Schierke realises they have entered a part of the Astral Realm called Qliphoth. She manages to telepathically communicate with Farnese and Casca in the trolls' cave where the trolls rape human women who become pregnant with troll offspring. While the women escape, Guts remains behind to kill the trolls. Schierke begins a spell to summon the Lord of Rotting Roots to seal the cave. Slan, the Succubus, member of the God Hand, appears and overwhelms Guts, sensually teasing him and tempting him to use the Behelit to become an Apostle. The Skull Knight intervenes and Guts shoots Slan with his arm cannon. As Slan heals herself, the Skull Knight tells Guts to use his Dragonslayer as the countless Apostles it has slain have made it more powerful. Guts impales Slan who kisses him then disappears, promising they will meet again. Schierke tries to slow the Lord of Rotting Roots so Guts can escape but the cave collapses. The Skull Knight reveals his Sword of Actuation, created from the Behelits he had ingested, to get himself and Guts out of the cave. After returning the women to Enoch Village, Guts admits that he is glad he has comrades again.