't she here?"
"…"
The group fell silent. A noise echoed down the corridor. Frederica looked up and screamed, covering her mouth.
"Rem—"
The girl in the wheelchair gave her a faint smile. "You're back."
"Rem! How…?!"
Frederica ran to her, noticing the empty space beneath her. "Your legs…"
"Were cut off by members of the Witch Cult." Ram stated matter-of-factly, her words filled with unhidden vengeance. "I will avenge her. Don't worry."
"…"
"I'm fine." Rem smiled, recalling something, a hint of sadness flickering in her eyes. "At least… I'm still alive."
Upon hearing this, Ram's expression also grew complex. Frederica didn't understand, but didn't press further.
"Oh, by the way, Frederica, it's good to see you." Emilia spoke to lighten the mood. "I thought you had quit."
"Quit? No, I just took some personal leave. Ram called me back this time."
"I see." Emilia nodded. "You left three months before Subaru arrived here, right? I thought I'd never see you again. But… Ram, you called her back because—?"
"'The kitchen and courtyard were in complete disarray, and the burned houses needed repairs'… that's what Ram wrote in her letter to me." Frederica sighed. "I'm back to help with the heavy labor."
"Uh…"
"Indeed, we're short on hands." Ram said.
Much of the mansion had been half-destroyed by fire. Restoring it would require a significant amount of time.
"Hire people from nearby villages to help rebuild the houses," Ram instructed.
"Frederica, you oversee the work."
"Sounds like a massive project, but I'll do my best!" Frederica said cheerfully. She glanced at Rem and then Ram, asking: "So, Ram, are you planning to take Rem to the Sanctuary to see Roswaal-sama?"
The new name surprised Subaru. "Sanctuary? What's that?"
Ram ignored him, nodding to Frederica.
"Yes. I'll take Rem to see if Roswaal-sama has any solutions."
"Wait! Roswaal is in that Sanctuary?!" Subaru exclaimed in shock. "He's been missing since the Royal Selection meeting. So he went to the Sanctuary? What is it?"
"It's a fun place." Frederica winked at him.
"Alright, I'll go prepare." Ram pushed Rem's wheelchair and left, Emilia following. Subaru wanted to follow immediately but hesitated, asking Frederica, "Is the Sanctuary far?"
"Why, do you want to go too?"
"I have many questions for Roswaal!" Subaru replied irritably. "Not just about him not defending Emilia at the meeting, but also the Witch Cult attacking both his mansion and the village a few days ago… If it weren't for Priscilla's knights helping, the villagers would have—Doesn't he care about these things as the frontier lord?"
"It's not like that," Frederica shook her head. "Roswaal-sama has always treated us well."
"Then why hasn't he returned?"
"Maybe he didn't know, or maybe he had something preventing him from coming back," Frederica spread her hands. "I really don't know."
"…"
"By the way, when I entered just now, I heard Emilia muttering about someone called 'Lillian.' Who… is he?"