The next day—
The Shogun, who had gone out early in the morning, happened to run into Ram. Ram was hanging freshly washed sheets from a wooden tub out in front of the house. A gentle breeze swept through the pale fabric, carrying with it the faint fragrance of laundry soap that drifted straight into her nose.
"Good morning, Lady Shogun. Did you sleep well last night?"
Catching sight of her figure from the corner of her eye, Ram smiled and greeted her.
"Mm... quite well."
Seeing Ram busy on her own, she walked over without hesitation and bent down to pick up a damp sheet from the wooden tub.
"...?"
Ram paused, looking at her in confusion.
"I'll help..."
After saying that simply, she began draping the sheets one by one over the wooden pole in front of them. Her movements were fairly practiced.
"..."
Ram gazed absentmindedly at her profile.
"What is it?"
Sensing the other girl's stare, she turned to look at her in puzzlement.
"It's nothing..."
Ram shook her head and didn't answer immediately.
"...I'm not some pampered noble who's never worked a day in her life. I'm just lending you a hand. Why are you so surprised?"
She froze for a moment, then spoke with mild exasperation.
Why is it always like this?
It was true that she was the young lady of the Raiden family, but that didn't mean she was incapable of doing ordinary tasks.
"Mm, thank you very much. You've helped Ram a great deal."
After hearing her complaint, Ram simply smiled indulgently and gave her a proper maid's bow.
"There's no need to thank me..."
She replied casually, continuing to arrange the bedding on the pole. Watching her movements, Ram silently resumed her own work. There was more than just one tub of sheets to hang—another full one sat beside them. Ram would take care of that one.
From time to time, birds fluttered overhead in the early morning, letting out crisp chirps. Occasionally, a breeze would pass between them, stirring the sheets and making them billow gently in the wind.
"How did Emilia sleep last night?"
She asked while adjusting the fabric.
"Mm, Lady Emilia slept very soundly. She didn't have any nightmares."
Ram answered without pausing her hands.
"..."
Silence fell between them once more.
"Lady Shogun, there's something Ram would like to discuss with you."
This time, Ram spoke first, breaking the quiet.
"What is it?"
Her hands paused slightly.
"Not all of the residents here support liberating the 'Sanctuary.'"
As she said this, Ram gradually stopped working, her eyes fixed on the pale sheets hanging between them.
"Only strong proponents like Lady Ryuzu and Garfiel are leading the effort. In other words, there are still conservatives who do not wish for the 'Sanctuary' to be freed."
"...Conservatives?"
She lifted the sheet in front of her, revealing her face, and met Ram's gaze directly.
"Mm. For them, maintaining the current state—keeping contact with the outside world to an absolute minimum—is ideal. Deliberately disrupting that balance will only bring trouble."
Ram's pink eyes were serious as they reflected her violet ones.
"So you don't trust them? Who exactly?"
She asked.
"...Forgive me for speaking frankly, Lady Shogun. I trust no one here. That includes Garfiel, Lady Ryuzu, and most of the others."
Ram lowered her voice, speaking softly enough that only she could hear.
"..."
She fell silent, lowering her gaze as she pondered for a moment.
"Of course... that also includes Frederica, who is still at the Mathers mansion."
Ram added.
Whoosh whoosh!
The wind gradually grew stronger, rustling the leaves and branches around them. It also lifted her smooth purple hair. She came back to her senses and instinctively brushed the loose strands behind her ear, looking at the serious girl opposite her.
"Lady Emilia said that the one who told her to bring that pendant was Frederica, correct? Thinking back on everything that happened, didn't it feel a little off to you?"
Ram asked.
"You mean... she knew from the beginning that Emilia would go through all of this?"
"Mm... All signs point to Frederica having some kind of ulterior motive. And it concerns Lady Emilia."
Ram had sat by Emilia's bedside all night thinking about it. The more she considered it, the stranger it felt. That was why she chose to inform the person she trusted most as early as possible.
"Lady Shogun, please be careful. Those conservatives may directly harm Lady Emilia as the trial-taker. We don't even know who our enemies are."
Carrying the now-empty wooden tub, Ram walked over to her side and gently brushed her slender hand resting on the sheet.
"For now... only you, Lady Emilia, and I can truly trust one another. Even Lord Roswaal cannot be trusted. We must remain vigilant at all times."
Tap tap...
After saying that, Ram turned and walked back toward the house with the empty tub, opening the door and heading inside, leaving her alone.
"..."
She watched until Ram's figure disappeared from sight before finally looking away. Letting out a soft breath, she pursed her lips, her expression relaxing slightly.
One wave hasn't settled before another rises...
And this is first thing in the morning.
Flap!
She gave the sheet in front of her a small puffed shake, the fabric snapping crisply in the air, before turning to leave.
Evening—
Emilia's second day of trials had finally arrived. Though there were three trials in total, she had yet to even pass the first one, making it incredibly difficult for her. Today was her second attempt, made after a full night's rest and gathering her courage. With encouragement from the Shogun and the others, she stepped nervously once more through the gates of the Sanctuary ruins.
As her figure disappeared inside, the ruins once again emitted that dreamy azure glow from the day before, signaling that the trial had begun.
More people had gathered outside the ruins compared to yesterday. Besides her and Ram, there were Otto, Garfiel, Ryuzu, and many of the villagers. The scene resembled a cheering squad of family and friends, leaving her seated on the stone platform feeling somewhat helpless.
Not only that, but Pandora had come with her this time as well. She still hadn't revealed herself, maintaining her transparent, ghostlike state as she sat quietly beside her on the stone platform. Obediently and calmly, she accompanied her. Throughout it all, Pandora's hand rested warmly over the back of her hand on her thigh. Though there was no physical sensation, the intention—like a soft padded jacket shielding her from the cold—made her heart feel warm.
(It's alright. That child will succeed.)
Pandora reassured her, likely out of consideration for her feelings.
After all, Pandora was older than her—her elder sister—and instinctively took care of her. Speaking of which... she suddenly realized she truly had an absurd number of older sisters around her.
Yae Miko had made her call her "Big Sister." And according to Miko, in Liyue she even had a Big Sister Ganyu. No matter how she counted it, they were all her older sisters. Thinking about it now, it felt rather unbelievable.
(Mm... I believe in her.)
She turned her head toward Pandora and replied gently.
Whatever. She had already come to terms with it.
No matter what, it seemed she was simply destined to be the younger sister.
"Ram, come over here too!"
Garfiel, sitting on the steps opposite, called out loudly to Ram below and waved at her.
"Hmph~"
Ram turned her face away coldly, not even sparing him a glance, letting out a proud little huff.
"Uh... still as cold as ever, aren't you?"
Garfiel choked on his words and awkwardly scratched his head.
...
Does this guy like Ram?
The Shogun looked at the sharp-toothed man with mild confusion. She didn't understand romance, but she had that strange feeling. Or rather, wasn't he being far too obvious? It was practically written all over his face.
"Sharp Teeth, do you like her?"
She asked Garfiel directly.
"My name's not Sharp Teeth!! Hmph... of course I do. She's a good woman. As a high-quality male among humans, it's only natural for me to be attracted to a strong and outstanding female!"
He declared without the slightest embarrassment, ignoring the look of disgust on Ram's face.
A high-quality male, really? She couldn't see anything particularly high-quality about him—aside from those teeth.
And if he really ended up with Ram, wasn't he afraid she'd beat him up?
If Ram still had her horn, wouldn't that be even worse? Did this guy actually enjoy that kind of treatment?
"Oh—congratulations."
She responded perfunctorily.
"Hey! Were you brushing me off just now?! Tch... forget it. You'd never understand anyway. You're a woman who doesn't love anyone. You can't compare to a high-quality female like Ram."
He waved his hand dismissively.
Bang!
"Gahhh!"
Unable to endure it any longer, Ram stepped forward and punched him squarely on his spiky head.
"Mind your manners when you speak. A simple concept like that is beyond a sharp-toothed man such as yourself. Ram doesn't like that. In fact, Ram finds it quite distasteful."
Ram delivered her venom swiftly.
"Why're you always defending this woman?! Tch... isn't she just some country bumpkin? Rustic and unsophisticated."
Garfiel clutched his forehead and glanced disdainfully at the purple-haired woman sitting on the stone platform. Perhaps he was still holding a grudge.
...
Country bumpkin?
She blinked in confusion. Why call her that?
"Though I fail to see what part of me resembles a country bumpkin, as for being 'a woman who loves no one'... that hardly seems to trouble you. Or do you insist on asking for another lesson? Must I personally realign your bones again?"
A mocking smile curved her lips as she threatened the brat with ill intent.
"You woman! Who's scared of who?!"
Bang!
"Gahhh!"
Ram struck him again, forcing him into silence.
(Shogun, please calm yourself... we still need to wait for that child to come out, don't we?)
Like a clear stream cutting through noise, Pandora gently stroked the back of her hand in reassurance.
I am calm...
She sighed helplessly.
Hummm~
The next second, the light of the ruins dimmed abruptly just as it had yesterday, gradually fading away. The resonance of magic weakened as well, and the entire area fell into darkness.
"No way... not again?"
Garfiel's face fell as if he had anticipated this.
"It seems she has failed."
Ryuzu closed her eyes regretfully and turned away. The villagers' expressions all reflected the same crushed expectation.
(She still couldn't endure the truth of her past...)
Pandora's face showed rare remorse. Perhaps within those truths were the things 'she'—Pandora—had once done to her.
(Don't overthink it.)
The Shogun understood what weighed on her and offered gentle reassurance before standing and walking toward the entrance of the ruins. Ram followed close behind.
Tap... tap...
Echoing footsteps gradually approached from within the ruins. The familiar silver-white figure staggered forward along the wall, coming into view.
"Ha... ha... I'm sorry... Shogun, I... I failed again."
Emilia's face was pale. Her entire body seemed drained of strength as she leaned against the wall and slowly approached them. Even her eyes had dimmed, as if all vitality had been sucked out of her. Her legs trembled uncontrollably, as though she might collapse at any moment. Her voice was hoarse, making it clear what kind of mental torment she had endured.
When she saw them there to receive her, the last of her composure broke. Her body went limp as she fell forward—right into waiting arms.
"It's alright. Don't be afraid."
Holding her tightly, she stroked her hair again and again, soothing her in the same gentle tone as always. It was better than yesterday—Emilia had at least managed to walk out on her own. Otherwise, she might have collapsed unconscious inside.
"I'm sorry... I... I'm so useless..."
Emilia's voice broke into sobs, a tear slipping from the corner of her eye.
"There's no need to apologize. You did well... it's alright. We're here."
She wiped away her tears, continuing to comfort her.
...
Watching this scene, Pandora revealed a rare look of self-reproach and slowly turned her back, gazing up at the bleak moonlight in the sky.
...
Garfiel also averted his eyes, his fists clenching tighter and tighter.
—And so, the second day of the trial ended in failure.
Around nine in the evening...
"I see... how unfortunate~"
Roswaal, wrapped in bandages and propped against the headboard beneath the covers, merely shrugged slightly after hearing her account. Apart from a token note of regret, he showed little else—almost as if he didn't care.
The room was lit only by the faint glow of candlelight, painting the dim interior in a warm hue.
...
She frowned at the sight.
"Still... the right to challenge the trial hasn't disappeared. That in itself is fortunate. There's still another chance."
He added casually.
...
She exchanged a glance with Ram. They communicated silently through their eyes.
"What is it you wanted to say? Why did you send Emilia away?"
She voiced her doubt.
Just moments ago, he had dismissed Emilia, asking her to leave while keeping the Shogun behind. Ram remained only because she was tending to him.
"I'm merely taking precautions. I'm not naive enough to conduct a discussion in front of someone whose credibility is lacking."
He spread his hands casually.
Lacking credibility?
How ironic. He was the least trustworthy one here.
And he didn't even trust Emilia... perhaps to him, she was nothing more than a chess piece.
"I see nothing about her that warrants your suspicion."
She spoke coldly.
Ram's gaze toward Roswaal grew more probing.
"Perhaps..."
He replied ambiguously.
"There is something I wish to ask."
She continued.
"By all means."
He agreed readily.
"What exactly are you trying to do? Regarding Emilia... what do you want from her?"
"Hehe... what else could it be? Naturally, I want her to pass the Royal Selection. I remain her supporter."
He shrugged.
"...That may not necessarily be true."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Oh~? And what do you mean by that?"
Roswaal dropped his usual exaggerated tone and grew serious.
"You knew about the Witch Cult, didn't you?"
She asked.
"...And what if I did?"
He deflected with a question of his own.
"Stop playing games. You knew that publicly announcing Emilia's status as a Royal Selection candidate would inevitably draw the Witch Cult's attention—perhaps even bring about her death."
As she spoke, she braced one arm against the headboard beside his face with a sharp bang, leaning forward so that her upper body cast a shadow over him.
...
Roswaal remained unmoved, his expression unchanged as he looked at her.
"And yet you concealed this from her. You didn't mention it at all. When the Witch Cult attacked the mansion, why did you leave in advance? You abandoned those by your side—even the villagers. You discarded them all. Including Emilia."
Her fingers slid slowly to his throat, forming a blade-like gesture as she pressed against his windpipe, as though ready to strike him down in the next instant.
...
He continued to watch her in silence.
"At that time, we were delayed in the capital and didn't inform you. Which means you still believed Emilia had already returned to the mansion. You knew she would be in danger. You knew the Witch Cult would come. You were willing to sacrifice everything to have her killed."
A faint current of electricity flickered at her fingertips, scorching the skin at his throat.
"I want a reason. Why?"
She spoke at last, her voice icy.
"...Because I knew you would resolve it for her, of course. Isn't that right, Miss Raiden? By making use of someone's ability."
He finally answered...