V | VIDEO | CANON MOVE

[pawful]

[ the video starts in mid-conversation. In a chapel, Bernkastel stands on top of an altar covered with golden roses, her shoes crushing the petals underneath.The same roses fill the interior of an open casket in front of the altar. Strangely enough, there’s no one in it — just a single bound book.

There are also two strangers standing in front of the altar: a man in blue and another person in red. ]

I didn't come here because I wanted to.

We're wasting time, so let's move onwards. [ a pause. Bernkastel smiles. ] Wright. Try and beat this game. As the Game Master, Bernkastel, I invite you to join this game.

[ The man — Will — looks annoyed. ]

I refuse.

[ Bernkastel’s smile doesn’t waver. ]

Why?

I'm retired now. Reasoning and mysteries aren't my business anymore.

How do you intend to spend the rest of your life? Is Wizard-hunting Wright going to give up witch hunting?

Oh, there's fox hunting and clam hunting. I didn't come here to discuss the rest of my life with you.

So, you came here to refuse?

[ Will inclines his head, putting a hand to his chest and giving the slightest of a bow. ]

Know that your powers of deduction are truly a sight to behold...

[ ignoring Will’s sarcasm, Bernkastel just shrugs. ]

Then do as you will. Go wherever you please. ... That is, assuming that you can leave the place.

... Sheesh. [ in an irritated but resigned tone: ] ... So? What are the terms and payment?

"Who killed Beatrice?" That's my game. In payment, I'll forgive you for your insolence and let you leave this chapel.

I've heard that witches who hate boredom love to hear rude words.

[ Bernkastel grimaces. ]

That's only for hags who've tired of life after a thousand years. I'm still plenty young, so I love thinking up horrible fates in which to trap rude men like yourself...

... Sheesh. So? Who's the enemy?

There is none. There's no one to stand in your way. I just want to sit back and watch you make your beautiful checkmate in this game. I've even found you an ally. [ Bernkastel gestures to the person in red. ] That's what this Lion is for.

[ Lion frowns, confused. ]

Lion is a member of the Ushiromiya family. Since no one in that family knows you, Lion should prove to be a useful ally.

... I fail to understand what you are talking about, but I can't help you with anything unless I know the details.

There, see? With help like this, it'll be a piece of cake.

Entertain me... and my master. Auau may be a polite theatergoer, but I might throw popcorn at you if I get bored, okay...?

[ Will scratches his head, displeased. Then, he steps up to the casket and points inside. ]

You ask me to solve the case of Beatrice's murder, but... Van Dine's Twenty Rules, Rule #7. It is forbidden to have a crime without a corpse.

[ Bernkastel shrugs. ]

That's a Devil's Proof. Maybe it just isn't inside the casket? Unless you can prove that no corpse exists, this is mystery.

Rule #1. It is forbidden to have a crime without all clues presented.

Don't worry. Everything is gathered here.

...

So, who killed the owner of this empty coffin... I'll find them. [ Will’s expression hardens. ] However, you'll let me do things my way.

As you like.

[ Will turns to speak to Lion, who looks both angry and puzzled. ]

First off, I need to make you understand what's going on.

... Yes, that would be a great relief.

Over here. It'll be faster to see it for yourself.

[ with just a bit of sarcasm: ] ... Wonderful. Please, lead the way.

[ with a jerk of his chin towards the exit, Will leaves. After a moment and an unsatisfied huff, Lion also turns and follows Will out of the chapel.

Behind them, Bernkastel’s smile shifts into a cold sneer. ]

... As the miko of the great Witch of Theatergoing, Drama, and Spectating, Featherine Something Auaurora, and the Witch of Miracles, I, Bernkastel, announce the start of this game. The tale's title is "Requiem of the Golden Witch." Spin a tale fitting for Beato's funeral.

[ she giggles. ]

Well now, let's see just how you drag out the guts.

[ with that, Bernkastel disappears, leaving nothing behind except the echo of her laughter. ]

Comments

[ifbymyhands]

This is just never gonna end.

[pawful]

Oh, it will. However, ignore it if you like. I'm not competing for views.

[second_star]

[ Well, here's a witch he hasn't spoken to in a while. ]

Jeez, the poor guy's retired. You should have just let him go.

[pawful]

[ ugh, it's him. It's been a good couple of months, but the memory of that virus still irks her. ]

That would have been pointless. Besides, there's no such thing as a "retired" detective.

[second_star]

Huh, if you say so. [ He could definitely feel for him, though. Getting dragged into something you didn't really want. ]

Still...this looks pretty different from the one before. Gonna guess Battler isn't around in this one? [ This new guy was the detective, which Battler usually played. ]

[tenminutes]

Wait, is Battler not in on this one or what?

[ Yuri's not sure if she's supposed to be off somewhere else right now or what.. ]

[pawful]

No, he's not. Isn't it a nice change of pace?

[tenminutes]

Does he know he's not?

[sugar_and_spice_witch]

Oho~ This looks like this'll be an interesting game, if you're dragging in Wright of all people for this. And what's this? A mystery Ushiromiya member who's never been seen in any other game before this? Lemme guess... no, I won't! I'm not gonna spoil it for anyone else watching.

[pawful]

Because otherwise, they won't get that hilarious shocked look on their faces when they find out, right...?

[sugar_and_spice_witch]

"Drag out the guts?" Are you going for a grand exposure?

[entreats]

[ .. What is up with any of this. Nope, you lost Ange here, she's just staring and frowning a little as she thinks. A member of the Ushiromiya family that nobody knows? And who's that other sarcastic guy? And Featherine's name-- ]

Who said you could just start your own game? What is any of this about?

[pawful]

It's just as I said. This is a requiem for Beato. A game that will finally put the witch of Rokkenjima to rest.

As for your first question, well... [ she doesn't even bother hiding her amusement. ] that was your brother.

[ though it was really Auaurora who had handed over the gameboard to her — long before Battler got the pretentious idea that he could do the same. ]

[entreats]

[ A small scoff at the first part. She doesn't care for that witch, so it's not like any of that matters to her, but.. still.. are these strangers going to have to figure out something this time? But why? Are they going to find the truth that even Battler wouldn't tell her..? ]

.. Why would he let you of all people make your own game, especially after what happened before? [ With, you know, Erika and all. ] That just sounds like a stupid and pointless decision on his part.

[chestboard]

[.....A sigh.

He knew this was going to happen, but actually seeing it is just so...]

Pretty good start, maybe you really are a proper game master.

[Even with those two there.... he has a feeling who that Lion is supposed to be as well. A member of the family huh....? Sounds about right, if things hadn't happened like they did all those years ago.]

Don't ruin this chance, you only get one.

[pawful]

[ she mimics Will's earlier "bow." Even after he agreed not to interfere, he would say something like that? The arrogance is laughable. ]

Of course. This is too generous a gift to squander, so I'll definitely be careful.

[chestboard]

[He grunts at that.]

Come on, I trust you'll at least have the decency not to fool around with this....

[shinjaeba]

[... A new family member? No. That wasn't--it couldn't be, right? Where in the world did Bern drag that one up? She sighs.]

How boring.

[pawful]

[ ... ah, right. Bernkastel remembers this kid showing up on the community a while back, but she had been far too busy with the preparations for the seventh game to acknowledge the presence of a wannabe witch. ]

Sometimes, it's best not to be too flashy right away.

[shinjaeba]

It doesn't have to be flashy to be interesting.

[She's rather glad that both Bernkastel and Lambdadelta have been scarce. While compared to humans, Eva-Beatrice isn't exactly powerless... She does realize that she's rather outclassed. Not that she'd show it, yet. If only for the sake of vanity.]

Maybe you got distracted chasing mice while crafting it.

[oceanicbutterfly]

"Wright"?

[pawful]

He's not related to those American brothers, if that's what you're wondering about.

[oceanicbutterfly]

I don't know whether the one I'm thinking of has a brother.

[text]

[enshrined]

Oh, is this the kind of game Lambdadelta-san plays?

[text]

[pawful]

It is, up to a point. We're both witches, but we have very different styles.