Names in the Book

Forbidden Library.

When Higashino Makoto pushed open that door, he had no idea where it led.

That's how it is at the Roswaal Mansion; you never know if opening the next door will reveal a little blonde girl.

He intended to go to the kitchen to find something to eat, but the moment he opened the door, the familiar aroma of paper and leather wafted towards him.

Not again?

Beatrice sat behind her desk, her cream-colored double-curled ponytail cascading down her shoulders. Her gorgeous ruffled dress made her petite figure look like a delicate porcelain doll.

Her brows furrowed slightly, her blue, butterfly-shaped pupils fixed on the uninvited guest at the door, a straight smile playing on her lips.

She wasn't without a smile, but it was the indifferent expression she had become accustomed to when facing humans for four hundred years.

"This is Betty's library; you're not welcome here."

"I know."

Higashino Makoto strode into the stacks and sat down opposite her.

"Then why did you come in?"

"It's already open, let's come in and take a look."

Beatrice stared at him, a barely perceptible hint of confusion flashing in her blue eyes.

Her fingers gently traced the pages of the book, the thick leather-covered book in her hands like a giant shield, standing between her and the uninvited man.

"What you up to?"

Higashino Makoto did not answer immediately. He looked at Beatrice, his golden eyes devoid of any emotion.

He remembered something.

The promise between Beatrice and Echidna.

Regarding that Gospel.

Beatrice.

"Um."

How long have you been waiting here?

Beatrice's fingers paused for a moment, then continued to stroke the pages.

"I don't know, it's been a long time."

"Four hundred years, right?"

Beatrice's pupils contracted slightly.

"How... how did you know?"

Beatrice's lips tightened slightly.

"I just know."

"You and she made a promise: to wait for someone whose name will appear in the Gospel, to wait for that person to come to you, and then you can leave this place."

Beatrice didn't speak. She lowered her head, her long, creamy hair falling down and obscuring her face.

But Higashino Makoto could see that her fingers were trembling slightly.

"You... you've seen your mother?"

"I've seen her; she's in my library now."

Beatrice raised her head, her blue eyes wide open.

"What?"

"Echidna, the Witch of Greed, your mother. She is now in my library, with the other witches."

Beatrice's lips trembled.

"You... you're lying..."

I wasn't lying.

Higashino Makoto took a thick book out of his backpack and placed it on the table.

Tome of Wisdom.

The Tome of Wisdom of Echidna.

Beatrice looked at the book, her eyes swirling with complex emotions.

Shock, doubt, longing, and a vulnerability as if struck by something.

"This... this is..."

"The Tome of Wisdom, lent to me by Echidna."

Beatrice reached out and touched the cover of the book with trembling hands.

Her fingers glided lightly across the leather, as if caressing something long forgotten.

"Mother... is she... is she alright?"

"It's alright. I read every day, but I have a bit of a temper. I occasionally argue with Minerva, complaining that Typhon too noisy, that Sekhmet is too lazy, and that Carmilla cries too much, but I still drink tea with them."

Beatrice's lips curled up slightly; it was the first time Higashino Makoto had ever seen her smile.

"Mother... is still the same."

Higashino Makoto looked at her, a gentle light flashing in his eyes.

Beatrice.

"Um."

"Let me see your book."

Beatrice's fingers paused for a moment.

She paused for a moment, then handed over the book she was holding.

The book's cover was dark brown, the leather was worn, and the edges were curled, indicating it had been read countless times.

Higashino Makoto opened the Gospel.

Blank.

Every page is blank.

There were no words, no pictures, nothing at all.

Only white paper and binding thread.

"Four hundred years."

Beatrice's voice was very soft.

Betty waited four hundred years, opening the book every day, only to find it blank—no name, no promised person, nothing at all.

Higashino Makoto closed the Gospel and looked at her.

Do you know why?

Beatrice shook her head.

Betty... doesn't know.

"Because no one's name ever appears in Echidna's Gospel."

Beatrice froze.

"What?"

"Echidna is a wicked woman. She gave you this book hoping to see who you would ultimately choose. But the moment she gave you the book, the Tome of Wisdom revealed the ending to her, and she had already achieved her goal."

Higashino Makoto paused for a moment, then suddenly felt like giving Echidna a good talking-to.

Therefore, no one's name will appear in that book.

Beatrice looked at the Gospel, something shattering in her blue eyes.

"Then... then Betty... these four hundred years..."

"It was Echidna's lie."

Beatrice gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"Did Mother... lie Betty?"

"Right."

"Why?"

Although Echidna is indeed a bad woman, and most likely doesn't care much about Beatrice, she is still his, so Higashino Makoto still tried his best to make amends for her.

"For her own thirst for knowledge. But perhaps she also hopes you'll live on."

Beatrice fell silent.

She lowered her head, her long, creamy-colored hair falling down and obscuring her face.

Her hands trembled slightly on her knees, and her skirt was clenched into deep wrinkles.

"Four hundred years..."

Her voice was very soft.

"Betty... waited four hundred years... waiting for... someone who doesn't exist..."

Higashino Makoto looked at her, his golden eyes devoid of any emotion.

Beatrice.

"Hmm, is there anyone you'd like to choose? I can have their name appear in your book."

"No... Betty... no... just waiting..."

"In that case, I'll make the choice for you."

Higashino Makoto picked up the Tome of Wisdom and began to operate it. After a few seconds, he spoke again.

"There are words in your Gospel now."

Beatrice looked up at him, her blue eyes meeting his.

"What?"

Higashino Makoto pushed the Gospel in front of her.

"Open it and take a look."

Beatrice reached out her hand and, trembling, opened the Gospel.

On the first page, a name appeared on what was originally a blank page.

The handwriting seemed to grow from within the paper, gleaming faintly in the candlelight.

Higashino Makoto.

Beatrice uttered the name in a hoarse voice.

"Higashino Makoto... Higashino Makoto... Higashino Makoto..."

She repeated it three times, each time softer and more trembling than the last.

What did you do?

"When you connect your Gospel with the Tome of Wisdom, what you see in the Tome of Wisdom will be reflected in your Gospel."

Beatrice's lips trembled.

"Then... the thing that appeared there... was it you? Because... because you saw yourself in the Tome of Wisdom?"

"No, I wrote the name down."