I entreat upon Doctor Nanjo's sense of decency (Pink Trigger's Power >69)

It would be difficult to transcribe the whole conversation, but suffice to say, I put on an award-worthy performance, invoking everything from the good doctor's empathy to his love for the family to the honor of the family to his honor as a doctor to his love for his own children. It took longer than I would have liked, but probably not as long as it would have to win a full chess game against the doctor. Finally, at long last, I managed to convince him... to at least let me try knocking on the door to bring Kinzo out. He still looked hesitant even to allow that! This guy is either a great friend of Kinzo's, or else, very fearful of the old man's wrath.

Eva looked surprised, but also pleased. Amused, even. Perhaps she saw through my sob story and recognized it for my cunning? Either way, her happiness is my happiness. I had finally satisfied her desire to see the old man.

I made my way up to Kinzo's study. Through the windows, I could tell that it was very dark outside. I didn't have the benefit of a clock, but I knew not much time remained. I watched Doctor Nanjo's back with a growing sense of dread as I followed the old man, with Eva close behind me.

At some point, I lost sight of Doctor Nanjo.

How was that possible? It doesn't make sense. We were all standing there together. Still, Eva is with me; that's what I wanted from the beginning, right? I could tell she was just as confused as I was; she blinked her eyes in a weary fashion, then looked from side to side. She didn't want to say anything for fear of being thought a fool, but we both knew it was strange that the old man just vanished.

We'd reached Kinzo's study. The door was open. He stood there himself, smirking at me. At least he appeared to be in good humor.

Crap... I hadn't expected this. Was I really supposed to form a medical diagnosis now? They'd just realize I was a fraud, at that point. That concern honestly passed through my mind as the grandfather of the conference began to chuckle in a deep, rasping voice.

"Father..." Eva muttered, sounding shocked to see him. I saw her bow her head next to me and followed suit.

"Silence! Mister Player... I can sense that a great sorcery has drawn you here," the old man laughed, dismissing his daughter. I hadn't told him my name yet. Had he been watching me? Or maybe one of the servants informed him. "It was no easy feat, reaching me here, was it? Perhaps you have what it takes to challenge me on this most special night. On this night, when I have gathered so many around the banquet table, you rise to your feet as if to make a speech... only, you make no speech! You greedily bite the neck of the nearest one you can lay your hands upon, chewing the blood and the sinew out of their necks! I can see, Mister Player, I can see that you are hungry for Ushiromiya Blood! That is why you've come for me!"

No... That wasn't it at all. I let him keep going, in case he wanted a chance to make sense of his own ravings.

"Ho... no, I can see it in your eyes. You haven't come for me. You've come for my useless daughter..." the old man continued to grumble, stroking his beard with two fingers. "This worthless one is good for nothing but to serve as a sacrifice. Do you intend to make her part of your own ceremony? I won't allow it! I've assembled everyone here for a purpose and you are no part of it! Nor shall you be allowed to interrupt it, fooool!"

Eva watched her father with confusion and no understanding. She wasn't the only one. Dammit! I don't have time for a magic battle, you old fart. If you know anything about Kinzo, you probably expected this kind of outburst from him. I love it, in a way... but not like this!

"Ha ha ha ha! You are a man of peace, Mister Player? You do not like to fight?"

You could say that... I call myself a man of love, not peace, but the concept is similar.

"Then I must sweeten the pot for you. If you defeat me, I will grant you my daughter as your just reward! You may take her, however you please! I will grant her body and soul to you! But you will have nothing if you cannot defeat me, upstart! Nothing but the opportunity to become the first sacrifice of the demon roulette, that is! Kaaaa ha ha ha ha!"

Things had gotten pretty intense. I could see Eva looking between the two of us with a frustrated expression, not comprehending the situation and with increasing frustration at what appeared to be her part in it: a trophy, to be pawned off by her careless father. I could hear her saying something about how her father had gone senile. Maybe he had...