15 Rebirth of The Warrior Queen [Part III]

"*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*, Hihhihihhahahaha... aghhhh... my~~my, where are my manners? My name is Beatrice, witch candidate, Beatrice the Golden Witch, and overseer of the "Hall of Stories." Welcome, honored guest, to The Tree of Knowledge's inner world, where "The Lady of the Black Quills" slumbers and devours all stories within herself."

Beatrice said this while looking at Crusch with a sinister smile on her face, while Crusch glanced at the lovely lady. She replies with a puzzled expression as she tilts her head in confusion.

"The hall... of stories?"

This was the first thing Crusch noticed; Beatrice, on the other hand, shook her head in agreement. As she began to respond to her curiosity, but first she snapped her finger, and as a result, a table and two chairs appeared. And there were a variety of cakes and teas being offered on that table. Beatrice then took a seat, looking at Crusch and saying as much.

"Sit down; we have much to talk about witch canidate."

"... Hmm... witch canidate, you have been calling me that ever since you came here, what is a witch canidate?"

Beatrice sipped her freshly poured caramel tea, but her eyes widened when Crusch asked that question as she replied.

"Hmmmm... maybe I shouldn't say anything else; if teacher didn't tell you, I won't either; this is for the best in the grand scheme of things, if not amusing at least." But I will tell you this: don't disregard your pride; be arrogant, because one day it might just listen to your demands."

"My Pri~~de?.

"Yes, your pride witch canidate; either way, do you have any more questions for me?"

Beatrice inquired, and Crusch responded.

"Several, actually, like who are you referring to as your teacher, and what exactly is the Hall of Stories?"

Crusch asked, after all these inquiries, is what anyone would have asked in this situation. It's not every day that you find yourself in the inner world of a cosmological-eating tree that is actually a computer.

So it was natural for her to be interested in the facts at hand. However, the fact that the woman in front of her declined to elaborate further on the title made her put a pause on her curiosity concerning it. As such, Crusch simply drops it and declares a loss. After all, she knows this woman is extremely hazardous based just on her personality, which she has observed thus far.

But that wouldn't stop Crusch from probing further. So she started with this.

"Tell me, what exactly is this so-called "Hall of Stories" really, and what is its purpose to begin with?"

Beatrice exhaled smoke from her pipe in an exquisite manner as she continued to walk to the side of a random bookshelf and take a random book from the shelf. From there, she offered the book to Crusch, who grabbed it and began to read the cover title.

[Once in a Lifetime]- By Caribdis| (A/N): If you know, you know. Also, who is a Superhuman and Eternum fan|

Crusch, take a look at the book and open it. Or, at the very least, she attempted but discovered that the book could not be opened. This draws her attention back to Beatrice, who begins to explain.

"cackle*cackl*cackle*, HIHIHIH... iits amusing to see your face of confusion and worry; its touching juust theee right buttons for little old meee. Anyway, what you're holding in your palm is a literal universe governed by its own set of physical and metaphysical laws, gods, higher creatures, and platonic concepts of order and hierarchy. In layman's words, you have a complete omniverse in your grasp. Each book contains an infinite world, which contains an infinite universe within said infinite universes, and so on. This simply implies that one book represents all of the stories in the omniverse for that one universe, parallel and non-parallel, alternate and non-alternate."

All of this was delivered in a banal tone as if it were the most natural thing for Beatrice to say. Crusch, on the other hand, thought this was really ridiculous. Screw playing god; this was simply taking the concept of god and forcing him to take steroids.

Beatrice, on the other hand, continued as she stated.

"But, in the end, neither I nor you, nor Pleiades, nor the sword saint, have enough power to dominate the cosmology outside the laws of our universe or any other realities that are not our own." We could practically change the story of any universe we choose, effectively becoming gods or goddesses. This is the equilibrium of creation. And, while we can theoretically materialize and trap these universes in books with the aim of one day controlling them, but sadly that day is not today. And that is the extent of Pleiades' power as a sage at the moment."

"All of this was created by Pleiades, my teacher, in the hopes of escaping that equilibrium, as he hopes to reach new heights and experience new things as he goes along to feed his never-ending hunger for experiences." So it is with individuals who bear the burden of sin while also attempting to resurrect a lost family that died along the way."

Beatrice announced this to Crusch, who was enthralled by her newfound understanding. However, it made her ponder, "How smart would one have to be to build all of this and think so far ahead?

She'd only known Pleiades for a few hours, but she'd already learned a lot about him. Even now, she had the feeling that this was just the tip of the iceberg. She wondered how much more he could be hiding.

Beatrice, on the other hand, continued her explanation of this place.

"But just because we can't open these books doesn't mean we don't know what's inside; that's why the Nexus-3 Apparatus system exists in the first place." To study all universal shards, simplify them, and save the information within Nexus Beatrice, who understands everything in existence. Nexus Beatrice isn't really dead; she's only fixed in time. Forever caught in the crosshairs of life and death. Her dreams give birth to new and existing stories, which in turn give birth to new universes with their own distinct cosmologies. These dreams manifest as fruits, the same fruits that grow on the Tree of Knowledge. However, once someone on the outside consumes a fruit, that story no longer exists within her mental frame. As a result, she forgets about the already-completed story. That narrative is then returned to the "Hall of Stories" but ironically enough it is still doomed to be eaten by her again and again until someone eats it, and the process repeats itself. On the other hand, the memory of those stories remains in the one who devours them, which is a type of omniscience induction when you think about it."

"And that's how everything is connected here. I know it sounds confusing, but if you take a moment to think about it, you can truly see just how amazing all of this truly is. Nexus-3 and the Shadow Garden are working in unison at a constant; if the Shadow Garden is destroyed Nexus-3 will remain inactive."

"The shadow garden is a place that exists outside of all things in creation, including our own universe; it is the boundary between worlds. The Tree of Knowledge devours these worlds, and once devoured, the Nexus branch saves them in a conceptual file, or as you can see, books, and places them in a saving space called shelves. Finally, Nexus Beatrice is like the motherboard; without her, everything that my teacher made would collapse."

"She is the one who analyzes the information of these worlds that have been transformed into books by doing the same thing as the tree of knowledge, devouring these books into herself, and analyzing all the infinities within each story by dreaming of them all at the same time." However, as a result of this, there are times when she unintentionally builds her own universes, creating new stories that are not a part of the Sea of Fragments but of Beatrice's imagination alone."

"However, the knowledge we could not take for ourselves manifests as fruits that contain the memories of Nexus Beatrice's dreams or nightmares." As a result, we can keep the memories of her dreams, even if we can't open the books in the Hall of Stories to see the stories inside. It is a difficult process, but we eventually obtain the knowledge we seek. And with knowledge comes power, and that is exactly what we, the Scribe of the Black Quill aim for: knowledge and amusement."

Beatrice triumphantly stated, her expression turning dark and vile as she spoke. And after hearing all of that, Crusch began to think to herself as she held the book in her hand.

'Is it even feasible for one man to know so much? I know he's been alive for ten thousand years, but this is already beyond the point when one has long strayed beyond the unknown and is about to enter the domain of the genuinely prohibited.'

'Sigh, this whole world is still new to me, so I guess you could say it's still hard to believe, but let's not dwell on it too long. And, as Beatrice stated, with knowledge comes power, but I wonder what follows after power: glory, respect, purpose, honor, responsibility, or all of the above?'

....

'Well, then I guess I will ask another question.'

With that in mind, Crusch's gaze met that of Beatrice, who was drinking her caramel tea once more. As she began to speak, she asked the question she needed to know right now.

"You mentioned the existence of some order earlier; I believe it was the order of the Black Quill." Can you tell me more about this order and what it's for? It appears to be extremely significant."

Beatrice laughed to herself as she responded.

"Hehehe... maybe next time, after all that's something you're not prepared for, then and again, we're not even sure how useful you'll be in the order." It's not a place I think you'd fit in, nor do you have the intellect to be a part of it. Although, as a witch candidate, I must say your curiosity is so wide that you haven't noticed, have you, that this eye candy is truly amusing. I wonder if your reaction will bring me more enjoyment."

"What are you even talking about?"

Crusch stated plainly, "Of course, Beatrice cackles to herself as usual, amused if not entertained." As she snapped her finger, a flying mirror appeared above Crusch's head, and that's when she revealed herself to be wearing a quite attractive, if not exposing bunny girl costume.

She blushed as she quickly covered her chest and lower body, squeezing her legs tightly together and glancing back at Beatrice as she yelled at her and grumbled.

"MHMMM.... This isn't funnnnnnyy.... change me back to my normal attire this instant!!"

"*cackle*cackle*cackle.... Crrrrrusch, don't be that way, you look great, not as much as me, but great nonetheless kuhyahyhayahahaha.... agh... I love it when they are in distress hihhihihih!"

"Im serious Beatrice, change me back this instance, I look like a pervert in this undignified attire."

Crusch demanded, a tear streaming from her eyes.

In this scenario, Crusch greatly underestimated the golden witch Beatrice, who was a sadist in mind, body, and spirit. Her tears simply bring her only satisfaction, and her pleading voice drives her to find even more ways to make Crusch Karsten even more uncomfortable in order to fuel her desire to hurt someone else even more for her amusement.

As a result, Beatrice responded to her by licking her lips and looking at Crusch with a mocking and equally menacing smile.

"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon... don't cry, okay?~~ HIHIHIHIH!! seductive, vulgar, perverted If you like, I can clothe you in something more exposed, such as a full-body fishnet costume, or naughty nurse, ohh I know how about a sexy apron, that would look good on you, the viewers would love it, or I can also grab a cloud from outside with my bare hands and place them in just the right spot to conceal your most private of regions."

Crusch had reached her breaking point when she slammed both fists on the table and demanded of Beatrice.

*THHHHUDHHHH!!!*

"THAT'S IT, YOU SADISTIC BITCH, JUST SEND ME BACK." I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR CHILDISH ANTICS, THEY'RE ANNOYING AND VULGAR!!!"

Crusch plainly declared that she had had enough of Beatrice using her to fulfill her deepest desires and treating her as if she were a toy. Crusch finds her unbearable, but she is unaware that the golden witch personality was caused by a witch factor. Beatrice has an unending greed for endless entertainment, and that was the stigma she bore as the Sin archbishop of Greed, Beatrice Ushiromiya The Golden Witch, who has lived for a thousand years.

And one of four students under Pleiades himself, who went by the alias Battler Ushiromiya at the time. But, in any case, the result was the personality of an exceedingly vicious lady with the authority to twist reality to her liking around her for her delight, and her amusement alone.

Crusch's antics were not discouraging Beatrice in the least; instead, they were playing straight into her hands and delighting her cruel tendencies even more. But for the time being, the golden witch has had her fill with the new toy that has joined the family. Her teacher has been so busy fulfilling his needs as the sage of sins that he barely visits her, making her feel lonely, so with a new toy like Crusch she can and will play with her at any given moment she can.

After all, her sole weakness is boredom; if Beatrice gets bored, you can easily escape her clutches; boredom is literally a deadly disease for her that can kill her if her boredom reaches its peak, causing her to fade away from existence. Thus she regularly eats the fruits from the Tree of Knowledge to keep herself engaged while guarding and acting as the overseer of the Hall of Stories.

Among all Archbishops under Pleiades Beatrice is arguably the most powerful Archbishop, as her only constraint is her creativity. To put it simply, her power transforms her imagination into reality, much like a formless canvas on air.

So, apparently delighted with this encounter, the golden witch laughs to herself as she snaps her finger, causing a door to emerge behind Crusch, as she indicated.

"HIHIHIHIHhhhihiiii... How entertaining, kyhahayhyahahaha... It's been a lot of fun, witch candidate!! You're getting it gradually; keep up your defiance, and you'll soon discover the truth, just like the rest of us. After all, the act of refusing to be played with by someone who is clearly looking down on you is a prime example of the sin of pride in its purest form. *Licks her lips* I can't wait to see how you mature and progressively and ripen over time; after all, the metamorphosis is the most exciting aspect of all of this."

Beatrice remarked this while pulling a black book from under her cleavage and transforming it into a golden butterfly, which landed in Crusch's hands before transforming back into its original form.

Crusch, of course, looked at Beatrice with mistrust and questioned.

"And what exactly is this book supposed to be now?"

"HIHIHI! Don't worry, it's nothing dangerous... yettt! After all, that book is a special book known as a Gospel, and everyone in the order has one, including the founder Pleiades. Of course, the Gospel is linked to the Nexus Branch, which provides us orders on what we should do. Consider the Gospel to be a means of communication with other members of the Order as well as a terminal for receiving orders from Nexus-3, all in the hopes of resurrecting Our Lady. In some ways, the Gospel functions as a hive mind, connecting other believers with each other. And, from the looks of it, the chat room is going to be pretty active these days, as our teacher informed us that the material required to fully repair your body is no longer available in this day and age. As a result, he must seek the assistance of an ancient sponsor who has access to them. I'm a little envious of you, witch candidate, but I suppose I can bear your existence if you're the key to eventually reaching the OD and breaking us all free from the equilibrium. But I shall warn you, witch candidate, our teacher is not someone you should betray under any circumstances; even if you leave the galaxy, another group from the Galatic Federation will find you and hunt you down mercilessly and force you to under us. After all our connections reach the far ends of the observable universe as we know it."

Crusch trembled simply gazing at Beatrice, as goosebumps ran down her spine and over her entire body. But she didn't respond to Beatrice since she was too mentally tired at this point in time to care for her. As a result, she walks to the door, while Beatrice begins to speak one more time, as she stated.

"By the way, I divided your mind into two so you could better absorb your new memories." It will give you strength like you've never had before because those memories are all of Crusch's memories that exist throughout the multiverse; that amount of information is not readily apparent at first. However, the way I've set up your brains will allow you to interact with all of them, and because little old you reminded me so much of Arthur Pendragon, that fictional space in your mind is dubbed the Round Table of Crusches. However, when you wake up, all of your memories from the past will flood in at once, lucky you little bunny, and see around."

Beatrice declared. Crusch on the other hand simply shook her head in agreement and walked through the door, leaving the golden witch with Nexus Beatrice as her only companion within the Halls of Stories, as she said while blowing smoke from her mouth and looking up at the ceiling.

"HIHIHIHIHIhihhiiihhihi! Agh yes, the peaces are slowly coming togther, isn't that right lady Bernkastel."

Beatrice remarked this while looking at a woman who was defying all rules of physics by lying down in the air and treating it as a bed.

"I honestly don't care, I love my current life right now, just leave me alone and let me rest, only call for me when our teacher requires it, I'm playing with lamba right now, in our imaginary universe, we're just starting a new game on the gameboard." Do you want to play, fufufuf? I'm not bothered if you don't either way though."

"Hmmmm... what kind of game are you playing?"

Beatrice questioned Lady Bernkastel because the two lollies were just as messed up, if not more hazardous, as her in terms of personality. Because of this, the games were excellent time passers. As such they were, nevertheless, incredibly entertaining.

Bernkastel response to this however was as follows.

"We're playing among us but with additional steps; the game rule is simple: find the intruder, kill them, join them, expose them, or replace them." Of course, there will be additional drama, gore, and overall R-18 entertainment... are you in our not."

"Hmmmm... alright why not."