Chesterton closes his eyes and someone who doesn't know him properly could believe he is troubled.

But a shadow of a smile starts to sprout from his lips.

"It's Golden Showtime... Toshiro Gohda!"
_______________________________________________

Gohda sits in a comfortable chair. Some people might say he was anxious, restless, apprehensive.

But his mind was impassive, like a Zen monk. At that minute, there was no difference in mind between Gohda, a Tenzo (lit. Heavenly Monk, the cook of a Zen monastery) and Magical Gohda Chef.

First, he defended himself from the accusations.

"Your accusation, Rosa-sama, it is understandable due to your mother's concern. But it makes no sense. Maria could be have gone even before I arrived."

"But no worries. We will find her. Please, Yoshiya-san. You and Jessica-ojou-sama did certainly saw her entering at bathroom's door. Could you both confirm that?"

"And when I arrived, you both are too busy playing cards to notice any supsect movement. Someone could be at Guest House before you coming and kidnapped Maria under your watch. Or even, Maria could ran away to the forest from her own will."

"I don't know why Krauss-sama and Rosa-sama could consider kidnapping from Jessica-ojou-sama or even me. It makes no sense. It's more probably Maria ran out from her own and this 'Beatrice', realizing what happened, wrote this letter to confuse. I want make a test. Could you hand this letter to me for a while?"

Gohda was right: He wasn't responsable for Maria's kidnapping. Only Rosa doesn't see it. She could be a bad mother, but she has that famous mother instinct.

"I'm sorry, Gohda-san, but I didn't saw Maria-sama get int the bathroom. I only saw her went up to second floor." Kanon says.

"I didn't saw Maria, I was too tired from run and run through the forest that when I arrived to the Guest House, I started to drink water." Jessica says, obviously don't saying in purple that she was drink alcohol.

"I'm sorry, Gohda-san, but we can't hand over this letter." Eva says, covering her mouth with a fan. "However, we can go to the kitchen and compare both hand writting's letter and recipe book. Do you agree, Gohda-san?"

Eva knew that Gohda wasn't the one that kidnapped Maria. If he was a little smart, he'll notice that her way of saying those words was a sign of "I'll hand over this letter only for a few minutes".

"So we can deduce Maria was never going to the bathroom at start. Well, come with me. I want to go at the kitchen as well."

Upon arriving in the kitchen, delivers a number of recipes that was left hanging in the corners, written by him. Then he grabs a handkerchief and wets with a drop of water.

"If the letter was written recently, the ink will smear, because it's not fresh ink. If the letter was written for hours or days ago, the paper will soak the ink without smearing. This goes to show when it was written and thus determine the intentions of its writer. Eva-sama, please make the experience. If you prefer, use a handkerchief of yours or use mine."

Eva, Rudolf, Kyrie and Krauss (this 4 people went with Gohda to the kitchen) were surprized by his knowledge.

"I never saw this sied of yours, Gohda." Krauss said. "Where did you learn this?"

Meanwhile, Eva was comparing both letter and recipe book.

"Negative. Gohda didn't write it. Now, let's do the ink test."

Some minutes of attention were needed, but Eva finally reached the final result: The paper soaked the ink without smearing.

"This means that...." Eva paused a little bit. She couldn't believe. "..... The culprit was planning this days ago!"

*KABRUUUMMM!!*

A thunder announced the big storm.

"Beatrice trapped us in this island for all the weekend..." Kyrie looked at the window and rain started to fall down like big knifes. ".... She is very.... Very smart."

"Ah, Krauss-sama, the history is simplistic. I learned this one time when I smudge my finger in a recipe. The ink was so fresh and my finger was so wet, which was difficult to clean later."

When Eva says the result and Kyrie proclaims Beatrice's smartness, he sighs.

"Or maybe she had just luck. I doubt she planned the storm. The nature cannot be controlled. Even if she knew that the storm was going to happen, the family reunion has been on the same day for years."

"Listen, does anyone know who was with Maria-ojou-sama before she separated from Rosa-sama? The culprit probably talked to her and arranged a meeting point, so she could outwit them all. Maria-ojou-sama probably does not know what kind of people she was dealing with..."

"Rosa said that Maria was going to the beach with George, Battler, Jessica, Sayo and Yoshiya. But Yoshiya was the last person that REALLY saw her, when he escorted her to the bathroom."

"Could you bring them to me? I want to ask them a few questions. Maybe I can reconstruct the scene joining these fragments of chaos."

"I don't see why we need to interrogate George and Battler. We know that Jessica went with them to the beach because she fought with Natsuhi." Eva said in a convincing voice tone like takno saying something with that sexy voice.
"It's better we only interrogate Yoshiya and Sayo."

>>5327
>We know that Jessica didn't go with them to the beach***

He takes his handkerchief back to clean his nosebleed.

"I believe Battler-sama, Jessica-ojou-sama and George-sama may have seen something valuable in this case. We need to gather all information, even if seems useless."

"Gohda-san is right, Eva-nee." Krauss said. "Even if our sons doesn't know anything, we can figure out what happened to Maria-chan."

".... Right. If you think so..."

"I'll go get them here, Gohda-san." Kyrie said, leaving the kitchen.

In the Main Hall, Hideyoshi and Rudolf were trying to calm down Rosa, while the cousins were chatting about nothing important, trying to avoid that tense atmosphere.

"Kyrie-san!" Battler said, going in her direction.

"Is that Gohda-san the responsable for my daughter's kidnapping?"

"No, Rosa-san. Recipe Book and Letter hand writting are different. However, we discovered that this letter was wrote days ago. This means that 'Beatrice' was planning this during a long time."

"And what about Maria?"

"Don't worry, Rosa-san: I am here to speak with Battler-kun, George-kun, Jessica-chan, Yoshiya and Sayo."

"What do you need from us, Kyrie-sama?" Sayo said.

"Are you suspecting--"

"No, Battler-kun. I'm not. You just need to follow me to the kitchen and anwser some questions."

"If that's the case, I'll go too!" Rosa said. "It's my daughter we're talking about!"

".... If you want, I won't take the right of a mother. Kumasawa, Genji, please, go talk about this to Nanjo-sensei and ask about Natsuhi. Rudolf, Hideyoshi, stay here in case Maria-chan appears."

Kumasawa and Genji said "yes" and left. Hideyoshi and Rudolf said "yes" and stayed. Some moments later, Rosa, Kyrie, George, Battler, Jessica, Sayo and Yoshiya were inside the kitchen.

Gohda gives chairs to everyone except himself. So, he started to ask

"So, let's start... Listen to me, you are my all beloved assistants. I need you to cooperate and say everything you know."

"Who was responsible for Maria on the beach?"

Rosa didn't sit down. She was in Gohda's side, listening carefully everything. She wanted her daughter back, now.

"Since she was the only kid, we are all responsable for her." George got up, looking into Gohda's eyes.

"I see."

A dramatic pause started. It was short, but intense. Gohda's apparence was more respectful as ever. The little and gentle cook disappeared. He still look a good man, but he looks seriously, like when he cooks.

"I want to know the whole story. Let me see. Yoshiya-kun. You noticed Jessica's absence, So you look for her at forest. Correct?"

"No, I didn't go search for her. I thought that Milady was going to arrive late at beach."

"As I said: I didn't go at beach."

"Wait, Jessica..." Battler was surprized. "Where were you, then?"

"I fought with mother and I was so sad and angry that I ran away with no direction throught the forest."

"Why did you fought with Natsuhi-sama, Milady?" Sayo asked. "Is she ok?"

"Sorry, Sayo, but I don't wanna talk about it."

"Nanjo-sensei said that Natsuhi needs do sleep, Sayo." Rosa answered. "Now, what were you doing at the beach?"

"We were playing, eating some snacks... Maria also talked about Beatrice and gave to us those scorpion's charms bracelet." Battler take off one of those from his pocket. "She gave one to Sayo-chan too."

"I remmeber those. Maria had 3 scorpion charms with her. Where is the 3o?" Rosa said.

"Maybe the 3o one is with her." Battler answered.

"And what about you, George?" Eva asked. "Did you notice anything different?"

"No, mother."

"Are you suuure? None of your cousins will get angry with you. Neither Sayo or Yoshiya, right?"

""Right, Eva-sama"". Sayo and Yoshiya said at same time.

"Well..... Maria wanted to go to the bathroom. I volunteered to escort her at Guest House, but Yoshiya did it for me."

"This is nothing like 'different', dear. This is his job, right, Yoshiya? *giggle*"

"Right, Eva-sama. George-sama didn't want that I lost all the fun time and insisted again, but escort Maria-sama to Guest House was part of my job."

"See, dear? Yoshiya-kun was just doing his job."

"How much time you spend at forest, Jessica-ojou-sama? Did you saw someone? Did you find any strange places?"

"I don't remmeber how many minutes/hours I stayed in the forest, but I..." Jessica lowered her head. ".... I..."

"Yes, Jessica-chan?" Rosa said, hopefull. "You saw something?"

Jessica could not lie to Rosa. Maria is different from Jessica.

If Jessica got kidnapped, probably Natsuhi would not give any interest. Yes... Natsuhi only care about Lion... However, Rosa is different... Even if she mistreats Maria, she loves Maria... Yes... Rosa is a good mother. Jessica needed to tell the truth!

"I found a strange place."

"Tell us more, Jessica-chan." Rosa said more and more hopefull.

"After I fought with mom, I ran away from Main House and get into the forest.

I ran, ran, ran... Ran without aim... Without direction. I was getting tired and the forest got more and more dark...."

"God... No... Jessica-chan....?" Rosa thought. It was the same scenario.

"And then I saw it...... A fence. A big fence with many plants. I remmembered that grandfather told tales about Beatrice's house: Kuwadorian.

I turned to left and walked, walked... Until I find a gap. I got in and I saw a beatiful garden with many health and shiny plants. It was definitly Beatrice's house!"

"She found it too! She found Beatrice's House!"

"I didn't saw anything in garden, but I found a door and got in. The house was very clean, like someone did that in this morning. I saw a corridor, another two doors and I staircase. I opted to follow the corridor. That was when...

'Who are you?', a girl said, getting out from one of those two doors.

I looked at her. I got chocked. That girl in maid clothes was...

'Ru.... Runon!?'

'I am very sorry, but I am not Runon. I am Lucifer, Beatrice's servant'

'Wha... What? Where are the others 6 servants?'

'They will soon arrive, do not worry. You are still confused, are you not? How cute. Well... I presume you solve Beatrice's Epitaph, am I right?'

'Yes.' I lied. 'I solve it.'

'Great. Please, follow me.'

She lead me beyond those staircases. On second floor, I saw some doors... I don't remember exactly... 4 or 5 doors. Well, 'Runon' opened one of the doors and then I saw..."

"No... It's impossible! It's impossible! I... I..." Rosa started to get nervous. Her hands was shaking.

"Beatrice. Sleeping peacefully in a big bed. She was dressed like she was dressed in the portrait.

'I will leave for a moment. There is a telephone. If you need some help, call me, please.' She closed the door.

So, there he was. Beatrice, The Golden Witch, Witch of Legend. Sleeping like a princess. I saw a wood desk in her room and started to 'investigate'... I found some drafts... Those were similar like this letter about Maria's kidnaping.

However... Something was very strange: She didn't wake. She didn't even move a single time in the bed!

Then I did the only thing that passed trought my head: I shaked her. Shaked Beatrice and tryied to wake her.

'No... Beatrice...'

'This means that you didn't solve Beatrice's Epitaph' Runon showed up with a western-movie like pistol.

'.... !!' I didn't have my brass knuckles with me. I was totally vunerable.

'Good-bye, girl.' Lucifer laugh and... '..... Wait... Oh, god! I forget to load it!'

'This means that...'

"Uh-oh... Please... Do not... Aaaahhh!!' She ran away. I did the same: If 'Runon' reaches the pistol's bullet, that could be my end."

"And then...?" Rosa asked.

"I ran away from Kuwadorian as fast as I could and arrived at Guest House."

"No... You found it?" Eva asked too. She understood what Rosa wanted to know.

"Found what?"

"Beatrice's gold." Eva said. "Runon asked if you found Witch's gold. This means that the gold is in Kuwadorian!"

"No, Eva-oba-san, I didn't find the gold there."

"Then maybe Kuwadorian has a secret passage that leads to the gold." Krauss said. "But I still don't understand how Runon arrived here. Well... Maybe she used the dock that Captain Kawabata uses to lands our supplies."

"There is ANOTHER dock!?" Battler said, again, chocked.

"So, we found our 'Beatrice' and possibly her kiddnapper. If she's right, maybe we found Kinzo-sama's gold too."

Gohda gives everyone a pleasant smile. But if the Fukuin Servants are envolved, he need to do something to persuade Berune to not help them.

"It's not safe here, since we have more people in this island. Let's gather all Ushiromiyas and Servants. Let's bring Winchesters too."

"I think we need to start a Witch-Hunt."
________________________________________________

Chesterton smiles too. His plans are a little different from his own piece, but now he gets a way to surpass the Darkness of this Mystery and found the Light.

"Now I know what to do. And I think I know what you will do too."

Then, he smiles upon him.

"I think this Gameboard is becoming a fascinanting story, Mister Eriko."
________________________________________________

"Jessica-ojou-sama, we need you to guide us", Gohda says, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry, I promise I will protect you with my life".

"Rosa-sama, I swear I will find Maria-ojou-sama. But I'll need everyone's strength. We need everyone to search, find and serve this 'witch' as our Heroes' Feast."

"I'm happy that you are enjoying my Gameboard, Chess-kun. You do have some sort of hability to discover things very fast. Maybe this game will over with a happy end to all Ushiromiya Family." Eriko smiles.
____________________________________________

"I would love to help, Gohda-san, but I don't remember where Kuwadorian is, exactly. Since I didn't have a aim when I ran into the forest, I can't tell the location." Jessica said.

"Futhermore, I can't let Nanjo-sensei and my wife all by themselve!" Krauss added.

"And hunt Beatrice with this bad wheather isn't the most perfect idea, Gohda-san." Kyrie said. "If we wait until tomorrow--"

"No, we can't wait." Rosa-san interupted Kyrie. She needed to tell her secret. "Jessica-chan, you can't exactly where is Witch's Tavern, but I can help you."

"How, Rosa-oba-san?"

"......" She started to talk. Talk about her secret. Talk with her heart, about what happened many many years ago.

She was talking about the happiest day e the most fateful day in her life. The day he met with The Witch In Gold, Beatrice.

The time seems to stop or walk very slowly that hour. Everyone was listening.

"... And that's all." Rosa finished to talk. Her face was soaked with tears. "See, Jessica-chan... We can work together to find Kuwadorian. Sure, we have to start in Chapel and then we try to find the same path we both walked to find that house."

"...." Silence, but then... A smile. "Yes, Rosa-oba-san. I'll help."

Rosa hugged Jessica.

"Thanks, Jessica-chan."

"I'll notify everyone about everything and we can meet in Parlor." Krauss said, leaving the kitchen.

"I'll go to Lion's room and get those Winchesters." Eva said, leaving the kitchen too.

It's now 20:45. Maybe dinner can wait. ..... Or not.
What the great Witch-hunt Toshiro Gohda will do now?

"Krauss-sama", Gohda say to Krauss before he goes, "If someone stay here in Main House or Guest House, they'll be in danger. If our enemies coming here at Mansion by a secret passage or even by the forest, Nanjo-sensei and Madam-sama will DIE."

Gohda takes the dishes who he was prepared for dinner. That'll be only a snack, because they're had no time.

"People, we have a only a few minutes. I prepared 108 dishes, so we can eat some right now to gather strength. Enjoy the snack. Remember the love that these dishes were made. It is this love that will nourish us to face any obstacle that 'Beatrice' to impose. To Battle For Those We Love and To Cook, we need the same thing. Love."

After he said that, Gohda turns himself to Jessica.

"Jessica-ojou-sama. Take some snacks. I want to talk to you alone. Could you come in my room for a few instants?"

They all listen his words. Even Hideyoshi, Rudolf and Lion, that arrived with Krauss in that instant, heard them. They were simply beatiful.

"I'll help you all to bring those snacks to Parlor." Lion said and, with Battler, they started to get the dishes.

"... Alright, Gohda-san." Jessica said. "Let's go."

Meanwhile, at Natsuhi's room, Eva was notifying Nanjo, Genji and Kumasawa about everything.

"If that's the case...." Nanjo started to think. "I'll try to wake up Natsuhi. But it's dangerous to Natsuhi go out with this rain."

"We need to do the best, Nanjo-sensei." Eva said with a serious gaze.

"I don't know..." Kumasawa said, worried. "And if Beatrice try to chase us? I'm not anymore that 25 year old girl."

"If that's the case, you, Nanjo-sensei and Natsuhi have to hide in some place." Eva said.

"We can hide in Chapel's basement or one of those waiting rooms." Genji suggested.

".... Hum....." Natsuhi was awakening little by little. "What's happening? Why I'm feeling dizzy?"

"Natsuhi..." Nanjo said, trying to find the best words to explain the situation for her. "Well..."

Gohda's totally unaware about Nanjo, Natsuhi and people.

He opened to door Jessica enter. Before he enters, he used his Joker cards to summon Henrica.

"White Cat Joker", he asks ment for Henrica help him. The door was opened, so the real Henrica could appear. "I want Jessica to trust me with all her heart. I will protect her with all my strength, even if she was the culprit."

"And with my Black Cat Joker, I will give to her a blessing, for her iron knuckles. Her knuckles have the same blessing of a scorpion charm, so who is using it cannot be killed by a witch/culprit. That's the proof I give to you of my sincere intentions."

He waits Henrica to enter. If she does, he closes the door and starts to talk her.

Both cards started to shine. White cat shone in a white light and Black Cat shone in a dark light. Then both became white and black little butterflies, disappearing.

After this, Henrice, Jessica's white cat, appeared.

"Meow."

"Oh, Henrica! What do you want?" Jessica smiles, letting Henrica get in.

Gohda closes the door, letting both alone.

"Wait, Gohda-san. What you--"

A pure and white light lit all room.

"Hen... Rica... Why did you...?" Jessica knew that Henrica was once a great witch and now was his "furniture". But it was VERY rare to Henrica being in her Witch form.

"I am here to talk about <Chef> Gohda-sama, Jessica."

"Why? Is he... The culprit? Is he fooling all of us?!"

"No, Jessica. On the contrary: <Chef> Gohda-sama is completly innocent."

"Then why...? Why did you become a Witch?"

"To say to you: Trust him. Trust him with all your heart, Jessica. <Chef> Gohda-sama can defeat Beatrice and Runon, but he is going to need the help of everyone."

"I understand. Thank you, Henrica."

"And one more advice: Your brass knuckles are very powerful against Beatrice. Stay with it all time."

"And what about you, Henrica?"

"My mission is to protect you, Jessica."

"But if you..."

"If your life will be in a dangerous that those brass knuckles cannot protect you, I'll need to sacrifice my life."

"... Then... I'll use my brass knuckles all time!" Jessica hugs Henrica and her white cat becomes, again, a normal white cat.

Jessica opens the door.

"Let's do it, Gohda-san!"

"I'm relieved, Jessica-ojou-sama. You said the truth."

Gohda smiles, really relieved.

"Just one thing. Try to forgive your mother... She doesn't know how to be a mother. Say 'Grandfather told me I could do it' and she will follow."

"I already tested, it works", he laughs, sincerely.

"Well, we need to meet everyone. Are you ready to cook some bad witches?"

"Yeah, I am!"

Minutes later, Jessica, Gohda and Henrica (as a white cat, obviously) were in Parlor.

Eva, Nanjo, Genji, Kumasawa and Natsuhi were there too, eating.

Everyone was eating. They ate slowly, the last meal. The final hour was close.

The grand duel against Beatrice was getting close.

"Now, now, everyone finish to eat?" Rudolf said. All of them wave their head. "Great. Before we left to Kuwadorian, let's do our needs."

"Dad!"

"What? Am I telling a lie?"

"... Nope."

Everyone left the Parlor, only Gohda, Genji and Nanjo were there.

"Gohda, I think it's the appropriate hour to talk about what you wanted to know." Genji said. He went to Parlor's door, closed and locked it.

"Me too, Gohda-san." Nanjo said.

Meanwhile, at Kumasawa's room, Kumasawa was looking trought the window.

"The time arrived...... Right, my child?" She said it sadly.

"Ojou-sama..." In a wave of butterflies, Beatrice appeared. Her voice tone is sad too.

"Am I gonna be killed slowly or fast?"

"No! No! I'll never kill you, Ojou-sama! You are a mother to me!"

"Don't say that... Your mother--"

"My mother is dead. At time I was born, she died. It doesn't matter how many people say that she was a great, gentle and sweet person, she'll never be my mother. You are. That is the truth."

"I don't deserve to live, my child. I sinned." Kumasawa put both hands on her belly, gently. She close her eyes, remmebering about her sin. "I've done many things in my life, but this one is the onyl one I regret."

"Ojou-sama..." Beatrice hold her tears. "I'm sorry, Ojou-sama.... I can't... I can't kill you! I cannot do this! It's impossibel for me! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"I know you can't do this, my child. Thank you for at least be sincere with me." She smiles and Beatrice could see her smile in window.

Beatrice disappears. Kumasawa turns around and goes to her wardrobe and open it. She stares at the object inside of it and remmembers more and more...

"I need to tell our secret. I need it!"

In Sayo's room, Sayo and George were talking about something.

"Why do you still have this photo?" George points to the one that Sayo was holding. It was a photo from 6 years ago. She and Battler were having fun at beach. "You said to me! You said you forgot about Battler!"

"I did, George. I love you, George, and this is what only matters to me. But I can't simply destroy this photo or, with we break up, all our photos. It's part of my past. I can't erase it. It's impossible."

"Why is so impossible?"

"Because if Battler didn't broke his promise, I would never be with you, George... This photo remmebers me how happy I am with you, not with Battler, not with a heart-brekaer, a lier. This photo remmembers me about my aim: Be your wifeand have a lot of kids!"

"Sayo..."

"George..."

Both kissed each other in a deep and pasionate kiss.

In Jessica's room, Jessica, Yoshiya and Henrica (in Witch's form) were talking about something.

"Yoshiya, I need to tell you something about Gohda-san."

"What? Is he--"

"No, Yoshiya." Henrica said. "Gohda isn't the culprit."

"On the contrary: He is innocent and Henrica convinced me to trust him."

"In other words: Gohda-san is a reliable person?"

"Yes. He didn't kidnapped Maria-chan."

"And what we are going to do, Jessica?"

"We're gonna fight! Fight for our aim!"

Jessica and Yoshiya hugged each other and then a kiss.

In Lion's room, Lion and Battler were trying, again, solve Beatrice's Epitaph.

"Damn..." Battler said. "This is hard..."

"I know, Battler. But we need to solve it! It's too much dangerous go into the forest at night and in this horrible rain."

"And what are we do now? Stay here? It's useless! Gohda-san will insist for us go with him and the others!"

"..... Yes..."

"Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Natsuhi-oba-san isn't fine yet, so, she needs to stay with Nanjo. Probably Nanjo will stay place..."

"Like Chapel?"

"Exactly! We can stay with them AAANND try to solve the epitaph at same time!"

"Very thought, Battler!" Lion smiles.

Back to the Parlor, Nanjo and Genji are waiting an answer from Gohda. What will Gohda do?

"How much trouble we get now..."

Gohda mumbles to himself.

"Before, my question about the Epitaph was for save Lion-sama from his anguish. But now, a child's life is in game. If you know Beatrice's True Identity, please tell me now! If you know where is that Secret House in the island, please tell me now! The poor Maria-ojou-sama may die when we talk..."

Gohda becomes pale, sweats a little, but in a breathe, he regains his composure.

"I'm.... I'm sorry, Gohda-san, but we don't know Beatrice's identity and we don't know Kuwadoria's location... Even if we are Kinzo's oldest friends, he didn't tell us about this house." Nanjo said, surprized.
_________________________________________________
"I'll confirm this: Nanjo is telling the truth. This destroy your theory about Genji&Nanjo." Eriko laughslike a devil.
_________________________________________________

"Do you need to know anything else, Gohda-san?" Genji said. He was surprized too, but didn't demonstrate. "If we don't talk to you now, maybe we can never talk about this again. Our time is short."

"No need to laugh, I still have many options at my disposal", Chesterton replied with a devilish smile.

A weird smile for an ex-inquisitor, huh?
_______________________________________________

"That relieves me.", Gohda shares the Chesterton's smile, but that smile of him is kindly and gently.

"Tell me then what you know about the Epitaph."

"We know nothing." Genji said. "We don't know it solution and we don't know where the golden is hidden."

"However..."

"Kinzo gave to both of us 2 letter. One for me and one for Nanjo. We received it when the notary was reading Kinzo's will."

"Inside of my letter was a key with a pin number and a bank credit card. Some days later, I went to the bank and I was taken to a safe place, with many many safes. The bank manager took my key and opened a box and give a wallet that was inside of it. He let me alone with that wallet in another room.

And when I opened it.... There it was.... Beatrice's gold! And don't know how many bars... I closed that wallet as soon as I opened it and get out of that bank."

"When Nanjo-sensei told me about it, I said the same thing. The same happened to me. Probably Kumasawa-san received a letter too. She was the last person that saw Kinzo alive, some hours before he passed away."

"In fact, he asked to me and Genji to call Kumasawa. He did wanted to talk with her." Nanjo concluded. "This is what we know, Gohda-san."

*knock**knock**knock*

"Gohda-san, Genji-san, Nanjo-sensei!" it was Rosa. "We're all ready to go!"

"Oh! We need to tell you something." Nanjo said very fast. "Natsuhi isn't ok yet. Also, me, Genji and Kumasawa are too old to walk into the forest for many hours.
So, we discussed it: We [Nanjo, Kumasawa, Genji and Natsuhi] are going to hide into Chapel."

"I got all Chapel's key, so it's impossible for the Culprit get inside." Genji said, while he unlocked and opened Parlor's door.

"Fine, let's reunite."

Gohda was anxious. His next move after thar is count how many and who was with him.

And then, he would ask to them came with him to the kitchen. He needed to get two Iron Chef's Knives. He wasn't good with firearms, so we needed tools who could be used as weapons.

You're in Main Hall, now. You look at all people, count them mentally.

Krauss, Natsuhi, Lion and Jessica.
Eva, Hideyoshi and George.
Rudolf, Kyrie and Battler.
Rosa FOREVER ALONE.
Genji, Nanjo, Kumasawa, Sayo, Yoshiya and Yourself.
Total: 17 people.

Krauss, Eva, Rudolf and Rosa are carrying the winchesters.
Sayo, Yoshiya, Battler and George are carrying some lampions.

"Gohda-san~" Eva approaches you. "Here, take this."

She gives to you two Iron Chef Knives. "You probably don't have any hability with fireguns, so I thought you would prefer use your own instruments."

You thanks her and smiles. You all are now ready to fight against the Witch and her furnitures!

Some minutes later, you are in Chapel.

"Thank you all." Natsuhi says. "Please, dear, don't do anything dangerous!"

"I won't, Natsuhi..." Krauss pauses for a while. "... Because I'll star right here with you! I'll protect you and the others!"

"Me too!" Lion says. "Me and Battler will stay with you!"

"Jessica..." Natsuhi looks at her. "Will you stay too?"

"....... Let's go, Yoshiya-kun." Jessica show her back to her mother and goes behind the Chapel, waiting for everyone. Yoshiya goes with her too.

"... Here..." Rudolf gives his gun to Lion. "Only Krauss-onii-san's gun isn't enough. Go and protect your mother, Ushiromiya Head Lion."

"Thank, Rudolf-oji-san." Lion says with proud.

Krauss, Natsuhi and Lion.
Battler.
Genji, Nanjo and Kumasawa.
Total: 7 people.

Those 7 people get in the Chapel and Genji lockes the door.
____________________________________________________________

"Genji locked chapel's door." Eriko says, confirming Genji's action.
____________________________________________________________

17 (total) - 67 (people in chapel) = 10 people that will try to find Kuwadorian.

11 people (including yourself) goes behind the Chapel, where Jessica and Yoshiya are waiting.

"Let's go, Jessica-chan." Rosa says.

Rosa and Jessica are leading the group trought the forest. Yoshiya is with both, illuminating the path.
Eva is in the back of the group with George.
Sayo is in the right side of the group.
Battler is in the left side of the group.
Hideyoshi, Rudolf and Kyrie are in the middle.

Where Gohda is?

Of course, Gohda is leading, with Jessica, Rosa e Yoshiya, LIKE A BOSS, without Strikeouts. He is alert for any suspicious movement.

Still, his thoughts leading up Berune. If Runon is involved, perhaps all Fukoin Servants are too. He doesn't want to fight her. His heart is aching.

He didn't want to open himself to others, but Berune was his sweetheart. His most beloved assistant, his most prized... love?

He tried to avoid the feelings. She was very young. But there was certainly touched his heart. It was not as common assistant or as Jessica, Yoshiya, Lion, Battler, Sayo, George, who were really special and beloved.

What he felt for her was that feeling that sometimes hurt so much as to cause insomnia.

Because of his amnesia, he didn't remembered what he felt when he knew about Fukuin's vacation. But he remembered what he felt after his amnesia. He wanted to see her, to say "Good Vacation. Don't forget about me."

Or even "I want to you be my bride". Taking a deep breathe, he remembered when he was, and he had a dish to do.

More than ever, he wanted to serve Beatrice as a Main Dish for his Feast to Ushiromiya's Family.

When you left the chapel was 22:30.

The group walks, walks, walks... However, good news: Rosa and Jessica noticed that forest was getting darker. Maybe it's a good sign...

"Witch's darkness..." Sayo says.

"What?" George asks.

"Beatrice-sama commands Rokkenjima during night. During nighttime, her power grows and grows... Like darkness. Like a black holw that eats everything."

"That means that we are in her domains." Rosa says, withou fear. "The forest."

"Excatly, Rosa-sama. We need to be very care--"

*blim blom**blim blom**blim blom*

Bells... Bells from the Chapel. They are announcing midnight.

However... Other bells... Yes... They are hearing other bells... Maybe...

"Kuwadorian..." Rosa says. "Kuwadorian might have a bell or something! This means we're between Chapel and Kuwadorian!"

Suddenly, the 3 lampions goes off.

"What? That's impossible!" George says. "We filled those lampions with gas before we left!"

"Prepa--" Gohda would say something, but he fells something hit on his head and DIES THE DEATH faints on the wet ground.

"Goh--" Rosa would say something too, but she feells something hit on her head and faints too.

Suddenly, golden butterflies appears in the air, flying like angels.

"Since we can't kill the detective, we have to make him unaware from this slaughter!" a girl in maid clothes appears between those golden butterflies, surronded by big and muscular Goats.

"Ma... Manon!?" Rudolf says. "So... It's true!"

"Manon? Hnhihi. I am not Manon: I am Mammom! And I will preside The 1o Twillight Ceremony in honor of Beatrice-sama! Ahahahahahahaa!!"

"Let's separate ourselves to--" Rudolf tryied to say something, but a golden string pierced his face and exploded, destroying his face.

"Dear! Run, guys, r--" Kyrie had the same destiny and felt on the ground, near to Rudolf.

"Kids, run! Run to the Chapel! Fast!" after Eva said that, she and Hideyoshi ran to one side.

George and Sayo ran to another.
Jessica and Yoshiya ran to other.

In Eva&Hideyoshi's path, both are running with all strengh they have.

"Dear, here, take the winchester!" Eva throws the gun to Hideyoshi, but before he could get, a golden string passed trought the gun, breaking it into two pieces.

Like a snake, that golden string was choosing its victim. This victim needs do be easy to kill, and delicious... Very tasty and delicious.

Hideyoshi was that victim.

"Dear, watch out!" Eva puts hersefl in front of her husband and hugs him for the last time.

"EVAAAAAAAA!!!" Hideyoshi sees his beloved wife get murder by a golden string in the back of her head. But he doesn't have time to cry, because he is knocked out by something in the back of his head.

Meanwhile, Jessica and Yoshiya killing some Goats in their way.

"Mae... Seiya! Suigetsu!" each word Yoshiya says, more and more powerfull his red blade becomes, shooting red waves of power.

"Enchanto!" Jessica says one more time her magical word and her knuckles brass became hammer of hell. "EXPLOSION!"

A wave of fire hits the ground, putting fire in all goats in front of Jessica.

But it doesn't matter how many times they do this, more and more Goats arrives.

"Ahahaha! So fool!" a girl in maid clothes laughs. "Give up, brats!"

"Shut up, Renon!" Jessica says, showing her middle finger. "I'll kill you so hard that you wished never been killed!"

"For the last time: I am Leviathan! Leviathan! Grrrr! I had enough of you both!" Leviathan up her hands e shout to the black sky. "Grand Witch of Legend, Beatrice, grant me more Goats!"

And more and more goats arrives.

"Grr... That bitch."

"We need reinforcement, Jessica..."

"Yes. We need...." And then... "HENRICA!"

A pure white light shows up. "Did you call me, Jessica?"

"Yes! Help us!"

"I can do better than this, Jessica." the white witch summons her pure silver scythe. "It's the death hour of ours, Goat Army."

Henrica throws her scythe in the air, like a alive killing helix.

"No... No..." Leviathan sees her Goat Army being shattered like plushies. Blood and more blood paints the scenario. "You.... You... Grrrrraaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!

PRIVATE IMPERIAL ARMY, SIESTA SHIMAI! HEAR MY APPEAL! SHOW UP HERE NOW, IN ORDER TO REVIVE THE GRAND WITCH OF LEGEND, BEATRICE!"

"Siesta 20, here!"

"Siesta 127, here!"

"Great, kill both! Now!"

"I'm sorry, Leviathan-sama, but we can't kill Ushiromiya Jessica." Siesta 20 says.

"Why? Why?"

"Because she is surrounded by a powerfull Black Truth."

"And what the hell this Black Truth is?"

""Her knuckles have the same blessing of a scorpion charm, so who is using it cannot be killed by a witch/culprit.""

"......... Ugh.... Ah..... AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! Then... Then..."

"Then made her disappear. Now." Mammom arrives. "You didn't know about this Black Truth, did you?"

"Well... Hum..."

"Oh, god. That's what you get for don't show up in the reunion! ....... And look! They are running away! You are such a retardad!

Siesta 20, go and bring Jessica back!"

"What about Yoshiya, Mammom-sama?" Siesta 127 says.

"You can take care of him, if you want."

Siesta 20 start fire many golden strings. She has a famous fire rate of 6000 rounds per minute.

"Receiving new data........................." Siesta 127 says. "The other 3 people were chose for 1o Twillight."

"I don't care. Beatrice-sam order to us to catch 9 people."

"... As you wish, Mammom-sama."

Siesta 127 shots. She is specialized in distance shots. Her golden string can reach over 2km.

*PLIM! PLIM! PLIM!*

"Henrica, keep strong! We need you!"

"I don't how much time my barrier can take, Jessica. It seems that the current Game Master weakened my barrier."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing important. Go, Jessica, Yoshiya. Siesta 127's shot is arriving and I might--"

Henrica couldn't complete her setence, because 127's shot destroyed Henrica's barrier.

"Receiving data............. Barrier destroyed. Preparing for shooting again."

"Go, Jessica, go!"

"Henrica, I can--" suddenly, a golden string surronded Jessica's waist. "Henrica... Yoshiya..."

"JESSICA, NO!" Yoshiya tryied to reach her, but the golden string pulls her back.

"YOSHIYAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" Jessica shout, while flying in the dark skies.

"Those bastards! I will--" Yoshiya couldn't say nothing more. He felt something hitting him on the head and fainted.
________________________________________________
Eriko snaps his fingers, stopping the time. "Let's go back a little in the time, when everyone was running away from Mammom and those Goats. George&Sayo's battle was happening parallel to Jessica&Yoshiya's battle."

The time went back and Chesterson could see what happened to George and Sayo...
_______________________________________________

>>5382
George and Sayo was running in Witche's Darkness...

"Faster, George! Faster!"

"Here, Sayo, take my hand!" she did what he said. "Now, we will never be tore apart!"

"Ahahahaha! That is what you think, brat" a girl in maid clothes appeared.

"Sa.... Sanon?" Sayo said.

"It's Satan! Satan, your bird head!" Satan shout at her. "Private King Pendragon's Army! I summom you! Show up and help me in Beatrice-sama's Ceremony!"

"Siesta 45, here!"

"Siesta 410, here, nihi~!"

"Now, I want you to tear apart George and Sayo."

"How, nihi? Rout them?"

"No, you stupid bunny! I want you to take away one of them!"

"And... And... And what is our targe, Sa... Satan-sama!?"

".... I want..." Satan pointed to Sayo. "Her. We can't kill her, because she is holding a scorpion charm."

"We get, Satan-sama! We need to make her disappear, nihi! 45~"

"Ye... Yes!"

"I won't allow this happen! George, stay behind me!" he did what she said.

And so...

"Analysing field........."

A brilliant....

"Analysing distance....."

Red barrier......

"Analysing power shot....."

Surrounded Sayo and George.

"Nihi, receiving data!"

""Shageki!!""

Many golden threads were shooted in Sayo and George, but her barrier absorbed it.

"Whaaaat? How is this possible!?" Satan said. "More power!"

""Yes!"" again, more and more golden threads.

"More power! It's useless! Siesta 45, analyze Sayo's barrier!"

"Yes! Measuring barrier power........."

"This is not good..."

"Let me help you this time, Sayo."

"Measuring shoot power in relation to barrier........"

George got out the barrier...

"Receiving new data, nihi~!

And prepared himself to fight.

""Shageki!!""

A powerful and brilliant golden thread was shooted.

"Now you're dead, Sayo!"

"Not while I'm here, Sanon!" George kicked that golden thread.

"Whaaaaat? He... He..." Siesta 45 was scared. "HE DESTROYED THAT SHOOT WITH HIS FOOT!"

"I DON'T CARE! MORE SHOOTS! I WAN MORE SHOOTS!"

"Sayo, keep strong!" George says, while destroying Siesta 45&410 golden threads with his foot

"Go! More power! More power in your shots!"

"Give up, Sanon." Sayo said. "You will never gonna tear us apart!"

"....... *ahaha.wav* That's what you think!" Satan laughs.

"Siesta 00, ready to fire!" Siesta 00 said, behind Sayo's barrier.

"Oh fu--"

*BOOM!*

Sayo's barrier exploded. George and Sayo were thrown in oposites sides.

"Thank you for that surprize attack, Siesta 00." Satan, again, laughs.

"You're welcome, Satan-sama."

"45... 410... Bring to me Sayo."

"Sayo... Ugh... No!"

"George, don't worry... We are gonna met each other soon..." a golden thread surrounds Sayo's waist. "I... I promisse..."

"Sa.... Yo..." George faints on the ground.
____________________________________________________
"Now, let's go back to the current time" Eriko snaps his fingers again.
____________________________________________________

In the Chapel, in one of the waiting rooms, Krauss and Nanjo are taking care of Natsuhi.

"Will she be ok?"

"Yes, Krauss-san. In the morning, she is going to be alright."

"Thank god."

"Hnhihihahaha..."

Golden butterflies appears.

"In order to revive Beatrice-sama, I, Lucifer, am going to be your executioner." Lucifer appears in a maid clothes.

"Runon......." Krauss says. "So... It's true!"

Krauss get his winchester, but.... It starts to floats...

"Sorry, Krauss-'sama'... But I'll take this." Lucifer gets the gun in the air and aim on them.

".... If you will take our lifes, please, spare Natsuhi."

"Hnhuhuu.... Spare? Ahahahahaha! This is bullshit! You are such a comedian, Krauss! I'll never spare Natsuhi's life! She was always talking about Manon! Ugh! That bitch!

'Oh! Manon do such a better job! Look, Runon, take her as example. Bla bla bla bla bla'

I had enough! ENOUGH! SHE DESERVES TO DIE! LIKE YOU, LIKE HIM, LIKE EVERYONE IN THIS DAMN ISLAND!"

*BANG!**BANG!**BANG!*

One shot in Krauss' face, destroying it.
One shot in Nanjo's face, destroying it.
One shot in Natsuhi's face, destroying it.

Meanwhile, in another waiting room...

"....! Did you hear that, Battler?" Lion got scared. "Mom... Dad!"

"I'll go with you, Lion!"

"No! Stay here and protect Kumasawa-san! Genji, do the same, please!"

"Yes, Lion-sama."

Lion runs to the waiting room that her/his parents were, and then...

"........!!!!"

She/He saw.... Something draw on the door.... Was that blood?

If Maria was there, she would say that that strange draw was the pentacle of moon.

*FFFUUUUUUUUUIIII!!!*

Lion hears a sound of wind. A strange sound.

"Oh, god......" Battler hears too. "Lion!!"

Battler runs trought the chapel, but it was too late.

"Lion!" Battler sees Lion surrounded by a golden thread. "Lion, wait there!"

"No, Battler, no!" the golden thread pulls Lion back, trying to kidnap him/her.

"Lion!" Battler jumps on Lion, but the golden thread was faster and pulls him/her back again. However, Battler was capable of jump on one of his/her boots. "Hold on, Lion! Hold on!"

"..... I think you can't save me, Battler..." Liom smiles. "But, still, I love you."

"No... No..." Battler sees Lion being dragged by the golden thread, taking him away to the darkness. "LIIIOOOOONNNNN!!!!!!"

Battler cries, holding one of Lion's boots.

Back in the forest, Lucifer, Leviathan, Satan, Mammom and the Siestas were talking about those that died and those that are alive.

"According to my reports..." Siesta 00 said. "Those who are dead are: Ushiromiya Rudolf, Ushiromiya Kyrie, Ushiromiya Eva, Ushiromiya Krauss, Terumasa Nanjo and Ushiromiya Natsuhi."

"Great. Those are the victims of 1o Twillight." Lucifer says. "Let Krauss, Nanjo and Natsuhi inside the Chapel. The others 3, vanish away with them."

"Right. And about those who remain? Ushiromiya Hideyoshi, Ushiromiya George, Ushiromiya Rosa, Servant Yoshiya and Toshira Gohda?"

"Those 5, lead them to Chapel's door. Also, let this letter with them." Lucifer hands another Beatrice's letter to Siesta 00.

"Right."

"Siesta Shimai, dismissed by now."

"As you wish, Lucifer-sama!" All Siestas disappears.



October, 1987. Second day of Beatrice's Ceremony. 06:45.

You open slowly your eyes. Your head is hurting a little. What happen? Where are you?

"Oh, Gohda-san!" you hear a voice. Kumasawa's voice. "Thank god you are fine!"

You look around.... You are.... Back to zero.

You are in the guest room, inside Guest House.

"Oh... Is he awake!?" you hear another voice. Rosa's voice. "Gohda-san! Gohda-san! Are you alright!?"

"Don't yell, Rosa-san, please." Kumasawa whispers. "Maybe he isn't with all his energy."

Kumasawa stands up from her chair and takes a plate with some food from the cart.

"Try to eat. Them, tell us: What happened?"

>>5383
It isn't a red truth: It's a Purple Declaration.

"According to my reports..." Siesta 00 said. "Those who are dead are: Ushiromiya Rudolf, Ushiromiya Kyrie, Ushiromiya Eva, Ushiromiya Krauss, Terumasa Nanjo and Ushiromiya Natsuhi."*****

Chesterton in the Meta-World started to laugh. He was laughing as if everything is going better than anticipated.

"You will had to cheat hard in your next movement if you don't want to me find Beatrice's True Identity in two seconds, Mister Eriko."

"But don't worry, none of my principles did it. You just put my piece in the only place where everything can be solved instantly!"

"Yet, I know you will not give me the answer. You will do a few trick to avoid that. I recognized that as necessary. But I have to speak with Miss Virgilia now."

"After all, it's all in front of me, there is an easy way to solve her identity here and now, but I know there is a need for you to keep the game. I just need a break to accept your next move and not get unnecessarily frustrated."

"I have to check Napoleon and Flambeau's work, too. Take a time to think what you did."

Chesterton was with an enjoyable smile. He wasn't trolling. He really believed there was a way to find, right there, the identity of Beatrice, if he made the right way.

That game was truly delightful and he needed a time to think how he could solve the mystery after the Eriko's Next Necessary Movement.

Maybe Eriko doesn't have a clue about what he was talking about. So Chesterton will give him time to think, while he will greet Miss Virgilia.

He doesn't know why, but she was in a very good mood. A cup of the famous Virgilia's Mackerel Tea in that moment would be nice.

The Asterix and Obelix Photo illustrate the way how Chesterton laughs.

"I can't say I didn't try, right?" Eriko laughs too. He knew in the end Chesterson would win. "You can take a break. I'm anxious to see what's your anwser for Beatrice's identity."

You walk away from principal room and some minutes later find Virgilia in her own bedroom.

Se smiles to you and let you in. "How pleasent, Chesterson. You finally arrived."

She laughs.

"Miss Virgilia! Long time no see!"

Chesterton greets her.

"How are you? How many Gameboards you won against that Iscariot and Hellsing fools?", Chesterton asked, because he remembered Virgilia is so fucking BADASS smart that she can fool easily powerful members at Heaven Courts. Hellsing and Iscariot are Elite Members, like the S.S.V.D. or Eiserne Jungfrau.

"Oh, <Mister> Chesterson. It is been a long time since a I played against those fools. Uhuhaha!"

A Goat appeared and served tea for you and Virgilia. She thanked and the Goat disappeared.

"And you? How is your game against that child? I heard your laugh some minutes ago. It is seems you are winning."

"Yes, but he will not allow me to win so easily. He will do something. This is why I have to use a Backup Plan. For these Backup Plan, I already have some theories, but everything I really need he already give me some way."

He smiles, joking.

"If everything goes wrong, I will have to try something terrible... But for now, I'm a inquisitor/detective. And you? Did you saw Dlanor these days? She became so smart, I'm so proud of her..."

"Dlanor is a special child. Like Yasuda, she suffered a lot in those years. But she suprassed everything and now is a great <Inquisitor>.

But, no, I did not saw her those days. She is doing a lot of work with Detective Erika."

She drinks a little of tea.

"Eriko is trying his best in his gameboard. Maybe he'll surprise you in the end. Crazy ideas can bloom into his mind.

His 1o Twillight can be very helpful, but I guess you know that."

"I recognized that. But this time, in my next move, he will noticed WHY he shouldn't move Gohda to the Mansion again or stop the Witch-Hunt. At least, not placing in front of me the most easy way to know how Beatrice's True Identity."

"Even if I wrong, he gives me a VERY strong option to counter-mesures. Everything I will say now to you: Nobody waits in a rainy forest for intruders. The Fukuin, IF really at Rokkenjima, should wait in Kuwadorian to fight intruders."

"With this information, we already know that: The group who was walking in the forest had at least one traitor."

"Miss Virgilia, are you busy? I wish you could see this solving. Even if I fail. Could you come with me?"

"Smart as always." She smiles. "I will watch. It will be a good entertainment for a old Witch."

The witch laughs and teleport both to the Main Metaworld Room.

"Welcome back, Chess-kun. Welcome, Waru." Eriko smiles. "Are you ready?"

"Child, would you mind if I watch your game for a while?"

"No, Waru-san. You are my guest.

So, let's begin."

"Kumasawa-san...", Gohda opened his eyes. He was so weak and feeling so pathetic because he couldn't do nothing to help Jessica an others. He could only try get an answer...

"...what do you know about this Beatrice? What are you talking about with Captain Kawabata? What kind of terrible secret lies in Kuwadorian?"
_______________________________________________

"Fine", Chesterton said, "let's open my all game theories."

"Siesta 00 cannot be the culprit, since she is Fantasy and she is not Beatrice. That purple of hers states truth."

"The only certain is they killed each other. Those who get 'captured', actually, may be accomplices/culprit or even maybe reached Kuwadorian for their own."

"That's the point. One of them may be Beatrice. Jessica is innocent. Rosa is alive, but I don't think she is the culprit. Even so, I will keep an eye open on her. Sayo-san probably reached Kuwadorian. Lion-san disappeared too. All my suspects are now separated from the group, even one or two accomplices may still with me."

"But the most important person, who KNOWS Beatrice, is in the front of my eyes."

"Yes, this is really incredible, huh? But I'm certain your Kumasawa-piece knows the human-Beatrice. Everything I need to do is ask. Yes. And she wants to tell someone this. She said in the Fantasy World: 'I need to tell our secret. I need it.'."

"More than a secret, I will unmask Beatrice. If Kumasawa doesn't know anymore, by part of Eriko-san's Trick to sustain the Game Board, I join the Final Pieces."
_______________________________________________

"I need to rescue Jessica-san, Sayo-san and others, please, tell me what you know!"

"Kunkukukukuku... Kahahahahaha!! Let's see if your theories are right, Chess-kun!"
________________________________________________

"........" Kumasawa breaths. "Then, it's time for our secret be revealed..."

"What are you talking about, Kumasawa-san?" Rosa asks.

"When you finish to eat, Gohda-san, please, met me in my room. You too, Rosa-san." Kumasawa goes away, waiting for both in her room.

Some time later, Gohda finishes his food, feeling with more energy. You and Rosa go to Kumasawa's room and knock.

"It's me and Gohda."

"Please, come in."

You get in her room. "So.... What do you wanna talk? What is this secret?"

Kumasawa turns around and looks at the window with sad eyes.

"This our secret... A secret between me and Kinzo.

It happened a long, long, long time ago. I don't remmeber how many time has been passed. For me, it passed just one second... Or even less than this. My memory still force me to remmember this with joy and sadness."

"Don't tell me tha--"

"Please, Rosa-san." Gohda says, very calm. "Let Kumasawa-san speak."

"Thank you, Gohda-san.

Now... Where I was? Ah, yes...

It happened when Kinzo and I were young. We fell in love. In a very deep love. I worked for him at that time, naturally. But this wasn't an obstacle. It never was.

However... Ushiromiya Family would never accept a relationship between furniture and a human. And so... Our love became a secret. The most dark and lovely secret.

And time passed very fast... Until... The elders found a wife for him. I still remmeber her name: Ajimu. Oh, Ajimu...

Polite, young, beatiful, rich, from a good family... She was perfect for Kinzo.

But Kinzo didn't love her. She was in love with me. And I was in love with him. She until told me that I was a witch... That I put a spell on him." Kumasawa laughs and goes to her wardrobe and open it.

There... Gohda and Rosa see... A portrait. Kumasawa in her young ages, dressed like a witch.

"I always loved to paint. It was my secre hobby. When Kinzo discover it, he insisted for me to paint one portrait of myself dressed like a Witch. He even bought for me that dress. Look. It's here in the wardrobe."

Kumasawa turned around, facing both of you. "Our only obstacle was Ajimu. Only her. The elders forced to Kinzo got married with her.

But before it, we had our last night of love. And then........... I got pregnant."

Kumasawa holds her tears and goes back to the window.

"Me and Kinzo reached same solution: Abort. Abort our child. This is the only thing I regret until now."

Kumasawa puts her hands on her belly. "Poor child... So innocent...

But I need to tell more: Hours before Kinzo days, I was the last person to talk with him. We talked about our days of love and he handed me a letter.

Then, he passed away. That letter contained his last letter of love for me. And contained a will."

"... Will?"

"Yes. That will gives me 6 tons of those 10 tons of Beatrice's gold. All that 6 tons are in a bank."

"So... If one of us solve the epitaph, we only gain 4 tons of gold!?"

"No. I'll give part of my gold. IF one of you solve Kinzo's epitaph. I can't counter his last wish.

That is my... No... That is my secret between me and Kinzo."

Gohda was moved. His tears didn't stop. Still, he calmed down.

"You really aborted, didn't you? Then, this 'Beatrice'... who is she? Why this name?"

"Unfortunatly, I did it. But I don't know who is Beatrice's identity. This is a mystery that all of us, together, need to solve. Three people died and other 6 are missing. And don't know what this Witch is capable of."

Rosa is still chocked. She never waited something like that form Kumasawa. If this is truth, about Kumasawa and Kinzo... Then...

"Kumasawa-san, do you want that we leave you alone?"

"Yes, thank you. I need to think alone by now."

"Ok." Rosa turns around. "Let's go to the Lobby (remmember: You are in Guest House, NOT in Main Building), Gohda-san. Everyone might be awake by now."

"She doesn't tell what or where Kuwadorian is. Obviously, she knows the indentity of the Witch... because the Witch treat her like her mother and..."

Chesterton facepalmed himself.

"AH, OF COURSE! The child miraculously survived the abortion. So Kinzo built Kuwadorian to keep his child hiding from the rest of the Ushiromiya's Family! I am so dumb!"

"GYAHAHAHAHYAHYAAHAAHYGAYAHYA!!"

"Eriko, your laugh is inelegant." Virgilia says.

"OH REALLY? GYAHYAHYEAYHAUEHAUHUEUEHAYEA!! Kumasawa aborted Kinzo's child when she was, more or less, in her 1o month. It's impossible for a child survive! Not even a miracle can do this!

But that is a good theory, Chess-kun. *clap**clap**clap* Now, let's go back to our gameboard, right?"

((The second thread and the first part of Eriko's other game were deleted due to management of a spambot. If you wish to read them the archives are in the download below.))

http://www.mediafire.com/download/pb6nvez8btwo94o/Erikos+Games.rar