"Why?"
Lillian was confused, hiding in the shadows behind the young girl, observing Meili's next move.
He remembered the hatred in her eyes when they fought at the city gate—it was directed at him. Better that than the Archbishop of Greed.
So why was she attacking the mansion now? The previous mission had failed, so there shouldn't have been any need…
---
"You can't just come into someone's home and cause destruction, little girl."
A blonde woman in a maid outfit emerged at the mansion gate. Lillian instantly noticed her resemblance to Garfiel in the Sanctuary—her features were remarkably similar.
"Step aside, or you'll be destroyed along with them."
Meili's voice carried no hesitation, and the beasts before her growled, waiting for her orders.
"Did all their horns break off…"
The blonde maid—Frederica—observed the beasts, realizing the broken horns signified their obedience to Meili. Even so, her control over so many creatures at once demonstrated the girl's extraordinary talent.
Frederica smiled faintly. "As a maid, protecting the mansion is my primary duty. So, little girl, I cannot comply with your request."
"Then destroy it along with this mansion."
Meili swung her arms, commanding dozens of beasts to roar and charge. Mana in the air became chaotic and wild, magic of all types bombarding Frederica, attempting to overwhelm her.
"No choice, huh…"
Sighing, Frederica's expression grew serious. In an instant, her long blonde hair shortened, golden fur sprouted over her skin, and her bones rapidly restructured.
In the next moment, she was on all fours, leaving her human form behind. Sharp teeth filled her mouth, pupils became fierce, and with a leap, she dodged several spells and beast attacks.
"A hybrid, huh…"
Lillian watched from afar. The former blonde maid had transformed into a golden beast resembling a cheetah, mythic in appearance. If Garfiel shared a bloodline with her, he guessed he'd look similarly if transformed.
"Beastkin, huh."
Meili seemed slightly surprised at the transformation, but quickly refocused, driving her beasts to attack.
The transformed maid was quick and nimble, dodging most attacks and even snapping a beast's neck in retaliation. Lillian noticed she didn't use magic offensively, meaning that even with speed, Meili could strategically counter her with numbers.
Indeed, Meili, though small, was clever. Upon realizing normal attacks failed, she commanded all her beasts to group together, releasing area magic attacks. Despite Frederica's agility, some spells hit, leaving blood across her golden body.
"Given your speed, I can't stop you from escaping."
Meili looked at the bloodied Frederica. "Why guard this place? And where are your 'masters'? Are they all cowards, not stepping up?"
"Well…" Even in beast form, Frederica could speak, her tone deeper. "You came at an inconvenient time. They're not here. Why not run? Because I promised to protect this mansion."
She sighed. "Sigh. Just renovated most of it. If you destroy it again, my work is wasted… But, little girl, may I ask why you wish to destroy this place?"
Meili's face darkened, gritting her teeth. "I'm avenging my sister!"
"Sister?"
"All this began because of that commission. If my sister hadn't gotten involved in this country, she wouldn't have met that despicable bastard."
'Despicable bastard'… is she referring to me?
Lillian groaned inwardly. Being resented so directly was unpleasant. But he reasoned that once he obtained the dragon blood and explained Elsa's role, Meili would understand.
"Anyway, that half-demon named Emilia, and Roswaal, must die!"
"Emilia-sama? Roswaal-sama?"
Frederica blinked. "The former is universally recognized as good-hearted, kind to all. Why kill her? As for Roswaal-sama, forgive me, little girl, but he is the chief mage of this country. Do you really think you can oppose him? Using beasts alone?"
"..."
"Also, Emilia-sama—your beasts threaten her, yes, but Roswaal-sama protects her. If you—"
"His protection?"
Meili laughed mockingly, as if hearing the funniest joke. "Protection, huh? Enough to hire us to kill her?"
Frederica froze.
Indeed, it was Roswaal who had hired Elsa and Meili.
Hearing Meili confirm it, Lillian understood fully: Roswaal had hired assassins to ensure the person who could "reshape the world by will"—Subaru—would appear. Roswaal succeeded in drawing him out, but did not know the trigger condition of his powers, so he kept probing.
Now… Lillian was surprised that Meili even knew this. Normally, the identity of a hiring party is strictly secret, and the assassin should not know.
"How could Roswaal-sama…?"
Frederica could hardly believe it. Meili, however, was too lazy to continue the conversation.
She raised her hand, and the magical beasts around her began to gather their magic.
"If you won't flee, then die right here."
Boom! Boom! Boom—!
Spells of various elements erupted. While each individual spell wasn't particularly powerful, the sheer number hitting a single person was enough to be lethal. At the last moment, a black hole suddenly appeared, sucking all the spells in.
Lillian, hiding behind a tree, lowered his hand. Originally, he had intended to save the maid—not out of kindness, but because if she had a connection to Garfiel, she might know some secrets of the Sanctuary. Rescuing her could earn him a favor.
Since Beatrice had acted first, there was no need for him to do more.
The twin-tailed girl appeared from the black hole, floating in the air, coldly observing Meili.
"I was wondering why it's so noisy outside this early in the morning. Could you take your pets away?"
"You—"
Meili eyed her warily, sensing the immense mana radiating from the twin-tailed girl. Even the magical beasts she controlled began to shrink back. No matter what, Beatrice's presence as a Great Spirit was enough to command respect; these beasts were not strong enough to defy her.
"…I will come back again!"
Meili wasn't the type to act recklessly out of hatred. Realizing her situation was hopeless, she immediately chose to retreat. With that, she leapt into the air. A wolf-shaped beast caught her and sprinted down the mountain. The remaining beasts followed, their rumbling footsteps fading into the distance.
"Thank you, Beatrice-sama."
Frederica now reverted to her human form, having undone her transformation. Her clothing had long since torn during the change. There was no one else around, so she didn't bother to cover herself.
But the next words from Beatrice made her expression change drastically.
"Come out. You were about to act just now, right?"
"Huh…?" Frederica froze, then immediately crouched, hands covering her chest. "Beatrice-sama, is there anyone else?!!"
"…"
Lillian stepped out from behind a nearby tree.
"Huh?!!"
Frederica screamed. Beatrice, on the other hand, sensed something and stared at the masked figure in disbelief.
"You?!"