"I have to say…that 'logic' of yours is still keen as ever, Sir Top Hat." Zacharias stated with slight jealousy.

"Logic, coupled with careful, precise thinking, can topple any mystery." The professor told him in response. "So tell us…What exactly are you doing here in this place?"

"I might ask the same of the two of you." The Knight now became surprised and inquisitive. "How can it be…that the two of you are still alive? You Sir Top Hat, were turned into a gold statue…and was she not sent to the flames as a witch?!"

Maya immediately became angry and defensive as she shouted, "Hey…I. Am. Not. A. Witch!"

Zacharias was unfazed as he continued to voice his thoughts aloud. "This must be the Great Witch's handiwork as well!"

It was then Maya's turn to be surprised as she remembered the state of the room and that Zacharias was the visitor while she put two and two together. "What?! No way…Inquisitor Barnham?!" she said. "You didn't…Did you kill the Great Witch?!"

"What on earth are you talking about?" the knight was utterly confused. "I remember doing no such thing."

"You…you wretched liar!" one of the Shades claimed loudly as he approached his enemy. "What have you done with the mistress?!"

"Spare me." Zacharias replied seriously. "The condition of this unkempt room is but the result of its unkempt master."

"Insolence!" the Shade shouted angrily. "None shall speak ill of the mistress!"

"Please, stay calm." Layton told them both before he turned to face the knight. "Inquisitor Barnham, please tell us the state in which you found this room. Tell us, what happened here?"

"Hmph. It would seem the presence of an inquisitor has fouled the atmosphere with a sense of distrust…" Zacharias commented under his breath. He then raised his voice as he continued. "Very well. I will tell you what I know…I did not think the situation would devolve to such a state. I only came seeking the one that could cast some light on the doubts that plague my mind…"

"And just who is this mysterious 'one'?" Maya asked curiously.

Zacharias wasn't absolutely sure the person would answer to anything, or that she would have the answers, so he remained silent while shaking his head.

"…You cannot say." Layton interpreted the knight's answer. "Very well. Please continue, Inquisitor."

"I followed them and was led here to this strange forest." The knight continued. "That is why I was here…I was aiming to confront them and put a stop to whatever plan the Great Witch was attempting to concoct."

"So you disguised yourself in their robes and made your way here to this room in hopes of foiling her plans…"

"All those who doubt the Storyteller and speak ill of his word are a threat to all Labyrinthia and its citizens." Zacharias stood up straight with honor and dignity. "Of course, the witch refused to speak with me…and as I reached for my sword…I lost consciousness. Perhaps it was one of her detestable magic spells."

"Magic?!" the Shade shouted once more. "Lies! Your words are nothing but lies!"

"I am true to my word! That was what happened before you opened the door!" the Inquisitor raised his voice against the Shade. "That is why I lost sight of the Great Witch and was left stranded in this room. I tried to make my escape a quick one, in order to avoid any unnecessary confrontations, much like this one…"

"If you lost consciousness, then you did not see the Great Witch disappear, is that correct?" Professor Layton inquired as he brought the knight's attention back to the questioning.

Zacharias paused for a short moment before he answered with, "Regrettably so."

"Liar! You did it!" the Shade shouted, still wanting to blame him. "Because of you the Great Witch is…"

"How many times must you accuse me?!" the Inquisitor had had enough of the Shade's attitude towards him. "A court knight is always true to his word!"

Maya had listened to the conversation unfold before her, but her mind was still pondering about the state of the room they were in. "Wait. Wait. Wait!" she said loudly so her opinion could be heard. "How do you explain all this blood in here then?!"

The professor then mentioned that the splotches everywhere were not blood, which threw Maya for a loop. Zacharias confirmed it by telling them that he hadn't drawn his sword at all. The three then came to the conclusion that the liquid wasn't blood, but the potions that the Shades were stirring up in the other room. Their discussion then moved onto how the witch could've escaped the room, and after a while their focus was turned to the throne which had been moved.

"Ah! It must have gotten shoved here during Inquisitor Barnham's mad struggle." Maya stated after they had discovered it.

Zacharias remained calm and silent, as she was unknowingly accusing him. Or was she?

The professor responded to her statement by saying, "This throne does not have a single drop of red liquid on it, yet the wall behind it does…Why do you think that is?"

"Well…Because the throne was in a different spot when Inquisitor Barnham was having the fight of his life?"

"Very sound reasoning Miss Fey. And who do you think could have moved it?"

"Well…It must have been Inquisitor Barnham, when he was battling it out tooth and nail."

Zacharias' eyebrow twitched with annoyance and anger, as he finally spoke up. "…'Twas not a battle fought with either teeth or nails." He said. "I have no recollection of moving the throne at any stage either."

"In other words, the only one who could have moved this throne was the Great Witch herself." Layton commented, drawing his conclusions. "And I believe moving this throne is in some way connected with what she did next."

For a moment, Maya was confused. "'What she did next'…" – realization then flashed across her face – "Oh! You mean her little disappearing act."

"Hmph. Wielding that 'logic' you love so much?" the knight uttered, lacing his words with a little jealousy. "But remember this is the Great Witch we are discussing. She could have easily used a magic spell to disappear."

A few Shades then stepped forward and took their stand against the one they believed harmed their mistress, armed with weapons. They demanded that Zacharias tell them what really happened, to which he responded by drawing his sword. Maya was worried as they ran at each other, but Zacharias ran past them and cut the rope tied to a hook in the wall, making the chandelier fall, throwing them off a little.

He then stood over them and announced, "Listen well, servants of the Great Witch. If you seek the truth you must find it yourself."

The Shades then groaned as the Inquisitor had outsmarted them. Maya was amazed, however.

"Whoa…No wonder Inquisitor Barnham is so famous around town!" she said with awe. "He truly is an incredible knight!"

"I cannot waste any more time here. I must make haste and return to protect the Storyteller." Zacharias stated aloud with urgency. "Sir Top Hat…'Twas a pleasure crossing swords with you again."

"It was an honor, Inquisitor Barnham." Layton said in reply.

The knight then turned to Maya. "Miss Fey."

Maya became a little confused as she answered with, "Y-Yeah…?"

"Your courageous acts of bravery are worthy of my respect and admiration."

"C-Courageous acts of bravery…?"

"…That is all for now…farewell!" he said before disappearing from the room.

Careful so as to not get caught, Zacharias crept unnoticed through the bushes. As he was about to enter the town once more, he caught sight of something most unusual. Right near the gate he saw a lone Shade, pacing around as if they were hesitant to enter the town gate.

'Curiouser and curiouser this day becomes…' he asked himself in a low voice as he watched the figure creep slowly through the gate. 'Just what are you up to?' – he paused as he stood and followed them – 'I believe I can spare another moment to find out what…'