Fiona, Cossette, and Melina finally arrived at Petershof Castle… but they had no idea they weren't the only ones searching for it.
Flashback
Veronica: "Being… famous… isn't as wonderful as people… think… My family, the Estebens… were very popular in the Basque kingdom… But famous people don't just have fans… they also have… many enemies…"
Bang! Bang!
Veronica: "Huh…! Mama… Papa?"
In the year 1399, the Esteben family was murdered by a fan of another actress. The killer shot the famous actress Chiese Esteben and the well known writer Roco Esteben, known for books such as Love and Lust Are Not the Same, Shadow of the Murderer, and The Howling Children. Roco Esteben was not loved in every circle, as his works often depicted war, abuse, and criticized the nobility.
The fan claimed that the Estebens were ruining the career of actress Camilia Perez. Chiese Esteben had taken the leading role in the film Shadow of the Murderer instead of Camilia Perez, who was originally meant to play it. After that, Camilia failed to appear in other films and eventually took her own life in February 1398 at just 25 years old.
The fan said he did not care about the consequences as long as he had avenged Camilia Perez. However, he was not executed because he was only 15 years old. The authorities sentenced him to juvenile prison instead. How he obtained the gun and entered the estate remains unknown.
Rumors say the killer, Andre Serrano, had been in a relationship with Veronica Esteben, the daughter of the family. Whether he used her to get close to the family or if it was coincidence is unclear. Veronica was even accused by the authorities of being involved.
A few days later
Veronica Esteben, only 16 years old, was sentenced to eight years in prison for allegedly assisting in the murder of her own family. She denied any connection to the crime.
Veronica: "While the real killer was released after only three years because he was deemed mentally stable… I, who had nothing to do with it… had to spend eight years in prison… Only because the judge classified it as supporting robbery instead of murder, and because of good behavior, I was released four years early… But the people… they never forgot…"
She stepped outside.
People stared at her with hatred and disgust. Veronica returned to the house where her aunt Rosa now lived.
Rosa: "Huh? What are you doing here, parasite?"
Veronica: "But… Aunt… this is my parents' house…"
Rosa: "The parents you murdered. Get out."
Veronica: "I didn't do it… I didn't know… I didn't know Andre planned this…"
Rosa: "Out!"
The door slammed shut.
Veronica: "In the cold winter… I walked alone… The people treated me like a monster… and then… I found it…"
She saw something. A ring.
Ring: "Touch me… and I shall grant you power… my child… Show them… that they deserve to suffer by your hand…"
Veronica: "Who… are you?"
Ring: "I am the ring… I belong to the Dark Magician… Oz."
Veronica: "Huh…"
Ring: "Look at how they treat you… when you did nothing…"
Veronica: "Hmm…"
Ring: "The lawyers knew you were innocent…"
Veronica: "What?"
Ring: "It is true… But the family of Camilia Perez bribed the judge…"
Veronica: "Ugh… hah…"
Ring: "Wear me… wear me… I will give you power… They treat you like a monster… show them the monster they want to see."
End of flashback
Fiona, Cossette, and Melina entered Petershof Castle. It was dark.
Melina: "Huh…"
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Cossette: "Creepy…"
Something fell behind the door.
Fiona: "Hmm…"
Melina: "Huh?"
They tried to leave.
Dong!
Cossette: "Huh?"
Fiona: "What?"
Melina: "We… can't get out?"
Even though there was no visible door, they could not leave. A barrier. Magic.
Cossette: "What do we do now?"
Fiona: "I guess we have to do something to open the exit…"
Melina: "Hmm…"
Fiona: "Let's keep moving."
Melina: "Okay."
Cossette: "Okay…"
They continued. Cossette clung to Fiona's hand. Melina walked calmly.
Cossette: "Mm…"
Fiona: "Don't be afraid. I'm here. And Melina too."
Melina: "Hehe… I may not look it, but I'm strong."
Cossette: "Hey look… what's that… a beetle?"
She approached it.
Fiona: "Cossette, wait—"
Cossette: "Huh?"
The moment she touched it, the wall cracked.
Melina: "Oh no."
Fiona: "Cossette!"
Cossette: "Huh!"
The wall collapsed on her.
Cossette: "Ow… help… Fiona… Melina…"
Fiona: "Wait!"
Fiona tried lifting it.
Fiona: "Ghh… it's heavy…"
Cossette: "Please… it hurts…"
Crash!
The wall lifted.
Cossette: "Huh?"
Fiona: "What…? Melina?"
Melina: "Huh?"
Melina had lifted the massive wall with both hands.
Melina: "Huh?"
Fiona: "Never mind—quick!"
They pulled Cossette out.
Crash!
The armor suits began moving.
Fiona: "Ugh…"
Cossette: "Huh…"
Armor: "Rrrr…"
One was smashed through the wall.
Fiona: "Melina?!"
Melina: "Huh?"
More appeared.
Melina: "Sorry… I can't defeat them alone."
Fiona: "Bob!"
Bob appeared and hurled them aside.
Melina fought fiercely, eventually defeating them.
Fiona: "Melina… why are you so strong?"
Melina: "It's my ability… I can move butterflies and speak with them. The Moon Tear Curse makes me stronger… magic, basically."
A butterfly landed on her nose.
Melina explained her crystal magic, her enhanced strength, and the healing fairy butterflies she must eat to heal herself. The female ones taste sweet like cotton candy, the males more sour.
They continued deeper.
Suddenly, a man in a wheelchair approached… then stood up and transformed into a rat faced monster.
They fought. Melina was gravely injured multiple times, healing herself by consuming fairy butterflies. Fiona shot the creature in the head.
Afterward, they found a woman lying on a bed.
Cossette: "She's beautiful…"
Melina: "Red hair… dark green eyes…"
Fiona: "Wait… that description… Get away from her!"
Fiona pulled them back.
Fiona: "That's not just anyone… that's Cinderella."
Footsteps.
Veronica entered, holding a dagger.
Fiona: "No! Stop!"
Veronica: "Huh?"
Fiona fired. Veronica dodged.
Veronica: "Of course I'm here… why else would I be?"
Darkness spread.
Suddenly, Cinderella appeared behind Veronica.
Cinderella: "Hungry…"
She bit into Veronica's neck.
Veronica screamed.
Fiona: "We have to go!"
Melina: "It's too dangerous!"
They fled and hid. Cinderella rose, laughing madly.
Cinderella: "I want more… I live again…"
Across the world, people felt it. Rudeus. William. Lilly. Dante. Gerrard. Lissana. A terrible presence awakening. The moon began to bleed.
Back in Petershof
Cinderella raged, demanding blood, calling for Rudeus.
Fiona forced Melina and Cossette into her hat. It opened like a portal. They fell through.
Elsewhere
Fiona called Meliodas.
Fiona: "Master… Cinderella has awakened…"
Meliodas: "…We are completely screwed."
Back in Petershof
Cinderella looked down at wounded Veronica.
Cinderella: "Hehehe… I wanted to kill you… but being alone is boring too…"