...

{3rd Person POV}

'Damn it! Don't tell me the Witch of Envy is going to flip out over this…' Subaru thought, his heart racing.

Though he was indeed Natsuki Subaru, he had become something far more complex. His soul had fused with another—an entity possessing knowledge of events yet to come. This fusion made him a walking contradiction, an anomaly. To any observer, it would appear as if the real Natsuki Subaru had been consumed by this foreign presence—a parasite masquerading in his skin.

"It seems Mister Natsuki Subaru has already grasped the gravity of our situation," Sekhmet remarked in her languid tone, watching his blank, unreadable expression.

Suddenly, the entire realm trembled violently.

All the Witches reacted instantly. Their expressions morphed—some with fear, others with dread.

"No! Not again!" cried Carmilla, who instinctively hid behind Sekhmet, trembling.

The once-bright sky blackened ominously. A figure cloaked entirely in darkness appeared in the distance, its very presence warping the air with an oppressive pressure.

"Is that Tella... or the Witch?" Typhon wondered aloud, tilting her head curiously.

"She doesn't look too happy," Echidna muttered with a gleam of amusement that masked her concern. Subaru, on the other hand, was silently spiraling into a mental breakdown.

Am I really Natsuki Subaru? Or just a fraud? Someone who hijacked his memories, his body... his life?

Before the thought could solidify, dozens of shadowy arms erupted from behind the blackened figure. They shot forward with terrifying speed—each targeting the Witches like javelins made of hatred.

"Well... I guess that answers our question," Echidna quipped dryly as all the Witches immediately scattered, distancing themselves from Subaru.

Sekhmet responded first, unleashing her own Authority. A wave of power rippled outward as she shielded Typhon and Carmilla from the incoming barrage, meeting the Witch of Envy's attack head-on.

"Satella! Fight it! Don't let her consume you!" Minerva yelled desperately—but her cries were met with a fresh volley of shadowy appendages.

Meanwhile, Subaru exhaled deeply. None of the attacks had been aimed at him. It was almost as if the Witch of Envy—no, Satella—was actively trying to push the others away from him, rather than hurt him directly.

'Fuck it! If things go to hell, I'm not dying without dragging her down with me!'Subaru resolved, his eyes narrowing with determination.

Then came a wave of raw, malevolent energy. A black aura thundered down from above like a collapsing stormcloud.

"Shield yourselves!" Minerva shouted, but it was too late. The blast flung the Witches through the air like ragdolls.

Minerva and Sekhmet recovered mid-air, landing with elegance and composure. Daphne and Typhon, despite the chaos, managed to land on their feet effortlessly.

Carmilla, however, crashed hard, and as for Echidna—she landed face-first in the dirt, her legs awkwardly in the air, backside prominent.

"Damn it... you absolute bitch..." Echidna groaned, spitting out artificial soil. Her pride had taken more damage than her body.

"I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you..." the Witch of Envy repeated the mantra over and over, each word soaked in obsession, as she slowly floated toward Subaru.

"Stop," he said.

No response.

"I said stop," he growled, louder.

Still nothing.

"I SAID STOP!" Subaru roared, his voice infused with raw emotion.

In that moment, his aura exploded into view. A kaleidoscope of colors swirled around him before settling into a radiant blue hue—a shimmering shield that deflected the encroaching miasma.

Finally, she stopped.

"Love me. Love me. Love me. Love me..." she chanted, her words shifting, now tinged with hurt. She interpreted his rejection as betrayal.

"YAHOO! Are you sure he's your lover?!" Echidna suddenly shouted from the side, unable to resist poking the bear.

Instant silence.

The Witch of Envy's head slowly turned. Her miasma thickened into a suffocating haze. The temperature dropped. Even the ground began to warp.

"You had to do it, huh?" Sekhmet muttered, disappointed but not surprised.

Echidna's eyebrows twitched. Despite her arrogance, a sliver of regret crept into her heart. She had done many things she wasn't proud of, but this? This might just be the one that cost her everything.

For the Witch of Greed, there were things she had done that she still regretted to this day. However, after this, whether she would even have the chance to regret anything again was highly uncertain.

Thousands of shadow hands erupted from the sky, blotting out what little light remained. Spiked tendrils of shadow burst from the earth like fangs.

The Witch of Greed was royally, unquestionably screwed.

In simple words, she fucked up.

Minerva leapt in front of Echidna, summoning her own power to shield her—only to be ripped apart by a swarm of shadow claws.

Sekhmet summoned a battalion of her own shadow limbs, clashing violently with Envy's—chaos against chaos, hatred against indifference.

Typhon tried to protect herself, but her Authority faltered. Even she, the Witch of Pride, was overwhelmed.

Subaru had seen enough.

He stepped forward, his aura flaring to its peak. With a single swing of his hand, a wave of energy pulsed outward—obliterating the incoming attacks.

The shadow hands disintegrated, and the sky cleared just enough to reveal her.

Her veil was blown away.

There she stood—a breathtaking woman with pale lavender skin, haunting purple eyes, and a curvaceous figure. Subaru froze.

Subaru silently offered a prayer to every god he could think of, then reached out and gently patted her head.

Then, silently, he raised his hand—and gently placed it on her head.

To everyone's astonishment, the miasma around her instantly began to dissipate. Her body shimmered, transforming. Her skin brightened to a healthy white, her hair turned silver, and her figure slimmed slightly.

"M-My love..." she whispered.

It was Satella. Not the Witch of Envy.

"Wait, did he just calm her down?! With a freaking headpat?!" Minerva gawked, unable to believe what she had just witnessed.

"I'd like to understand this myself..." Sekhmet yawned, though her tone hinted at curiosity more than boredom.

Subaru exhaled in relief, the crushing pressure finally lifting. "A-Are you Satella?" he asked, his voice soft and unsure.

"Yes..." she replied, bowing her head, ashamed to meet his eyes.

"Your other self-caused quite a mess, you know," Sekhmet said, crossing her arms. "I'm pretty sure Echidna would be dead meat right now if you hadn't intervened."

"I didn't take over," Satella said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "She willingly gave up control."

Her words surprised everyone present.

"D-Did... did the power of love actually win?!" Minerva stammered, her usual confidence shaken. Even she couldn't fully believe what she was witnessing—this wasn't just any villainess. This was the Witch of Envy, the very embodiment of obsessive madness.

"S-She seems... rather docile in his presence," Satella continued quietly, as if speaking the thought out loud confirmed it for herself.

"W-Wait a second! Are we absolutely sure we're talking about the same person here?" Subaru asked, disbelief painted across his face. In his mind, the Witch of Envy was anything but submissive. The contrast was so jarring, he could barely reconcile the two images.

"I-I think she... she might have realized the true value of love," Carmilla offered timidly, her voice barely audible.

Everyone turned toward her, stared for a long moment—and then promptly rolled their eyes.

As if? What does she think this is? Disney?

"This is what I truly believe," Carmilla murmured, even as they ignored her.

"Wait. Let's ask the real question now," Echidna interjected, her tone suddenly serious. "Is the Witch of Envy being controlled by someone?"

A heavy silence followed her words, the air thick with tension.

"W-What?! How can she be controlled?!" Minerva blurted out, clearly agitated. "She overcame Pandora, remember?! The Witch of Vainglory couldn't manipulate her!"

"Still," Sekhmet said, eyes half-lidded as always but voice sharp with insight, "it would explain a lot. Especially the fact that the Subaru standing before us... isn't entirely the real Subaru."

Subaru clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. "You know what? I should've let her wipe the floor with all of you," he growled through gritted teeth.

"Love is love," Satella said firmly, stepping forward. Her voice had lost all its earlier softness—it rang with conviction. "He is not a fake."

"But his soul... it has two colors," Echidna argued, her eyes narrowing.

"He's always had a two-colored soul," Satella replied without hesitation.

That statement sent a wave of unease through the Witches. Their expressions twisted in alarm, and almost in unison, they stepped back from Subaru.

"Are you really Satella?" Daphne asked cautiously as Satella gently reached out and took Subaru's hand.

"I'm sorry," Satella said, her voice trembling as she pressed her cheek against his palm. "You had to die so many times… and I couldn't stop it."

Sekhmet's usual lethargy vanished in an instant. Her demeanor turned sharp and focused.

Something wasn't right—terribly not right.

The Witch of Envy had never been this passive, never this composed in Subaru's presence. And Satella? She had always been kind, yes—but not bold. Certainly not this bold. It felt as though their very personalities had been rewritten.

"I won't let them hurt you," Satella declared, turning toward the other Witches, her voice calm yet threatening.

"W-Wait a minute!" Subaru cried out, taking a cautious step back. "Look, I don't like them either—especially that smug, white-haired bitch—but can someone please tell me what the actual hell is going on?!"

"Then first, tell us who you really are," Minerva demanded.

Subaru stared at them all for a moment, then exhaled sharply as he reached his breaking point.

"I am Natsuki Subaru," he said. Then, after a short pause, he continued, "I am also Ayan Ghosh. I am both of them."

There was no hesitation in his voice now. The truth was out.

"I admit, I have knowledge I shouldn't possess... but seriously, what the hell is going on?" he shouted, his voice echoing.

"A fusion of souls," Echidna muttered, her eyes gleaming with intellectual hunger. "That would explain everything..."

"Oh boy," Sekhmet said dryly, "he just spilled the beans."

"The Witch of Envy," Echidna began, "is a dangerously obsessive woman. She doesn't care about method—only outcome. She was never submissive. That's simply not who she is."

"And Satella..." Sekhmet added, "was never this assertive. She used to weep for her beloved. She would cry over being unable to help him, not stand tall and protect him."

"So you're saying..." Subaru began, eyes wide in disbelief. "You think she is the one being manipulated?"

"Yes. That's exactly what we're saying," Sekhmet confirmed. "You are the anomaly, so naturally, our suspicion falls on you."

"You're all wrong," Satella said suddenly, silencing them.

All eyes turned to her.

"I'm not the one being manipulated," she said. "You are."

The place fell completely silent.

Satella's words felt like an invisible shockwave. If they'd been playing cards, this was the equivalent of slapping down a glowing Uno Reverse.

"Subaru has always had a dual-colored soul," Satella continued. "He could teleport, speak telepathically, and manipulate unseen forces. He's always been strong... stronger than he knows. He can even erase the very concept of information itself."

Her last sentence caused even Echidna to stiffen.

Satella leaned closer to Subaru, clinging to his arm. He swallowed nervously but didn't pull away.

"In the darkest nights," she said, "when I had no one, no hope, no purpose... he held me. He comforted me. He kissed me. Even when I lost my mind, he stayed. He loved a useless girl like me and never gave up on me."

"I remember every single moment we shared. Every second. I can never forget them. And I will not allow you to tarnish his identity!"

For a moment, no one spoke.

"I guess... we are the ones being manipulated," Daphne murmured, her voice unsteady. "If Satella is truly stronger than any of us, it makes sense that she would be the only one unaffected."

"I think I know which woman is behind all this," Sekhmet said grimly.

"Pandora," Echidna hissed. Her usual smirk was gone. Her fists clenched tightly enough that blood began to trickle from her palms.

The realization had struck all of them like a bolt of lightning.

Pandora—the Witch of Vainglory.

The only one who could tamper with memories so intricately. The only one who could alter reality itself without anyone noticing. And if Satella was truly untouched, then it meant she alone retained the truth of what had really happened.

Subaru opened his mouth to speak, but the questions swarming his mind drowned out his voice.

He was in the middle of a full-blown existential crisis.

Finally, he turned to Satella.

"Can you... tell me the truth?" he asked gently.

Satella paused for a long moment, then replied with a faint smile, "You will know... when the time is right. Everything will become clear."

Subaru didn't press further. Instead, he turned to Minerva and the others.

"I have a few questions for you," he said. "First... Minerva, are you Emilia's mother?"

Minerva's eyes widened in shock, her jaw falling open.

"Well, yes. She is the mother of that child," Sekhmet casually replied.

"You weren't supposed to tell him!" Minerva shouted, stomping her foot in frustration.

Ignoring her tantrum, Subaru asked his next question.

"Second, how do I defeat the Black Serpent and the Great Rabbit?"

"The Great Rabbit," Daphne answered, "multiplies infinitely and is drawn to mana. To destroy it, you must lure them all to a single location and eliminate every last one in a single attack."

"As for the Black Serpent," she continued, "you don't need to kill it all at once, but you do have to destroy every part of it completely. If even a piece survives, it will regenerate."

Subaru nodded, satisfied with the answers.

"Well then," he said with a respectful bow, "thank you all for your help. I guess I'll be taking my leave now."

As Subaru turned to depart from the Castle of Dreams, a familiar voice echoed behind him, halting his steps.

"Wait a moment," Echidna called out, stepping forward with a composed expression, her white hair shimmering like moonlight beneath the dreamscape's glow.

"I have an offer for you," she said, her tone calm yet laced with undeniable intrigue. "Your abilities—your potential—fascinate me. Let's form a contract. I'll lend you everything I have—my knowledge, my magic, my intellect—and in return, you will allow me to study your powers. In depth. Without limits."

She paused, watching his reaction carefully before adding, "And before you reject this, understand what I offer. I possess all the magical knowledge this world holds. I am the creator of Metia, the very essence of magical classification and understanding. I know countless secrets about this world—though," she frowned slightly, "I admit, I cannot say how many of those truths remain valid after all this time."

Despite the humble note in her voice, her smile soon returned, gentle yet brimming with unquenchable curiosity.

Subaru stood still, her words weighing heavily on his mind.

'Should I really form a contract with her?' he pondered. Compared to the Envy Subaru's timeline's proposal she had made to him, this one was far more generous—tempting, even. There was much he didn't know, despite his experiences. Her knowledge could help him survive.

Then came a dry voice, one that sliced through the atmosphere like a blade of sarcasm.

"Echidna, you're seriously proposing a soul-bound contract in front of the Witch of Envy?" Sekhmet drawled lazily, lounging to the side with half-lidded eyes. "You've got some nerve."

Yet despite the incredulity in her voice, there was no real surprise. After all, greed had driven Echidna to places where one wouldn't go even with a Great Sword of Power.

"I refuse," Subaru said, finally breaking the silence.

Echidna's smile faltered.

"You're embarrassing yourself now," Minerva muttered, crossing her arms as she glared at the Witch of Greed.

But then Subaru did something none of the Witches had anticipated.

"Instead, I present you a deal," he said, a sudden glint of ambition flickering in his eyes.

Gasps echoed throughout the dreamscape.

"I want everything you are—your soul, your knowledge, your body, your mind—your very existence," Subaru said, his voice laced with boldness and unmistakable desire. "In return, I will grant you knowledge of my abilities, Knowledge from another world. Together, we will create things that have never existed before. We will revolutionize this world—and maybe, discover how to travel through other words."

He stepped forward, now standing before her with a fervent gaze. "Imagine it, Echidna. Endless worlds. Infinite knowledge. A multiverse waiting to be explored."

The Witch of Greed was already trembling with excitement, her breath shallow, her eyes wide.

"T-That's… that's unbelievably greedy," she stammered, flushed and panting, overwhelmed by the sheer scope of what he proposed.

"You're sounding more like the Witch of Greed than the actual one right now!" Minerva cried in outrage, pointing an accusatory finger at Subaru.

"And don't you already have Satella? And that Sword Saint? And my Emilia?! Why are you adding Echidna to the list now?!" she fumed.

"So… Baru's a scumbag?" Typhon asked innocently, tilting her head, her tiny hands clasped behind her back.

Subaru smiled, looking at each of them in turn.

"If I were weak… if I were helpless like before, I might have accepted a deal where I was at a disadvantage. One where I was the one being used, broken, and tormented" he said, voice calm yet firm. "But I'm not that man anymore."

He stepped even closer to Echidna.

"Now that I've become strong, you start complaining? Greed, Pride, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Wrath, Gluttony—I embody them all and I ain't being a saint," Subaru said, a confident smile forming on his lips.

His hand extended toward her, open and confident.

"So what do you say, Echidna? Trade yourself—your very being—for the knowledge you've always craved and a life outside this dull prison of Castle of dreams. A fair exchange, isn't it? We both get to satisfy our greed."

Satella, who had remained eerily quiet throughout, tightened her embrace around Subaru's arm. His limbs rested between her soft chest as she watched everything unfold without uttering a word.

"Yes, indeed! I accept the proposal," Echidna said with a smile. Truthfully, she was on the losing end of the deal.

But she didn't care.

The Witch of Greed was never bound by human emotions or measured by human standards. To satisfy her insatiable hunger for knowledge, she was willing to do anything—even if it meant selling herself, even if it meant reducing herself to a slave.

Natsuki Subaru had offered her a deal she simply could not refuse. If she turned it down, she would no longer be worthy of the title Witch of Greed.

Thus with unwavering resolve, she reached out and grasped Subaru's hand.

"I, Echidna, Witch of Greed, hereby form a contract. My soul shall be bound to Natsuki Subaru. He shall have claim to my entire knowledge, my body, my soul, my mind, and every fiber of my being. In return, he shall provide me with knowledge from his world. Should he fail to deliver, the contract is void. But if he fulfills it—then my servitude is eternal."

Her voice rang out like the toll of a sacred bell.

"Do you accept this contract, Natsuki Subaru?" she asked.

"This is madness!" Minerva yelled, clenching her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Indeed, the terms were devastatingly one-sided. So long as Subaru delivered even a sufficient amount of valuable knowledge, the contract would be fulfilled—and Echidna would be his forever. Should she break it, her soul would be irrevocably destroyed. No second chances. No rebirth. Just annihilation.

"I've already envisioned this outcome," Sekhmet said with a sigh. "She's Echidna, after all."

"What if he doesn't give you more than you want?" Minerva asked, horrified.

Echidna turned to her, her expression serene. "Forgive me, Minerva… but I suppose I'm just too greedy to care."

"Besides, I believe in him," Echidna said, her voice laced with subtle confidence. "After all, I'm no worse than a certain half-elf who can't even take care of herself, yet somehow keeps getting endless chances." As she spoke, she subtly accentuated her curves with a knowing smirk.

However, Minerva stomped her foot on the ground and shouted, "Do whatever you want, you bitch! But leave my Emilia out of it!"

"Let's keep it PG-13," Subaru said with a chuckle, glancing at the three loli witches nearby. "We've got kids in the room."

Then Subaru shifted his gaze to Satella, thoughts swirling in his mind.

'Damn… her embrace is so soft, and she smells incredible.Damn it, Satella is like Emilia—but a thousand times better. She's the ultimate waifu material.'  , he thought.

"My love, I wish you the best in whatever lies ahead," Satella said softly as she gently released him from her embrace.

"To be honest, I still have so many questions," Subaru replied, lifting her chin with a tender hand, "but I promise you this—"

He leaned in and kissed her.

Gasps echoed from the Witches, while tears welled in the corners of Satella's eyes.

'It still feels the same', she thought, melting into the kiss as their tongues met, creating a brief, intimate symphony of connection and desire.

When they finally parted, Subaru was breathless.

"I'll be waiting then… my love," Satella whispered with a blush before vanishing from her place.

(A/N: She is—just extremely, incredibly shy.)

"Now that you've finished your romantic moment," Echidna said dryly, clearly relieved by Satella's departure, "shall I open the barrier for you?"

Subaru, still emotionally stirred, felt a tinge of conflict.'She's dangerously addictive,; he admitted to himself.

'It feels like… she was made for me.'  he thought.

Shaking off the lingering emotions, he asked, "Which trial is Emilia currently facing?"

"The Second Trial," Echidna replied, a visible frown on her face. "And let's just say—I'm not exactly happy with how smoothly she's handling it."

Subaru chuckled lightly. "No need to open the barrier the. I think it's time for me to take my leave."

"Our souls are bound by contract now," Echidna reminded him with a mischievous glint in her eye. "I can appear at your side whenever I wish… though only you will be able to see me."

A wicked thought surfaced in Subaru's mind. 'I wonder how Roswaal will feel knowing his beloved 'Sensei' now belongs to me…'

Now, it was Subaru's turn to do the cooking.

Roswaal—get ready to be served.

And with that, Subaru departed from the Castle of Dreams.

...

Meanwhile, back in the real world…

Roswaal stepped out of his residence, the cold wind brushing against his face.

'I wonder,' he mused, 'will you be able to save everyone this time, Natsuki Subaru?'

The Sanctuary was on the brink of calamity. The Great Rabbit was preparing to strike, and this time, a new Sin Archbishop was coming with it.

Meanwhile, the mansion was facing its own crisis—Elsa the Bowel Hunter.

This time, there would be no mercy.

Roswaal had Garfield on his side, a powerful and unpredictable ally.

He was cooking.

But so was Subaru.

Now, it was only a matter of time before they tasted each other's "dishes."

May the better cook win.

...

Subaru emerged from the Trial Chamber, his consciousness once again anchored in his physical body. The heavy atmosphere of the Sanctuary still lingered, but he could feel a slight shift—one that carried a sense of progress.

Not long after, Emilia stirred awake from where she had been resting. The moment her eyes met Subaru's, she broke into a bright smile and rushed toward him.

"I completed the second trial!" she announced cheerfully, throwing her arms around him in a spontaneous embrace.

Subaru blinked in surprise at the sudden contact. "Congratulations, Emilia... but can you not cling to me like that?" he replied with a slight grimace.

Emilia pouted at him like a child scolded for reaching into the cookie jar. "Fine, fine. But I'm going to attempt the third trial right away! I feel like I can really do it this time!"

There was a fire in her eyes—one of hope and newfound determination. Where the first trial had shaken her, the second had left her almost invigorated. It was clear she was building momentum.

Watching her hurry off, Subaru felt a familiar, ethereal presence surround him. He sighed internally as he heard the voice only, he could hear.

'Ugh, I seriously hate her. She reminds me of Satella.'

Echidna's voice drifted into his thoughts; her tone laced with contempt. Her soul, incorporeal and invisible to others, floated around him.

"Zero," Emilia called back to him. "Tell Father Geuse not to worry. I'll pass all the trials—I promise!"

Subaru nodded. "Consider it done."

As Emilia vanished into the the third trial chamber, Subaru turned his attention back to Echidna. His expression grew serious.

'Am I the only one who can see you?' he asked her silently, using the mental link they had developed.

'Yes,' Echidna replied, drifting closer with a smug smile on her face.

'Even the Sword Saint wouldn't be able to perceive me... not unless she gains a Divine Protection that lets her see the dead.'

She circled him like a mischievous wraith before leaning in and wrapping her arms around his neck. The sensation wasn't quite physical—it was more like a ghost of touch, a gentle pressure that tickled the nerves of his soul rather than his skin.

'Are you planning to haunt me now?' he asked dryly.

'Haunt is such an ugly word,' she purred.

'Let's say I'm... bound to you. A slave to you, as according to our contract. And to be honest... my maidenly heart finds you quite attractive.'

Her voice whispered in his mind like silk, a calculated attempt to seduce and manipulate.

Subaru rolled his eyes, unamused. Only lunatics like her could say something so deranged and somehow think it counted as flirting. But he'd grown used to that kind of insanity. After all, this wasn't the first woman with a few screws loose in her mind that he met.

One such unhinged woman was Ram, the classic case of Stockholm syndrome.

'Oh Man, if Roswaal saw how his precious Sensei was clinging to me like this, he'd break down sobbing.' He smirked at the thought.

'Eh, he was a fun experiment,' Echidna said dismissively. 'But he can't hold a candle to you.'

Typical Echidna—always stroking his ego while plotting how to benefit from his talents. It was obvious she was trying to keep him close by pretending to be lovesick. She wanted to make sure he'd eventually fulfill her selfish ambitions.

'Women,' Subaru thought with as he rolled his eyes in exasperation.

As he exited the ancient stone structure and stepped into the Sanctuary's open grounds, he was quickly greeted by a swarm of familiar presences—his Spirits.

"Father!" Agni, the fiery spirit, flew toward him with unrestrained excitement. Several others followed in close pursuit, surrounding him with warmth and energy.

"This concubine was bored to tears waiting out here! Hmph!" Gloria, the prideful spirit of Yang, huffed with indignation, crossing her arms.

"Betty has waited very patiently for her contractor," Beatrice said with an air of entitlement. "Betty demands a reward, I suppose."

Subaru chuckled softly and began patting Beatrice's head, his expression softening. "You'll all get a reward!"

He took the time to acknowledge each of his spirits individually, giving them affectionate head pats or light caresses. Despite their grandiose demands, they didn't really care about material rewards—they just wanted his attention, his affection. And Subaru was more than willing to give it to them.

Even Gloria, difficult to please, seemed to melt a little under his touch.

From beside him, Echidna observed with keen interest.

'You've really gathered an impressive group of spirits,' she mused, admiration laced with envy.

'Your spiritual affinity is terrifying. With a little more time, they'll all evolve into Great Spirits.'

She wasn't exaggerating. Great Spirits were not just rare—they were practically legends. Each one held immense magical power and an eternal lifespan. The fact that Subaru had six elemental spirits at his side, five of which were on the verge of evolving, was enough to stir even Echidna's greedy heart.

She had created Puck and Beatrice, but natural spirits possessed a unique wonder all their own.

She watched him interact with them, her scholarly curiosity beginning to burn.

'I want to know everything. Their personalities, their strengths, their origins... To witness the birth of five Great Spirits is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.'

But Subaru's next words broke her train of thought.

"If you ever get resurrected," he said sternly, not bothering to use telepathy this time, "you're going to apologize to Betty. No games. No excuses."

Echidna's smile froze. The casual arrogance faded from her expression for a fleeting moment.

She opened her mouth as if to reply, but no words came out. For once, she was silent, however in the end she managed to utter some words.

"Just so you know, the Echidna from 400 years ago was different from me," Echidna said, attempting to defuse Subaru's rising irritation. "I'm a younger version of her—the best fragment she was able to preserve from her soul."

The moment the other Witches find out about her situation, they would no doubt laugh.

The proud Witch of Greed, who once sought knowledge above all else, had now ended up in the humiliating position of doing her best to please a man—just to ensure her gamble didn't backfire.Only the Witch of Greed would be reckless enough to take such a risk.

"Anyway," Subaru began, shifting the subject. "I have a task for all of you."

He glanced guiltily at Beatrice, who was already pouting in disapproval.

"Emilia has completed her second trial and is currently challenging the third. In the meantime, I need three of you to stay behind and protect her—and this place."

"Betty wants to stay with her contractor!" the Great Spirit of Yin protested instantly, rejecting the assignment without hesitation.

"Hmph! This concubine refuses to babysit that half-elf!" Gloria, the Spirit of Yang, added with a huff. The irony wasn't lost on Subaru—Gloria, technically just a few months old, was mocking someone who had lived for over a century.

Thankfully, not all of them were so difficult.

"If it's your order, Father, I'll do it," Sylphy, the Spirit of Wind, said calmly and obediently.

Subaru had long since learned to recognize the distinct personalities of his spirits:

Aqua was the cheerful, mischievous troublemaker.

Agni, ever fiery and proud, liked to end her statements with a dramatic "Umu."

Gloria was a tsundere through and through—a haughty spirit not unlike a female version of Gilgamesh, with Subaru playing her Enkidu.

Sylphy was quiet and unwavering, never questioning his commands.

Gaea was the most normal of the bunch—just a kind, responsible girl.

And then there was Beatrice... who was just Beatrice.

"Don't worry, Father. I'll protect her with Sylphy," Gaea chimed in reassuringly.

Subaru looked between his dependable daughters and the more troublesome ones, and couldn't help but sigh and shake his head.

(A/N: Damn it, he really became that Asian parent who compares his kids.)

"That leaves Aqua and Agni. So... which one of you wants to stay behind?" he asked, turning to the last pair.

The two elemental opposites looked at each other for a moment.

"Umu. Don't worry, Father. I'll wait here," Agni said with a confident nod.

Aqua giggled in reply. "Thanks, Sis!"

How ironic—Fire and Water were in perfect harmony, while...

Subaru glanced at Beatrice, who was glaring daggers at the glowing orb of golden mana floating nearby.

Yin and Yang, on the other hand, were on the verge of chaos.

"Gloria, Aqua, and Betty—anchor to me," Subaru commanded, his tone firm.

At his order, the three spirits entered his body in a flash of light.

Moments later, he vanished, teleporting away from the Sanctuary.

Before truly departing, he stopped briefly to inform Geuse of Emilia's success, leaving behind a hopeful air in the Sanctuary.

...

Two days had passed since Subaru had left the mansion. In that time, the women he had rescued gradually adapted to their temporary life within Roswaal's estate. The grand mansion, while unfamiliar, provided them with safety and a moment of peace they had long been denied.

They understood well that living in someone else's home could never be a permanent solution, but thankfully Subaru had already given his word. He had promised them not only jobs but also a place they could truly call home, once he returned and settled everything.

So, for now, they waited patiently, allowing themselves time to heal—physically and emotionally—from the horrors and trauma inflicted by Regulus. The wounds ran deep, but there was a sense of cautious hope among them.

Thankfully, none of them were Reina or Satella—if they were, Subaru would likely be burdened with a dozen Yanderes vying for his love and attention. Still, it couldn't be denied that the women were incredibly loyal to their savior, and their trust in him remained unshaken.

In Subaru's absence, it was Sylphy—also known as Number 184—who took the lead in organizing the group. She kept things in order and ensured everyone adhered to Frederica's instructions, so as not to unintentionally damage any part of the elegant but fragile estate.

Suddenly, Subaru appeared in the garden. Without hesitation, he released a wave of his Aura—a powerful surge that rippled across the entire area.

His Aura was immense, spanning out for hundreds of meters, allowing him to sense every living being within its range.

Unlike Psychic Energy, which often left him feeling drained and weakened, his Aura had no such side effects. It was as if it a part of his very being.

He quickly scanned the area with his heightened senses. Detecting no presence of hostility, bloodlust, or danger, Subaru let out a sigh of relief. Everyone was safe.

'Ohhhh! That thing you just did was so fascinating! What do you call it?' Echidna asked, her voice echoing within his mind with that ever-present mix of curiosity and playful charm.

'It's called Aura. By spreading it out like a wave, I'm able to sense the presence and nature of other living beings in the vicinity,' Subaru responded calmly.

'Echidna, I'd prefer if you remained silent for now. Or, if you can't resist, return to the Castle of Dreams. Once everything is settled, I'll explain all my abilities, the knowledge I've gained from other worlds, and the full extent of my plans.'

She pouted dramatically and reached out to lightly tap his nose with her fingertip.

'You're breaking my poor maidenly heart, Subaru. But as a virtuous wife-in-waiting, I shall stand beside you silently and offer help whenever it's needed,' she replied with mock offense.

Her efforts to win his heart by acting endearing and affectionate weren't lost on Subaru. Despite knowing she was manipulating her image, he couldn't deny that it was working somewhat. She was charming in her own way, and her constant displays of affection chipped away at his defenses.

Not to mention, the original Natsuki Subaru had always been something of a soft-hearted fool for that kind of thing. Even Ayan, the supposed stoic part of him, was still a normal human being. When someone showers you with affection day after day, even if you suspect it's not entirely genuine, it's difficult not to be affected by it.

'You know, this would be a thousand times more effective if your words were actually sincere,' Subaru said with a small smile.

At that, Echidna fell silent, though her expression was unreadable.

Soon after, a few of the women noticed Subaru in the garden and hurried toward him with excitement and reverence in their eyes.

"Master Zero! Welcome back!" one of them greeted with an elegant bow, her tone respectful yet filled with relief.

Subaru gave her a curt nod and replied, "I'm concerned that someone might attempt an attack on the mansion. I need you to gather everyone in the main hall, including Frederica. This is important."

Without delay, the women moved to obey his order. In a short while, everyone had assembled in the spacious hall of the mansion, listening intently as Subaru gave clear instructions.

"You're all to remain within the mansion at all times. Do not wander outside under any circumstances. Stay alert and be ready for anything," Subaru said firmly.

After issuing his commands, he once again extended his Aura—this time combining it with his Psychic Abilities. Together, they formed a synchronized detection field, sweeping the surroundings for any trace of hostility or approaching threats.

'Say, Subaru… I've always been curious. What exactly is your Authority of Greed?' Echidna asked, now floating lazily behind him, her tone as inquisitive as ever.

'To be completely honest… I'm not entirely sure. It's strange. Whenever I observe someone doing something—whether it's cleaning, cooking, or fighting—I get the strong feeling that I could use my Authority on them,' Subaru confessed.

He hadn't used his Authority yet—partly out of caution. What if there were unforeseen consequences for the person he targeted?

He had no intention of harming the women he had rescued, nor any of his friends, even if some of them were problem children.

(A/N: Yes, Emilia, that includes you. You problem child.)

'Hmmmm… I may have a good idea of who's going to show up next,' Echidna said with a sly smile as she floated in front of him, clearly enjoying the dramatic buildup.

'If you ask me nicely, I might just tell you~' she teased.

'No need,' Subaru said flatly, his tone sharp. 'Whoever's coming isn't leaving in one piece.'

Echidna pouted again but gave in.

'It's the Sin Archbishop of Lust… and Elsa,' she revealed, and for the first time, Subaru visibly reacted.

'Well then,' he muttered with a smirk, 'I guess I'm about to get another power boost.'

'Confident, aren't we?' Echidna giggled, clearly amused by his boldness.

Just then, another voice chimed in—this time it was Beatrice.

"Hey Zero, Betty is getting bored. Should she come out now?"

Subaru nodded decisively. "Yes. You three can come out now."

At his command, Aqua, Gloria, and Beatrice emerged from the depths of Subaru's soul space, materializing around him with radiant energy and purpose.

Suddenly, Subaru felt a disturbance—a ripple brushing against the edge of his expansive Aura field.

He immediately straightened, his tone urgent. "Get ready. The enemy is approaching fast. Aqua and Gloria, support Beatrice. Beatrice, you'll act as the main attacker."

The enemy was closing in. Their speed increased rapidly—far too fast for any ordinary person.

Then came the voice.

"Mommy is hereee!" screeched the Sin Archbishop of Lust as she tore through the sky, breaking the sound barrier with a thunderous boom. Her grotesque wings flared open behind her, creating a monstrous silhouette as she flew like a missile straight toward him.

But Subaru didn't so much as blink.

He stood his ground, completely calm, and just as her monstrous fists reached him, his hands shot up with flawless timing. He caught both of her blows effortlessly, the force rippling through the air but failing to move him even an inch.

"Haha! Truly delightful—!" Capella cackled, her voice laced with madness. But before she could even finish her sentence, Subaru's fist smashed into her abdomen with devastating force. Her breath caught, eyes bulging as she was hurled backward like a broken doll, crashing through the trees as her form twisted through the air.

"Get away from us!" Subaru barked looking at the second person who had just been intercepted by the trio of his spirits, another figure streaking toward the battlefield.

"Jiwald!" Gloria shouted, unleashing a beam of brilliant Yang magic. A spear of pure light ripped across the air, aimed directly at the new opponent—a cursed woman clad in black.

"Tsk. How rude to welcome your guest like that," Elsa Granhiert said with a dark chuckle, nimbly twisting her body out of the way as the beam scorched past her.

'She's fast and nimble as always,'Subaru noted, narrowing his eyes. But before he could act, a familiar voice whispered in his mind.

'Subaru… why don't you test your Authority of Greed upon them?' Echidna's voice was sultry, tinged with a playful edge that hinted at something darker.

A cold, cruel grin began to form on Subaru's lips. 'With pleasure.'

Without delay, he activated his Authority of Greed, channeling its power toward Elsa. In an instant, his senses were overwhelmed by a rush of unfamiliar information. A euphoric wave of insight crashed into him—techniques, movements, instincts. The feel of a dagger's hilt. The rhythm of silent footsteps. The art of killing refined over years of bloodshed.

'The memories of wielding daggers… the reflexes, the experience—it's all mine now,' Subaru realized.

Within moments, he had fully absorbed Elsa's Dagger Mastery. His fingers twitched, his stance shifted slightly, and in that moment he knew—he could fight like her.

'I got her Dagger Mastery… This Authority doesn't steal—it lets me absorb their experience, their skills, their essence…' he thought with growing fascination.

Meanwhile, the air trembled again as Capella shrieked, her flesh bubbling and twisting grotesquely. In the blink of an eye, her body expanded and warped into the terrifying form of a massive dragon.

Subaru's eyes gleamed with intrigue. A dangerous idea formed in his mind.

'Say, Echidna… what if I copy her Authority of Lust?' he asked, barely able to contain the wicked anticipation.

Echidna's voice responded with a delighted laugh. 'Ahaha! We really are made for each other, aren't we?'

Subaru did just that, and soon he felt something awakening within him. Unlike the usual sensation he experienced when acquiring a Witch Factor—where it felt like something foreign was latching onto him and stirring something deep inside—this time, it was different. It felt more like a new power was naturally unfolding from within.

A strange heat surged through his body, and suddenly, his arms began to transform. His fingers lengthened into claws, rough fur forming over his skin, his very blood vibrating with power.

'I've observed two key things,' Echidna said analytically. 'First, your transformation speed is half of hers. Second, both Capella and Elsa have retained their abilities. That confirms it—your Authority copies, but it doesn't steal.'

The Witch of Greed was an exceptionally intelligent woman—renowned as the world's former strongest magician for a reason.

It took her only a few seconds to deduce and explain Subaru's newfound ability.

'It's just like the Pride King, Lucifer… My Authority of Greed mimics other powers and grants me their experience or transformation... This thing is damn near broken.'

Capella meanwhile didn't wait as he marveled his new ability. She opened her massive dragon maw, charging up a fire breath with malicious glee.

Subaru regaining his focus quickly summoned the Yin Sword—a long, black blade emerging from his shadow itself. Without a word, he stepped forward and swung the blade in a clean arc.

A flash of dark light streaked through the air.

Then silence.

Capella's dragon form shuddered, and a second later, her towering body split cleanly in half from crown to tail, collapsing in two grotesque slabs of flesh.

"What?! Mama got sliced in half?!" Elsa screamed in disbelief, witnessing the terrifying display of power.

"Don't ignore us, bitch!" shouted Aqua, her hands glowing as she activated a powerful water spell. A barrier of swirling water entrapped Elsa, locking her inside.

"El Jiwald!" Gloria yelled again, sending another barrage of concentrated laser beams at Elsa. The strikes were direct, but they fizzled upon impact.

Her Anti-Magic robe shimmered slightly—completely intact.

Elsa smirked. "Tch," she hissed, tearing through the watery prison with raw strength and dashing toward Beatrice.

But Aqua was ready. She raised her hand and blasted Elsa mid-air with a direct hit, sending her crashing into ground.

Meanwhile, Subaru stood over Capella's severed form. Her body had already begun to dissolve into black slime, slowly reconstructing itself.

'She can regenerate endlessly. Even if her brain is destroyed, she'll just grow another one,' Echidna observed, her voice thoughtful. Then, her tone shifted, lips curling in a mischievous grin.

'Try absorbing the leftover dragon blood… You might get a surprise.'

Subaru's eyes narrowed. He extended his transformed claw and activated Capella's Authority that he had copied. The leftover dragon blood began to surge toward him, fusing with his body.

Then, something extraordinary happened.

His mana surged.

No—exploded.

A primal scream tore from his throat, not of pain, but sheer ecstasy. His body radiated with power as his mana reserves multiplied—tenfold.

A goddamn ten times.

"I get it now… this is what it means to be a freaking dragon." Subaru whispered, grinning from ear to ear as the energy danced along his skin.

Capella, fully regenerated, glared at him with burning hatred.

"Who do you think you are, you petty meat bag?!" she roared, her body beginning to twist and bulge again, returning to her dragon form.

But Subaru only chuckled darkly.

'What an idiot. But then again, this gives me the perfect opportunity to test out my new abilities,' Subaru thought with a snicker, amused by her decision to try and kill him by transforming into a dragon for the second time.

'Time for round two... and this time, I'm the one with dragon blood in my veins.' Subaru though with a grin.

Subaru willed his body to transform, and in response, a cascade of changes swept across him like a violent storm. His skin thickened and darkened as obsidian-black scales erupted along his limbs and torso, gleaming with an almost divine luster.

A deep cracking sound echoed through the air as large wings burst from his back—powerful, scaly, and imposing. His eyes narrowed, the pupils morphing into thin, slitted lines as a golden hue overtook them, burning with primal intensity.

His forearms expanded with dense muscle, now wide and heavily scaled, ending in clawed hands that looked capable of rending steel like paper. A tail lashed out from his lower back, whipping through the air as if testing its newfound strength.

His bones shifted, his spine extended, and with a series of guttural, inhuman growls, Subaru began to grow—larger, broader, more monstrous.

Capella, frozen in place, could do nothing but stare in sheer horror.

She had transformed into her dragon form countless times. Her towering size and terrifying appearance had brought countless foes to their knees. But now, standing before her, was something far stronger and menacing than anything she had faced—a force of nature made flesh.

Subaru didn't stop at matching her. His body continued to expand, growing even larger, broader, and more intimidating with every passing second. The air quivered around him from the pressure of his transformation. By the time the growth ceased, he stood at nearly three times Capella's size.

Her draconic eyes widened in pure disbelief.

Where she had become a massive, blackish-purple dragon crowned with twin trident-like horns, Subaru had evolved into a colossus—a Raven Black Dragon with scales that shimmered beneath the sunlight like polished onyx.

His wings spread like thunderclouds, and his tail coiled around his hind legs like a whip of destruction. His golden eyes gleamed with intelligence and merciless confidence.

His presence alone seemed to bend the world around him.

Capella's shock twisted into anger. Narrowing her eyes, she bellowed in fury and unleashed her signature attack—jet-black dragon flames, the same cursed inferno that could reduce entire cities to ash and could not be extinguished by any conventional means. The hellfire surged toward Subaru like a tidal wave of death.

But Subaru simply lowered his massive head and cloaked himself in a dense, rippling Aura—amplified tenfold from what it had once been. The very air around him shimmered and warped as the flames collided with his Aura-shielded body… and fizzled out.

Not a single scale was scorched.

Not even the wind shifted behind him.

Capella snarled in frustration and roared once more, this time doubling the intensity of her black flames, pouring more and more mana into her attack.

Yet still—Subaru remained unharmed, standing unmoving, like an unbreakable mountain before a breeze.

"I-Impossible…" Capella choked out, her voice trembling, her pride crumbling into dust. Her wings trembled. Her claws scraped against the ground. The cursed flames she had always relied upon… had done absolutely nothing.

Those flames—so vile they could incinerate even enchanted armor—had not even left a scratch.

Subaru chuckled, his deep dragonic voice resonating through the sky like thunder.

"What a coincidence," he said, raising his head. "You're the fourth Sin Archbishop to look me in the eye and scream 'Impossible'."

Then, with a proud tone, he continued:

"But remember these words before you die: For me, 'Impossible'… is just another way of saying 'I am Possible.'"

Without any further hesitation, Subaru opened his jaws and unleashed his own dragon breath—an inferno of unimaginable power. But his flames were different.

A brilliant, scorching purple blaze erupted from his throat, a radiant beam of destruction that twisted the scenary with it's sheer heat. The very air screamed as the heat tore through it, ripping reality apart in its wake. Capella didn't even have time to scream. Her body was instantly engulfed, burned away into pure cinders.

The raven-purple flames obliterated everything in their path—nothing could withstand their wrath. Subaru lifted his head as he exhaled, and the beam cut upward into the heavens, splitting the very sky itself.

Where once there had been blue skies and clouds, now there was a gaping black line, as though atomosphere itself had been sliced open. Stars—distant, cold, and eternal—shone faintly within that line, like the void of space had been laid bare.

But even as he admired the catastrophic power of his new form, a familiar voice echoed in his mind with dry amusement.

'Haha, quite the dramatic method of annihilation,' Echidna said, sounding half impressed, half amused. 'However, you should remember—Capella can regenerate her entire body… even her soul. Burning her flesh is impressive, yes, but not enough to finish her forever.'

Subaru was stupefied hearing her words.

And then, before him, amidst the ash and smoke, the impossible happened.

Small, untouched remnants—cells, fragments of cursed flesh—began to knit together with unnatural speed. Within moments, Capella reformed entirely, as if she had never died at all.

But something had changed.

Gone was the defiant, twisted smirk.

Gone was the arrogance that once oozed from every word she spoke.

Now, in her draconic eyes, there was something far more primal—Fear.

Pure, unfiltered terror.

Without wasting another second, Capella created not two, but four wings on her back in a desperate bid for speed. With a thunderous sonic boom, she shot into the sky, flying away at breakneck speed.

But Subaru wasn't about to let her go so easily.

"Not so fast," he growled.

He allowed his body to shift once more, transforming into a sleeker hybrid form—his birdman state—more streamlined and agile for aerial pursuit. His wings beat once, and with a burst of wind and light, he took off like a missile.

Utilizing a combination of Chi and Magic to amplify his physical capabilities, and cloaking himself in refined Aura to cut through the wind, Subaru rapidly closed the distance between them.

"Leave me alone!" Capella screeched, panic dripping from every word. In a frantic attempt to stall him, she released a barrage of grotesque tentacles from her back—dozens of them, writhing and wriggling in the air.

But Subaru's Aura burst outward with a pulse of raw power, vaporizing every single tentacle before they could even touch him. The air hummed with raw energy as he surged forward, reaching her in an instant.

His clawed hand lashed out and seized her by the throat, squeezing hard enough to crush the wind from her lungs. She writhed, trying to transform again, but Subaru covered her entire body in his Aura, sealing her transformations completely.

"Any last words?" he asked coldly, his eyes glowing like golden stars.

Capella gasped, desperation leaking from her every breath. "I—I'll be your sex toy!" she cried out wildly. "Don't you want me?! I'm the most beautiful of them all! You must love me!"

Her voice cracked with hysteria, begging for a twisted salvation she thought she deserved.

Subaru stared at her with disgust, unamused and unmoved. He summoned the Life Sword—a blade capable of destroying soul itself.

"Not interested," he said flatly.

Then, without mercy, he drove the blade straight into her chest.

Capella's eyes widened. Her body seized for a moment. Then her expression froze in shock—pure, final, eternal.

No second chances.

No monologues.

No escape.

Capella Emerada Lugunica—Sin Archbishop of Lust—died in that moment, her soul obliterated, her body collapsing like a puppet with its strings cut.

Subaru let her fall.

The war against Lust was over.

And he was the last one standing.

...

With her lifeless body cradled in his arms, Subaru turned and made his way back to the mansion. He landed with a heavy thud before Elsa, his expression unreadable.

"M-Mama…?" Elsa uttered, her voice trembling in complete disbelief.

Her knees buckled beneath her, and she collapsed to the floor, her entire body giving out. In that single moment, she was no longer the infamous Bowel Hunter. She was someone who had lost both the battle and the war, utterly so.

Aqua swiftly casted Water Magic to bind Elsa in place. But Elsa didn't resist—not in the slightest. She just sat there, bound and broken.

"You gave up easily," Subaru commented, his voice calm but laced with a hint of cold amusement.

"You killed her… What do you think I can do to you now?" Elsa replied in a hollow, defeated tone. Her words, as simple as they were, made perfect sense. She had no illusions about her position.

Why hadn't she tried to escape? The reasons were twofold. Perhaps her years of immortality had dulled her instincts and eroded her will. Or perhaps, deep down, she understood how futile it would be to even attempt escape from someone like him.

"What are you waiting for?" she asked, closing her eyes. "Just kill me already and be done with it."

"You want to die?" Subaru repeated, raising an eyebrow as a cold smile slowly crept across his face. "That's the easy way out."

Then, his tone shifted, darker and heavier with intent.

"Make a contract with me… Give me your loyalty—your soul, your body, and your mind. That will be your punishment."

At those words, Elsa's eyes snapped open. She looked at him, shocked but defiant.

"I won't make a contract. Just kill me," she replied, her voice steady despite the pain. She knew full well that Subaru was capable of ending her. Capella's black flames had once nearly killed her, and even her regeneration couldn't have saved her then.

Subaru's smile widened further, his expression growing more twisted as he slowly reached out and grabbed her by the throat. With a single motion, he lifted her off the ground, his grip unrelenting as he began to choke her.

"Fine," he said coldly. "I offered you a chance. But since you want to die so badly… I'll make sure it's the most painful death you could ever imagine."

His voice had become a chilling whisper, and his eyes gleamed with a merciless fury. He had died at Elsa's hands several times. And though this Elsa was not the exact one who had murdered him repeatedly, the memories of those brutal deaths were still seared into his mind.

He had offered her a sliver of mercy—not out of pity, but because this version of Elsa hadn't been the one to harm him. And beyond that, if she could be turned, her strength would be an asset to Emilia's camp.

Strategically, it made sense. Subaru and Reina were strong, yes, but they were not omnipresent. He knew the value of reinforcements.

But she had refused. And now, she would suffer for it.

His grip tightened.

A sharp crack echoed through the hall as her trachea fractured under the pressure. Elsa coughed violently, blood spewing from her mouth as she choked on it. Her face began to turn a deep shade of blue, agony etched into every feature. Her eyes rolled back as tears streamed uncontrollably from them.

She writhed and struggled, desperate to break free, but it was hopeless. Death did not come for her, and her body's regeneration, usually so swift, was too slow now to counteract the damage in real time.

She was trapped—unable to die, unable to recover. It was pure agony. It was unending torture.

"Gghhk! … Agggghh!.. I! I—!" she tried to speak, barely forming words through the pain and pressure.

Subaru kept his grip on her neck for several agonizing minutes, even going so far as to forcibly use his Mind Manipulation ability to keep her conscious and repeatedly amplify her pain.

As long as a person retained even a shred of humanity—no matter how twisted—it was inevitable they would yield to such torture.

And so did Elsa.

When Subaru realized she had reached her breaking point, he finally released her letting her fall unceremoniously to the floor. She crumpled, gasping and choking, blood pouring from her mouth as she vomited onto the stone beneath her.

Her chest heaved violently as she drew in shallow, ragged breaths. Slowly, painfully, her trachea began to mend. Her body struggled to restore itself, inch by inch. Air finally returned to her lungs.

"Oh? Were you trying to say something?" Subaru asked with mock curiosity, looking down at her as if nothing had happened.

And then—Elsa cried.

Tears fell freely down her blood-streaked face. She sobbed—not in rage, not in hatred—but in despair, and in pain.

Subaru fell silent at the sight, his expression unreadable.

Elsa trembled as she reached out and clutched his feet, her sobs shaking her entire body.

"I-I accept! Please! Just don't torture me again!" Elsa cried out in desperation, her voice trembling as she begged for mercy, her pride completely shattered.

Meanwhile, Frederica stood to the side, watching the harrowing scene unfold with wide, horrified eyes.

She had witnessed every excruciating moment—every groan of pain, every twitch of helplessness, and every flicker of torment in Elsa's expression. The raw suffering etched into that moment shook her to her very core.

'I'm truly glad that Lord Zero isn't our enemy…' she thought, a shiver running down her spine. Just the thought of someone like Subaru turning his wrath against them sent a deep chill through her entire being.

If he had stood as their adversary, she could only imagine the utter devastation he could have wrought. No one would have been able to stop him.

In stark contrast, the other women nearby looked at Subaru with a completely different kind of awe in their eyes. Stars sparkled in their gazes as they stared at him, their expressions practically glowing with admiration.

To them, Subaru wasn't just powerful—he was a living legend and hero to them. A giga-chad, as some would say in less formal tones. (Ayoooo! Chill, ladies!)

Not long after her surrender, Elsa solemnly made the contract with Subaru, binding her soul, body, and mind to his will. She had become his servant, his subordinate—whether by choice or sheer necessity.

Yet, even after the contract had been completed, a terrifying realization slowly crept into her mind.

Even now… even with the contract in place, Subaru still had the power to torture her.

There was nothing in the terms that prevented him from doing so. She had no leverage, no escape. In the end, she could only hope that her new master would show mercy—that he might choose benevolence over cruelty.

As the contract settled and the pact solidified, Subaru suddenly felt a strange shift within himself. A surge of power, unfamiliar yet undeniable, stirred in the depths of his being. The Witch factor of Lust has finished merging with his being, it took a lot longer than others for some reason.

A new Authority had awakened within him.

He now held the Authority of Lust, not just Capella's version, but his own personalized form of it, integrated with the witch factor now embedded in his soul.

'How magnificent,' came the voice of Echidna, the Witch of Greed, echoing inside his mind. Her tone was laced with intrigue and amusement.

'To take an enemy and forge them into an ally through sheer will and brutal force… Such a deliciously greedy path you've chosen, Subaru. Truly entertaining.'

Then, with a chuckle, she added, 'Why don't you explore this new Authority of Lust? I highly doubt it's as simple as it appears on the surface.'

'I'll test it soon enough… on the Great Rabbit,' Subaru responded mentally.

Turning his attention back to Elsa, he issued his first command with the commanding presence of a true master.

"Elsa," he said firmly, "your first order: Protect Frederica and everyone else in this mansion from any and all threats that may arise during my absence."

Elsa, still kneeling, nodded in acknowledgement.

"Understood. I will do so," she replied in a low voice.

Though her hands itched to spill blood—as was her nature—especially when it came to demi-humans like Frederica, she clenched her fists and held herself back.

She understood all too well: if she lost control and gave in to her old urges, Subaru would make her existence a living nightmare. She did not want to taste that suffering again.

Subaru then turned toward Frederica, his expression softening ever so slightly.

"Frederica, the problems back at the Sanctuary haven't been resolved yet," he said. "Once I've settled things there, I'll return with the others."

Frederica bowed her head respectfully.

"Understood, Lord Zero. Please rest assured—I shall take care of the mansion in both your absence and Master Roswaal's," she replied, her tone composed and resolute.

Subaru then turned to face Sylphy and the other liberated women gathered nearby. His gaze softened further as he addressed them.

"And all of you… Have you managed to settle in properly? Please bear with the situation for just a few more days. Once things are stable, I'll personally make sure to build proper homes for each and every one of you."

One of the women stepped forward, her expression filled with gratitude.

"Lord Zero, we are truly grateful for everything you've done for us. Please don't worry. We've already adjusted to the space, and there's been more than enough room for us all."

"Yes, Lord Zero, you don't need to worry about us at all," Sylphy added with a smile.

Subaru gave a tired sigh, his gaze briefly flicking toward Sylphy. Having two people with the same name—his Spirit Sylphy, and this freed woman Sylphy—was bound to lead to confusion down the line.

'Ugh… Whatever,' he thought to himself. 'I'm not changing my Spirit's name, and I obviously can't ask the other Sylphy to change hers either. I'll just have to live with it.'

With that, Subaru gathered Beatrice, Gloria, and Aqua—those closest to him—and teleported, leaving the mansion behind as he made his return to the Sanctuary to confront the lingering problems still awaiting him there.

...

...

{3rd Pov}

Meanwhile, after Subaru departed from the Sanctuary, Roswaal wasted no time putting his elaborate and malicious plans into motion.

The first step in his scheme was to invite Garfield for a private discussion under the pretense of sharing critical information.

With a masterful deception, Roswaal began spinning a convincing lie, painting Zero as a sinister enemy—a Witch Cultist of the highest order. Not only that, but he accused Zero of holding the terrifying position of Sin Archbishop, instilling immediate suspicion and hostility.

"He's not just any cultist," Roswaal said with a grave, slow tone, "he's an Archbishop… one of the worst kinds. He's come to annihilate everything."

Garfield's expression twisted with fury as he clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging under the pressure.

"Damn it! I knew something was off when Grandma Ryuzu said he reeked of a Witch Cultist!" Garfield growled, clenching his fists tightly.

Roswaal, speaking with a dramatic flair and a hidden smirk, continued to weave lies without hesitation. "Unnnnnfortunately, the Evil Swooooord Saint is alwaaaays by his side, so I couldn't move freely untiiil nowwww…" His words dripped with falsehood, carefully crafted to manipulate.

In fact, labeling the Sword Saint as evil was a stretch by any measure—but unfortunately, the blonde beastman wasn't exactly known for his intelligence. To make matters worse, Subaru's previous headbutt seemed to have knocked out whatever little common sense he had left.

(A/N: This guy can literally become the idioticy Cosmic God in Marvel)

"But do not fret, Garfiel," Roswaal added, his voice slowing into an eerie, melodic drawl. "Their presence has unwittingly drawn in the Greeeeat Rabbit, and so now the opportunity arises. All the blame can fall on Zerooo… so while the Sword Saint is preoccupied with dealing with that monstrosity, yooooou must strike and destroy them."

The flames of hatred ignited in Garfiel's eyes, his body trembling with rage. He was now more than convinced that he needed to eliminate what he believed to be a grave threat—witch cultists who had infiltrated his home.

Roswaal's manipulation had worked flawlessly.

Inwardly, Roswaal chuckled. His mind danced with satisfaction, his plan unfolding step by step. The strategy was beautifully chaotic.

He would keep everyone occupied: with the Sin Archbishop of Lust and Elsa launching a brutal assault on the mansion, and with the Great Rabbit now running rampant in the Sanctuary. Garfiel, filled with righteous anger, would unknowingly help orchestrate the chaos.

Roswaal's intentions were far darker than anyone realized. He had no qualms about eliminating Rem and Ram, treating them as mere pawns in his larger game.

The ultimate goal was clear: to break Subaru's spirit completely.

He wanted Subaru to reach such a low, such a point of despair and helplessness, that in a future loop, the boy would have no choice but to make a binding contract with him.

A contract to do whatever it takes—even if it meant sacrificing his soul—to crown Emilia as queen.

Yes, Emilia's position in the Royal Selection had improved significantly. With Subaru's heroic feats—defeating the White Whale and slaying multiple Sin Archbishops—the public would soon regard him as a legend.

News of his accomplishments should be beginning to spread among the populace.

But unfortunately, achievements alone were not enough. If Emilia belonged to any other race, their side would already be celebrating a landslide victory.

Yet, she bore the burden of her lineage—being a half-elf, a painful reminder to the world of the Witch of Envy.

The prejudice was deep-rooted. No matter her strength or intentions, many refused to accept her as the rightful ruler. Winning the throne wouldn't be simple.

And so the pieces moved. The plan unfolded.

As Garfiel stormed off to confront Emilia, determined to purge the false cultists, the Great Rabbit—a magical calamity—was unleashed to keep Reina occupied. The stage was set for madness and bloodshed.

Soon, Roswaal would have Subaru wrapped around his finger.

Or so he thought.

...

Subaru returned to the Sanctuary alongside his three spirits, but almost immediately, he felt something was off. A chill crept through his spine, and he instinctively closed his eyes, expanding his senses outward.

Then he felt it.

'The Great Rabbit… it's here!' Subaru's expression hardened as he sensed thousands—no, tens of thousands—of sinister, pulsating auras converging at one point. Without hesitation, he teleported to the source of the menace.

What he saw sent a jolt through his chest.

Reina stood defiantly, her sword still sheathed, yet wreaking utter devastation. With each powerful swing, she carved the monstrous Great Rabbits into grotesque chunks, their blood spraying into the air like crimson mist.

The ground was littered with mangled bodies, but the horror had only just begun.

Despite Reina's overwhelming strength, the Great Rabbits were recovering at a terrifying pace. Worse still, their numbers seemed to double the more she slaughtered them. It was an endless tide of death.

Floating beside Subaru, Echidna's soul shimmered with amusement and curiosity as she observed the chaos. Her calm, analytical demeanor stood in stark contrast to the slaughter below.

'Oh my,' she murmured with a wicked smirk, 'it seems she's activated the full potential of the Great Rabbit.'

Subaru turned to her, eyes narrowed in confusion. 'Full potential? What are you talking about?'

Echidna's voice took on a more instructive tone, as if she were giving a lecture rather than watching a battle. 'Each of the Great Mabeasts has a hidden trait. If they suffer tremendous damage over a short period of time, they don't just become harder to kill… they adapt. The best strategy is to drain them of their mana and vitality, then strike with a single, final blow.'

The realization dawned on Subaru like a flash of lightning. 'So that's why the White Whale had been so impossibly difficult to defeat…'

'Why don't you experiment a little?' Echidna asked with a greedy gleam in her eye. 'I've always been curious about the Authority of Lust. You tend to acquire fascinating abilities after all.'

Indeed, Subaru's powers had grown immensely—frighteningly so. Between the Authority of Envy, which had granted him the cruel gift of Return by Death, and the Authorities of Greed and Sloth, he had gained abilities that transcended human limits.

His shadow hands could phase through matter, while his greed can replicate others' skills... even the authorities themselves.

Driven by urgency and curiosity alike, Subaru didn't hesitate.

He activated his Authority of Lust.

In an instant, the world around him changed. His vision shifted into a kaleidoscope of vibrant color and dark intent. The aura surrounding the Great Rabbits burned a deep, violent red. And then… a sensation welled up from within him.

An overwhelming urge to kill.

'Die.'

The word echoed through Subaru's mind like the toll of a divine bell, sharp and absolute. As soon as the thought crystallized in his mind, his Authority of Lust surged forth.

In an instant, all of the Great Rabbits within his line of focus abruptly halted, as though some unseen puppeteer had severed the strings that held them aloft.

The eerie stillness that followed was unnatural—an abrupt end to a frenzied storm of violence.

Then, without warning, their bodies collapsed in unison.

A sickening thud echoed across the battlefield as hundreds—no, thousands—of the monstrous creatures fell lifeless to the bloodstained ground, their grotesque eyes frozen in a final moment of madness.

"My Liege!" Reina's voice rang out through the smoky air, filled with a mixture of awe and reverence. She had instantly noticed the sudden collapse of a massive portion of the white rabbit swarm. Her sharp instincts led her gaze straight to Subaru, the source of the miracle.

Without hesitation, she teleported to his side, reappearing with a graceful burst of wind. Dropping to one knee, she bowed deeply in respect.

"Lord Zero," she addressed him formally, her voice tinged with both pride and frustration, "I have been holding the Great Rabbits at bay. But the more I slay, the more they spawn… and each time, they return in even greater numbers."

Her frustration was palpable. Reina, the Sword Saint, was a being of unparalleled strength. But now, she found herself in an infuriating stalemate.

Her power was tremendous—perhaps even beyond comprehension—but only when her sword, Reid, deemed an enemy worthy could it be unsheathed. In that state, Reina was invincible. She could vanquish almost any foe with a single, decisive stroke.

But there in lay the problem.

There existed loopholes in the criteria that dictated Reid's awakening. Against opponents with broken, reality-defying abilities—like Regulus Corneas, whose Authority made him untouchable, or the Great Rabbit, which functioned in a strange metaphysical limbo—Reid refused to acknowledge them as individuals worthy of battle.

The Great Rabbit, specifically, was an anomaly.

It was a paradoxical existence: simultaneously a collective of separate creatures and a single entity with a shared consciousness. Neither fully one individual nor multiple beings with distinct minds. This confusing nature made it fall through the cracks of Reid's perception.

And so, the sword remained dormant. Sheathed. Silent.

Because of this, Reina could not finish them with one stroke. She was forced into a repetitive cycle—slaying the beasts only for them to multiply in grotesque excess. Every death brought more life. A twisted reproduction fueled by violence.

It was an endless loop. A gruesome draw.

And to Reina, a being who prided herself on unshakable dominance in battle, the realization filled her with shame.

"You're unable to draw Reid, aren't you?" Subaru asked quietly, watching her bowed form with understanding rather than judgment.

As if summoned by his presence, the three spirits—Beatrice, Gloria, and Aqua—materialized outside of his body, surrounding him.

Reina lowered her head further in acknowledgment. "Yes… they defy my judgement. They counter my abilities."

She could, in theory, fight them forever—her stamina, regeneration, and skills were godlike. But ultimate victory came at a catastrophic cost. If she were to unleash her full power indiscriminately, the result would be nothing less than the destruction of the entire world.

"Hmph! If we could trap those abominations in another dimension or toss them off the Great Waterfall, we could rid ourselves of them permanently, I suppose" Beatrice said sharply, floating slightly above the ground, her small arms crossed defiantly. Her twintails bobbed with each word.

Then she added with unmistakable pride, "Buuut worry not! Betty's contractor need not trouble himself too much. Betty can contain them. I shall open a separate dimension to trap those pests inside."

"Father!" Gloria interjected passionately, stepping forward while glowing and burning determination. "This humble concubine can obliterate them in one strike with Al Jiwald, provided they are cornered and have nowhere to escape!"

"You two are still bickering like children?" Aqua said with a light laugh, amused by their rivalry.

Subaru raised a hand, commanding their attention. "No need for infighting!"

His voice was clear, authoritative, and commanding.

"Reina, I need you to help herd them together into one concentrated space. But don't kill them too quickly—it will only accelerate their replication. Control them. Stall them. Beatrice, use Minya to create a containment barrier to trap them. I want them cornered with no way to escape. Aqua, Gloria, both of you support Beatrice with your magic—focus on keeping the formation intact!"

There was no hesitation, no argument. They moved as one—subordinates answering the call of their king.

Reina nodded sharply and vanished in a flash of wind, diving headlong into the heart of the monstrous horde. With fluid, precise movements, she began corralling the rabbits, skillfully pushing them toward the trap zone.

Beatrice ascended high into the air, her hair whipping in the rising winds. She unleashed glowing mana projectiles that hovered, then exploded into crystalline formations to form the boundaries of the trap.

Gloria, though grudgingly helped her with Aqua.

A beautiful, chaotic symphony of light and elemental energy filled the battlefield.

In the midst of it all, Echidna floated just above Subaru's shoulder, watching the scene unfold. For once, her voice lacked its usual condescension or amusement. Her expression was serious.

'You've come to understand your power… and I can see exactly what you're planning,' Echidna said, her tone grave.

She narrowed her eyes, almost in reluctant admiration.

'There's no doubt—your Authority of Lust is truly...'

'The ability to kill anything I focus on… it's death manipulation,' Subaru finished Echidna's sentence, his voice calm but resolute.

Echidna laughed softly, a thrill running through her. 'Do you even realize how powerful that is? If it can bypass resurrection and immortality, then nothing is beyond your reach. You can kill anything.'

Her voice trembled—not with fear, but with sheer excitement.

Meanwhile, Subaru slowly began to lift off the ground, his body rising weightlessly into the air as if the laws of gravity no longer applied to him. Below, the Great Rabbits were being tightly corralled, the trap nearly complete.

'Reina, get out of there. They're all trapped now. Beatrice, Gloria, Aqua—stop firing your spells,' Subaru commanded telepathically, his voice ringing clear in their minds.

Reina vanished from the swarm in a flash, teleporting to safety without hesitation. The three spirits immediately halted their magical assault, allowing silence to fall over the battlefield.

Subaru simultaneously unleashed his aura and psychic abilities, locking onto every single cursed Great Rabbit within the line of sight of his Aura and Pyschic perception.

A moment passed. Then:

"I AM—"

"ZERO."

The effect was immediate and terrifying. Every single Great Rabbit froze mid-motion, as if time had stopped for them. Then, one by one, they collapsed to the ground, lifeless—stripped of all vitality in an instant.

It was utter annihilation.

A complete area-of-effect instant death ability—one that could not be dodged, countered, or nullified.

Too powerful. Too overwhelming. A broken ability, transcending logic and natural law.

As expected of a Sin Authority, it operated outside the boundaries set by Od Laguna, the divine system that governed the world itself.

Subaru gently descended back to the earth, the dust swirling around his feet. Reina stood nearby, visibly shaken by the spectacle she had just witnessed.

She had been locked in an endless struggle with those beasts, forced into a stalemate. Yet Subaru had wiped them out in a single breath, with no effort, no sword, and no blood spilled on his hands.

"What sort of power was that…? I suppose," Beatrice asked, her eyes gleaming as she looked up at him with awe and curiosity.

"It's the Authority of Lust," Subaru answered honestly, his voice composed. "It awakened within me after I acquired the Lust Factor by killing Capella."

"As expected of my contractor! I suppose!" Beatrice declared with amazement, pride brimming in her voice.

"Indeed… as expected of my Lord," Reina said softly, her lips curling into a gentle smile.

Her respect for him deepened. Her admiration grew. But more than anything—her love for him intensified.

She was truly happy. Her liege had become so powerful, so untouchable. With strength like this, he could protect himself. He would be safe, even without her.

But even if he were to be endangered again… it didn't matter.

Because if it came to that, she would simply lock him away somewhere safe—where only she could see him, only she could reach him.

(Ayoo, chill Reina!)

Reina smiled to herself.

*Yandere eyes*

Reina smiled wider, her thoughts dark yet loving.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the Subaru's telepathic connection, filled with desperation and urgency.

'Father! We're getting overwhelmed!' Gaea's voice rang out, sharp and panicked.

Subaru's expression hardened as he turned toward the voice. "It's not over yet, We still have a few problems to take care of."

The others nodded in agreement, understanding the weight of his words. Without hesitation, Subaru teleported, bringing them along with him to the trial grounds.

What greeted them there was chaos.

Roswaal, clad in his usual garish attire but with a grave expression, was fiercely battling Emilia and Subaru's three summoned spirits that he had assigned to protect her. Beside him was Garfield, transformed into his beast form, a whirlwind of claws and fury as he attacked without restraint.

Off to the side, Ram stood frozen. Her expression was conflicted, torn between loyalty and doubt. She hesitated, her clenched fists trembling, clearly uncertain about whether she should intervene or not.

"Stop this, Lord Roswaal! I don't understand—why are you doing this? Why are you fighting us?!" Rem cried out, her voice laced with desperation and sorrow.

"To think you would betray the trust my Liege placed in you…" Reina said coldly, her tone heavy with disappointment and disapproval.

Roswaal's gaze shifted toward them, and a hollow smile curved his lips.

"So you caaame," he drawled, though his voice lacked its usual playfulness. There was no mocking in his tone—only a heavy gravity, a deep realization.

He understood now.

He had vastly underestimated Subaru and Reina. He had thought they would be overwhelmed by the Great Rabbit… crushed by the Sin Archbishop of Lust. But here they stood, defiant and unbroken.

"Roswaal! I still don't get it!" Emilia shouted, her eyes wide with pain and confusion. "Why are you attacking us?! We're supposed to be allies!"

"Ally?" Roswaal sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "You've been nothing more than a disobedient puppet."

Emilia's eyes widened, the sting of his words cutting deeper than any wound. A sharp breath escaped her lips as the painful truth sank in—he had been using her all along. The trust she had placed in him, the belief that they were allies… it had all been a lie.

Roswaal exhaled slowly, his expression solemn. "I wish it hadn't come to this… Truly, I do. But if I am to resurrect Sensei, then this is the path I must walk. No matter the cost."

Without warning, he turned his gaze to Ram.

"Ram… come here," he said simply, his voice soft but commanding.

Ram stiffened. Her body trembled as she looked at him, eyes searching his face for meaning—perhaps for the man she loved despite his evil plans.

"Sister! No, don't!" Rem pleaded desperately. "You can't go to him! Lord Roswaal… he's turned against us! He's become hostile!"

Ram remained still for a moment longer. Then, slowly, as if pulled by invisible strings, she began walking toward him. Her steps were hesitant, uncertain… but she did not stop.

Roswaal reached out and gently patted her head.

"What a good girl you are," he said with a twisted smile.

"W-Why…?" Ram whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Why?" Roswaal echoed, his tone rising with emotion. "You know why! Everything I've done… every step, every sacrifice—it's all for one singular purpose! To bring Sensei back into this world! And Natsuki Subaru…" He turned his burning gaze toward Subaru. "You are the final obstacle standing in my way!"

And with that, he thrust his hand forward—straight into Ram's chest.

"Nooooo!" Rem screamed, her voice shattered by disbelief and horror. Emilia stood frozen, eyes wide with shock, unable to process what she was witnessing.

Blood spilled, dark and vivid, staining Ram's clothes. Her eyes widened in shock as she looked down at the hand piercing her chest.

Reina, meanwhile, made no move to stop it. She stood still, her expression unreadable. She could have prevented this… but she didn't.

Subaru's eyes meanwhile became cold.

"So this is the path you chose," Subaru said, his voice calm, almost detached.

Ram, struggling to breathe, looked up at Roswaal one final time. Her vision blurred, but through the pain, she saw clearly.

The man she once loved… had done this without any mercy, truly the retribution for her sick love despite knowing his truth.

Tears welled in her crimson eyes as blood dripped from the corner of her lips. Her strength waned, her body faltered, and Roswaal ripped her heart from her chest with a final, brutal motion.

Betrayal. Disbelief. Grief. Rage. Regret.

All of it hit Ram in a single, crushing wave.

'I shouldn't have loved you…' she thought, staring into the eyes of a man who had long since become a monster.

Her body went limp.

Her eyes lost their light.

And with a final, lifeless thud, she collapsed to the ground.

Subaru didn't flinch. He didn't speak. He simply raised his hand and unleashed a powerful psychic shock toward the rampaging Garfiel. The beastman let out a startled cry before his body seized up and he crashed to the ground, unconscious.

The battlefield fell silent, the air heavy with the weight of Ram's death.

"I'll kill youuuuuu!!" Rem screamed, her voice a bone-chilling cry of pure rage. She drew her morning star, fury radiating from every part of her trembling body. Her eyes, clouded by tears, blazed with hatred as she glared at Roswaal.

"Zerooooo! If you want to bring Ram back, then form a contract with me!" Roswaal shouted, his eyes wild with obsession. He completely ignored Rem—her grief, her fury—as if she were nothing more than a trivial obstacle, a pebble on the path toward his goal.

But Rem didn't take being ignored lightly.

With a roar, she lunged forward and swung her morning star toward the clownish sorcerer.

But before her weapon could land, Roswaal cast a single spell with a flick of his wrist.

The impact was devastating.

Rem was blasted backward, her body sent flying dozens of meters through the air before crashing to the ground with a sickening thud. Bones snapped, her leg twisted at an unnatural angle, and she let out a cry of unbearable pain.

"Rem!" Emilia shouted, rushing to her side, her shock at Ram's death finally shaken off by sheer instinct.

Meanwhile, Roswaal turned his gaze toward Subaru and Reina, a cautious expression crossing his face.

"What are you waiting for, Natsuki Subaru? Restart the loop—unless you want her to die too!"

"My Liege, allow me to kill him," Reina said, her voice cold and seething with rage.

But Subaru held up his hand to stop her.

"You stay here… all of you," he ordered.

His three spirits went silent immediately, sensing the seriousness in his tone. The others, who had come alongside him, also halted without protest.

"F-Father! Let me incinerate this pathetic mongrel! How dare he betray you?!" Gloria snapped, her voice laced with fury.

"I said… stay here," Subaru repeated, his tone colder, darker—commanding in a way that allowed no disobedience.

Gloria flinched and fell silent, her light dimmed as she obeyed his orders.

Subaru began walking forward, his pace calm, almost leisurely. He ignored the worried glances thrown his way—by Rem, by Emilia, even by Reina—whose silent faith in him was unwavering.

Rem sobbed in agony as Emilia desperately tried to heal her mangled leg.

Reina stood motionless, her eyes trained on her Lord. She didn't move. She didn't speak. She simply believed in him.

Beatrice, meanwhile, stared at Roswaal with a distant look—nostalgia dancing in her eyes. Ram's death hadn't shaken her. In truth, she didn't care about the others.

To Beatrice, only Subaru mattered.

And it was the same for the other spirits. They silently observed their father's every move, poised to act at the slightest sign of harm to him—even if just a single strand of his hair was touched.

Roswaal, in contrast, felt his body tense as Subaru approached. Despite the rising fear, there was anticipation in his eyes—a lingering hope that Subaru would make the choice he wanted him to make.

Subaru finally stopped, just a few feet in front of him. He didn't look at Roswaal. Instead, he turned his gaze to the lifeless form lying on the cold ground.

Ram.

Her face was frozen in an expression of despair and betrayal, tinged with regret she would never be able to voice.

Subaru slowly knelt beside her and gently reached out, brushing his fingers against her cheek.

"She loved you," Subaru said softly. His voice, heavy with sorrow, hung in the still air like a solemn requiem.

Roswaal let out a laugh—but it was hollow, bitter, and devoid of any true mirth.

"Loved me? Don't be ridiculous," he spat. "I allowed her village to burn to the ground. I stood by as her clan was slaughtered. And her horn—the very essence of her being—I destroyed it myself, with my own hands."

His confession sent a wave of shock through the room. Emilia's breath caught in her throat. Rem stared, wide-eyed and horrified, unable to reconcile the image of the man she once revered with the monster now baring his sins.

Despite Roswaal's admission, Subaru remained steady, his expression solemn.

"Yet… she still loved you," he repeated with quiet finality.

Roswaal visibly trembled. The unwavering certainty in Subaru's voice struck something deep within him—a wound long buried under layers of justification and denial. For a moment, his carefully constructed facade began to crack.

"You orchestrated everything," Subaru said, standing now, his tone sharpening like a dagger. "The theft of Emilia's insignia, the attack on the village, the Witch Cult's ambush... You let all of it happen. You knew Elsa would come to the mansion, you allowed the villagers to be trapped in the Sanctuary, fully aware that the Great Rabbit would eventually descend upon them. And still… you did nothing. No, worse—you planned it."

Each word was a hammer striking Roswaal's conscience. Emilia looked as though her world had crumbled beneath her feet, and Rem's heart twisted in turmoil. Roswaal, the man who had saved her and her sister, was now the architect of their suffering.

"Yeeeees… I did all of it," Roswaal admitted coldly, his tone unchanged, as if he were reciting facts from a ledger.

Subaru's eyes narrowed.

"She likely knew about them as well, didn't she? The truth I mean." Subaru asked calmly.

Roswaal didn't answer. His silence was deafening. But his clenched fists trembled at his sides, betraying the regret that now surged inside him like a flood.

"She knew," Subaru continued, his voice softer now. "And she still chose to stay by your side. That's what makes it worse, doesn't it?"

A storm raged behind Roswaal's eyes, but then, he spoke again.

"It doesn't matter," he muttered, as if speaking to himself. "You can just restart the loop. Go back. Save her. Fix everything. That's what you always do, isn't it? Just… restart."

Everyone other than Subaru looked at him confused.

Subaru stared at him for a long moment.

"I won't restart the loop," he said firmly, his voice unwavering. "Roswaal, there's so much I want to do to you—things you probably deserve. I want to make you pay. I want to see you suffer. But death? That's far too merciful. Torture? Pointless."

Roswaal blinked in confusion, caught off guard by Subaru's calmness.

"You see," Subaru said, "I've come to understand something about you. You have an indomitable will. No matter how many times you're broken, no matter how close you come to ruin, you never give up. Even if your soul itself were torn asunder, you'd crawl forward, clinging to your obsession."

He let the words hang in the air.

"That's why killing you wouldn't change anything. Torturing you wouldn't break you. It wouldn't undo what's been done."

For the first time, Roswaal's composure truly shattered.

"Impossible!" he shouted, stepping forward, his voice cracking with desperation. "You have to save her! Restart the loop! Make a contract with me—so I don't… so I don't kill her again!"

His voice was raw, pleading. The mask was gone, torn away to reveal the frantic, broken man beneath.

From the void, a giggle rang out—light, amused, and utterly indifferent.

'You broke his act. How amusing,' Echidna whispered from the shadows of Subaru's mind, her voice laced with wicked glee. The younger version of the Witch of Greed watched Roswaal's breakdown with delight, not pity.

The Echidna who once might have mourned for her wayward apprentice was long gone. This one—driven only by her insatiable hunger for knowledge and control—savored the chaos.

She would have sold her own body if it meant satisfying her insatiable greed—that's the kind of person she was.

So, in the face of Roswaal's despair, all she felt was amusement.

Without another word, Subaru bent down and carefully lifted Ram's body into his arms, cradling her gently in a princess carry.

"Look at what you've done, Roswaal," he said quietly, his voice cold. "You murdered your own kin. You defiled their memories. You wore their bodies like armor in pursuit of your delusions."

At that moment, Beatrice's eyes widened in horror.

"W-Wait… Roswaal? Is that you?!" the Great Spirit of Yin cried out, her voice filled with disbelief and dread.

Roswaal didn't answer.

Meanwhile, Subaru turned his attention back to Ram. He closed his eyes and summoned the Authority of Lust, the power surged within him.

The world around him twisted and shifted. In this altered realm, Subaru saw Ram's body cloaked in a thick black aura—the unmistakable mark of death. But he focused his will, pushing against the darkness and the world was forced to obey.

Slowly, the black aura began to recede, changing hue—first to grey, then to faint green. The wound in Ram's chest began to close. Where there had been a gaping hole, new flesh formed. A heart—entire and unblemished—manifested in her chest and began to beat once more.

Her soul returned.

Ram stirred, gasping for breath as life surged back into her fragile form.

"W-Where… Zero?" she whispered, her voice weak yet filled with confusion.

Her eyes fluttered open and settled on Subaru, realizing she was being held by him. A sudden flash of light sparked from her forehead, and with it, a pristine horn emerged—whole and untouched.

She gasped audibly as a flood of mana poured into her, flowing toward her gate with unimaginable intensity. Her body trembled under the pressure, but it was not pain she felt—it was power. Pure, unadulterated power. It was as though the world itself was acknowledging her rebirth.

Even Reina, watching from the shadows, stared in stunned silence. The amount of mana Ram was absorbing exceeded anything she had ever witnessed.

It was practically stronger than the mana vacuum Reina typically generated just by being present!

Roswaal staggered backward, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at Subaru cradling Ram in his arms—alive once more. The impossible had just occurred before him, and for the first time in centuries, he found himself speechless.

The others, too, stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend the miracle that had just unfolded. A moment ago, Ram was dead—lifeless, her soul extinguished. Now, she breathed, her chest rising and falling gently, her horn fully restored, her eyes flickering with recognition.

Subaru looked down at her and offered a faint, warm smile.

"Welcome back… to the land of the living, Ram," he said softly.

Ram blinked up at him in confusion, her mind slowly processing the situation. Then her eyes widened as the realization struck her like lightning.

"I… I died!" she exclaimed, panic in her voice. "L-Lord Roswaal… he… he killed me?! But why?! How?!"

Her gaze darted around frantically until it landed on the man himself—Roswaal, who stood just a few paces away, his expression haunted.

"Sister!" Rem cried out and dashed toward Subaru, tears pouring from her eyes in torrents. The weight of all the emotions she had kept bottled up suddenly came crashing down.

Subaru gently lowered Ram to the ground, and the very moment her feet touched it, Rem threw her arms around her older sister, hugging her as though she would never let go again.

"I-I thought I had lost you forever," Rem sobbed, her voice trembling, her face buried in Ram's shoulder.

Meanwhile, Subaru turned to face Roswaal, his expression unreadable, a quiet storm gathering behind his eyes.

"How?" Roswaal muttered under his breath, as if asking the question of the world itself. "How is this… possible?"

"I am Zero," Subaru declared, stepping forward with the quiet authority of a god among men. "The new Great Sage. For me, nothing is impossible."

His words resonated with an almost divine certainty. Emilia, Rem, and Ram stared at him in shock. Even now, though they had known Subaru was special—extraordinary—they hadn't truly understood the extent of his power until this moment.

Beatrice and Reina, on the other hand, had long been aware that Subaru was a candidate for the title of Great Sage. Yet even they stood speechless, unable to hide their awe. The act of resurrecting someone—of reversing death itself—was a feat beyond comprehension, even for them.

The five elemental spirits nearby floated silently, blissfully unaware of the magnitude of what had just transpired and the consequences of it.

Roswaal, however, now saw a different light. His lips trembled. Hope—mad, irrational, desperate hope—lit up his eyes.

"You… you resurrected her," he whispered, his voice cracking. "That means… you can bring her back too! You can resurrect Sensei!"

Without hesitation, Roswaal collapsed to his knees, throwing aside all pride and dignity.

"I'll do anything! I'll become your slave! Your servant! Your tool! Just bring her back! Bring back Echidna!" he begged, his voice hoarse and breaking.

The sheer desperation in his voice caught everyone off guard.

"You…" Rem hissed, her tone filled with venom and fury. "You killed my sister. I respected you. I believed in you. And yet… you dare?!"

Before anyone could stop her, Rem shot forward like a bullet. She slammed her foot into Roswaal's chest, sending him toppling backward. With a furious scream, she mounted him and began punching him without restraint.

"You bastard! Die! Die! Die! Die! DIE!!" she screamed with each brutal blow, tears streaming down her face, fists bloodied as she vented every ounce of rage and betrayal she had felt.

Roswaal, for once, did nothing. He didn't block her. He didn't resist. He simply lay there, taking the assault without a word of protest, as if each blow was a punishment he accepted without question.

Subaru stepped forward and gently took hold of Rem's bloodied hand.

"That's enough," he said calmly.

But Rem snapped her head toward him, her expression one of unfiltered fury.

"No! I'll kill him! Don't you dare stop me!" she shouted.

"Rem! What are you doing?! Lord Zero is the one who brought me back!" Ram suddenly interjected, her voice strong and clear despite her recent resurrection. 

The moment the words registered, Rem's expression faltered. Shame filled her eyes as she realized she had let her anger cloud her judgment.

She slowly climbed off of Roswaal and fell to her knees before Subaru.

"Forgive me for my words, Lord Zero," she said, bowing her head in sincere apology.

Subaru didn't respond with anger or disappointment. He merely gave her head a small, affectionate ruffle.

"Get off him," he said gently.

Rem obeyed and stepped aside, her expression now one of bitter disgust as she glared down at the bloodied form of the man she once trusted.

Roswaal coughed, blood dripping from his lips. His nose was broken, one eye swollen shut, and bruises marred his once-pristine face. The aura of elegance and authority he always carried was now completely gone—reduced to a beaten, pitiful wreck of a man.

"Roswaal," Subaru began, his voice steady and devoid of emotion, "killing you would be a kindness. Torturing you would only confirm your twisted sense of purpose. Neither of those things can break you."

He stepped closer, his gaze like iron.

"So instead, I'm going to give you something far worse than death itself—a punishment tailored for a man like you."

Roswaal looked up slowly, blood dripping from his chin. His breathing was ragged.

The others couldn't help but wonder—what punishment could be more cruel than death itself?

"Make a contract with me. Swear your loyalty, your soul, your life. From this moment forward, you will serve me—and you will never betray me. In return, I will resurrect Echidna… but not for you."

A spark ignited in Roswaal's expression. It was a twisted, desperate light—but light nonetheless.

"Z-Zero… he killed Ram," Emilia suddenly said, stepping to Subaru's side, her voice heavy with confusion and distrust as her gaze fell on Roswaal.

"Yes," Subaru admitted with calm certainty. "And yet, he is still your sponsor. One of the most powerful magicians this world has ever known. Killing him would be merciful. What I have in store for him is far crueler."

His voice was so cold, so composed, that Emilia shivered. She had never heard Subaru speak that way before.

Beatrice stepped forward, her eyes shimmering as they locked onto the bloodied man lying before her.

"Is that really you, Roswaal?" she asked quietly.

Roswaal turned away in shame. "Yes… it's me."

Slowly, with trembling limbs, he stood to his feet.

Beatrice looked at him with a maelstrom of emotions—pain, anger, sorrow, and something else. Something even she couldn't define.

"Zero… if you truly intend to resurrect my Sensei," Roswaal said, his voice raspy and filled with resolve, "then I'll accept any contract. Any punishment. Even if you kill me afterward, as long as I can see her… just once more… I will die with no regrets."

'How cruel…' Echidna whispered with a wicked smile in Subaru's mind. 'You're resurrecting me not for love… but to shatter him. To show him that I am no longer his, but yours. I'm your property now, and you intend to use me to destroy what little remains of his heart.'

She chuckled to herself, already imagining the scene—the moment Roswaal would see her again, alive and well, only to watch her stand beside Subaru, not him.

'Truly magnificent,' she thought. 'Subaru… no, Zero… you are the perfect husband for me.' 

She had already received more than her fair share of surprises, but now—with Subaru wielding control over the very concept of life and death—she was certain her decision had been the right one.

She could clearly envision her grand plan of exploring countless worlds finally coming to fruition, so long as she remained by Subaru's side.

Soon after, the group made their way to the trial grounds. Subaru stood before the massive stone gate and turned to face the others.

"Wait here," he instructed. "Do not follow me inside until I return."

The others nodded, though there was reluctance in their eyes. Even Reina, who always insisted on protecting her Lord, said nothing. She knew what he intended—and whom he was about to resurrect.

Of course, Rem, Ram, Emilia, and Reina all harbored deep reservations about Subaru resurrecting a Witch. Yet, Rem and Ram understood all too well that they were in no position to oppose Zero's will.

Emilia, on the other hand, couldn't shake the unease settling in her heart at the thought of bringing a Witch back to life—but despite her discomfort, she chose to place her faith in Subaru, trusting him wholeheartedly.

Reina, ever loyal, simply prayed that this Witch would not dare try to seduce her Lord. If she did, Reina would be watching—and she would not allow it.

Roswaal waited in trembling anticipation, tears forming in his bruised eyes. He ignored the hateful glares from Rem and Ram. He endured Emilia's disappointment. Even Beatrice's silent, knowing gaze could not shake him.

He waited for only one thing: the return of Echidna.

Beatrice, unlike the others, understood Subaru's reasoning. He wasn't doing this for Roswaal.

He was doing it for her.

'My contractor… loves me this much…' Beatrice thought, her heart swelling.

Reina had also guessed the truth. She looked toward the closed gate, arms crossed, and silently prayed.

'Lord Zero cares for his people… I just hope this Witch knows her place.'

And with that, Subaru vanished beyond the stone threshold.

The resurrection of a Witch was about to begin.

To be continued...