It was a terrifying prospect.
Although in this world a soul could continue to exist on its own after separation from the body, it still needed to find a place to reside as quickly as possible—it could not simply drift through the air for decades. If no suitable vessel was found, then after some time the soul would ultimately disperse.
"In that case, we can only find a way to remove the barrier's restrictions," Emilia said thoughtfully. From the bed, Roswaal picked up the conversation.
"Yeees, only by successfully challenging the trial can the barrier be lifted. Of course, if one lacks the qualification, one ends up like me~."
"Does that mean, Roswaal, you—"
"Yes. Anyone other than a mixed-blood who dares challenge the trial will be rejected, and even their body will be torn apa~rt."
The blood-soaked bandages covering his body were proof enough of his words. Normally such wounds should have healed long ago. As a master of all magical attributes, Roswaal should certainly know water-based healing magic. If he still remained in this state, either the wounds could not be healed by magic—or he had deliberately chosen not to heal them.
"But… who might this masked guest be~?" Roswaal asked, turning his attention to Lillian and speaking in the tone of a host.
There was nothing strange about that. The Sanctuary had been managed by the Mathers family for hundreds of years—specifically overseeing its external relations and regularly delivering essential supplies.
"He is also a guest who arrived today," Ryuzu said. "This old one had assumed… he came together with Ram and the others."
Ram looked at the silent masked figure, a strange feeling stirring in her heart.
"My name is Eren Yeager," the masked guest said. "It is a pleasure to meet you all."
"Eren~? A name I've never heard," Roswaal said, twitching his nose. "But the scent is rather peculiar."
"Hey, Roswaal, what exactly are you sniffing?!"
"Tch, and he's still wearing a mask—so mysterious?" Garfiel crossed his arms, his sharp fangs clearly visible as he spoke. "Don't tell me he's so ugly he'd scare people to death?"
"Hehehe… yes."
Lillian's voice, distorted by the Invisible Will, sounded extremely strange, and even his laughter sent chills down one's spine.
Garfiel frowned and scratched his ear. "With such an unpleasant voice, he must look pretty terrifying."
What kind of logic was that?
"Young Gar, is this how you treat a guest?"
Ryuzu tapped her staff against the ground. The demi-human youth immediately clicked his tongue.
"Alright, alright, I got it," he said impatiently, then addressed Lillian. "Just pretend I didn't say anything."
Lillian let out another eerie chuckle, indicating he did not mind.
This behavior was completely different from Lillian's usual self. He rarely laughed at all, so this alone further reduced the chance that anyone would connect the masked figure to him.
"Regarding Roswaal's earlier statement…" Ryuzu spoke after a moment's thought. "It was also this old one's original understanding. Only those of mixed blood may challenge the trial. Yet this guest claims he received the guidance of fate and obtained the qualification to challenge it—as a human."
"A human…?"
As soon as those words were spoken, Roswaal's gaze instantly changed.
"You've obtained the qualification. Was it granted to you by someone?"
"Heh, of course."
Within the tomb of the Witch of Envy, who else could possibly grant the qualification to challenge the trial other than the witch herself?
Roswaal had already sensed the aura of a witch emanating from Lillian. However, it was certainly not the aura of his teacher, the Witch of Greed. Having once been her student, he was thoroughly familiar with her presence—compared to that "intellectual thirst for knowledge," the witch's aura surrounding Lillian felt far more "slothful" and "dangerous."
As someone who had lived through that era, he could almost conclude that the aura originated from the Witch of Sloth. Yet why such a person would be granted the qualification to challenge the trial by his teacher was something he simply could not understand.
Roswaal's contemplation caused the atmosphere to grow tense. Everyone present could feel dangerous mana circulating around him. Even though he was severely injured, as the court's foremost mage, merely lifting a finger would be enough for him to crush many so-called "powerhouses."
Facing this overwhelming pressure, the masked man merely let out a low chuckle, showing no sign of confrontation. Yet no one believed he was afraid—for anyone weaker would have long since collapsed under such pressure, let alone laugh. They would likely already be trembling on the ground.
Tap. Tap.
Ryuzu gently struck the ground twice with her staff. Roswaal came back to his senses and dispersed the mana gathered around him, smiling as though nothing had happened.
"I see~ In that case, this guest may attempt the trial. But it would be best if you're not lying—otherwise, you may end up like me."
"Thank you for the warning."
"Hey, hey, are we really letting him go?" Garfiel raised a finger and pointed at Emilia. "I think this half-devil should go instead."
"Hah?! What did you say?! She's a half-elf!" Subaru snapped angrily.
"What's the difference?"
"Of course there's a difference—"
"Subaru… I think Garfiel didn't mean it the way you think," Emilia said softly.
Indeed, the term "half-devil," which now sounded offensive, originally carried no malicious intent. However, due to the "political correctness" of the outside world, it had come to be regarded as insulting and unacceptable.
Within the Sanctuary, however, "half-devil" was merely a label without any additional hostility. After all, Garfiel himself was a mixed-blood; if the term were an insult, he would essentially be insulting himself.
It was like two Black people casually calling each other the n word, only for a white person to suddenly jump in and shout, "That's racist!"—both of them would probably think that person was ridiculous.
All the mixed-blood residents of the village possessed the qualification to challenge the trial, yet the barrier still remained. That meant everyone in the village had failed. Under such circumstances, Emilia—an outsider who was also of mixed blood—naturally became their new hope.
Before Lillian revealed that he had been granted the qualification, no one believed humans could challenge the trial. Roswaal's forced attempt had ended in failure, so Garfiel's instinct was still to let Emilia try.
Even Emilia herself now held the same thought.
"If necessary, I—"
"This isn't about whether it's necessary or not," Garfiel said with a dismissive click of his tongue. "Unless you want to stay here for the rest of your life, you have to succeed in the trial if you want to leave."
"Eh…?"
"That's right," Ram suddenly spoke up. "If the barrier isn't removed, Emilia-sama, as a mixed-blood, won't be able to leave this place either."
"But when we came in…"
"You can enter, but you can't leave. That's how it works, right?"
"Probably…"
"How could this be…"
Emilia, Subaru, and even Rem were greatly surprised. Ram remained calm, and Roswaal already seemed to know this, showing no particular reaction. Meanwhile, Garfiel looked at Emilia with keen curiosity.
"If you can't do it either, then you'll just have to stay here," Garfiel said. "But this place is nothing like the outside world—you probably wouldn't want that."
"Of course not!" Subaru hurriedly declared, clearly agitated. "Emilia is going to become king! If she's trapped here, how can she—"
"King?" Garfiel clearly had no knowledge of the royal selection. He looked Emilia up and down. "Her?"
"You bastard!"
"Yes," Emilia spoke for herself this time. Taking a deep breath, determination shone brightly in her violet eyes. "I cannot remain trapped here. Outside… there are things waiting for me—things I must accomplish."
"I see. Then work hard on the trial," Garfiel said casually. "We've already failed many times anyway. Let's see what you can do."
"There's also me."
A deep voice sounded as Lillian spoke.
"Everyone may also place a portion of their hopes on me… heh heh."
"True. With two challengers, the chances of success should be higher," Ryuzu said as she rose to her feet. "In that case, the two of you should rest for now. The trial will open at night. When the time comes, please do your best."
"I will definitely do my best," Emilia replied.
"Then Young Gar will take you to your rooms. This old one will return to make preparations."
"Yeah, yeah, got it—just hurry back!"
Garfiel saw Ryuzu off, let out a sigh of relief, and instantly changed his demeanor.
"Let me make this clear first—I'm not taking you to any luxurious rooms. All the houses here are like this. If you can't get used to it, don't cause me any trouble!"
"That won't be a problem. These houses are already quite good," Emilia said kindly.
Garfiel looked at her, gave a brief nod, and accepted her gentle goodwill.
He then led the group to nearby lodgings—ordinary single-story houses arranged together. Aside from Ram and Rem sharing a room, everyone else had their own. Lillian was assigned the innermost one, small and dilapidated—clearly Garfiel's deliberate act, as he disliked him.
Lillian did not mind such petty tactics. After all, he had not come here to sleep.
Closing the door, he sat on the bed—or rather, what should be called a heated earthen platform—and began reflecting on the meeting that had just taken place.
Lillian was certain that no one had recognized him. Roswaal's hostility toward him stemmed solely from the matter of the "qualification to challenge the trial." Perhaps, in Roswaal's view, he himself—as a "student"—had failed to receive this qualification from his teacher, while Lillian, a complete outsider of unknown origin, had obtained it instead. Naturally, such a situation would leave him feeling resentful.
But this could not be helped. For the Witch of Greed, her entire life was devoted to pursuing the "unknown." Things already understood rarely held her interest. It was like reading a book—would you prefer one you had never read before, or one so worn that its pages had been turned countless times? Some might favor the latter for sentimental reasons, but Echidna would undoubtedly choose the former. Only unknown knowledge was worth her pursuit.
Compared to Lillian, Roswaal was simply a thoroughly read book—Echidna already understood him well enough. Lillian, on the other hand, was a visitor from another world, shrouded in mystery; it was only natural that she found him far more intriguing. Of course, once she learned everything about him, she would likely discard him just the same.
"Before she finishes understanding me… I should extract everything I want to know."
As Lillian thought this, he suddenly sensed something and looked toward the door. The next moment, a knock sounded.
Knock, knock, knock.