The sunlight made its way through the cracks of stone, barely bringing so much as dim light to the area the woman sat in.

She wore no clothing underneath her massive robe. No shirts, pants, shoes, socks, undergarments, just a robe, if you could even call it that. The robe was more akin to a bedsheet, long from the back, and short from the front, exposing her small slender legs to the thigh and showing her left shoulder and neck. Her body was pale and petite, highlighting the white void that was her appearance despite her youthful look.

Her hair was also white, a sharp silver color with a blue ribbon at the top. From the front of her robe, one could see the sewing being blue, including a small ribbon made from the extra length to keep the apparel from falling off her slim shoulders.

The highlight of her appearance was bright blue eyes that invoked the fear of god itself, as they took the form of a serpent's eye. It'd be odd to fear someone of her short stature, but this woman had looks that could kill if you got to know her, literally.

[Pandora: … ]

She sat in the center of the room, relaxed in the state she was in. It had been a calm day for her, as nothing much had happened except vividly enticing herself with the view of nature.

But something was off about it.

[Pandora: … ]

A feeling that struck a nerve with her had been aching the brain since the sun's entrance. Though it was minor, it was a feeling that couldn't be ignored. Perhaps it was restlessness, the unceasing desire to fulfill her duty and desires...

... No, that was not it…

Pandora, the Witch of Vainglory was… Bored?

[Pandora: How odd…]

A sigh escaped her lips as she calmly seated herself on the smooth cobblestone, using it as a seat as she held her cheeks and rested her elbows on her thighs, staring at the corner.

It's normally commonplace for most people to become bored once in a while, maybe multiple times a day. But for this witch, boredom was not a common occurrence nor a desired one.

Still, it was never once something that bothered her too much. On occasion, she would go out for strolls and admire the environment around her. Something about it was so soothing, so enamoring as the vast landscape would swallow the vision and leave no room for thought, just pure bliss.

This would not satisfy her.

Pandora would sometimes find herself giving orders to her beloved organization, the Witch Cult. At times they would orchestrate assassinations, murders, and onslaughts for events or treasures that satisfied her goal of summoning the Calamity. Other times she would converse with her subordinates, despite what little they would speak. Sloth, despite his incoherent ramblings, actually made for some small talk, fitting as he was one of her most important leaders. 

In truth, however, her goal was purely secret. Summoning the Calamity, the Witch of Envy was a pseudo-goal. No, rather it was merely a step towards her own finish line. That goal was not even known to herself, that's how secretive Pandora had kept it.

Still, as of right now, this would not satisfy her.

Perhaps a little social "interaction" would do the trick? And not just mere conversing, the emotions, the desperation, the anger of those who wished nothing but violence upon her very soul would be enough to quell her boredom.

More than likely that was the answer. She had witnessed it a few, only a fleeting memory in a snow-white forest, but marvelous it was indeed.

This... Would satisfy her, but she had no means to do so. At this moment, her actions would be misaligned with her goals and be for naught. 

No purpose behind them, no real gain. Nothing to be desired from them except a brief reprieve of peace.

[Pandora: —]

And then it hit her.

If satisfying her boredom was out of the question, in which she could not perform the necessary actions to quell it here...

... Then why do it here when she could do it somewhere else?

It had been an idea that had never once crossed her mind before, not once, as it was quite literally impossible to perform. Pandora's authority over Vainglory granted a power beyond reality's grasp, something that validated and invalidated the world's phenomena to her own will.

However, using that power and pushing its limits to the extreme wasn't something she'd ever done before. She could rewrite the world to fit her ideal perfection, doing so much as preventing her death from ever happening.

But could traversing, or creating separate worlds be possible? An intriguing question it was to her, so much so that it could probably cure her boredom.

A divine existence such as herself could never be allowed to feel this way, ever. Her mindset would never allow it. Deviating from her view on life as a whole would diminish her existence. It was something only she could understand.

But first, what would she do in this new world? What would be her goal?

[Pandora: ... Oh I know.]

Nothing. That's what she would do. Nothing of value, nothing of importance, nothing that helped achieve her goals.

Because in that new world, her actions meant nothing to her goals, therefore, she could do anything she wanted.

A soft smirk spread across her face at the thought. Memories flashed of moments that she typically enjoyed, most notably...

[???: The gist is, you wanted to see the desperate faces of people backed into a corner, didn't you?]

Although that wasn't her goal, those words from over 100 years ago stuck with her, as they were a correct response. She enjoyed the sight, relished it, and saw it as a delicacy like no other.

The reason was that Pandora saw all those around her as no more than insects. If they intrigued her, they were no more than pets. They served no purpose other than her entertainment and goals. If you are not an equal, you should be treated as one who is not, one who is bound to the earth below, small and frail. A weakling

That feeling was what she needed.

But first, Pandora wasn't the type to rush things. She saw things as a meal, a nice delicate meal. Unlike how Gluttony would view his food, Pandora saw "Food" as something to be savored, something that would always rival the previous meal and should be sought to be equal to, or better yet, have the next meal surpass it. 

Interestingly, Pandora had another view on her "Meals." Sometimes, it's not always about the individual experience of the meal, sometimes it's about those that you can share it with that makes it so delectable. It was a unique approach to "Food" not many people considered or shared. 

Envision a table, a throne made for the master whilst the pets all eat from their respective seats. One day, the dogs will fade and pass away whilst you keep on eating, feasting with new ones to take their place. It's a cycle that never gets old, but always delivers.

Besides that, Pandora already had envisioned this "Meal." It was simple really. Not only would she be invited, but her beloved pets too.

With a clap of her hands, Pandora closed her eyes and words left her mouth.

[Pandora: Archbishop Corneas, Archbishop Batenkaitos, Archbishop Alphard, Archbishop Lugunica, and Archbishop Romanée-Conti have all left their tasks at hand. They never embarked on their orders, daily duties, or normal routines, and instead were surrounded in unison amongst me.]

As the last word left her lips, standing before her was the Sin Archbishops of the Witch Cult, with their respective titles of Greed, Gluttony, Lust, and Wrath. As expected, they were baffled as to what just occurred.

[Corneas: Huh?!?]

[Batenkaitos: What the- What?!]

[Alphard: Confused sounds.]

[Romanée-Conti: O-Oh, oh goodness.]

[Lugunica: 'The hell just happened?!]

The Archbishops looked around in shock as they had been relieved of their duties so far. Some were following orders granted to them, and others were minding their own business.

Archbishop Corneas had been on an evening stroll amongst the fields, something not very common of him to do considering his attitude and demeanor. 

Archbishop's Batenkaitos and Alphard had been grouped up together, following the Gospel's orders to eat the memories of an aged warrior on the outskirts of Lugunica.

Archbishop Romanée-Conti had been stationed in Gusteko, retrieving a remnant of a dead witch according to the Gospel's will.

And finally, Archbishop Lugunica had been resting at her organization's headquarters, silently giving orders to her subordinates across the 4 great countries.

All of these people, individuals with the authority to bend the world to their will, would be joining Pandora in her quest to entertain herself. Of course, they would be given proper entertainment as she saw fit.

[Pandora: Good evening, my children~]

The instant her voice resonated in their ears, they turned immediately toward her and swiftly landed on their knees. Bishop Corneas made sure to bow swiftly, as he had previously disturbed her peace quite beyond what he was capable of. Calling his punishment scary was an understatement.

But regardless of how annoying or aggravating the Sin Archbishops could be, she never showed disdain towards them. They served under her, followed her orders, and granted her wishes. That was all she needed in return to supply them with her own loyalty.

[Corneas: Miss Pandora... Is there anything you need?]

Corneas spoke with a slight amount of nervousness in his voice. If his authority was inactive, it wouldn't be surprising to see sweat trickling down his neck in fear.

[Pandora: Nothing.]

The Archbishops looked at each other in confusion after a good moment. Almost always their meetings were short and simple. You either saw someone being or were reprimanded for your failure, or were given another assignment. Not often was there any communication between master and servant, and never was there a meeting like this.

[Romanée-Conti: A-Are you for certain? You wish nothing of us?]

Pandora simply smiled softly in response.

[Pandora: I believe you are mistaken. Tell me, when you find yourself yearning for... Entertainment, is it? What actions do you take?]

They looked at each other once more, awaiting for one of the 5 to speak like a group of students. They weren't even sure if they were allowed to speak, as Pandora was keen on using rhetorical questions.

Finally, after a few seconds, one opened their mouth.

[Alphard: When we're bored...? Well, It isn't often we're bored, but we often find a meal to eat... It doesn't matter the taste or texture... Anything to satisfy our stomach is enough for us!~]

A chain reaction was started, as words spilled from the Archbishop's mouths, one after the other.

[Batenkaitos: For us, we take our time to prepare our meals. The cooking, just right, ingredients sprinkled neatly across... A nice gourmet meal to fill our belly~ We differ from our brother, as our meals taste far better than anything on the streets, the quality is what matters most!~]

[Alphard: Hey come on, you can't just tell us that you HAVEN'T gone rabid before! Eating everything is all that matters!~ Good, bad, great, foul, everything's on our plate 'cause taking your time to prepare just makes the food cold!]

Batenkaitos sneered at Alphard's remarks. It was unavoidable, as the siblings shared the title of Gluttony but their roles were separate. Lye Batenkaitos represented the Gourmet aspect of Gluttony, whereas Roy Alphard represented the Bizzare Eating aspect of Gluttony. It was no wonder their philosophies would differ.

[Romanée-Conti: Forgive me for intruding, but I must join in too. Whenever I find myself in need of entertainment, I sometimes seek refuge in the memories of my beloved Petelgeuse... What a thrill chasing his love...~]

Sirius Romanée-Conti clasped her hands together, relishing the past life she had with Petelgeuse, the wielder of the Authority of Sloth, who had sadly passed away some time ago. Even after his death, Sirius believed that his soul lingered somewhere in the world, and Sloth would come to her once again—

[Corneas: —Tch, you're still lingering on to the remains of that pathetic welp? Give me a break! A guy like him never deserved the title of Sin Archbishop in the first place. It pisses me off just thinking about it, how this measly little earth spirit gets a place amongst us before he even received his witch factor.]

[Sirius: —Keep his name out of your filthy mouth!]

[Corneas: Or what? Just because you were also given an authority outside of your own jurisdiction does not mean you get to interrupt or talk back to me! The way I see it, you're making a clear violation of my own rights and authority as an individual and as a Sin Archbishop. What? Are you planning on enveloping me in your flames? Please, as if that'd even be enough to kill me! I've been a Sin Archbishop for a century, days pass, and new Archbishops take the seats rightfully assigned to no one at all. What makes you think that you've earned the title of Wrath? Your little temper tantrums?]

[Lugunica: You're the one ranting like a crybaby right now...]

Out of the corner of her breath, Lust remarked resentful words of Bishop Corneas, who instantly shot his head back to find the source of the sound. 

Despite her looks, demeanor, and attitude, Bishop Lugunica was one of, if not the smartest Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult. Her interference not only prevented Sirius from engulfing the entire room ablaze but also prevented any further conflict between the Sin Archbishops. 

If not for Greed, Regulus Corneas, most of the arguments held in the cult would've never happened. His assumptions and lack of consideration for others, including himself were what led to conflicts easily. It didn't come across as unthinkable for Regulus to die due to his stupidity and pride. He was annoyed by everything, ticked off by the slightest occurrences, a walking manchild.

Then again it was contradictory of Lust, Capella Emerada Lugunica, to think this way, as she too was of the most prideful in the cult. Her ideology and view on life were sick and vile, cruel by definition, as were the rest of the Sin Archbishops.

[Regulus: What was that you just said to me? Do you think you're any better than the ones standing before me?! A little royalty doesn't matter to me in the slightest, if you're looking to pity or insult my divine existence, then expect no more than death itself. Are you listening to me? I asked you a question, so respond!]

[Pandora: Bishop Corneas, calm yourself.]

The gentleness of Pandora's voice graced her followers' ears, bringing the opposite of peace to their souls, fear.

[Regulus: —Tch...]

Regulus did not hesitate to calm himself, but not after letting out a sly click of his tongue in annoyance. The other Archbishops couldn't help but tauntingly chuckle under their breaths toward the scene. Following this, the whole room was silent, with the only exception being the cool breeze outside of the cave. 

[Pandora: I am deeply satisfied with your answers. However, that is not why I have summoned my loyal lambs here.]

[Capella: Let me guess, you've felt bored recently Miss Pandora?]

[Pandora: Correct. Though it is an uncommon inconvenience, I often have my own ways of solving my boredom. Hence, I asked my followers about their own experiences with boredom.]

Pandora, now with a pretty smile painted on her face, felt her face shift into disappointment.

[Pandora: However, it appears my methods of dealing with this problem have... appeared to have failed.]

Pandora made a gesture, a flick of her index finger upwards, and by her will the Archbishops stood up instantly. Regulus resisted the urge to roll his eyes, meanwhile, Lye and Roy salivated at their previous argument, food was on their minds. Capella only smirked wider at Regulus' discomfort.

[Pandora: You are aware of the extent of my Authority, correct?]

The group nodded their heads in response, with Roy raising his hand to ask a question. Pandora nodded in response.

[Roy: Is this about how you're super bored, to the point where you want to push your power to the extreme?]

His monotone voice was unnatural for Roy, but it was a correct assumption as to how Pandora felt at the moment.

[Pandora: Yes, that is correct. Whilst I sat and thought, I pondered, "If my authority allows the control of reality, is there any possible limit to it?" And thus, to end my boredom, I wish to enter a new realm of existence. This place, where our actions have no consequences, where our fantasies can run rampant, sounds like a dream come true to you all, I take it?]

The smiles now plastered upon the Archbishop's faces were unsightly. It was true that they all had their own wishes in life, those wishes themselves however were ungodly desires that only the most wretched of beings could want.

[Lye: So does this mean—!]

[Roy: —We get to eat, drink, and gorge all we want?!]

Saliva dripped from their faces as they dreamt of the tasty "meals" they would have in this fantasy land. Food to them was a curse to others. Stealing the memories of others and vanishing their existence from the minds of others to satiate their stomachs was terrible, a foul play on what a meal truly is.

[Pandora: Of course, my sweet children. Follow my orders, and you may relish in the pleasures this new world has to offer~]

Pandora held both Roy and Lye's hands and smiled cheerfully at them. They couldn't help but feel an immense desire from her words, a desire to rip and tear the meat presented to them in the new world they would step into. It sounded so delicious.

[Sirius: This world would be able to... bring him back, yes?]

[Pandora: ...]

Pandora seemed to be at a standstill in her mind, a debate on whether or not Petelgeuse could be resurrected with her power, or rather this new world. Sirius, understandably hung her head in sadness.

[Pandora: It would seem plausible to say the least.]

[Sirius: —!]

Her head jolted back up and an expression of excitement and shock could be seen on her face, despite the numerous white wrappings covering it.

Her whole body was covered head to toe in bandages, decorated with the purple cloak that covered her torso and arms. Not even her feet or hands were allowed a single sliver of sunlight to touch them. Only her left eye and mouth were fully visible to the eye.

[Pandora: And of course, Bishop Corneas will frolic with the women he shall make his new wives, and Bishop Lugunica will be loved by the world's people unconditionally, with the meatbags being treated and used as such.]

Regulus, let out a scoff at this remark, believing it to be not enough to satisfy himself. He's a greedy man, despite his numerous attempts to reject that notion.

Capella, contrary to Regulus' reaction, found herself smiling contently at Pandora's statement. She was satisfied with her dreams being fulfilled.

[Pandora: I had believed you would have been more delighted with that reward.]

[Capella: Oh don't get me wrong, I'm VERY delighted to have that wish. Having the world to myself, controlling and using the filth known as man to obey my wishes, there is no greater wish! Kya ha ha ha!]

[Pandora: —But, you feel as though it's missing a little spice, yes?]

[Capella: ... Hmm... Well, I never thought of it that way. Who cares! It's my world, my rules, and that's all that matters to me!]

She puffed out her chest confidently, her mouth barking her desires out loud for all to hear.

[Pandora: Very well then.]

Pandora held her hands together contently. Of course, Pandora could never leave her faithful sheep behind in the dust. Each archbishop will accompany her into their world of entertainment, fulfilling their pleasures and desires without a care in the world.

[Pandora: Hm? Bishop Batenkaitos, might you have something to say?]

Lye stood there with his hand raised slightly, lowering it as he began to ask his question.

[Lye: We were wondering something. What about Louis, is she able to come with us? We siblings can't leave each other behind, you see...]

[Pandora: Oh I've never considered that...]

Louis Arneb, the third Sin Archbishop of Gluttony who resided over the Satiation aspect of the sin. As of now, her whereabouts were unknown to all except the Witch Cult. Locked inside the core of the world, Od Laguna's Hall of Memories, resided the Sin Archbishop. Since the day she could recall memories, she'd been inside the Hall of Memories with no way of escape.

Since the girl wasn't able to leave the Hall of Memories, Lye and Roy took it upon themselves to "feed" Louis the memories and names of those who fell to the might of Gluttony. Occasionally, with the power of the Gluttony witch factor, they allowed her to take possession of their bodies to eat the victims of their rampage as if she was truly eating them herself.

Allowing her to come with the two siblings was unquestionably something they had to do, something that they would make mandatory for Pandora to do. Who knows how lonely Louis would be, especially if their Authority won't stay connected to Od Laguna. If that were to happen, would Louis die of Starvation? They had to take her with them.

[Pandora: ... Taking her out of the Hall of Memories would be a troublesome case... I would love to have each one of my followers enter this world with me, but Bishop Arneb, paired with my authority, would be a hassle to deal with.]

[Lye: Can't you think of some way to get her out?]

[Roy: —Watch your tongue!]

Roy silently whispered to Lye, indicating that his wording was too carefree. Pandora didn't mind, but proper respect was to be given to her at all times. Failure to do so and, well the same that happened with Regulus would happen with them.

[Lye: ...]

[Pandora: I myself don't know the extent of my power, so you and your brother will have to wait and see.]

Roy placed his hand on Lye's back to comfort him. Both shared the same sentiments about the situation, however, if there was no real way to bring Louis with them then that's that. They would've liked to have brought their sister with them, but as Pandora stated, there is no guarantee all of their wishes will be fulfilled.

Pandora herself took a seat on the cobblestone which she had sat on a moment prior. A lot was on her bag right now. The teleportation or creation of a new world, the resurrection of Petelgeuse, and somehow retrieving Louis from the Hall of Memories.

In all honesty, the latter was of no importance to her. Despite her calm, motherly attitude to her subordinates, she really didn't care too much to satisfy them. This was her desire, to bring whatever chaos and malice she desired into a world and witness what would happen. All else is trivial, as per her sociopathic nature.

A clap echoed throughout the small cave, signaling the Archbishop's heads to turn toward Her Majesty.

[Pandora: I have decided. It is easier to traverse to another realm of existence than to create a new one. Vainglory is the necessity to be perfect, to mold and shape yourself to fit with society's norms and cultures, or even your own. My authority is just an amplification of such, so my desire to "cure" my boredom should lie within the scope of my power.]

Pandora, after her brief explanation, pointed toward Lye with an unexpected question.

[Pandora: Do you happen to recall the incident on the Lifaus Highway?]

[Lye: Oh, do you mean the feast we celebrated after the subjugation of the White Whale? What about it?]

[Pandora: That girl you feasted upon, Rem was it? You told me once before that she had a hero from beyond the Great Waterfall, yes?]

Lye's eyes shot up in excitement, knowing exactly what she was talking about.

[Lye: Ku ku ku ku... Yes, you're correct. Natsuki Subaru, our hero who would rid the world of all evil~ Our hero once mentioned his home town was Hokkaido, Japan.]

[Pandora: Perfect... A basis for my authority.]

Pandora extended her hand forward, her palm facing the ceiling as if it was beckoning for their touch.

[Pandora: Now, place your hand upon my palm. If Natsuki was not lying, I shall be able to land ourselves within his hometown.]

The Archbishops followed in compliance, placing their hands on top of hers neatly so. The two Gluttony Siblings grinned in excitement like children and soon followed Wrath and the other two Archbishops. Pandora could not find herself so much as cracking a smile.

[Pandora: Are you ready?]

The Archbishops all nodded in compliance, signaling Pandora to commence the ritual as she closed her eyes.

Deep, deep within her soul, lay the Witch Factor of Vainglory. Channeling it into her palm and mind like a graceful wind, or rather a slow-flowing tide. A sharp inhale of breath came from her nostrils and out spilled the words.

[Pandora: —Bishop's Corneas, Romanée-Conti, Batenkaitos, Alphard, and Lugunica, along with their leader traversed the Great Waterfall, finding themselves in the land called "Japan." With it, their desires will be fulfilled, and boredom will never find its way into their hearts.]

And for a moment, the world seemed at a standstill. Nothing happened, not a single change at all. 

And suddenly, the world itself cracked and crumbled all around them. It was similar to a dome they were in, as cracks of reality formed in and around them.

They knew, within the palm of her hand they were safe from any danger, and that faith led them into the unknown, as their vision faded all around them...

...Until they found themselves in the new world.

△▼△▼△▼△

[???: Hm?]

A deep, foreboding voice shared its curiosity as a piece of glass filled with a red liquid began to rattle. Soon enough, each vial on the man's desk began to shake.

[???: How odd.]

The man was dressed in a formal attire. Dark grey accents with jet black being his Apparel's primary color. His eyes glowed a deep red color, highlighting the malice this extraordinary being was capable of. If anything, he looked like a corrupt Businessman.

[???: Nakime, is this your doing?]

His voice, soft and soothing in its tone, contrasted its volume as it roared like a lion. He called out to the woman kneeling on the wooden floor above him, which was a sight to behold.

The entire room, or rather, the entire space around him was a castle born of wood which had floors, rooms, hallways, and stairs sprawled across the space, infinite in their numbers. This building, or domain in which the two resided was the Infinity Castle, the Blood Demon Art of—

[Nakime: Not at all. It appears that this just occurred suddenly.]

Nakime, the girl garbed in a black kimono and brown obi, spoke in a blunt tone toward her master. As her sentence ended, she plucked a string of her Biwa instrument, resonating a deep sound that commanded the floor around the Businessman. 

Her hair flowed with the force of the rooms and floorboards shifting, which in turn created a pillar of walls and rooms that aimed toward the perpetrator of this incessant rumbling.

On top of the cube of wood was a rift of sorts. It was more akin to a crack in reality itself, one that kept expanding in mass and size, big enough to match the cube in its width.

The rumbling became akin to an earthquake as an ear-piercing noise invaded both the people's ears.

And in an instant, it ceased to exist. What lay where the rift stood was a group of men and women each dressed in their own attire different from each other. Despite their divisive clothing compared to each other, the Businessman could easily tell that they stood as one joint force as he noted their attire as odd and mysterious.

2 children of the same height and dark skin tone stood next to each other, one garbed in dark green cloth with small yellow accents along the collar, with the bottom portion appearing ripped along with a portion wrapped around the clothing that helped cover his legs from the front and back. The other's apparel consisted of a purple, dark bodysuit that exposed his chest, arms, and feet along with pink stripes in tandem with the purple, and his back and shoulders were covered by a dark black cloak with sporadic red patterns. Both of their clothing was dirty and grimy, unkempt like their hair, except the green-clothed boy having his hair braided. The tips of the cloaked boy's hair were stained with dried blood, and his forearms had a dagger wrapped around each fist. They gave off an aura of eerieness and concern, especially with their creepy green eyes that gave off a hint of insanity.

Next to them was a woman who was clad in white bandaged wrappings, a cloak that covered her torso and opened at the legs, and golden chains tied and dangling from her arms and back. Her head, wrapped tightly and leaving no openings besides the mouth and amethyst left eye, had long thick strands of hair poking out of the bandages, obscuring the right side of her face.

Beside them, to the right side was a man dressed in normal attire compared to the rest of the cast. His suit, similar to a greca-style overcoat, was pure white with gold buttons and accents that kept the coat closed to the hipline, where the coat would extend down to his ankle and part to reveal white pants and boots. His eyes were a golden yellow that stung whoever's eye's they met with. His hair was also naturally white, though not of old age or stress as his face was particularly young, with the hair being unkempt and not too long or short, but enough to cover some of his nose. He was quite literally the epitome of the color white, down to his skin tone which was a sickly white, nearly devoid of color even with his natural expression.

To the side of the white-dressed man was a short girl who had a petite frame and wore very skimpy clothes. Her "dress" consisted of a skinny purple bikini, leggings that reached up to her upper thigh and acted as a sock, small hot pants above the bikini, and a pair of gloves that stretched and covered from her fingers to the shoulder and ended at her neck, more similar to a collar attached to the gloves of the same color. On the sides of her hips were 4 petal-shaped ribbons, and behind them were 2 big black boluses of unnatural size, more than half the size of her head. Her eyes were a bright red, similar to the Businessman's, and what separated the two from looking alike was the gender and the hair color, with the girl sporting a lustrous batch of blonde hair that didn't make it past her neck. If not for her delirious smile and evil aura, she could pass as a penniless prostitute from Yoshiwara. 

And in the center of the group, the culprit behind this whole debacle, stood delightfully where she was, still having her palm outstretched—

[Lye: Oh, how interesting...~ I never expected our hero to be from somewhere so... odd~]

The group looked up, around, in whatever direction it could be called, as the entire space around them was indescribable at that moment. They were in complete awe of what lay in their sight.

Countless rooms, corridors, hallways, and layouts of wood were surrounding them, seemingly infinite in the amount of them. As such, a few of the Archbishops found themselves shocked and terrified of this place, including awe at how Natsuki Subaru must've lived in a place like this. Pandora herself couldn't help but lower her guard from the sight of the Infinity Castle.

[Sirius: That Subaru boy lived here? In this... Maze?]

Sirius shivered at the thought of having to spend your days trapped in this infinite expanse, such an experience would probably have left him scarred for life.

Lye and Roy did surprisingly have their sympathies for the boy, as they too experienced something similar with their sister Louis. Having been trapped in the endless expanse of the Hall of Memories since birth, they'd know the struggles of living all alone for such long times.

But what was interesting was this this place, Hokkaido as he called it, looked nothing alike to what they were just witnessing. Hokkaido, according to Rem's recounting of Subaru's stories, was a place bustling with life and people, cities that rose to the skies with flowing rivers and snow. It sounded like an awesome place to travel to, similar to Priestella.

How could have Subaru lived in a place so different from "Hokkaido?" Let alone managing to survive here—

[???: You people. intruding on my private quarters... State your names immediately.]

The Businessman raised his voice towards the intruders, who jolted at the sound of another person being with them.

However, the tone the man used was a massive mistake. If he had known sooner, the situation could've been prevented—

—Regulus began to rant once more, pointing and shouting at the man standing above them.

[Regulus: Huh?! You there, that clown dressed in black, I see you. Don't think you can talk down to me! Who the hell do you think you are? Some high all-mighty being who pities people left and right? Well, listen here! Whoever taught you that interrupting people's sightseeing must've raised some incompetent fool! It makes me sick just thinking about it! As this is a violation of my rights, I see it fit that you should just die where you—]

TWANG

The Biwa made its reappearance with Nakime's swift strum of the strings. In compliance with the Biwa's resonance, the walls around them shifted and twisted, violently launching themselves toward Regulus as they collided with his body. 

Instantly, as the walls made contact with his body, they quite literally shattered when coming in contact with him, vaporizing that very instant.

A second pluck of the Biwa played, this one with a higher pitch than the one before. In front of them was the man dressed in black, his gaze full of the most monstrous rage and annoyance towards the intruders.

Surprisingly, his cool was kept throughout the ordeal, as his name became known to those standing before him. The man who would welcome them into their new world.

[Muzan: I am Muzan Kibutsuji. As the rightful ruler of this land, I shall see to it that you die by my hands, slowly and painfully.]

His monotone voice struck a nerve with the Archbishops standing before them, with Regulus clenching his fist in a fit of rage. The fiery passion of the ensuing conflict was incomparable, one that would please all spectating this trivial battle.

And at the sound of those words, Pandora smiled, awaiting the delightful experiences this new world was to bring.

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