animus_network

You're talking about that granny, right? [ Since she did get to hear that story too when Rosa told about it during the dinner. ]

Even if you met her, that doesn't matter! She isn't Beatrice anymore, it's me now..!

Another Beatrice...

[She can't help but shudder.]

Did the other Beatrice create you?

[If so, why did she choose to give this Witch Eva's face? Beatrice had always been closer to Maria.]

'Create'? That's such a lame way to put it! [ she makes an almost childishly annoyed expression. ]

I got this power all by myself from her, you know! I earned it fair and square!

Earn it? How do you "earn" power?

[Had she been on the island? Had she been helping with the murders?]

Still so slow to pick up on everything, Rosa.. [ well, technically it's not even Rosa's fault she doesn't know, but then again-- Evatrice is a younger Eva in a way, she can't help but insult the woman despite the age difference. ]

All you had to do was be the first to solve the epitaph!

[Rosa was too busy worrying about her life as well as the lives of the children to solve any epitaphs at the time. But somehow this person was saying they had earned the magic of Beatrice by solving the epitaph.]

There were only nineteen people, including the Witch, on the island at the time. I know most of them were in no place to solve the epitaph. Don't tell me. Father hid some other child away on the island, and you took advantage of Beatrice's antics.

Hmm..? What kind of statement is that? How do you know so sure there were nineteen people?

Because I was there, right there on Rokkenjima..! Not as a person, not as that granny witch, but as the new witch Beatrice, the rightful owner of the endless magic!

Only eighteen people arrived before the typhoon shut the island off. Even moreso, only eighteen people had access to the house.

[Including Beatrice, who was supposed to be long since dead.]

Not even Maria saw you. Inside, outside, anywhere.

Why would I want to talk to that annoying girl? [ She just laughs, honestly. ]

I was on Rokkenjima, Rosa.. and in fact, I killed you myself! Geez, no wonder a boring piece like you can't remember that..!

[Listening to this send a shiver down her spine. Though she tries to sound assertive, she cannot keep her voice from shaking.]

I-I never died. Not at your hand.

[ oh, she hears that shaking, it only eggs her on-- bullying 'her' siblings is one of the things she enjoys the most. ]

You don't think you did..? If you want, I could just show you it! I could try it on you over and over again, kyahahahaaa! That's what it means to be the Endless Witch..!

No! Battler-kun rescued me from that Witch. I-I didn't die!

[This girl reminds her altogether too much of Eva. Though she's trying to maintain her mature facade, it feels like the girl is picking away at her, exposing the submissive, childish, stupid Rosa.]

You didn't..? He-y, you don't seem so sure, do you? [ Her entertainment with all of this seems to grow with every single moment, drawing out the mocking as much as she can. ] Can the stupid kid Rosa really not even remember her own death..?!

I'm positive. You're the one who has problems with her memory. I thought a Witch would be able to remember better.

[Or it could be an alternate universe. But she's not going concede that point yet.]

You don't realise it? It's exactly because I'm a witch that I know that sort of thing way better than you! But if you want it so badly, I can demonstrate that pain all over again, okay..? Let's play again, Rosa..! Kyahahahaaa!

Games...

[Perhaps it's the fear overriding her mind, but Rosa begins to laugh.]

You'll never match Beatrice's games, even if you've stolen her name and attitude and big sister Eva's face.

[ .. She narrows her eyes. ]

What are you saying..? [ that kind of voice indicates a temper tantrum is very much nearby. ]

[Finally, the Witch seems to have lost some of her air of superiority.]

I've seen Beatrice's games. Even now, I remember them. No little girl can match up to what she's done.

[Yes, Eva's true talent lay in her words, in her ability to strike a person's weak point with one comment alone. This meant the girl who resembled her was probably more of a talker as well.]

.. Haaah, you've seen them?! Then you should know, right? That granny sure was amazing in the past, but she grew into a softie! A wuss! The way she wanted to kill people was just super, super lame, no witch would want to kill people gently..! [ she sure sounds frustrated at the memory, at least. ]

Compared to that, my way of killing is much better..!

[At this point, she's so disgusted that she almost wants to throw up. So the scene in the chapel...that had been gentle?]

Y-you...

[She can't form any coherent words right now.]

Whaaat? [ At least now she's going back more to laughing. ] You look like you just remembered something bad!

What if I did? What is it to you?

[Except for the fact that she is obviously enjoying Rosa's misery.]

[ Yup, that's pretty much her goal here. ]

You still don't realise..? I'm the witch Beatrice, there's nothing you can keep hidden from me! [ okay, that might be a bluff, but even so-- it's true that she could guess all the same, she's smart enough for that.. ] Isn't that why you were so scared of the witch when you were just a little kid?!

[Something's not right. This Witch knows too much. The way she describes the events of Rosa's life, it's like she had been right alongside the siblings.]

We all told each other stories about the Witch. And we were all scared. We were children.

So aren't you still shaking now, Rosa?! What does it feel like to actually see the witch, huh? [ Of course she knows all too well about the siblings' fears with the shared memories she has with Eva. ] You never really grew up and got rid of your fears, riiiight?!

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