After dealing with a large number of magical beasts, Shendu and Emilia's group continued forward.
The forest was littered with traps, murderous intent lurking everywhere. Not only were there needle-launching mechanisms, but even ground spikes and other troublesome devices. When facing these traps, Shendu used the insectoid creatures she had created as tools to trigger them.
At the same time, she set fire to nearby trees, clearing out hidden traps to prevent Ram and Emilia from falling victim to them.
During this time, serpent-type magical beasts and bat-type magical beasts attempted to pin them down, but Shendu could always create creatures even stronger than these beasts.
As the saying goes, quantity can make up for quality—but the gap in strength between them was separated by an entire galaxy.
Shendu's power allowed her to casually create beings that surpassed magical beasts.
If described in gaming terms, Shendu's mana pool was practically bottomless. For mere magical beasts to think they could block her path—what a joke.
Upon entering the deepest part of the forest, the surrounding magical beasts had vanished without a trace. The beasts within the entire forest had essentially been slaughtered clean.
Corpses of magical beasts littered the ground, proof of the curse user's efforts. Unfortunately for them, the summoned beasts had been completely wiped out due to their uselessness.
From this alone, one could imagine the curse user's utter despair.
The further they advanced, the fewer towering trees remained. The space became exceptionally open. Several massive trees had been cleanly cut down, crashing onto the ground. Warm sunlight poured into the area.
In the patch where the sunlight fell, six or seven children lay in the distance, resting peacefully. Their bodies were motionless, but their breathing was steady.
It appeared they were merely unconscious and had not suffered any injuries.
"Lady Shendu, Lady Emilia, look—the missing children. They're over there."
Upon arriving, Ram pointed excitedly into the distance, unable to contain herself.
"Quickly get them out of here. The Bowel Hunter should be nearby."
At those words, Emilia rushed forward without the slightest hesitation.
"Yes, Lady Emilia."
Hearing Emilia's command, Ram followed without delay.
"Heh. Emilia truly is kind. It suits her personality."
A faint glimmer flickered in Shendu's crimson eyes. She found herself growing increasingly fond of the half-elf girl.
After they finished checking the children and confirmed there was nothing seriously wrong, they finally let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly reported to Shendu.
"Sister Shendu, it's wonderful that they're all safe."
Emilia exhaled, relieved that they had managed to rescue the children.
"Mm. But we still have some trouble to deal with."
Shendu shook her head and glanced behind a large tree, smiling casually. "You've been hiding long enough. Shouldn't you come out now, Bowel Hunter?"
The moment those words fell, Emilia and Ram immediately became alert.
From behind a tree thick enough to require two arms to encircle, a wickedly charming woman stepped into view. She wore a heavy black fur coat and held two curved blades.
"Ara, ara!"
"I never expected you to break through the magical beast horde so quickly. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised—it's you, Shendu."
Facing Shendu once more, Elsa's gaze grew even colder, and the killing intent radiating from her body multiplied.
In the previous battle, Elsa believed part of it had been carelessness—but that woman, Shendu, had also been cunning. She had concealed her strength at the beginning, only to thoroughly deal with her later.
"It's you, Bowel Hunter. You still owe us for injuring Lady Emilia last time."
Ram's face was filled with fury, her hostility toward Elsa unmistakable.
"It's you again. What exactly is your goal?"
Emilia questioned her without hesitation, demanding an explanation.
"Ara, who knows? I'm merely completing a task. And... seeking revenge."
As Elsa spoke, her eyes gradually sharpened. From within her black fur coat, she drew out two curved blades. Their pitch-black sheen made it clear they were forged from special materials.
"Very good. I like persistent enemies. It seems I can't let you die so easily."
Shendu narrowed her eyes and lightly snapped her fingers. A green spatial gate enveloped Emilia and all the remaining children except the blue-haired girl.
"Emilia, Ram, this isn't a place for you to fight. Return the children to the villagers, then come back."
Using the power of the Rooster Talisman, Shendu gently pushed forward. Ram, Emilia, and the remaining children were sent into the portal, transferred to a location a kilometer away.
"How gentle of you."
"Using yin-attribute magic to transfer the others somewhere safe... I want to slice open your stomach more and more."
Elsa's smile turned dangerous. The aura around her grew increasingly terrifying.
"Perhaps. As an assassin, you truly are persistent."
Shendu shook her head, speaking to Elsa with interest. "Just so happens, I need a sharp blade in my hand."
"Heh."
Hearing Shendu's words, Elsa let out a soft laugh. Her figure blurred into an afterimage, even faster than before. One blade slashed toward Shendu's abdomen, the other toward her throat.
This time, however, Shendu did not react at all. She allowed Elsa to strike her with the curved blades. This time, she intended to completely subdue Elsa.
Clang!
Elsa had been startled at first, thinking Shendu was preparing another trick.
However, when the blades truly struck Shendu's body, sparks burst forth. The once razor-sharp blades curled and chipped once more.
The Bowel Hunter Elsa's strike had failed to even cut through Shendu's skin.
"Damn you... what exactly are you?"
After testing her opponent and gaining nothing, Elsa casually hurled the two damaged blades again, stabbing them into Shendu's body.
Yet all they managed to do was tear her gothic lolita dress slightly. They caused her no real harm whatsoever.
"Oh my, Elsa. Is that how you treat a lady?"
"Casually attacking a lady isn't the conduct of a proper assassin."
Shendu laughed lightly, teasing her.
"Hmph. You're no lady. You're not even human."
Elsa declared firmly, her expression growing grave.
Yet she did not retreat. No matter what, today she would fight to the end. Drawing out two more curved blades, Elsa increased her speed once again and launched another ambush.
But Shendu was even faster. Using only two fingers, she effortlessly caught Elsa's attack.
After losing five or six curved blades, Elsa understood that without going all out, this battle could not continue. So she drew out two more weapons.
However, these two were different. One was a white curved blade, and the other was a black curved blade with serrated edges.