The scene opens on Natsuhi in the study muttering to herself, "We made it through the day." Beatrice appears in a flash of butterflies, saying she doesn't feel optimistic about things. They agree the suspicion has increased from the previous year, the anti-magic toxin swelling up and coiling about the study. Ronove and Virgilia appear, agreeing that it is likely they did not do as well last year as they though, I think? The typhoon extending the family conference makes the situation even worse.
The magic barrier was ragged and worn out, though Natsuhi couldn't see it. The possibility of an alternative secret-keeping method is proposed. Ronove and Virgilia will reform the barrier, although there is the risk of exposing Kinzo to the toxin. Natsuhi is opposed, and yells at them until Beatrice tells her to calm down. She tries to convince Natsuhi that creating a fantasy and allowing them to walk though it is their best hope, but Natsuhi is still opposed to opening the study. She asks them to come up with alternative strategies, that don't require the opening of the study. She is concerned about opening Shroedinger's Box.
Bern looks agitated, but yields, although she counters by saying humans are irrational; the box can be beated and broken into, and the cat eaten from inside (I think it says something like this?!). Bernkastel's piece is a concern. The barrier might have been broken if she hadn't been present at dinner and changed the mood...but because of her, the toxin is denser than ever. Beatrice suspects Bernkastel has a plan to break the barrier, and is cautious about not underestimating Erika.
Ronove suddenly suggests the mysterious 19-years-ago revenge man might also be Bern's piece. He says something along the lines of adding two pieces, achieving a balance of eighteen pieces, I think? There is a comment about Bern being oriental or something, and mention of shogi as compared to chess.
Natsuhi is concerned about the 19-years-ago guy, that he might be lurking on the island, that he might be working with Erika, and other paranoid worries. She wants to know why unusual things are assaulting the succession, why such coincidences and such are occuring. Beatrice says it is because Bernkastel rules miracles. Ronove says something else about shogi, and Natsuhi gets mad and yells about whether or not the "seal the study" strategy is any good. Ronove, Beatrice, and Virgilia try to concince her to let them enact a "Kinzo leaves his study unseen, no one knows where he went" strategy, using various arguments.
Natsuhi is torn, and terrified of the risks, and throws a fit. Ronove and Beatrice try to convince her/make her positive. Beatrice says her magic is absolute. Natsuhi finally falls to the ground crying. Her headache is getting unbearable, and she cries for Kinzo as they watch her. Then...I'm not sure, I think she was thinking poorly of Klauss, but this isn't proper for a Ushiromiya wife or something? And it looks like Natsuhi's doubt may have grown, because he isn't around. Beatrice wonders if Natsuhi has noticed.
Virgilia pats her shoulder, and Beatrice thinks of comforting words to say. Gaap appears, apologizing for taking something, and being herself? Virgilia tells her to refrain from her normal antics for now. Natsuhi says not to worry about it. Then, Gaap brings up more shogi and chess metaphors. Natsuhi has to keep hiding her king, and can't get checkmate the opponent because they have no king, according to Beatrice. Ronove seems to know what Gaap is getting at, and asks if it is time for a certain hand.
Natsuhi asks what they mean. I'm not quite sure what Gaap is saying here, Virgilia seems unsure of her method, though. Ronove seems to like it, though. Gaap says the risk is equal to the reward, in this case. Beatrice seems to agree it is a good idea, too, but the honor lost if it goes wrong will never be recovered. Gaap still recommends it,as the best move to get past the 36 hours until the others leave, and keep Kinzo's secret alive.
Natsuhi tentatively agrees, but still doesn't like it? Gaap starts talking about Kinzo's history, the Great Kanto Earthquake and such, and the frenzied risks he took to rebuild the family. She says Natsuhi wants to do the same, and should try to do so herself. Ronove asks if her stirring up of Natsuhi is done. Gaap denies doing such a thing. Natsuhi looks intense as Gaap tells her to drink mud and soot if she must. Gaap promises that if she does so, she will regain her honor, promising as "Gaap of the 33rd Rank".
Beatrice seems amused. Gaap teases Beatrice, or something? Gaap looks amused and Beatrice looks surprised, talking about payments, prepayments, and pantheons >_>? Gaap declares she can conceal Goldsmith in a world unfound by any. I think Ronove says she can rely on them to get things prepared? Virgilia asks Natsuhi's permission. Gaap says it is up to Natsuhi's belief. Natsuhi ponders the situation, and the puzzle...then, we cut over to outside, with a line about Bern's pieces.
Battler stands outside in the rain, saying..something. Apparently the solution to the epitaph? Erika agrees, talking about hollowing and the meaning of something and yeah. I hope Japanese word play and shogi metaphors end soon so I can understand what is going on clearly
Anyways, Erika is saying her reasoning was correct again. Battler calls her incredible, and says something about the division of the gold? She says she loves only mystery. Being correct is reward enough. Battler realizes it really is how she feels. She comments on her misfortune bringing her here, the only place the inscription exists. After a moment of "shes so delighted 8D" stuff, she comments to Battler that if the gold is found by them, Battler will be the next head instead of Krauss.
Battler seems amused at the thought, but seems to decline? Erika comments that Krauss is arrogant, and that it might be nice if the money and succession is pilfered from him by his nephew. Battler looks serious, his not-amused face. He doesn't say anything, but notices that she isn't being silly and kidding or anything as she says this. Battler says something about Jessica? And then some stuff...I think he isn't interested in the succession, and only wants some of the money? But he might like being, only temporarily, in a position above Klauss...I think?
Erika is amused, and laughs at the thought of Jessica's face in the morning. Battler loses his amused look again, and says she has a bad character. She is surprised and teasing, saying something about the mystery couldn't be solved because of love? Then something about intellectual rape? Battler says something about the mystery his grandfather set to conceal the gold.
Erika says something, then says the(her?) purpose changed. Battler asks what to. She answers "Jessica". I think wanting to troll Jessica drove her? Battler says he can't believe she actually said it. She laughs. She looks a little evil-light, and starts talking about deciding the solve it etc, and the feelings that led her here, and asks if he understands. Battler feels like helping her solve it may have been something unpleasant after all.
Solving the epitaph will cause a big upset in the family, considering how backstabbish the family can be to one another. He worries Jessica will hate him if he solves it, I think? He doesn't want to think about it. Battler is looking into the night, when he sees a figure in the shadows...it's Kinzo. Battler stutters, and realizes Kinzo already likely knows they've solved it. Kinzo remains silent. Then, he smiles, and laughs.
He seems frightening, and laughed at Battler's face. Battler is unsure how to interpret his actions, but seems to think their is approval or something? Kinzo points at something. Perhaps...a guidepost to the Golden Land? Battler understands he is to leave. Kinzo nods, and disappears back into the darkness, his last expression one of satisfaction.
Erika asks Battler if he heard something. Her reasoning. He says yes, "That" is a guidepost to the Golden Land. Erika is confused by the change in Battler's attitude. She agrees with what he said, and wonders if it means they should go there? He says something about his grandfather teaching, confusing Erika. He says he is going, and walks off. I think he says he'll see/show her the Golden Land? They walk off, soon arriving at the entrance to the Golden Land.
We see Kinzo in the shadows, wondering if his inscription was finally solved. He wonders at this end, then starts laughing. It wasn't someone he expected to solve it. He finds it interesting that the one he had so little expectation of will succeed the family. He declares there is no regret in his life. He will go under something Beatrice. He continues to laugh about Battler, saying he saw a true miracle at the end of his life. He yells to Beatrice, saying the bet ends in his victory.
It looks like the staircase Eva and Rosa met on when solving the epitaph...then it cuts to Battler in front of the gold, laughing and raising a fuss. Erika is still calm, and comments on the nature of the place the gold is in; a lovely room at the end of a rather rough underground tunnel. There is no doubt there is 20 billion yen in that mountain of gold. Battler can't repress his excitement, though Erika is calm. The reaction to such a mountain of gold is something one can only experience personally. In the life of an average businessman, they will make 200 million yen. A person won't make 1/100th of this pile of gold even if they work their entire lives. With the money, which is worth 100 lifetimes, you can do whatever you want, never working, always playing. A place where 100 people never have to work...
Battler says this is the Golden Land.
Meta frame appears. LD appears, saying Bern's Battler(I think?) thus finds the gold and...happiness? She laughs, and taunts Battler with something. Battler says something about not doing as she likes. He starts questioning the gold, talking about the 10t. He notes that Eva saw it, and Rosa also witnessed it, but didn't mention it. In other words,the possibility of two people finding it and not telling others is a Schodinger's Box? In other words, the gold doesn't exist, it is fantasy.
However this time, "he" found it. He is still unsure but...LD agrees to repeat it. In red, she says "This mountain of gold is the genuine article. The ingots piles up here are geniune sold gold. There is no cheat such as imitation or replicas at all."
Battler says ok, he understands. He admits the gold exists. He notes there is still one who has not admitted it/something he has not admitted?. Bern appears and asks if that's right. The subject of the meeting with Kinzo is raised. LD asks what that was. Battler is put out, grumbling that "he" exchanged words with his grandfather. He gets fired up, I'm not sure what exactly he says. LD tells him to shoot with the blue truth.
In blue, Battler theorizes that in a state of extreme excitement over the mystery of the inscription, he mistook someone/something else for his grandfather. Like something caught on a tree or groove, that looked like his grandfather's mantle in the dark. As a result, he misunderstood and imagined some sort of exchange with his grandfather. He ends, saying this blue truth is effective. He asks if LD will pass, or counter him. LD doesn't counter him, and laughs.
End of meta stuff