Facing Echidna's suggestive posture and clearly purposeful proposal, the Shogun simply looked at her expressionlessly. Their gazes met for a brief moment.
"Heh..."
She let out a faint chuckle.
"!"
That breathtaking smile made Echidna think she had relented. Her eyes lit up instinctively.
"...In your dreams!"
But in the very next second, her expression shifted as she rejected her outright.
"Hey—"
Echidna looked as though she'd been doused with cold water. Her expression changed as smoothly as a well-oiled bearing, momentarily making her seem oddly cute and comical.
"Don't be so stingy. You don't have to tell me everything—just a little bit is fine~?"
She still refused to give up, continuing to pester her.
"Not a chance."
The Shogun turned her gaze away coldly, folding her arms as if to say, don't expect me to budge.
"Mm~ just treat it like chatting between friends~? Friends talk about the past all the time. There's nothing wrong with telling me a little, right?"
Echidna spoke gently, lightly tugging at her arm and swaying it back and forth like a spoiled little girl.
"Don't flatter yourself... When did I ever say we were friends?"
She rolled her eyes, delivering a sharp retort.
"Ugh... you're really treating me like this... fine, fine. If you won't talk, there's nothing I can do."
Snap.
The next second, Echidna snapped her fingers crisply.
Humm—
The surroundings, which had been shaped like Inazuma's Chinju Forest, instantly shifted like an illusion. The dimness dispersed, replaced by a familiar grassland—vast rolling hills, a familiar tea table, a parasol, and two chairs facing each other.
Echidna's outfit also changed back into her usual long black dress. Her hair fell naturally behind her once more.
"Sit. If you won't tell me a story, at least have some tea. You wouldn't refuse me even that much, would you~?"
She leisurely returned to her seat, poured tea for the Shogun herself, and, just like before, pulled out a chair for her.
"..."
The Shogun complied and sat down. As she did, Echidna deliberately leaned closer, bringing her nose near the Shogun's neck and taking a light sniff.
"...!"
In that instant, she seemed to detect something that caught her attention. Her eyes sharpened. As if to confirm it, she sniffed her hair, her collar, and even the fabric across her chest—only stopping short of her thighs.
"What are you doing?"
Feeling uncomfortable under such behavior, the Shogun pushed her upper body away slightly, a trace of irritation appearing between her brows.
"..."
Echidna didn't resist. She stepped back a little, her expression and gaze turning complicated—deep, as if probing something.
"...What is it?"
The Shogun felt uneasy under that strange look and tightened her clothing slightly.
"...Nothing."
Echidna exhaled softly, then walked slowly back to her seat. She picked up her teacup and used it to cover her lips, watching the Shogun over the rim, her expression clearly thoughtful.
She could drink her own bodily fluids so naturally—she hadn't expected that.
The Shogun inwardly complained.
"Shogun... may I ask you a question?"
After a long silence, Echidna finally spoke. Her tone was no longer relaxed—it carried a trace of seriousness.
"A question? Go ahead."
She did not refuse.
"..."
Echidna took a breath, set down her teacup, and looked at her solemnly.
"What is your relationship with... the Witch of Vainglory?"
Her voice was low.
"...?"
Witch of Vainglory?
This was the first time she had heard Pandora referred to by that title from someone else. Why ask this?
Seeing that the Shogun did not answer immediately, Echidna tried again.
"Let me put it another way. Have you had contact with her?"
"...You could say that."
She instinctively wanted to conceal anything related to Pandora.
"'You could say' means you have, right?"
Echidna smiled faintly.
"Why are you asking about her?"
The Shogun asked.
"Because she's dangerous. Is that not reason enough?"
Echidna replied.
"And you aren't? Witch of Greed?"
The Shogun returned a faint smile.
"..."
Echidna frowned slightly, then relaxed with a helpless sigh.
"You're right. If you're still bothered by how I treated you earlier, then I sincerely apologize."
"You've misunderstood. That incident made me somewhat uncomfortable, but not enough to hold a grudge. Besides, we're both women—physical contact between us is a vague boundary to begin with."
She dismissed the matter. She knew there had been no ill intent.
"Shogun... Miss Raiden. I don't understand why you're speaking up for her. Perhaps your thinking has already been altered by her. Have you considered that possibility?"
Echidna asked.
"..."
The Shogun did not answer immediately. She closed her eyes, recalling her interactions with that girl. Then she opened them and shook her head slowly.
"I trust my instincts."
She said.
"She is the Witch of Vainglory—the embodiment of lies. And lies... I believe you understand them better than I do."
Echidna leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them.
"Her authority is far more terrifying than we can imagine..."
That much was true. Even the Shogun herself thought so.
"In my view, her authority is utterly... vile and depraved!"
Echidna's tone carried rare disgust. Her expression darkened, her eyes filled with coldness. It was clear she truly couldn't stand Pandora.
"The 'Witch of Vainglory—Pandora.' Heh... just like her name suggests—a bringer of death and suffering!"
"She preaches shallow, self-indulgent theories, and on a whim, she can 'replace' reality itself. Memories are twisted, then rewritten and supplemented at her will. Without a doubt, an authority of 'vainglory'—a despicable and vile authority!"
Her voice grew more intense, anger surfacing in her expression.
"An authority that takes filth and depravity to the extreme! She may not possess overwhelming raw power, but... absolute power is useless against her authority."
Bang!
Echidna slammed the table in agitation. Realizing her lapse, she took a breath and lifted her teacup, taking a sip of 'tea.'
"..."
Her hand... was trembling?
The Shogun could clearly see the slight tremor in Echidna's hand as she held the cup. Was it fear? Or anger?
"Shogun... no matter what, I hope you'll take my words to heart. Even if only as a warning. The Witch of Vainglory—that woman is not someone good. Don't be deceived by her appearance. There's a demon living inside her."
"Her hands are stained with the blood of countless people... including the family of that child by your side."
...
"Let's leave it at that. I've already conveyed what I needed to say. Whether you believe me or not is up to you. Even if you choose not to listen, at least stay cautious. You should know—I have no intention of harming you."
After leaving her with those meaningful words, Echidna opened a portal in the distance just like before, allowing her to leave on her own.
Still pondering the implications of those words, as well as everything she had said about the Witch of Vainglory, the Shogun walked absentmindedly forward and eventually stepped through the portal.
She returned to the place originally shrouded in white light—the ruins. As the glow faded, the familiar dimness came into view, along with Emilia lying unconscious on the ground.
Casting aside her tangled thoughts, she hurried to Emilia's side and carefully lifted her into her arms. Brushing aside the bangs covering her eyes, she saw the clear tear tracks beneath her tightly shut lids. Her face was pale, her delicate lips faintly pressed together, as if she were trapped in a nightmare she could never wake from.
"Mm..."
A soft, heart-wrenching murmur occasionally escaped her lips.
"Haa..."
Letting out a quiet sigh, the Shogun carried her delicate body out of the ruins and regrouped with Ram and the others. Seeing Emilia's condition, they had no choice but to return to the village.
By the time they returned to Roswaal's residence, half an hour had passed. It was around ten o'clock at night—
Click.
After settling the unconscious Emilia, Ram returned to the living room where everyone had gathered...
"How is she?"
The Shogun was the first to speak when Ram came back.
"She's fine... With the help of the fragrance, she shouldn't have any more nightmares. Her breathing is steady now."
Ram walked back to her side and answered.
"That's good..."
She let out a breath of relief. Please don't have nightmares. Nightmares were terrible—far too frightening.
The reason she thought that was simple: she herself hated nightmares. Or rather, she feared them. Even though she had never actually had one, perhaps it was precisely because she hadn't that she feared the unknown—like a child afraid of the dark, of helplessness. That was why she always had Ei accompany her when she slept. If she ever truly had a nightmare, she could instinctively reach for the person beside her for comfort.
"Lady Shogun? Are you alright?"
Perhaps noticing her distraction, Ram asked gently.
"I'm fine... just lost in thought."
She came back to herself, offering a faint smile and shaking her head.
The living room was rather dim. Only two candlesticks on the table did their best to emit a faint warm glow, barely illuminating part of the space, while the corners remained cloaked in shadow.
The group, including her, sat at the four sides of the dining table. The candlelight brushed a hazy golden veil over her fair face, making her already breathtaking profile even more captivating.
Her violet eyes shimmered like a starlit sky, her soft cherry-colored lips glistened faintly, and her long purple hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Perhaps because it was night, her aura seemed slightly softer than usual. No matter how one looked at her, every detail stirred something in Ram's heart as she stood behind her.
"...? What is it?"
Sensing the gaze behind her, she turned her head slightly and asked gently.
"No... it's nothing."
Ram snapped out of her thoughts and quickly shook her head, inwardly reproaching herself.
"Is that so..."
Seeing her reaction, the Shogun did not press further. Though she was still somewhat puzzled, it no longer mattered. She turned her gaze back.
Haa... thank goodness Lady Shogun didn't notice... that would have been embarrassing.
"Damn it... this can't go on."
Garfiel irritably scratched at the hair on his head and knocked his palm against the table a few times, producing several loud thuds.
"...Liberating the Sanctuary feels further away than ever."
Ram sighed lightly, her tone tinged with pessimism.
"..." ×4
Silence fell for a moment.
"Is there really no way to leave without challenging the Sanctuary?"
The Shogun asked, puzzled.
"As far as I know, absolutely none."
Garfiel shook his head.
"What about breaking it by force?"
"Hah?! By force? How would you even do that?"
Garfiel looked at her in confusion.
"With violence."
She answered calmly.
"Hey! That's impossible! The Sanctuary isn't something you can just smash with brute strength! And it's incredibly disrespectful too!"
He protested.
He says 'disrespectful'—coming from you, that's rather ironic.
She inwardly complained.
Still, he wasn't wrong. She was confident that Musou no Hitotachi could break the barrier, but this was Echidna's tomb—her resting place. Resorting to such violence would be improper. Besides, she had only been speaking hypothetically. It wasn't something she would truly do unless there was no other option.
Moreover, aside from occasionally getting handsy with her, Echidna had treated her fairly well. She didn't want to ruin their rapport.
"Wait! I've got a great idea!"
Otto, who had been silent until now, suddenly brightened, drawing everyone's attention.
"Even if we don't challenge the Sanctuary to liberate it, there might be another way for everyone to escape the barrier!"
He spoke eagerly.
"Hah?! What are you talking about? If there were such a great method, would we still be suffering like this?"
Garfiel crossed his arms disdainfully.
"No, please hear me out. I know that those of mixed blood faint upon touching the barrier—we've all seen it. But why not make use of that? Have people who aren't affected by the barrier carry everyone out!"
Otto winked proudly.
"And who would do the carrying?!"
Garfiel demanded.
"The villagers who are ordinary humans, of course. And if that doesn't work, we still have Miss Raiden."
He pointed at the Shogun, who was deep in thought.
"That might actually work. And with Lady Shogun's strength, it wouldn't be difficult."
Ram realized the feasibility of the idea.
"Hehe~ well? Aren't I clever?"
Otto preened.
"If it really works, it's worth trying!"
Garfiel was clearly the most excited. He had been waiting for this chance for a long time.
But in the next moment, a sudden childish voice mercilessly poured cold water over the idea—
"While the proposal is delightful, I have no intention of becoming an empty shell without a soul."
Click.
As the words fell, the living room door was opened from outside. A pink-haired girl wearing a dark coat and holding what looked like a cane walked in, coming before them.
"...?"
The Shogun took the opportunity to observe her carefully. Her azure eyes held a lively spark. Her ears resembled Emilia's—those of an elf. Likely a demi-human or half-elf of some sort.
But she had just referred to herself as... 'I.'
Was she actually quite old?
So there were long-lived races here as well.
"...And you are?"
She asked.
"I am Ryuzu Bilma... you could say I represent this tribe. As you can see, only these old bones remain."
The pink-haired girl answered.
As expected—something like an elder.
Ram had already brought over a cup of freshly brewed tea and placed it before her—
"Hey, Ram, pour me a cup too."
Seeing this, Garfiel shot the Shogun a glance before grinning at Ram.
"It's just coarse tea. Do you really want some?"
Ram asked coldly.
"Ah... since when did you become so modest~?"
He teased.
"Haa... I'm not being modest. It really is coarse tea. I picked some leaves outside and steeped them in water. If you want it, you must finish every drop. Don't leave a single sip at the bottom."
Without waiting for his reply, she began pouring.
"Tch... who cares? Isn't she drinking the same stuff? Go on, pour it."
Garfiel waved dismissively.
...?
Coarse tea?
The Shogun was puzzled. The tea she had just drunk was fragrant black tea. It didn't taste coarse at all. Why would that be?
With that thought, she glanced at Ram as she passed, silently asking with her eyes.
"(Yours is black tea I brought from the mansion.)"
Ram whispered so only she could hear, even giving her a playful wink.
"..."
Ah... I see.
She suddenly found herself feeling a bit sorry for the sharp-toothed man sitting opposite her.
—
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