Quick note: Part XII is taking forever a long time to write mainly because my school terms has started. It will be done someday, just not as quickly as the previous parts.

A slightly shorter post than usual since PART XII will feature the meat of the epic showdown of red and blue between Battler and Dlanor.

This is PART XI.





Natsuhi rejects Bernkastel's offer. Does she look like the type who'd stoop so low to shove all of the blame on her husband?

Bernkastel grins, knowing that Beatrice will lose her plan to use the Devil's Proof on Krauss. Originally Beatrice had plenty of chances to use the blue truth, but Bernkastel and Lambdadelta have been readily eliminating them with the red truth.

Isn't it possible for Krauss
in the mansion to commit the crimes?



Battler can't believe how incredibly one-sided the trial has been, especially with some of Erika's far-fetched and flimsy proofs. He doesn't want to believe Krauss and Natsuhi are the culprits, either. Virgilia remarks that Erika is twisting the red truth to her advantage and presenting falsehoods masquerading as the truth. It seems like everyone else is taking Erika's words to be true and Battler is the odd one out.

If everyone believes so, does the lie become the truth?
Will the only person who sees through the lie be labeled as a liar by the rest?

This court is a lie.
It only exists to frame Natsuhi as the culprit.
Battler has to overcome Erika's truth, not by arguing against her, but by finding another, greater truth to be recognized. It must exist as long as Battler believes in Natsuhi. There are plenty of truths in the world that have no apparent proofs.

If you have never seen the dark side of the moon, how can you conclude that there's nothing on the other side?

Battler once believed there is civilization on the other side of the moon. His mother read him picture books and told him that a rabbit lives on the moon, and he believed it for the longest time. However, he got called a moron in school, so in embarrassment, Battler abandoned that "belief".
...Because everyone said he was wrong, Battler threw away that possible truth without even waiting to confirm it first or seeing any evidence.

People are starting to be convinced that Natsuhi is the culprit, regardless of the fact that Erika never presented the smoking gun. Are they going to abandon their belief in Natsuhi's innocence without evidence?!

Virgilia understands Battler's predicament. She grants him the one and only help she can offer.
"In the name of Virgilia, the Finite Witch. ...No, as Beatrice, the Former Witch, I entrust you with the red truth. Ushiromiya Natsuhi is not the culprit!"



Bernkastel offers Beatrice and Natsuhi a plea bargain. If Natsuhi admits that Krauss is the culprit, then Erika will cease pursuing Natsuhi and focus on Krauss being the culprit, and Lambdadelta will declare the game to be a draw.

By Schrodinger's cat box, Krauss' missing status means that he is of infinite possibilities, that he could've done anything and been anywhere, squarely placing him in the domain of Beatrice, the Endless Witch. It satisfies both sides' arguments, making the culprit simultaneously being human and someone unknown.
However, the stipulation will do away with Beatrice and Natsuhi's honor and dignity, making them the lowest of low.

Honor of the Ushiromiya name vs. Another Chance to Play.

Defeat equates to death for Beatrice. With the outlook of the game so bleak, the reasonable choice is to go for a draw.
Nevertheless, Natsuhi is adamant about defending the honor of the Ushiromiya name and insists that her husband isn't the culprit. As the wife of Krauss, who she believes to be the rightful heir of the title of head of Ushiromiya, Natsuhi must defend his honor, too. Beatrice reminds her that decision will frame Natsuhi herself as the culprit, but Natsuhi refuses to flee or hide. She is noble, for she has the one-winged eagle engraved in her heart.
People can blame or ridicule her as much as they want, but no one can smear her or her husband's honor with falsehoods.

Natsuhi's nobility intrigues the witches on the balconies above and they chatter noisily about her.
In Bernkastel's eyes, Natsuhi merely played by the script...

"...Natsuhi rejected the bargain. ...How about you, Beat? ...You know it, right? At the moment determined by Natsuhi, Lambda will pass her judgment. At that moment, the Witch Fantasy will be denied and you will vanish as dew. ...Do you plan on accompanying Natsuhi's silly stubbornness to the bottom of hell...?"

Gaap and Ronove don't see a way out of the trap and urge Beatrice to convince Natsuhi to take the draw. Beatrice is worried, though, about how Natsuhi will end up in this Fragment if she starts over in a new game.
Gaap gets mad. Throw away your silly pride! Didn't Kasparov lose against Deep Blue? The winner is determined by the final rating, not an individual round! You shouldn't die over just one match, one life, one game piece!

Like Natsuhi, Beatrice would rather accept defeat than to lose face. If she can't even claim the culprit is a witch, then she isn't worth existing.
Beatrice and Natsuhi's decisions have been made.

Ushiromiya Krauss
is not the culprit.



For Natsuhi, her alibi is only lost for the time period between 24 o'clock and 1 o'clock.
With that as evidence, she is claimed to be the culprit.

However, as long as the following possibilities exist, you cannot conclude so.

■ Isn't it possible for Battler in the guest house to commit the crimes?
■ Isn't it possible for Nanjo in the guest house to commit the crimes?
■ Isn't it possible for Gohda in the guest house to commit the crimes?
■ Isn't it possible for Kumasawa in the guest house to commit the crimes?
■ Isn't it possible for Genji in the mansion to commit the crimes?
■ Isn't it possible for Krauss in the mansion to commit the crimes?
■ Excluding Natsuhi, isn't there the possibility for someone else in the mansion to commit the crimes?
■ Is there the possibility that George and the others actually pretended they were killed?
■ Is there the possibility to reach the second floor without passing through the lounge Erika was in?
■ Is there the possibility for the crimes to have been committed before 24 o'clock?
■ Is there the possibility that the crimes were committed after 3 o'clock?
■ Is there the possibility to commit the crimes other than during the time period between 24 o'clock and 1 o'clock?
■ Is there the possibility for someone in the mansion to commit the crimes during the time period between 24 o'clock and 3 o'clock?



"...Idiots. You can't take it back anymore, okay...? You, accept the reward fitting for a fool's short temper. In the name of Bernkastel, the Witch of Miracles, I shall speak the red truth. Ushiromiya Krauss isn't the culprit. And he has long been killed. Right after you were made to hear his voice by phone, you know?"

Krauss' death comes as a total shock to Natsuhi. She breaks down into tears. Even when she was tormented by anxiety while Krauss was missing, at least she was able to cling onto a shred of hope...
Natsuhi has lost her daughter and husband; she has lost everything she gained by marrying into the Ushiromiya family.

No, there is one more.

She is the final person defending her honor, the honor of the Ushiromiya name and house. It's not over yet. In her great sorrow, Natsuhi musters the last of her strength to defend it...



Excluding Natsuhi,
everyone in the mansion has an alibi.

With that, everything on the list of other possibilities is struck out.



For Natsuhi, her alibi is only lost for the time period between 24 o'clock and 1 o'clock.
With that as evidence, she is claimed to be the culprit.

However, as long as the following possibilities exist, you cannot conclude so.

■ Isn't it possible for Battler in the guest house to commit the crimes?
■ Isn't it possible for Nanjo in the guest house to commit the crimes?
■ Isn't it possible for Gohda in the guest house to commit the crimes?
■ Isn't it possible for Kumasawa in the guest house to commit the crimes?
■ Isn't it possible for Genji in the mansion to commit the crimes?
■ Isn't it possible for Krauss in the mansion to commit the crimes?
■ Excluding Natsuhi, isn't there the possibility for someone else in the mansion to commit the crimes?
■ Is there the possibility that George and the others actually pretended they were killed?
■ Is there the possibility to reach the second floor without passing through the lounge Erika was in?
■ Is there the possibility for the crimes to have been committed before 24 o'clock?
■ Is there the possibility that the crimes were committed after 3 o'clock?
■ Is there the possibility to commit the crimes other than during the time period between 24 o'clock and 1 o'clock?
■ Is there the possibility for someone in the mansion to commit the crimes during the time period between 24 o'clock and 3 o'clock?

Lambdadelta praises Erika and Bernkastel for their splendid work. They have fully proved that no one but Natsuhi could've committed the crimes. Lambdadelta summarizes the entire trial.

...The accused, Ushiromiya Natsuhi, at 24 o'clock on October 4th, 1986, left other people and pretended to retire to her room. Instead she went to murder George, Jessica, Maria, Rosa, and Genji one after the next during the hour, unto 1 o'clock. Oh yes, she murdered Krauss, too.
This case has been proven to be an act of man, so Beatrice, the Endless Witch...!! The court shall now deny your existence!



If anyone can prove Natsuhi's alibi or demonstrate the possibility that someone else committed the crimes, then there is still some salvation for her.

Regretfully, no proof or evidence exists for Natsuhi's alibi, but Beatrice still believes in her.
For Natsuhi the widow, the passing of Krauss transfers his role to her. She stands representing the heiress of the Ushiromiya House. She will not be brought down by any slander! It's because Kinzo allowed her to engrave the one-winged eagle in her heart...!! Can you verify the honor and crest engraved in her heart with evidence or alibi? You can't! The Ushiromiya crest engraved in her heart is intangible and indestructible!!

The Gamemaster, Lambdadelta, can't help but to coldly laugh at the sight...
When a witch is burnt at stake, Bernkastel enjoys the wailing of children begging for the witch's life the most. So she will give Natsuhi a final gift of red truth to shatter her bravado.

Natsuhi cluelessly wonders what it can be, since she's already lost the trial. Beatrice immediately realizes Bernkastel's intent and tries to stop her.

"Natsuhi. When did you say Kinzo allowed you to engrave the one-winged eagle in your heart? Those are Kinzo's words in your delusions, aren't they. ...The real Kinzo was, well. For his entire life, not even once did he trust you from the bottom of his heart or thought of allowing you the crest! Not even once!"



Kinzo stands up from the audience, tearfully beseeching Natsuhi to not listen to Bernkastel's words and telling her no one can blemish the crest engraved in her heart

How annoying, says Bernkastel.
"You lying fantasy. The real Kinzo wouldn't say such things. You, vanish. Glamorized by Natsuhi and convenient for Natsuhi, the Kinzo in Natsuhi's delusions."

Red lightning repeatedly strikes Kinzo until he falls back into his seat, crumbling away.

Kinzo, entrusting Natsuhi with the honor of the Ushiromiya name...was all...Natsuhi's...illusion...



"Pitiful woman. Indeed now you may look at the truth in the face, that you were never able to gain Ushiromiya Kinzo's trust for his entire life."

Natsuhi lost the last thing she had.
Marrying into the Ushiromiya family, she suffered through many bitter and painful days. Yet amongst them were brief days of joy. Now they are vanishing one by one...
The sound of Natsuhi's wailing echoes through the cathedral.

"That is all. ...Just by having the case there and nothing more. I, Furudo Erika, can only deduce so much. ...How's that, everyone?"

Lambdadelta begins to applaud Erika, and Bernkastel joins in. Soon others clap, too, compelled by an unexplainable force.

The case is settled.



In the human world, Erika declares her truth again.
"...You are the culprit. Ushiromiya Natsuhi-san."

In her anguish over the deaths of Hideyoshi and George, Eva grabs Natsuhi by the shirt and slaps her across the face. Natsuhi is shocked; she has never been slapped before in her life. Eva proceeds to beat up Natsuhi.

Battler tries to step in, but Eva just knees him in the gut and he keels over. Eva turns back to Natsuhi, who has fallen to the floor, and kicks her over and over again. Then she smashes the nearby teaware on Natsuhi, drenching her and covering her in tea leaves. Eva forcefully pulls Natsuhi's head up by the hair and repeatedly slaps her until her cheeks start swelling.

No one tries to interfere. It's not because they fear getting roughed up by Eva, but that they feel it's the just punishment for Natsuhi.

No one will cover for her anymore.
No one will believe in her anymore.
Therefore, she is the culprit.



Eva is breathing hard from the exertion, but her anger isn't spent yet.
Erika taps Eva's shoulder and makes her back away. Of course, Erika is not saving Natsuhi. It's to further humiliate her.

Erika has already solved the whodunit and howdunit of the crimes. The last piece of the puzzle is whydunit, which the culprit must confess on her own.
If it's a third-rate mystery, then Natsuhi would've already laughed crazily, admitted to her crimes, and told a wistful story of her past.

Yet Natsuhi is still fighting. She insists that she was blackmailed by someone who held Krauss hostage and has fallen into his trap.
Beatrice appears as a semi-transparent ghost, crying that she, the witch, is the real culprit. However, the existence of witches has already been denied in this game. No one can see or hear Beatrice anymore.



It's Game Over for Beatrice. Lambdadelta will use the same policy as Beatrice's to bury her. How fitting!
A great flock of goatmen silently gather in the cathedral.
Beatrice has failed in her contract to relieve Lambdadelta's boredom. A goatman picks up Beatrice and throws her from the balcony. The goatmen below all clamor for a piece of her.
Beatrice knows the fate in store for her, but she remains as proud as ever. She laughs triumphantly as she falls into the mob. The goatmen immediately tear and eat away at Beatrice with great gusto.



A flash of red.
The sea of goatmen abruptly parts.
Dlanor had jumped in from the balcony and neatly sliced several goatmen into halves. The rest of the goatmen are surprised and back away. Beatrice lies on the floor, in tatters and barely alive.

Someone has an objection against the court, Dlanor explains. It's Ushiromiya Battler. Dlanor is giving him a final chance to save Beatrice. If she hadn't jump down into the frenzy, Beatrice would be dead by now.

An objection is pretty much all Battler has. He can't deny Erika's truth, nor does he know another truth that can overcome hers.
In time, all truths will come to light. However, in court, there's a time limit for Battler to come up with one. There isn't enough time to wait for the storm to pass and the police to come.

Battler slowly stands and faces Dlanor.
...He has no plan of counterattack. He doesn't know the truth, either.



Bernkastel is amused. What a wonderful scenario, Dlanor. I knew it, a knight has got to appear at the princess' execution to make things interesting. ...And there's nothing better than his decapitation right in front of her eyes! Dlanor, bury him with the old game pieces and spent players!!

The duel of truths begins.

The first argument Battler can think of is Erika's door seals. Much of her deduction depended on them, but none of the seals have been mentioned in red. How can she claim something flimsy like a piece of paper to be an absolute seal?

Lambdadelta can't wait to see Battler torn up by the goatmen along with Beatrice. Bernkastel will even mix his flesh with Ange's and make some wonderful ground meat. Maybe for meat buns with soy sauce? Or cooked in a frying pan with eggs and ketchup on top?

The witches' making light of the situation roils Battler.
"D-Damn yooooooooouuuuuuuuuuu!! Can't you doubt the reliability of Erika's favored seals?! You shouldn't be able to make an absolute alibi by a vague method like sticking paper in! Maybe someone who noticed one by chance stuck it back into its original position...!!"



Battler slices across Dlanor's chest with the blue truth, but it doesn't even leave a scratch.

Does Battler actually believe Erika used paper? Erika waves a seal in front of Battler's eyes.

It's duct tape.
Strong and tacky, yet tears easily by hand. For all of her seals, Erika scribbled something that was impossible to duplicate on the tape and door frame it was applied to. She also cut a tiny slit into the tape so that it'd rip if the door is opened. It was impossible to remove or reapply the tape without leaving behind some residue or matching up with the scribbled text.

"Therefore, the perfection of the seals was guaranteed. No one could cheat Miss Erika's seals without tearing them!!"



"So I'll acknowledge Erika's seals...! However, the seal that Aunt Eva put on Genji-san's room must've been different!!"
"Eva's seal was identical to Miss Erika's seals. It is because Miss Erika and Eva jointly devised the method of sealing after dinner."



"Erika said she looked for various drugs in Grandpa's room to use for her scientific investigation, right?! Let's say, maybe there was a solvent amongst those drugs!! If it was used, then maybe it was possible to neatly peel off the duct tape without leaving behind fingernail scratches!!"



"Ladies and gentlemen, may I humbly say this. For all of the seals, it was impossible to peel them off without leaving a trace, no matter by what method."
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I humbly say this. There was never any suspicious trace on all of the seals...!"



"Yes, with pleasure. There was never any work done on all of Erika and Eva's seals to damage the function of the seals, such as peeling them off."



Battle's opponent isn't just Dlanor.
He is also up against her subordinates, Gertrude and Cornelia.
And Erika and her master, Bernkastel.
And Lambdadelta, who stole the game from Beatrice.
The cathedral is filled with enemies.

Battler is easily beaten back by Dlanor's red truths, since he can't say anything to counter them.
Beatrice tells Battler it's fine to let her go. Battler reiterates that he will keep his promise to kill her, but Beatrice doesn't believe in Battler's promises anymore.
Her mood takes an unforeseen turn. She starts shrieking with laughter, ignoring anything Battler tries to say.
"Hyahhahahahahahahahahaha, heehhahhahhahahahahahahahah hyaaaaaaah!! Kill me, Dlanor!! Slice me right in half with a blow of your red sword!! Hyahhahhahahahahahahahhahhahhaaaah!!"

Dlanor seems all too eager to follow up on Beatrice's request. Battler quickly steps in between the two.

Wh, ...whoooooOOOOooOOOoOaAAAa!!

(I think he said that mentally)