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No. 9781
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Hello again, Seacats! I have returned with a present: A murder that you absolutely cannot solve! The game is open to anyone who wishes to engage in a battle of wits.
A few rules:
Like normal, red speaks the absolute truth.
Blue is used to make theories that will destroy my magic.
Green is used to ask characters questions, although they can easily lie... Except, of course, for the detective. The detective in this game is Genji.
Now, on with the tale!
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It is an understatement to say that our master’s death was a catalyst for things to come. Everything that happened, everything that stood to happen, are a consequence on the day he passed away. I write this because I know the truth; the pure, untainted truth. Natsuhi-sama and Krauss-sama only know one version of this truth, because they are human and can see no more than that. But, as furniture to my late master, I gain to tell the truth about what happened; I do not expect to be believed, but still I write, because I know the truth and because I can do nothing else.
Erase your memories, erase your human emotion. The culprit is none other than the Golden Witch, Beatrice. Like the grim reaper, she knew that it was the master’s time, and took his soul to play with for all of eternity.
The day Beatrice faded in from her portrait was ordinary, mostly. Lady Jessica could not make it to school due to a chance thunderstorm, and master’s physician, Dr. Nanjo, dropped by for his occasional visit to ensure that the master is always in the top state of health. Also shipped today were new clothes bearing the one winged eagle, shipped by a personal tailor master hired; Dr. Nanjo and I carried them to the servant’s room after he offered to help. I thanked him, and went about my duties before returning to organize.
All trivial events brought about by ordinary matters, interrupted by a single phone call.
I was serving food with the rest of the servants at the time. Kanon, Shannon, and Gohda were helping me serve to the Krauss-sama, Lady Jessica, Natsuhi-sama, and Dr. Nanjo, who was allowed a seat at the family table on Kinzo’s behalf. And, just as we were preparing to return to the servant’s quarters, the phone rang.
Krauss-sama gave the phone an annoyed glance. He swallowed his food loudly. “Genji-san, would you please answer that?”
“Certainly.” I walked towards the phone. It was most likely the master requesting something in our absence. I silently looked down on myself. Why didn’t we leave a servant with him in case there was something he desired? I let out a small sigh and picked up the telephone. “This is Genji.”
The person on the other end of the phone did not respond.
“This is Genji.” I repeated, slightly more loudly. “Hello?”
On second inspection, there was a voice. It was quiet, though. I whispered for those around me to be quiet. Everyone stared at me.
I could hear a faint outline of the voice: “…Hos...pital…” I heard the thud of a receiver on the other end of the line. I knew who it was. If everyone was gathered in the dining hall, which left only one person: the master!
I set the phone on the hook. Quickly, I explained what he heard to everyone in the dining hall. Natsuhi-sama stood up.
“Why are we still here!” she said. “We should go immediately!”
Everyone agreed. As a group, we rushed up the steps to the third floor of the mansion halls. Finally, we reached Kinzo’s study. I fished my pocket for a key and found one. This was one of the only two keys that could open the door. Where was the other? It should be…
Before I could finish my thought, Natsuhi began thrashing on the door handle, trying to force it open, but the door was stubbornly locked. Kraus-sama managed to calm her down long enough for me to unlock the door… and immediately reveal the fresh corpse of the master.
“Father!” Natsuhi-sama shrieked. Krauss-sama backed away from the door and left his mouth wide open. Kanon-san, Shannon-san, Dr. Nanjo, and I could only stand there, shocked. I looked away, not wanting to look at my master’s lifeless body. Then, I saw the window: It was locked and shut. I looked for one other thing as well, but Natsuhi-sama found it before me.
“Look! A letter!” She ran up to grab it, and tore it open like a paper shredder. She started to read: “Members of the Ushiromiya family…What? Who is this?...I have taken the soul of Kinzo the fool, and I plan to make him my plaything forever. I apologize for any inconvenience. Sincerely, Beatrice the Golden.”
“Beat…rice?” Shannon whispered, and, beside the spot where Natsuhi-sama picked up the letter, I noticed the second key, creating a witch’s closed room.
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