"Me, Layton? Surely this must be some sort of jest."
"I'm not jesting, Baron, I'm one hundred percent serious."
"I think you need some pretty good proof to back up that unruly claim of yours."
"Isn't it obvious, I thought everyone could see the truth plain as day."
"Here, let me explain it to you."
Puzzle!
No. 019 Reviewing the Facts 2
If you get the question right, you get 10 points.
What did the cloaked man do when we were chasing after him?
A. Throw rocks
B. Throw sticks
C. Throw snowballs
What type of tree did the caper scurry up?
A. Oaktree
B. Redwood
C. Evergreen
What's the passcode we entered to get into the hatch?
A. Lyra
B. Layton
C. Lydia
...
That's the ticket
...
One more left
...
Here are the correct answers reward accordingly -
Throw rocks
Evergreen
Lydia
Here's the final question, and I would like Barron to answer it.
What color is the handkerchief in my pocket?
A. Red
B. Green
C. Yellow
D. Blue
"Green, I always go with green. It's my lucky color, after all."
"Hmm, interesting, that's rather intriguing if I do say so myself."
Layton drops his red-coated handkerchief on the ground, "Could you pick that up for me," Layton says, politely persuading Baron?
As Baron reaches out his left hand, he finally realizes what's going on.
"This is all a test, isn't it? A test to link me to the masked man you encountered earlier."
"Indeed, I'm surprised it took you so long to catch on."
"Catch on to what?" Luke wonders.
"Which hand was that cloaked man throwing massive rocks with, Luke."
"I think it was... his left, oh."
"It seems you finally realize it too."
"And what color tree did the hooded man ascend?"
"Green," Luke says.
"Exactly, that's why I engaged in two heated games with Baron to determine the masked man's identity."
"I wanted to play a round of darts to witness Baron's most dominant hand in action. And I teamed up with Lydia to deduce Baron's favorite color as well."
"Actually, I would like to revise my earlier statement, too," Layton adds.
"I believe the inspector did, in fact, steal the amulet... but it wasn't up to his own volition. Inspector Hawk was mind-controlled to do so."
"Mind-control? Now that just sounds preposterous, even for you Layton," Baron scoffs.
"No, this ship's music certainly raises a few ethical questions."
"Where's your evidence."
"I'm sure if the police investigated it, they would find some heavy use of hypnotic noises."
"Grrrr, Layton."
3rd Mystery - Psychedelic Music Solved
Baron's use of speakers and noise machines throughout the Arrow Zeppelin was all for the purpose of mind-controlling the staff and various guests. He could use these psychedelic beats to frame people for crimes they didn't commit and make his workers operate more diligently.
"But I thought if you're mind-controlled, you can't do something against your morals," Lydia reasons.
"That was an element I struggled to deduce myself. But now I think I have the answer."
"Inspector Hawk has so much built-up resentment towards me that he would jeopardize his police rank just to spite me. That's why the SOD was created in the first place. It was an organization of detectives formed to combat my successful ventures and sheer popularity."
"I cannot deny that statement," Inspector Hawk dolefully admits.
4th Mystery - Society of Detectives Solved
The group of agents joined forces because of jealousy and vowed to exclude Layton from their activities. Their built-up hate and aggression towards Layton made for the perfect mind-control slaves to steal the precious charm.
"Say it ain't so, captain," Lydia begs.
Baron remains silent.
"I trusted you, Baron. You can't be the culprit. Not after all the years, we've worked together. There has to be some sort of mistake here."
"I'm sorry, Lydia. Layton is... correct," Baron says, taking in a deep breath.
"But can he catch me?" Baron states, fleeing from the lounge and quickly moving into the foyer of the ship. "What are you doing," Lydia questions.
"Luke, after him. We can't let him get away."
The two give chase to the speedy culprit, following Baron into a long narrow hallway. Baron orders his guards, Billie and Jamie, to block your path. Flora, who currently occupies the sight gazing terrace overhears the commotion. She distracts the omnipotent barbarians with a loud whistle. As the guards swing their mighty halberds in a dazed manner, Layton and Luke slide under the deadly weapons. Baron seizes Flora's hand and forcefully drags her along. They keep sprinting after Baron, entering into the newly cleaned dining hall.
Baron flips a mechanical lever positioned on the right wall. The tables and chairs flip upside down as a checkerboard pattern is displayed. Giant chess pieces emerge from underneath, creating the look of an enormous chessboard.
Baron releases a small chuckle through his dentures, "Dare to step beyond the checkered board, Layton. I'm sure you'll have a blast."
"We're not afraid of you," Luke insists.
"Watch yourself, Luke. The floor looks rigged with explosives. If we are ever to defeat the cunning Baron, we're going to have to play along with his mind games."
"Well, at least he doesn't have possession of the necklace. Then we'd really be in trouble," Luke replies.
"I'm sorry to burst your bubble, Luke, but the amulet holds no mystical powers. It's a dull clump of granite manufactured into a stone."
1st Mystery - Aphrodite's Amulet Solved
The amulet has no magical powers; the masked Baron used a handful of wires and papier-mâché boulders to trick us. He and his companions created the myth of the stone to drum up success for the item. The rock's retail price is less than one dollar.
8th Mystery - Hooded Figure Solved
The hooded figure turned out to be Baron, just playing dress-up. Our pursuit of the masked figure into the snowy tundra was all an elaborate stage performance that used hooks and stunt doubles to strengthen the jewelry's magical rumors. It was also meant to confuse us and make us scared to confront the real culprit.
"Baron, stop this nonsense at once," Flora demands sternly.
"Not until I crush Layton and wipe that smug grin off his annoying little face."
Puzzle!
No. 020 Battle of Wits (King)
This puzzle is worth 50/50 picarats. Subtract 5 if you lose.
Download the wooden chess app by Vintolo Ltd. After downloading, boot up the game and choose New - 1 Player. Select hard for the difficulty. Determine your color and put a thirty-second-time limit on your game. Once all of these requirements have been fulfilled, press start.
If you can beat the computer player at a round of difficult chess, then you'll have the perfect experience to take down Baron.
...
Good one.
...
You're in the home stretch.
...
Hint:
1. The best way for you to prepare for a chess match is by learning the basic moves. A Pawn can move one space ahead, but can only attack a piece on an angle. Bishops move at an angle, and knights move in an L shaped pattern. Rooks can move anywhere in a straight line. The Queen and King can move anywhere on the board, but the King is locked to one space at a time.
2. The knights and bishops should be your top priority to take out. Try to keep your Rooks, Queen, and King safe. This can be done by watching your back and choosing moves wisely. Make sure your important pieces aren't in the line fire to be taken out.
3. You're bound to lose pieces along the way. Your goal should be to lose pieces carefully. Pawns and Knights aren't as integral as Rooks or Queens. To remedy this, be patient with your decisions and wait for operable times to strike.
...
Hmmm, interesting.
...
I wonder what it is.
...
The CORRECT answer is below.
"Consider this puzzle solved."
Congratulations, you won!
"A true gentleman leaves no puzzle unsolved," Layton preaches.
You're a true puzzle fanatic! Keep up the excellent work!
A swarm of beautiful instrumentation accompanies Layton's chess efforts. As Layton pushes the bishop piece into place, the wooden string instrument, the violin, makes its debut. The piano syncs up with the ticking of the clock, composing an eerie melody. And the endgame of the match adds in a few accordion notes to spice up the standard theme. The dazzling harmony works in tandem with the high stakes performance. Each instrument increases in volume as more chess pieces are knocked down.
"Grrr, Layton, I wasn't expecting to know so much about chess."
"I brush up a little every now and then, but I prefer a light game of checkers instead."
"Oh no, he's getting close, I don't have any pawns left. Here, I'll send out my Bishop, I can't let him take my King."
"And... checkmate."
"How in the world did he do it? Even my most qualified puzzle solvers couldn't break this challenge. He's insane, he's inhuman, he's...
"Professor Layton, the one and only, joined by his apprentice Luke," Luke chimes in.
Layton flips the lever up, closing the massive strategy game. The SOD comes barging into the room after they hear the news and proceeds to arrest both Baron and his greedy evildoers.
"Curse you, Layton, and your tremendous knowledge of simple brain teasers. I knew as soon as I saw you that you were going to be trouble, but kicking you off the ship would've been too suspicious. I may have been beaten this time, but I'll get you back one day, just you wait."
"Tell it to the judge," Inspector Hawk butts in.
"Baron, I've known you for so long. I thought you were a good person, someone I could trust. Why did you do this? Why are you behind this whole smoke and mirrors operation," Lydia inquires.
"It's a harsh world out there, Lydia, you gotta pay the bills some way. However, I appreciate you believing in me until the bitter end, that's why you're my favorite worker.
"You really mean it, uncle?"
"You got a good head on your shoulders, I'm sure you'll go far in this world."
6th Mystery - Blimp's Creation Solved
The Baron is a mad puzzle genius, who wastes his spare time sharpening his puzzle-solving skills. His whole ship is one big puzzle labyrinth that stealthily snags the money out of its guests. Baron takes pride in his financial occupation as a con artist.
Later that evening,
The windows are all slightly cracked inside the docked Arrow Zeppelin, letting in the summer night fireflies, and the firework coated air. Layton and Luke wait inside the dining pavilion, now transformed into an immense ballroom. A crowd of dancers moves swiftly throughout the glass chamber. Their quick footwork and fast reflexes only add to the grandeur of the event. Layton and Luke sport black blazers, blending right into the tuxedo and crimson dress scene.
A giant glass chandelier hangs directly above the gold layered floor. Horderves encapsulate the left side of the room, driving gluttonous guests into the back of the cabin. The room's magnificent architecture and Greek origins leave Layton and Luke positively speechless.
"I think it's time we enjoy the festivities, Luke. We've had quite the day, haven't we?" Layton mentions, snacking a piece of eggplant.
"Yeah, we've had munch* mind-controlling music, artificial mountains, and even crunch* an oversized chess competition. I think that's a new record for a day's work."
"Speaking of the case, why don't you approach Flora over there and try to work things out with her. She looks a little lonely, I'm sure she could use some company."
"Me, professor, I'm not sure if I could solve that puzzle."
"Imagine it's like a chess match, Luke. You want to protect your queen, don't you?"
"Yeah, but I'm a pawn professor."
"Nonsense, my boy, you'll be fine."
Luke timidly approaches Flora from across the gallery. He continuously plays out the chess match in his head, challenging his insecurities with Rooks and Knights. After crossing through a treacherous crowd of performers, Luke pops out right in front of the devilish queen.
"Hello... I'm I'm... Luke, um Luke Triton, reporting for duty," Luke briefs giving a hearty salute.
"Oh, I wanted to speak to you."
"Thank you for saving me," Flora praises, brushing a strand of her hair over her diamond-shaped ears.
"Uh, you... really... mean mean it," Luke nervously probes.
"What you did was incredibly heroic, I never expected you two to be so brave. I apologize for my attitude earlier, I should've been more understanding. I have a tendency to not trust people, I got it from my parents and their crazy villa-, it's a long story.
"Don't worry, we're used to dealing with problematic scenarios, especially the ones of the supernatural variety. "
"Oh, are you, well, do you care to dance, Mr. Hercules," Flora invites.
"Uh... dance, um sure."
Puzzle!
No. 021 Fancy Footwork
This puzzle is worth 30/30 picarats. Subtract 8 if you lose.
Luke and Flora are engaging in a cute little shimmy. Luke wants to impress Flora with his dancing skills but struggles to remember his footing. Could you help him out?
The correct pattern of steps are right, right, left, left, right, left. What step would Luke land on after 100 times? This first pattern is just six steps, repeat the pattern until you find the 100th one.
A. Right
B. Left
...
Keep going!
...
Don't give up yet!
...
Hint:
1. You might want to scribble all the steps on a pad and individually count out each foot. But that would take a long time, and there's an easy way of doing it. Think back to an easy way of solving large number problems.
2. Since six can't divide equally into one hundred, you should try multiplying six to the closest value and go from there.
3. After realizing the number ninety-six is divisible by six and equals the left foot, you can easily count the remaining feet on one hand.
...
I see success in your future.
...
Oooh, that might be a good option.
...
The CORRECT answer is below.
"Here it goes."
Left is CORRECT.
"Piece of cake," Luke proclaims.
2nd Mystery - Flora's Disappearance Solved
Flora, similar to many other cases, was mind-controlled by the Baron's music. Her memory was wiped by the alluring melody, and she then took up a position at the Arrow Zeppelin for two years. Her original reason for boarding the flying vessel was purely to enjoy some leisure.
"Look at those two dance, they're so cute together," Lydia gushes.
"Yes, it appears Luke has mastered the art of chess and charm."
"So, If it isn't rude to ask, Ms. Vandelier. It seems as if you were related to Baron, is this true," Layton questions.
"He's not my real uncle, but with how close we've been working with each other over the years, he feels like my real one."
"I'm terribly sorry for what has transpired today. I'm sure your uncle had good intentions for you, considering him hiding the secret of his dealings from you for years. I truly wish the man the best of luck."
"Don't be sorry, you were only trying to reveal the truth. That's what a gentleman does, after all."
"If there's anything I can do to make your day a little brighter, I'm all ears," Layton pleads.
"Could I ask for your hand to dance," Lydia requests.
"It would be my pleasure."
The End
——————————————————
Professor Layton and the Battle of Wits
Created by - Zachary Rozell
Based on - The Professor Layton Series
Special Thanks -
Designers = Akihiro Hino, Shu Takumi
Artists = Takuzō Nagano, Jun Suzuki
Composer = Tomohito Nishiura
Developers = Level-5, Capcom, 1-Up Studio, Matrix Software
Thank you for reading
All rights reserved, 2020 Nintendo.
——————————————————
The large chandelier smashes into the floor, creating a vast chasm.
Screams and cries ensue from the chaotic situation.
A familiar laugh echoes through the room...