Early the next morning, Shendu slowly opened her eyes. She gently pushed Felt aside, got dressed, and used a simple spell to clean herself.
Afterward, she strolled out into the courtyard. There, she saw Natsuki Subaru up unusually early, already jogging around the yard.
Rem was watering the flowers and pulling weeds, taking care of simple chores. Beside her, Elsa and Meili were helping as well. As for Emilia, just like usual, she had chosen to communicate with the lesser spirits to gain greater power.
After some discussion yesterday, they had decided to remain in Roswaal's territory for one more day before heading to the royal capital to participate in the upcoming Royal Selection.
Of course, they could have departed together today. However, Emilia had postponed it by a day, claiming she felt nervous.
As for the reason, Shendu could easily guess. The half-elf girl was simply too dependent on her. She probably wanted to use this extra day as a buffer—to spend more time by her side.
When Shendu stepped out of the mansion, Elsa and Meili, who had been weeding, immediately set down their tools and bowed respectfully.
"Good morning, Master!"
"Good morning, Master!"
The moment she appeared, the two newly accepted little maids greeted her with utmost respect.
"Good morning. Get back to work."
Shendu waved her hand casually, and the two returned to their tasks. Rem finished watering the flowers and then walked slowly toward Shendu, offering her greeting as well.
"Lady Shendu, good morning!"
Rem's eyes were filled with reverence. She had always admired Shendu deeply.
"Good morning, Rem. You're as diligent as ever."
Shendu reached out and gently stroked Rem's head, speaking earnestly.
"It's nothing. This is Rem's duty."
Rem stuck out her tongue playfully, looking especially cute. After a moment's thought, she continued, "But thinking about how Lady Shendu will be leaving soon... Rem feels a little sad. You saved my life. Rem will never forget that."
"So, this is a gift Rem made overnight. Please accept it."
As she spoke, Rem took out a diamond-shaped necklace made from a purple crystal magic stone and handed it over gently. Her name was engraved upon it.
"Thank you. We'll meet again."
"Rem is also looking forward to meeting Lady Shendu again."
In front of Rem, Shendu put on the amethyst necklace. A smile immediately bloomed across Rem's face.
After greeting Rem, chatting briefly with Natsuki Subaru, and discussing matters concerning the Royal Selection with Emilia, Shendu turned and headed toward the Great Library.
Since she was about to leave, she naturally would not forget Beatrice. A proper farewell was necessary.
As Shendu entered the mansion corridor and was about to open a spatial door, a nearby door suddenly swung open on its own.
There was no need to guess. That adorable blonde drill-haired spirit girl probably wanted to see her.
Inside the library, Beatrice sat in a chair, tearing open a bag of chips and eating in loneliness. She did not look up at Shendu, her eyes brimming with sadness.
"Yo, Betty. Why so gloomy?"
Shendu wore the same light smile as always, her crimson eyes fixed on Beatrice.
...
Hearing Shendu's voice, the blonde drill-haired girl set down her snack and looked up, her expression still filled with sorrow.
"Big Sister is leaving, and I still haven't waited for 'that person' to appear. I've remained in this library all this time, fulfilling my contract."
"For four hundred years, Betty has waited long enough. I truly don't know when it will end."
This time, Beatrice had none of her usual cheerfulness. Knowing that Shendu was about to leave, she spoke her heart completely.
No one knew how Beatrice had endured such endless years. Throughout that boundless stretch of time, many people had tried to take her away.
But she felt that none of them were the one she had been waiting for.
"No, Beatrice. In truth, 'that person' never existed from the very beginning. My eyes can cross the river of time. I understand clearly why your mother said those words."
As Shendu spoke, she paused slightly, giving Beatrice time to absorb the revelation.
"But if there is no 'that person,' then what did Mother mean when she said someone would take me out of the library?"
Beatrice began to cry uncontrollably, tears as large as beans falling to the floor.
She could not understand her mother's intentions. Her large eyes, accented with purple shadow, stared at the silver-haired girl before her.
Anyone who had lived alone for hundreds of years would have long since had their patience worn away—let alone a humanoid spirit whose mind had not fully matured.
"Echidna's goal was never to see whether 'that person' would appear. She simply wanted to see whom you would choose as that person."
"In reality, there was never such a person. Everything depended on your choice."
Shendu stepped forward and gently cupped Beatrice's face, speaking calmly.
"My own choice?"
The more Shendu explained, the brighter Beatrice's eyes became. The question that had troubled her for so long seemed to unravel just like that.
Had she been wrong all these years to wait for the Gospel's guidance?
No. When Shendu appeared, the Gospel had reacted for the first time in hundreds of years. That had never happened before.
"Then... can Betty choose you? Can you take me out of this library?"
"Will you become Betty's 'that person'?"
With tears still in her eyes, Beatrice stared at Shendu expectantly, though uncertainty lingered in her gaze as she waited for an answer.
"Of course. That's exactly why I came to say goodbye—to make you a promise. Once I finish handling matters concerning the Royal Selection, I will take you away from this library."
"I'll help you break this 400-year curse."
Shendu's voice was firm. Moved beyond words, Beatrice threw herself into Shendu's arms and began sobbing.
This time, the blonde girl was not crying from sadness, but from overwhelming emotion. Shendu was willing to make such a promise to her.
Whether it was a lie or not, for Beatrice, it was a rare glimmer of hope.
"Alright. Then I'll listen to you, Big Sister."
Beatrice smiled through her tears, no longer weighed down by despair.
Shendu walked deeper into the library and waved her hand lightly. The Gospel appeared in her grasp. A surge of fiery red magic enveloped the book.
"This book is useless now. When I return, I'll personally take you away. We'll go see different worlds together."
With her magic, Shendu burned the Gospel to ashes, sealing her promise.
"Betty will wait here a little longer. When the time comes, remember to come and get Betty."
Beatrice's heart was light with happiness as she made her own promise in return.