I am not sure, but just trying to protect the target seems a bit difficult. Knowing from the start than there are at least three pieces who can be killers make hard to trust most of them.
Anyways, I do accept.

“Welcome Anon.”

The witch welcomed her opponent who had just appeared in the seat in front of her. In between them was a small wooden table, and placed on the table was a chessboard.

The black side had all the pieces on the board, but the white side only had the king, queen, 1 knight, 1 bishop, and 1 rook. It appeared as if the game had been going for sometime, but the game actually had yet to start.

“Now you might think of me as MARIA. I can understand why you would. We look exactly alike.”

The witch did look like Maria in her witch outfit. The only difference was that the color of her clothes was different. This girl's outfit was white, and the ribbon coming down was pitch black. In her hands she held the same staff MARIA held, only this one was black.

“I am Maria, and I'm not. MARIA is the Witch of Origin, the light side of Maria's heart. I am Mira, the dark side of Maria's heart. I am the Witch of Destruction. But enough talk, let's begin the game.”
~~~__________________________________________~~~

“Oh good you're waking up. I was starting to get worried.”

You hear a voice as you open your eyes. The room slowly starts to focus around you. You're in what appears to be a small bedroom. It barely has enough space for the bed and end table that is already in the room.

You glance over at the person who spoke to you. It appears to be a teenage girl, she has blonde hair, and what appears to be tomboy like clothes.

“When I saw you collapse like that, I got worried. I had Genji and Gohda carry you here. You probably don't even know who I am.” The girl let out an embarrassed laugh, it seems she forgot to mention this fact. “I'm Jessica Ushiromiya.” She frowned and paused. “You don't need to call me Jessica-sama though. Well.. unless my mother or father are around, then you should show respect, otherwise you'll get in trouble.”

You don't remember who you are. You're memory is all hazy, but from what Jessica said you've gathered that you are a servant at this place.

"... Thank you very much, Jessica.
My mind is still a bit dizzy, could you remind me what was I doing before ending in this bed?"

>>1990
Jessica stops and thinks about it. "Well, I wasn't exactly close enough to see exactly what happened." She pauses before starting again. "Well, what I mean is. I was just passing by the rose garden when I looked over and saw you collapse. I'm not really sure what you were doing in the rose garden though, because I thought I heard that the new servant was assigned to be in the main house."

She looks down with a troubled expression. "I'm sorry I can't really answer that question. You should probably ask Genji, or Mom that, they would probably know."

She looks back up and smiles. "Do you have any other questions?"

"Is that so? I kinda remember feeling a bit strange before arriving the island.
... My bad, please excuse my rudeness. Pleased to meet you Jessica-sama, my name is anon. It's a weird name but please bear with it."

>>1992
"No problem. Oh I just remembered you dropped this when you collapsed I think."

Jessica reaches into her pocket and pulls out a key, which she hands to you.

"That's one of the master key all the servants have one."

With a small bow, anon take the key and put it in his pocket.
"Thank you again. It's a bit shameful to be a problem from the very first day.
Well, if you excuse me I think I need to report with Natsuhi-sama."

>>1994
"It's no problem, if you don't feel 100%, don't feel you have to push yourself."

Jessica's expressions darkens.

"Mom, if probably in her room on the second floor. She pretty much always spends her time there now."

She tries to shake it off and smile again. "Well I get back to the other cousins, they are probably wondering what happened to me."

"Wait a second, There's something wrong?

You ... might not trust me yet since I'm new, but I'm sure I just did see a concerned face.
Please allow me to repay you for this and listen to you. Maybe talking about it will help to stress you out."

>>1996
Jessica lets out a sigh.

"Well, I guess you should probably know. I don't know if they told you this when you were brought here, but you probably won't be here long."

Jessica looks down sadly a worried expression is on her face.

"Last year at the conference Eva Oba-san found out that apparently Grandfather was dead. She was furious over the cover-up and blew it all out. Ruining all the deals my father was making. And that was just the start, the people father borrowed money from have begun to start demanding we pay up. It turns out any day now they will come and take the mansion and kick us out. This might be the last conference."

"A huge financial problem? I did hear something before hand but I didn't know it was this terrible. I'm quite sorry I shouldn't have asked"
Feeling this is the right moment to leave Jessica return with her cousins, anon decide to leave the room and go to Natsuhi's room.

>>1998
While heading to Natsuhi's room you get lost, and have to ask another servant for help. After getting directions you manage to find Natsuhi's room.

While standing in front of the door you can hear the sound of someone crying on the inside.

anon decide to wait for a few seconds and knock at the door

>>2000
You hear the sound of crying stop, and a few seconds later the door opens.

Her eyes are bright red and puffy, it appears she has been crying for a while now.

Natsuhi tried to regain a solid composure, but not even a second later it vanishes. She pauses before speaking in a barely audible tone.

"Oh, it is you."

Her tone resembles someone who is talking to their executioner when they show up to bring you to the platform.

"Excuse me Natsuhi-sama, but I just wake up and I thought it would be proper to report myself."

>>2002
"Reporting yourself? I'm afraid I don't understand?"

"Well to be honest my mind is still a bit dizzy ... and I can't remember very well anything from today. I was looking for getting my orders for today again"

>>2004
"Well did you escort our guest from the dock to the main house?"

>>2005
"To be fair, I can't remember"

>>2006
"Well what are you doing here then?! Hurry to the dock with Shannon and check!"

"Immediately Madam. If you excuse me."
And anon does his best to go to the dock

>>2008
You hurriedly run off to find Shannon, and both of you head to the dock.

While you leave the rose garden Shannon tries to strike up a conversation.

"Do-Do-Do you think everything will be alright?"

"Shannon right? If everything will be alright? What do you mean?"

>>2010
"Were you not told everything?"

Shannon stops walking and pauses. "The person who we are meeting at the dock is the person who might take the mansion, they might even kick the family out today." Shannon's tone holds heavy sadness.

"I hope everyone will be ok."

>>2011
"So the situation is this wrong already...
It can't be helped let's go and meet the guest"

>>2012
You and Shannon continue heading to the dock.

"It will be a little bit before we get to the dock, do you have any questions."

Shannon says this with a slight smile, now might be a good time to ask Shannon any questions on your mind.

"Yes, actually I'm still feeling a bit confused.
If the situation is growing so dire, Why was I brought to the family conference? And another thing. Do you know in what kind of accident was I involved? The last thing I remember is waking up in a bed some minutes ago"

>>2014
"Well, I'm afraid I don't know about your accident. Before you were told by Madame to meet the guest, we were cleaning, and before that just resting in the servants room."

Shannon pauses and looks down at the ground while walking. "As to why you were brought here. It is because the last servant was injured greatly just yesterday and we needed a quick replacement."

Shannon looks back up and smiles with a slight smile.

"Do you have any other questions."

"Another servant? And he will be okay?"

>>2016
"Him? I'm confused. It was a she."

"Oh, my bad, I didn't had any chance to meet her. Was her injure very serious?"

>>2018
"It was, I heard. She had to be rushed to the hospital."

"I see, I hope she gets better soon.
Anyways let's rush the way to the harbor"

>>2020
"She was punished. By Beatrice-sama you know. She disrespected Beatrice-sama and Beatrice-sama took revenge on her.

You probably don't know this. But this island has another master, Beatrice-sama. She is the witch who rules over the island at night.

If you respect Beatrice-sama then she won't harm you. But if you disrespect her, Beatrice-sama will take vengeance on you.

So Anon-kun, please don't anger Beatrice-sama."

"Beatrice-sama ... the witch from the portrait right?
And do you think the guest will be also punished by the witch?"

>>2022
"Yes that's correct. And I suppose it is possible. But Beatrice-sama probably won't as long as the guest doesn't anger her."

It seems you've almost reached the bottom of the stairs it won't be long before you reach the dock.

"So the witch doesn't have anything against the family enemy? That seems a bit a off."
anon stay silent the rest of the way

>>2024
You and Shannon both arrive at the dock. There you see a woman standing with one small bag on the dock next to her.

"There you are. I have been waiting for quite some time."

"We're sorry, we had some problems." Shannon apologized quickly bowing politely.

Somehow the woman's slight smile seemed fake as she smiled at both of you. "Well shall we head to the main house now."

Bowing as Shannon did, anon welcome the guest
"Welcome to Rokkenjima. Servant anon here, please excuse our delay Guest-sama, we shall part immediately"

>>2026
You all head back up to the main house. Upon reaching the rose garden you see two little girls playing.

anon looks at them and he would be really grateful to remember his childhood, but he can't because retard.
So he stay focused and remain silent.

>>2028
"How cute. It is a shame all these roses will have to be destroyed."

"Uu-! Maria and Beatrice's rose! Uu-!"

"Maria... we should go."

The other little girl with red hair seemed to sense something strange about this woman and wanted to leave.

"If you don't mind, I'll take the children back to the guesthouse." Shannon proposed with a bright smile that seemed completely out of place.

"Sure thing, but wait. I don't recognize one these children. One is Maria-chan, but who is the other girl?"

>>2030
The two girls already ran off so Shannon answers your question.

"That is Ange-chan. Kyrie and Rudolf's second child."

"Ange-chan? I see. Well we are still on duty, let's continue"

>>2034
You escort the guest to the parlor upon her wishes. She asks Genji to gather everyone in the main house at the parlor. She then asks you to gather everyone at the guest house and bring them to the parlor.

anon then leave the mansion and do his best to find the guesthouse.

>>2037
You get lost four times before leaving the main house. And once you find your way outside you get lost in the courtyard. Finally you see Genji and others it seems they gave up waiting for you, and had Genji tell everyone in the guest house before trying to find you.

It seems they are waiting for you.

Feeling like a retard, anon return to the mansion, ashamed of his own ignorance of the island.

>>2040
It is completely silent inside the parlor. It seems everyone or almost everyone on the island is currently in the parlor.

Krauss, Natsuhi, Eva, Hideyoshi, Rudolf, Kyrie, Rosa, Jessica, Battler, Maria, Ange, Genji, Gohda, Shannon, Kumasawa, and this guest.

Aside from you there are 16 other people in this room.

"Greetings Ushiromiya Family and servants of the fore mentioned family. I am Ikuko Hachijou. And I have come to take this island and mansion. You already know that you put this mansion up as collateral, and I've come to take it. Unless you can pay me the requested amount right now."

Krauss stutters "We-We-we- can't pay you right now."

"Well that it appears this mansion is mine. Don't worry though I won't throw you out in this storm. You'll just have to leave as soon as it is over. You might want to pack all your things you want to take during this storm. I won't let you set foot on this island after it is over. And all of you servants are now relieved of duty."

Tons of gasps lit up the room and then silence.
It appears everyone in the room is in shock.

"Is this woman serious?!
I got fired on my very first day? ... Oh man.
Anyways this woman has some guts to make enemy of a whole family by herself"
anon use this chance to walk to near to the guest and whisper to her.
"Excuse my rudeness lady, but I think this family is really bounded to this island, Wouldn't be more profitable to give them a credit and let them continue living them?"

>>2054
Time stops and the world turns gray.

~~~_____________________________~~~

The witch frowns slightly. Before laughing.

"Such a question has little value. Simple answer is when Krauss's credit went under after Kinzo's death was found out, they figured it wouldn't that they couldn't wait any longer. Krauss just keeps failing over and over again. They don't have enough faith in him not make this move. Maybe they need money too, so they want the mansion."

~~~~_________________________________~~~~

The world fills with color once again.

"WHAT THE HELL!" Battler explodes. He seems to have been the first person to come out of stupor. "That is stupid! Who the hell do you think you are! You can't just throw a family out of their house! I'm packing after I just finished unpacking!"

The woman smirks at him. "Would you rather be thrown out right now. The small boat I used to get here should be able to fit a few people. Or would you rather swim~"

"What just happened here? I just asked that woman a question but someone else answered for me ... Could be this woman the target she did mention?"
anon then go back with Shannon
"This is bad, this woman doesn't seem to care about the family ... and they don't seem like going out without fighting."

>>2056
Shannon seems unsure of what just happened.

"It is terrible. What will happen to the family. Will they be alright? Where will the Master, Madame and Jessica-sama go?"

"Even with their debts I'm sure they will be fine. However I'm worried about what happens now, this woman doesn't seem to be afraid of them, but they look really stressed. Will everyone get unharmed until this storm ends?"

>>2058
"What you don't think someone would harm her do you? I-I-I-I I don't think anyone would do that."

"Well I don't really know anybody here very well, but Battler and Krauss doesn't seem to approve this order.
Also, this woman just fired us, What will you do now?"

>>2060
Shannon blushes. "Well I don't think Battler would hurt anyone." She looks down and completely ignores the later question.

"Hoh, so she has everything planned. How different from me!
"Anyways I'm still worried, I wonder if there's anything we can do"

>>2062
"We can do? Like trying to get the gold from the epitaph?"

"The epitaph? Please tell me about it."

>>2064
"Well in front of Beatrice-sama's portrait in the main hall there is an epitaph. It states in the epitaph one of the rewards is gold. Kinzo-sama did receive a lot of gold from a woman a long time ago or so the story goes."

"So, the epitaph hints than gold is hidden here somehere? If only, that money could save the whole family."

>>2066
"Yes. That is right it probably could. But the epitaph is so complicated I doubt anyone could solve."

It seems things are getting heated now that everyone has recovered.

"What do you mean by that!" Battler shouted.

"Please give us a little more time." Krauss said while closed eyes.

Eva began to laugh. "It is what you deserve Nii-san for covering up Father's death. I don't feel any sympathy for you. And while I'm upset at losing Father's island, I don't really feel much attachment to this family anymore. I only came here to visit the place one more time."

"Eva... I think that is enough." Hideyoshi whispered.

"This island..." Rosa seemed conflicted about something.

Natsuhi seemed on the verge of tears. Jessica held a blank expression. Gohda seemed shocked by this and was sputtering.

"It seems this is the end of our service." Kumasawa whispered to Genji.

"It appears so."

"Well it appears it was a good idea to come this year." Rudolf said with a sour tone.

Kyrie stayed silent with her eyes closed she seemed to be thinking hard about something.

"You have no more time." The woman said ignoring Battler's statement.

"Why you!" Battler shouted at her taking a step towards her.

"Battler stop." Shannon cried out lunging at Battler holding him back.

Battler seemed to cool off instantly and his fierce expression faded and was replaced by a sad one.

"Battler it will be ok." Shannon whispered softly allowing only the few people nearby to hear.

Battler and Shannon left the room. You notice right as they walk out of the door they entwined their hands.

Losing his only ally so far, anon wonders what is he doing in this place. However this is not reason to feel down, how about trying to get some information about this place?
Kusamawa and Genji seem like the best choice.
"Excuse me Kumasawa-san, my name is anon. I'm the new servant than got lost trying to find a huge building in this small island.
I was wondering, Shannon just told me about a certain epitaph that exists in this mansion, Do you know anything about it?"

>>2069
"Ohoho~ Beatrice-sama's epitaph. It hangs below the portrait of Beatrice in the main hall. It tells how to find Beatrice's gold supposedly."

Kumasawa chuckles slightly. "Would you like a map, so you don't get lost anymore?"

"A map would be quite useful ... I have just a few hours in this island and I'm already getting lost. By the way, I'm a quite interested in the epitaph, if the legend is true is possible than the hidden gold of Kinzo is somewhere in this island. Wouldn't be good to find it?
Kumasawa-san please be honest with me, Have you ever tried solving it? Is it hard?"

>>2071
"I'm afraid I can't draw you up a map right now we have to get ready for lunch, and we don't have any maps of the mansion or the island. But maybe later. Oh course, who wouldn't try to solve it, but I never managed to figure it out."

Genji and Gohda walk over to both of you. It seems it is time to prepare for lunch and you have to help despite having been fired.

"Of course, this is about the time for lunch. Well it can't be helped, I will help with what I can."

Everyone gathered in the dinning room. Krauss sat at the end of the table with Ikuko on other end. Natsuhi and Rudolf sat next to him with Rosa and Kyrie coming next. Then came Eva and Hideyoshi, then Battler and Jessica, and lastly Maria and Ange.

There wasn't much conversation, it seemed everyone was still lost in their thoughts regarding what happened. The only sounds in the room was the shuffling of feet from the servants and the soft swinging of the chandelier. One by one Gohda brought out each course one after the other.

Finally it was time for desert and Maria and Ange were making a lot of noise.

“It is mackerel pie.” Kumasawa joked to the cousins. Ange and Maria made disgusted faces while the other two cousins laughed.

Rosa was about to tell Kumasawa to stop that, but when she realized this would probably be the last time she heard those jokes she stopped. Everyone started to eat the slice of pie placed in front of them.

Then suddenly.

There was a strange noise. It was almost like a sizzling, and then suddenly sparks and loud explosions erupted, and then a horrific scream.

“Ange!” Jessica cried out as she quickly jumped over. Everyone got up and rushed over to Ange.

Ange was badly injured, it looked extremely serious. “This looks bad.” Jessica said.

“Uu-! Is Ange going to be alright?” Maria asked her mother. Rosa didn't answer.

“You should probably take her to the hospital.” Ikuko suggested. “You can even use my boat.”

“Thank you.” Kyrie said grabbed and carrying Ange. “I'll head over with Ange and get her to a doctor, I'll let everyone know whats happening.” And with those words Kyrie rushed out of the room with Ange.

Now with the boat gone, Rokkenjima has become a closed space, no one can enter or leave it.

“What's this?”

Hideyoshi noticed someone placed on the table. It was an envelope. He opened it and took out the letter inside. Inside written in red ink was the following message.

You shall pay for your crime. I won't forgive you.

"What the hell was that? fireworks?"
anon whisper to Gohda
"Did you see who left that letter in the table? I was too distracted with that strange incident."

>>2076
Gohda began stuttering like crazy trying to form some kind of words. "I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I I didn't do anything I swear!"

Almost everyone glared at the letter as if they wanted it to disappear.

Ikuko let out a chuckle. "It appears this family has quite a lot of dark secrets. And someone wants vengeance on someone in this room."

"What are you talking about? They probably want you dead as well"
"Calm down Gohda-san, nobody suspects you. But please answer this question. Did you see who left the letter in the table?"

>>2079
"I didn't see who placed it. But Shannon, Battler, Hideyoshi, Eva and Jessica were the people who were nearby the table when the letter was found."

"I see, well I wonder who could have done it"
anon now moves around a bit and ask Rudolf
"What a horrible wound your daughter got, I hope she heal soon"

>>2081
Rudolf seems slightly distracted at first by the letter. But he shakes it off and addresses you statement.

"Yes, so do I." He makes a sour expression. "Who would do that to Ange, and for an awful prank like this."

"Do you have any idea of what caused it? It was quite strange, as if someone used some kind of fireworks."

>>2083
"What caused it? Probably someone set the light bulb to spark as a prank and one of the sparks hit Ange."

"A spark? I wonder if a spark could have done something like that"
"I see, and about that letter. Do you have any idea what it could mean? I couldn't see who left it on the table"

>>2085
"I wouldn't worry about it too much, it was probably just a prank. Someone's idea of a joke."

anon will wait and try to hear what the others think about this letter

>>2097
“Is this someone's idea of a joke!” Battler yelled as he snatched the letter from Hideyoshi. “What do they think they are playing at! “

Eva frowned. “What a nasty joke.”

Natsushi and Rosa seemed almost frozen, it seemed the contents of the letter sent them into shock.

“Ohohoho~ It seems someone in this room has a grudge.”

“Kumasawa-san, I don't think you should quite be so cheerful about this.” Gohda stuttered.

Jessica grabbed the letter from Battler. “It doesn't matter who cares about this. It is just a stupid prank.” Jessica ripped out the letter to try and prove her point for everyone to forget about it.

“Yes that is it, it must just be a prank.” Krauss said trying to convince himself of that fact.

Rosa recovered from her shock. “Yes it is just a prank. Nothing more.”

“Are you sure about that?” Ikuko spoke in a mysterious tone. “If it is a prank that means someone in this room did it doesn't it? Someone who plays a prank normally stays within range so they can watch the reactions of their victims. So that would mean that someone in this room would have had to set this up if it was a prank.”

The room went silent at that statement. What this woman was saying made perfect sense to them. But then who set it up? And how did they do it for that matter.

Lunch ended on that note and the servants started cleaning up. While you helped out in the kitchen you noticed Shannon wasn't around. It took a while to clean all the dishes a lot longer than expected.

>>2099
After you finish cleaning the dishes. Kumasawa hands you a piece of paper. It seems she made a vague map of the main house.

anon will thank Kumasawa for her map and he'll keep it safe in his pocket.
He will also search for some salt and pepper saying he got something to lunch in is bag.
"Kumasawa-san, there's something else you need help with? Since Jessica-sama cousins are about my age I though I could spend some time with they."

>>2129
It takes you a few minutes to find the salt and pepper. Kumasawa chuckles saying that if that was what you were looking for you could have just asked her.

Kumasawa tells you that the cousins are probably in the guest house, and you head off towards the guest house.

However as you pass by the servant's room you hear the sound of the telephone ringing. What will you do?

anon answer the phone... "moshi moshi?"
"Hello?"

>>2158
"Hello, I am Kumasawa's son, if it would be okay, can I talk to my mother?"

"Of course, if you are kind enough to wait I will search Kumasawa-san."

>>2160
"Oh yes, that is fine. Thank you." The man on the other line his tone feels nervous for some reason.

anon leave the phone unhanged and return to the kitchen to find Kumasawa

>>2162
It takes you a little while to find Kumasawa, it seems when you left the kitchen she did as well. You find her by the parlor and tell her about the telephone call. She thanks you can you both return to the servant's room. Kumasawa closes the door before going over and picking up the phone.

It seems the call is private.

>>2163
*She thanks you, you both return to the parlor.

Asking Kumasawa how to get to guesthouse without dying in the attempt, our valiant adventurer decide to make a short walk to the aforementioned building.

>>2165
Anon decides to take the shortest route out of the main house to the guest house.

However while he passes by the door to the hall he sees the door is open and the light is on. It appears someone is inside.

What does Anon do? Continue heading to Guest House, or enter the Hall, or something completely different?

anon take a little peek in the hall

>>2167
You see Ikuko sitting in the room on the large table there is quite a bit of alcohol, it looks like she might have been drinking.

anon quietly enter to the hall and then ask to the guest
"If I'm allowed to ask, What are you drinking?"

>>2171
Ikuko looks at you and stares. It seems to take her a few seconds to realize who you are.

"I don't know just something from the Kinzo's study. I asked Genji get some from the third floor and this was what he brought me." Ikuko's speech is slurred. It appears she is drunk.

"You know people always drink to forget their problems, so the it doesn't really matter what they drink just as long as it is strong enough to make you forget."

"Drink to forget? I haven't lived enough to consider myself burdened with terrible problems, but I indeed know that feeling.
However I did notice something. Drinking alone won't make you feel better.
Excuse my rudeness, but you Didn't seem too worried a while ago. Did something happen?"