After the Great Rabbit incident came to an end, the residents of the Sanctuary began packing their belongings, preparing to leave the homeland where they had lived for so long and to face an unknown future.
The villagers of Arlam Village in particular were filled with excitement. Under Lady Shendu's leadership, Emilia had successfully completed the trials, and this filled the villagers' hearts with admiration for her.
Of course, when Beatrice returned to the Sanctuary, her feelings were complicated. This place had originally been created by her mother as a peaceful haven for the mixed-blood demi-humans.
It was also the place where her mother was buried, which only made Beatrice's emotions even more complex. In the end, at her suggestion, the two of them went together into the depths of the tomb.
The Witch sleeping inside the transparent coffin looked exactly the same as she had four hundred years ago, without the slightest change.
Gazing at Echidna's body, Beatrice's eyes brimmed with tears as she quietly looked at her mother. She had always held deep respect for the mother who had created her.
Even knowing that her mother had once deceived her, she did not resent it in the slightest.
Shendu also glanced at the Witch of Greed. The silver hair, the face that blended intellectual beauty with liveliness—it reminded her of the woman at the Witch's Tea Party.
Not bad. Echidna was a thoroughly unlikable Witch. She schemed too much, which naturally made others feel uneasy around her. That much was unavoidable.
Because of Shendu's appearance, Roswaal had been sacrificed ahead of time. This time, there was no Roswaal standing at Beatrice's side.
After killing that bastard Roswaal, Shendu felt not the slightest guilt. If anything, she thought the man had deserved it. Of all people, he had chosen to provoke her.
Since he chose to believe in his Gospel, then waiting obediently for death would have been best. Shendu would not have stopped him from making a fool of himself.
"I'm sorry, Mother. I came a little late. But the promise has finally ended. After four hundred years, I have finally waited for that person."
Beatrice held one of her mother's hands as she spoke sorrowfully. With her other hand, she grasped Shendu's, as though declaring where she now belonged.
"I once wondered who that person I waited four hundred years for would be. But now, it no longer seems to matter."
"The one I chose is Big Sister. I will follow her and travel to many different places. I came here today only to see you one last time."
Beatrice spoke with deep affection and sorrow. This was her final farewell.
"Alright, don't be sad, Beatrice. If your mother could see that you're living well, she would surely be happy too."
Shendu gently stroked the girl's head, offering her comfort.
It had its effect. Beatrice quickly suppressed her tears and steadied herself.
After speaking a while longer to her mother, Beatrice stood up. A trace of reluctance lingered on her face as she walked out together with Shendu.
When they reached the entrance, Beatrice sealed the place with magic, ensuring no one would ever find it.
After all, if the Witch's remains were to resurface, who knew what kind of trouble it might bring. The best solution was to let that possibility disappear forever.
After leaving the Great Cathedral's tomb, Shendu saw that the villagers had finished their preparations. All kinds of belongings had already been loaded onto the carriages.
The people of Arlam Village, together with the mixed-blood demi-humans, now numbered over two hundred. Compared to before, it was only a modest increase.
No sooner had she stepped out than Shendu spotted Emilia and Rem bustling about, checking on the progress of the relocation and ensuring everything was proceeding smoothly.
"Yo! Emilia, you've worked hard. How's the evacuation coming along?"
Shendu smiled faintly as she looked at Emilia and asked.
"It's almost done, Sister Shendu."
Like a fluttering butterfly, Emilia took small quick steps over to Shendu and continued speaking.
"Everyone is really looking forward to leaving. They're all making the final preparations now."
Emilia wore a bright smile. It was clear that she, too, held great hope about leaving the Sanctuary.
Having gone through two trials, Emilia had matured considerably. She was no longer the girl who burst into tears so easily.
"Good. Just don't overwork yourself. Know your limits."
Shendu looked at the silver-haired girl before her and spoke with a gentle smile.
She was quite satisfied with Emilia's growth—but it still was not enough. If the silver-haired half-elf wished to become truly strong, further tempering was inevitable.
After chatting briefly, Emilia hesitated. She thought of Roswaal's death and the potential trouble it might bring.
Seeing that Shendu appeared unconcerned, she cautiously asked,
"Sister Shendu, will Roswaal really be alright? If others find out, the Kingdom won't just let it go, will they?"
Emilia would be lying if she said she was not worried. Her heart was filled with anxiety. She did not want things to spiral out of control.
"You're right. Come here—I'll tell you how to handle it."
Shendu beckoned her over with a faint smile.
Upon hearing this, Emilia leaned closer. After listening carefully to Shendu's plan whispered into her ear, disbelief spread across her face.
"Will that really work? What if someone finds out?"
Emilia found it a bit hard to believe. The idea sounded somewhat crazy.
"You'll know if we try. I guarantee it'll work."
Shendu extended a finger and lightly flicked Emilia's nose, smiling mischievously.
Once their exchange ended, Beatrice, who had been standing beside them, furrowed her brows. After organizing her thoughts, she explained the situation at Roswaal Mansion.
"Big Sister, on the third day after you left, the Witch Cult attacked the mansion. If Miss Akane hadn't arrived in time, we might have suffered losses."
Beatrice spoke with resignation. A trace of lingering tension remained in her eyes.
"What? How could that happen?"
Emilia's heart tightened. She had not anticipated such a development.
"There's a high chance Roswaal informed the Witch Cult. But fortunately, everything has already been resolved."
Thinking of that clown's identity, Beatrice could not help but feel disdain.
"I see..."
Hearing this, Emilia finally let out a sigh of relief.
As long as everything at Roswaal Mansion was safe, she could finally rest easy. It seemed that Geuse was also unharmed, which further eased her worries.
From Beatrice's brief account, Emilia realized that Shendu had been quietly handling everything behind the scenes—matters she herself had never noticed.
"Thank you, Big Sister."
Having come to this realization, and having been protected by Shendu's light so many times before, Emilia did not hesitate. She stepped forward and gave her a deep kiss.
It was a completely spontaneous gesture, born from genuine emotion.
"I have something to take care of. I'll go get busy."
Feeling the lingering warmth from Emilia's sudden closeness, Shendu was momentarily stunned. She had not expected the girl to be so bold.
"Ahhh! Emilia, you're so sly!"
Witnessing the scene, Beatrice flared up in outrage. Yet there was nothing she could do. She merely shot Emilia a look and ultimately said nothing more.
The residents of the Sanctuary continued packing at an accelerated pace. At this rate, they would likely depart by nightfall. Shendu, unconcerned with time, remained completely at ease.
At present, the second phase's important matters had been completed. One of the Three Great Witchbeasts—the Great Rabbit—had been eliminated. All that remained before officially leaving this world was the issue of the Witch Cult.
Of course, that would require considerable effort. But Shendu did not mind in the slightest. She naturally had a way to resolve it.
...
Night fell over the forest surrounding the Sanctuary.
Starlight and a bright moon illuminated the entire woodland. After everything had been settled, Shendu and Emilia began their journey back.
Casting one last glance at the place, Emilia felt a surge of emotion. The memories she had experienced here were important ones she would carry in her heart.
Especially during the second trial, she had seen a world without Sister Shendu—a world where her fate would have been unimaginably tragic, where death would have followed her endlessly.
Ever since Shendu appeared, that destiny seemed to have been shattered.
"Our journey in the Sanctuary is finally over, Sister Shendu. I'll always remember how you've taken care of me."
Inside the dragon carriage, Emilia held one of Shendu's hands, her cheeks slightly flushed as she looked at her.
"So sly, Emilia. As your little sister, I deserve comfort from Big Sister too."
Sitting beside Shendu, Beatrice refused to fall behind. She wrapped an arm around Shendu and leaned against her shoulder without the slightest hint of restraint.
As Big Sister, Shendu rarely put on airs. With the Sanctuary incident concluded, Beatrice had also untied the knot in her heart, and her dependence on Shendu deepened even further.
As for Rem, she wanted to move closer—but there was no space left. She could only sit quietly to the side, her blue eyes occasionally glancing over.
"Big Sis is amazing... just like the heroine of a romance novel."
At the other end of the dragon carriage sat Garfiel, Ryuzu, and Bilma. Seeing Shendu with a girl on each side, Garfiel could not help but sigh in admiration.
"Garfiel, stop saying strange things. From now on, you must show proper respect to Lady Shendu."
Ryuzu, speaking like a grandmother, gently admonished him.
"Yes, yes, Grandma. You loli old lady."
Garfiel muttered teasingly, then turned to look out the window to pass the time. In his heart, he was already thinking about how to earn Lady Shendu's praise.
After resolving his inner conflict, Garfiel's wild nature had mellowed. Compared to his former roughness and arrogance, he had become noticeably gentler.
Originally, Garfiel had played a significant role in the Sanctuary, but Shendu's appearance had disrupted everything. This time, his part in the Sanctuary journey had been little more than background decoration.
The dragon carriage and the residents of the territory traveled from night until day. By the afternoon, Arlam Village finally came into view.
Upon seeing that they had arrived, the village chief stepped down from the carriage and knelt on the ground, bidding farewell to Shendu and Emilia.
"We've arrived, Lady Shendu, Lady Emilia. Thank you for saving us and allowing us to return from the Sanctuary."
Behind him, the villagers of Arlam Village looked at them with gratitude and deep reverence.
"The same goes for this old one. From now on, we are all subjects of Lady Emilia."
After arriving, Ryuzu stepped forward as well. The mixed-blood demi-humans behind her shared the same grateful expressions.
"Very well. I accept your sincerity. Go back and rest first. After running for so long, you must be exhausted."
Emilia looked at them with concern and spoke politely.
"Yes, Lady Emilia."
With Emilia's words, the villagers and Ryuzu nodded and began walking toward the village. Only Garfiel remained where he stood.
As a new combat force personally recruited by Shendu, he would naturally not remain an ordinary villager. Future actions would require him at her side.
"So this is your territory, Princess? Not bad at all."
Garfiel looked around appreciatively, a hint of excitement on his face.
The presence of civilization fascinated him. Being able to stay beside the silver-haired girl was also something he greatly anticipated.
"Yes."
Emilia nodded. With Roswaal gone, this territory rightfully belonged to her.
Speaking of the Sanctuary, Beatrice had also found her old friend there—a spirit girl named Ryuzu Meyer.
Yesterday, when they had uncovered her in the Sanctuary, the spirit girl had still been asleep, and even now there were no signs of her awakening.
Beatrice had anxiously examined her and discovered that her friend had merely fallen into a deep slumber. As for when she would wake, that remained unknown.
Shendu could only comfort her little sister, telling her that one day her friend would awaken.
"Alright, let's return to the mansion. I believe they're already waiting for us."
Seeing that the timing was about right, Shendu waved lightly and looked at Emilia.
"Okay! Let's go back!"
With all the troubles resolved, Emilia was in exceptionally high spirits and eager to return.
Soon, their group arrived at Roswaal's mansion.
As soon as they reached the entrance, Shendu saw Ram and Frederica already standing at the door, bowing respectfully to welcome them.
"Lady Emilia, Lady Shendu, welcome back. You must have worked very hard."
Frederica bowed deeply, then cast a sidelong glance at Garfiel with a faint smile.
"And you, my dear little brother Garfiel—you've finally returned."
"Haha, Sis! Are you happy your big brother's back?"
"You've really grown, you know."
Garfiel rushed forward, attempting to give his sister a hug.
But Frederica easily sidestepped him and kicked him to the ground in one smooth motion.
"Sis, what was that for?"
After being knocked down, Garfiel asked in confusion.
"Save the affection for later. We must first welcome our honored guests inside."
Frederica's professional demeanor immediately made Garfiel straighten up and behave.
"Alright, alright."
After being rejected by his sister, Garfiel climbed back to his feet.
Escorted by the two maids, Shendu and Emilia entered the living room, where Geuse was reading a book. Nearby, Elsa and Meili were enjoying snacks.
Since it had been rare for them to go on a mission, the assassin sisters had remained here at the mansion.
Shendu had already learned about what happened at the mansion while she was still in the Sanctuary. The two assassin sisters had given it their all during the battle, which greatly pleased her.
The moment she stepped inside, she greeted them warmly.
"Yo, long time no see, Elsa, Meili. You've both worked hard."
"Master, welcome back."
As soon as Shendu finished speaking, the two maids' eyes lit up. They hurried over and embraced her tightly, expressing how much they had missed her.
While the two sought comfort from their master, Geuse stepped forward and bowed deeply to Emilia.
"Lady Emilia, did everything go smoothly? Has the matter been resolved satisfactorily?"
Geuse remained as refined and courteous as ever. Setting aside his former identity as the Archbishop of Sloth, he was truly a spirited young man.
"It's all been resolved. Sister Shendu helped me greatly. I successfully completed both trials. It's finally over."
Emilia smiled brightly, her face filled with joy.
"That's good to hear. I have also fulfilled my duty in protecting the mansion."
Geuse maintained his gentlemanly composure, a stark contrast to his former deranged appearance.
"Lady Shendu, Lady Emilia, lunch is ready. Please take your seats and eat first."
As a professional maid, Frederica waited until their conversation naturally paused before speaking respectfully.
"Alright. Let's eat first."
Shendu nodded without objection. Then she turned to Geuse and spoke in a serious tone.
"Geuse, come see me after lunch. I have an important task for you."
"Understood, Lady Shendu."
Receiving Shendu's order, Geuse did not hesitate. He bowed respectfully in response.
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