The family conference may have been over for the night, but the day's most important event was just about to start for Rudolph. He sighed. He and Kyrie were just about to leave their guest room in the mansion. Kyrie had been trying to guess what he could possibly have to say, but she was surprisingly wrong in her guesses.

"At the very least, it should be able to wait until morning, right?"

"Nah. I've been putting this off for way too long. It's time I finally stopped running away from my past and faced it like a man. The sooner the better."

Kyrie thought his wording was very odd, but she said nothing. Rudolph opened the door to their room, and yelled.

"Ahh!"

Rudolph paused. "Oh, Kumasawa-san. You scared me."

Kumasawa chuckled. "Ohoho, I was just going to knock and see if their was anything you needed. I'm sorry for troubling you."

"Thanks, but we're fine. We were just about to head over to the guest house. Don't worry about umbrellas, we have our own." Rudolph smiled and motioned to the umbrellas that he was holding. "But thanks anyways."

Rudolph turned around towards Kyrie. "Hey, while she's here, is there anything that you think you—"

"Rudolph, watch out!" Kyrie ran forwards and tackled Rudolph to the ground. It was just in time. Just above them, a blue sword flew past. It had the words 'Smothered Mate' written on the side.

...Had Kumasawa just tried to attack him when his back was turned...?

He looked up from his position on the ground. Kumasawa was gone. In her place, there was some woman with straight gray hair and a calm demeanor. She spoke: "You skillfully avoided my attack this once. I am the witch Virgillia, I work under the Golden Witch, Beatrice."

Kyrie stood up. Of course, she knew better than to take this witch on directly. Rudolph was still on the ground, too stunned to do anything except for watch the scene play out in front of him. There was no way witches could exist, right?

Kyrie backed herself against a wall. There were multiple suitcases around her. "Our host doesn't even want to meet us herself? That's bad manners for a witch, isn't it?"

Virgillia smiled. "Beatrice-sama is quite occupied enough without having to work on something as trivial as the first twilight. All of the family is seperated, so no alibies can be confirmed. It's quite simple."

Kyrie fell on her knees and opened a suitcase. She had no idea what this woman was talking about, but she knew they could get out of this predicament if only she could stall her for a little bit longer...! "The first twilight? Does that have to do with father's epitaph?"
"You are wise, Kyrie-san. I have been instructed to sacrifice six victims in order to revive Beatrice-sama to her full power. I hope that you don't intend on pulling out a pocket knife or something else, by the way. Such simple toys mean nothing to a witch with as much power as Beatrice and I."

Suddenly, Rudolph snapped out of his trance and looked back towards Kyrie. It was as if he finally realized what she was trying to accomplish. Virgillia's smile dissappeared. She didn't like the implications of what was happening.

"No matter. I am to end this show quickly, due to Beatrice-sama's demands. I hope you understand." Several beams of light formed around Virgillia. It looked like she was preparing for another attack.

However, Kyrie didn't give her enough time to do so. She pulled out a large revolver from the suitcase, removed the safety, and pointed the barrel at Virgillia and pulled. Virgillia did not expect such a move. Then again, it made perfect sense. Rudolf was a western fanatic just like father. It was plausible that he brought the gun over to get on Father's good side and eventually settle the matters of the inheritance among them.

That wasn't what the gun was being used for now, though. The gun was used as a method of murder. Kyrie shot Virgillia straight through the head. The magic around her instantly dissappeared. Virgillia never even had a chance to speak. She fell to the floor, knowing that she had failed her master. Her body started glowing, and changed back to the form of Kumasawa.

Suddenly, Rudolph stood up. Tears were forming at his eyes. "K-kumasawa-san!" He ran up to her. "Oh god. We killed her. We killed Kumasawa. What have we done?" Rudolph started crying. It seemed that, throughout his years on Rokkenjima, he had kept a soft spot inside of him for the old maid.

Kyrie walked up to the corpse. "Don't worry, we didn't kill Kumasawa."

"The corpse is right there!"

"Still. I'm telling you, we didn't kill Kumasawa." Kyrie was as calm and composed as ever. Rudolf stopped crying and stood up.

He had enough faith in his wife. If she said they didn't kill Kumasawa, then she was right. Still, he wasn't happy about her death. "You were a good woman. You always told the best stories, too. It stinks that you never even got a last request. We'll make sure to give you a proper burial."

Kyrie looked at Rudolf. "This might be bad. I'm worried about Battler and the other children. If this strange woman appeared, then who knows who else may have shown themselves over there?"

Rudolf agreed, and the two rushed to the guest house without umbrellas. They didn't meet anyone on the way there. The rain soaked them head to toe.

When they arrived, Rudolf tried the door. However, it would not open no matter what he did. He turned to Kyrie. "It's locked!"

Kyrie closed her eyes. "Then that means there's only one way to get ourselves inside."

"What do you mean?"

"Magic."

A sudden gust of wind blew at them at that moment, and the two turned to golden butterflies and slipped through the cracks in the door.

When they formed inside, Rudolf saw that nobody was inside. He had no idea what was going on anymore, He just knew that he wanted Battler to be safe. He raced towards the steps...when he suddenly noticed the form of a small girl. He stooped dead in his tracks.

"...Greetings. This is the first time we have met, I believe. I am the witch of Miracles, Bernkast—" Before she could finish, Rudolf raised the pistol he took from Kyrie and pulled the trigger. But there was no effect. Somehow, the bullet missing, even though he shot from point blank! It truly was...a miracle.

"How rude," Bernkastel smiled, laughed, and consumed the whole room in a blue light, creating a loud BANG in the process. "Now, I wonder how I can have fun with you two...It's my turn to be the endless torturer, Beatrice!"

Meanwhile...

Battler waited for the longest time at the guest house, waiting for his father and Kyrie-san to show up to talk to him about whatever it was that they wanted to say. However, they just weren't showing up. He had almost dozed off several times.

"I guess that old bastard forgot about me after all. It must not have been important, then." Battler grabbed his master key then went back up the stairs to the 'Detective's Room' as Erika called it. As she had said, the door was locked from the inside. Battler shrugged, and used his key to unlock the door...

When suddenly a huge bang erupted from downstairs.

…
…
…
…
…
…
A minute passed, and Battler decided that the crash had nothing to do with him. She shrugged once more, opened the door, then stepped inside. The room was pitch black. He closed the door, locked it from the inside, then placed his master key on a table.

He stumbled over to his bed. 'I wonder what dad and Kyrie-san are doing right now. Oh well. It's none of my concern.'

A golden Butterfly appears in the Detective's Room. The butterfly quickly turns into a human shape with white hair. The girl looks around the room sadly. "There is nothing I can do on this Rokkenjima. I have no part to play. But just like always, Battler will not believe in me. No matter what, he will not remember...I have given up on him. I am sorry."

Beatrice looked out of the window.

"Oh, I am one, yet I am many. I have no desire to play on this game board. I am but a piece with no moves available. I can only wish both sides the best of luck...and you too, Ushiromiya Battler."

The woman quickly dissappeared as if she was never there at all.




----------------------------

Amy-san stirs in her bed. Her head hurts like crazy. The area around her is pitch black.

Rooks advance. Your move, Rosa.

Who is in the room right now?

"Nuh-uh, no supernatural investigating. The area is dark. See for yourself~"

Fine.

I get up and look around the room. Who do I find?

It's too dark to see anything. You know where the light switch is, though.

Troll!

I turn the light in the room on, then look around the room. Who do I see?

Would you hate me if I said the light switch didn't work? Nah, just kidding.

You get up from bed. Your head hurts, and you stumble to the light switch and flick it on. The light blinds you for a few moments, and when you look around the room you see a terrible sight...!

There are six corpses inside of the room! The people are Rudolf, Kyrie, Kumasawa, Maria, Jessica, and George! The first three died from bullet wonds to their skulls, while the last three appear to have died from being beaten to death by a blunt object. Their bodies were bruised and some of their skin was torn up. Blood is spilled all over the floor. It is truly...a murder scene, worthy of the Golden Witch, Beatrice.

The light wakes up Battler and Erika almost instantly. Battler rubs his eyes, but when he sees the sight in front of him he literally jumps out of bed. Battler lets out a loud roar in the air. Then, he begins screaming: "Aaaaagh, what the hell?! George, Jessica! Who did this to you? Maria-chan, why? You're only nine years old, you have so much to live for! Dad, you old bastard! Why'd you have to get killed? You even brought Kyrie-san with you! And...Kumasawa? You weren't a bad person at all! Why? Why did all of you have to diiiieeeeee?! Battler lets another roar out into the room, then breaks out in tears.

Erika doesn't let Battler see, but she is smirking. It seems that she is more than ready to solve this mystery. She looks at you in the eyes and grins. It seems that she plans on challenging you.

Battler checks the corpse's pulses. "Dead...they're all dead...who the fuck could have done this?" Battler looks up at you. "What the hell happened? I locked the door from the inside last night! Who could have gotten in? Why did they all die? Someone, get Dr. Nanjo!" Battler continues weping over the deaths of his loved ones. Some blood is smeared on his clothes. But even though it's a gruesome scene, he doesn't look away.

He's too sad to be scared.

Status on the windows and the door.

If you won't give me it, I'll just go and look at all of them myself.

You look at the cousin's room window. It is still broken, and the seal remains.

The cousin's door is locked from the inside. Two master keys are on the inside of the room.

Every window you check is still broken and sealed.

You check the front door. It still appears broke. Oddly, it is now sealed from the inside using some kind of super glue along the cracks. You can't budge it.

>>375
Hmm.. Well this is a puzzler. The window couldn't have been used, and the door couldn't have been used.

I'll go get Nanjo from his room.

Of course. You gave me a challenge by trying to defend the guest house, and I took it with open arms. Ready to accept magic?

You get Nanjo from his room. He asks you what is happening. He hears Battler's cries.

Nope; no magic. I have a few ideas as to how it was done. And a few likely suspects.

"Nanjo-sensei why are you still here in this room?"

"I was asleep. The rooms in the guest house are sound proof unless you knock on the doors, or, of course, the doors are open."

What he's saying about the rooms is true.

"You have to come quick Nanjo-sensei something horrible has happened!"

Nanjo nervously nods, and follows you back to the cousin's room. When he sees the sight, his eyes widen. "Battler-san, step aside!" Nanjo rushes up to each victim and does a check.

He pauses. "I'm so sorry...they are dead. But, doesn't that mean they were murdered? Someone, call the main house. The family needs to know about this." When Nanjo examins Kumasawa's body, a tear drops from his eye as well. He quickly regains his composure.

Request: Nanjo's statement is true and these 6 are indeed dead.

Now why would I confirm something like that? It would only damage your detective pride by having to go for supernatural means. I refuse.

Fine I check the corpses myself. Are the living or dead.

How do you plan on doing that? Well, you can't feel a pulse on any of the victims.

Alright I'll go to the nearest phone and pick it up, and call the main house.

You pick up the phone in the detective's room...and there is no dial tone.

On the table the phone is on, however, you see a letter.

Was that letter in the room when I woke up?

It was, but you asked about bodies, not letters and stuff.

I'll tell everyone about the letter before openning it and reading it out loud.

Greeting, Uninvited Guests,

Welcome again to Rokkenjima. I hope you find your stay here pleasant yet intellectual. By now you have probably noticed the first six corpses of my sacrifice. Don't bother getting Nanjo, those corpses are long dead. Also, there is something very important that I urge you to remember:

This crime was done by magic.

You seem to fancy yourselves as detectives. Rather than trying to solve something that is impossible, you should be praising my name and begging me not to make you sacrifices. When the
typhoon passes, a boat will probably come. The police will come as well.

Even the seagulls that enliven the docks will return.

That's right, when the police come, they will resolve everything.

Even if you do nothing, when the seagulls cry, everything.


That is, if even one of them is left alive when the seagulls cry...

What is expected from you is neither a search for the culprit nor detective work.

When will you believe in me?

That is all that matters.

If you want to do some detective work, go ahead.

If you believe that there is an answer, go and continue to search.

This is eternal torture that will not end until you can believe in witches. The culprit is a witch. All alibis and tricks are magic. This is not a mystery, but fantasy!


I want to see you surrender and say that while crying bitter tears.



Dr. Nanjo spoke: "We're all going...to die?"

"No don't worry Nanjo-sensei. This isn't magic by any means. It is a trick, and the culprit is a human. Erika and myself will find the culprit. We won't let another incident happen, but first we must get out of the guesthouse and go over to the main house."

I request the following information. A discrition of the windows lock before and after we broke them.

The windows were all locked when you broke them. They were unable to be opened when you broke them.

Suddenly, you notice a small slip of paper fall out of the envelope.

Well that cuts off one of the things I thought of.

I'll pick up and read the slip of paper, though not out loud.

If you want to see real magic, go to the chapel.

-Beatrice.

I read the note aloud and convience everyone to head over to the chapel. We break a window on the first floor to leave the guesthouse, and head over to the chapel.

Erika suggests that she go over to the mansion and tell the family what happened while you investigate the chapel.

We head over to the main house then.

Battler stops. "Hold on, What if Beatrice is in the chapel? We're losing our chance to capture her! I say we split up."

Request: Can I be killed in this game?

There must be a detective, and they must detect. Amy cannot die due to another human's actions.

Alright then. I'll go with Battler to the chapel.

You and Battler arrive at the chapel. He looks at you.

"Amy-san, we need to be careful. This could be a trap set up by the culprit. Wait, isn't the door to the chapel always locked?"

You don't notice anything suspcious outside of the chapel. It is too dark to see inside.

"Battler-san don't worry, as long as well stay together and I go first you'll be fine."

I try the door is it locked?

The door is not locked. It opens without too much of a problem. Nothing appears out of place at the very entrance.

Alright I ask Battler to follow me inside. With him walking right behind me. However I ask him to face towards the door as we walk inside, so that no one can sneak up on us.

You two do so. As you enter, Battler closes the door behind him. The door slams shut, and battler sees words written in red paint on the door: HAPPY HALLOWEEN FOR MARIA.

A few seconds later, a small candy falls onto the ground. "W...where did that come from?" Another one falls. Then several at once, and soon it's raining candies in the chapel! They pelt your and Battler's heads like rocks. Each one stings like hell.

You and Battler look around, but it's too dark to tell if anyone's inside. What is happening here? Could it really be magic?!

"Are you stupid or something! Why did you close the door! Now we can't see, open the door this instant!"

"What if the culprit has a rifle or something and was planning to snipe us?! I'm protecting us!" Candies continue to hit your head. Annoyed, Battler opens the door. The candies slowly stop falling. The last one lands at your feet.

"That was why I had you face the other way so that wouldn't happen. No one could snipe us with a rifle from that distance. And if they got into range where they could actually hit us, you would see them. If you're that scared of getting shot stand in the corner, where it isn't possible for them to hit you unless they use magic."

I look up at the ceiling what do I see?

Nothing, the ceiling is bare.

Troll!

I look up at where the candies are falling from, what do I see?

You have no idea where the candy was coming from. You look all around, but find nothing out of the ordinary besides the candy of the floor~

>>413
I examine the area around the door, then I ask for Battler to give me a boost so I can examime the top of the door, do I find anything?

There is nothing usuaual about the door. Everything looks and feels as it should.

I close the door.

As you close the door, you feel the walls vibrate a bit. Nothing else happens.

>>417
So there is nothing unsual anywhere in the chapel that I can see?

Nothing at all...

---------------------

A figure appears in the meta-world. It is the witch of miracles, Bernkastel.

"Amy-san, do you remember when I said you had to shoot the person if you couldn't create an alternate theory? I'll start now. The Golden Witch Beatrice is the culprit. She made the candy appear with her magic. Since it's not a murder, I'll use the red freely here to help a bit~."

"Bernkastel!" Ange yells. "This wasn't the dea-" Ange suddenly dissappears.[/b]

--------------------------------------

Without warning, a blue chain wraps itself around your body and hand. A gun materializes in your hand. Time completely freezes. The faded form of Beatrice is in front of you. If you do not make another theory, you will have to shoot this invisible being.

Good luck.

"Alright, Bernkastel. Let's rumble. There is a small hole in ceiling. I couldn't see it because it is small and the ceiling is high. Anyone could have done it."

"No openings exist in the chapel besides the windows and door."

A red chain slowly wraps itself around your neck.

"Battler or myself triggered a trap which caused the candy to fall from above. It dropped all the candy and therefore I didn't see anything when I looked up since all the candy already dropped.

You fight the red chain, but Bernkastel still tries to grip it tighter.

"There were no mechanical traps inside of the chapel.

"Mechanical? When did I say that? I wasn't thinking machanical at all. I was thinking string, thread, wire, fishing line, rope, or anything like that."

"Foolish human. You underestimate the powers of my miracles. There was no string, thread, wire, fishing line, rope, or anything like that inside of the chapel at any point!"

"Battler simply threw the candy up into the air while I wasn't looking.

"...That is an effective blue truth. For now."

------------------------------

Time resumes on the game board.

I request the following infomation. Was and candy on the floor before we entered?

The candy was not on the floor before you entered.

<Good, Good> Next question, 'There is only 1 culprit and each trick must be played by that 1 culprit, the culprit is allowed to have an accomplice, but they can't preform a trick themself.' Repeat that.

"Hmm, do I respond? No, I'll refuse. However, a culprit is responsible for the falling candy. Not a potential accomplice." By the way, if there are multiple culprits, you win if you shoot any of them."

a culprit is responsible for the falling candy. Not a potential accomplice.

So if I make some one become a culprit I can just shoot them and win right~

Not exactly. If you shoot incorrectly, I can repeat that that person wasn't the culprit in red, and you will be caught in an eternal logic error.

If you mean forcing one human to kill another, that won't work. The motive must be personal. Without a motive, somoene will not kill.

I see, I wasn't thinking of it like that, but it isn't important. I'm not doing to do it anyway.

Alright I check over all the windows, are all of them locked, and can they only be locked from the inside?

Correct. The windows are locked, and they can only be locked from the inside.

Alright Battler and I will head back to the main house now.

You and Battler start walking back the the main house.

"I don't get it," Battler says. "I just don't get it at all! First we get that murder in the guest house, then that crazy show with candy? I...don't want to think that the culprit is one of the 18, but how else could they have sealed the guest house door? Could they have used a secret passage?" Battler shakes his dead in frustration.

(Note that when Battler says 18, he says that because he naturally doesn't consider you two as viable culprits.)

"Battler-san, I don't know. I really don't know. I'm just as confused as you are? In fact I don't even remember what happened after I suddenly fell asleep."

Battler is silent. You two reach the main house, then go inside the front doors.

"Ahh, hello Battler-san, Amy-san." Erika is there. "I told everyone about the unfortunate incident, and they were quite upset, so they all went to their rooms. Don't worry. using my sensetive hearing, I confirmed that each survivor went to their respective rooms, and that there is no more than two people in any rooms. Furthermore, I sealed all of the room's windows."

I'll whisper to Erika. "What are you trying to do, tempt the culprit by going setting up groups of two? Anyway what are the list, and where are the rooms."

"Of course. Using my method, we should be able to find the culprit easily once he makes his move. All of the rooms the survivors went in are on the second floor. With all of us parolling, nobody should be able to leave from their doors without us noticing."

"Erika, did you seal the windows before the people went inside. Or did you have them go inside and then went around sealing the windows?"

"Do you think I'm a fool? All of the survivors except for me, you, Battler, and possibly Kinzo were inside of their rooms when I taped the windows."

Who is together in rooms?

"...I'm not sure. I didn't check with my own eyes which room each person went in."

So you won't tell me GE..

I'll head up with Battler to Kinzo's study.

You reach Kinzo's study. However, the door is locked. It looks quite sturdy.

I knock on the door. And then call out that Beatrice is here.

There is no response...

Alright; Battler and I will head to one of the rooms. However I have Battler stay outside with Erika.

>>469

An empty room, or a room with people?

>>470
One of the rooms with people.

Sorry I've been absent. Consider the game resumed as of tomorrow afternoon.

>>721
Wow, I didn't notice this until now.

I'm still interested in continuing GreatEqualizer, if you are. It was a lot of fun.

I'm not against continuing. We're almost getting to the good part, after all.

>>1159
Awesome. I can't wait.

I'm still here, if you still bother to check this. We need better system.

T-this site looks p-promising~

As said before I head to one of the rooms with 2 people in them. Hmm.. If they are all on 1 floor I check the first room I see. If they are on different floors. I go see the people on the second floor first.

I ask Battler and Erika to wait outside while I go inside.

To reiterate:

Dead:
Rudolf
Kyrie
Kumasawa
Maria
Jessica
George

Everyone alive(with the exception of you, Battler, Erika, and Kinzo) are all on the second floor inside their rooms

You knock on one of the doors. Eva and Hideyoshi are inside the room. Eva only cracks the door. The chain is set.

"Ah, Furudo-san... It's terrible, Battler told us six people were murdered...Even, even..." Sobs came from Eva. It was apparent she had been crying for some time. "The phone lines are out. Everyone insisted on splitting up until we found our bearings." Eva figures that even if you are the culprit, you are no threat. "Would you like to come inside? It's not safe out there."

I step inside the room and looked all around the room checking every corner before asking Eva and Hideyoshi some questions.

"Eva-san, Hideyoshi-san. Did you notice anything strange last night? I want to find the culprit who did such an awful thing and put them to justice. I'm sure you do as well, for what they did."

______________________________

Going back to your statement above. We could make sure that no matter how busy we get, we make an least 1 post a day. That way even if the game slows down, it won't stop like before.

You find nothing unusual in the room.

"I don't remember anything out of the ordinary," Hideyoshi says. "The conference ended earlier than expected and everyone went back to their rooms."

"The culprit could be any of them," Eva says. "But my George! Who would want to hurt my George?"

>>1833
"What did you talk about during the conference. Please be detailed even the slightest detail may turn out to be a clue."

"I- I'm afraid I can't disclose that. It doesn't matter. What I can say is that we came up with a solution that works out best for everyone. Or...it would have."

>>1835
"Obviously someone didn't approve. Please tell me about the agreement. If you don't you could be letter your son's killer right through own fingers."

^Letting

"Eva-san, let's just tell her. We were going to have this conversation with her anyway--"
"--with Natsuhi-san and Krauss-nii-san. This is a very delicate matter! The future of the Ushiromiya family depends on it. It's my duty to make sure it's carried on, since...George couldn't live to see it happen."

>>1838
"It is sad, that you both don't even care about your son. It seems you don't even care. DO YOU WANT THE MURDERER TO GET AWAY!"

Eva took a moment to pause, then she started sobbing. "What difference does it make?! George...my George is dead!"

She continued to sob while Hideyoshi comforted her.

"We siblings all agreed that the order to distribute the gold among the servants should be ignored. Father wasn't mentally stable at the time of writing that letter, but we have no way of proving that to the courts. We thought it would be fine if no one were to know about it... George, I'm sorry if my greed somehow got you killed. I'm sorry! George!"

>>1840
"I see. But you have to understand that while no we can't bring George back. He is dead. But do you the person who killed him to just get away with it? Don't you think George deserves that his killer be caught? Now when did you last see Rudolf, Kyrie and Kumasawa?"

Hideyoshi spoke: "We last saw Rudolf and Kyrie when we were seperating from the meeting. As for Kumasawa, we sent the servants away when the meeting started. You'd do better asking the other servants about that."

>>1842
"I just have one more question. Of anyone who do you think committing this crime? And why?"

"It has to be those servants! I wouldn't put it past them killing one of their own just to make themselves look suspicious. They have access to the master keys, after all."

>>1844
"I see.. I however. I haven't different thoughts on who the culprit is. Thank you for answering some of my questions. Goodbye."

I leave the room and then take Battler and Erika with me to the next room. I knock on the door.

You try the next door. It is an empty room. You check several rooms, and they are all empty. Finally, about four doors down from Eva and Hideyoshi's room, on a different hall, you find a locked door.

>>1846
I ask Erika what Battler has been doing while I've been doing all this.

Erika tells you that Battler hasn't been doing anything out of the ordinary.

>>1848
Alright then. I'll knock on the locked door and called out to the people inside.

Someone answers from the other side.

"Yes?"

It is Dr. Nanjo.

>>1850
"Dr. Nanjo would you mind letting me in. I would like to ask you some questions."

I pause.

"Actually hold that thought. I'll be right back I have to ask Eva-san something really quick. Please make sure you keep your door locked until I come back. Don't open it for any one except me."

I rush back to Eva and Hideyoshi's room. I knock on the door and call out to them.

Erika follows you, with Battler satying in front of Nanjo's door as a precaution.

Eva cracks open the door. The chain isn't set. "Yes, Furudo-san? Did you forget something?"

>>1852
"Yes I wanted to ask you about tape seals."

"Oh? Do you want me to show you how to make them?" Eva finds a small role of tape.

>>1854
"Yes thank you. I also heard that you made some. Could you tell me about those as well."

"Hmm...I suppose it's alright, now. I placed a seal on the head's door last night. Also, I did something quite reckless. I went to the next room over and scaled the window just to place another one on his window. Don't make a role model out of me, Furudo-san. Anyways, the truth is that we've suspected Father has been dead for quite some time. I was going to investigate today to make sure."

>>1856
"I see. Thank you so much for that piece of information."

I leave and head back to Nanjo's door. I'll knock on it once again and call out for Nanjo.

Nanjo opens the door. You can see someone behind him.

"Yes, Furudo-san?"

>>1858
"Nanjo-sensei. May I come inside?"

Battler is in front of the door.

"Ahh, yes. You may come in now, Furudo-san."

You hear the click of a lock.

>>1860
I'll ask Battler to move, so I can step inside.

Battler steps aside and waits by the door while you head inside. Erika walks in after you.

In the room, you see Dr. Nanjo. He appears to be treating Shannon, who is passed out on the bed.

>>1862
"Is she going to be alright Nanjo-sensei?"

"Yes, yes. I'm doing all that I can to help her. It seems she fell into an even deeper stage of sickness."

>>1864
"I see. I know this probably isn't the best time to talk about this. But what do you know about the murders? Who do you think did them? Why do you think they did them? How do you think they did them?"

"I performed an autopsy on the bodies after I woke up. I could tell they died sometime last night, but autopsy is not my specialty. I can't be exact. I'm not sure who to suspect. It seems like everyone lost someone-- Battler's family lost two members. Krauss-san's family lost a member. Eva'san's family lost a member. Rosa-san lost her daughter. Even the servant's lost someone precious. Rudolf, Kyrie, and Kumasawa seemed to die from bullet holes or spear shaped objects in their foreheads. Maria, Jessica, and George died from being beaten to death by a blunt object. The rooms were sound proof, so I'm afraid I didn't hear anything..."

>>1866
"So you would you say that no one would commit this crime?"

the witch did it

"It's not right to jump to conclusions. I know that especially from my line of work...but, wasn't there a note left this morning by someone with the name 'Beatrice'? Even if she isn't a witch, there could be a person we aren't aware of on the island."

>>1869
"I see thank you for your time."

I'll leave and check more rooms for people.

You come across a locked door.

>>1871
I'll knock and call out to see if anyone is inside.

This time, there is no answer at the door. Battler walks up to it and knocks harder. There is no answer. "Could it just be an extra room that the servants locked up?"

"No," Erika said. "I'm not sure who's supposed to be in this room, but I know I placed duct tape on the window. Someone was inside."

>>1873
Alright I try and use my master key to open the door.

Your key opens the door, and you walk inside with Erika.

There doesn't appear to be anyone in the room.

>>1875
Erika and I will examine the room thoroughly. All the while I'll keep a watchful eye on Battler.

You search the room.

You find only two things that seem to be important. One is Kanon's hat. The other is a letter. It seems to be a note written by someone.

>>1877
I'll examine Kanon's hat, and then read the letter out loud to Erika and myself.

There is nothing out of the ordinary about the hat.

The letter reads:

"Dear members of the Ushiroymiya family,

I have decided to borrow Kanon for my ritual.
I apologize for any inconvenience it might bring you.
Please take his hat as a token to remember him by.
Sincerely,
Beatrice, Witch in Gold."

>>1879
"Erika who was supposed to be with Kanon?"

"I- I'm not sure. It's possible that he went to thsi room himself. We should gather everyone and start an interrogation."

>>1881
"Alright, you and Battler go and gather Eva, Hideyoshi, Shannon, and Nanjo into the parlor. I'll gather the others."

Battler and Erika do as you say. They gather Shannon and Nanjo in a hallway and tell them to wait. He also tries a door nearby that location, but it's locked and nobody inside is answering. He decides to worry about gathering the survivors for now.

Then, they go knock on Eva and Hideyoshi's door. One Eva opens the door, they explain the situtation to them, about Kanon's hat and the letter. Then they lead them back to where Shannon and Nanjo were, and wait for you.

You search a hallway you haven't checked before. In one room, you knock, and Gohda and Genji open the door.

Correction: The former group moves the the first floor parlor, as you requested.

Just thought I'd leave this here.

>>1883
I'll ask them the same questions I asked Nanjo.

What do you know about the murders?
Who they think the culprit could be?
Why they did it?
How they did them?

And also.

Who would kidnap Kanon?
And for what reason?

"K-kanon-kun was kidnapped?" Gohda asked.

Genji spoke: "We know very little about the murders. Erika-san briefly spoke to us and said that it was the children, Kyrie-sama, Rudolf-sama, and Kumasawa-san who were killed. You probably know more about their injuries than we do.

As for who did it, I'm afraid I don't have the faintest idea."

"It couldn't be the which in the portrait, could it?" Gohda asked.

"In any case, the phone lines are down, and our radio doesn't seem to be working, so we couldn't contact the police. I can't imagine why Kanon-san would be kidnapped, either. I suspect that he had some kind of information that the ulprit didn't want anyone to know about."

>>1887
>>1887
Alright I'll ask them to go to the parlor with the others.

Afterward I'll head to one of the locked doors. (The one not by anyone else's door)

You walk over to the locked door. You can hear someone pacing inside.

>>1889
I'll knock on the door and call out to the people inside.

The door opens. Rosa is standing there. It appears that she's been crying. "Oh...Furudo-san, can I help you?"

>>1891
"Rosa-san may I come in I would like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind."

Rosa allows you to come inside.

>>1893
Is only Rosa inside?

Rosa is in the room alone.

>>1895
"Rosa-san. I know it must be hard. But I would like to ask you a few questions. I don't know about you, but I would like to make the killer pay for their crimes."

"Furudo-san...I'm not a good person. Long ago, Maria's father left me, proving my failure as a lover. And my sins as a mother are too many to count. However, if there's a chance I can avenge Maria at all, I will take it. What are your questions?"

>>1897
I'll ask Rosa.

What do you know about the murders?
Who they think the culprit could be?
Why they did it?
How they did them?

And also.

Who would kidnap Kanon?
And for what reason?

"It was Jessica, George, and my Maria, wasn't it? Rudolf-san, Kyrie-san, and Kumasawa-san as well. I can't believe it. The children and Kumasawa were completely innocent. Rudolf-san and Kyrie-san may have acted greedy, but we all did. And none of them deserved this.

I feel like the servants are the most suspicious with their master keys, but I think the other siblings might be just as likely. For example...what if one of the six was actually faking their death? I know that's awful to think about, but still.

I think money would be the primary motive. Now that we know where the gold is hidden, someone may have want to be greedy enough to get all of it. Although I don't understand. There should have been enough for everyone.

I'm not sure how it could have been done. I didn't even get to hear the cause of death. I wonder...

I had no idea Kanon-kun was kidnapped. Although, that sounds pretty unlikely to me. What if he's the culprit, and he's watching us from the shadows, ready to strike?

Furudo-san...I have a question for you, as well. Do you think that Maria knew...in her last moments...that I lo-...Never mind, this isn't something I should be talking to a guest about."

>>1899
"She did Rosa-san. Maria knew you loved her, and she loved you too. Now if you don't mind could you head down to the parlor. I want to gather everyone for some questioning."

She starts to leave, then stopped. "I'm sorry. I was supposed to be paired up with Kanon-kun, but I didn't trust him. If he's truly dead...then this is another sin that is mine to carry." She leaves the room.

What will you do next?

>>1901
I'll head to the last locked door and knock and called out to the people inside.

Nobody answers the door. You don't hear anything inside. Everything is quiet.

>>1903
I'll use my master key and open the door.

You walk inside the room, and you see a terrifying sight on the floor! Both Krauss and his wife, Natushi, have blood dripping from their face and necks! Next to them, you see a large, sturdy vase covered in blood. This was...probably the murder weapon. You see a shelf nearby where someone could have grabbed it from.

Both of their faces are only have crushed, so you can clearly tell who the faces belong to. There's no mistaking that this is really Krauss and Natsuhi. In addition, they both appear to have slices of on their necks, with thick, dark blood running from them. The witch was probably torturing them for quite some time. It is a truly gruesome murder scene.

The room is a complete reck. Even though apparently nobody heard anything, it appears that furniture was knocked over, drawers were opened and searched, with clothes discarded everywhere. A make-up kit and various clothes lay discarded on the bed.

On Kruass's chest, with small drops of blood, there is an envelope. You can practically feel a sneer coming from it.

*half-crushed

>>1905
I'll search the room before picking up the envelope and then heading to the parlor.

You search the room, but you find nothing beyond what was mentioned. You pick up the envelope and you start to head out of the door when you meet Battler.

"Ahh, Amy-san. I was getting worried, so-- wait, Krauss-oji-san? Natush-ba-san? What the hell happened here?! You...you killed them?!"

>>1908
"Don't be stupid. Let's head to the parlor."

"R-right, we have to go get Dr. Nanjo to check them! Then we should all gather up and search for Kanon. There's a chance he could still be alive somewhere!"

>>1910
"Sorry, but that won't be happening."

I shut the door and lock it. I then destroy the knob with my hammer.

"We are gathering in the parlor. Come!"

Battler follows you, but tenses up. "Hey! What is it that you think you're doing? What right do you have to do that?"

>>1912
"What right did you have to play that trick on me in the chapel?"

"What the hell? I never played a trick! I was just as surprised as you were. Why would I play a trick on you after I just saw my family dead on the floor?!"

>>1914
"Deny it all you want. But I've pretty much nailed you as the culprit for that. As to why you would do it, that I don't know at the moment. And going back to my 'right.' I'm trying to catch a murderer, I can't afford to play around. Now let us go to the parlor, or do you want to continue this conversation."

Battler grits his teeth, but follows you until you reach the parlor door.

>>1916
Alright we both enter the parlor. What is going on?

The survivors all seem to be lounging in the parlor, except for one person: Shannon is missing. When you open the door, Eva stands up.

"You two. Where are Krauss-san and Natsuhi-san?"

>>1918
"I regretfully say this, but they are both dead. The murderer killed both of them."

"So," Gohda says. "The culprit wasn't content with just killing six people, but they had to kill two more?"

Eva notices the envelope in your hand. "Hey, what is that?"

(Hideyoshi shouldn't have a gun in that picture. My bad.)

>>1920
"I found it at the scene on the crime. I decided to wait until everyone was together to read it."

I open the letter and read it aloud.

Dear those that survive,

Have you been enjoying my ceremony? Soon, everything will come to an end. Spend your last hours as you please. Whether you are cooped up in a room or enjoying yourself around the mansion, my ceremony will complete.

Enclosed in this envelope are two keys. One is Kanon's. You should take it back, it belongs to you to begin with. The other is a key to Kinzo's study. In there are four winchester rifles. Do with them what you please.

It appears that the culprit is taunting you, daring you to make whatever moves you want.

"Wait," Battler says. "I have a master key, and so does Erika. And this letter gives us another one. Genji, how many master keys are there?"

"Five," He says. "I have one in my possesion." He pulls it out and shows it.

"I-I have one as well," Gohda says, and pulls out his own.

"...Wait, where is Shannon?"

"We told her to go get everyone some tea," Eva says. "We thought it might calm our nerves."

*you have one, not Erika. name confusion

>>1923
"Alright everyone please sit down and wait in this room. I shall check on Shannon-san. No one leave this room please. If you see anyone leave the room please write their name down and how long they were gone to the exact minute."

"Furudo-san, it's important that we all go together. If she's hurt, we need Dr. Nanjo. Besides, I know you're a guest, but you haven't been ruled out as a suspect, yet."

>>1926
"Alright, all of us going together is fine. Let's go the kitchen"

I'll head with everyone to the kitchen, all the while watching everyone to check for any suspicious activity.

You all walk to the kitchen. There is a strange symbol on the door. Battler tries the handle, but it is locked.

>>1928
I ask Battler to open the door for us.

Battler uses the key to open the door...

Shannon is laying on the floor of the kitchen. There appears to be a large wound at her chest area, as well as a cut running along her neck. Thick, dark blood is running down it!

There is an ice-pick like object laying next to her.

"Shannon-chan!" Battler runs up to her. "Nanjo, You have to do something!"

"I-I'll try." He shoos batter away and starts examining Shannon, starting with her neck wound.

Meanwhile, you spot a syringe on the floor.

>>1930
I'll examine the syringe. And then the rest of the kitchen.

The syringe is labelled "propofol". You look up at the ceiling. There are red words, written in some kind of red paint:

Kanon is dead.

You don't find anything of interest. Dr. Nanjo spends a few more minutes with his inspection, but he finally stands up and sighs.

"I'm sorry. In a hospital, I might have saved her. But there was nothing I could do..."

Erika smiles. "There is a bright side to all of this."

"A bright side?" Eva asks. "What could possibly be the bright side?"

"With this murder, I know who the culprit is."

>>1932
"Oh really. Let us hear your deduction then. I can't wait to see your expression when I destroy it."

"Hehe, certainly. The culprit..." She turned to the group. "Is YOU, Ushiromiya Battler!

Meta-World

In the trial room, Battler stood as the defendant. In the prosecutor's corner stood Erika, with Bernkastel at her side.

"Bernkastel!" Ange yelled from the sidelines. "What are you doing? This wasn't the deal!"

"The deal was that we find the killer of Rokkenjima. That's exactly what I intend to do."

"You lia-" Some goats put their hands over Ange's mouth and dragged her away.

"Well," Bernkastel looks at you. "You know the rules, and you know the evidence. Let me ask before Erika gives her theory. Which side will you stand on?"

>>1934
"Bernkastel! Let Ange go! She must be allowed to watch the trial. It wouldn't be any fun if I went along with Erika's theory. So of course I'll fight your Battler culprit theory. Don't worry Ange I won't let Battler be accused. I'm on your side!"

"Hmph. Very well, if the detective demands it."

The goats allow Ange to go back to the trial. She stands next to you. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"Ladies and Goats," Erika says. "I will now reveal the truth of this game board, and show that the culprit is none other than the one, the only, Ushiromiya Battler! I will even give evidence to back my theories."

Battler stood there like a corpse, unable to defend himself.

"First twilight! Last night, before going to the guest house, Rudolf told Battler he had something important to tell him. Battler went downstairs, saying he would wait for them. He even broke down the door so that they could enter. Then, whatever he told Battler, it caused him to get angry--angry enough to kill in the heat of the moment! He disarmed Rudolf and used his gun to kill them.Then he killed Kumasawa, who followed Kyrie and Rudolf to spy on them. After that, he discarded the gun and felt ashamed of what he did. But then, maybe the door was open or maybe one of the cousin's was going to the bathroom, but they heard what he was doing. They came downstairs, and Battler knew he had to kill them as well! So he beat them to death with a blunt object. After that, he glued the door, then brought the corpses to his room until morning. After all, he was the only one but us sleeping in that room! Only he could do it!

Chapel mystery! Battler threw the candy at you!

Second twilight! Battler had a master key. Futhermore, when you were talking to Eva about the tape seals, Battler was out of our sight! He took this oppurtunity to kill Natsuhi and Krauss

Kanon's kidnapping and the 4th twilight! Battler was also out of our sight when we were talking to Dr. Nanjo! He took this oppurtunity to kill Kanon and stick him somewhere.

5th twilight! Battler left the parlor saying he was worried about you. But in reality, he followed Shannon to the kitchen, where he killed her and locked the door! Then, he went to where you were and pretended you were his destination all along!

He did this all to cover up the fact that he killed his parents in a blind fit of rage!

This level of reasoning is possible for Furudo Erika. What do you think, everyone?"

The blacked out text is supposed to be blue. My bad.

Chains of red and blue wrap themselves around you, and begin squeezing.

>>1936
Anyone could have preformed the first twilight. Not just Battler. They could have cut a hole in the roof and dropped the bodies in our room. And used another hole to enter and exit the cousins room.

The culprit could have glued the candy to the ceiling. After X amount of the time the glue wore off and the candy fell on our heads.

While yes Battler was out of our sight when we were talking with Eva about tape seals. We were still in the hallway. Eva only cracked open the door and did not let us inside. So while Battler could have sneaked away during that time. He couldn't have committed the crime and left the room in such a mess during that tiny period of time.

Anyone could have kidnapped Kanon. Gohda or Genji for example.

Someone borrowed Genji's or Gohda's key and used it to lock the kitchen.

"Oh? Then why don't we go to the guest house right now and look for your 'holes' to confirm if they exist or not?"



"I'll save you the time. This doesn't count as cheating, since you could find out for yourself easily. The only entrance to the detective's are the single door and single window."

"Thank you my master. I'll give you the chapel mystery due to lack of evidence. However. I revise my theory so that Battler killed Krauss and Narsuhi while you were talking to Nanjo. if he did this quickly enough, he could have hid Kanon's body as well.

Who could have borrowed Gohda's key? After we went in the parlor and until you arrived, the only two that exited were Shannon and Battler.."

>>1941
The culprit could have removed the whole window in the cousin's room and the detective's room. And then when they put the window back on the tape became resealed or never broke at all.

Anyone could have borrowed kidnapped Kanon and then used his master key to kill Natsuhi and Krauss when Battler and I were still at the chapel.

One of the people I talked to later could have instead of going straight to the parlor gone to the kitchen where they killed Shannon.

"Urg. I'll give you the first twilight.

You found the envelope in Krauss and Natsuhi's room. hat envelope had Kanon's key in it. The door was locked before you went inside. Your theory about them using Kanon's key fails.

When Shannon-- " Before Erika could continue, Bernkastel stopped her. "But, my master--"

"Do not defy me. I will not allow you to speak that red truth."

"...Yes, my master."

>>1943
The key I found wasn't actually Kanon's key. It was a fake.

Because she wasn't game master, Erika couldn't deny that there were only five master keys, and she doubted that Bernkastel would do it for her. "I...I resign my theory."

"Congratulations, Furudo-san." Bernkastel said, but did not smile.

"Th-thank you," Ange said.

>>1945
"This is only the first battle. We have a lot more ahead of us Ange before we'll get to the truth and Bernkastel and Erika won't make it easy on us. They will surely try to make Battler the fall guy again, this isn't over yet."

"Yeah, I know. I won't let them hurt Onii-chan."

"Shall we resume the time on the board now Bernkastel."

Oh I have a question reguarding the 'Kanon is dead.' Am I supposed to take that as red truth?[i]

"Yes," Bernkastel says. "Kanon is dead. Finding his corpse might be difficult, so I'll give you that one. Any other questions?"

>>1951
The status of the seals both I and Eva placed would be nice.

"Obviously, the seal you put on Shannon's door is broken. She left in the morning before you could investigate, after all. Eva's seals, however, are still in place.

Third Thread
https://archive.seacats.net/gameboard/res/1955.html

>>1953
What about the seals in the guesthouse?