prof | Let's Play Umineko, Episode 2 Scene 17: The Puzzle

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October 5th, 1986, 1:00 PM
11 hours remain

The goal is now to survive until morning. All the survivors gather in the parlor to wait the night out.

If the six sacrifices were killed with poison, and Jessica was killed with a surprise attack, then the culprit isn't someone who can take on a group of nine people directly, especially if one of them has a gun.

That's right, Rosa mentioned this earlier. What was that about?

Two wolves, two sheep. You have a boat that can only hold two animals, and must get all four across.
The boat can be moved only if at least one animal is on it to paddle.
If there are ever more wolves than sheep at a location, then the wolves will attack the sheep.

Think about it if you'd like. The solution will be posted next update. It's not especially difficult.

The point, however, is that Rosa believes that there's a wolf in our midst.

The wolves can't act when the numbers are even, but once there are more wolves than sheep in a group, it's game over.

The first crime scene was very complex. It's hard to believe that just one person could have done it.

It's okay for large numbers of wolves to move together, so long as there aren't any sheep with them.

Rosa's thinking isn't hard to figure out.

Rosa sends all the servants to the kitchen, but asks George to stay behind. She asks something of Nanjo, and he complies, leaving the room as well.

She's chased out all the wolves. Battler's already following her logic.

Beatrice might have somehow managed the first murders alone, but Beatrice also lacks a master key, so she can't be working alone.

Wait. Turn the board around.

If the culprit was a servant, then why would they lock the door?

It's a shame that the family can't see the Red Truth.

Rosa turns the focus back to the Kanon Culprit Theory. But what about that master key?

Rosa's theory is simple: Kanon was hiding in the room, via some secret compartment that only the servants know about.

Purgatorio

Kanon was killed in this room, right? Because you seemed to suspect Kanon as the culprit, you made me repeat this to destroy that possibility right away. I understand, I understand...

So this is what I thought next: There were actually three people in that room. Jessica and Kanon were victims. And I thought that the culprit, the guest Beatrice, was also there with them.

You wanted to make it the human me, who committed the crime without using magic. I see, a strange theory that fits you perfectly.

I guessed that you killed those two, then locked the door from the inside. And you carried Kanon's corpse using some secret method that normal people wouldn't notice. In other words, you used a secret door to escape. But you told me in red. You said that there are no hidden doors.

Hmm. No secret passage exists that you all do not know of. Was it Knox, or was it Van Dine? It seems that in mystery novels, there must not be hidden passages, no matter what. I also follow that etiquette. So even without having to thoroughly search the room, a famous detective could claim that there are no secret passages. Hah, playing as human detectives is so easy.

Damn you, talking so big... Thanks to the witch's arrangement, I can claim that the room doesn't have a hidden door without searching the whole thing.

Hmm. There are no hidden doors in this room. There is no way to get in or out other than the door and the windows.

Which means that theory Rosa's so confident in is wrong. Furthermore, it's annoying, but it's impossible to disprove that theory. If you, the witch, say 'there are no hidden doors', then it's settled. However, no matter how much a human like me tries to argue against her, Rosa probably won't accept it. Humans can't prove there's no hidden door. It's a Devil's Proof. It sure is convenient being a witch...

Rokkenjima

Indeed, Rosa is steadfast. There's no explanation other than this one.

Without a doubt, one of the servants is in on the crime.

The uproar in Jessica's room was to observe the reactions of the servants. However, there's a problem.

What if not all of the servants are in on this together? What about the servants who are in the kitchen right now?

In the kitchen, the wolves might outnumber the sheep.

Rosa will act as mother to the orphaned children. She gives an order: Never leave her sight. She will protect them, no matter the cost.

What if the one taking charge is one of the wolves?

Rosa has proof otherwise. To demonstrate, she points her rifle at Battler.

The servants are away. It's just Rosa, George, Battler, and Maria right now.

This is a rare opportunity. If Rosa was one of the wolves, she would have killed them immediately.

What about that 19th guest?

How many people are there on Rokkenjima?

Purgatorio

Rokkenjima

In the kitchen, Gohda prepares some canned food to the best of his ability. Shannon and Kumasawa wash dishes. Gohda and Nanjo play chess.

A sound breaks the tranquility of the kitchen.

It sounded like something being dragged.

The sound came from around the back. The only access to that spot is outside, through the typhoon.

The servants are all here. The family is all in the parlor. Kinzo is in his study.

So who made that sound?