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Chapter 379: Trial
🕑 Added 2024-11-11 11:01:01 +0000 UTCOn the other side, after Emilia and Subaru had left, they quickly found Roswaal within the Sanctuary.
Faced with Emilia's questioning, Roswaal was calm, his demeanor different from his usual clownish antics. He looked at Subaru and Emilia and directly revealed his true intentions.
"My name is not actually Roswaal L. Mathers, or to be precise, only this body is named that. The soul inside is actually named Roswaal A. Mathers.
As for my goal, it has always been the same—to resurrect my teacher, the Witch of Greed, Echidna."
"To achieve this goal, I've been using soul transference to take over the bodies of my direct descendants for over 400 years. Everything I have done, including leading the Witch Cult to attack the Oni village where Ram and Rem lived, has been according to the 'Gospel.'
And today, the Gospel shows a new prophecy—after 400 years, the wish I've longed for is finally within reach!"
At first, Roswaal's tone was calm, but as he spoke, he became more and more emotional. It was understandable—who wouldn't be overwhelmed after waiting and working towards a single goal for over 400 years, sacrificing even their own descendants?
Hearing that the destruction of the Oni village was due to Roswaal, Rem could no longer hold back and swung her morning star at him.
However, before the morning star could hit Roswaal, he easily blocked it with a spell.
"Have you lost your mind, Roswaal? Lady Echidna and the other Witches of Sin were devoured by the Witch of Envy over 400 years ago. There's no way they can be resurrected."
Puck and Beatrice were both creations of the Witch of Greed, Echidna, so, in a sense, Echidna was their "mother."
Beatrice had stayed in the library for centuries because of a promise to wait for the so-called "one"—a promise she made to Echidna. Puck and Beatrice were aware that Roswaal was Echidna's disciple and that he was extending his life by taking over his descendants, but they chose not to intervene. One reason was that Echidna was their creator, and Roswaal was her disciple who had done them favors.
The other reason was that Roswaal's actions targeted his own descendants—it was his family's internal matter, not something they had any right to interfere with.
"If it were any of the other witches, they couldn't be resurrected. But my teacher is different.
Even among all the witches, she was the wisest. As one of her creations, do you really think she wouldn't have left herself some means of return?"
Roswaal's words left Puck speechless. He couldn't deny that Roswaal was right.
The Witch of Greed, Echidna, could arguably be called the most knowledgeable person in the world. Her "greed" was a boundless thirst for knowledge. Before she was devoured by the Witch of Envy, Echidna had collected most of the world's knowledge and stored it in her library, which she entrusted to Beatrice to manage.
If it were any of the other Witches of Sin, resurrection would be impossible. But if it were the Witch of Greed, then perhaps...
Seeing Puck's silence, Roswaal pulled out his Gospel, his voice trembling with excitement. "This is the 'Book of Wisdom' that my teacher left behind—a degraded version, the 'Gospel,' which allows its holder to foresee certain aspects of the future.
Even the Gospels held by the Witch Cult are inferior copies of mine.
For over 400 years, I've followed the Gospel's guidance, constantly correcting the future. And now, finally, the dawn I've been waiting for has appeared in the book. Do you really think I would give up now?"
Since meeting Emilia and the unusual Subaru, Roswaal had sensed that his long-awaited opportunity was finally here. However, he had never expected it to come this soon.
For over 400 years, he had planned and maneuvered, even killing his own descendants and destroying the Oni village. His obsession with resurrecting his teacher was no less than, or perhaps even greater than, the Witch Cult's fanatic devotion to the Witch of Envy.
"Whether or not you can bring Echidna back is one thing, but I won't allow you to harm my daughter, Lia!"
Puck knew well how obsessed Roswaal was with Echidna, and he realized that trying to convince him to give up was pointless. Since negotiation was impossible, the only option was to fight. Facing Roswaal, even Puck, the great spirit of fire, lacked confidence. But to protect Emilia, he would fight.
Puck's small cat form began to grow as his mana surged visibly. His body expanded, and the temperature around them began to drop rapidly. Moisture in the air condensed, and snowflakes started falling from the sky.
Subaru, who had always thought of Puck as a mascot, finally realized just how powerful this small, gray cat really was.
"One of the six great elements, the true form of the shining beast known as the Beast of the End, called the Great Spirit of Fire by humans.
I haven't seen you in this form in quite some time, but there's no need for me to fight you.
If you care about the lives of the villagers from Arlam, you will heed my command and undertake the Trial of the Sanctuary."
Facing the massive Beast of the End, Roswaal remained calm. He presented his leverage without fear.
Having lived with Emilia and the others for so long, Roswaal understood Emilia's kind and gentle nature and knew exactly what she would choose.
"You despicable bastard! Using innocent villagers as hostages—they are your subjects!" Subaru yelled, pointing at Roswaal, because he knew, just as Roswaal did, what Emilia's choice would be.
"Despicable? Ruthless? Call me whatever you like. I've struggled to keep my wish alive for over 400 years, killed countless descendants, and done far worse things. You think I'd care about a few villagers?
You have one minute to decide: either accept the Trial of the Sanctuary or prepare to collect bodies from Arlam Village."
The power emanating from the massive Puck intensified as he prepared to attack Roswaal. Puck had always appeared kind, but the truth was that the only person he truly cared about was Emilia, whom he viewed as a daughter. The fate of anyone else was irrelevant to him.
He didn't want Emilia to take any risks, and killing Roswaal was the safest solution.
But before Puck could act, Emilia stepped forward and accepted Roswaal's deal. She agreed to undergo the Trial.
Roswaal showed no surprise. He had predicted this outcome, having understood Emilia's personality all too well. He knew she would never stand by and watch innocent people die because of her.
Moreover, the scene unfolding before him was exactly what he had seen foretold in the Gospel.
Emilia wanted to undertake the Trial, and there was nothing Puck could do to stop her. Due to the terms of their contract, he had no choice but to comply with her orders. He could only watch as Emilia entered the Sanctuary's Trial.
Worried for Emilia's safety, Subaru, with his ability to return by death, decided to show his courage and join the Trial with her. With Wood fighting Garfiel outside the Sanctuary, Subaru saw this as a rare opportunity to prove himself. He was determined to support Emilia in the Trial and, perhaps, improve her opinion of him to surpass that of Wood.
"The Sanctuary's Trial, a test left by the Witch of Greed? Sounds quite interesting. Mind if I join in too?"
The voice belonged to Wood, who had just appeared. He had been outside exchanging blows with Garfiel, and now stood shirtless, displaying his well-toned chest and abs, carrying the unconscious Garfiel on his shoulder.
Wood was intrigued by the idea of the Sanctuary's Trial, especially given that it was left behind by the Witch of Greed, reputed to be the wisest of all witches.
"If Mr. Wood joins the Trial, then I won't oppose Lia's participation," Puck said, reverting from the massive Beast of the End back to his small cat form. Subaru felt a pang of frustration. When he had offered to join Emilia in the Trial, Puck had been adamantly against it. But now that Wood wanted to join, Puck seemed instantly reassured.
It was clear that Puck had little confidence in Subaru compared to Wood, who not only had overwhelming strength but also a sharp mind.
Roswaal's expression turned troubled at Wood's suggestion to join the Trial. Besides Subaru, Wood was the second anomaly he'd encountered. His Gospel had almost no information on Wood, and Roswaal had no way of knowing what would happen if Wood participated in the Trial.
Deep down, Roswaal didn't want to take the risk, but he had no choice. Wood's strength was undeniable, and he wasn't someone who could be easily intimidated.
"Very well, Mr. Wood. If you wish to take part in the Trial, you're welcome to do so.
But bear in mind, the Sanctuary's Trial is not about physical strength. Once you enter, you may find it impossible to leave," Roswaal said, forcing a smile.
Roswaal couldn't guarantee he could defeat Wood in a fight, so he had no choice but to agree.
Wood, Subaru, and Emilia stood at the Trial's entrance, exchanging glances before stepping into the unknown together.
The so-called Sanctuary's Trial seemed to exist in a separate dimension. Once inside, Wood lost track of Subaru and Emilia's presence, and the surroundings were engulfed in darkness.
Wood moved forward through the darkness until he found a glowing path, which he followed. After a while, the scene around him changed dramatically.
With a blinding flash, Wood found himself in a town.
He was standing in the middle of a dimly lit street in the town.
"Please, let me go! I've already apologized..."
A sobbing female voice interrupted Wood's thoughts, and when he looked ahead, he saw a burly middle-aged man pulling a young girl's hair.
Despite her tearful pleas, the man remained unmoved. He punched and kicked the girl as he yelled, "You think an apology is enough? This suit cost me a fortune, and you spilled wine all over it!
You're just a poor little girl from the slums. You look decent enough—maybe if you satisfy me, then I'll sell you to the slave traders and call it even."
Watching the scene before him, long-buried memories came flooding back. Looking at his youthful hands and at the girl, who resembled Anastasia in her simple clothing, Wood instantly realized what was happening.
"I see... So this is the Sanctuary's Trial.
The Trial has three stages, and the first is facing one's past?"
