Duanmu Huai had no idea that, at that very moment, Mistrina was facing the most dangerous battle of her life. After enjoying a hearty meal of spicy crab with Brother Shrimp, Duanmu Huai set off again, humming a tune as he headed toward Volcano Manor.
Just as Ranni had said, the road to Volcano Manor was far from easy. But for Duanmu Huai, such dangers were nothing to worry about. When he finally arrived at the gates of the manor, Odelle, who had already contacted him in advance, was waiting there for his arrival.
"Master, I'm terribly sorry to have troubled you."
Seeing Duanmu Huai, Odelle immediately lowered her head and bowed deeply.
"It's fine, this is something I should do anyway… Hmm, right, I intend to meet the mistress of this place. After all, she's taken good care of you for quite a while, so I should at least show some courtesy."
"This… alright."
Hearing his words, Odelle hesitated slightly, but still nodded and led Duanmu Huai into Volcano Manor.
Soon, under her guidance, Duanmu Huai met the mistress of the manor — a woman dressed in a white gown and wearing a white mask. Behind her stood a knight clad in heavy armor.
"Greetings, Sir Knight."
Perhaps because she had already heard about him from Odelle, the woman didn't seem too surprised to see Duanmu Huai. She simply sat calmly in her chair and nodded slightly.
"I am Tanith, mistress of this manor. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard quite a bit about you from Miss Odelle…"
"Hello, Lady Tanith."
Duanmu Huai bowed politely, glancing around in confusion. If he remembered correctly, Ranni had told him that Rykard was the true master of Volcano Manor. But Rykard wasn't here…?
And come to think of it, Ranni had also asked him to retrieve the Great Rune from Rykard… Hard to do that when the person was missing.
Still, the lady before him had helped take care of Odelle. It would be dishonorable to act rudely or with hostility now.
"Thank you for taking Odelle in. If there's anything I can help with, please don't hesitate to ask."
"You're too kind, Sir Knight."
Tanith let out a soft laugh.
"I've heard from Raya that you're a man of great potential. So let me ask — would you be willing to join Volcano Manor, to fight alongside us? The so-called guidance of Grace, the arrogance of the Fingers — all of it is nothing but hollow lies forced upon us. We reject it all. We raise our swords against the Erdtree. What do you say, Sir Knight?"
In the past, Duanmu Huai might have needed some time to think about such an offer. But now that he knew the truth about the Erdtree and the Golden Order from Ranni, this wasn't even a question.
"No problem at all. What do you need me to do?"
"Excellent."
Hearing his answer, Tanith nodded and reached into her robe, producing a sealed letter which she handed to him. Duanmu Huai took it and glanced through the contents — a name, and a location.
"This is…?"
"This is a Volcano Manor contract. Your task is to hunt down those who serve the Golden Order. If you find this troubling, you're free to walk away. I understand this isn't an easy mission…"
"I understand. Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
After reading the letter, Duanmu Huai immediately understood her intent. Tanith wanted him to hunt down the loyalists of the Golden Order.
Of course, Duanmu Huai didn't plan to let those lackeys live anyway. This fragment of the world would one day become his domain — it was only wise to eliminate the dogs of the Golden Order early, before they caused trouble later.
Not only had Tanith listed their names, but she had also marked their locations clearly. That certainly made his job easier.
"Master…"
After parting ways with Tanith, Duanmu Huai left Volcano Manor, with Odelle following close behind.
"You should stay here for now."
Although he wanted to bring Odelle along, he decided it was better to leave her behind — it would be easier for him to move alone, and he also needed her help to gather information about Volcano Manor.
"Listen carefully, Odelle. I have a task for you… Have you heard of someone named Rykard here in the manor?"
"This…"
Odelle frowned, thinking for a moment before shaking her head.
"I'm sorry, Master, I've never heard that name before."
"What about Raya? Are you familiar with her?"
"Yes, Master. Miss Raya… she's very kind. She was the one who first found me and brought me here to Volcano Manor, asking Lady Tanith to take me in. She's a very good girl."
"That's good."
Duanmu Huai nodded.
"In any case, I want you to stay here for now. Don't go digging or asking questions — just act normal. But if anything strange happens inside Volcano Manor, you must contact me immediately. Understand?"
"Yes, Master, I understand."
Though she didn't know what he was planning, Odelle nodded obediently. Duanmu Huai trusted her — she wasn't as lively as Anne, but she was obedient and reliable. Tell her to do something, and she would do it. Tell her not to, and she wouldn't. Maybe that's just the result of training, he thought to himself.
"Alright, I'll be back soon."
After saying that, Duanmu Huai turned and left. Odelle lowered her head as she watched him go.
"Safe travels, Master."
Meanwhile, deep within the dark sewers, a completely different scene was unfolding.
"Ugh…!"
Mistrina fell to her knees, pale-faced and drenched in sweat. Her once bright golden hair, normally shining like the sun, had lost all its luster. Her delicate face had turned dim, covered in shadow.
What… what's happening to me?
Panting heavily, Mistrina forced herself to stand. Ever since she had defeated that filthy, grotesque monster, she had felt as though a curse had wrapped around her entire body. Her strength was fading, and a nauseating stench clung to her, seeping deep into her soul as if to corrode it completely.
"It's just ahead, my Lady…"
Beside her, Hyetta spoke softly.
"I can feel the blazing flame… Please don't worry. Once you reach that door and meet the Three Fingers, it will grant you its supreme blessing. The source of your curse will vanish completely."
After saying that, Hyetta began walking forward.
"Blessing… curse…"
Mistrina's mind was foggy, and Hyetta's whispers echoed in her ears. She rose and followed the blind maiden. At that moment, Mistrina wasn't longing for any blessing or glory — she only wanted to be freed from this curse. I won't become like that filthy, disgusting creature. Never!
"Here we are, my Lady."
Finally, Hyetta stopped. Before them stood a massive stone door, its surface scorched black with burn marks.
"Please, go inside…"
Hyetta turned her head toward Mistrina.
"I am but a witch. You will become the Queen. The door will open for you, and you will meet the Three Fingers… May the Flame of Chaos take root within you."
...
Mistrina slowly approached the door, removing her armor piece by piece. She placed her hand upon the cold stone and pushed it open.
The door creaked as it parted. Inside, she saw three enormous fingers wreathed in fire, twitching slowly. The flames seemed to sense her presence and flared brighter, spreading their burning light. Mistrina, like a moth drawn to a flame, stepped closer and closer.
When she neared the Three Fingers, they suddenly reached out and seized her body.
A searing heat erupted within her, consuming her body and soul from the inside out.
Her consciousness went blank.
...
When Mistrina awoke, she found herself lying outside the chamber. Hyetta stood before her, staring silently.
"Ah… the Flame of Chaos has taken root within you… my Queen…"
"What… what am I…?"
Looking down, Mistrina saw that her arms and body were covered in burns — yet strangely, she felt no pain. As she stood there in confusion, Hyetta reached out and clasped her hand.
"My Queen, please… use your flame to burn me. Let me become your witch…"
As she spoke, Hyetta lifted Mistrina's hand and pressed her fingers against her own eyes. In the next instant, flames burst forth, surging into Hyetta's sockets.
"Ah! Ahhh! My eyes! My eyes are melting!!!"
Screaming in agony, Hyetta clutched her face as fire poured from her eyes. She collapsed onto the ground, trembling.
Mistrina was completely stunned.
"Miss Hyetta, what are you doing?! What have I done?!"
"Please… don't be afraid."
Hyetta lifted her burned face, her voice trembling yet filled with reverence.
"Thank you… I can hear the words of the Three Fingers now. As your witch, allow me to speak them… All things began as One. From the One came division. Through division came life — and with it, awareness. But that awareness… that was the mistake of the Greater Will. Pain, despair, curses — all suffering and sin come from this. So we must return to the beginning…"
"What… what are you saying?"
Mistrina's face turned pale. She didn't understand, but the words carried a dreadful power that made her heart tremble.
"It's simple, my Queen…"
Hyetta raised her hand, a crazed smile spreading across her face — a smile of fanatical devotion.
"Burn it all away with the Flame of Chaos. Melt everything… return the world to its original state. Please, become the King — the Chaos King — who will melt all pain, despair, curses, every sin and sorrow, until all distinctions vanish, until nothing new is born…"
As her final words fell, yellow flames erupted from Hyetta's body, swallowing her completely.
"No… no, it shouldn't be like this…"
Staring at the blind maiden's burning figure, Mistrina stumbled backward in horror.
She had never wished to destroy the world. She had only ever wanted to protect others, to preserve life. But why? Why had everything turned out like this?
What should I… do now?
For the first time, Mistrina felt true, suffocating fear.