alliance of the golden witch; chapter 11 (ushiromiya kinzo)

[endlesswitch]

It was already approaching 10:00 at night.
By now, the typhoon had wrapped itself around Rokkenjima.

Even the rose garden that had looked so beautiful midday, was beaten down upon by the fierce winds and resisted with all its might, undulating and trying to keep the flowers from blowing away...
In that rose garden, with Shannon in the lead, Battler, who was holding up an umbrella, Jessica, and Maria who was sleeping on George's shoulder were heading for the guesthouse.
"We can at least make it to the guesthouse from here. Shannon-chan, it's fine, you should go back and rest."
"It's fine, because seeing you off is also my duty...."
"The family conference is going on inside, and Mom and Genji-san are probably getting stressed. If we keep you, they'll misunderstand and think you were being lazy."
"That's right. Just graciously accepting our offer might be the best way to avoid burdening people. ...Thank you, Shannon."
"Not at all. ......Certainly, as Milady has said, it is very tense inside the mansion today. Therefore, coming with all of you allowed me a breath of fresh air, and I have been able to relax a bit."
"The family conference, huh. .........They went to all the trouble of chasing us kids out, so they're probably talking about something ill-natured."
"Probably. I'm sure there's nothing we can do to help out. Just trying to stay out of their way is probably the best way for us to be useful."
"Heh......! I'm sure they're just talking about 'money money money!'. ...Even though they act like they're so rich most of the time, when it gets tough, they all start getting pushy. Why don't they just be graceful and split it evenly between everyone?"
"Ihihi. That'd be awesome. It'd be nice if I got a share too. Since if I got some too, I'd split it with Shannon-chan right away."
"Th, thank you very much.... Well, I appreciate the sentiment."
"Shannon isn't greedy at all. Normally, girls of your age would have tons of things they want to buy."
"I guess. But none of the things I want can be bought with money."
"Ooh! How unselfish! If you lined up all the things I wanted, all the gold in the world wouldn't be enough."
"That's if you're talking about things that can be bought with money. I wonder what these 'things that can't be bought with money' that Shannon wants a~re. Do you have any idea, George nii-san?"
"W, well, I wonder. I'm not Shannon, so how could I know?"
"I, ...I don't know either."

George and Shannon looked down with their faces red.
Battler had also heard the details, so he knew what Jessica was teasing them about.
"George-aniki is a person I respect as well. I think you've met up with a really great person, Shannon-chan."
"Yeah. I also feel relieved that we can leave Shannon to George nii-san."
"St, stop teasing. It's a serious issue for us. More importantly, what about you, Jessica-chan? Have you been able to get a little closer to Kanon-kun?"
"Whaaaaaaaaat?! So, you and Kanon are like that?!"
"Ah, um, well!! Th-, that's dirty, George onii-san, twisting the conversation around like that is dirty!"
As they had an animated discussion with ups and downs, the four kids headed for the guesthouse.......
The annual family conference was extremely important to the Ushiromiya family, and this year seemed like it was going to be especially important.

Apparently, the family head, Kinzo, was personally going to be making a very serious announcement, and everyone other than the adults had been strictly ordered to leave.
Battler hadn't attended the family conference in six years, so he didn't really notice, but according to Jessica, there seemed to be a very tense atmosphere tonight, completely different from a normal year.
......Common sense made it clear that Kinzo, whose remaining life was short, was going to make some big announcement about the succession of the head and the distribution of his fortune......
"But I'm suprised. .........To think that Grandfather actually made an appearance......."
"......I see. So, this is the witch's counterattack."
"*cackle*cackle*cackle*! I wanted to leave the Joker called Kinzo face-down a little longer, but it's probably about time to turn it over. Trump cards exist to be used. *cackle*cackle*!"
"Damn. My theory that Grandfather was dead since the beginning, and a different 18th person had snuck in, ......is now suddenly torn apart."
"I had foreseen that you would begin to doubt Kinzo eventually...! Alright, now your reasoning has all gone back to square one again, right?
With this, your theory that Kinzo was dead at the very beginning and I was hiding as the 18th person goes poof! *cackle*cackle*cackle*!!"
".........Fuck... But no way I'll lose heart. That's only one theory gone. I'll attack you like a storm, like a tornado......."
"*cackle*cackle*! I'd have it no other way! Even the first twilight has not yet begun. It is far too early to give up."
"That's right. And, it's not like it was denied with the red truth. .........At this point in time, Battler's theory hasn't been defeated. It's too early to say that you've won."
"Yeah, that's right. ......It's still to early for me to simply swallow her story. ...Grandfather is supposed to finally appear, but there's a chance that he'll talk about how his health has gotten worse and not appear after all.
......Krauss oji-san might be trying desperately to hide the fact that Grandfather really is dead until the last second."
"Ha...! I see, I see, you could also think of it that way. Do as you please. It will be resolved soon. Very soon... *cackle*cackle*......!"
All of the relatives and Nanjo could be seen in the dining hall.
Nanjo sat alone, quietly watching the wind and rain outside.
Krauss sat down in the seat of his own rank, with Natsuhi standing motionlessly at his side.

The other siblings were gathered at the opposite end of the long table, whispering to each other.......
"......Is that true?"
"Yes. ......Maria said...the person who gave her the umbrella......was Father."
"What in the world...? In other words, our strategy has collapsed from the roots...!"
"Not just our strategy. Since Father is healthy and has said that he will make an announcement himself, our trivial bargaining with Nii-san was completely pointless."
"Yep. ......That old bastard. Why couldn't he have just shown himself right away without making a show of it? Thanks to that, we've just been quarreling with Aniki uselessly."
"............Don't you think he may have wanted to test us? Maybe I'm not one to talk, since we aren't related by blood, but your Father is very intelligent, correct?"
"Our arguments during the day were probably overheard by one of the servants, and reported to Father. .........Incredible. The fact that we were making a fuss with Father's inheritance as our goal is now right in the open............Ah, just incredible..."

Eva uncharacteristically held her head, dejected.
If, as Kyrie had said, everything had been going according to Kinzo's plans from the beginning, and if this was a huge setup that had been kept up for over a year, trying to find the siblings' true intentions, then they had fallen for it completely...
"......Still dunno for sure whether or not it's reached Father's ears."
"No, it definitely has! ......Everyone but Nii-san claimed that Father was dead, and none of us believed in Father's good health...! Aaah, it's already over.............Father will make an announcement. Nii-san will become the successor, and he will say that we aren't even qualified to wear the One Wing.............Oooh, I............"
"Nee-san......, get ahold of yourself......."
"......Rosa-san. I wonder whether Maria really received that umbrella from Father."
"Huh? What do you mean......?"
"......Maria-chan might have met Father. However, we haven't met him. Maria-chan only claims to have met him."
"What are you saying.......? ......Are you saying that Maria is telling a lie?!"
"Calm down, Rosa. ......Maria-chan didn't necessarily lie. However, isn't Maria-chan an innocent child?
......For example, if Genji-san came up to her and said something like 'I was told by your Grandfather to hand this to you, Maria-sama', then even if Maria-chan hadn't met Dad, she still might say that she got an umbrella from him, right?"
"Th, ......that's right. That trick could work...!"
"However, what was it that Maria-chan said? 'Grandfather came, and then handed me the umbrella'."
"Yes, that's what she said. She clearly said that she had received an umbrella directly from Grandfather."
"......Directly, huh? Then we're stuck."
"............................They often say that stupid thoughts are no better than sleeping. If you think about it a bit, all this about the umbrella is a trivial problem."
"Why's that? Couldn't Maria-chan have been bribed by Nii-san to lie and say something that made it seem like Father was in good health?! There is no evidence that Father actually handed the umbrella to her...!"
"No matter who Maria-chan received the umbrella from, and even if she never was given an umbrella in the first place, Father will appear very soon. With Father in front of us, the problem with the umbrella would become completely trivial.
.........In other words, this is not the time to gossip about the problem with the umbrella."
"What do you mean, this isn't the time?"
".........I see, ...got it. ......This is probably what Kyrie-san's sayin'. .........Father is supposed to come here very soon, but the chance still remains that he'll criticize us again and won't appear in the end, right......?"
"I, .........I see. That's true... Maybe Nii-san just said Father was going to appear at random in a desperate bid to buy time against our investigation. Father really is dead already, and Nii-san is still lying and saying he's healthy...!"
"In short, if Father appears, then no schemes will be effective. There's no need to even think about it. We're fish on the chopping board. We'd have no choice but to leave fate to the heavens and attend direct negotiations with Father. That means we'd have no choice but to prostrate ourselves and beg for money.
......But on the other hand, if Father doesn't appear, then our primary strategy isn't hampered in the least."
".........I see. In short, no matter which way it goes, there's absolutely no need to get flustered now."
"That's it. If Father shows up, we just have to carry out the normal family conference. .........If he doesn't, we just have to constantly investigate Krauss-san."
"We definitely must not let him talk his way out of it..., like by saying Father's mood has suddenly gotten worse."
"......It seems what we really should be trying to figure out is what scheme Nii-san is going to try and trick us with. The way he just doesn't know how to give up is something I know better than anyone."
"If Father is well, ......we'll prostrate ourselves and beg for money. ......If its Krauss-san's farce, then we continue our ugly sibling fight. .........Sounds like this year's family conference is going to be just wonderful."
"Yep. So, stupid thoughts are no better than sleeping. It's almost 22:00. ......Should we press Aniki?"

Rudolf and the rest looked at Krauss.
He sat down, and looked like he was awaiting Kinzo's arrival with an air of composure.

......They couldn't tell whether that really was composure, or whether he was scheming about how to tie together his lie.
"............Dear......"
"......Calm yourself. We won't get anywhere by making a fuss after all this. .........Let's leave it to Genji-san."
"It's almost, ......10:00, isn't it."
That was the time that had been set for tonight's family conference to open.
And at the same time, it was the time that the Ushiromiya family head needed to appear......
Right then, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching from the hall.
There were multiple sets.

Natsuhi raised her head, relieved......
But because of the sound of a knock, her expression was filled with disappointment.
Because Kinzo probably wouldn't have knocked.
"......Please excuse us. I have finished closing up the mansion for the night."

It was Gohda and Kumasawa.
Unlike the powerful Gohda, it was rare for Kumasawa with her old body to be forced with work this late.

Of course, Krauss also seemed to know that.
"Hmm. Good work. .........My apologies for making you work at such a time, Kumasawa-san."
"Oh, it's nothing. I may not look it, but staying up late is still one of my specialties. Hoh-hoh-hoh-hoh...!"
"......Wouldn't it be alright to at least let Kumasawa leave without being an observer? It really will be difficult on her body, I imagine."
"............The order was to gather all of the servants as well. I cannot disobey."
Tonight's family conference was clearly different from a normal one.

On a normal year, no one was able to attend the family conference except relatives.
It had been impossible for any servants to be there too.
But this year was different.

All of the servants were told to attend the family conference.
Of course, they were not allowed to talk.
.........They were there as observers.
Just what in the world was there that needed five servants to observe?
......Even Krauss didn't know.
"Hoh-hoh-hoh. I don't look it, but I'm good with late nights. If you stuff yourself with mackerel too, Krauss-sama, you'll be able to be more manly at night."
"Hahahaha. I see, you're still in high spirits. I'm sure you'll be working in such high spirits until you're a hundred."
"Madam. Forgive my arrogance, but I have prepared a light snack. I can serve it at any time, so feel free to order it."
"Thank you. You really are considerate. ......Please get refills of coffee for everyone else."
"Certainly."
After nodding, Gohda took the pot towards the relatives gathered at the other end of the table.
As he did, more footsteps approached from the hallway.

......It was a single set.
And it was light.

Even before the knock, they could imagine who it was.
"Excuse me......I have taken the children to the guesthouse."
"Good work. Tonight is a special evening. Make sure you stay alert."
"Y, yes. Certainly, Madam......"
Genji had gone with Kanon to meet Kinzo.

......There was still no sign of their return.
The hand of the clock passed 22:00 slightly.
Once sure of that, Eva spoke to Krauss.
"......Nii-saaan? It's time. Will you still not start the family conference?"
"............The arrival of the guest of honor has been delayed. Wait a short while."
"How long? Sorry, but time's up. I won't have you saying 'Father hasn't quite shown up yet' over and over until dawn."
"How could I make a promise about the time Father will show up? Why are you in such a rush? Why not drink some tea and calm down for now...?"
"Aniki, we're gathered here for a family conference. Not a farce. We'll wait 30 more minutes. But if that doesn't work, you'll let us intrude on the study, right?"
"Wh, what a word, intrude...... That would be an action quite lacking in respect for the head!"
"That's right, sorry? We'll be good for 30 more minutes. Uffuffuffu......"
"...............Hmph."
"..................I look forward to seeing whether you can keep that same smile 30 minutes from now."
"......So, you honestly believe that Father is dead?"
"I have no desire to discuss that now. We can wait until Father comes here. There's absolutely no need for me to argue you down, Nii-san."
"The Ushiromiya headship will be passed on to the proper person in the proper manner. ......No matter what you may scheme, you cannot resist. Of course, the same goes for me."
"What are you trying to say? ......And after bragging all these years about the next head being you...!"
"I'll turn your own words back on you. I have no desire to discuss that now. All that matters is for Father to come here and proclaim it with his own mouth. There's absolutely no reason for me to argue you down. ......Right? Heheheh!"
Krauss casually turned Eva's words back on her.
Of course, that added oil to Eva's anger.
But it didn't ignite.

Because in that instant, the sound of a very loud knock rang out.
Both Genji and Kanon were usually very reserved when they knocked.
They wouldn't hit the door with such a violent strength.
......It was like a judge's gavel slamming down in a call for silence.

So everyone fell quiet......
The door opened slightly, ......and Genji showed himself.

Then, he spoke with a serious tone different from his usual one.
It wasn't the tone he used when carrying out his duties.
......It was the tone he used when speaking for Kinzo himself.

So just by hearing Genji speak like that, the siblings were struck with a sudden tension.
"Please take your seats, everyone."

At those words, the dining hall fell into complete silence, and everyone hurriedly returned to their designated seats.
It was as though students who had been bustling around just before homeroom had suddenly returned to their seats when the teacher came, and it might even have felt humorous.

......But there was no way anyone would joke about it.
Everyone sat in order, and Shannon, Gohda, and Kumasawa stood up straight in a row by the wall.
"......The head of the glorious Ushiromiya family, and lord of Rokkenjima, the island that sparkles gold. Lord Ushiromiya Kinzo is present."
Of the double doors that led to the dining hall, Genji opened the right door from the inside, and Kanon opened the left door from the outside.
......And, welcomed by a respectful bow from those two, majestically fluttering his cape, ............Kinzo appeared......

Kinzo's gait had a dignified weight to it, and it was hard to believe that he had reportedly been at the end of his life.
Genji pulled back Kinzo's seat, and motioned for him to sit.
But Kinzo stayed standing, signaling with his chin for Genji to move back.
"*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*, fuhhahahahahahahahahaha...!! Welcome to Rokkenjima, ladies and gentlemen. Why the frightened face, Evaa?"
"N, no, why would I be frightened...! I'm just relieved to find you in excellent spirits, Father......"
"Wahhahhahhahhahhahha...!! Evaa, you're as interesting as ever, aren't yoou? You might try honestly saying how frustrated you are at losing your bet with Krauss. ......*cackle*cackle*, you can't say it, can you? *cackle*cackle*!!"
Eva realized that their conversation during the day had indeed been leaked to Kinzo, and she hung her head, turning red.
"Well then, my sons and daughters, and their companions! Regarding my wealth and the succession of the head that you all seem so infatuated with, I believe I will make an important announcement tonight.
But first! I think I will mention how incredibly disappointed I am. That is because until today, no one had been able to solve the riddle of the epitaph."
Even though Kinzo said he was disappointed, a condescending smile, as though there was no way the likes of these could have solved it, rose to his face, and his gaze passed through all of them.
"......I had been planning on handing over everything to the person who could solve that. But now we have reached this point, with no one having solved it, and nothing of mine being passed down to anyone.
How shameful...!! The fact that not one among you has come forward with the qualifications to succeed me, I find truly disappointing, and shameful, and patheetic!! Wahhahhahhahhahhahha!!"
The siblings hung their heads in silence.

Of course, they would have solved it if they could.
If they had just needed to take a swing at it, that would have been the end of it, but it was just so hard...
"Therefore. I am proclaiming here and now that I will suspend the use of the epitaph's riddle as a method of choosing my successor. In short, time's up! This is game over. ......What a shame, you all. Even though that should have given you all an equal and fair chance, that has now collapsed! .........Nffuffuffuffuffu!!"

It truly sounded like Kinzo was making a victory proclamation.
"In that case, will my oldest son Krauss succeed the headship...? *cackle*cackle*! The answer is !!"
"Wha...?!"
"............"
"......You understand, right, Krauuss? I certainly gave you the title of next head. But you just lost your head over it... Do you know what it means to be the next head......?"
".........It means...to succeed after you, Father..."
"Wrooooooooooooooooonnnng!! The next head isn't something that's guaranteed by the current head at aaaaaaaaaaall!
.........Listen up, Krauuss. I won't tell you this again. The next head? That's what you call someone who finds everyone else who's after the headship, thoroughly breaks their noses, and makes it so that they can never disobey him again.
This is not only something that can be said of the headship. It's the same with money! A 'rich person' doesn't mean someone who has money. It means someone who crushes everyone who had more money than himself, and who scrabbles together more money than anyone else."
"It's the same with talent. A genius is not what you call a person blessed with talent! It means a person who crushes everyone with more talent than themselves! A person who can coerce geniuses and all other people to call them that by using strength and charisma!! You have a mistaken impression when it comes to all of these things. ......So you aren't of the right caliber to be the next head. *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!!"
"............N, now I have learned..."
Perhaps that truly was Kinzo's philosophy.

As a result of faithfully carrying out that philosophy of his that sounded like a rant, Kinzo had glorified the Ushiromiya family to the state it was in today......
It may be hard to imagine after his immersion in the occult in recent years, but that brutal overbearing quality was itself Ushiromiya Kinzo's charisma and aura...
"Such an unsatisfactory person is not qualified to inherit everything of the Ushiromiya family. In that case, is Eva, Rudolph, or Rosa qualified?
That is also !! You were unable to solve the riddle, and despite that, you were unable to use a scheme to drag Krauss down! All the three of you managed to do was gather together in a united front to try and extort money from Krauss. And even that scheme was thoughtless! You can't even corner Krauss all by himself! .........There could be nothing more shameful!
You lack the avarice to steal away the position of next head by any means!! In order to get what you want, you should pay all sacrifices, become as covetous, as greedy as possible...!! The goddess of luck smiles upon the greedy!! You three, who don't have that wild spirit, are as unfit for the succession as Krauss is!!"
Eva and the rest had no words to respond with.
And they couldn't calculate what it was Kinzo was about to say...
Was Kinzo actually planning to proclaim that no one would succeed the head?
If so, that would work to Eva, Rosa, and Rudolf's advantage.

Because in the end, they would just have to retune everything between the siblings after Kinzo's death, and split the inheritance evenly.
It would surely be more troublesome if a specific person's name was raised and proclaimed to be the one to succeed the head.

......But would Kinzo really say something that would benefit any of the four siblings after demeaning them so much?
"......You don't think...he's going to say that because no one will succeed him, he'll donate all of his fortune to charity or something, right......?"
".........I'm afraid I wouldn't put it past Father."
"The blood's just risen to your head...... We can do nothing but hear him out."
"W, ...well then, Father. What thoughts do you have regarding the next head?"
"Hmph......... Since I am so completely disappointed in all of you, I've lost the desire to hand it over to anyone. Therefore, the Ushiromiya family will end here. It ends with my generation."
"......Th, that cannot......"
"The Ushiromiya family was crushed long ago in that earthquake. The current Ushiromiya family is nothing but an illusion of gold I have seen for an instant. ......The likes of which will end when I awaken from my slumber. Fuffuffu! Everything in this world is a dream, an illusion. ...Life is but a daydream before the awakening called death. Aaah, yes, that's how it was in the beginning!! That I should lose everything when I die was Beatrice's contract, and her curse! Fuhhahhahha!! You think that will work, Beatrice?! I will be the one to capture you!! Tonight, that should become reality. *cackle*cackle*cackle*! Wahhahahahahahahahaha!!"
For a while, Kinzo was overcome with cackling, and his eyes bulged.
Whenever he talked about Beatrice, it was always eloquent and insane......
"Foolish children such as yourselves are truly a daydream!! It's as though you were never there from the beginning!! Disappear! Wake up!! Disappear from the doze of the truth that is me...!! You failures that have not built up anything that makes you worthy to succeed me!!"
"K, Kinzo-san. If I may......"
"What? My friend."

Nanjo nervously raised his hand, asking to speak. Kinzo allowed him to.
"I understand how you feel, Kinzo-san. Because you love your children, you expect a lot of them, and as a parent and grandparent myself, I understand the parental affection that can make you feel as though these expectations were betrayed.
......However, you are extraordinary, Kinzo-san. A genius. Isn't saying that it's only natural for them to catch up to you a little too harsh...? And even so, Krauss-san, Eva-san, Rudolf-san, Rosa-san, and all of their partners have done their very best to catch up with you..."
"Hohoooooooooohhh??? And just how much money have they built up with this 'doing their best'? After these cowards fail completely in ventures and gain debt, and still try to sponge off me, how can you say that they did their very best...?!!
Money is the crystallization of everything in this world. If you cannot grasp that, then you cannot grasp the world! If a life cannot strongly grasp this world, it doesn't deserve to live!! Disappear!! Disappear from my life and reality!!"
"......That is a reckless argument. With that logic, even I must not live. ......Even so, I believe that the time I spend playing chess with you was worthwhile for both of us, Kinzo-san.........You should know better than anyone else that there are many things in this world which cannot be bought with money."
".........Hmm. ......Hmph."
As the siblings motionlessly hung their heads, they cheered Nanjo on inside their hearts.

Not one of the siblings could offer their opinion in front of Kinzo in a rage, but Kinzo's close friend Nanjo alone was allowed to...
Even though Kinzo had raged so fiercely, after being admonished by Nanjo, he nodded several times as though in agreement.

......His surprisingly obedient side might have seemed cute, but there was no one who could laugh.
"It may be true that your children haven't built up as great a fortune as yourself, Kinzo-san. ......Well, even so, from my point of view, they're rich enough to make me jealous.
But besides money, they have also built up many things that cannot be bought with money. When it comes to that, they are in no way inferior to you, Kinzo-san."
"Hoh. What are you saying they have built up that cannot be bought with money?"
"Happiness. Family. ......They have found wonderful partners, had children, and each has built up their own happy homes. They have glorified your family name, and have brought back grandchildren.
Grandchildren are good. We older people can look at these young grandchildren, who will live on into a new era that we will not even be given a chance to see, and in these grandchildren, we can imagine an endless future. ......Isn't that the sole entertainment for old age?
Remember, Kinzo-san. Remember your joy when they first brought back their grandchildren...! Your children, and your grandchildren, will carry your great works on to future generations, and will set an example. That is something that an individual cannot accomplish no matter how much money they have."
The siblings all nodded in agreement...

Certainly, Kinzo had looked happy when his grandchildren had just been born.
......Back when he still had some sanity in his heart.

......However, was the warmth of a human still left inside Kinzo's heart......?
"In other words, in exchange for the vast riches I created! Instead of gaining money, I have gained my grandchildren, you mean."
"N, no, no, that's not what I..."
"So, in exchange for the several tens of billions in wealth that I have built up, I have gained a single grandchild from each of my children!!
Hahhahahahahahahahahaha!! This is wonderful! So, I have created a single life using ten billion yen! That's how it is! Interesting, truly an interesting example in the alchemic sense, riight...?!
Hooh, what valuable grandchildren! Wonderful, ......wonderful!! Wahhahhahhahhahha!! Is that right, Krauss? ......Is your daughter worth ten billion......?"
"............"
Krauss couldn't answer instantly.
......It wasn't that he didn't have confidence in his daughter. It was because he didn't have a clue what Kinzo was trying to test him with in this question.

But when Natsuhi was then pressed for an answer, she responded, breaking Krauss's silence with an answer of her own interpretation.
"......Y, yes. Jessica is a daughter who I wouldn't let go of even for ten billion yen. In that sense, I believe she has a value that can't be counted with money."
"Hoh. So you can state for certain that she is worth ten billion. Hoh hoh! What about you, Eva? What about your George......?"
Since Natsuhi had answered that way, Eva naturally came up with her own answer as well.

......Even though Eva should have known better than to respond to a provocative question like this, she answered as well.
"Yes, Father. George is worth ten billion, ......no, even more than that. And that's not in the abstract sense of things money cannot buy. George will certainly build up a fortune equal to his worth. He should become a grandson worthy of carrying on your great works, Father...!"
Eva sent a glance at Hideyoshi and Natsuhi as though laughing.

......When she heard what Eva had said, Natsuhi was about to add more praise for her daughter, but stopped at a glare from Krauss.
"Hmm, I see. .........Then what about you, Rudolf? What about your Battler?"
"Compared to George-kun, ......there's nothing about Battler I can brag about. If he was kidnapped and we were threatened with a ransom of ten billion, I'd feeling like sticking a bow on the guy and letting them have him."
"*giggle*giggle*......"
"On top of that, he's an idiot and reckless. He talks about grand dreams and things that couldn't be done. ......I guess in that way, he's a super idiot worth the equivalent of ten billion normal idiots.
But I'm sure that guy could do things that even a group of ten billion average people couldn't do. Well, I'm pretty sure he'll fall flat on his face. The world isn't easy.
......But at the very least, there's no doubt that watching over his life will be more pleasant than looking at ten billion average people."
Eva clicked her tongue at the clever style of speech that would probably match Kinzo's tastes.
Apparently Rudolf had been after this himself, so he grinned back at her.
"......What of Maria?"
"M, ......Maria is my cute and only daughter. Her value cannot be measured with money. ......That is all."
"Hmm. ............I see. Dreams and the future, miracles and possibilities are the source of my magical power. No magic without hopes holds any power.
......Hmph, I will not be able to expect anything more from all of you after you have proven to be average, but I see, my grandchildren have the possibility of the future, and it is possible that they are worth expecting a magical miracle from.
If with this, you say that they are worth more than ten billion, hmm, it's not like I don't understand. ......Hmmm, hmmmm......"
When Kinzo got in a rage, he wouldn't let anyone speak up, but even so, he would sometimes accept something on his own while yelling by himself, and change his own opinion.

......That's what this felt like to the siblings.
Apparently, even though Kinzo had been dumbfounded by his unsuccessful children, and had cast them away as being unfit for the inheritance of his title or his fortune, he wasn't sure about his grandchildren.
......At this rate, he might soon say that the inheritance would go to his grandchildren instead of the siblings.

As the siblings sat in fear of what their fickle and short-tempered father would suddenly think of next, they carefully watched his every move...
"......Hmm. ......Let me change my thinking a little. I have absolutely no desire to hand over everything of mine to any of you.
However, it will be quite interesting to question the grandchildren to see whether one of them is qualified...... I've always thought of them as little kids, but there is a chance they will show me a glitter of ore that will surprise me.
And testing them for that would be, ......yes, that would be hard to abandon as a final hobby in my remaining life. ......Hmmmmm, ......well then, what shall I do...?"
"I, ...I can recommend, with confidence, George as someone fitting to follow after you!"

Eva claimed that right away.
Natsuhi looked like she was about to follow along, but Krauss gave her a look telling her to restrain herself, so she swallowed her words.
"Fuffufufufufu! How bold. ......Then, let us do this. I will individually question the grandchildren to see whether they are qualified to succeed the Ushiromiya family inheritance and wealth."
"...Father......"
"Howeeever!! .........That does not mean that one of you will directly receive the inheritance. I am already disappointed in you all. There is now nothing that I will give you. Nothing! The ones I will question are the grandchildren. And the ones that might succeed me are the grandchildren. ......Make absolutely sure that you do not mistake this, alright......?"
".........I'll follow Father's decision."
"Same here. I'll follow what he determines. ......What about you, Aneki?"
"O, of course. ......I believe that Father will make a wise judgement."
"I, I will also follow Father's decision......"
"I shall think of how I will test the grandchildren. And that no longer has anything to do with you. Because all of you no longer have anything to do with the succession of the head. ......So right here, why don't I talk about something else that does have something to do with you."
"Something else......?"
"Hmm. That is the true reason for tonight, and for the final Ushiromiya family conference. ......*cackle*cackle*cackle*!! What I demand from you is neither a discussion nor your opinions. It was to demand cooperation. For my ceremony!"
".............Ceremonyy...?"
"Quiet...! Father is talking now...!"
Rudolf and the rest had automatically narrowed their brows at the occult-like word 'ceremony'.

Was he talking about starting a strange ceremony involving Beatrice's resurrection again......?
He was demanding that they help...?
What in the world is he planning to start?
In the past, he had carried out many eccentricities that he called by the same name, such as starting to burn a strange incense and filling the whole mansion with the stench.

To the siblings, a ceremony was nothing more than one of the aged Kinzo's obnoxious hobbies.
"Father... Just what do you mean by.........?"
"If we can assist you, we'll do anything. Right, Rosa?"
"Y, yes...... But, what in the world...is it...?"
"A ceremony as inscribed in my epitaph. ......A ceremony to revive Beatrice, and open the door to the Golden Land. That witch, who escaped her cage of flesh and sneeringly slipped through my fingers, I will now capture, and make to surrender with my greatest hidden art. .........For that purpose, I must offer 13 people as sacrifices.
......Fuffufufufufu! It is not easy to gather 13 people's worth of sacrifices. But tonight is the family conference! Many adults have gathered on Rokkenjima. There could be no other day on which to carry out this ceremony."
If you were to take that literally, it could only sound as though he was telling them to become sacrifices for his dark ceremony and die.
Ridiculous.
Is this some kind of metaphor...?

But they didn't even have a clue what he was trying to illustrate.

The siblings whispered together about what Kinzo was saying......
"......What's Dad saying? Is it his usual bad sickness...?"
"Probably. Listen silently for now."
".................."
"I'm sorry, Father... I don't understand how you mean that."
"What is it you don't understand? I am speaking extremely simply. I have said that I shall choose 13 people from among the humans on this island and offer them as sacrifices for the ceremony to revive Beatrice. Even worthless people like you can be very useful as sacrifices in my ceremony. Wahhahhahhahha!!
......Listen!! This is not a joke nor anything of the sort. This is my final bet, my final ceremony, the last one I will desire in my life! There are now more than 13 humans on this island. In short, that's a head count which can easily satisfy the massive number of sacrifices! Become the sacrifices for my ceremony!!"
"......Kinzo-san, ......you weren't...possibly......serious about what you said back then...?! It wasn't a joke......?!!"

Unusually for him, Nanjo's face changed color as he stood up and shouted.

It seemed this wasn't the first time Nanjo had heard all this dark talk about 13 sacrifices.
"Sorry, my friend. That was not a joke nor anything of the sort. It is what I bet my life on, the final ceremony, the final game that I will challenge.
Yes, this is a game! If gaining my fortune and leaving the island is your goal, then there are only two ways to achieve it! Will you escape being chosen as one of the 13 sacrifices and spectacularly survive, by finally solving the riddle of the epitaph and stopping the ceremony, ......or will you kill me! And thereby stop this ceremony. Those are the only two ways!!"
By now, everyone wasn't just whispering, but chattering and muttering away.
Even the siblings had noticed that Kinzo was beginning to act abnormally...
"......Father, are you a little tired? Genji-san, has Father been drinking?"
"............No. The Master is sensible."
"Sorry, Dad. I don't have a clue what you're talking about...... Dad's free to start up any weird ceremony he wants to revive the witch he loves. That's his hobby. But getting wrapped up in that, ......ahaha, and being made into a sacrifice is a little more than I can handle."
"Rudolf, are you trying to interrupt Father?!"
"What are you talking about, Aneki?! You expect me to listen to something that shady and say 'Oh, really?'?!"
Was the 'ceremony' Kinzo had mentioned literally something disturbing, or was it some kind of test to choose the next head?

It seemed that Rudolf had taken it literally, but Eva apparently still believed that it was something like a test or examination to find the proper next head.

But Kinzo responded to that with a clear smile.
"Well then, that is all I have to say. Nooo objections or viewpoints are necessary...!! I will simply awaken from my dream of having four unsuccessful children. To all of you, what will occur now before your very eyes may seem like a dream, an illusion, something that couldn't conceivably be of this world, and a world that defies understanding.
But that itself is my reality!! Now, I will finally awaken from the shallow, useless dream that all of you are!!
Come, the game has already begun, see? With this many of you here, I can take lives starting with anyone...!! Good bye, my unsuccessful children. And for the final and only time in your lives, be useful, for my ceremony...!! Arise, Pendragon's Memorial Troops...!!"
When Kinzo raised his arms high like an opera singer, and yelled as though towards a packed audience, the air shattered like glass, .........and the outlines of three people who supposedly hadn't been invited to this island appeared......
"Siesta 45, right here...!"
"Siesta 410, right heere!"
"Siesta 00, right here sir."
Three girls with strange forms suddenly appeared behind Kinzo.

Where from? When? Who? Who are they??

......The humans were thrown off balance and their minds went blank.
Because they had spent all that time thinking, they had lost their last chance to survive.
"You have permission to shoot six people to death. The targets are up to you. Begin attacking."
"Unrestricted Firing Understood, sir. Thank you for the good targets. Everyone, Commence Unrestricted Firing."
"Nihi! First one in, nyeh!! Hyahhah!!"

When 410 scratched the air with her finger, a golden bow appeared in empty space, and she pulled its string.
The golden arrow that had been readied there was fired off without any hesitation, flew around the room leaving haphazard gold loci everywhere, .........and chose Natsuhi from among those sitting at the table of the family conference, pulverizing the left half of her face.
Flesh and deep-red blood scattered around, leaving massive amounts of deep-red spatter marks on the relatives' faces and the pure white tablecloth.
......There was silence.
Even though there was a massive number of deep-red spots left on the tablecloth, .........no one could understand why Natsuhi's head was half smashed, nor why she was hanging her head as though dozing while still sitting, .........and they watched on in silence.
......Those sitting on the right-hand side from Natsuhi were silent for a relatively long time, but those sitting on her left were not.

......Because the people sitting on that side had been shown how her head had been smashed open like a watermelon or a pomegranate, and could even see inside her......
"Na, ......tsuhi............"
"......The first one. Natsuhi was it? A luckless woman to the end. ......Next!"
"00, Firing."
After scratching the empty air in the same way and readying her bow, 00 fired as well.

After it flew around and around at high speeds like the golden arrow 410 had released, drawing a convoluted locus in the same manner, ......it smashed half of Rudolf's head in the same way as he looked at Natsuhi in shock, killing him instantly.
This time, everyone did not stop thinking altogether. They realized that a fearsome murderer was killing according to Kinzo's words right in front of them.

And they understood that Kinzo would probably kill again......!
""Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!""
""Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!""
Shrill screams burst out.
Even so, they did not know what to do.
So they could only keep screaming and flapping their wide-open mouths like goldfish......
"F, ......Father......, what do you think you're doing......?"
"...Y, ya fool!! Run now!!"
As Eva asked Kinzo that in total shock, Hideyoshi, who had come to his senses faster than anyone else, pulled at her arm from behind.
However, merciless fate's choice for the third sacrifice, .........was Hideyoshi.
Just like the two before him, half of Hideyoshi's head was neatly smashed, ......and the left side of his head, which had happened to be facing that direction at the time, ......had been blown away with its contents exposed like a watermelon or a pomegranate.

So, still holding Eva, ......Hideyoshi slumped backwards and fell down.
Still held by her beloved husband, Eva fell over backwards with him.
"Dear......? Dear...?! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkk!!!"

Eva screamed.
...It was only natural.

The face she had been looking for, ......had been half lost, and the crushed skull, the mashed brains, and the crushed jaw were all bared......
"45, Impact, Hit...!"
"Spectacular. Fire again. There are three people left."
"F, Father...!! W, w, w, w, w, what, what...is this supposed to be?!?!"
When Krauss stood up forcefully, and was about to rush Kinzo, 00 blocked him.

......With her slender-looking body, she held back Krauss's body with just the palm of her right hand.
He still tried to resist and attack Kinzo, so 00 lifted Krauss by the nape of the neck, and twisted into his Adam's apple with her thumb.

It seemed to be very painful, and Krauss was overcome with agony.
"Gghh, oooooooohhhh......!!! Everyone, ...run...!! Get the police......! An ambulance...!! Quickly......!!"
"Everyone, let's escape!! Escape!!"

Nanjo's sharp words finally dissolved the spell that had been holding them down in their chairs.
When Gohda and Kumasawa each tried to escape from the dining hall first, 410 moved in an instant and appeared there, blocking the way.
"Nihi! You sure are slow nye~h. Did you thiink I'd let you escape nye~h♪"
"Hiieeeeeeeeeehhhh!!"
"H, help meeeeeeeeeeeee!!"
"Gohda-san, duck!!"

Even though Gohda didn't understand, he crouched when he heard Kyrie's sharp voice.
......Then, a burst of air rushed above his head.
Kyrie had taken a big swing with a chair to mow 410 down.

But 410, still with an expression as though she was making fun of them, easily caught that widely swung chair with a single hand.
"......Tch!"
"What a scary woman nyeh. You really want to go the same way as your husband that muuch?"
From the cuff of her arm where she had caught the chair, something like a shining golden snake appeared, ......wrapped itself around the chair, and burst open.

It was a fearsome power, like a vice.
When Kyrie realized that the being in front of her, which looked like a girl, was actually a being that surpassed human knowledge and which a human could not even begin to oppose, her head was filled with an great alarm bell that welled up from inside her...
Genji, Shannon, and Kanon, all of the servants permitted to wear the One-winged Eagle, continued to stand calmly at attention by the wall even with a scene like this before their eyes, making them look very bizarre and eerie.
For an instant, Kyrie thought that their calmness was achieved because they were with the enemy, and had been guaranteed that they would not be killed.

......But as soon as she thought that, the side of Genji's face was blown away before her eyes.
"G, Genji-san......"
"45, Impact, Hit...!"
"......Hohoh, Genji, how unfortunate. ......Sleep in peace, my friend. *cackle*cackle*cackle*, your death will not be wasted. You will become one of the 13 keys essential to the resurrection of my beloved witch. Fuhhahahahahahahaha......"
The half of Genji's expression that remained, ......was as indifferent as ever.

He tilted, ......fell over, and sent a blood-red splatter out across the floor......
".........Genji-sama..............."
"............We're nothing more, ...than the witch's pieces. .........Nothing more..., .........nothing more......"
From the meek, ...and frustrated, no, ......resigned expressions on Shannon and Kanon's faces, you couldn't feel any naive expectation that they would be saved.
That's right. Kinzo was, in the truest sense, .........carrying out these murders at random.
In the truest sense, ......he was killing like it was a game to see who would be saved and who would be killed.
"We-ll then, whoo'll we go for next nye~h. Nihhihi!!"
410 looked at Kyrie for a second.
In that second, ......Kyrie was prepared for her own death.

But when she readied her golden bow in midair, 410 was looking at someone else over Kyrie's shoulder.
......So, as imprudent as it was, Kyrie felt as though she had been saved......
Again, an ugly, exploding, popping sound rang throughout the room.
......Who was it this time?

When Kyrie turn to face the direction of the sound, .........there, as blood gushed like from a fountain, Eva could be seen lying on her husband's chest.

...Of course, her face had been half smashed just like her husband's......
410 had mercilessly targeted Eva as she had clung to her husband's corpse sobbing.
"L, let go of Nii-san...!! Let go of Nii-san...!! Just stop it, Father!! Just stop this brutal thing!!"
"......Run away, Rosa...... Ggh, ack, .........!"
Rosa's objection didn't reach Kinzo as he continued to laugh loudly in the blood-spattered dining hall, so she wasn't able to lessen Krauss's pain at being lifted up by the nape of the neck by 00.

So Rosa had no choice but to use force. She lifted up a chair beside her, and gave a warning.
"Father...!! Order her to let go of Nii-san! Just stop them from doing this!!"
"I cannot. If that is what you desire, then prevent it using your own power. ......Cut a path through to your own fate with your own hands. You who have always hid behind the backs of others in fear, show me the final bit of self-denial that dwells within you...!! Fuhhahahahahahahahaha!!!"
"F, ......Father...............Whaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!"
The chair that Rosa had lifted up, .........swung down at the father who had reigned as a symbol of terror for her entire life.It was the greatest, and final...act of bravery and self-denial in Rosa's life.
What Kinzo had said might have been true.

......If she had grasped that courage much sooner, her life might have become more free, unrestrained by anyone else.
Then, there was a bursting sound.

......The sound of Rosa's chair fiercely hitting Kinzo, ...could not have been this.

With the chair still lifted up, .........she neatly lost half of her head, and slumped over.
Still holding Krauss up with one hand, ......00 stuck her other hand out towards Rosa.

The golden snake released from that arm...had constricted Rosa in a helix, ......and had smashed into her head.
"......Defensive Firing. I apologize for the discourtesy of a point-blank shot, sir."
"I do not mind. Hmm, so this makes six people."
"Yes, Lord Goldsmith. This makes six people."

When she indifferently communicated that, 00 let go of Krauss, who she had been lifting up this whole time.
"Hmmm. So, the sacrifices of the first twilight were Eva, Rudolf, Rosa, Natsuhi, Hideyoshi, and Genji. *cackle*cackle*cackle*!!"
It was a massacre that happened in an instant.

The interior of the dining hall had been dirtied by blood spatter, ......and the six unlucky victims lay with their heads brutally exposed.

In a way that was fitting for that abnormal space, Kinzo's abnormal laugh alone echoed......
"Hahhahahahahaha, wahhahahahahahahahahahahaha!! The curtain has finally risen! It's the beginning of the ceremony to revive Beatrice...!!
You lucky ones who have managed to escape the first twilight, allow me to introduce you to my friends. Arise, my friend! Ronove...!!"
When Kinzo called Ronove's name, the demon butler showed himself in midair, bowing respectfully......
"Pleased to meet you, everyone. And good day to those of you I haven't seen for a long time. Pu ku ku ku...! It seems this place is once again spectacularly untidy."
"Very well. This level of stimulant is necessary to wake me from my daydream like days.
I shall introduce him, my friend, the reliable butler and one of the 72 Great Demons, Ronove."
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Just who was he aiming that introduction at?
......Krauss and Kyrie, who were still down on their backsides, and Nanjo, Gohda and Kumasawa...could only look up at this middle-aged gentlemen who they didn't know in shock......

Only Shannon and Kanon seemed to recognize him, and they bowed deeply...
"......So, I wasn't able to greet Genji. I hope that he was at least able to fulfill his purpose painlessly."
"It was an instant death from a direct hit to the head...! He didn't have the time to feel the pain."
"Is that so? Very well."
"Allow me to introduce another friend. Arise, my friend, Virgilia...!!"
Once again, a silhouette of someone the relatives didn't know appeared from empty space.
She appeared in a refined dress while making an elegant greeting.
".........Thank you for summoning me, Master. Although I would rather not have been summoned into a bloody place such as this."
"Allow me to introduce her too. This is both my friend and reliable counselor, Virgilia.......I want to borrow your great power as the Witch of the Finite. Lend me that power!"
"......Even if I tried to refuse, that wouldn't be permitted for someone under your powerful summoning subordination. Your will, Master."
"............Even so, he is a fearsome fellow. To think that he summoned three of the Siesta Sisters Corps, and then me, and even Virgilia.........Even though it is only in the area of summoning, to think that he far surpasses Milady, ......frightening. I shudder at the Ushiromiya blood."
"In order to carry out Beatrice's resurrection ceremony, I gave it my all as a summoner. It's still not enough. In order to perfectly succeed in the ceremony this time, I shall summon more.
The Pendragon Memorial Troops and Ronove and Virgilia.........I can still call more..., with my magical power, I can still call many more......!! Answer to my summons......, one of the 72 demons, Gaap!!"
"Gaap...? You can even summon her......?"
"It probably means that the corrosion has advanced even more on this island. ......It's enough so that we can materialize. Even if he can summon greater demons than this, that's nothing to be surprised about."
"Has Rokkenjima already been completely sucked into a parallel world then? ............I hope he does not surrender."
".........He learned a lot last time, correct? After all this time, he won't surrender over this much. Probably, I should say, right? Pu ku ku! .........Well then, shall we enjoy this stage? It seems the main character is the Master this time. Let us expect a script of a different flavor than Milady's."
When Kinzo strongly concentrated his magical power, ......a pale light gathered in the air, twisted, ......and a magic circle was drawn with a deep-red light.

And with a sound like glass breaking, .........a new demon could be seen there.
"......You did well to answer to my call. ......Gaap, one of the 72 Great Demons...!"
"............You sure summoned me to an incredible place.
Did you call me to clean up this blood-stained room? Goldsmith...?"

The literally devilish woman, wrapped in a venomous, ominous costume, looked at the scene which should have made her cover her eyes, and twisted her mouth in a grin......
"If that had been the only reason for calling you, it would be like using a cashmere muffler to mop the floor."
"It's been a long time, Gaap. ......To think that a Great Demon such as yourself has finally appeared on this island. ......I wonder if this island has nearly sunk into fantasy."
"This all-star cast is more surprising than the gruesome state of the room. .........A full three Siesta Sisters, the Great Demon Ronove, the Great Witch Virgilia, and even me.
What's going on? Is this Pandemonium? Are you trying to start a concert from hell or something? .........I see, as a conductor for that, I couldn't think of anyone better than you, Goldsmith."
"I will have your assistance as facilitator in the completion of my ceremony to resurrect Beatrice. You have no objections to my summoning contract, right...?"
"Of course not. There's no way I could resist the summoning subordination of the legendary great summoner, Lord Goldsmith, who enslaved the famous Great Witch Beatrice.
......I'll assist you. Although I will of course charge a fitting price. ......So? What's my first job?"
"Capture the cowards who made it through the first twilight. Fortunately, there are still seven here, aren't there? Nanjo, Shannon, Kanon, Gohda, Kumasawa, Kyrie, and Krauss...!
Hoh, if these seven are all offered as sacrifices, that's exactly 13 people! Until it is time for the second and later twilights to be carried out, throw them into the cage of sacrifices, *cackle*!!"
"............A cashmere mop, I see. Understood."
As Gaap shrugged her shoulders, she looked at Krauss, who was still down on his butt.

She glared.
Then, when she snapped her fingers, ......as though a round pitfall had opened up in the floor, Krauss was swallowed up by the floor.
"Uu, waaaaahhh........."
"One down."

There was no hole in the floor.
But it had certainly looked as though Krauss had been swallowed up by a hole and disappeared......
".........!!"

Searching for her next prey, Gaap's gaze crossed Kyrie's.
She snapped her fingers.
Kyrie jumped back as though repelled.
She had felt it instinctively.
Because, in the place where she had been until a second ago, a round, jet-black hole had appeared, the same kind that had swallowed up Krauss.
However, before she could catch her balance, another pitfall appeared and swallowed her up.

......Even Kyrie had no way of eluding Gaap's capture.
"Waahh......!!"

When she snapped her fingers again, a shocked Nanjo was swallowed up by the floor and disappeared.
When she did it again, 410 let out a short yell and jumped back.

This time, a slightly larger pitfall had opened, swallowing both Shannon and Kanon, who had been standing in a line by the door.
But because 410 had jumped away from the door, the way was no longer blocked.
Instinctively aware that he would be next, Gohda dashed out through that door.
Of course, Kumasawa also escaped with lightning speed, chasing after Gohda.
As Gaap snapped her fingers over and over, round, jet-black pitfalls opened one after another behind them, chasing them.
However, it did nothing but drive the recklessly fleeing pair away, and couldn't swallow them up.

Gohda and Kumasawa had escaped in a matter of seconds......
".........I've dulled. I let two get away."
"Don't worry, we are currently locking onto the escapee targets."
"Data Link ready. Nihi! Shall we snipe?"
"No, I cannot authorize that. They are precious sacrifices. Wait for the Master's authorization."
"Great Lord Goldsmith...! We await your orders...!"
"It is still too soon for the coming of the second twilight, ......is what the source of my magical power is whispering to me. It must not be now. Let them do as they like. It isn't as though they can escape from this island."
"The source of the Master's magical power is noise and risk and tests of luck. ......Hoh-hoh-hoh, in other words, it means being fickle, it seems."
"*cackle*, perhaps you could also put it that way. Good work, Gaap. Let us steadily advance the ceremony from here on.
.........Well then, that is that. Next is my grandchildren. .........I will test them to see whether they are qualified to become the next head. Let's see, how shall I check their qualifications? *cackle*cackle*...!!"
"If it is determined that they are qualified, ......do you intend to abandon Beato's resurrection?"
"Of course. And despite that, I will test them. ......Hmph, a woman may not be able to understand that contradiction, or my madness. *cackle*cackle*..."
".........Men are as weird as ever. I can't understand the very concept of playing with risk."
"Oh my, and I thought you loved that sort of thing?"
"Of course. If a man whispers to me about a dangerous risk along with love, I go head over heels. ...But only if he's hot!""Pu ku ku ku ku ku...!"
"Be quiet. Try to refrain from whispering."
"Hmph, truly noisy women. But at least they aren't boring. ......This is why summoning is pleasant. All of you will bear one side of the scales of noise and risk in my ceremony. That is the work I expect of you...!"
Six brutally murdered corpses lay in the dining hall, and it was contaminated with red, gruesome decorations......

It was now unimaginable that, until just a second ago, 13 humans had been arranged here in a well-organized manner.
Kinzo lined up the famous demons and their subordinates, loudly declared the beginning of a night of overwhelming mass murders, and swore to himself that he would certainly revive Beatrice, and open the door to the Golden Land......
"Sorry to keep you waiting!! Now the curtain finally rises on the first twilight!! *cackle*! That Kinzo, he loves being flashy as usual. So, that man who can be more persistent than anything when he follows you around, can shine so when on the stage."
"Damn...... Always killing in a grotesque way, as usual...... Smashing half of the heads?! The bad taste you witches and demons have always pisses me off...!"
"Smashing half of the heads......, I see. So she's noticed that, in the games up until now, that is the most ideal method of killing."
"Ideal? How is such a grotesque way of killing ideal?!"
"......Isn't it truly ideal? Try and remember the very first game."
"You......! So, you're that new demon or whatever that just appeared... Damn, so does this mean that the witch's corrosion continued and that there are now even more unsavory characters...?!"
......The more the witch's corrosion advanced, the more Rokkenjima tilted towards the spirit world.

That's why strange, insane people have kept appearing one by one.
Since this island was closed off by the typhoon and no human could leave it, of course new humans couldn't appear either.

But the more the corrosion advanced, the more witches and demons could appear, without limit. Increasing one by one.
By now, perhaps there are more demons than humans among the characters appearing in this insane tale. ......Their numbers might be the thing that represents this mad corrosion.
Yeah, I'm sure that's true. And not only is the number of people corroded, her fashion sense apparently is as well.

If the corrosion advances any further and even more weird people appear, just what in the world will they be wearing? .........It's so scary I can't imagine...
......Aaaah, seriously, give me a break...
Don't make these weird guys increase in number anymore...!!
"*cackle*cackle*cackle*! I can't do that, they'll keep increasing more and more!! I'll defile the foolish 'closed circle' rule humans speak of, over and over again...! Welcome to my elegant game! Gaap!"
".........It's been a long time, Riiche. Have you been well? ...Why do I ask, you look great! Have you gotten younger? You look 2, 300 years younger than when I last saw you. ............Ah, I see."
The demon Grandfather had summoned and introduced as Gaap...took a glance at me, and then grinned as though figuring something out on her own.

......It felt like an honestly unpleasant smile.
"Looks like she's Beato's friend. ......Which means she must be an extremely unsavory character. So, they were saying something about a closed circle or whatever, but what does that mean?"
"Serial murder mystery novels that occur in places isolated from the outside world, like Rokkenjima is now, are sometimes called closed circles. Since it's isolated from the outside, it's like a circle that's closed. ......Therefore, in general, the characters and suspects are limited.
Having new suspect candidates added on one after another from outside the circle goes against the etiquette of mystery novels. ......In other words, the witch is probably trying to desecrate humans and the mystery genre."
".........You're Gretel? I see, you look like a wise kid, ......*giggle*. I like that kind of kid. ......Their taste is so sweet and tantalizing."
"Gross. ......Keep the jokes to your clothing."
"It's 's newest,

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<lj-cut>It was already approaching 10:00 at night.
By now, the typhoon had wrapped itself around Rokkenjima.

Even the rose garden that had looked so beautiful midday, was beaten down upon by the fierce winds and resisted with all its might, undulating and trying to keep the flowers from blowing away...
In that rose garden, with Shannon in the lead, Battler, who was holding up an umbrella, Jessica, and Maria who was sleeping on George's shoulder were heading for the guesthouse.
"We can at least make it to the guesthouse from here. Shannon-chan, it's fine, you should go back and rest."
"It's fine, because seeing you off is also my duty...."
"The family conference is going on inside, and Mom and Genji-san are probably getting stressed. If we keep you, they'll misunderstand and think you were being lazy."
"That's right. Just graciously accepting our offer might be the best way to avoid burdening people. ...Thank you, Shannon."
"Not at all. ......Certainly, as Milady has said, it is very tense inside the mansion today. Therefore, coming with all of you allowed me a breath of fresh air, and I have been able to relax a bit."
"The family conference, huh. .........They went to all the trouble of chasing us kids out, so they're probably talking about something ill-natured."
"Probably. I'm sure there's nothing we can do to help out. Just trying to stay out of their way is probably the best way for us to be useful."
"Heh......! I'm sure they're just talking about 'money money money!'. ...Even though they act like they're so rich most of the time, when it gets tough, they all start getting pushy. Why don't they just be graceful and split it evenly between everyone?"
"Ihihi. That'd be awesome. It'd be nice if I got a share too. Since if I got some too, I'd split it with Shannon-chan right away."
"Th, thank you very much.... Well, I appreciate the sentiment."
"Shannon isn't greedy at all. Normally, girls of your age would have tons of things they want to buy."
"I guess. But none of the things I want can be bought with money."
"Ooh! How unselfish! If you lined up all the things I wanted, all the gold in the world wouldn't be enough."
"That's if you're talking about things that can be bought with money. I wonder what these 'things that can't be bought with money' that Shannon wants a~re. Do you have any idea, George nii-san?"
"W, well, I wonder. I'm not Shannon, so how could I know?"
"I, ...I don't know either."

George and Shannon looked down with their faces red.
Battler had also heard the details, so he knew what Jessica was teasing them about.
"George-aniki is a person I respect as well. I think you've met up with a really great person, Shannon-chan."
"Yeah. I also feel relieved that we can leave Shannon to George nii-san."
"St, stop teasing. It's a serious issue for us. More importantly, what about you, Jessica-chan? Have you been able to get a little closer to Kanon-kun?"
"Whaaaaaaaaat?! So, you and Kanon are like that?!"
"Ah, um, well!! Th-, that's dirty, George onii-san, twisting the conversation around like that is dirty!"
As they had an animated discussion with ups and downs, the four kids headed for the guesthouse.......
The annual family conference was extremely important to the Ushiromiya family, and this year seemed like it was going to be especially important.

Apparently, the family head, Kinzo, was personally going to be making a very serious announcement, and everyone other than the adults had been strictly ordered to leave.
Battler hadn't attended the family conference in six years, so he didn't really notice, but according to Jessica, there seemed to be a very tense atmosphere tonight, completely different from a normal year.
......Common sense made it clear that Kinzo, whose remaining life was short, was going to make some big announcement about the succession of the head and the distribution of his fortune......
"But I'm suprised. .........To think that Grandfather actually made an appearance......."
"......I see. So, this is the witch's counterattack."
"*cackle*cackle*cackle*! I wanted to leave the Joker called Kinzo face-down a little longer, but it's probably about time to turn it over. Trump cards exist to be used. *cackle*cackle*!"
"Damn. My theory that Grandfather was dead since the beginning, and a different 18th person had snuck in, ......is now suddenly torn apart."
"I had foreseen that you would begin to doubt Kinzo eventually...! Alright, now your reasoning has all gone back to square one again, right?
With this, your theory that Kinzo was dead at the very beginning and I was hiding as the 18th person goes poof! *cackle*cackle*cackle*!!"
".........Fuck... But no way I'll lose heart. That's only one theory gone. I'll attack you like a storm, like a tornado......."
"*cackle*cackle*! I'd have it no other way! Even the first twilight has not yet begun. It is far too early to give up."
"That's right. And, it's not like it was denied with the red truth. .........At this point in time, Battler's theory hasn't been defeated. It's too early to say that you've won."
"Yeah, that's right. ......It's still to early for me to simply swallow her story. ...Grandfather is supposed to finally appear, but there's a chance that he'll talk about how his health has gotten worse and not appear after all.
......Krauss oji-san might be trying desperately to hide the fact that Grandfather really is dead until the last second."
"Ha...! I see, I see, you could also think of it that way. Do as you please. It will be resolved soon. Very soon... *cackle*cackle*......!"
All of the relatives and Nanjo could be seen in the dining hall.
Nanjo sat alone, quietly watching the wind and rain outside.
Krauss sat down in the seat of his own rank, with Natsuhi standing motionlessly at his side.

The other siblings were gathered at the opposite end of the long table, whispering to each other.......
"......Is that true?"
"Yes. ......Maria said...the person who gave her the umbrella......was Father."
"What in the world...? In other words, our strategy has collapsed from the roots...!"
"Not just our strategy. Since Father is healthy and has said that he will make an announcement himself, our trivial bargaining with Nii-san was completely pointless."
"Yep. ......That old bastard. Why couldn't he have just shown himself right away without making a show of it? Thanks to that, we've just been quarreling with Aniki uselessly."
"............Don't you think he may have wanted to test us? Maybe I'm not one to talk, since we aren't related by blood, but your Father is very intelligent, correct?"
"Our arguments during the day were probably overheard by one of the servants, and reported to Father. .........Incredible. The fact that we were making a fuss with Father's inheritance as our goal is now right in the open............Ah, just incredible..."

Eva uncharacteristically held her head, dejected.
If, as Kyrie had said, everything had been going according to Kinzo's plans from the beginning, and if this was a huge setup that had been kept up for over a year, trying to find the siblings' true intentions, then they had fallen for it completely...
"......Still dunno for sure whether or not it's reached Father's ears."
"No, it definitely has! ......Everyone but Nii-san claimed that Father was dead, and none of us believed in Father's good health...! Aaah, it's already over.............Father will make an announcement. Nii-san will become the successor, and he will say that we aren't even qualified to wear the One Wing.............Oooh, I............"
"Nee-san......, get ahold of yourself......."
"......Rosa-san. I wonder whether Maria really received that umbrella from Father."
"Huh? What do you mean......?"
"......Maria-chan might have met Father. However, we haven't met him. Maria-chan only claims to have met him."
"What are you saying.......? ......Are you saying that Maria is telling a lie?!"
"Calm down, Rosa. ......Maria-chan didn't necessarily lie. However, isn't Maria-chan an innocent child?
......For example, if Genji-san came up to her and said something like 'I was told by your Grandfather to hand this to you, Maria-sama', then even if Maria-chan hadn't met Dad, she still might say that she got an umbrella from him, right?"
"Th, ......that's right. That trick could work...!"
"However, what was it that Maria-chan said? 'Grandfather came, and then handed me the umbrella'."
"Yes, that's what she said. She clearly said that she had received an umbrella directly from Grandfather."
"......Directly, huh? Then we're stuck."
"............................They often say that stupid thoughts are no better than sleeping. If you think about it a bit, all this about the umbrella is a trivial problem."
"Why's that? Couldn't Maria-chan have been bribed by Nii-san to lie and say something that made it seem like Father was in good health?! There is no evidence that Father actually handed the umbrella to her...!"
"No matter who Maria-chan received the umbrella from, and even if she never was given an umbrella in the first place, Father will appear very soon. With Father in front of us, the problem with the umbrella would become completely trivial.
.........In other words, this is not the time to gossip about the problem with the umbrella."
"What do you mean, this isn't the time?"
".........I see, ...got it. ......This is probably what Kyrie-san's sayin'. .........Father is supposed to come here very soon, but the chance still remains that he'll criticize us again and won't appear in the end, right......?"
"I, .........I see. That's true... Maybe Nii-san just said Father was going to appear at random in a desperate bid to buy time against our investigation. Father really is dead already, and Nii-san is still lying and saying he's healthy...!"
"In short, if Father appears, then no schemes will be effective. There's no need to even think about it. We're fish on the chopping board. We'd have no choice but to leave fate to the heavens and attend direct negotiations with Father. That means we'd have no choice but to prostrate ourselves and beg for money.
......But on the other hand, if Father doesn't appear, then our primary strategy isn't hampered in the least."
".........I see. In short, no matter which way it goes, there's absolutely no need to get flustered now."
"That's it. If Father shows up, we just have to carry out the normal family conference. .........If he doesn't, we just have to constantly investigate Krauss-san."
"We definitely must not let him talk his way out of it..., like by saying Father's mood has suddenly gotten worse."
"......It seems what we really should be trying to figure out is what scheme Nii-san is going to try and trick us with. The way he just doesn't know how to give up is something I know better than anyone."
"If Father is well, ......we'll prostrate ourselves and beg for money. ......If its Krauss-san's farce, then we continue our ugly sibling fight. .........Sounds like this year's family conference is going to be just wonderful."
"Yep. So, stupid thoughts are no better than sleeping. It's almost 22:00. ......Should we press Aniki?"

Rudolf and the rest looked at Krauss.
He sat down, and looked like he was awaiting Kinzo's arrival with an air of composure.

......They couldn't tell whether that really was composure, or whether he was scheming about how to tie together his lie.
"............Dear......"
"......Calm yourself. We won't get anywhere by making a fuss after all this. .........Let's leave it to Genji-san."
"It's almost, ......10:00, isn't it."
That was the time that had been set for tonight's family conference to open.
And at the same time, it was the time that the Ushiromiya family head needed to appear......
Right then, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching from the hall.
There were multiple sets.

Natsuhi raised her head, relieved......
But because of the sound of a knock, her expression was filled with disappointment.
Because Kinzo probably wouldn't have knocked.
"......Please excuse us. I have finished closing up the mansion for the night."

It was Gohda and Kumasawa.
Unlike the powerful Gohda, it was rare for Kumasawa with her old body to be forced with work this late.

Of course, Krauss also seemed to know that.
"Hmm. Good work. .........My apologies for making you work at such a time, Kumasawa-san."
"Oh, it's nothing. I may not look it, but staying up late is still one of my specialties. Hoh-hoh-hoh-hoh...!"
"......Wouldn't it be alright to at least let Kumasawa leave without being an observer? It really will be difficult on her body, I imagine."
"............The order was to gather all of the servants as well. I cannot disobey."
Tonight's family conference was clearly different from a normal one.

On a normal year, no one was able to attend the family conference except relatives.
It had been impossible for any servants to be there too.
But this year was different.

All of the servants were told to attend the family conference.
Of course, they were not allowed to talk.
.........They were there as observers.
Just what in the world was there that needed five servants to observe?
......Even Krauss didn't know.
"Hoh-hoh-hoh. I don't look it, but I'm good with late nights. If you stuff yourself with mackerel too, Krauss-sama, you'll be able to be more manly at night."
"Hahahaha. I see, you're still in high spirits. I'm sure you'll be working in such high spirits until you're a hundred."
"Madam. Forgive my arrogance, but I have prepared a light snack. I can serve it at any time, so feel free to order it."
"Thank you. You really are considerate. ......Please get refills of coffee for everyone else."
"Certainly."
After nodding, Gohda took the pot towards the relatives gathered at the other end of the table.
As he did, more footsteps approached from the hallway.

......It was a single set.
And it was light.

Even before the knock, they could imagine who it was.
"Excuse me......I have taken the children to the guesthouse."
"Good work. Tonight is a special evening. Make sure you stay alert."
"Y, yes. Certainly, Madam......"
Genji had gone with Kanon to meet Kinzo.

......There was still no sign of their return.
The hand of the clock passed 22:00 slightly.
Once sure of that, Eva spoke to Krauss.
"......Nii-saaan? It's time. Will you still not start the family conference?"
"............The arrival of the guest of honor has been delayed. Wait a short while."
"How long? Sorry, but time's up. I won't have you saying 'Father hasn't quite shown up yet' over and over until dawn."
"How could I make a promise about the time Father will show up? Why are you in such a rush? Why not drink some tea and calm down for now...?"
"Aniki, we're gathered here for a family conference. Not a farce. We'll wait 30 more minutes. But if that doesn't work, you'll let us intrude on the study, right?"
"Wh, what a word, intrude...... That would be an action quite lacking in respect for the head!"
"That's right, sorry? We'll be good for 30 more minutes. Uffuffuffu......"
"...............Hmph."
"..................I look forward to seeing whether you can keep that same smile 30 minutes from now."
"......So, you honestly believe that Father is dead?"
"I have no desire to discuss that now. We can wait until Father comes here. There's absolutely no need for me to argue you down, Nii-san."
"The Ushiromiya headship will be passed on to the proper person in the proper manner. ......No matter what you may scheme, you cannot resist. Of course, the same goes for me."
"What are you trying to say? ......And after bragging all these years about the next head being you...!"
"I'll turn your own words back on you. I have no desire to discuss that now. All that matters is for Father to come here and proclaim it with his own mouth. There's absolutely no reason for me to argue you down. ......Right? Heheheh!"
Krauss casually turned Eva's words back on her.
Of course, that added oil to Eva's anger.
But it didn't ignite.

Because in that instant, the sound of a very loud knock rang out.
Both Genji and Kanon were usually very reserved when they knocked.
They wouldn't hit the door with such a violent strength.
......It was like a judge's gavel slamming down in a call for silence.

So everyone fell quiet......
The door opened slightly, ......and Genji showed himself.

Then, he spoke with a serious tone different from his usual one.
It wasn't the tone he used when carrying out his duties.
......It was the tone he used when speaking for Kinzo himself.

So just by hearing Genji speak like that, the siblings were struck with a sudden tension.
"Please take your seats, everyone."

At those words, the dining hall fell into complete silence, and everyone hurriedly returned to their designated seats.
It was as though students who had been bustling around just before homeroom had suddenly returned to their seats when the teacher came, and it might even have felt humorous.

......But there was no way anyone would joke about it.
Everyone sat in order, and Shannon, Gohda, and Kumasawa stood up straight in a row by the wall.
"......The head of the glorious Ushiromiya family, and lord of Rokkenjima, the island that sparkles gold. Lord Ushiromiya Kinzo is present."
Of the double doors that led to the dining hall, Genji opened the right door from the inside, and Kanon opened the left door from the outside.
......And, welcomed by a respectful bow from those two, majestically fluttering his cape, ............Kinzo appeared......

Kinzo's gait had a dignified weight to it, and it was hard to believe that he had reportedly been at the end of his life.
Genji pulled back Kinzo's seat, and motioned for him to sit.
But Kinzo stayed standing, signaling with his chin for Genji to move back.
"*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*, fuhhahahahahahahahahaha...!! Welcome to Rokkenjima, ladies and gentlemen. Why the frightened face, Evaa?"
"N, no, why would I be frightened...! I'm just relieved to find you in excellent spirits, Father......"
"Wahhahhahhahhahhahha...!! Evaa, you're as interesting as ever, aren't yoou? You might try honestly saying how frustrated you are at losing your bet with Krauss. ......*cackle*cackle*, you can't say it, can you? *cackle*cackle*!!"
Eva realized that their conversation during the day had indeed been leaked to Kinzo, and she hung her head, turning red.
"Well then, my sons and daughters, and their companions! Regarding my wealth and the succession of the head that you all seem so infatuated with, I believe I will make an important announcement tonight.
But first! I think I will mention how incredibly disappointed I am. That is because until today, no one had been able to solve the riddle of the epitaph."
Even though Kinzo said he was disappointed, a condescending smile, as though there was no way the likes of these could have solved it, rose to his face, and his gaze passed through all of them.
"......I had been planning on handing over everything to the person who could solve that. But now we have reached this point, with no one having solved it, and nothing of mine being passed down to anyone.
How shameful...!! The fact that not one among you has come forward with the qualifications to succeed me, I find truly disappointing, and shameful, and patheetic!! Wahhahhahhahhahhahha!!"
The siblings hung their heads in silence.

Of course, they would have solved it if they could.
If they had just needed to take a swing at it, that would have been the end of it, but it was just so hard...
"Therefore. I am proclaiming here and now that I will suspend the use of the epitaph's riddle as a method of choosing my successor. In short, time's up! This is game over. ......What a shame, you all. Even though that should have given you all an equal and fair chance, that has now collapsed! .........Nffuffuffuffuffu!!"

It truly sounded like Kinzo was making a victory proclamation.
"In that case, will my oldest son Krauss succeed the headship...? *cackle*cackle*! The answer is <no>!!"
"Wha...?!"
"............"
"......You understand, right, Krauuss? I certainly gave you the title of next head. But you just lost your head over it... Do you know what it means to be the next head......?"
".........It means...to succeed after you, Father..."
"Wrooooooooooooooooonnnng!! The next head isn't something that's guaranteed by the current head at aaaaaaaaaaall!
.........Listen up, Krauuss. I won't tell you this again. The next head? That's what you call someone who finds everyone else who's after the headship, thoroughly breaks their noses, and makes it so that they can never disobey him again.
This is not only something that can be said of the headship. It's the same with money! A 'rich person' doesn't mean someone who has money. It means someone who crushes everyone who had more money than himself, and who scrabbles together more money than anyone else."
"It's the same with talent. A genius is not what you call a person blessed with talent! It means a person who crushes everyone with more talent than themselves! A person who can coerce geniuses and all other people to call them that by using strength and charisma!! You have a mistaken impression when it comes to all of these things. ......So you aren't of the right caliber to be the next head. *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!!"
"............N, now I have learned..."
Perhaps that truly was Kinzo's philosophy.

As a result of faithfully carrying out that philosophy of his that sounded like a rant, Kinzo had glorified the Ushiromiya family to the state it was in today......
It may be hard to imagine after his immersion in the occult in recent years, but that brutal overbearing quality was itself Ushiromiya Kinzo's charisma and aura...
"Such an unsatisfactory person is not qualified to inherit everything of the Ushiromiya family. In that case, is Eva, Rudolph, or Rosa qualified?
That is also <no>!! You were unable to solve the riddle, and despite that, you were unable to use a scheme to drag Krauss down! All the three of you managed to do was gather together in a united front to try and extort money from Krauss. And even that scheme was thoughtless! You can't even corner Krauss all by himself! .........There could be nothing more shameful!
You lack the avarice to steal away the position of next head by any means!! In order to get what you want, you should pay all sacrifices, become as covetous, as greedy as possible...!! The goddess of luck smiles upon the greedy!! You three, who don't have that wild spirit, are as unfit for the succession as Krauss is!!"
Eva and the rest had no words to respond with.
And they couldn't calculate what it was Kinzo was about to say...
Was Kinzo actually planning to proclaim that no one would succeed the head?
If so, that would work to Eva, Rosa, and Rudolf's advantage.

Because in the end, they would just have to retune everything between the siblings after Kinzo's death, and split the inheritance evenly.
It would surely be more troublesome if a specific person's name was raised and proclaimed to be the one to succeed the head.

......But would Kinzo really say something that would benefit any of the four siblings after demeaning them so much?
"......You don't think...he's going to say that because no one will succeed him, he'll donate all of his fortune to charity or something, right......?"
".........I'm afraid I wouldn't put it past Father."
"The blood's just risen to your head...... We can do nothing but hear him out."
"W, ...well then, Father. What thoughts do you have regarding the next head?"
"Hmph......... Since I am so completely disappointed in all of you, I've lost the desire to hand it over to anyone. Therefore, the Ushiromiya family will end here. It ends with my generation."
"......Th, that cannot......"
"The Ushiromiya family was crushed long ago in that earthquake. The current Ushiromiya family is nothing but an illusion of gold I have seen for an instant. ......The likes of which will end when I awaken from my slumber. Fuffuffu! Everything in this world is a dream, an illusion. ...Life is but a daydream before the awakening called death. Aaah, yes, that's how it was in the beginning!! That I should lose everything when I die was Beatrice's contract, and her curse! Fuhhahhahha!! You think that will work, Beatrice?! I will be the one to capture you!! Tonight, that should become reality. *cackle*cackle*cackle*! Wahhahahahahahahahaha!!"
For a while, Kinzo was overcome with cackling, and his eyes bulged.
Whenever he talked about Beatrice, it was always eloquent and insane......
"Foolish children such as yourselves are truly a daydream!! It's as though you were never there from the beginning!! Disappear! Wake up!! Disappear from the doze of the truth that is me...!! You failures that have not built up anything that makes you worthy to succeed me!!"
"K, Kinzo-san. If I may......"
"What? My friend."

Nanjo nervously raised his hand, asking to speak. Kinzo allowed him to.
"I understand how you feel, Kinzo-san. Because you love your children, you expect a lot of them, and as a parent and grandparent myself, I understand the parental affection that can make you feel as though these expectations were betrayed.
......However, you are extraordinary, Kinzo-san. A genius. Isn't saying that it's only natural for them to catch up to you a little too harsh...? And even so, Krauss-san, Eva-san, Rudolf-san, Rosa-san, and all of their partners have done their very best to catch up with you..."
"Hohoooooooooohhh??? And just how much money have they built up with this 'doing their best'? After these cowards fail completely in ventures and gain debt, and still try to sponge off me, how can you say that they did their very best...?!!
Money is the crystallization of everything in this world. If you cannot grasp that, then you cannot grasp the world! If a life cannot strongly grasp this world, it doesn't deserve to live!! Disappear!! Disappear from my life and reality!!"
"......That is a reckless argument. With that logic, even I must not live. ......Even so, I believe that the time I spend playing chess with you was worthwhile for both of us, Kinzo-san.........You should know better than anyone else that there are many things in this world which cannot be bought with money."
".........Hmm. ......Hmph."
As the siblings motionlessly hung their heads, they cheered Nanjo on inside their hearts.

Not one of the siblings could offer their opinion in front of Kinzo in a rage, but Kinzo's close friend Nanjo alone was allowed to...
Even though Kinzo had raged so fiercely, after being admonished by Nanjo, he nodded several times as though in agreement.

......His surprisingly obedient side might have seemed cute, but there was no one who could laugh.
"It may be true that your children haven't built up as great a fortune as yourself, Kinzo-san. ......Well, even so, from my point of view, they're rich enough to make me jealous.
But besides money, they have also built up many things that cannot be bought with money. When it comes to that, they are in no way inferior to you, Kinzo-san."
"Hoh. What are you saying they have built up that cannot be bought with money?"
"Happiness. Family. ......They have found wonderful partners, had children, and each has built up their own happy homes. They have glorified your family name, and have brought back grandchildren.
Grandchildren are good. We older people can look at these young grandchildren, who will live on into a new era that we will not even be given a chance to see, and in these grandchildren, we can imagine an endless future. ......Isn't that the sole entertainment for old age?
Remember, Kinzo-san. Remember your joy when they first brought back their grandchildren...! Your children, and your grandchildren, will carry your great works on to future generations, and will set an example. That is something that an individual cannot accomplish no matter how much money they have."
The siblings all nodded in agreement...

Certainly, Kinzo had looked happy when his grandchildren had just been born.
......Back when he still had some sanity in his heart.

......However, was the warmth of a human still left inside Kinzo's heart......?
"In other words, in exchange for the vast riches I created! Instead of gaining money, I have gained my grandchildren, you mean."
"N, no, no, that's not what I..."
"So, in exchange for the several tens of billions in wealth that I have built up, I have gained a single grandchild from each of my children!!
Hahhahahahahahahahahaha!! This is wonderful! So, I have created a single life using ten billion yen! That's how it is! Interesting, truly an interesting example in the alchemic sense, riight...?!
Hooh, what valuable grandchildren! Wonderful, ......wonderful!! Wahhahhahhahhahha!! Is that right, Krauss? ......Is your daughter worth ten billion......?"
"............"
Krauss couldn't answer instantly.
......It wasn't that he didn't have confidence in his daughter. It was because he didn't have a clue what Kinzo was trying to test him with in this question.

But when Natsuhi was then pressed for an answer, she responded, breaking Krauss's silence with an answer of her own interpretation.
"......Y, yes. Jessica is a daughter who I wouldn't let go of even for ten billion yen. In that sense, I believe she has a value that can't be counted with money."
"Hoh. So you can state for certain that she is worth ten billion. Hoh hoh! What about you, Eva? What about your George......?"
Since Natsuhi had answered that way, Eva naturally came up with her own answer as well.

......Even though Eva should have known better than to respond to a provocative question like this, she answered as well.
"Yes, Father. George is worth ten billion, ......no, even more than that. And that's not in the abstract sense of things money cannot buy. George will certainly build up a fortune equal to his worth. He should become a grandson worthy of carrying on your great works, Father...!"
Eva sent a glance at Hideyoshi and Natsuhi as though laughing.

......When she heard what Eva had said, Natsuhi was about to add more praise for her daughter, but stopped at a glare from Krauss.
"Hmm, I see. .........Then what about you, Rudolf? What about your Battler?"
"Compared to George-kun, ......there's nothing about Battler I can brag about. If he was kidnapped and we were threatened with a ransom of ten billion, I'd feeling like sticking a bow on the guy and letting them have him."
"*giggle*giggle*......"
"On top of that, he's an idiot and reckless. He talks about grand dreams and things that couldn't be done. ......I guess in that way, he's a super idiot worth the equivalent of ten billion normal idiots.
But I'm sure that guy could do things that even a group of ten billion average people couldn't do. Well, I'm pretty sure he'll fall flat on his face. The world isn't easy.
......But at the very least, there's no doubt that watching over his life will be more pleasant than looking at ten billion average people."
Eva clicked her tongue at the clever style of speech that would probably match Kinzo's tastes.
Apparently Rudolf had been after this himself, so he grinned back at her.
"......What of Maria?"
"M, ......Maria is my cute and only daughter. Her value cannot be measured with money. ......That is all."
"Hmm. ............I see. Dreams and the future, miracles and possibilities are the source of my magical power. No magic without hopes holds any power.
......Hmph, I will not be able to expect anything more from all of you after you have proven to be average, but I see, my grandchildren have the possibility of the future, and it is possible that they are worth expecting a magical miracle from.
If with this, you say that they are worth more than ten billion, hmm, it's not like I don't understand. ......Hmmm, hmmmm......"
When Kinzo got in a rage, he wouldn't let anyone speak up, but even so, he would sometimes accept something on his own while yelling by himself, and change his own opinion.

......That's what this felt like to the siblings.
Apparently, even though Kinzo had been dumbfounded by his unsuccessful children, and had cast them away as being unfit for the inheritance of his title or his fortune, he wasn't sure about his grandchildren.
......At this rate, he might soon say that the inheritance would go to his grandchildren instead of the siblings.

As the siblings sat in fear of what their fickle and short-tempered father would suddenly think of next, they carefully watched his every move...
"......Hmm. ......Let me change my thinking a little. I have absolutely no desire to hand over everything of mine to any of you.
However, it will be quite interesting to question the grandchildren to see whether one of them is qualified...... I've always thought of them as little kids, but there is a chance they will show me a glitter of ore that will surprise me.
And testing them for that would be, ......yes, that would be hard to abandon as a final hobby in my remaining life. ......Hmmmmm, ......well then, what shall I do...?"
"I, ...I can recommend, with confidence, George as someone fitting to follow after you!"

Eva claimed that right away.
Natsuhi looked like she was about to follow along, but Krauss gave her a look telling her to restrain herself, so she swallowed her words.
"Fuffufufufufu! How bold. ......Then, let us do this. I will individually question the grandchildren to see whether they are qualified to succeed the Ushiromiya family inheritance and wealth."
"...Father......"
"Howeeever!! .........That does not mean that one of you will directly receive the inheritance. I am already disappointed in you all. There is now nothing that I will give you. Nothing! The ones I will question are the grandchildren. And the ones that might succeed me are the grandchildren. ......Make absolutely sure that you do not mistake this, alright......?"
".........I'll follow Father's decision."
"Same here. I'll follow what he determines. ......What about you, Aneki?"
"O, of course. ......I believe that Father will make a wise judgement."
"I, I will also follow Father's decision......"
"I shall think of how I will test the grandchildren. And that no longer has anything to do with you. Because all of you no longer have anything to do with the succession of the head. ......So right here, why don't I talk about something else that does have something to do with you."
"Something else......?"
"Hmm. That is the true reason for tonight, and for the final Ushiromiya family conference. ......*cackle*cackle*cackle*!! What I demand from you is neither a discussion nor your opinions. It was to demand cooperation. For my ceremony!"
".............Ceremonyy...?"
"Quiet...! Father is talking now...!"
Rudolf and the rest had automatically narrowed their brows at the occult-like word 'ceremony'.

Was he talking about starting a strange ceremony involving Beatrice's resurrection again......?
He was demanding that they help...?
What in the world is he planning to start?
In the past, he had carried out many eccentricities that he called by the same name, such as starting to burn a strange incense and filling the whole mansion with the stench.

To the siblings, a ceremony was nothing more than one of the aged Kinzo's obnoxious hobbies.
"Father... Just what do you mean by.........?"
"If we can assist you, we'll do anything. Right, Rosa?"
"Y, yes...... But, what in the world...is it...?"
"A ceremony as inscribed in my epitaph. ......A ceremony to revive Beatrice, and open the door to the Golden Land. That witch, who escaped her cage of flesh and sneeringly slipped through my fingers, I will now capture, and make to surrender with my greatest hidden art. .........For that purpose, I must offer 13 people as sacrifices.
......Fuffufufufufu! It is not easy to gather 13 people's worth of sacrifices. But tonight is the family conference! Many adults have gathered on Rokkenjima. There could be no other day on which to carry out this ceremony."
If you were to take that literally, it could only sound as though he was telling them to become sacrifices for his dark ceremony and die.
Ridiculous.
Is this some kind of metaphor...?

But they didn't even have a clue what he was trying to illustrate.

The siblings whispered together about what Kinzo was saying......
"......What's Dad saying? Is it his usual bad sickness...?"
"Probably. Listen silently for now."
".................."
"I'm sorry, Father... I don't understand how you mean that."
"What is it you don't understand? I am speaking extremely simply. I have said that I shall choose 13 people from among the humans on this island and offer them as sacrifices for the ceremony to revive Beatrice. Even worthless people like you can be very useful as sacrifices in my ceremony. Wahhahhahhahha!!
......Listen!! This is not a joke nor anything of the sort. This is my final bet, my final ceremony, the last one I will desire in my life! There are now more than 13 humans on this island. In short, that's a head count which can easily satisfy the massive number of sacrifices! Become the sacrifices for my ceremony!!"
"......Kinzo-san, ......you weren't...possibly......serious about what you said back then...?! It wasn't a joke......?!!"

Unusually for him, Nanjo's face changed color as he stood up and shouted.

It seemed this wasn't the first time Nanjo had heard all this dark talk about 13 sacrifices.
"Sorry, my friend. That was not a joke nor anything of the sort. It is what I bet my life on, the final ceremony, the final game that I will challenge.
Yes, this is a game! If gaining my fortune and leaving the island is your goal, then there are only two ways to achieve it! Will you escape being chosen as one of the 13 sacrifices and spectacularly survive, by finally solving the riddle of the epitaph and stopping the ceremony, ......or will you kill me! And thereby stop this ceremony. Those are the only two ways!!"
By now, everyone wasn't just whispering, but chattering and muttering away.
Even the siblings had noticed that Kinzo was beginning to act abnormally...
"......Father, are you a little tired? Genji-san, has Father been drinking?"
"............No. The Master is sensible."
"Sorry, Dad. I don't have a clue what you're talking about...... Dad's free to start up any weird ceremony he wants to revive the witch he loves. That's his hobby. But getting wrapped up in that, ......ahaha, and being made into a sacrifice is a little more than I can handle."
"Rudolf, are you trying to interrupt Father?!"
"What are you talking about, Aneki?! You expect me to listen to something that shady and say 'Oh, really?'?!"
Was the 'ceremony' Kinzo had mentioned literally something disturbing, or was it some kind of test to choose the next head?

It seemed that Rudolf had taken it literally, but Eva apparently still believed that it was something like a test or examination to find the proper next head.

But Kinzo responded to that with a clear smile.
"Well then, that is all I have to say. Nooo objections or viewpoints are necessary...!! I will simply awaken from my dream of having four unsuccessful children. To all of you, what will occur now before your very eyes may seem like a dream, an illusion, something that couldn't conceivably be of this world, and a world that defies understanding.
But that itself is my reality!! Now, I will finally awaken from the shallow, useless dream that all of you are!!
Come, the game has already begun, see? With this many of you here, I can take lives starting with anyone...!! Good bye, my unsuccessful children. And for the final and only time in your lives, be useful, for my ceremony...!! Arise, Pendragon's Memorial Troops...!!"
When Kinzo raised his arms high like an opera singer, and yelled as though towards a packed audience, the air shattered like glass, .........and the outlines of three people who supposedly hadn't been invited to this island appeared......
"Siesta 45, right here...!"
"Siesta 410, right heere!"
"Siesta 00, right here sir."
Three girls with strange forms suddenly appeared behind Kinzo.

Where from? When? Who? Who are they??

......The humans were thrown off balance and their minds went blank.
Because they had spent all that time thinking, they had lost their last chance to survive.
"You have permission to shoot six people to death. The targets are up to you. Begin attacking."
"Unrestricted Firing Understood, sir. Thank you for the good targets. Everyone, Commence Unrestricted Firing."
"Nihi! First one in, nyeh!! Hyahhah!!"

When 410 scratched the air with her finger, a golden bow appeared in empty space, and she pulled its string.
The golden arrow that had been readied there was fired off without any hesitation, flew around the room leaving haphazard gold loci everywhere, .........and chose Natsuhi from among those sitting at the table of the family conference, pulverizing the left half of her face.
Flesh and deep-red blood scattered around, leaving massive amounts of deep-red spatter marks on the relatives' faces and the pure white tablecloth.
......There was silence.
Even though there was a massive number of deep-red spots left on the tablecloth, .........no one could understand why Natsuhi's head was half smashed, nor why she was hanging her head as though dozing while still sitting, .........and they watched on in silence.
......Those sitting on the right-hand side from Natsuhi were silent for a relatively long time, but those sitting on her left were not.

......Because the people sitting on that side had been shown how her head had been smashed open like a watermelon or a pomegranate, and could even see inside her......
"Na, ......tsuhi............"
"......The first one. Natsuhi was it? A luckless woman to the end. ......Next!"
"00, Firing."
After scratching the empty air in the same way and readying her bow, 00 fired as well.

After it flew around and around at high speeds like the golden arrow 410 had released, drawing a convoluted locus in the same manner, ......it smashed half of Rudolf's head in the same way as he looked at Natsuhi in shock, killing him instantly.
This time, everyone did not stop thinking altogether. They realized that a fearsome murderer was killing according to Kinzo's words right in front of them.

And they understood that Kinzo would probably kill again......!
""Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!""
""Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!""
Shrill screams burst out.
Even so, they did not know what to do.
So they could only keep screaming and flapping their wide-open mouths like goldfish......
"F, ......Father......, what do you think you're doing......?"
"...Y, ya fool!! Run now!!"
As Eva asked Kinzo that in total shock, Hideyoshi, who had come to his senses faster than anyone else, pulled at her arm from behind.
However, merciless fate's choice for the third sacrifice, .........was Hideyoshi.
Just like the two before him, half of Hideyoshi's head was neatly smashed, ......and the left side of his head, which had happened to be facing that direction at the time, ......had been blown away with its contents exposed like a watermelon or a pomegranate.

So, still holding Eva, ......Hideyoshi slumped backwards and fell down.
Still held by her beloved husband, Eva fell over backwards with him.
"Dear......? Dear...?! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkk!!!"

Eva screamed.
...It was only natural.

The face she had been looking for, ......had been half lost, and the crushed skull, the mashed brains, and the crushed jaw were all bared......
"45, Impact, Hit...!"
"Spectacular. Fire again. There are three people left."
"F, Father...!! W, w, w, w, w, what, what...is this supposed to be?!?!"
When Krauss stood up forcefully, and was about to rush Kinzo, 00 blocked him.

......With her slender-looking body, she held back Krauss's body with just the palm of her right hand.
He still tried to resist and attack Kinzo, so 00 lifted Krauss by the nape of the neck, and twisted into his Adam's apple with her thumb.

It seemed to be very painful, and Krauss was overcome with agony.
"Gghh, oooooooohhhh......!!! Everyone, ...run...!! Get the police......! An ambulance...!! Quickly......!!"
"Everyone, let's escape!! Escape!!"

Nanjo's sharp words finally dissolved the spell that had been holding them down in their chairs.
When Gohda and Kumasawa each tried to escape from the dining hall first, 410 moved in an instant and appeared there, blocking the way.
"Nihi! You sure are slow nye~h. Did you thiink I'd let you escape nye~h♪"
"Hiieeeeeeeeeehhhh!!"
"H, help meeeeeeeeeeeee!!"
"Gohda-san, duck!!"

Even though Gohda didn't understand, he crouched when he heard Kyrie's sharp voice.
......Then, a burst of air rushed above his head.
Kyrie had taken a big swing with a chair to mow 410 down.

But 410, still with an expression as though she was making fun of them, easily caught that widely swung chair with a single hand.
"......Tch!"
"What a scary woman nyeh. You really want to go the same way as your husband that muuch?"
From the cuff of her arm where she had caught the chair, something like a shining golden snake appeared, ......wrapped itself around the chair, and burst open.

It was a fearsome power, like a vice.
When Kyrie realized that the being in front of her, which looked like a girl, was actually a being that surpassed human knowledge and which a human could not even begin to oppose, her head was filled with an great alarm bell that welled up from inside her...
Genji, Shannon, and Kanon, all of the servants permitted to wear the One-winged Eagle, continued to stand calmly at attention by the wall even with a scene like this before their eyes, making them look very bizarre and eerie.
For an instant, Kyrie thought that their calmness was achieved because they were with the enemy, and had been guaranteed that they would not be killed.

......But as soon as she thought that, the side of Genji's face was blown away before her eyes.
"G, Genji-san......"
"45, Impact, Hit...!"
"......Hohoh, Genji, how unfortunate. ......Sleep in peace, my friend. *cackle*cackle*cackle*, your death will not be wasted. You will become one of the 13 keys essential to the resurrection of my beloved witch. Fuhhahahahahahahaha......"
The half of Genji's expression that remained, ......was as indifferent as ever.

He tilted, ......fell over, and sent a blood-red splatter out across the floor......
".........Genji-sama..............."
"............We're nothing more, ...than the witch's pieces. .........Nothing more..., .........nothing more......"
From the meek, ...and frustrated, no, ......resigned expressions on Shannon and Kanon's faces, you couldn't feel any naive expectation that they would be saved.
That's right. Kinzo was, in the truest sense, .........carrying out these murders at random.
In the truest sense, ......he was killing like it was a game to see who would be saved and who would be killed.
"We-ll then, whoo'll we go for next nye~h. Nihhihi!!"
410 looked at Kyrie for a second.
In that second, ......Kyrie was prepared for her own death.

But when she readied her golden bow in midair, 410 was looking at someone else over Kyrie's shoulder.
......So, as imprudent as it was, Kyrie felt as though she had been saved......
Again, an ugly, exploding, popping sound rang throughout the room.
......Who was it this time?

When Kyrie turn to face the direction of the sound, .........there, as blood gushed like from a fountain, Eva could be seen lying on her husband's chest.

...Of course, her face had been half smashed just like her husband's......
410 had mercilessly targeted Eva as she had clung to her husband's corpse sobbing.
"L, let go of Nii-san...!! Let go of Nii-san...!! Just stop it, Father!! Just stop this brutal thing!!"
"......Run away, Rosa...... Ggh, ack, .........!"
Rosa's objection didn't reach Kinzo as he continued to laugh loudly in the blood-spattered dining hall, so she wasn't able to lessen Krauss's pain at being lifted up by the nape of the neck by 00.

So Rosa had no choice but to use force. She lifted up a chair beside her, and gave a warning.
"Father...!! Order her to let go of Nii-san! Just stop them from doing this!!"
"I cannot. If that is what you desire, then prevent it using your own power. ......Cut a path through to your own fate with your own hands. You who have always hid behind the backs of others in fear, show me the final bit of self-denial that dwells within you...!! Fuhhahahahahahahahaha!!!"
"F, ......Father...............Whaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!"
The chair that Rosa had lifted up, .........swung down at the father who had reigned as a symbol of terror for her entire life.It was the greatest, and final...act of bravery and self-denial in Rosa's life.
What Kinzo had said might have been true.

......If she had grasped that courage much sooner, her life might have become more free, unrestrained by anyone else.
Then, there was a bursting sound.

......The sound of Rosa's chair fiercely hitting Kinzo, ...could not have been this.

With the chair still lifted up, .........she neatly lost half of her head, and slumped over.
Still holding Krauss up with one hand, ......00 stuck her other hand out towards Rosa.

The golden snake released from that arm...had constricted Rosa in a helix, ......and had smashed into her head.
"......Defensive Firing. I apologize for the discourtesy of a point-blank shot, sir."
"I do not mind. Hmm, so this makes six people."
"Yes, Lord Goldsmith. This makes six people."

When she indifferently communicated that, 00 let go of Krauss, who she had been lifting up this whole time.
"Hmmm. So, the sacrifices of the first twilight were Eva, Rudolf, Rosa, Natsuhi, Hideyoshi, and Genji. *cackle*cackle*cackle*!!"
It was a massacre that happened in an instant.

The interior of the dining hall had been dirtied by blood spatter, ......and the six unlucky victims lay with their heads brutally exposed.

In a way that was fitting for that abnormal space, Kinzo's abnormal laugh alone echoed......
"Hahhahahahahaha, wahhahahahahahahahahahahaha!! The curtain has finally risen! It's the beginning of the ceremony to revive Beatrice...!!
You lucky ones who have managed to escape the first twilight, allow me to introduce you to my friends. Arise, my friend! Ronove...!!"
When Kinzo called Ronove's name, the demon butler showed himself in midair, bowing respectfully......
"Pleased to meet you, everyone. And good day to those of you I haven't seen for a long time. Pu ku ku ku...! It seems this place is once again spectacularly untidy."
"Very well. This level of stimulant is necessary to wake me from my daydream like days.
I shall introduce him, my friend, the reliable butler and one of the 72 Great Demons, Ronove."
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Just who was he aiming that introduction at?
......Krauss and Kyrie, who were still down on their backsides, and Nanjo, Gohda and Kumasawa...could only look up at this middle-aged gentlemen who they didn't know in shock......

Only Shannon and Kanon seemed to recognize him, and they bowed deeply...
"......So, I wasn't able to greet Genji. I hope that he was at least able to fulfill his purpose painlessly."
"It was an instant death from a direct hit to the head...! He didn't have the time to feel the pain."
"Is that so? Very well."
"Allow me to introduce another friend. Arise, my friend, Virgilia...!!"
Once again, a silhouette of someone the relatives didn't know appeared from empty space.
She appeared in a refined dress while making an elegant greeting.
".........Thank you for summoning me, Master. Although I would rather not have been summoned into a bloody place such as this."
"Allow me to introduce her too. This is both my friend and reliable counselor, Virgilia.......I want to borrow your great power as the Witch of the Finite. Lend me that power!"
"......Even if I tried to refuse, that wouldn't be permitted for someone under your powerful summoning subordination. Your will, Master."
"............Even so, he is a fearsome fellow. To think that he summoned three of the Siesta Sisters Corps, and then me, and even Virgilia.........Even though it is only in the area of summoning, to think that he far surpasses Milady, ......frightening. I shudder at the Ushiromiya blood."
"In order to carry out Beatrice's resurrection ceremony, I gave it my all as a summoner. It's still not enough. In order to perfectly succeed in the ceremony this time, I shall summon more.
The Pendragon Memorial Troops and Ronove and Virgilia.........I can still call more..., with my magical power, I can still call many more......!! Answer to my summons......, one of the 72 demons, Gaap!!"
"Gaap...? You can even summon her......?"
"It probably means that the corrosion has advanced even more on this island. ......It's enough so that we can materialize. Even if he can summon greater demons than this, that's nothing to be surprised about."
"Has Rokkenjima already been completely sucked into a parallel world then? ............I hope he does not surrender."
".........He learned a lot last time, correct? After all this time, he won't surrender over this much. Probably, I should say, right? Pu ku ku! .........Well then, shall we enjoy this stage? It seems the main character is the Master this time. Let us expect a script of a different flavor than Milady's."
When Kinzo strongly concentrated his magical power, ......a pale light gathered in the air, twisted, ......and a magic circle was drawn with a deep-red light.

And with a sound like glass breaking, .........a new demon could be seen there.
"......You did well to answer to my call. ......Gaap, one of the 72 Great Demons...!"
"............You sure summoned me to an incredible place.
Did you call me to clean up this blood-stained room? Goldsmith...?"

The literally devilish woman, wrapped in a venomous, ominous costume, looked at the scene which should have made her cover her eyes, and twisted her mouth in a grin......
"If that had been the only reason for calling you, it would be like using a cashmere muffler to mop the floor."
"It's been a long time, Gaap. ......To think that a Great Demon such as yourself has finally appeared on this island. ......I wonder if this island has nearly sunk into fantasy."
"This all-star cast is more surprising than the gruesome state of the room. .........A full three Siesta Sisters, the Great Demon Ronove, the Great Witch Virgilia, and even me.
What's going on? Is this Pandemonium? Are you trying to start a concert from hell or something? .........I see, as a conductor for that, I couldn't think of anyone better than you, Goldsmith."
"I will have your assistance as facilitator in the completion of my ceremony to resurrect Beatrice. You have no objections to my summoning contract, right...?"
"Of course not. There's no way I could resist the summoning subordination of the legendary great summoner, Lord Goldsmith, who enslaved the famous Great Witch Beatrice.
......I'll assist you. Although I will of course charge a fitting price. ......So? What's my first job?"
"Capture the cowards who made it through the first twilight. Fortunately, there are still seven here, aren't there? Nanjo, Shannon, Kanon, Gohda, Kumasawa, Kyrie, and Krauss...!
Hoh, if these seven are all offered as sacrifices, that's exactly 13 people! Until it is time for the second and later twilights to be carried out, throw them into the cage of sacrifices, *cackle*!!"
"............A cashmere mop, I see. Understood."
As Gaap shrugged her shoulders, she looked at Krauss, who was still down on his butt.

She glared.
Then, when she snapped her fingers, ......as though a round pitfall had opened up in the floor, Krauss was swallowed up by the floor.
"Uu, waaaaahhh........."
"One down."

There was no hole in the floor.
But it had certainly looked as though Krauss had been swallowed up by a hole and disappeared......
".........!!"

Searching for her next prey, Gaap's gaze crossed Kyrie's.
She snapped her fingers.
Kyrie jumped back as though repelled.
She had felt it instinctively.
Because, in the place where she had been until a second ago, a round, jet-black hole had appeared, the same kind that had swallowed up Krauss.
However, before she could catch her balance, another pitfall appeared and swallowed her up.

......Even Kyrie had no way of eluding Gaap's capture.
"Waahh......!!"

When she snapped her fingers again, a shocked Nanjo was swallowed up by the floor and disappeared.
When she did it again, 410 let out a short yell and jumped back.

This time, a slightly larger pitfall had opened, swallowing both Shannon and Kanon, who had been standing in a line by the door.
But because 410 had jumped away from the door, the way was no longer blocked.
Instinctively aware that he would be next, Gohda dashed out through that door.
Of course, Kumasawa also escaped with lightning speed, chasing after Gohda.
As Gaap snapped her fingers over and over, round, jet-black pitfalls opened one after another behind them, chasing them.
However, it did nothing but drive the recklessly fleeing pair away, and couldn't swallow them up.

Gohda and Kumasawa had escaped in a matter of seconds......
".........I've dulled. I let two get away."
"Don't worry, we are currently locking onto the escapee targets."
"Data Link ready. Nihi! Shall we snipe?"
"No, I cannot authorize that. They are precious sacrifices. Wait for the Master's authorization."
"Great Lord Goldsmith...! We await your orders...!"
"It is still too soon for the coming of the second twilight, ......is what the source of my magical power is whispering to me. It must not be now. Let them do as they like. It isn't as though they can escape from this island."
"The source of the Master's magical power is noise and risk and tests of luck. ......Hoh-hoh-hoh, in other words, it means being fickle, it seems."
"*cackle*, perhaps you could also put it that way. Good work, Gaap. Let us steadily advance the ceremony from here on.
.........Well then, that is that. Next is my grandchildren. .........I will test them to see whether they are qualified to become the next head. Let's see, how shall I check their qualifications? *cackle*cackle*...!!"
"If it is determined that they are qualified, ......do you intend to abandon Beato's resurrection?"
"Of course. And despite that, I will test them. ......Hmph, a woman may not be able to understand that contradiction, or my madness. *cackle*cackle*..."
".........Men are as weird as ever. I can't understand the very concept of playing with risk."
"Oh my, and I thought you loved that sort of thing?"
"Of course. If a man whispers to me about a dangerous risk along with love, I go head over heels. ...But only if he's hot!""Pu ku ku ku ku ku...!"
"Be quiet. Try to refrain from whispering."
"Hmph, truly noisy women. But at least they aren't boring. ......This is why summoning is pleasant. All of you will bear one side of the scales of noise and risk in my ceremony. That is the work I expect of you...!"
Six brutally murdered corpses lay in the dining hall, and it was contaminated with red, gruesome decorations......

It was now unimaginable that, until just a second ago, 13 humans had been arranged here in a well-organized manner.
Kinzo lined up the famous demons and their subordinates, loudly declared the beginning of a night of overwhelming mass murders, and swore to himself that he would certainly revive Beatrice, and open the door to the Golden Land......
"Sorry to keep you waiting!! Now the curtain finally rises on the first twilight!! *cackle*! That Kinzo, he loves being flashy as usual. So, that man who can be more persistent than anything when he follows you around, can shine so when on the stage."
"Damn...... Always killing in a grotesque way, as usual...... Smashing half of the heads?! The bad taste you witches and demons have always pisses me off...!"
"Smashing half of the heads......, I see. So she's noticed that, in the games up until now, that is the most ideal method of killing."
"Ideal? How is such a grotesque way of killing ideal?!"
"......Isn't it truly ideal? Try and remember the very first game."
"You......! So, you're that new demon or whatever that just appeared... Damn, so does this mean that the witch's corrosion continued and that there are now even more unsavory characters...?!"
......The more the witch's corrosion advanced, the more Rokkenjima tilted towards the spirit world.

That's why strange, insane people have kept appearing one by one.
Since this island was closed off by the typhoon and no human could leave it, of course new humans couldn't appear either.

But the more the corrosion advanced, the more witches and demons could appear, without limit. Increasing one by one.
By now, perhaps there are more demons than humans among the characters appearing in this insane tale. ......Their numbers might be the thing that represents this mad corrosion.
Yeah, I'm sure that's true. And not only is the number of people corroded, her fashion sense apparently is as well.

If the corrosion advances any further and even more weird people appear, just what in the world will they be wearing? .........It's so scary I can't imagine...
......Aaaah, seriously, give me a break...
Don't make these weird guys increase in number anymore...!!
"*cackle*cackle*cackle*! I can't do that, they'll keep increasing more and more!! I'll defile the foolish 'closed circle' rule humans speak of, over and over again...! Welcome to my elegant game! Gaap!"
".........It's been a long time, Riiche. Have you been well? ...Why do I ask, you look great! Have you gotten younger? You look 2, 300 years younger than when I last saw you. ............Ah, I see."
The demon Grandfather had summoned and introduced as Gaap...took a glance at me, and then grinned as though figuring something out on her own.

......It felt like an honestly unpleasant smile.
"Looks like she's Beato's friend. ......Which means she must be an extremely unsavory character. So, they were saying something about a closed circle or whatever, but what does that mean?"
"Serial murder mystery novels that occur in places isolated from the outside world, like Rokkenjima is now, are sometimes called closed circles. Since it's isolated from the outside, it's like a circle that's closed. ......Therefore, in general, the characters and suspects are limited.
Having new suspect candidates added on one after another from outside the circle goes against the etiquette of mystery novels. ......In other words, the witch is probably trying to desecrate humans and the mystery genre."
".........You're Gretel? I see, you look like a wise kid, ......*giggle*. I like that kind of kid. ......Their taste is so sweet and tantalizing."
"Gross. ......Keep the jokes to your clothing."
"It's <devilish pretty="Pretty">'s newest, <jack the="the" ripper,="Ripper," christmas="Christmas" blood="Blood">. Sorry for having a style that a country bumpkin from the human world couldn't understand, okay?"
"......At least we know it's breathable. Why don't you add a gap to the head part as well? That might help the breathability you're so worried about."
"Gaap is always sensitive to the fashions of the spirit world! But this year's fad truly is bold. I think I'll order one sometime...!"
"For you, Riiche, I'd recommend Ali-Gray, <alice and="and" the="the" graveyard="Graveyard">. Let's go to 666 sometime soon to look at the western clothes. You should head over to the spirit world every now and then."
"When this game is over, I'll be sure to do that. *cackle*cackle*!"
".........Still, your two opponents are pretty cute, Riiche.
It looks like this kid has figured out the meaning of the corpses with their heads half smashed. .........Get iit, girl......?"
"......Just now, she told me to remember the first game. ......What did that mean...?"
"Just what it sounds like. ......Remember the first twilight of the very first game. ......When the adults' corpses were found in the gardening shed with the magic circle drawn on it. Remember?"
Episode 1. The first twilight.

Six people: Krauss, Rudolf, Kyrie, Rosa, Shannon, and Gohda had each had their heads pulverized and died.........

"At that time, there were two types of corpses. They were the ones with their faces pulverized, and the ones with half of their faces pulverized."
"That's right. The ones with their faces smashed were Rudolf, Kyrie, Rosa, and Gohda. The ones with the sides of their heads smashed were Krauss and Shannon. ......At the time, I had fickly created two types of corpses, but I realized that the former, more atrocious type was actually disadvantageous for me."
"......Disadvantageous for you, Beato......? .........Right. I get it."
That's right.
The smashed faces might look atrocious.

......But that made it hard to confirm the identity of the person.
For example, at that time, Krauss oji-san and Shannon-chan had their heads half smashed.

That itself was of course atrocious, but because half of their faces remained, it was easy to confirm their identity.
But Dad and the other three were different.

Because his face had been completely destroyed, even I, as his son, could only guess by inference that it had to have been Dad because of his clothes and the like.

......In short, it remained vague until the end whether that really was Dad's corpse.
"If this reasoning battle had taken place during the first game as well, I would probably have claimed that, since the identities of Dad and the rests' bodies were impossible to confirm, there was a possibility that one was a fake corpse. ......After all, Beato didn't state anything in red during that game."
"Well done. Correct. .........A faked death is one of the basics of the mystery genre. Even if you make a doctor perform an autopsy, you can't trust the results if you suspect him of being the culprit's accomplice. Therefore, corpses that can't guarantee a death for certain are always disadvantageous for the witch's side."
"You can suspect faked deaths for all corpses, and hypothesize that they are the culprit for the cases that follow. ......It's a move Battler doesn't like, but it's the most elementary move to use against a witch."
"Yeah, that's right. That's why Beato started using the red. ......With the red truth, she can carry out a perfect autopsy."
"*cackle*cackle*! That's how it is. Normally, for the first twilight, I would use the red truth right away, confirming the deaths of these six. However, as you know, my battle strategy this time is the complete opposite of previous games, and I have switched to using red truth starvation tactics...!
Since you use it as a grounding from which to counterattack, I will not use the red easily. I can just make you come apart at the seams by using red in just a single place, as rarely as possible! In the end, it means I will permit all rants regarding your guesswork for all the closed rooms, and I only have to smash one of those once with the red truth."
"Ihihi! Even though you've always teased me, once I start counterattacking, you now hole up back inside your shell. Quit kidding around."
"Anyways, I do not want to use the red, I want to be stingy! I want to bully Battleeer!! But how could I guarantee a death for certain without using red? I worried and worried over it. ......Then Gaap gave me an idea! It truly is a simple method. *cackle*cackle*!"
"......I just said something obvious and you hit upon the idea, Riiche. I simply said that you only had to create corpses whose identity could be distinguished and whose complete death could be known."
"Kuhhihihihi! In short, I put those two things together! The face which is necessary to distinguish their identity, and the perfect symbol of death, which is the pulverization of the head, the vessel for the soul! When I put those two parts neatly together, aah, wonderful! I came up with the perfect answer of corpses with their heads half-smashed!"
"I'll bet you love two-colored bread and two-colored ice cream. A shameless hobby of a greedy kid..."
".........In any event, even if half of their heads are smashed, we shouldn't assume that they are dead at this point in time."
"I get it. ......Since Beato is trying to act tough and refuse to say anything in red, I have to suspect everything. ......Of course, I'm definitely not going to swallow the magic mass murder by the Siesta ass nee-chans."
"*giggle*. You sure have gotten prudent. ......If this were the first game, you would have swallowed everything."
"*cackle*cackle*! It wouldn't be interesting if a rival wasn't like that. Since there is fortunately no red now, he can imagine whatever he wants and reason over and over again as he likes. At the very end, at the very sweetest spot, I'll cut him down at once with the red truth...!"