dawn of the golden witch; chapter thirteen ( the demon wedding ceremony )

[endlesswitch]

"Aah, Zepar!! What's this important announcement?!"
"Listen, Furfur! Our image song is getting released on CD!"
"Liaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar?!"
""Yeah, it's a lie! Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha.""
"We were just so bored of showing up the same way every time...!"
"We thought we'd change our style a bit!"
"We're entertainers! And the stage is alive!"
"You've got to ad lib every now and then...!"
"Y, ......yeah, we could've done without that, dammit..."
"......Thanks for helping remove the tension, you two. Sorry, but we're still talking about what to do in the second trial. We'd like a little more time. And if possible, some quiet."
"Sorry, George-kun. Actually, we have a truly important announcement regarding the second trial."
"It is good news for some! Is it bad news for others?"
"Those for which it is bad news have probably already figured it out!"
""If you don't know what we're talking about, then it's good news for you!!""
"......Beatrice-sama...?"
".........It's nothing."
"............"
Five people were there. Only Battler was missing.
And Beato's expression was dark, her head hanging low.

Everyone realized that something must have happened to Battler...
"We'd like to announce that Battler-kun has retired before the second trial."

Everyone murmured. .....Just what had happened......?
"The witch's game will wait forever for him, but a pair of lovers cannot wait forever."
"Love is like ice cream! It's sweet and creamy, but if you don't eat it quickly, you'll lose it. Our game isn't so gracious that it'll wait for him to return."
"......So that's what you meant by good news."
"Heh. ......Well, I'm glad that our rivals have gone down in number, but if you thought I'd applaud another person's misfortune, you're totally wrong..."
"Battler-kun...the one we thought of as our greatest enemy... ......I won't ask why. If the demons in charge say so, then that's how it is."
"......Then...what will happen to Beatrice-sama...?"
".........It seems I will lose the right to take this trial."
"After all, this is a trial to test the bonds between lovers!"
"Battler-kun isn't currently capable of doing that. So, his pair is disqualified! How truly saddening...!"
"However, she is one of the participants in this three-way trial of love. So, I think we should let her watch the trial as an observer!"
"A splendid idea! She does have the right to bless the pair that does overcome the trial!"
"......Are you okay with that?"
"Yes...... I want to watch until the end. ......And, ......I still believe he will come back quickly, regain the right to join in, and continue this trial with me once again."
"......I think she has the right to be an observer."
"No objections."
"......There's no need for us to be cruel."
"But even so, ......we've lost a powerful rival. ......Sorry to you two, but I'd like to settle this trial right away."
"Ah, that's George-kun for you! I'm rooting for you the most on the inside!"
"The coldness with which he furnishes that love makes its heat stand out all the more...!"
"At any rate, ......we've now gone from three down to two, and the three-way deadlock has been resolved. ......We weren't able to fight proactively because we were afraid of a one against two situation."
"......Now that it's one against one, ......it's just a good, clean duel."
"............"
"So in the end, ......we find that we should have just done that from the beginning..."
The four people stood up as though responding to some invisible summons...and faced each other, glaring...
Only Beato was off to the side, ......watching the course of the young lovers' fight in suspense.
......Each of the lovers have an unbreakably strong bond.

Then, ......isn't that enough?

Their love is already the real thing. There's no need to test it.
But if so, ......then why must they fight...?

The lovers who won would be bound together by the magical miracle, ......and the defeated lovers would fall apart.

Why have the demons promised us that we will fall apart without a magical miracle...?

.........Why is a demon's game like this necessary? ......I don't understand.
No, they aren't important right now...

I have to think of a trick for escaping as soon as possible, ......so that I can save Battler-san from that closed room......
"............I heard about Battler. It seems things have gotten quite troublesome."
"Big sister......"
"I would like to save you, both as my dear sister and as a part of my full self. ......I will tackle Battler's closed room in my own way, .........but it is difficult. It feels almost as though an ordinary chain has been made to look like a wire puzzle..."
"I heard from Lambdadelta-san. ......She said that the old Beatrice could definitely solve this with a trick. ......Don't you have any idea?"
"That old Beatrice is our completed form after we become one. ......Even I am naught but a part of her. I cannot solve it..."
In other words, ......no matter how much we think in our incomplete forms, we won't be able to understand.
Both the older and the younger sister......have no way of solving this riddle......

Beato shook her head, chasing that thought from her mind.
"I won't give up... .........I'll set right to work on that closed room...! Unless I can save Battler-san as soon as possible, ......his heart will be crushed."
".........Of course, I have no reservations about lending my own wisdom. ......However, even I cannot make anything out of this closed room..."
"If we put our heads together, I'm sure we'll find the same answer that we would if we were joined. ......Please, don't give up and lend me your wisdom...!!"
".........I still cannot understand why you are willing to go so far for Battler, ......but I shall do as you ask. After all, it is a request made by myself. I will add my wisdom to yours......"
"Look, Furfur. The two Beatos are thinking together."
".........I wonder if those two can really save Battler."
"Oh, they can! If they have the miracle of love, that is...!!"
"That's right, Zepar! They can certainly do it if they have the miracle of love on their side!"
"......Hey, Furfur. Do you think they'll realize that we're giving them a hint for solving that closed room......?"
"................."
The two Beatos brought their foreheads together, ......and, straining their minds with all they had, ......they searched for a plan to save Battler with.

It was as though they couldn't even see the four people glaring at each other and solemnly discussing the manner of the duel......
".........They'll realize. If they have love, they certainly will."
They were the demons of love.
Love is the single element. The source of all miracles.

......Could the miracle of love...provide an answer for a closed room trick......?
"There it is again. 'Without love, it cannot be seen'. ......I understand how that catch phrase can describe a certain concept. But closed room tricks are part of a genuine, ruthless mathematical puzzle without a fragment of affection within it. .........Just what kind of hint could these demons be talking about...?"
"......I already have a certain answer. ......What these demons have said supports that even further..."
"Yeah, okay, you're incredible. You always know the right answer. And you'll never let me hear any of it. ......Going by the rule of observers, until you tell me about it, it's possible that you're just pretending that you know and lying."
"Pft, .........hhahahahahahahahahahaha. ......Yes, I believe I do prefer a bad-mouthed miko. Very well, child of man. To me, a miko's sarcasm and abuse is like a ceremonial dance in my honor......"
"Yeah, you're a real irritating master. .........Stupid Onii-chan, ...why did you make a closed room like that...yourself......"
"Think, child of man. ......Thinking is not only a job for the characters within the tale. ......As a Reader, you too have the right to enjoy thinking. ......And I enjoy watching you as you do."
"......I'm willing to make a bet. Your last miko ran out of patience and ran away from you, didn't she?"
"You are free to enjoy yourself by scolding me. You are also free to consider the problem like the two Beatos. ......Unless you think, the tale will not continue."
"Why? I'm a Reader, right? Can't I just stay quiet and read?"
".........No. ......I want you to think. I want you readers to think too."
".........! I see, ......you're a pretty unpleasant author, aren't you?"
Of course, Ange hadn't reached the end of the manuscript she was reading. ......However, it would end with just a few pages more.

What about the manuscript for the rest of the tale? It should continue much further than this.

There should be many more pages remaining......
Those were inside a different brown envelope, ......which was in Hachijo's hand.

With a grin on her face, Hachijo waved the thick brown envelope about. ......'If you want to read more, do what I tell you'.
"Cool......! Looks like she got you, Lady! Hahahahahahahahaha, ahhahhahhahhahhahha...!"
Letting you read only so far for free......and then stopping when it finally gets to the good part. Amakusa couldn't stop laughing at this evil business practice.
"Your own views and reasoning. ......That's what I want. ......If you tell me those now, ......I'll hand over the rest of the manuscript."
"Quit mocking me. You think I'll just do whatever you say after something like this...?"
"Come on now, Lady, calm down. I want to read on too, so please just chill a bit."
"......About the rest of the manuscript, Hachijo. ......You write about the answer to the closed room trick and the truth behind various riddles, right?"
"Of course. .........However, I haven't written it so that those who fail to think or consider will understand..."
"......Eventually, your passionate readers are gonna say that you've betrayed them."
"I understand that, which is why I don't go out in the open. Child of man."
"Anyways, this is what Hachijo's trying to say: ......First, tell me your answer. After that, I'll let you check it."
"......Correct, young man. .........I am not trying to be mean. ...I am asking because I want you to truly understand the tale's conclusion."
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you, Amakusa. ......Yeah, come to think of it, you always take those TV quiz shows totally seriously. ......It looks like you enjoy life much more than I do."
"Come, ......please think. ......What miraculous trick could get Battler out of the closed room? I want to give the rest of the story especially to those...no, only to those who have thought..."
In the witches' cathedral, ......no, considering everything that's gone in here, maybe it should be called a demon's abode...
Erika, who wanted to savor the memory of her perfect victory, ......stood there with the whole vast cathedral to herself as the flush slowly left her cheeks.
Then, ......on the balcony that she had thought empty...a shadow came into view.
It was......Lambdadelta...
"......Oh, it's you, Lady Lambdadelta. It's not often one finds you alone in a place like this."
".........Oh, you. ......Congratulations on your big victory. .........Heheh, that's strange. I think I remember saying the same thing to you right here at the end of last game."
She was probably trying to be sarcastic. ......However, Erika was in such a good mood that even those words had sounded like a compliment.
"I.....happened to hear what you said a short while back."
"......What?"
"I heard that you have also.........had the experience of being toyed with as a piece on some great witch's game board, then sealed away in some awful hell..."
Erika had an unpleasant, triumphant look on her face, as though she had managed to pry into some embarrassing memory of the other's past.
However, Lambdadelta didn't look in the least bit flustered, ......and instead looked down from the balcony in silence.
"......I have. ......I wonder how many years I was shut up in there. ......Maybe I should've been like Bern and counted them... .........No, it's probably best that I didn't. Counting the years......is what made Bern break."
"Are you saying......that my master also fell into the hell of a logic error at some point...?"
"She did. Though she wasn't the one responsible for that logic error."
"......Because she wasn't the Game Master...?"
"That's right. ......At that time, she was still a small piece that wasn't even self-aware yet. It was her master, the Game Master, who committed the logic error."
"......My master was also......a witch's piece?"
"Yes. .........That kid's master......was another bad one. ......Though she created the game herself, partway through, she lost sight of what her goal was. ......She ended up creating something like a broken game of backgammon, where the start and goal were connected like a donut."
"What do you mean, she lost her goal......?"
"I'm talking about a logic error. ......In her backgammon game, she was unable to draw up a line of logic describing how to reach the goal she desired. So, the game remained broken, with no goal at all."
"......In that case, she should have quieted down and thought of an answer herself. ......Instead, she despicably left even the thinking entirely to her piece, Bern. .........Have you heard of the infinite monkey theorem?"
"......It's a theory...no, an absurdity...arguing that, if a monkey hits random letters on a typewriter for an infinite amount of time, ......he will probably end up with the exact same set of letters as Hamlet by coincidence, sooner or later."
".........Wouldn't that be a horrible hell? .........Bern was forced to type randomly on a typewriter for an eternal period of time, without even knowing the meaning of what she was doing. .........The Game Master was trying to get Bern to create a goal that the same Game Master hadn't even thought of."
......Could Erika even imagine......how horrible a hell that had been?
A job you have to do a hundred times...and a job that you have to keep repeating until it succeeds with a 1/100 probability......may look very similar probabilistically, ......but the difference in cruelty between them is great.
When you have to do a job a hundred times, you steadily approach the end, get more efficient as you become more used to it, and it eventually does end.
However, a job that succeeds with a 1/100 probability......doesn't reflect the hard work of the individual in the slightest.

Everything is left to luck.

......In the worst case scenario, even the task of flipping a coin until you get heads......can last more than a hundred years......
"How many keys are there on a typewriter? About a hundred, maybe. ......What do you think the odds are of hitting those at random and getting Hamlet...?"
".........I can't......even imagine. ......They must be......unbelievably small."
"That's right. ......It's not really any different from an endless span of time. .........For that dizzying sort of time, ......that child kept pounding on that typewriter until she typed out a 'miracle'."
"And that's why......she's the Witch of Miracles...?"
"If she wasn't a witch...no, if she hadn't been able to become a witch, ......she would probably still be a black cat strapped to that typewriter for eternity. ......That child was blessed by a miracle, ......succeeded in typing out a 'miracle', ...became a witch, and returned from that hell alive."
"That hell was so long and harsh......that her mind was completely broken. That's why she became such a mean and heartless witch. .........Even you would dislike your master if given the choice, right?"
"Th, that's not true...! I am honored to be my master's piece. My master is strong and a persecutor. Trampling over the weak is her natural right."
"......Because she's a human on the bully's side of life...? Heheh. ......Do you know how to create a great bully?"
"......? No."
"It's easy. For just a short time, bully them horribly. Then suddenly stop, and give them power. ......If you do that, then no matter who it is, they will be reborn as a great bully. And surprisingly, though the person only has to be bullied for about three days, you'll get them to believe, for a hundred million times longer than that, that they are still being bullied, and you'll have yourself a great bully."
"............What does that have to do with my master?"
"......You don't understand anything about Bern. .........No matter what kind of ruthless, cruel, horrible scum Bern may be, ......I want to be the one person who knows what she's truly like. .........And it's the same for me. ...I think that kid, as a fellow survivor from hell, is the only one who can understand what I'm truly like. .........It sounds like you're jealous of the relationship we have, but give it up. The hell you think you've trudged through is nothing more than a blink compared to the one we crawled out of."
"............"

This time, ......Erika was probably the one being made fun of.
The discouraged expression on her face clearly showed that she couldn't accept Lambdadelta's words.
".........If you'll pardon me for saying, ......I think it's the depth of the hell that's important, not the length of time spent there."
"Oho......? ......You think so, ......Witch of Truth, Erika?"
"I don't know what kind of hell you were in, Lady Lambdadelta. ......And I'm sure the time I spent in hell was nothing more than a flash compared to yours. ......However, I don't think the depths of my hell were any shallower than yours."
".........I'll listen to all you have to say, including your victory celebration, without arguing back."
"From my point of view, ......both the hell my master fell into, which could only be escaped by a miracle, ......and the hell you fell into, which I don't know about but could be escaped from with certain willpower......were 'hells made to be escapable'."
"Aha............So you say."
"I am the Witch of Truth. ......My hell was nothing more or less than the truth. .........When faced with the harsh reality of truth, no sort of willpower or miracle matters. I reached this place by overcoming that truth. ......I don't believe my power of withstanding the truth is in any way inferior to yours or my master's."
"And what is this 'power to withstand the truth'?"
"......Those who don't know cannot understand. Perhaps you two couldn't become Witches of Truth because you couldn't bear to look at it directly..."
"..................Heh......heheheheheheheheheh. ......I'll forgive you for those impudent words. Letting them pass with a slight nod is my present to you for your recent victory."
"*giggle* ......Thank you very much, great Lady Lambdadelta☆"
"Oh, that's unusual. ......It's rare to spot you two getting along."
At some point, Bernkastel had appeared on the opposite balcony of the cathedral.

Erika, noticing her, cried 'my master' happily and dashed over.
"Lady Lambdadelta was telling me old stories about you. ......A tale of miracles fitting for my master, the Witch of Miracles...!"
".........I'll forgive you just this once."
"Huh?"
"Never speak of my past again."
A grimace rose to her face and blasted Erika's good mood away.
Then, she understood. ......Bernkastel was also a witch running from boredom. If it caught up with her, ......she would remember. ......Those never-ending days of hell......
This is proof...that even my master still hasn't gotten over the pain and fear of hell.

It means...that she lacks the power to withstand the truth.
.........For the first time, ......Erika felt just a little disdain for her master.
"......My apologies. ......More importantly, why have you come to a place like this?"
"......I was looking for you. I wanted to give you a reward."
"A reward! ......Really?! Th, thank you very much, my master!!"
"Ooh? ......Wow, I'm jealous! What are you gonna give her?"
"First, I acknowledge your ascension as a true witch, not just a temporary one. .........I'll be your guardian. Witch of Truth, Furudo Erika."
"Th, thank you very much!!"
"All you did was remove the temporary bit. That sort of reward can't be very pleasing. She really deserves something better, don't you thi~nk?"
"N, no, that's not true. I'm very pleased."
Of course, on the inside, Erika wanted another present. Mimicking Lambdadelta, she also looked around to see if there were any other rewards.
"I do have one other."

Bernkastel snapped her fingers.
......As she did, a cloud of gold butterflies gathered, ......and summoned Battler sitting in a throne at the center of the cathedral.
Of course, his eyes were blank. ......He was still an invalid, his heart trapped in the closed room that he would never be allowed to escape from...
"That man is your reward."
"......My reward......is Battler......?"
"Ooh... ......I see. ......You're saying you'll make it so that Erika inherits all of this game board's territory."
"That's right. ......Look at Battler's finger. ......He's wearing the ring of the One-winged Eagle, symbol of the territory lord. If that becomes yours, you'll become the official lord of this territory. ......I don't mean you'll be under my charge. ......In name and reality, this territory will be yours."
"So I need to take that ring off Battler's finger...?"
"......*giggle* Don't be stupid. ......There's only one ceremony where a woman gets a ring from a man's finger, right?"
"Erika. ......Take Battler as your husband and become the wife of the territory lord."
"T...take Battler......as my......?!"
"Yeah, that's right. ......If the territory lord is never to wake again, he'll need a partner to serve by his side and in his place. ......In other words, you will control this territory."
"So, we'll hold a wedding and exchange the rings. ......Battler's territory lord ring will become yours..."
"In exchange, you will put a ring of subordination on Battler's finger. ......You will control and humiliate him forever......and create as many tales however you like using this territory and game board."
"Territory lord, Furudo Erika. ......Any tale you wish will come true. ......The territory lord is a god. ...Congratulations, you've become the god of this small but wonderful world."
"......Ha......hahahahaha...hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... Is that...true...my...master...?!! Will I...become this world's...god...?"
"That is the final reward I will give to you. Take Battler's ring and create your own world. ......When that happens, you won't be my piece anymore. You'll be your own witch, and a splendid one at that. .........Congratulations, Lady Erika. And, one day, you must welcome me when I come to visit, just like Beato once did."
"Y, yes, my master...!! There could be no greater honor...! And I'm starting to like this marriage to Battler thing! ......*giggle*, if you think about it, there could be no greater disgrace to this game! After all, that Beatrice has apparently grown a desire to serve Battler and be liked by him. In the world that witch created, ......I will marry, defile, and humiliate Battler!! *giggle*giggle*, *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!! Oh yes, I understand. I sooo understand how painful it feels to have the one you love stolen away from you!! And now, I'm finally the one dealing out the pain...!! Truly, there could be no greater honor!!"
"I'm glad you like it. I knew it was the one present you'd like most in the world."
"Thank you so much, thank you so much!! My......masteeeeeeeeeeeeer...!!!"
Erika leapt down from the balcony and walked briskly towards Battler.
Then, she peered down at the reward she had been given...
".........Now isn't that a wonderful finale. You'll have a wedding, right?"
"Of course. A magnificent one. The perfect way to end Beato's game."
"Of course, you'll send Beato an invitation too, right?"
"Let's hope she actually comes."
""*giggle*giggle*, ehheheheheheheheheheheheheh!!""
"......Alright, things are going to get busy. We have to prepare for the ceremony, make programs, send invitations..."
"Don't forget the wedding dress and a cake!! And you need to get things ready for the reception!"
The two witches disappeared, cackling.
Only the two who were to be wed remained in the cathedral.
".........Could you hear...? ......Battler-san. ...Do you realize......what's about to happen to you......?"
".....................Damn......it......"
Battler's consciousness wasn't completely gone. ...It was very distant......but he was slightly tethered to reality.
...And that......was what made it cruel.

It was as cruel as though the spider called Erika had wrapped Battler up......and was eating him while he was still conscious.
No, she might have been like certain kinds of wasp. It was the cruelty of paralyzing her prey alive so that she could save him for later and eat him.

In other words, her cruelty was similar to that of a predator......
"You can't get out of this closed room. After all, you used all that red truth to show that it was a closed room. So don't worry, and just let yourself be trapped in there forever. ......Because as you do, ......I'll be giving your body some good, long humiliation. .........Let's have a mirror in our bedroom. ......That way, you can see just how you're being humiliated with your own eyes. .........*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*!!"
And then, let's have a bird cage hanging from the ceiling. We can stick your beloved witch Beatrice in there. What do you think......? ......Wonderful, isn't it......? Eheheheheheheheheeheheheheheheheh!! Yeah, ......I understand. This is how sweet it is to be standing on the other side... ...Aha, ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha......"
As he listened to this mad laugh, ......Battler couldn't even bring a distressed expression to his face.
His heart was still trapped in the closed room he had created...
His body and soul......would soon be trapped within a new closed room of Erika's.

A closed room......called marriage.
"Hey, did you hear, Furfur...?!"
"I sure did, Zepar...! Lord BATTLER and Lady Erika are having a wedding!"
They had said it with so much of their usual antics that Beato had to ask them to repeat it again.
"Wh......what......is happening......?"
"As you know, the territory lord of this place has had his heart sealed away and cannot speak."
"It seems the beautiful Lady Erika is going to become his wife and support him in his work!"
The two demons explained the situation in a very simple yet dramatic way.
......I know what's going on.

They're planning to take advantage of the fact that Battler's heart is sealed away...and use marriage to lock up his body as well, so that they can steal everything from him...
At this rate, ......Battler's position as Game Master and his territory lord's ring will be stolen away...
"That damn thief, she thinks she can do whatever she wants...!! Let's steal him back! This doesn't concern me, but if it affects you, then it's my business too!"
"It's no use to just steal his body back! After all, the great Lady Bernkastel has already signed the marriage certificate as a witness!"
"With a great witch of the senate serving as a witness, no one can dispel the union except for those who are a part of it...!"
"......So, as I thought......unless I can rescue Battler-san's heart from that closed room, ......there's no way we can save him......"
"Then find a way to rescue him from that closed room!"
"You're going to steal away the bridegroom?! Ah!! How wonderful!!"
"......If you can do that, it would make for a tale beautiful enough for the opera. However, this closed room sealing Battler is quite difficult..."
"The only way out is the door. And if the chain is unset, his escape will not be accepted..."
"And on top of that, the chain can't be set from the outside!"
"And now there's no one left to switch places with him!"
"......No matter how you think about it, we're stuck!"
"If we give up......we won't be able to save him. The only thing we can do to save him now is to keep at it and keep thinking."
Though Beato looked as though she was about to burst into tears, ......she clenched her fists tightly.
She was so frustrated with her inability to think up any brilliant plan...that her heart felt as though it would burst...
"......Zepar and Furfur, you two are known as being among the most powerful of demons. They say your magic can make the impossible possible. ......Couldn't you use your power and knowledge to work out a plan for crushing this impossible closed room...?!"
"Yes, love can accomplish any impossible thing!"
"If you can't accomplish something, it means you lack enough love!"
".........Hearing that......hurts..."
"But we are moved by the strength of will that prevents you from giving up!"
"Because you have that, we're sure you can bring about a miracle!"
"......Can't you at least give us a hint about that miracle?! We have known each other for no short span of time. ......Can't you at least give my little sister a hint as a parting gift?"
""We are always giving out hints.""
"Without love-"
"They cannot be seen!"
"......And I'm telling you to show us because we can't see them. ......These two are always like this. It staves off boredom, but they can become very irritating at times like this."
Zepar and Furfur certainly were demons who possessed a great power.
The power of love that they bestowed had created several miracles in the past...miracles so great that they left a mark on human history.
However, those miracles were never given easily.
They would give trials, tell riddles, ......and sometimes help the truth be realized......so that those who desired power could create that power themselves.
No matter how pitiful the eyes that looked up at them, the two demons would never lend their power out of pity.

As it is with God, it is with demons. ......They help those who help themselves.
"I understand. ......I'll think about it myself... ...I will...certainly..."
"See, demons?! Here's a pure-hearted girl...! As the demons of love, don't your hearts hurt even a little?! Let's have a hint...! Or could you at least give us a hint to a hint?"
Zepar and Furfur looked at each other.
......Of course, there was no pity on their faces. However, it could be seen that, though they did find the problem amusing, they were considering what they should do next.
"What'll we do, Furfur?!"
"Can we just give a hint to a hint?!"
"Yeah, there's nothing wrong with that, so let's have it!"
""Oookay! Here's a present from Zepar and Furfur! A hint to a hint of love!!""
"P, please...!!"
"You can't see the answer..."
"Because you don't have enough love!"
"I...I told you, not a hint like that!"
"And if you don't have enough love...!!"
"Why don't you watch all the lovers?!"
"Yes, and fortunately, we have two groups of lovers right here with us!"
"Why don't we take a look at their fight for love?!"
""You should watch over and observe our trial!!""
"I tooooold you!! Not a hint like that!"

Beato the elder yelled at them, asking for a more tangible hint.

However, Zepar and Furfur just giggled and ran about like rats.
......However, ......Beato took their hint to a hint seriously.
Now that the Beatos were out of it, ......the second trial was between George and Shannon...and Jessica and Kanon.
'Tear apart the two who are close.'

In other words, defeat one of the members on the opposing team.
They were allowed to use any method they wanted. It could be a duel, or it could be rock, paper, scissors.

......The four of them had alternated between speaking together, then splitting up and discussing things amongst their teams, and had, apparently, finally reached a decision.
".........Zepar, Furfur. Do you have a second?"
"Oh, they've finally called out to us!!"
"So, George! Have you decided the format for the duel?!"
No matter how much the two demons jeered at the four of them, their serious expressions did not waver...
"......Yes. We've decided to have it...as a single duel."
"It will be a duel between Shannon and me."
"That's surprising. For a one on one duel, we would have thought-"
"That George and Jessica would've fought."
"......These guys really wanted it to be them, and they wouldn't listen."
"As a man, I can't stand being unable to do anything but watch. ......However, Shannon's resolve will not waver. So we have no choice but to respect their decision and believe in them..."
".........Kanon-kun..."
"Thank you so much......for believing in me. I've always thought that...if we would one day have to fight each other directly, ......this was the way it should be done."
"And we've realized that...that day is today. ......Of course, we might have been able to avoid this day."
"However, ......now this day has come. So, we will not...run away."
"......That's right. ......I'll stay right here."
"Me too. .........I believe in Shannon. So, I won't say anything more. ......And, even if Shannon is the one fighting in the duel, ...our power is one. So, we'll be fighting together."
".........Yes, that's right. ......I'm just speaking for the pair of us."
"If the lovers have decided-"
"Even we demons will not butt in."
"So, ......how would you like to settle this duel?"
"You don't mean...that you want to have a real 'duel', do you?"
At once, both Shannon and Kanon nodded.
"......And the method?"
"That doesn't matter, as long as it is a fight to the death."
"If possible, ......we would like it to be peaceful and painless. And we would like to avoid wounding each other unnecessarily before one of us dies."
"......Zepar. We should be the ones to oversee this noble duel."
"True. ......We understand, you two. We will propose a noble duel, one that will honor your noble spirits!"
When Zepar clapped her hands, a case with an old design appeared in the air and landed between Shannon and Kanon.
Furfur nodded at them, urging them to open it.
Kanon crouched down and opened the case.
......There were some antiques inside.
They would have looked splendid hanging on the wall at some classy coffee shop.

However, they were not mere decorations now.
"............Th, these are..."
"I see. ......Just perfect for a duel..."
Inside the case, ......there were two of them, ancient, like the kind used many centuries ago... ...A pair of dueling pistols.
Yes, this was a case of dueling pistols......which only those who wished for a fight to the death were allowed to open.
"They have one bullet each. As you requested, we have imbued them with magic."
"They have magical bullets, which will bring certain and painless death no matter where on your body they hit you."
"......Thank you very much. You are...most merciful."
"And what if we both miss?"
"Normally, that would be a draw. ......However, such a thing is not allowed in our trial."
"If you both miss, you will come back, and we will give you new bullets. This will repeat until one of you is dead."
"......I have no objections."
"Me neither. ......I'm glad. This means we can finally-"
""Settle this.""
"Ushiromiya George, I recognize you as Shannon's...no, Sayo's witness."
"......Understood."
"Ushiromiya Jessica, I recognize you as Kanon's...no, Yoshiya's witness."
"S, ......sure...!"
""We are responsible for this duel! It is our responsibility to see that this duel reaches a decision no matter what!!""
When Zepar and Furfur cried these words out, ......the whole area was blanketed in a gold-colored light, ......and when it cleared, ......it had become the rose garden where golden roses bloomed......
"A duel over love, is it...... How old-fashioned they are. ......I have seen many duels with pistols during my thousand years, ......but I have never seen one like this."
"......Because it's being overseen by demons...?"
"No. ......A duel over love is usually a fight between two people both in love with the same single person. However, here we have a pair of lovers fighting another pair of lovers. ......This is quite odd."
"I'm sure......that's because they want the miracle of magic. .......It seems we cannot be successful in love without that miracle..."
"..................Do you know the minimum number of people needed to create a universe?"
"......Huh? N, no, ......I don't..."
Shannon and Kanon each took a pistol out of the case, returned to their respective witnesses, and checked the weapons over.
Then, when they both decided that there were no problems with those, ......they checked once more to make sure that the other was prepared to duel, ......and nodded.
"If there are no problems, let the duelists stand back to back, ......then walk the decided number of steps away from each other."
"Then, the duel will begin on our signal. ......Zepar, how many steps should they walk?"
"............Good question. ......Well, ......maybe we should choose a number that is closely bound to this duel."
"A number closely bound......? What number is that?"
"It's a number we know of well. ......It is that number which has been repeated over and over again since the time this tale began...!!"
""That number is '19'!""
".........That's an interesting number......"
"......I like it. ......It's a good number to settle everything with."
19.

Whenever the illusion of a 19th person was seen on this island, on which only 18 people were supposed to be, this number was used to refer to the witch.

This was the number of years needed to create this tale.

This was the number of years it took to reach this unavoidable day.

And this was......the age of the true territory lord of this world.
"They'll stand across from each other, then walk 19 steps......and shoot."
"......That's pretty far. ......At that distance, the first one to shoot won't necessarily be the winner."
"......If one of us shoots first and misses, ......that will probably be the end for them."
"And if it hits, this easy game can be won without even getting a scratch..."
""Well then, duelers! Stand with your backs together!!""
Shannon and Kanon slowly walked towards each other, facing each other.
Once they turned away, ......the next time they would see the other's face would be the time that they killed them. ......So, this was the last time they would face each other.
"Thanks for everything. .........Having a little brother like you made things fun."
"......Thank you for letting me be me. ......Thank you for showing me the color in the world of gray."
"Why......were we born, I wonder..."
"It would have been better if we had died right after being born."
"......That is our Father's sin, isn't it..."
"Yeah. So he can just die. Let them all die."
"Yeah. Everyone will die. It'll happen very soon. ......And right after, everyone will revive, and we'll be able to see them again. We won't be birds in a cage anymore."
"......We will finally leave our cage......and fly off to our separate worlds."
"I should have had this duel with you......long ago."
"......Surely, today is the day."
"Yeah. It's today."
"October 5, 1986. ......The fated day."

"The day that one of us will die."
"......Or maybe we'll both shoot at the same time, and both die."
"Oh, that might happen too. ......In fact, that's not so unlikely at all."
"Right. Even if that happens, our loves will surely be made complete."
".........Do we really......need to duel?"
"We do. You said it yourself. ......We should have done this much sooner."
"Right. ......Because...to me, you are-"
"To me, you are-"
""Just in the way.""
For the first time, ......the intent to kill flashed through the eyes of both.

Why...? For what reason......?
Why must this day come for this pair, ......connected by a bond different from love as though they were real siblings...?
It's a great mystery.

And, also a great mystery is the question of how this can be the key......towards unlocking Battler-san's closed room.
......If I watch over this duel instead of running away, ......will I find the key towards solving that closed room...?

I will, right? Zepar-san, Furfur-san......!
The cathedral was beautifully decorated to be the place of the wedding between the territory lord, Lord BATTLER, and Lady Erika...
A crowd of guests wearing goat masks filled the cathedral, waiting for the arrival of the bride and groom...

Fitting for a demon's wedding, it was not solemn or quiet, ......but cheery and noisy, brimming with activity.
"......I wonder what Beato is doing."
"I hear she has gone to see Zepar and Furfur. ......With the power of love, that powerful pair could even force the demon king to retreat. ......I do hope that they can be helpful..."
"......I know a~ll about those two. ......I think you know as well as I that they won't hand over their power easily."
"True. ......However, ......that is why they are capable of granting a miraculous power."
".........At any rate, if we can just free Battler-kun's heart from that closed room, we should be able to manage something here. ......Closed rooms are your favorite, are they not, Gaap? Can you think of any tricks...?!"
"This is a nasty one. Battler and Erika have been dropping red truths all over the place. ......I can say for certain that it is impossible to escape from the inside on one's own."
"So, after all, the only way is to have someone else trade places with him and set the chain..."
"......If that person does appear, it should be easy to save Battler. There are 11 people, right?"
"Those 11 are sealed on the second floor of the guesthouse... If we could somehow slip them out of there...!"
"......I see. ......Solving the problem of Battler-sama's closed room is equivalent to solving the problem of either closed room on the guesthouse's second floor."
"Exactly. Limiting your thoughts to just Battler's guest room is like being trapped in a mental closed room. ......The closed room we need to break open to save Battler isn't the guest room. It's the closed rooms in the guesthouse...!"
".........Most UNFORTUNATELY, we of Eiserne Jungfrau have been placed in charge of the two rooms in the GUESTHOUSE."
"Tch. And you guys specialize in seals and barriers..."
"However, that was quite impressive, Gaap. You realized that the closed room you should destroy to save Battler is in the GUESTHOUSE. ......The ceremony will begin SOON, but why not reconstruct the scene as a way to kill time until THEN?"
"......A, are you sure? Doesn't this violate the obligation of confidentiality you have as Lady Erika's pieces...?"
"That is no PROBLEM. ......Surely, if you first have the seals around the scene confirmed and fall into DESPAIR, ......you will be able to celebrate this ceremony more SINCERELY."
"How confident...... ......I'll take that challenge. ...Lia, let's have ourselves a little snack before the ceremony."
"With that, dear ladies of Eiserne, we humbly ask that you reconstruct the scene for us."
""We hear and obey.""
"......This is......the cousins' room."
"The next room over has the exact same LAYOUT. This should be enough for your INSPECTION."
"This room has......Genji, Gohda, Kanon. And then Krauss, Rudolf, and Jessica, for a total of six people."
"The next room over has Hideyoshi, George, Shannon, Kumasawa, and Nanjo, for a total of 5 PEOPLE."
"Don't be stupid, everyone. It doesn't matter who's here. We need to find out how to escape from this room."
"Y, you're right. ......The door and windows are sealed, so we must somehow escape from some other place......"
".........You know what? I know all about how you heaven people specialize in deceiving by force. ......This is no closed room. Right......?"
"......Please, allow me to speak. Let it be known that the closed rooms in our charge are perfect...!"
"You were in charge of the window seal of Kinzo's room last game, right...? ......Just how did Battler let Kinzo escape from that room...?"
"............"
"......That was no fault of Cornelia's. The blame rests on her superior, ME."
"This is exactly the same as Kinzo's study. It's the windows. This closed room can be broken by the windows. ......This trick of yours is just plain obvious."
"H, how...?! Lady Erika sealed the entire room, right...? That means the entire room is sealed, including the windows...!"
"......I see. ......It would seem that we have been misinterpreting the definition of these seals.
It is not impossible to break a closed room sealed by duct tape.
It forms no prison."
"That's it exactly. ......It's true that the seals prove that the room was a closed room. However, they do not prove that the room will remain as such. They only prove that the room is a closed room

(as long as the duct tape is not broken/・・・・・・・・・・・・・)."
"We are not trying to deceive you in any WAY. .........As long as the duct tape is intact, it is guaranteed to be a closed ROOM. That is ALL."
"Th, then why the windows...?! Why is it that we can break the closed room by the windows?!"
"It's simple. We just tear the duct tape apart and jump out. ......I don't know what the outside wall of the guesthouse is like, but it must have enough of a foothold so that girl could crawl up it and stick duct tape on the outside without anyone noticing."
".........If you break the duct tape, we will immediately know that the seal has been BROKEN. And we have already proven that the seals were intact at the time of Battler's logic ERROR."
"True. It's true that, at that time, you proved that the seals weren't broken. ......That's how you tricked us into thinking that it was a closed room. ......It's not necessarily 'seals=closed room'."
Gaap is the demon that specializes in burying closed room mysteries...

......She looked down at the short Dlanor, as though a challenge such as this was like taking candy from a baby.

Dlanor looked up at her with a bold expression, and sparks flew between them......
"What do you mean, 'seals=closed room' is wrong?! That's insane..."
"Remember, Lia. Which seals did Erika and the others show us at that time? Which seals did they show were still intact?!"
".........Pu ku ku ku. ...I see. This is the sort of falsification that the High Court of Heaven likes to practice."
"I cannot let that remark PASS. ......What is your COMPLAINT?"
"Come on, I've been saying it the whole time. It's the windows. ......It's true that you sealed everything with those seals. That included the windows, at that time. And at the time they were sealed, that counted as proof. So far so good. But you know what?!"
"After that, any one of the people inside could have done it! Umm, who was here again?! Genji, Gohda, Kanon, Krauss, Rudolf, Jessica! Any one of them could do it! All they had to do was tear the duct tape on the window, slip out from there, and save Battler...!"
"But at the time of the logic error, it was proven that the seals were intact...!"
"Incorrect. ......At that time, Lady Erika only proved the status of 'the seals on the doors'."
".................."
"C, ......come to think of it...! At that time, Lady Erika just showed the doors of the two rooms and claimed that the seals were intact for each... She never mentioned the seals on the windows...!!"
"That's correct. .........It's probably true that the seals on the doors and windows were perfect at first. ......However, at the time of the logic error, only the status of the seals on the doors was confirmed. In other words, since the time Erika left the guesthouse, it was not forbidden for them to break through the windows and leave whenever they wished!"
"............"
"What do you say? I've got you now, haven't I? So this is how you do things."
".........Hmph........."
"......Commander Dlanor. ......It's nearly time..."
".........It seems the bride and groom have ARRIVED. This ends our CHAT. .........We will meet again LATER."
With a happy-looking grin on her face, Dlanor turned around.
......But this must have hit her where it hurts.

Gaap wouldn't let her get away. She grabbed the other's shoulder.
"......Wait there. Confirm whether or not the seals on the windows were preserved at the time of the logic error. If you don't, it's possible for anyone in that room to save Battler!!"
"And who......do you think such a rescue would be possible FOR?"
"It doesn't matter who! Then, just by personal preference, I'll name Kanon-kun. He seems agile, and hiding his presence is his specialty. He's the perfect person to follow after Erika and quickly come to Battler-kun's rescue!"
"Kanon...? Hehheheheheheheheheheh...... IMPOSSIBLE."
"Impossible? Come now, we can't trust what you say with normal words. ......Use the red truth. Swear upon that red longsword of yours."
"...... Gaap. A sacred wedding is about to begin HERE. You ask me to draw my sword in a sacred place such as THIS? ......How inelegant and RUDE. Let's do this some other TIME. ......GOODBYE."
"......It is possible for Kanon to save Battler. After Erika sealed the room, he left by the window, switched places with Battler-kun in the guest room, set the chain lock, and hid in the closet."
"......IMPOSSIBLE. The seals on the windows were also INTACT. Of course, this is at the time of the logic ERROR."
Gaap's rapid reverse roundhouse that followed her blue wedge......crossed with Dlanor's red longsword, and both pointed at the other's throat......
The once peaceful mood of the wedding broke apart.

......Several goat guests whispered to each other, wondering why those two seemed to be fighting.
"......Okay, ......so you can counter that...... Why didn't you just say so in the first place?"
".........We thought that Beatrice might eventually reach that thought, ......then barge in on the wedding with that as the key to Battler's ESCAPE. .........I did not think that you would press us first......and force us to show our HAND."
"Y, ......you do fight dirty, don't you... ......You were trying to trap Beato by making her suspect the windows, then turning the tables on her......"
"What else should a human who guards the bride be expected to DO? ......Are you satisfied NOW? A hellish wedding truly is vulgar and BARBARIC. ......If you would excuse US."
"......Wait up, you haven't fooled me yet...... You were talking about the seals blocking Kanon, the ones on the windows of the cousins' room, right? Then what about the windows on the next room over? All you've done is shown that the rescue would have been impossible for Kanon. There's still a chance for the humans in the next room over...!"
"............How very PERSISTENT."
"We apologize for our rudeness! We are the Siesta Sisters Imperial Guards, in charge of security at this ceremony! I'm afraid I must ask you both for your stamped invitations!"
"Dlanor A. Knox. I am with the bride's PARTY. Here is my stamped INVITATION. Also, here are my credentials as bodyguard to the BRIDE."
"Confirmed as Chief Knox. Welcome to Lord BATTLER's wedding!"
"I'm Gaap. I'm with the groom's party. Here's my invitation and......ah, oh no."
"You didn't get it stamped at the reception desk nyeh."
"I came here directly, so I didn't go by the reception desk. Tehe, haven't got a stamp yet."
"Wh, why do you always have to do that at times like this...?!!"
"......Gaap-sama. My apologies, but we'll have to ask you to come with us to a different room."

Dlanor watched, shrugged, and turned away...
"Wait there, Dlanor!! Respond to my blue truth!!"
"If you want the opinion of the High Court of Heaven, please fill out an application in accordance with court PROCEDURES."
"Allow me to speak. Know that the ticket window is open from 10:00 to 5:00 on weekdays. Lunch break runs from 12:00 to 1:15."
"Allow me to speak. Know that the use of white-out or strikethroughs is not permitted when filling out forms."
"There's a rumor that they refuse Comiket applications for the same thing nyeh."
"Th, that's an urban legend. .........Probably."
"Let us provisionally accept that blue truth VERBALLY. ......It will be put on hold until the proper forms are received, and multiple submissions are not ALLOWED."
"I don't understand!! Can you respond to my blue truth?! Or can't you?!"
"......If you fill out the application on Monday, we should be able to have an answer for you by the end of next MONTH. Multiple submissions are forbidden, so the blue truth you just spoke will be unusable during this wedding CEREMONY. ......This is in accordance with the laws of evidence, official High Court regulation 214 line 15, regarding the prevention of multiple SUBMISSIONS!"
"Please, allow me to speak. Know that it is forbidden for blue truth to be used if based on the argument that the window seals of the next room over were torn at the time of the logic error."
"Please, allow me to speak. Know that there can be no obligation to provide an answer to this blue truth...!"
"C, cowards!! Hey, let go of me, rabbit band!!"

The Siesta Sisters led Gaap away...

Just when she had thought that she'd reached the core......they had underhandedly refused to respond.
However, this is a big clue. There's a chance that the window seals on the next room over have been broken...!

In other words, it might be possible for Hideyoshi, George, Kumasawa, Shannon, or Nanjo to save Battler.

And yet, just now, that has been sealed away...!
The use of any blue based on 'the window seals on the next room over might have been broken'...has been prevented...

It's now impossible......to claim that the five who could have saved Battler were the ones who did it...!
"Wh, what the hell...?! That's low! Isn't this the answer?! I also noticed that they hadn't proven that the windows' seals were intact. But if the others can't use the blue truth, what are they supposed to do?! Yeah, I know. I'm sure you're laughing at me again because you alone have discovered the answer...!"
".........My apologies, child of man. ......I am stuck on this just like you are."
"Huh...... What are you saying...?"
"I also realized that the windows of the next room over were left available... ......However, I hadn't imagined that the use of that argument would be prevented..."
"Doesn't this completely violate the rules?! I mean, how can a quiz be fair if you can't say the right answer?! Isn't this a logic error for the other side?!"
"..................We can also view the fact that the tale is continuing as proof that it wasn't a logic error..."
"In other words, there's some other answer completely unrelated to the windows of the next room over...?"
"......Or, ......it may be possible to explain, without discussing the windows, how one of those five came to Battler's rescue."
"And not discussing the windows means getting out of the room without using the windows. That would make this next room over a closed room again...!"
"......Yes. ......That is why I am also stuck. ......Because of these strange seal proclamations, the two rooms have once again become closed rooms. ......Most likely-"
"Most likely what? If you're so vastly intelligent, what kind of answer have you found?!"
".........There is no...answer."
"No answer?! What do you mean?!"
"There is no way out except for the windows of the next room over. ......And yet, we are not allowed to include those windows in our reasoning. .........There probably is no answer...for this closed room."
"And if so, what next?!"
"Since no answer exists, then defeat is absolutely certain for whichever player is burdened with the responsibility of explaining."
"So we have no moves left...?! In other words, that statement of Dlanor's......was the final blow?! Doesn't this make it checkmate?!!"
"..................No, one move does exist. ......However, that move.........is one that can never be used again. .....And, ...it is also a part of Beato's heart."
"You mean...one of the greatest riddles of this tale...?"
"Precisely. ......By using that, or possibly......"

Featherine sighed deeply.
......It was something she hadn't done at all before now.
.........I see.

......So, as long as this tale has been, ......it is finally time for the curtain to close...

Revealing this riddle......means the same as finally.........killing Beato.
......Battler......is probably the only one qualified to do that.

If he weaves that tale as the Game Master...
......No one will be able to stop it now...

The greatest riddle of this tale......will probably......be revealed.........very soon......
A deep sound reverberated through the cathedral.

It was the sound of the several dozen Siesta Sisters Imperial Guards, members of the honor guard, who stood in a line across the cathedral and stamped their heels in unison.
......It brought about total silence even before the demons running the ceremony spoke.
"Let us have silence!! Ladies and gentlemen...!!"
"Welcome to the wedding of Lord BATTLER, territory lord and Golden Sorcerer, and Lady Erika, the Witch of Truth!!"
Zepar and Furfur had appeared in the center of the cathedral.

......Having them invited to host a wedding was a great honor.

Though they had asked for silence, the attendants who packed the cathedral welcomed the two demons with an enormous applause.
"......Oh, it's Zepar and Furfur. Then what about Beato...?"
"She may already have snuck onto the grounds......"
They searched for Beato in the crowd of several hundred people, ......but they couldn't find her anywhere.
"I wonder......if Beato found a way to save Battler-kun..."
"......If she managed to gain Zepar and Furfur's power, ......then I'm sure she has. ......There is no miracle that cannot be gained after receiving their power."
"And if she didn't......?"
"......Then that goat biting its handkerchief over there is probably her. Pu ku ku..."
"Then, let us welcome the bride and groom...!!"
"Please give them a grand welcome and celebrate their departure!!"
""Come out, bride and groom!! Walk the path of the shackles called marriage, which will bind you until the grave!!""
The big doors in the back of the cathedral......slowly opened......
And then, .........the territory lord......and his beautiful bride...came into view......

Arm in arm, the pair slowly......began to walk down the 'path to the grave' lined with red carpet.
The Siesta honor guards stood at attention along either side of that path, raised their adorned bayonets with mechanical precision, and made sure that no evil could block the path that the pair walked down.

Siesta Sister troops that weren't part of the honor guard were stationed all over the cathedral, hiding behind pillars and so on, and keeping an eye out for any intruders.
".........00 calling 45 and 410, any irregularities?"
"Ceiling snipers, no irregularities nyeh."
410 and 45 could be seen on top of the massive chandelier hanging from the cathedral's ceiling.

Several other sniper pairs could be seen stationed on top of the other chandeliers...
This seemingly festive cathedral...was actually being heavily guarded in places that the attendants wouldn't notice......
"Currently, we are targeting 36 attendants suspected of being Lady Beatrice, as well as 131 who are located in positions suitable for a raid. Surveillance in progress."
"......Don't let your guard down. ......Lady Beatrice will almost certainly stage an attack on the wedding."
"That'd be so cool, breaking in to steal the bride nyeh."
"410, he's the groom, not the bride."
"But he's playing the bride's part nyeh. Nihihihihihi......"
The Siesta sniper teams on the chandeliers used super high-efficiency observers to track the movements of the several hundred attendants.

If any one of them made any suspicious movements, ......the Siestas were given permission to fire immediately.
...The one on that chandelier is Siesta 127.
That overworking monster sniper could pulverize a human target from 2 kilometers away.
...The one on the chandelier across from that is Siesta 20.
Her firing rate is 6000 shots per minute. However, she's using a portable magazine this time, so she'll use up her shots in about two seconds. That lazy bum can barely do her job for just two seconds nyeh.
Slowly, ......and making a show of it, the two walked down the red carpeted path.
Battler's eyes were blank.

......If you looked closely, you could probably tell that Erika was dragging him by the arm she held.
In other words, they weren't walking together.

......This was a ceremony for Erika to show off to everyone that this man belonged to her...

Behind the bride and groom walked the Seven Sisters of Purgatory, who held long, ceremonial arms in the shape of the One-winged Eagle...
"That moron Battler......what's he lazing about for... This is why people call him incompetent."
"......I can understand Beatrice-sama's pain...better than anyone else."
"It's all because that stupid Battler caused a logic error! Stupid, stupid, stupid!"
"......Beatrice-sama will not fall to sloth and let this wedding go on."
"Of course. Beatrice-sama is greedy. She won't let someone else take away her favorite toy. She'll definitely show up..."
"*slobber* I hear the reception's gonna have tons of delicious food...!"
"Aaah, I want to wear a wedding dress...noooooooooo~w!!"
Bernkastel and Lambdadelta were in the nobles' seating on the balcony.

They were sipping some bizarre carbonated cocktails as they looked down upon the show...
".........What a splendid wedding dress. ......This sort of thing's not bad."
"This is just the opening performance."
"That's pretty cruel. Which event do you think will be the headliner? ......Don't tell me that you really believe Beato will come. As you know as well, Battler's closed room is perfect. ......How could Beato win? Right......?"
".........You must have heard too. There's a chance that the window seal on the room next door has been torn. ......It seems that Dlanor has managed to seal that off for now, but she just denied the concept instead of sealing the actual window. .........It'll fly out the window again. This One-winged Eagle."
"Wanna bet?"
"On whether Beato comes?"
".........I bet she comes with certainty."
"......I bet she comes miraculously."

"Ah, this isn't going to work. ......*giggle*giggle*."
The Witch of Certainty and the Witch of Miracles were both sure that Beato would come.

However, they were very interested in exactly how she would break the closed room and take Battler back...
".........You've been watching from behind the scenes, so you probably know. You know what the trick is."
"More or less. ......But Erika's done a hell of a job, so now even I'm stumped."
"......Liar."
"Huh...?"
"I'm sure you've found one already. .........There does exist a trick that can save Battler, right?"
"..................There does. ......But it's tough."
"And if that move is used, ......part of Beato's heart will be exposed. ......Isn't that right?"
"......Oh, so you already know."
".........Hey, wanna change our bet?"
"To what?"
"To whether Beato or Erika wins."
"Sure, if you're willing to bet on Erika."
".........I'll do it."
"Oh, you are betting on Erika? And why do you think you can win?"
".........If this trick is a part of Beato's heart, .........then Battler, the Game Master, will hesitate at exposing it. And so, they cannot win. It will probably be a draw. I'm sure they'll confuse matters and run away."
".........Battler has sworn to let Beato sleep in peace. ......Bern. ...You're being too naive......"
The bet was made.

Based on the assumption of that certain miracle...that Beato would come.
Virgilia, who was standing in the front row, tried to call out as soon as Battler walked by.

She tried to tell him that the window seal on the next room over hadn't been confirmed, hoping that this would give him a hint.
However, she had been marked perfectly.
The instant she tried to lean forward, two Siesta Sisters right behind her grabbed her arms.

It was a powerful force preventing her from going forward.
Unable to move, ......she was forced to stay there and watch as Battler walked past.
"Battler-kun......"
"......Even now, ......he is fighting that closed room all by himself. ......However, he cannot get out of that closed room by his own power alone. ......Unless someone comes to save him, he cannot get out."
"Unless that child comes to save him, ......Battler-kun will be trapped..."
"If there is a key to that closed room, ......I am certain...Milady will find it......"
.........Milady. ......I am sure you have gone through many trials in your life.
But please, this is one trial that you must overcome...

......I am certain that you can do it.
I, Ronove, ......do not doubt that in the slightest......
The bride and groom's procession...slowly walked down the path to the grave......and reached the altar.

Though walking slowly was ceremonious and proper etiquette, it was also tiring.
Erika glanced over at Battler.
......Of course, his eyes were blank.

His heart was still inside that closed room.
Once more, the sound of the Siesta honor guard stamping their heels rang out loudly.

Silence returned to the cathedral once more.

......Now, the wedding ceremony would finally......begin.
"People live for the sake of love! Therefore, today, you have fulfilled the purpose of your lives."
"Oh, how great is the power to live, the power of love...! I pray that the brightness of this day blesses these two for all time!"
""Come now, you who love one another! Make the oath of love!!""
"In the place of the husband who cannot speak-"
"Let the wife make the oath on behalf of both of them...!"
"......Battler swears to Erika, and Erika swears to Battler to support each other, both in sickness and in health."
".........Ggh.........ghh..."
"......I didn't catch that, Battler-san... If you have some objection, please say it a bit more clearly, in a loud voice."
"......Da...mn...it......"
"If you have anything further to say, please get yourself out of that logic error closed room first. .........Don't worry. I'll support you until that day comes. ......*giggle*, ......*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*!!"
"You have heard the pair's oath of love. Oh, let this oath be eternal...!!""
The thunderous applause celebrated their marriage of subordination......
After the oath, ......they would physically signify the bond.

......It was the exchanging of the rings.
......The territory lord's ring with the One-winged Eagle engraved on it that sat on Battler's finger...would become Erika's.
By this, she would become the ruler of this game board...

And in exchange, ......Battler's finger would be given a diamond ring that Erika had prepared.
......At a glance, it just looked like a ring adorned by a large diamond.

......However, this cursed ring would force Battler into eternal subservience and mark him as another's property......
"Yes, let the pair exchange rings...!!"
"......Since the husband's fingers cannot move, let his wife support him...!"
Erika respectfully took Battler's right hand......then slowly pulled off the territory lord's ring that had sat on his ring finger......

That was the ring Beato had entrusted him with. ......Erika...stole it away.
"This is the ring that woman left behind, right......? Heh...heheh... ......How does it feel to have that stolen away by a woman like me......?"
"......to...he......"
"Huh? I can't hear you. Please say it one more time."
"......Go......to hell......"
"Oh, that. Well, then there's no need to worry, Battler-san."
Erika pressed her lips up against Battler's earlobe as if biting it......and told him where they were.
"......We're already there. *giggle*........."
Then, slowly, ......she took Beato's ring, which she had stolen from Battler, ......and slipped it onto her own left hand...
"And now, bride. You may give the groom your ring."
"......This one's pretty incredible. .........It's the shackle that'll hold him in place for all time."
"*giggle*. ......Yeah, ......it's custom made."

Even Battler's blank eyes could see the diamond ring Erika held.
It was like Erika herself.
On the outside, it shone beautifully, ......and possessed an absolute hardness that would bend to no one's will.

And on the inside, ......it had, to symbolize never letting go of the prey it had latched onto, ......eight sharp thorns pointing inwards.
If they had been growing out of the outer side, it would have looked like the collar of a watchdog from hell.
......However, who's ever heard of putting those on the inside...?
By twisting the diamond, those thorns could slide in or out.

......In other words, if you twisted it after thrusting the finger inside, ......the inward-facing thorns would bite down, never releasing until the end of time.

......Then, even his soul would be trapped, ......and his body, mind, and soul would be forced to serve Erika for all eternity.
".........Are...you...kidding me......? ............Who the......"
Who the hell would wear a ring like that?

......He couldn't even finish speaking that simple phrase.

And furthermore, those awkward words were the only way he could resist...
She raised Battler's left hand......and stroked his ring finger as if tasting it.
......Erika pressed the ring of subordination against the tip of his finger...
If a ring is made to fit too tightly, it can hurt and be annoying if it's impossible to take off.

However, ......this ring was never intended to be removed for life anyway, ......so its inner band had been mercilessly narrowed.

Even without the thorns, forcing a small ring like this on would hurt......
"This ring will seal up your body, heart, and soul......for all eternity. ......And you'll become an eternal living doll... ......I won't even let you die. ......You'll be endlessly defiled and humiliated by me, ......and every time I forget the taste of victory, ......I'll use your body to remind me. .........Over......and over again...... ......If you think you can bite off your tongue, now's the time... ......Once this goes on your finger, ...you won't even be able to do that."
"......Ffg...ggg...kk..."
Battler didn't even have the strength to bite his tongue.

......Even if he had, ......Battler didn't want to give up until he found a way to escape the closed room. So he couldn't kill himself.
However, if he accepted the ring, ......he would never be able to even think about escaping from the room, much less commit suicide......
"S......st...stop......it........."
"No way. ......Look......I'm......sticking your finger in......"
"Ghih......gyaggh......it...it huurts.........gggghh...agh..."
It wasn't just the pain of having his finger forced through the tight ring.
......The curse of the ring......fiercely tormented Battler's body from the inside.

That pain would always torment Battler.
......But, fortunately...
The power of the ring even stole away the heart that could understand that pain......

Erika kept screwing that too-small demon's ring on...
"It hurts............! .........!! ...It's...impossible... ......There's no way...it'll fit......"
"......Don't worry. ......It will fit......No problem..."

With an obscene laugh......Erika let a silver thread drip from her mouth...and soaked the finger and the ring.
"......Please relax. We'll stick it in......all at once... ...Please don't waste your energy resisting. ......It'll hurt less if you don't resist, okay...? .........You see? ......Now it's sliding right on......"
"Nooo.........oo.........oo...... .........!"
Slowly...slowly......Battler's finger went deeper...deeper through the ring.

He was pushed through the iron ring of pain and humiliation...which would never be removed again...
"Ooh.........gah..................gyhaah.........""......Come ooon, ......look, okay...? ......It's in all the way to the base, see......?"
"...It...hurts......it...hurts......guhh......Take...it......off......"
The demon's ring tightened around the finger......so much that it seemed the finger would snap off along with the bone.

......Could Battler's hazy expression of anguish......really describe how unbearable this filthy pain was......?
"......Okay. .........Now that it's on all the way, ......let's add the final touch, okay...? After this, ......you will be mine......forever......"
Erika touched the ring's diamond knob.
......If she twisted it, ......the thorns would bite in...and never let go again...
"N............no......stop......it........."
"Sure. ......Just say 'forgive me, Erika-sama', and I'll stop."
"............R, ......really.........?"
"'Forgive me, Erika-sama, please. I swear to spend the rest of my life as your dog, with a collar around my neck, so at least spare me that ring'. ......If you can say that, I won't make you wear the ring."
"......F.........f......f.........""......Huuuuh...? ......I can't really hear you......?"
I won't.........forgive you......
"......I'll never......forgive you......"
"For making you suffer like this...?"
"No. ...I'll...never...forgive you......for defiling.........Beato's...ring........."
Though Battler's eyes had supposedly been forced into a muddled condition, they looked strong for just an instant.

However, it really was only for an instant.
Battler had used up the last of his fleeting resistance......just to say those words.

In his dim consciousness, he had even bitten his own tongue to stay alert......so that he could say those words of resistance until the very end......
".........Of course. It seems you aren't the kind of dog that can be tamed. But it's better that way."

Erika smiled. ......Then, she turned the diamond.
In that instant, ......Battler let out a voiceless scream......and threw his head back...
"Ggh.........gah...ahh............aaaahh......!!!"

His howl had no voice and could be heard by no one. ......However, it still rang out throughout the cathedral......