New Roswaal Manor the main residence of the Mathers family, located near the Industrial City of Costuul.

Frederica was out side in the city buying necessary items.

The dining table was lively with clattering plates and soft conversation. Roswaal, at the head of the table, had barely touched his food. His mischievous grin hadn't left his face all evening, and his peculiar silence only added to the tension in the room. Finally, as the main course was cleared, he set down his glass and decided to drop the bombshell.

"Now, now, everyone," Roswaal began in his singsong tone, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I have some truly delightful news to share. Subaru-kun… is going to marry all five royal candidates."

The room fell into an awkward silence. For a moment, it seemed as though no one had even heard him properly.

"Eh?" Garfiel was the first to break the silence, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Wait, wait, wait—Captain? M-Marryin' all five of 'em?! Are ya serious, clown-man?!"

Roswaal's grin widened as he clasped his hands together. "Oh, Garfiel-kun, I assure you, it's not a joke. The Dragon Tablet itself decreed it. Our Subaru-kun will be tying the knot with the five royal candidates. Quite the historical moment, wouldn't you say?"

Garfiel sat back, stunned, before his expression shifted into an odd mix of admiration and disbelief. "Damn, Captain's somethin' else, huh? I mean, five queens? That's crazy cool! He's gonna be like some kinda legendary figure or somethin'!"

Ram scoffed loudly, shooting Garfiel a disdainful look. "Legendary figure? More like a legendary fool. Barusu, handling five women? He can barely handle himself without making a fool of everyone around him."

Garfiel grinned, shrugging. "C'mon, Ram, ya gotta admit it's kinda amazin'. Captain's got guts!"

Petra, sitting beside Garfiel, looked utterly stunned. Her fork clattered onto her plate as her cheeks flushed bright red. "S-Subaru is going to marry… five queens? But… but why?"

"Why, indeed," Otto muttered, his head in his hands. "This is an absolute nightmare. How is Subaru supposed to manage all this? The politics alone are going to be unbearable. Five queens mean five factions, five sets of priorities—and guess who's probably going to get dragged into cleaning up this mess?" He gestured to himself in frustration.

Ram voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, poor Otto-kun. I can't imagine the pain of serving such an extraordinary man. Perhaps you'd prefer to be Barusu's sixth wife?"

Otto turned bright red, sputtering. "I-I—what are you even saying?! This isn't about me! This is about the absolute absurdity of all this!"

Petra fidgeted nervously, her voice small. "B-But… Subaru will still… be Subaru, right? I mean, even with the queens, he won't forget us, will he?"

Garfiel ruffled her hair with a grin. "Relax, Petra. Captain ain't the type to forget his crew. He'll still be the same ol' guy. Just, y'know… with a bunch o' queens trailin' behind him."

Petra pushed his hand away, her cheeks puffed out in annoyance. "It's not funny, Garf-san! This is serious!" She glanced down at her lap, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I just… I don't want Subaru-sama to change…"

Ram rolled her eyes, her tone sharp. "Petra, don't waste your tears on Barusu. The man couldn't change even if he wanted to. He'll stumble his way through this circus just like he always does—by sheer dumb luck and stubbornness."

Otto groaned, shaking his head. "This is going to be a diplomatic disaster. I can already feel the headaches piling up. And what about Lady Emilia? Does she even know what she's getting into? Subaru's feelings for her have always been obvious, but how is she supposed to handle sharing him with four other queens?"

"Not my problem," Ram said coldly, sipping her tea. "Barusu dug his grave. Now he can lie in it."

Garfiel leaned back, grinning ear to ear. "Still, ya gotta admit, it's pretty badass. I mean, Captain takin' on five queens? He's gonna go down in history! Betcha no one else in the kingdom's got the guts for somethin' like this!"

Otto shot him a withering glare. "This isn't about guts, Garfiel! This is about politics, diplomacy, and managing five powerful women, all with their own ambitions and expectations! Subaru's going to be crushed under the weight of it all!"

Petra, still clutching her lap, whispered, "But Subaru is strong… He always finds a way…"

Ram snorted. "Strong? Hardly. Barusu's strength comes from sheer stupidity. The man refuses to die even when he should. That's all there is to it."

"Oi, Ram!" Garfiel snapped, frowning. "Don't talk 'bout Captain like that!"

"Am I wrong?" Ram asked, her expression unchanging.

Garfiel growled but didn't have a comeback.

Roswaal, who had been quietly enjoying the chaos, finally decided to chime in. "Oh my you're all so worried about Subaru-kun. But perhaps you should have a little faith in him? After all, he's faced far worse than this, hasn't he?"

Otto buried his face in his hands again. "This isn't about faith… It's about common sense. Which apparently no one here has anymore."

Petra, her cheeks still flushed, finally looked up and said softly, "No matter what happens… I'll support Subaru. Even if it's hard, I know he'll try his best."

Garfiel grinned, slamming his fist on the table. "Damn right! Captain's the kinda guy who pulls through no matter what. I don't care how crazy it gets—I'm backin' him all the way!"

Ram sighed, shaking her head. "You're all fools. But I suppose that's nothing new."

Roswaal chuckled, raising his glass in a mock toast. "To Subaru-kun, then. The man of the hour. May he survive his new life of wedded bliss… or chaos."

The group begrudgingly raised their glasses, the room was filled with a mix of worry, admiration, and skepticism.

After the dinner was over everyone went to their respective rooms.

Ram and Roswaal went into the private office.
Roswaal's hand hovered just above Ram's shoulder, the soft glow of mana dancing between them, a routine exchange that had become second nature. His usual singsong demeanor was present, a light hum leaving his lips, filling the otherwise quiet room. It was mundane, comforting even, but the tranquility shattered in an instant.

The air shifted.

Roswaal's humming stopped abruptly, his eyes snapping open, sharp and alert. A ripple of energy, powerful and oppressive, pressed against his senses. It wasn't ordinary mana. It was deeper, darker, and ancient.

Ram stiffened beside him, her gaze darting toward the window. The still night felt unnaturally heavy. "Lord Roswaal" she said, her voice quiet but tense, "what is that?"

Roswaal stood, his face unusually grim. His mismatched eyes seemed to glint with a sharper intensity as he straightened his coat. "Something… very dangerous," he murmured. "Stay here, Ram. I'll handle this myself."

Ram's sharp gaze locked onto his, unwavering. "No. My place is by your side. If it's dangerous, I'm going with you."

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "Very well, but do not act without my command. This… is not something you can take lightly."

Without another word, they left the mansion, stepping into the cold night. The oppressive presence grew heavier with each step, pressing against them like a physical force. As they approached the outskirts of city, the source of the disturbance came into view.

A figure stood in the middle of the path, bathed in the silver glow of moonlight. She radiated an otherworldly beauty, her presence almost dreamlike. Cascading silver hair shimmered like liquid light, framing a face so flawless it seemed to defy reality. Her eyes, deep and enigmatic, shone like a starlit sky, brimming with secrets. There was an eerie tranquility about her, as if she were a celestial being cloaked in grace.

But beneath that serenity was a power that twisted the air, warping it with a suffocating weight.

Ram instinctively stepped closer to Roswaal. "Who is that?"

The woman's serene smile deepened as her gaze fell upon them. Her voice, soft and melodic, drifted through the air like a lullaby. "Ah, you've arrived. I've been expecting you."

Roswaal's eyes widened slightly, recognition flickering across his face. His usually confident demeanor faltered, replaced by unease. "Who… are you?"

The woman tilted her head, her smile never faltering. "I am Pandora," she said gently, her voice carrying an almost hypnotic quality. "The Witch of Vainglory."

Roswaal, however, froze. The name echoed in his mind, dragging forth memories buried deep within him. "Pandora…" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know that name. Four hundred years ago… my teacher mentioned you."

Pandora's smile grew faintly, almost imperceptibly. "Ah, Echidna… What a curious woman she was. So devoted to her research, so determined to control what she could not comprehend. Tell me, Roswaal, do you share her ambitions?"

Roswaal took a cautious step forward, his gaze locked onto hers. "What are you doing here? What do you want?"

Pandora let out a soft chuckle, her voice carrying an unsettling sense of amusement. "Oh, Roswaal, I'm not here to harm you. Not yet, at least." Her eyes shifted to Ram, who met her gaze with a cold defiance that belied the tension in her body. "Such loyalty… it's admirable. But loyalty can be a weakness, don't you think?"

Ram's voice was sharp and unyielding. "I don't need lectures from someone like you. If you're here to threaten Lord Roswaal or this city, I'll—"

"Ram," Roswaal interjected, his tone firm but quiet. He stepped in front of her, his gaze never leaving Pandora. "Do not provoke her."

Pandora chuckled again, the sound soft and almost musical. "Oh, there's no need for hostility. I'm not your enemy. In fact…" Her eyes sparkled with something unreadable as her smile lingered. "I need your help."

Roswaal's brows furrowed, and his posture tensed. "Help?"

Pandora spread her hands, her movements graceful yet deliberate. "You see, I have a goal—a simple one, really. But the road to that goal requires certain… obstacles to be removed. And you, Roswaal, are perfectly positioned to assist me."

Ram stepped forward, her voice icy. "And if we refuse?"

Pandora's serene smile didn't waver, but the air around them seemed to grow heavier, darker. "Oh, my dear, that wouldn't be ideal—for you."

Roswaal's voice was steady, but there was an edge to it now. "If you're telling us what to do, then it's not a request. It's a demand."

Pandora tilted her head, her silver hair shimmering in the moonlight. "You could say that. But I'd prefer to call it an invitation. A chance to save yourselves from what's to come."

The tension in the air was unbearable now, thick with the promise of violence. Pandora's tranquil demeanor contrasted sharply with the suffocating power radiating from her.

She took a step forward, her smile never fading. "But if you insist on making this difficult… I suppose I'll have to persuade you."

Roswaal's eyes narrowed, and he raised his hand slightly, mana gathering around him as his cloak billowed in the sudden gust of wind. "Ram," he said quietly, his voice low and firm. "Prepare yourself."

Ram nodded, Her gaze was locked onto Pandora, unwavering and full of determination.

Pandora's smile remained as she watched them, her eyes glinting with amusement. "How delightful," she said softly. "Very well, then. Let's begin."

The clearing outside city erupted in chaos as Roswaal and Ram unleashed their most devastating magic. Roswaal raised his hands, his eyes gleaming with determination.

Beside him, Ram moved with lethal grace, her pink hair whipping in the winds of her magic. "For Lord Roswaal," she muttered, her voice sharp as a blade, "and for our home!" Her wind magic howled, a storm of razor-sharp currents that sliced through the air toward Pandora.

The Witch of Vainglory stood in the center of their combined assault, her silver hair shimmering like moonlight, her enigmatic gaze locked onto them with an unsettling calm. The ground shook violently as their spells collided with her, engulfing the area in a massive explosion.

The blast was deafening. Trees were uprooted, the ground split apart, and an inferno of fire and wind consumed everything in its path. Smoke and ash choked the air, blotting out the moonlight, and for a moment, silence fell over the battlefield.

Roswaal and Ram stood side by side, their breathing ragged as they stared at the devastation they had wrought. Where Pandora had been standing, there was now only a massive crater, the earth scorched black.

Roswaal wiped a bead of sweat from his brow and let out a low chuckle, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "Well, that was impressive, wasn't it?" he muttered, though there was no trace of his usual playfulness.

Ram lowered her hands, her chest rising and falling with each labored breath. "Is it… over?" she asked, her voice steady despite the chaos around her.

Before Roswaal could respond, the smoke began to dissipate unnaturally, as if drawn away by some unseen force. Their eyes widened in disbelief as the destruction they had caused vanished before their very eyes.

The scorched earth returned to its unblemished state. The trees, once uprooted and burned, stood tall and untouched. The forest was exactly as it had been before the battle had begun, as if time itself had rewound.

And in the center of it all, Pandora stood, unscathed, her serene smile unchanged. Her cascading silver hair caught the moonlight, and her hands rested gently at her sides. She hadn't moved an inch.

"What… what is this?" Ram whispered, her voice trembling with shock.

Roswaal's eyes widened in horror. "This… this isn't possible. We—our spells… they hit her! I saw it!"

Pandora tilted her head slightly, her expression calm and motherly. "Oh, you poor dears," she said softly, her melodic voice cutting through the stunned silence. "Did you truly believe that such a display could affect me?"

Roswaal clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. "What did you do? How are you unharmed? And why is the forest—?"

"Unchanged?" Pandora interrupted gently, her enigmatic eyes locking onto his. "Ah, but it was never changed to begin with. You see, I simply denied it."

"Denied it?" Ram repeated, her voice sharp with disbelief.

Pandora nodded, taking a slow, graceful step forward. The air around her seemed to shimmer faintly, as if reality itself bent to her presence. "Yes. I possess the ability to deny reality itself. If I decide something did not happen, then it simply… didn't."

Roswaal's mind raced as he tried to comprehend the implications of her words. "You mean… you can undo anything you wish?"

"Undo?" Pandora's smile grew slightly, her tone patient and condescending. "No, no, dear Roswaal. I do not undo. I merely dictate what is real and what is not. For example…"

She extended a delicate hand toward Ram. The air shimmered faintly, and suddenly Ram felt a strange sensation, as if her very existence was being unraveled.

"Ram!" Roswaal shouted, stepping protectively in front of her.

Pandora lowered her hand, her smile never wavering. "Oh, don't worry. I was simply illustrating a point. If I wished, I could make it so that your dear Ram was never here. And if she was never here, then everything she did—the damage she caused, the magic she used—would simply cease to exist."

Ram glared at her, her body trembling with suppressed rage. "You're saying you can rewrite reality itself?"

Pandora chuckled softly, the sound soothing yet deeply unsettling. "Rewrite? No, my dear. There is nothing to rewrite. What you perceive as reality is merely what I allow you to see. If I say your spells never hit me, then they didn't , all the damage they did to the forest all didn't happen then."

Roswaal gritted his teeth, his frustration mounting. "Such power… it's absurd!"
Pandora's gaze softened, as if she were a parent indulging a tantrum-prone child. "Oh, Roswaal," she said, her voice filled with quiet amusement. "You of all people should understand. After all, haven't you spent your entire life pursuing your own impossible reality?"

Her words struck a nerve, and Roswaal's expression darkened. He raised his hands again, his flames reigniting, but Ram placed a hand on his arm.

"Lord Roswaal," she said quietly, her tone firm. "This isn't a fight we can win with brute force."

Pandora clapped her hands together lightly, as if applauding Ram's insight. "How wise of you, dear Ram. But I'm afraid wisdom alone won't save you."

She took another step forward, her serene smile never faltering. "Now," she said, her voice carrying an unsettling sense of finality, "shall we continue this little game? Or will you assist me willingly?"

Roswaal fell to his knees, his body trembling from exhaustion. His magic reserves were completely depleted, his once-proud stance now broken. "This… this is madness…" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ram stumbled to his side, her breathing ragged. "Lord Roswaal…" she said weakly, her voice filled with despair.

Pandora took a slow step forward, her serene smile never wavering. The air around her seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly light, her presence exuding an aura of absolute authority.

"You've both fought well," she said softly, her voice carrying an unsettling kindness. "But this battle is over. You cannot win against me."

Roswaal glared up at her, his eyes filled with defiance. "What… what do you want?"

Pandora paused, her enigmatic gaze locking onto his. "What do I want? Oh, dear Roswaal, that's a complicated question. But for now…" She extended her hand toward them, the air around her shimmering with an ominous energy. "I need your help. And if you won't give it willingly…"

Her serene smile grew ever so slightly, her tone calm and unyielding. "Then I'll simply take it."

Ram and Roswaal's eyes widened as they felt the weight of her words, the sheer power of her presence bearing down on them. They had no strength left to fight, no mana left to resist.

The air felt heavy, almost suffocating, as Pandora stepped closer. Her movements were fluid, almost ethereal, as if she were gliding rather than walking. Her silver hair shimmered like liquid moonlight, and her starlit eyes bore into their very souls.

She crouched down before them, her soft smile exuding warmth, but there was an unsettling undercurrent in her gaze—a sense of complete dominance. Slowly, she reached out, her delicate fingers brushing against Roswaal's cheek. The sensation was cold yet electrifying, sending shivers down his spine.

"Tell me," Pandora began, her voice as soothing as a lullaby, "am I beautiful?"

Roswaal's breath hitched, his mismatched eyes locked onto hers. There was something about her presence, something so overwhelming, so… divine. It was as though the very concept of beauty had been personified and placed before him. His thoughts began to blur, his mind clouded by the sheer weight of her existence.

"I… You…" He struggled to find his voice, his usual charisma drowned in her presence.

Pandora turned her head slightly, her gaze shifting to Ram. Her fingers moved to caress Ram's cheek, her touch gentle yet unnervingly intimate. "And you, my dear? What do you see when you look at me?"

Ram, ever the defiant, opened her mouth to retort, but the words caught in her throat. Her sharp tongue felt useless in the face of Pandora's overwhelming aura. Her eyes dulled for a moment, as if the fire within her was snuffed out.

"You… are beautiful," Ram murmured, her voice trembling.

Roswaal's lips moved almost involuntarily. "Exquisite… divine…" he whispered, his usual theatrical flair absent. These weren't just words of flattery—they were words born from an inescapable compulsion, a force they could neither resist nor understand.

Pandora's serene smile widened ever so slightly, her expression glowing with satisfaction. "Ah… yes. You understand. You see the truth." Her voice grew softer, almost a whisper, as she cupped their faces lovingly. "I am beauty itself. I am perfection. To acknowledge this… is to understand me."

Her touch lingered, and with every second, it felt as if their wills were being sapped away. It wasn't magic in the traditional sense—there was no visible force, no spell incantations. It was her presence, her essence, that held them in thrall.

"Now," Pandora continued, her voice dripping with sweetness, "let's make things simple. I don't ask for much, truly. All I want… is for you to act as you always do. No one must suspect a change."

Ram's head nodded slowly, her expression eerily blank. "Of course… as you wish."

Roswaal's mismatched eyes wavered, his usual mischievous smirk absent. He looked up at her, his voice hollow. "As I… always do…"

Pandora's smile deepened, her beauty somehow more radiant, more overwhelming. "Good. Very good. However…" Her gaze turned sharper, though her smile remained. "From now on, you will support Subaru Natsuki. In everything he does. Every decision he makes, every step he takes… you will ensure his success."

Ram and Roswaal didn't hesitate. "Yes," they both said in unison, their voices devoid of resistance.

Pandora leaned closer, her silver hair cascading like a veil around her face. She cupped Roswaal's chin, tilting his face toward hers. "You're a clever man, aren't you, Roswaal? You'll know how to navigate this little game. You've been scheming for centuries—now all those schemes shall align with Subaru's rise."

Her gaze shifted to Ram, her hand moving to gently stroke Ram's pink hair. "And you, my dear. Your loyalty burns brighter than any fire. Let it burn for him. Let it fuel his every endeavor."

They both nodded again, their expressions eerily calm.

Pandora finally stood, her hands falling gracefully to her sides. The forest seemed to shimmer around her, the light bending to her will. She radiated an aura of fulfillment, of vainglorious satisfaction.

"Good," she said softly, her voice like honey. "Now go. Return to your lives, your routines. No one must know we spoke. But remember…" She turned back to them, her smile both benevolent and menacing. "Your loyalty belongs to Subaru Natsuki now. Forever."

Roswaal and Ram rose to their feet, their movements mechanical, as though they were puppets on strings. Without another word, they turned and began walking back toward the mansion, their steps steady but their minds clouded.

Pandora watched them go, her enigmatic smile never faltering. "Ah, such delightful pieces on this board. And now… the game becomes interesting."

She turned her gaze skyward, the stars reflecting in her eyes. "Flugel… I wonder. Did you ever foresee this?"

The forest fell silent once more, save for the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.