Holding her breath, the girl silently tiptoed through the darkness.

“———”

She shrank her small body even further, being careful that her clothes didn’t rustle against the air. Her hand was pressed against her mouth, for if she didn’t physically restrain it, her breathing would betray her.

Honestly, she wished even the thumping of her heart could be silenced.

“———”

The young girl with reddish-brown hair, Petra, hesitated in a familiar mansion, feeling as if she had stumbled into an unknown world.

The fluffy carpet was a blessing at this moment. Normally she found it difficult to walk on, but it helped muffle the sound of her trembling feet.

If ever given the chance to wash them again, she silently vowed to do so with utmost gratitude.

When she allowed her thoughts to drift elsewhere, she was able to keep moving, at least teetering along at an agonizingly slow pace like a caterpillar. The thought of stopping was terrifying—what would happen then?

The long, endless corridor felt incredibly annoying now.

Petra remembered how excited she had felt upon being accepted to work in the grand mansion.

Even though it was close to her village, the mansion felt so far out of reach to her. It wasn’t a matter of distance but of status.

The lord of this territory, the baron, often paid a visit to Araham Village.

His attitude was unpretentious for a noble, and he’d laugh off the harsh words of children. Petra had never heard any harsh criticism about the baron from village folk aside from comments about his attire.

Petra had never particularly focused on the baron, either.

She had always admired the grandeur of the mansion.

For Petra, with her ordinary parents from a small village, that place was unreachable. Even if she said she wanted to move to the Royal Capital as an adult to work in fashion design, deep down, she understood it was a mere fantasy, one she silently acknowledged to be out of reach.

Yet, fate granted her an unexpected opportunity to work at the mansion she had always admired.

Moreover, there was someone there who she owed her life to—someone she had a crush on. Between those two joys, still, the latter felt somewhat stronger, but that was a secret.

Regardless, for Petra, working in the mansion marked the beginning of a dreamlike existence.

Sure, the size of the hallway, the number of rooms, and the enormous time it took to clean could be dizzying, but all those overwhelming days filled Petra with the joy of living.

Now, however, that dream-like place felt terrifying enough to freeze her heart.

What had happened to bring her to this point, she couldn’t grasp.

All she knew was that she had finished her usual work and had shared a solitary dinner with her senior maid, Frederica—whom she affectionately referred to as “Frederica Onee-sama.”

Using a stool, Petra was busy cleaning dishes in the washing area while Frederica fetched a meal for the resident lady, Beatrice. The lady hadn’t touched her food.

Petra had yet to see Lady Beatrice, and with no proof of her existence, she sometimes found herself thinking perhaps she didn’t exist at all. Still, Frederica, Emilia, and Natsuki Subaru seemed to know about her, so Petra chose to follow their lead in silence.

The mansion’s residents had gone out somewhere.

Aside from Frederica and Petra, only two remained in the mansion—Beatrice, who was unseen, and the sleeping girl, Rem, whom Subaru had brought back.

Neither had any interest in eating, which left Petra feeling a bit dissatisfied.

Yet, seeing the slumbering Rem felt pitiful, especially since Petra couldn’t forget how Subaru had treated her so delicately.

The sight of Subaru looking at Rem’s sleeping face hazed with deep emotions and struggles that made even Petra hesitate to feel jealousy.

So—

“…I have to save Rem.”

The words slipped out silently, for it was Petra’s sole driving force behind her actions.

After Frederica returned with Beatrice’s dinner, Petra finished cleaning the dishes and received instructions for the following day’s tasks.

She wanted to help Frederica, who still had work left, but Petra’s still-developing body couldn’t withstand labor late into the night. Usually, she’d express her eagerness, and Frederica would send her back to her room.

However, on this night, something different happened on their way to her room.

—The lights throughout the mansion were suddenly extinguished.

Surprised by the darkness, Petra clung to Frederica’s side. Frederica held her close and repeatedly whispered comforting words before she suddenly fell silent.

Petra would never forget the sensation of the air thickening.

It was dry air she had experienced before. The pressure of bubbling anxiety made her grip tighter on Frederica.

“Petra. Listen closely. —Use the stairs behind you to get outside. Make no sound, quietly, and hurry away.”

“F-Frederica Onee-sama…?”

“I’ll chase right after you. Once you’re out of the mansion, run to the village. If I manage to join you safely, we can sort things out come morning.”

With gentle words, Frederica’s gaze shifted forward, and Petra felt a soft push backward, creating distance between them. The cloudy sky at that moment obscured the moon, providing no source of light.

Frederica progressed quietly ahead, and realizing it, Petra followed her instructions to the mansion’s passageway, moving contrary to Frederica. She somehow reached the staircase and thought back.

“This… it’s just like the forest.”

She recalled where she had tasted the same dry, taut air just a couple of months ago, deep in the forest with the other village children.

In the woods, where the murderous intent of beastly creatures roamed wildly, that was the air she felt when her life had been threatened.

“I have to go!”

Realizing this, Petra directed her feet upward instead of down.

She remembered Frederica’s instructions and the guilt of breaking them.

But she couldn’t leave Rem behind in a mansion that had turned just like the forest.

She didn’t forget how Subaru had rescued her from that frightful forest.

“—Ah!”

Finishing her memory that almost brought tears, Petra sensed the proximity of her destination.

No noise. No detection. By adhering stubbornly to those rules, she only managed to get by at the barest minimum speed.

Upon reaching Rem’s room, Petra realized her small size wouldn’t allow her to escape with her.

Her mind was drowning in urgency, making it hard to think of anything else. If she could just confirm Rem’s presence, everything would be okay.

The young girl was tormented by the crushing weight of her oversized responsibility and the impending dread of death.

No one could blame Petra for not noticing such obvious things.

Just a few more steps, just a few more meters, just two more doors down the hall.

“———”

She was so close to her target room.

Her heart raced violently, and the sound of her suppressed breathing escaped through her fingers.

Just a little more, just a bit, just—

“———”

Finally, Petra lifted her gaze.

At that very moment, outside the window facing the corridor, the clouds drifted away from the moon.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, adding color to the previously dark world.

And then, Petra saw.

“Oh, what a cute maid you are.”

A woman in black, blending into the darkness, stood right in front of her.

Just three steps away from the door of her target room.

She was a tall woman with long hair.

Her voluptuous body was shamelessly displayed in an incredibly alluring outfit. The ends of her braided hair swayed as she leisurely approached, emanating an unusual sensuality.

If only she hadn’t noticed the large knife, glinting dully in her opposite hand.

“I heard there are two targets, plus one added. You must be our little maid.”

“…Ah.”

“Are you trembling? Don’t worry. I’m sure your insides are clean—the insides of a child with a future are always beautiful.”

What is she talking about?

Yet, as the smiling woman approached, Petra realized it was synonymous with death’s footsteps.

Even though she knew it, terror froze Petra’s legs, rendering them immobile.

The woman’s slim hand held a knife that seemed disproportionate to its size.

When that was swung, surely, her life would be carelessly reaped.

But—

“Good girl. …I’ll let you meet an angel.”

Without mercy, the woman raised the knife toward the trembling girl.

Just before the blade sliced through the air toward Petra’s abdomen—

“Petra—!!”

A large shadow leapt in from the opposite side of the corridor, jumping between Petra and the knife, creating a CLANG as sparks flew.

Before her, with long golden hair flowing, was the familiar, dependable back she recognized.

There was only one person with a back so reassuring it was hard to believe she was a woman.

“Frederica Onee-sama!”

“You’re a bad girl, Petra. I told you to run away… You’ll get punished later.”

“Y-yes, yes!”

With Petra protected behind her, Frederica turned her head just enough to speak sternly.

Having been called a bad girl sent shivers down Petra’s spine, and amid her tears, she nodded fervently.

“So, you’re the big maid? You’re certainly a decent size.”

As the two exchanged words, the woman whose knife was deflected took a step back, tilting her head slightly. Her long braid swaying in contrast with her eerie demeanor seemed oddly amusing.

“Being big does bother me. It’s probably my father’s blood.”

“Oh, so your father was large. If you’re that big, then surely you must have some substantial insides. I look forward to it.”

“That’s quite an inappropriate hobby, isn’t it?”

“The insides of women are brighter and more colorful than those of men. I’ll let you compare the two and teach you.”

Frederica stepped forward, arms extended, ready to guard herself against the woman’s outlandish words.

She wore gauntlets with sharp claws on both hands, and it was likely those weapons had helped deflect the woman’s initial attack.

Utilizing her large and powerful physique, Frederica was well-equipped for battle—

“Nonetheless, I can’t say this is acceptable.”

“You seem to be a capable foe, but you’re probably no match for me. I’ve been feeling much stronger since nearly dying in the Royal Capital not so long ago.”

“I see. You seem to want to hold a grudge for not being able to finish me off back then.”

Frederica felt cold sweat bead on her forehead as she assessed the woman before her.

The difference in power was palpable, sensed solely from the terrifying aura emanating from her. It felt as if the atmosphere surrounding her was thick with death, even while she simply stood there.

How many lives had to be taken for one to evoke such a dreadful aura?

“Petra. This time, you must get outside the mansion. I’ll hold her off.”

“But, Onee-sama…”

Petra, choking on her words, kept glancing toward the nearby room’s door.

Frederica immediately understood why Petra had broken her orders and come here.

Thus—

“Whoever hired you, I don’t care. …But it seems you and Petra are targets.”

“Indeed, that’s right. You, the little maid, and also the spirit girl. I have some discontent regarding the numbers but… I’m looking forward to the insides of a spirit that I’ve never seen.”

“You spill your secrets rather casually. As a professional, isn’t that a failing?”

“I don’t mind. You’ll soon be unable to speak, and if the client complains, I can just silence them.”

“That’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

Their conversation was a headache inducing exchange.

Frederica realized there was no point in talking any further with this woman. Even so, they had managed to extract several important pieces of information.

“Petra. That woman’s targets are me, you, and Lady Beatrice. Do you understand?”

“—Yes!”

Petra wiped her tears and nodded.

With their exchange and Frederica’s confirming words, Petra grasped her intent.

“She’s a clever girl. A good pupil as well. I don’t want her to die.”

“Go now!”

“Right!”

At Frederica’s command, Petra stumbled back and took off running.

Simultaneously, something was thrown by the dark woman facing away from them. Cutting through the air, four throwing knives were hurled toward Petra’s limbs with deadly precision. Frederica managed to barely deflect them with her right claw.

A high-pitched sound echoed as every knife was repelled.

While Petra continued to run, she didn’t even dare to look back. That was her absolute trust in Frederica. She had to respond.

“Good girl.”

“Yes, my pride.”

Frederica aimed her left claw at the woman who had stepped closer. The woman merely tilted to the side to avoid the strike. However, Frederica’s true attack, a forward kick, launched toward the unbalanced body.

Piercing the wind and capable of shattering walls, Frederica’s straight kick was empowered by her heritage, being a half-breed from a sturdy combat race different from her ordinary human mother. Though she couldn’t fully affirm the blood flowing within her, she was thankful for this power now.

The kick drilled through the woman’s body, who barely managed to raise her left hand in defense too late. Her slender arm broke sharply from the force of the kick but was still enough to shatter her intended target—

“Wha—!?”

“Is it so shocking?”

As Frederica found herself astonished, the upside-down woman relaxed her blood-red lips into a smile.

At the moment Frederica’s kick met her, the woman displayed an incredible agility, using just the point of contact to push herself upwards into a handstand. Frederica trembled as her foot bore the weight of the woman, who felt as light as a feather.

“A spider woman—!”

“I was just told that earlier.”

Injured by the incessant cuts, the woman mercilessly hurled slashing attacks at Frederica.

Reflected moonlight sparkled on the swiftly moving silver blade as it leapt straight toward Frederica’s neck. Although she raised her claws in defense, the force behind it caused a sharp scream to emit from Frederica’s arms.

Even with a body that was much slimmer than Frederica’s, the woman possessed an abnormal strength.

Amidst the sparks and loud clang of metal grinding against metal, Frederica swiftly withdrew the foot she had used to support the woman, pivoting to strike her in a desperate counter.

“That’s a poor choice.”

Meanwhile, still locked in a struggle, the woman forcibly twisted her body mid-air.

The cut Frederica aimed at the woman began to descend, but the woman nimbly sidestepped, swerving beneath and reaching her long leg out, revealing another ominously wicked blade from under her skirt.

“Show me your lovely insides.”

The woman’s sharpened blades moved to cleave Frederica’s body in twain with a ferocious precision.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

“Ha! Ha! Hah!”

With small arms wildly swinging, Petra speedily raced down the stairs.

From above, the sharp sounds of clashing metal rang alongside Frederica’s faint cries.

Petra wasn’t foolish enough to ignore Frederica’s sacrifices to aid her escape.

Even the inexperienced Petra could recognize how formidable that dark woman was.

Even as Frederica wore a fearful expression confronting her, the woman’s smile never wavered. This wasn’t a matter of not realizing the difference in strength—Frederica knew.

If left unattended, Frederica would be killed.

“What would Beatrice do…?”

The other being believed to be within the mansion.

The black woman appeared unaware of Rem’s existence. Of course, if Rem were discovered, she would also become a target, but as long as Petra and Frederica didn’t make unnecessary movements, the existence of Rem would likely go unnoticed.

“Here… no, this way?!”

Petra dashed down the stairs, desperately opening nearby doors to seek her.

Unbelievably, it was said that Beatrice lived within a room that shuffled locations in the mansion. Stories indicated that within the many doors, opening them would eventually lead her to the required space. She was rumored to be a powerful sorceress.

Petra needed the sorceress’s power right now.

If such a being existed, surely she would protect Frederica from that black woman, defending Petra’s dream of a wonderful mansion.

“She’s not here… not here either… Onee-sama…!”

On the verge of collapse due to her exhaustion, tears spilled from Petra’s eyes.

Every nearby door within the servant quarters had been opened. Yet Beatrice’s room failed to manifest before Petra. How long had the battle between Frederica and the woman been going on?

She needed to hurry, fast.

“Onee-sama…!”

Although she had to run, Petra’s legs felt paralyzed.

With her trembling hands, she repeatedly patted her legs, attempting to rally her shrinking spirit. But it wasn’t enough. The courage simply wouldn’t rise. Hope was on the brink of dying.

“—Subaru!”

As despair enveloped her mind, the name that slipped out was one of someone far away.

To Petra, he was the person brimming with courage above all others.

The one who had the guts to face even insurmountable foes, and saved Petra and everyone from her village in their direst moments—she reluctantly uttered his name, even knowing he wasn’t here.

“Subaru! Subaru… please help me, Subaru!”

“Alright, I got you, Petra!”

“—Eh?”

Wiping her tears and covering her face, Petra looked up in surprise at the voice before her.

Through her blurred sight, someone stood directly in front of her.

That person knelt down to meet Petra’s gaze.

“Sorry for being late. But I’m here to help. …I’m so glad you’re okay, Petra.”

With a familiar unfriendly face, the person wore a mildly troubled smile.

Petra felt reassured, not because the expression was gentle but because it came from someone she truly knew.

“Is that you, Subaru? You came for me?”

“It’s me, and I’m here. You’re safe now.”

He nodded in reassurance, and Petra reached out her hand.

She patted his cheek and leaned forward, letting her weight rest upon him, feeling his steady support.

This was no illusion or dream. He was definitely there, with her.

She wanted to savor that relief, but there was no time to waste.

“Subaru… Frederica Onee-sama is fighting a woman upstairs.”

“Frederica is?”

“She’s black, with a big knife… she’s frightfully scary.”

“That scary lady with the big black knife, huh… oh, I know her.”

Seeing Petra’s frightened description, Subaru frowned.

He seemed to grasp the level of threat, and Petra tugged on his arm.

“Please, help Frederica Onee-sama! Subaru, defeat her!”

“You got it! I’d love to say just leave it all to me, but if I jump in against someone Frederica can’t beat, I’ll just go down in an instant!”

“———”

For a moment, despair flooded Petra’s heart at that answer.

But Subaru gently patted Petra’s head with his big hand, saying.

“So, I sent in super-strong reinforcements in my place.”

Subaru looked up toward the floor above, imagining the scene unfolding there. His expression was filled with an unsettling mix of anxiety and reassurance.

“It’s a bit too chaotic for a reunion, but it’s better than nothing.”

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

As her body split in two, Frederica began to accept the cruel reality.

“Sorry to be a bother… but you’re really not invited.”

The sound of steel clashing echoed vibrantly, accompanied by a voice that had an oddly cheerful irritation.

It seemed contradictory, but it was indeed the fact.

The speaker was cheerfully exhilarated while simultaneously feeling annoyed by the person before her.

Which was only natural.

“You…”

“How long are you going to stay upside down like that, huh?! —Get lost!”

With a powerful upward kick, Frederica struck straight at the very heart of the trapped woman. As the woman bent backward and was thrown away, the man lowered his foot, clapping his hands together.

His silver shields gleamed brightly.

Equipped with gauntlets that encased his hands like a shield on both arms, his strikes were ready for combat.

“The boss once said, ‘offense is the best defense,’ right?”

While speaking, the man revealed his sharp canine teeth, clenching to produce a sound.

“So, let’s turn this shield into a weapon… with maximum defense and offense combined, making it the fiercest combo, isn’t it?”

It was a theory that sounded like a silly child’s idea.

Yet, that man was putting it into practice while wielding two shields as weapons.

With his feet planted firmly and wary eyes locked onto his opponent, the short-haired golden youth casually glanced back at Frederica.

“Well, don’t you think so, Onee-chan—Whoa, she’s HUGE?!”

Suddenly, his demeanor shifted from that of a valiant warrior to one of shocked surprise.

The boy—no, the young man—widened his eyes, openly gaping at Frederica from head to toe, muttering:

“Wait, are you serious? Is this really my Onee-chan? The one I knew was smaller, thinner, and had a gentler face! This is more like…!”

“Don’t speak such rude things.”

Frederica retaliated with a strike to the knee of the boy who gazed at her in awe.

The boy tumbled to the ground, clambering back to his feet with an awkward wobble. Watching him, Frederica noticed a white scar on his forehead.

“Garf, is it?”

“Oh, so you’re Frederica, huh… I can’t believe it… urgh!”

“You shouldn’t call me by my name without honorifics.”

As Garfiel attempted to rise, she effortlessly elbowed him in the back, causing him to writhe.

The sight of him, so reminiscent of their childhood days, brought forth memories. Back at the Sanctuary, they had no toys and had to use each other’s bodies to alleviate their boredom.

Reflecting on those days, Frederica had often tossed Garfiel around without a second thought due to their nine-year age gap. Nothing had changed since then.

“Nope. Garf… you’ve grown up well.”

“If you say that now, it sounds like a jab, huh! Just so you know, I’m gonna grow even bigger! Don’t think you can keep looking down at me forever!”

“Fufufu, let me correct that. Your body may be slightly larger, but your capacity remains small.”

“What the—?!”

Garfiel barked angrily at Frederica’s teasing. After ten years of no direct engagement, feeling her brother’s presence brimmed Frederica with an overwhelming joy.

How could such a day come where she would exchange words with Garfiel outside the Sanctuary?

—Surely, someone among them who ventured into the Sanctuary had done well.

It might have been Ram, Emilia, or Subaru. One of them.

“We mustn’t forget Otto-sama.”

“Hah, that guy is always getting the short end of the stick. When you think about it, ‘the bridge of the Migurudo tribe falling down is just a usual occurrence,’ I guess it feels alright.”

The image of the gray-haired young man’s gloomy face came to mind.

As the siblings reached that conclusion, from the shadowy corridor ahead came a voice.

“Then, shall I make my move now?”

“It seems you can be considerate after all. If you want, just forget about anything else and head home. I wouldn’t mind hitting a woman if I could.”

“Oh, how sweet of you.”

The woman moved her hand casually, as if trying to shoo away a bug, smiling at Garfiel.

Frederica, realizing Garfiel was too lax, cracked his back.

“Garf, do not underestimate that woman. If you think she’s only a pretty face, you will surely regret it.”

“I know that! She’s not normal at all. Plus, for me, there’s only one woman I truly treat like one, and that’s Ram!”

“If you think that’s cool, it doesn’t sound cool at all! Ram will just snicker at you.”

“What the—?!”

As Garfiel turned to Frederica with a bewildered expression, she watched him in disbelief.

—In the next moment, a shimmering silver disc was thrown at breathtaking speed from the woman’s hand.

It wasn’t a disc but rather a large knife spinning rapidly through the air. The speed exceeded comprehension, leaving the sound of wind behind as it charged at Garfiel, aiming to split his head open and splatter blood.

“Hey there!”

“———”

The high-pitched screech of steel echoed, and fiery sparks erupted as the blades collided.

The incoming blade sliced into Garfiel’s raised shield. With a deft angle change, it struck upwards. The flying blade embedded itself into the ceiling, and without even glancing back, Garfiel lunged directly towards the woman, sliding across the floor as he hefted his left shield.

“I told you to get lost, right?!”

“Quite right. And my answer is this.”

Just before her fist swung out, the woman swiftly pulled back.

In that instant, Garfiel retrieved the blade lodged in the ceiling, yanking it free. With a snap of the string connecting the two knives, he angrily hurled it out a nearby window.

“Hah! ‘Even if Kurgan lost an arm, he still took down his enemy!’ I might be in pain, but don’t think I’m shrinking away in fear, you idiot!”

“You’re the only fool around here!!”

“Agh?!”

As Garfiel basked in triumph, Frederica struck him in the back of the head.

Rubbing the spot where she hit, Garfiel crouched over, casting an incredulous glare at his older sister.

“That fighting style is damaging that body of yours, Granny would definitely cry if she saw it!”

“I don’t care what Granny thinks of me…!”

“Why would you call her that!? I never raised you to think like that!”

“It’s been over a decade since I was four and saw her, and you’re really telling me this now?!”

That was precisely the comment that struck Garfiel down. As he tried to regain his composure, Frederica turned her attention to the shadowy black figure rising quietly.

The woman stood up with ease, spinning the knife in her grasp, licking the blood dripping from her lips with a blissful smile on her face.

“—You’re quite something, aren’t you? Very good, indeed. Such a lively child.”

“I must say, I never expected you to stand back up so quickly. I apologize for underestimating you just a little.”

The girl licked her blood as she grinned, and Garfiel, while apologizing, recognized the moment felt surreal.

In that light-hearted exchange amid their astonishing combat, Frederica nearly completely forgot the time passing by.

But, quickly snapping back to reality, she shook her head.

“Garf! More importantly, we’re dealing with an unidentifiable woman here. We must not let our guard down…”

“Got it! …But you know, it’d be nice if you could just sit back and enjoy the show.”

“Wait, what do you mean by that?”

“If me and her seriously go at it, the surroundings will be utterly wrecked, I’m telling you.”

Pointing to her, Garfiel highlighted himself, then gestured toward the woman, who showed amusement at his words, fidgeting with the end of her long braid while bending forward in a feigned casualness.

“Indeed. …Especially you, it’s best for you to fall back.”

“———”

Only true warriors could comprehend that feeling.

Frederica, realizing just how far she fell short of that level, ignited a fierce embarrassment within her heart.

To not be able to support her brother after ten long years of separation was simply unbearable.

“Don’t let your mind wander off on me, Onee-chan!”

“Garf…”

“Look at my arms. This shield? It’s the one you and I played with as kids. The strength I’ve built began from running alongside you.”

Frederica’s eyes widened at Garfiel’s words.

Amidst feelings of concern, comfort, and something else, Frederica sensed her brother’s undeniable growth and felt a rush of warmth in her胸.

“The boss completely wiped the floor with me using sheer numbers. But in extreme conditions, the conversation changes.”

Stepping forward, Garfiel rapped the shields against each other before sharpening his fangs, growling.

“Come at me, black woman! To celebrate being out of the Sanctuary, let’s start by shattering this first wall to pieces—!!”