Battler rejects Gretel's offer and moves on after round one.

"Hold up, hold up, hold up!" Battler shouted, shaking himself free of Gretel's roughhousing. "Didn't I say it earlier? If someone tells me to do something, I'm just gonna do the opposite. That's the way my brain works. So, if you're telling me I've gotta give you this second card, I'll politely decline and-"

The violent, red-headed witch actually punched him in the stomach, knocking wind from him. "Do you think this is a joke?! Do you think I'm doing this for fun?!"

"Geh...! B-but think about how much money that could be-!"

She hit him again, this time in the jaw. He was obviously bigger and tougher than her, but she wasn't holding back. "I told you, money is the least important thing. I'm telling you from experience! No amount of money and no world of witches or magic is going to make you happy, Battler. Leaving here, returning to your family... That's the only thing! No matter what else happens, don't forget that!"

As the red-headed witch continued to plead with him, shaking him roughly, ceaselessly, and desperately, Beatrice approached Battler from behind. She placed her hands over his eyes, startling him... And, in that brief period where he was blinded, Gretel's form and her discarded clothes vanished like they had been a dream. "Good decision, Battler! Honestly, I made a mistake inviting that witch to begin with. To think, she wanted a weird relationship like that with you... Put that together with the way that she was dressed, and we might have had a real pervert on our hands. Luckily, our entertainment for the rest of the night will be much, much more wholesome, hm." Beatrice crossed her arms and nodded as she strolled back around his chair.

"Huh... it'll be worth these remaining two cards? And I can't get any hint how much is on them?"

"Of course, and of course not! Kyaahahaha!!"

"How about that disappearing act? Are you gonna explain that one? Or the kickflip through the window?"

"That was magic, of course!"

"Magic? Quit pulling my leg! No such thing!"

"Why?!"

Of course it would come down to this. Gretel's clothes had vanished along with her. There was no evidence a young woman by that name had been here. When he gave an answer like that, it was easy to think all what had happened until now had been for nothing. I was sure Beatrice would be furious...

... Instead, an even wider grin split her face, now too wide to be anything but vulgar. "Ho? Imagination? You still refuse to believe in magic...? You find it easier to obstinately cling to the idea that anything you can't explain is a hallucination or a trick?"

I couldn't believe it. Battler's grin said... he actually did think that. "If I start believing in sexy young ladies that can disappear into thin air, people are gonna call me nuts. If you want to show me real magic, you'll have to do better than that!"

That wasn't just tough talk. He actually believed it! Was I the crazy one, so used to seeing witches appear before me that I no longer found it strange?!

"Very well, Battler. If my fellow witch is not enough to convince you... I will take a more hands-on approach." Beatrice licked her lips in excitement. Was she hungry for a challenge? Hungry for the chance to earn her power? Or just hungry for a handsome man who looked about the same age as her? Hard to say, but the second game would be starting immediately. We'd learn her true intentions...