The Sanctuary was more than just the tomb of the Greed Witch Echidna—it had once served as her experimental ground. Inside, it was far from the imagined beauty; the village of demi-humans that inhabited it was dilapidated and backward.
Lucien wasted no time. Following Roswaal's memories, he arrived at the entrance of a ruined relic, which resembled a tomb more than a sanctuary. Hands in his pockets, he stepped forward.
Inside, the place was unexpectedly bright. Silence reigned, broken only by the soft sound of Lucien's footsteps. Soon, he came upon a stone door. Pushing it open, he felt a moment of disorientation—and then found himself on a rooftop.
Wait, wasn't this the hospital rooftop?
Lucien quickly checked his Qi—it surged like a river, vast and untamed—and his Golden Finger, though useless against illusions, remained intact. Clearly, this was a mere illusion, far too weak to block his power. Yet it still brought back the memory of a cancer diagnosis report he had once held.
"What a pathetic place," he muttered. The report drifted away in the wind as Lucien surveyed the bustling streets below. Though he recognized the illusion, he chose not to expose it too quickly. Someone, likely Echidna, was observing him.
Lucien descended to the elevator and left the hospital, arriving at the city's largest, most luxurious bathhouse. It offered every indulgence imaginable, and for days, he immersed himself in decadent pleasures.
By the seventh day, a young woman appeared. Her long white hair, flawless skin, and seductive lace attire mirrored the Greed Witch Echidna from Roswaal's memories. Lucien, reclining on an outdoor sofa in large shorts, puffing a cigar, smiled knowingly.
"Are you attendant number 43?" he asked casually, yet his vigilance never waned.
"Number 43 is pleased to serve you," she replied, pupils sharp with scrutiny.
The resemblance to Echidna was uncanny. Lucien could tell this was no mere imitation.
"Then let's not waste time. Take it off." His gaze lingered on her revealing outfit with interest.
Echidna hesitated, then crossed her long, fair legs, her voice teasing, "Do you wish to continue like this?"
"What did you say? I don't understand," Lucien replied, feigning ignorance.
"You are the customer; hurry up!" she snapped.
Lucien's senses picked up a faint citrus scent. Echidna's beauty was undeniable, and he found himself captivated.
"If you continue like this, you will die. Shouldn't you focus on curing your illness, or ending it yourself?" she questioned, ignoring his fiery stare.
"Are you stupid?" Lucien countered, eyes blazing.
Echidna blinked in surprise. In an instant, he leaned closer, noses almost touching, breaths mingling. Her heart skipped a beat—no man had ever dared such audacity.
"Anyway, I am going to die. Why not enjoy life before it ends?" he murmured, lifting her smooth chin, lips hovering as if to kiss.
"Do you know who I am?" she demanded.
"The Greed Witch Echidna?"
Lucien traced her face with his fingertips. "Since you know me, you still dare to tease me?"
Echidna's eyes sparkled with curiosity and caution. He was unlike anyone she had ever encountered; her Book of Wisdom contained no knowledge of him.
"Such a beautiful woman, I fell in love at first sight," he admitted.
"You dare fall in love with me? I am the Greed Witch," she retorted, her expression freezing into a cold, fearsome aura.
"Hmm, very scary indeed," Lucien replied, his tone teasing. "But you are even more attractive now. Cold, witchy, mysterious… do you have gentle, innocent, or playful types?"
Echidna's composure faltered. Before she could respond, the scenery shifted. A boundless grassland appeared, with a sun umbrella, tea set, and tables. She sat elegantly, sipping tea, dressed in simple black attire. Lucien calmly pulled up a chair opposite her, curiosity written across his face.
"You are a soul or spiritual body, correct? Yet touching you felt real. Your beauty is extraordinary. Can you truly destroy the world? May I see your Book of Wisdom? Have you ever loved? How do you satisfy your needs? Should I introduce you to certain pleasures? I have many resources," he volleyed questions rapidly.
Echidna's eyes narrowed. "Are these your questions?"
"No," he replied, shaking his head, his Amethyst eyes burning with fascination.
She sipped her wine coldly, her patience unbroken. Lucien then produced a bottle of '82 Lafite, subtly mixed with spinal fluid, and replaced her tea with it.
"To our first meeting," he toasted and drank in one gulp. Echidna, cautious yet intrigued, took a sip. The taste was surprisingly pleasant.
"You have passed the first trial. You may now ask one question," she said.
"Why a question? Can't you grant a wish?" Lucien leaned on his chin, eyes filled with warmth and intensity, melting her icy exterior.
"I answer only questions of knowledge," she replied, sipping slowly.
"I see," he said, rubbing his forehead, contemplating.
A sudden snap of his fingers activated the Founding Titan's power, but Echidna remained unaffected. His mixed spinal fluid had no effect.
"Then I'll ask," Lucien continued, locking his gaze on her. "Do you have a beloved?"
Echidna's hand paused, hair falling gracefully over her chest. "Are you certain you wish to know? I am omniscient; I can even answer questions about other Witches."
"No need, I am only interested in you. I want to understand you—and then conquer you," Lucien said, unabashed.
Before Echidna could answer, the clear sky shattered. Endless darkness surged forth, monstrous and alive.
"The Jealous Witch," both realized, alarm flashing across their faces. Dark hands reached for Lucien, the unmistakable scent of death in the air.
"You destroyed him," a venomous voice hissed from the shadows, revenge burning in every word.
Lucien's response was swift. Hands shaped like flower calyxes radiated blue light, while a long feathered tail propelled him into the extending Unseen Hands. The storm of darkness continued.
Echidna watched, captivated. This man fascinated her beyond measure.
"It's useless," she murmured, observing as the Unseen Hands passed through his Kamehameha unhindered.
Lucien's intuition screamed: these were no ordinary hands. If caught, he might be finished.
"Echidna, I love you, a love so deep I wish to merge with you," he called back, regret in his voice. Lacking soul-related powers, he could not harm her; he could only watch.
In an instant, Lucien vanished under her gaze, leaving behind the roaring Jealous Witch and Echidna's yandere-like smile. This man had left an indelible mark on her—and they would meet again.
____
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