Looking to unlock the Crest of the Witch in Hollow Knight: Silksong? This late-game charm is locked behind a demanding questline that takes you from the depths of Bilewater to the edges of Greymoor. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the process, from finding the Twisted Bud to completing the Infestation Operation, so you can claim this powerful reward.
How to Get the Witch Crest
To reach Bilewater, buy its map from Shakra for 90 Rosaries, then head through the Grand Bellway, east across the Stage, and into the Vaults. Break a cracked wall with Clawline.
Deeper inside Bilewater you’ll come across the Twisted Bud, a strange, infant-like creature that sets off the quest chain. After picking it up, be sure to unlock the nearby bench before leaving. The Bud must then be taken to Greyroot in Shellwood. However, Greyroot will only accept it if you’ve already finished the Rite of the Pollip, which involves destroying six Pollip flowers and collecting the Pollip Fruit.
Delivering the Bud results in an unsettling twist: Hornet becomes infected. This condition initiates the second stage of the storyline and also grants access to the Rite of Rebirth, which carries the progression forward.
Greymoor and the Infestation Operation
The next major stop comes following the cutscene, at the Chapel of the Witch. From here, your path leads westward into Greymoor, where a locked bellhouse hides. Inside, Yarnaby greets you: he is a bee-like figure who will assign to you the Infestation Operation quest. This questline is linked to curing Hornet and subsequently unlocking the Witch Crest.
The task requires traveling through Sinner’s Road, a perilous stretch marked with hanging cages. Toward the upper east section are Benjin and Crull, two NPCs who have Steel Spines to sell for 260 Rosaries. This item is necessary to continue the quest. Returning with the Steel Spines brings along another cutscene, and this is where Hornet finally gets the Witch Crest.
Power of the Witch Crest
The Witch Crest is clearly intended for late-game use. It comes with three blue slots and two red slots, giving plenty of room to balance offense and survival. Its in-game description notes that it allows Hornet to swing her needle in wide arcs while siphoning health from enemies through twisted roots. In practice, this means her attacks not only deal broader damage but also restore vitality. The crest becomes even stronger when paired with Memory Lockets, turning Hornet into a highly offensive but self-sustaining force.
