prof | Let's Play Umineko, Episode 3 Scene 4: The Mistress

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Mammon of Greed

Advanced-level furniture created by Beatrice.

Mammon is quick to grab whatever she wants, without any concern for her sisters.

Her motto is "monopolize through greed". Therefore, she is usually the main cause of any arguments between the sisters.

However, among the sisters, she is the most honest about her own feelings, and the one most likely to try and please the opposite sex.

She is greedy, but a hard working, and will stop at nothing to capture her target's affections for all eternity.

Maria reads the letter. The family has been drawn into the game.

As usual, everyone is angry and nobody admits to writing it.

Once again, Eva hears that remote, faint voice in her heart:

If this is true, then anyone can gain the inheritance now.

Even Eva.

Of the siblings, only Rosa suggests the possibility that Kinzo didn't write the letter.

The faint voice in Eva's heart tells Rosa to die.

Hideyoshi, too.

Why don't they all just give up and die?

As before, so now. The cousins watch the proceedings with varying degrees of contempt.

Maria is as helpful as ever.

October 4th, 1986, 8:00 PM
28 hours remain

The cousins were chased out of the room when the discussion began to heat up. Kinzo remains locked in his study, saying nothing about the letter.

If someone was impersonating Kinzo, he would probably be furious. Instead, he's silently ignoring the letter - is that silence a confirmation?

When Maria's interrogation ended, the third generation all withdrew to the guest house.

How many people are on Rokkenjima?

It makes more sense for there to be 18. Someone disguised themself as Beatrice and gave Maria the letter.

Whether it's a 19th person or one of the 18, we might as well call them Beatrice for now. There's no proof either way, and assuming she's a witch is kind to Maria.

Jessica mentions something unusual, though: There are stories of an actual 19th person living on the island.

Elsewhere, the adults heatedly discuss the contents of Beatrice's letter.

The letter has thrown the balance of power among the siblings into disarray. Krauss no longer has the upper hand.

However, there's an extra level of worry - the letter says nothing about restrictions of family. Anyone, even someone outside of the family, could receive the inheritance.

There is one certain truth:

Somebody on this island gave this letter to Maria, and that person is still on the island.

Rosa calls the servant room to request a pitcher of water. They need to cool down a bit before they continue.

After Gohda brings the water and then departs, Kyrie turns the discussion towards the 19th guest.

Most of them are banking on the 19th person not existing. Eva thinks it's one of the servants.

Then again, Eva mentions (in the context of belittling Rosa) the same story that Jessica was talking about.

But she doesn't exist. There's no witch living in the forest.

How many people are there on Rokkenjima? Nobody can be sure, unless a 19th person appears before them.

The idea of a mystical witch living in the forest is absurd. However, a 19th human just might exist. In other words...

Natsuhi is immediately furious, but the others can't deny the possibility. Over half of the island is untamed forest - there could be a secret second mansion hidden in it.

It would even explain the superstitions of the servants, too, if there really was a person living in the woods.

The siblings prepare themselves mentally for the existence of a 19th person.

Kinzo has been known to disappear for long stretches of time sometimes. The rumors began to spread that he was visiting some unknown mistress. People tried to search for him inside the mansion during these times, but never found him.

Is there a hidden mansion on this island? One where a mistress has lived for years?

The possibility can't be denied.

The rumors of a secret mistress go back 30 years. It couldn't be possible for a second mansion to be built while the family was living here with nobody noticing anything.

So, if such a place exists, it's safe to say that it existed since the very beginning.

Natsuhi is still arguing against the mistress theory, but not against the possibility of a 19th person existing.

Krauss's plan to turn Rokkenjima into a resort island may have been cover for an attempt to find this second mansion.

The siblings all become increasingly sure that this mansion exists.

Still, there are problems with the theory. To keep a secret mistress healthy and comfortable, the second mansion would need electricity, gas, and running water. She would need food and clothing.

Could all of this be maintained without the rest of Rokkenjima noticing?

Never put anything past Kinzo. The man is insane, but capable of great feats.

Still, to keep a person alive and hidden for 30 years?

If a mistress were to appear, she would be right at the bottom of the family hierarchy. However, with this letter, that would give her as much chance as anyone of getting the inheritance.

However, if Beatrice was the one who presented these conditions, then she may already have a serious advantage.

What if Beatrice already knows where the gold is?

This is a weapon, not a contest. Beatrice's plan to steal the gold.

Or is it? If that was the case, why not just steal the gold herself?

Turn the board around: Would the family really accept a 19th person showing up and solving the riddle, then stealing the inheritance?

This game can only work if there's some compelling reason for the family to hand over the money.

All four siblings are in a bad place right now, financially speaking. What if Beatrice plans to use the hidden gold to buy out the title of head?

If that's the plan, then it very well might succeed. Rudolf would be happy to sell off his name.

The goal of Beatrice's letter was to shake the alliance between the younger siblings.

This business with the epitaph isn't a game. It's a declaration of Beatrice's victory.

But even that doesn't quite make sense. Turn the board around again - if this was her plan, then why bother with the game? Why not just announce she has the gold and buy out the family directly?

Arrogance comes from having an overwhelming advantage. Maybe Beatrice wanted to show off her advantage to the family before crushing them.

Even so, this letter created a risk for her - the siblings can still solve the epitaph and win.

Eva - that is to say, the second Eva living in her heart - accepts the challenge. She'll overturn the witch's game and in the inheritance herself.

October 4th, 1986, 9:00 PM
27 hours remain

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